THE KXIGHT FAMILY. The name of Knight was

THE KXIGHT FAMILY.
The name of Knight was common in some parts
of England more than two hundred years ago. In
1663, Sir John Knight was Mayor of the town of
Bristol. A few years after, another John Knight was
Vicar Df Banbury. We also find notice of many persons named Knight who were among the early converts to the doctrines of George Fox; and in the record
of the sufferings of Friends during the reign of Charles
II are the names of Thomas Knight, of Cirencester;
William Knight, of Hampshire; George Knight and
Mary Knight, of London or Middlesex; Robert Knight,
of Oxford, and Giles Knight, of Chesselborough, in
Somersetshire. Most of these were apprehended at
religious meetings, and, for refusing to take the oath
of allegiance, were committed to prison.
Among the emigrants who came to America with
William Penn, in 1682, was GILES KNIGHT, of Gloucestershire. While in England he married Mary, a
sister of Henry English; and at the time of their
arrival in America, they had one son, Joseph, who was
about two years of age. Their friends endeavored to
persuade them to leave Joseph in England, "fearing
that he would be devoured by the wolves, bears or
panthers in the wilds of Pennsylvania." During the
passage across the Atlantic Mary was very ill, so that
her recovery was doubtful; yet she did recover, and
lived for many years after their arrival. Her father
purchased a tract of five hundred acres in l>yberry,
and gave one-half of it to his son, Henry English, and
the other half to Giles Knight. The latter lived in a
eave for six weeks after bis arrival, and then constructed a wigwam, in which he resided for several
months, and then erected a loor house. 1 fe was verv
prosperous in his business, and some time afterward.
i
' *
bought the adjoining lands of Tibby and Cross, making
altogether a tract of six hundred acres. The house
at first erected being too small to accommodate his
increasing family, he erected a long log house, one
story high, on the Tibby tract, and opened a store for
the sale of dry goods, groceries, etc., which is said to
have been the first in either township.
From the
ancient records we learn that he was one of the leading
men in the neighborhood, and that he was highly
esteemed for his integrity, good judgment and correct
life. In 1717 he went to England on a visit, when
Abington Monthly Meeting of Friends, of which he
was a member, gave him the following certificate:
"To our well-beloved friends and brethren in the
Truth at Xailsworthe. in Gloucestershire, or elsewhere,
greeting: Signifying that our ancient friend Giles
Knight, having occasion to see his native country, and
his outward business requiring his personal appearance, doth induce Fm, as well as affection, to undertake a voyage to see his old friends ; now, having made
application to our Monthly Meeting in order to have
a certificate, and persons appointed to make inquiry
how he leaves his family; and, withal, if the ship would
rot stay until our next Mo. Meeting, he might have
a certificate signed by the particular meeting to which
he belongs, to wit, Byberry:
"These may certify, that enquiry being made and
no objection found, we recommend him as an Elder
and one well esteemed by us for many years, having
left his family with a great deal of love; he has great
comfort in having sober, well-inclined children, and
the Eord has blessed him with outward substance,
which we hope may be well disposed of to his hopeful
offspring.
''We heartily wish the Lord may spare his life to
see his friends and family again, having left us in
unity and love. We wish and pray for his preservation
in the Truth with all the faithful throughout the world.
\Ve salute you, and bid you farewell in the Lord Jesus
Christ.
"Signed at Byberry, the 8th of the 7th month,
1717, by order of Abington Monthly Meeting:
"William Walton, Thomas Walton, Thomas
Knight, Henry English, George James, Everard
Bolton, Alexander Mode, Thomas Martin, James
Cooper, James Duncan, Henry Comly, John Carver,
James Carver, Edward Duncan, John Brock, Joseph
Gibbons, Thomas Knight, Daniel Knight, Jonathan
Knight."
- He possessed considerable literary attainments,
and his library contained a number of books relating
to civil government. He was repeatedly elected a
member of the Assembly at Philadelphia, and, in this
capacity, was very liberal in his views, and did much
to promote public improvements. He died 8th mo.
20th, 1726, aged 73 years; and Mary died 7th mo. 24th.
1732, aged yy years. They had twelve children, three
of whom died in infancv. Two of these were buried
on the farm near Knight's mill-pond, and the other
was the first person interred in the old graveyard at
Byberry Meeting. The remainder, so far as known,
were Joseph, Thomas, Daniel, Jonathan and Ann, from
whom the whole family of Knights are descended..
Thomas Knight, mentioned in the above list, was a
half-brother of Giles, and the last three mentioned
were his sons. Joseph, his eldest son, resided at that
time in New Jersey.
I JOSEPH KNIGHT AND HIS DESCENDANTS.
(1.) JOSEPH KNIGHT, was born in England, in
1680. and came to Pennsylvania with his parents, Giles
and Mary Knight, in 1682. He married Abigail
Antill, who came from England in 1717. They were
married at a public meeting in Philadelphia, and then
eertificate was signed by Thomas Chalkley, David
Lloyd, Samuel Preston, Richard Hill, and other distinguished Friends. They first settled in Xew Jersey,
3
but returned to Byberry in 1729, and settled on the
place now owned by James Thornton, which contained
one hundred and ninety acres, and was inherited from
his father. He was a man of little or no enterprise,
and was content with a very plain way of living. He
thought his farm too large, and accordingly sold about
one hundred and forty acres of it to Thomas Walmsley,
retaining his buildings and only fifty acres of land from
which to make a living. They studied and carried out
the principles of the most exact economy, and, being
content with very little, passed through life in a comfortable way and without any longings after those
expensive luxuries experienced by many people. He
was very careful to attend to all things in season, and
suffered nothing to be wasted. He was a kind-hearted
man, and a good citizen. His neighbors did not look
upon him as a miser; but, having been brought up in
a new country, where he often suffered many privations, his habits of economy became settled, and continued with him through life. When he was a little
boy, the only food they had, often for weeks at a time,
was ''fish and pumpkins;" and on one occasion, when
some of the neighbors paid them a visit and the conversation turned upon the good things left behind them
in Old England, Joseph remarked "that he did not
know anything about them, but that fish and pumpkins
were good enough for him." On one occasion some
one asked him how to make money, when he replied,
"Thou knowest how to make it better than I do, but
thou dost not know how to keep it." He died 4th mo.
26th, 1762, aged 82 years; and his widow died 11th
mo. 19th, 1764, at about the same age. They left two
children, Giles and Mary.
( i ) l Joseph and Abigail Knight's Children.
(2) GILES was born in Belsalem, Bucks County.
n t h mo. 17th, 1719.
He married, first, Elizabeth
4
James, in 1737, and settled in Bensalem. They had
ten children: Joseph, Susannah, Abigail, Giles, Rebecca.
Mary, Elizabeth, Abel, Sarah and Israel. Elizabeth
died in 1766, and Giles married, second, Phebe Thomas.
Children: Asa, Evan T., Phebe, Rachel, Jesse and Ann.
Giles Knight was well educated, had a vigorous mind,
and conducted his business with energy and success.
He early turned his attention to politics; and from
being in comfortable circumstances, of known integrity
and sound judgment, he soon became prominent as . i
politician, and was for several successive years a
member of the State Legislature, and afterward one
of the Commissioners of Bucks County. In 1766 his
first wife died, and in 1768 he was married a second
time. Of his appearance and manners, Isaac Comly
remarks: "I remember the venerable old patriarch in
full dress of velvet and broadcloth, with buttons and
buckles of silver, a full bottom wig, and first-rate
beaver hat, turned up behind and on each side before,
all which seemed to belong to a class that did not mix
with ordinary characters; and together with an austere,
commanding countenance, and dignity of manners and
deportment, induced an apprehension and belief that
Giles Knight was one of the great men of his day and
generation."
He died in 1799, and was buried at
Byberry.
(3.) MARY, born 2d mo. 22d, 1723, married James
Thornton in 1751, and died 4th mo. 20th, 1794. Children: Lydia, Joseph, James and Asa.
(2.) Giles and Elizabeth Knight's Children.
(4.) JOSEPH, born 12th mo. 14th, 1738, married,
first, Rachel Townsend; second,
Woolston.
(5.) SUSANNAH, born 9th mo. n t h , 1740, married
James Paul. Children : James, Elizabeth, Mary, James
and Susannah (twins), and Sarah.
(6.) ABIGAIL, born 8th mo. n t h , 1742, married
William Walmsley in 17^4, and settled in Byberry.
Children: Sarah, Giles. Mary, Joseph and Israel.
5
(7.) GILES, born 6th mo. 7th, 1745, married Sarah
Townsend.
Children: Townsend, Giles, Joseph T.,
and Thomas.
(8.) REBECCA, born 7th mo. 9th, 1747, married
Jonathan Parry. Children: Elizabeth, Martha, Phebe,
Susannah, Abigail and Jonathan.
* (9.) MARY, born 5th mo. 25th, 1750, married William Satterthwaite.
(10.) ELIZABETH, born 12th mo. 3d, 1752, married
Thomas Samms.
(11.) ABEL was born 3d mo. 19th, 1755.
(12.) SARAH was born 5th mo. 8th, 1757.
(13.) ISRAEL was born in Bensalem, 3d mo. 4th,
1760; he married Sarah, daughter of Isaac and Esther
Tyson, of Baltimore, in 1782, and settled in Bensalem,
where, in 1799. he built the house now occupied by
George Johnson. In 1804 he purchased 440 acres of
land at Black River, in the northern part of New York,
and with seven of his neighbors visited the place. He
concluded, however, to let his children settle there,
while he remained at the old homestead in Bensalem,
where, in 1805, he built the stone barn still standing.
He was a member of the Society of Friends, and was
much respected by a large circle of friends. He died
fst mo. 31st, 1810, aged 50 years.
Their children
were: Abel, Isaac, Esther, Giles, George J., John.
Nathan T. and Eliza.
(2.) Giles and Phebe Knight's Children.
(14.) ASA, born in 1770, married, first, Elizabeth
Paul, and had one child, Joseph P. He married, second. Grace Croasdale. Children : Elizabeth, Mary and
Sarah.
(15.) EVAN T., born roth mo. n t h , 1771, married
Martha, daughter of Isaac Comly, of Byberry. Children: Isaac and Phebe.
(16.) PHEBE, born 1st mo. 31st, 1773, married
William Walmsley. Children: Silas, Ann and Martha.
6
(17.) RACHEL, born 1775, married Samuel Paul.
Children: '-Robert, HPhebe (who married Thomas
Stackhouse)/McEldery, Ann (who married Aaron
Kirk), and'Martha, who married Samuel Kirk.
. (18.) JESSE, born 12th mo. 9th, 1779, married
Mary Stackhouse. Children: Richard, Phebe, Elizabeth, Hannah and Ann.
(19.) ANN, born in 1781, died in 1786.
(7.) Giles and Sarah Knight's Children.
(20.) TOWNSEND, born n t h mo. 2d, 1768; no
account.
(21.) GILES, born 1st mo. 4th, 1773; no account.
(22.) JOSEPH T., born n t h mo. 4th, 1775, married Grace
.
Children: Israel, Abi, Rachel,
Giles, Townsend, Susannah, Joseph, Stephen, Jane,
and Grace.
(23.) THOMAS, born n t h mo. 4th, 1775; no account.
/ (13.) Israel and Sarah Knight's Children.
(24.) ABEL, born 8th mo. 24th, 1783, married
Elizabeth Donaldson.
Children: Jane, Sarah, Margaret, Israel, Isaac, Tacy, Joseph, Charles, Elizabeth,
Martha and Oliver.
(25.) ISAAC, born 9th mo. 14th, 1785. He removed to Baltimore, and married Julianna Winfield.
(26.) ESTHER, born 4th mo. 19th, 1787, married
John Knight. No children.
(27.) GILES, born 4th mo. 16th, 1789, married
Mary Yardley. He died in 1866. Children: Thomas.
William, Sarah, Susannah and Edward.
(28.) GEORGE J., born 5th mo. 24th, 1791, married
Abi Brown, niece of General Brown, daughter of
Isaac and Jane Donaldson, of Philadelphia, and granddaughter of John Kaighn, the original proprietor of
Kaighn's Point N. J. Thev settled near Brownsville.
X. Y.
(29.) JOHN, born 5th mo. 29th, 1793. He was
/
quite a traveler. He died and was buried at sea, while
returning from a visit to Cadiz, Spain.
(30.) NATHAN T., born n t h mo. 25th, 1796, married Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan Thomas, of
Lower Dublin. Children: Sidney, Sarah T. and
Jonathan (twins), Ellen, Elizabeth, Mary Elizabeth,
Anna, and Julianna.
(31.) ELIZA, born 4th mo. 24th, 1799, married
James Bones, and removed to Iowa. Children: William, Courtland, Sallie, Susan and Rowland.
(14.) Asa and Elizabeth Knight's Children.
1
1/(32.) JOSEPH P., born 4th mo. 15th, 1796, married
Mary La Rue. Children: Elizabeth and Sallie.
K(33-) ELIZABETH, born 12th mo. 16th, 1804; married Jonathan Paxson, of Bensalem. They have no
children.
; (34.) MARY, born 7th mo. 8th, 1807, married
Joshua V. Buckman, of Bristol, Bucks County. Children : Elizabeth, Rebecca and James.
I (35.) SARAH, born 12th mo. n t h , 1811, married
James Townsend, of Bensalem. Children: Elizabeth,
Margaretta, and Caroline Justice.
(15.) Evan and Martha Knight's Children.
v (36.) ISAAC, born 9th mo. 8th, 1797, married Lydia
Stackhouse. Children: Isaac C, Evan and Ethan C.
(37.) PHEBE, born 6th mo. 3d, 1802; died single
10th mo. 15th, 1828.
(18.) Jesse and Mary Knight's Children.
^(38.) RICHARD, born 9th mo. 8th, 1809, married
Rachel Kirk, of Horsham. Children: Jesse, Rebecca,
Oliver P., and Joseph.
(39.) PHEBE, born 8th mo. 24th, 1811; not married.
(40.) ELIZABETH, born 5th mo. 28th, 1813, married Thomas James, of Byberry. Children: Marv.
Tacie, Hannah, Joshua G„ Beulah, Edwin, Jesse K.,
8
Alvin, and Mary Elizabeth.
(41.) HANNAH, born 1st mo. 13th, 1818; died 4th
mo. 22, 1832.
; (42.) ANN, born 10th mo. 9th, 1821, married Oliver Parry, of Byberry. Children: Mary S. and Elizabeth.
/""THOMAS KNIGHT.
son of Giles and Mary Knight, was born
in Byberry, in 1685. He married Sarah Clifton, in
1711, and settled on a farm belonging to Titan Leeds,
the almanac-maker; but some time afterwards moved
to Byberry, and located on the farm now owned by
Isaac Tomlinson, where he died in 1774, aged 89 years.
They had one child, which died in infancy. Thomas,
by prudent management, acquired considerable property. He was at once time an Overseer in Byberry
Meeting, but was probably not very remarkable for
piety, as he said in an argument on the Conestoga
Massacre: "That it was nonsense to talk of such creatures as the Indians having souls or a future being."
In 1732 he went on a voyage to Barbadoes with
Thomas Chalkley.
THOMAS,
Y DANIEL KNIGHT AND HIS DESCENDANTS.
(1.) DANIEL, son of Giles and Mary Knight, was
born in 1697. He lived in the southern part of Byberry, near the Poquessing Creek. He married, first,
Elizabeth Walker, in 1719. Children: Mary, Joseph
and Jonathan. He married, second, Esther, widow of
Joseph Walton, in 1728. Children: William, Daniel,
Martha, Joseph, Ann, and Thomas. After Esther's
death he married, third, Mary Wilson, in 1777. He
was a man of good understanding and sound judgment,
and much esteemed by those who knew him. He died
in 1782, aged 85 years.
(1.) Daniel and Elizabeth Knight's Children.
(2.) MARY, born n t h mo. 27,d, 1719, married
9
David Buckman, of Wrightstown, in 1742.
(3.) JOSEPH, was born 2d mo. 4th, 1721; no further account.
(4.) JONATHAN, born 8th mo. 5th, 1722, married
Grace Croasdale, and settled in Southampton, Bucks
County. Children: John, Abraham, Absalom, David,
Samuel and Inglish.
(1.) Daniel and Esther Knight's Children.
(5.) WILLIAM, was born 9th mo. 27th, 1729. He
was somewhat singular in his habits, and would utter
predictions which were afterwards so nearly fulfilled
that many persons believed that he had a knowledge
of future events, and they looked upon him as more
than an ordinary being. He died in 1782, aged 53
years. Children: Daniel, Joseph, Hannah and Esther.
(6.) DANIEL, born 7th mo. 8th, 1732, married
Ann
.
(7.) MARTHA, born 9th mo. 17th, 1736, married
Henry Walmsley, in 1759.
(8.) JOSEPH, born 1st mo. 7th, 1739, rnarried
Elizabeth James, in 1765. Children: James, Joseph,
Jesse and Josiah.
(9.) A N N , born 12th mo. 15th, 1741, married
Daniel Walton, in 1768. Children: Jane, Mercy and
Daniel.
(10.) THOMAS, born 7th mo. 7th, 1744, married
Sarah Walton. Children: Amos, Rebecca and Esther.
(4.) Jonathan and Grace Knight's Children.
( I I . ) JOHN, born 8th mo. 13th, 1749, married
Margery Paxson.
Children: Mary, Joshua, Caleb.
Martha, and David.
(12.) ABRAHAM, born 3d mo. 28th, 1752, marrie d
Anna Croasdale.
Children: Asa, Abraham, Sarah
Susanna, Phineas, Jonathan, Ezra, Grace and Elizabeth.
(13.) ABSALOM, born 8th mo. 17th, 1754, married
Ann Winder.
Children: Benjamin, Amos, Moses,
•
10
John, Grace, Abel and Samuel.
(14.) DAVID, born 5th mo. 27th, 1757; died single.
(15.) SAMUEL, married Mary Paul. Children:
Alexander, Hannah and Julia.
(16.) I N G U S H , married Martha Shallcross, and
settled in Byberry. Children: Leonard, Seth, Ruth,
Owen, Hannah, Samuel, Jonathan and Anna.
(10.) Thomas and Sarah Knight's Children.
(17.) AMOS, born 1st mo. 14th, 1772, married Rebecca Dubre. Children: Dnbre, who lives in Wilmington ; Julianna, Marmaduke, Beulah, Jacob and Emmor.
(18.) REBECCA, born 5th mo. 3d, 1774, married
Thomas Dubre. Children: Hannah, Sarah and Martha.
(19.) ESTHER, born 8th mo. 18th, 1776.
(11.) John and Margery Knight's Children.
»
(20.) MARY, married John Wildman, and settled
in Bensalem. Children: Charles; Martha; Ann, died
single; Elwood, married Mary Thomas; John, married
Abigail Thompson; Mary, married Thomas Smedley;
Fdward, married first, Abi Gilbert, second, Elizabeth
Xewboid, Joshua K., married Hannah Johnson; Jane,
died single: Rachel, married Hughes Warner.
(21.) CALEB., married Mary Stackhouse. Children: Phebe. died single; Jane, married Edward
Croasdale; Elizabeth, married Isaac Eyre: Abi, and
Marv Ann.
(22.) DAVID, married Sallie Brown.
Children:
Ilenrv and Edward.
(12.) Abraham and Anna Knight's Children.
(23.) ASA, died single, in 1866.
(24.) ABRAHAM, married Sarah Winder, in 1811,
and settled in Moreland. Montgomery County. Children: Anna, married, first, Charles Blake, in 1835;
second, she married Isaac A. Davis, in 1856, and now
resides in Philadelphia; Mary Ann, married Wilkins
Hobensack. Child: Anna. Ezra Croasdale, married
J
1
Catharine Yerkes.
Children: Sarah, Chancellor,
Susan, Abraham, George and Laura; Elizabeth, married Alfred Thomas. Children: Anna, Hannah, William, Samuel, Oscar, Martha. Charles and Abraham;
Susan, married Fitzwater Lukens. Children: Tacie,
Sarah and Charles.
(25.) PHINEAS, married Mary Ridge. Children:
Sarah Ann, Hannah, Charles, Ann Eliza, and Julia.
Of these, Charles married Rebecca Buckman; and
Ann Eliza married Abraham Hogeland, of Bustleton.
(13.) Abraham and Ann Knight's Children.
(26.) BENJAMIN, married Mercy, daughter of
Amos Martindale, and lived in Southampton, Bucks
County. Children: Paul, Absalom, Ross M., Aaron,
Samuel, Rebecca, and Martha Ann.
(2y.) AMOS, married Mary Clayton. Children.
Mary, Clayton, Ann, Rebecca, Jonathan and Grace.
(28.) MOSES, married Rhoda Tomlinson. Child:
Sarah Ann.
(29.) JOHN, married Esther Knight. They had
no children.
(30.) GRACE, married Joshua Paul. Child: Ann.
•
1
(31.)
(32.)
ABEL.
SAMUEL.
(15.) Samuel and Mary Knight's Children.
ALEXANDER, was born in Byberry and received
his early education at Byberry School, under the
tuition of Watson Atkinson and John Comly. Under
the latter teacher he studied Latin, and became well
versed in that language. Being of a scientific turn of
mind, he studied medicine and graduated at the University of Pennsylvania with honor. He became a
physician of skill and respectability, and resided for a
short time in Byberry. He then went to Philadelphia,
where he obtained a good practice, and was appointed
physician of that port. He published several essays
12
on medical subjects, which evinced considerable scientific acumen. His promising life was closed at the
early age of thirty-five years.
He married Mary
Knarr. Children: Elizabeth, Amelia, George.
JULIA, married Charles Stout.
(16.) Inglish and Martha Knight's Children.
LEONARD, married Ruth
, and lived in Byberry.
Children: Elizabeth, Hannah, Inglish, and
Edward.
SETH, died single.
R U T H , married John Tomlinson, and lives in Byberry. Children: Martha, Samuel and Julia.
OWEN, married a daughter of Joseph Reese, and
iives near Somerton, Byberry. Children: Mary, Ann,
Catharine and Charles.
H A N N A H , married James Walmsley of Byberry.
SAMUEL, married Phebe Tomlinson and had one
son, Aaron.
JONATHAN, married Letitia Leedom, and had one
child, Rachel.
JONATHAN KNIGHT AND HIS DESCENDANTS.
(i.) JONATHAN, son of Giles and Mary Knight,
married Jane Allen, and settled in Byberry on property
lately owned by Ebenezer Knight. "He was a man of
very pleasant and agreeable manners, graceful in his
movements, and nice in his personal appearance. His
fine sense of the proprieties of life, combined with his
polished manners and a social liberality, made him generally esteemed, respected and beloved. He was often
called 'Gentleman Jonathan' to distinguish him from
another of the same name He took a lively interest
in the support of schools, and in other matters of benefit to the meeting or the township.'' He died 5th mo
lst
r
> 745, and his wife died soon afterwards. Children: Jonathan, Mary and Thomas.
(1.) Jonathan and Mary Knight's Children.
(2.) JONATHAN, born 4th mo. 5th, 1730, married,
13
first, Ann Paul, in 1748. Children: James, Jonathan,
Daniel, Sarah, Tacy, Mary, Jane, Thomas, Ann and
Paul. He afterwards married, second, Margaret Baldwin, and, third. Martha Lloyd.
j (3.) MARY, born 3d mo. 1734, died single in 1759.
(4.) THOMAS, born 9th mo., 1736, married Alary
Walmsley in 1759, but had no children. He purchased
240 acres of land, in Byberry, of Benjamin Gilbert,
and settled thereon. During the Revolution his barn
was burned by the soldiers under General Lacy. He
died in 1806.
•y
(2.) Jonathan and Ann Knight's Children.
V (5.) JAMES, born 8th mo. 16th, 1753, married
Gaynor Lukens. He died in 1784.
\S (6.) JONATHAN, born n t h mo. 6th, 1755, married
Eliza Thomas. He died in 1830. Children: Anna,
Jonathan T., Evan, Grace, Hannah, and Edwin.
. ' ( 7 . ) DANIEL, born 4th mo. 8th, 1757, married
Rachel Walton. He died in 1821. Children: Sarah,
Ann, Margaret, James, Charles Ebenezer, Lydia,
Hannah, Thomas, Mary, Paul, Allen and Robert B.
(8.) SARAH, married John Stackhouse. She died
in 1838.
, (9.) TACY, married Robert Croasdale.
(10.) MARY, married Josiah Costill.
Joseph Bolton. Children:
Tacy and Isaac.
(12.) THOMAS, born 9th mo. 1st, 1769, married
Mary Worrell. He died in 1824. Children : Jonathan,
Elizabeth, Ann, Rebecca, Isaiah, William and Stephen
. (13.) ANN, married Benjamin Albertson.
She
died in 1828.
^(14.) PAUL, married Eliza Boucher.
(6.) Jonathan and Eliza Knight's Children.
^ ( 1 5 . ) ANNA, born 6th mo. 6th, 1789; died 9th
mo. 9th, 1801.
1/(16.) JONATHAN T., born n t h mo. 21st, 179X1
14
married Elizabeth, daughter of Jesse Wilson, and
settled in Byberry. He was a prominent politician,
and served several terms in the Pennsylvania Legislature. He was afterwards an Associate Judge in
Philadelphia. During the latter part of his life he
was of full habit, and took but little part in public
affairs. He died in Philadelphia in 1858, aged 67
years. Their children were Amy, Ann Eliza, Edwin,
Jesse W., Grace, Wilson, Amos W. and Pauliana Jane.
(17.) EVAN, born 5th mo. 8th, 1793, married
Martha James, and settled in the southern part of
Byberry. Children: Elizabeth T., Phebe Ann, Mary
Ann, Jonathan, and Tacy. After his death, Martha
married Ebenezer, son of (7) Daniel Knight. Children : Evan and Samuel.
1
(18.) GRACE, born 6th mo. 3d, 1795, married
Samuel Smedlev, but had no children.
(19.) H A N N A H , was born 1st mo. 5th, 1798.
(20.) EDWIN, born 9th mo. 3d, 1800; died 8th mo.
19th, 1803.
(7.) Daniel and Rachel Knight's Children.
(21.) SARAH, born 2d mo. 8th, 1783, remained
single.
1
(22.) A N N , born 10th mo. 5th, 1784, married
Samuel Smedlev, but had no children.
(23.) MARGARET, born 8th mo. 22d, 1786, remained single.
(24.) JAMES, born 5th mo. 23d, 1788, married
Edith Plumly and had one child, Rachel, who died of
cholera in 1849.
(25.) CHARLES, born 3d mo. 13th, 1790, married
Jane Hillborn, and settled in Byberry.
Children:
Daniel, Hillborn, Charles, Ruth Ann. Emily, Margaret,
and Jane.
(26.) EBENEZER, born n t h mo. 14th, 1791, married Martha, widow of (17) Evan Knight. Children:
Evan and Samuel.
(27.) LYDIA. born 1st mo. 4th, 1794. married Stem
7
15
phenson Croasdale, and settled in Byberry. Children:
Rachel, Anne B., Margaret, Joseph S.. Jane, Willis,
and Sarah.
(28.) HANNAH, born 3d mo. 7th, 1796; died 8th
mo. 5U1, 1796.
(29.) THOMAS, born 5th mo. 3d, 1798; died 8th
mo. 10th, 1798.
. (^o.) MARY, born n t h mo. 28th, 1799; died 3d
mo. ioth, 1800.
(31.) PAUL, was born 4th mo. 25th, 1801.
(22.) ALLEN, born 8th mo. 30th, 1805, niarried
Elizabeth Parry, and had one child, Edward.
(33.) ROBERT B., born 1st mo. 22d, 1809; died
unmarried.
Of (12) Thomas and Mary Knight's children we
have no account.
Three half brothers of the ancient Giles Knight
came over over to Pennsylvania probably about 1683
Their names were Benjamin, Abel, and John. Benjamin settled in Bensalem, but we have no further
account of him. Abel went to North Carolina, where
his descendants still reside. John went to Massachusetts. His descendants are quite numerous, and may
be found scattered all over the New England States
and in Canada. Some of them were quite noted, among
these was Jeremiah R. Knight, a Senator in Congress
from Rhode Island.
In the list of pensioners on
account of services in the Revolution are more than
twenty of the name of Knight.
16
CHRONICLE
OF
LARKIN
or
THE
FAMILY
THE
TOWNE of WESTERLIE and COLONY
of RHOAD ISLAND IN NEW ENGLAND
NUMBER L 1908
Published for the Larkin Family Association by
William H. Larkin, Jr., LaPorte, Ind
Edward Larkin, Newport, R. L, 1655
Freeman.
This Edward Larkin who appears as a freeman of the
Colony at the time and place noted may be emigrant ancestor. Whence he came is not certain. Some who have
made a study of the family g^eneolo^v think him son of
Edward Larkin of Charleston, Mass., 1638, member of the
Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. Xo direct
proof of this, however, has been found.
He may have come from the Barbadoes, with which
islands Newport at that time carried on a thriving commerce. Hotten's "List of Persons of Oualitv, Emigrants,
Religions Exiles, etc., to the American Plantations, 16001700." gives the following: Aboard the Amitie 1635, Oct.
13, Geo. Downes, Mr. bound to St. Christophers from the
Port of London. Richard Larkyn, age 35. Also "Imbarqued
in the Truelove de London 1635, Jun. ro, Roger Williams
age 16, Thomas Larkyn, age 15.
Edward Larkin was probably an Episcopalian or
Church of England man. July 13, 1737. his son subscribed
to the founding .of the first Episcopal church in Charlestown. 1655 the year of Edward's appearance in Newport
was the year of the unearthing of the royalist conspiracy
against Lord Protector Cromwell. Edward Larkin as :t
Church of England man and royalist may have had part in
the conspiracy and escaped to the colonies upon its discovery.
•>
Misquamicut. 1660.
About 1660 six Newport men were granted a "patent
royal" to a certain fertile vallev on the western border of
mj
4W
the Colony. This tract first bore the name Misquamicut.
This later was changed to Westerly.
The tract of land covered by the grant was ten miles
wide bv twenty miles long . It was divided into eighteen
shares of which Edward Larkin purchased one quarter of
one share. This made him proprietor of approximately
eighteen hundred acres of land.
The first settlers seem to have taken possession in r66i.
The old Misquamicut boundaries include the present
townships of Westerly, Charlestown. Richmond nnd Hopkinton.
For two and a half centuries this spot lias been the
home of the Larkin family.
King Philip's War. 1675.
The war with Philip, son of Massasoit, broke out at
Swansea July 14, 1675, and quickly spread over the whole
Xew England Frontier. The Narragansett tribe favored
Philip's cause and would have joined him had they not
been exterminated in an attack on their stronghold ordered
by the Colonial Commissioners Nov. 2, 1075. Edward Larkin took part in this war and probably in this expedition.
Bodge in his "Soldiers of King Philip's War" states that
as a reward to the Connecticut Volunteers, Narraeransetl
Township (now Voluntown) was given them. A list of
those wdio took part in the war and received Voluntown lots
includes Stantons, Pembletons, Griswolds, Babcocks and
Edward Larkin who received lot 176, and lot 155 in the
"Cedar Swamp."
Revolutionary War Notes.
1776. Mr. John Larkin of Hopkinton. one of a committee from each town to procure arms.
1776. Resolution passed by General Assembly "I, the
subscriber, do solemnly declare that I believe the War, Resistance," etc., etc.." "just and necessary," etc. Signed bv
John Larkin, Timothy Larkin, etc.
1776/ John Larkin, member of the body which severed
the relations oi the Colony with Great Britain.
1776. Timothy Larkin, Lieut. Washington (Co.),
Row Galley. See "Crowell's Spirit of 76."
1776. Covil Larkin, Soldier of the Revolution.
1777. John Larkin, Ensign, M axon's Company, Dyer's
Regiment.
1777. Samuel Larkin, Elisha Larkin, members of the
2nd Richmond Company. See Richmond Council & Probate Record.
1777. John Larkin, Jr., member Second Company,
Richmond. Richmond Council & Probate.
1777. Timothy Larkin, "a sick soldier on duty in this
state." R. 1. Col. records.
Derivation of the Name.
Heraldry.
The name Larkin is derived directly from the older
form Laurence or Lawrence which in turn came from the
Latin form Laurentius. Its home is Kent. England. See
Guppy's "Homes of English Names." Diminutive of Lawrence was Laurv or Larrv. Termination "kin" means son
of. Larrvkin, Laurvkind, Laukin, Lorkin, Larkin are evidentlv derivations similar to [enkin, Hopkin. Atkin. [larkin,
»
\
W
m\
Haskin, etc.
As a matter of fact many Larkins in England were
granted coats of arms. The arms of some Lawrence families are similar to those granted to Larkins indicating common origin. The Larkin arms were mainly distinguished
by the characteristic three leopards faces on an ermine
shield. See Fox Davis "Armorial Families," "The Genealogist" of 1878. Burke's "Gen 1 Armory" and other authorities.
Larkins in England.
IT. B. Guppy says "One hundred years since the principal family of Larkin lived at Grove in Wickham Parish,
Kent, and there are several memorials of the family in the
-
church." He states also that in Kent, one quarter of one
per cent, of the population bears the name Larkin. Greenwood's "County Kent History" states that Larkin Hall 1^
l
near Frindsbury Church. i / 2 miles from Rochester. On
Holev Hill, Rochester is a monument to Chas. Larkin,
See Robert Langdon's book entitled "Charles Dickens and
Rochester" foY description and cut. Langdon says "of the
names of characters throughout the works of Dickens many
are drawn from these towns'' (Rochester and Chatham).
"Jasper, Cobb, Dowler, Larkins and many others are well
known local names." Rev. Lambert B. Larkine wrote the
"Doomsday Book of Kent." John Larking was sheriff of
Kent 1800. William Larkins of Lewisham, Kent, was
Accomptant Genera! 1772-1793, at Fort William, Bengal
under Warren Hastings and the Marquis Conwallis. Edward
Larkvn, B. D., was rector of Titsey 1640, etc. Volumes of
data are available connecting the names Larkin and Kent
Conntv, England.
The Larkin Family Association.
During recent years several persons interested in the
I
history' of the Larkin family and desiring to record such
facts as were known and available, started independently,
and from different motives, a movement in this direction.
Mrs. John L. Kenvon of Wvomingf, R. !., had loner been
interested and was probably the pioneer in the field. Mrs.
Frank Larkin of Westerly by her work in eatherinsr data
has earned the ricrht to lasting gratitude from all. Miss
Annette E. Tucker of Attleboro, with practical ends in
view, formed a little Larkin Association whose purpose was
a social meeting annually. The writer descending from a
branch long removed from the family home started an in
<
?->
»
s
,•->
vestigation in the Boston Public Library, purelv as a search
tor information, and resulting from a visit in England.
These various energies fortunately have been bonded together and the work and interest now center in the Larkin Family
Association which, while yet in the infancy of its usefulness,
continues to grow and gain strength. The Association has
o
o
n
already met for several years during the summer months.
In 1907 it gathered at East Providence. 1908 the meetingwas at Watch Hill and for 1909 it is proposed to meet at
Xarragansett Pier. The secretary of the Association, Miss
Annette E. Tucker, 39 Dean St., Attieboro, Mass., will be
glad to have the names of those interested on her mailinglist. The writer, who is sort of self constituted historian
and chronicler of the Association till a more worthy scribe
he found, will thankfully receive any data whatsoever relat»
m
ing to the family and furnish inquirers with lines of descent
and any other information at hand. It is proposed to publish a family history at some future time, but as it is a
work of some years to get together the necessary data, ii
was thought that the publication, occasionally, of a pamphlet
of this kind would meantime hold the interest, tend to promote the welfare of the family Association and brine additional facts to light. The writer has barely outlined the
mass of interesting data already on hand. All persons
interested are invited to send in the following:
f. Lines of descent yet unrecorded.
2. Facts relating to Military, Naval and Public service
of descendants.
3. Genera! facts of interest.
4. Names and addresses of those who are likely to be
interested in the Larkin Family Association.
Matters upon which particular information is desired:
1. What became of the "Great Bible" bequeathed by
Edward II? Widow Marv to David III? To Hazard IV?
m*
2. Information bearing on the possible relationship of
Edward of Newport. 1655. to Edward Larkin of Charlestown. Mass., 1638.
3. information relating to the case of Larkin vs.
Larkin, Supreme Court of Colony of R. I., 1757-8. Copies
of the plats shown in evidence.
1
CHRONICLE
OF THE
LARKIN
FAMILY
OF THE
TOWNE
of WESTERLIE
and
COLONY
of RHOAD ISLAND IN NEW ENGLAND
NUMBER 2, 1913
Published for the Larkin Family Association by
William H. Larkin, Jr., Chelsea, Mass.
PROGRESS, Writing a family history requires a certain
amount of wealth, considerable leisure, and much interest in the subject. The writer can claim only the last
named qualification, hence the delay in the production of
Chronicle No, 2. He has, however, during the past five
years accumulated some twenty-four volumes of notes,
carefully preserved, many lines of descent, and much interesting information.
INTEREST. That there is a considerable interest in the
subject, is shown by the large volume of correspondence
which has come in from all over the States and from
abroad. There have been many requests for Chronicle
No. 1 and copies have been sent to the New Eng. Hist.
Gen. Soc, the Long Island Hist. Soc, the New York
Public Library, the State Library of New Hampshire, the
Hist. Soc. State of Wis., the Library of the Daughters of
the American Revolution, the Library of Yale University,
and to many other institutions which have asked for them.
ENGLISH BRANCH. The Chronicle brought out the fact
that there is a great interest in the matter of the Larkin
genealogy in England, and much correspondence has
passed back and forth. Mr. Thomas G. Larkin of London, Eng., has been most kind in sending a large number
of notes and photographs. He is enthusiastic and helpful and hopes to solve for us the ancestry of our emigrant
ancestor. We are indebted to Mr, Walter Hewson, of
Wickhambreaux, Kent County, England, for notes, photographs, and many kind thoughts and good wishes for the
American kindred.
Mr. Hewson has many pleasant
recollections of the States from a visit made here many
years back.
2
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. The writer has so many to thank
for notes and records that space will permit him to make
acknowledgment but briefly though gratefully.
Such
notes were received from Mrs. Frank Larkin, Westerly;
Miss Annette E. Tucker, Hope Valley; Mr. William H.
Larkin, Los Angeles, CaL; Mr. William H. Larkin,
Omaha, Neb.; Mr. Henry Sage Dermott, Albany, N. Y.;
Miss Sarah R. Read, Westerly; Mr. Bradford Larkin,
South Windham, Conn.; Miss Ruth Anna Larkin, Bradford, R. I.; Miss Alice Annette Larkin, Ashaway, R. I.;
Mr. Courtland P. Larkin, Oconomowoc, Wis.; Mrs. William Dove, Westerly; Mr. Wilfred E. Chase, Madison,
Wis.; Mr. Edgar Lucien Larkin, Mt. Lowe Observatory,
Cab; Mr. William Hiscox, Westerly; and many others.
CURIOUS FACTS. Correspondence has brought forth
many curious facts and matters of interest to the Larkins
as a whole. Some of them are as follows, briefly. Latin
verse describing Larkin's part in Wat Tyler's rebellion,
from T. G. Larkin. Legion of the Alaudae. Larkins in
the Land of Evangeline. Paul Revere's ride on Deacon
Larkin's horse. Famous New England Primer (1785)
printed for B. Larkin, Cornhill, Bost. Ivy House, Grove,
Sturry, Kent, Eng. ancient home of a branch of the
Larkins. Attested record of John Larkin, farmer of ye
Court Lodge, Wickhambreaux, Kent, Eng., 1632. Sigr
nature manuscript of Ffrancis Larkin, W ickhambreaux,
1627. The two last from Messrs. Larkin and Hewson
of England.
CHRONICLE NO. 2. In preparing the second number of
the series, the writer has made no attempt to set forth in
a systematic manner the considerable amount of information he has received during the past five years, but has
OF UTAH,
introduced a few items which seemed curious and interesting.
i
SURGET ALAUDA.
T h e L a r k i n motto.
Is there a particular significance in the association of the
symbol of the Lark with the families of the Laurentius, the
Lawrence and the Larkin ?
Alauda. From a "Diet, of Greek and Roman Antiquities,"
by Smith, Wayte and Marindin, Vol. I, London, John Murray,
1890.
Alauda, a Gaulish word the prototype of the modern French
Alouette, denoting a small crested bird of the lark kind.
*
"The name Alauda was bestowed by Julius Caesar on a
legion of picked men, which he raised at his own expense
among the inhabitants of Trans Alpine Gaul, about the year
B. C. 55, which he equipped and disciplined after the Roman
fashion and on which in a body, he at a subsequent period
bestowed the freedom of the state. The designation was in
all probability applied from a plume upon the helmet resembling the apex of the bird in question. Cicero in a letter to
Atticus B. C. 44, states that Antonius was marching upon the
city "Cum legione Alaudarum." From the Philippics we
learn that by the Lex Judiciaria of Antonius even the common
soldiers of this corps (Alaudae-manipulares ex legione Alaudarum), were privileged to act as judices upon criminal trials.
That the legion Alauda was numbered V is proved by several inscriptions,—one of them belonging to the age of
Domitian in honor of a certain Cn. Domitius, who among
many other titles is styled, " T R I B . MIL. LEG. V. ALAUDAE."
This legion disappeared from the army list in the early part
of the third century.
Under the early Empire the legion contained 10 cohorts
and 60 centuries, between five and six thousand men.
The fifth legion, Alaudae, operated mainly in lower Germany
where it had its origin. It was made up of the inhabitants
of that region possibly in the main part of Angles, Saxons
5
and Jutes. It was these tribes that the Britains called to
their aid to help drive back the warlike Scots and Picts during
the latter part of the fifth century after the Romans had withdrawn their support. The Angles, Saxons and Jutes in their
turn drove out the ancient Britains and took possession of the
land they had been hired to defend. Kent county was their
principal camp and it is quite possible that their recollection
of the ensignia of their own legion of the Alaudae may have
given rise to the use of the lark as a crest, by one of the
principal families of that ancient region.
Gower's Description of t h e Insurrection of W a t Tyler.
«
Weever's Monuments/* published 1631.
"Watte" vocat, cui "Thoma" venit, neque "Symme" retardet.
" B a t " que "Gibbe" simul, " H y k k e " venire subent:
"Colle" furit, quern "Bobbe" juvat nocumenta parantos.
"Cum quibus, ad damnum "Wille" covie volat
"Grigge" rapit,dum "Davie" strepit, cornea est quibus "Hobbe"
"Larkin" et in medio non minor esse putat:
" H u d d e " ferit quem "Judde" terit, dum "Tibbe" juvatur.
" J a k e " domosque viros vollit, en ense necat
T
W at cries, Tom flies, nor Symkin stays aside :
And Bat and Gibb and Hyke, they summon loud :
Collin and Bob combustibles provide,
While Will the mischief fowards in the crowd,
Greg hauls, Hob bawls and Davy joins the cry,
With Larkin not the least among the throng;
Hovie Drubs, Judd scrubs, while Tib stands grinning by
And Jack with sword and firebrand madly strides along.
During the minority of Richard II, the English commons rose against the
oppressive tax levied to carry on the French war. Watt Tyler in 1381 led a body
of one hundred thousand men mainly from Kent County into London for the
purpose of taking the advisers of the king, capture of the city, etc.
NOTE.
1610.
Samuel Maverick's account of New England,
written 1 6 6 4 .
Rhode Island. This island is about ffourteen miles Long
in some places 3 or 4 miles Broad in other lesse. It is full of
people haveing been a receptacle for people of several Sorts
and Opinions. There was a patent granted to one Coddington for the government of this Island and Warwick and
Providence two Townes which lye on the Maine and I think
they still keepe a seeming forme of Government but to little
purpose none submitting to Supream Authority but as they
please.
King Philip's War, 1675.
Voluntown, Conn. Records, Book 2, p. 159-60.
Documentary Evidence that Edward Larkin fought in the Colonial Wars. King Philip's
War, 1675.
Record of Sale of Lands Granted to Edward Larkin for service in the War of 1675.
To all people to whom these presents shall come, Greeting
etc—, Know ye that I Edward Larkin of Westerly, in 'ye
Colony of Rhode Island, yeoman, for and in consideration of
the sum of ten pounds current money of said New England,
to me in hand well and truly paid by Nathaniel Gallup of
Stonington in the Colony of Connecticut, do give, grant, bargain, sell, etc.—all ye whole right that was my Honoured
Father's volunteer right and propierty-ship which was granted
by the Honourable General Assembly of Connecticut to the
volunteers, and my said Father being one of ye said volunteers, and I now by these presents avouch myself to be the
true and sole owner of all my Father's right lying and being
in ye Township of Voluntown,—etc—In witness whereof I
have set my hand and affix my seal this the 3rd day of March,
one thousand seven hundred and twenty one. (1721.)
Edward Larkin (seal)
Recorded June 17, 1740.
WU1 of Edward (2) Larkin. Book 2, Council
bate p339
In the name of God Amen I Edward Larkin of the Town
of Westerly in King's County in ye Colony of Rhode Island
& providence plantations in Rhoad I'd Yeoman, being in
health of body & in perfect mind but considering it is appointed for all men once to die and after Death ye Judgment:
hoping Through the Merits and Meditations of our Lord Jesus
Christ to Receive Free pardon for all my sins, & as Touching
my Worldly Estate, Which God has given me I will and Bequeath as following, Imprimis, that my body be Decently
Buryed after my Dissolution & that all my funeral Charges be
first pd & then all other Just Debts of mine Every Where to
be pd & discharged by my Executrix hereafter Named Out of
my Estate. Item, I give to my Loving Wife One Hundred
pounds & all my houshold Goods and Improvement of my
T
homestead farm W here I now Dwell & also ye Benefit & Profit
of my Sawmill & Gristmill During her Natural Life for ye
Bringing up my Young Children & after my Wife's Decease I
give my homestead farm to my Son Stphen Larkin his heirs,
Executors, Admrs, & Assigns forever & the profit of my Mills
as Shall be hereafter Mentioned but as Concerning the household Goods and ye hundred pounds above mentioned I give
to my Loving Wife free and Clear to be her heirs & Assigns
forever. Item, I give and Bequeath to my son Stephen, all
my homestead farm with all the improvements thereon,
to him his heirs & Assigns forever after ye Decease of his
Mother. Item, I give unto my Son Nicholas One hundred &
50 Acres of Land Lying in Westerly belonging to ye Sawmill
& Gristmill with ye sd. Mill and Improvements thereon After
my Wife's Desease to him his heirs & Assigns forever. Item,
I give to my Son David all that farm Lying in Westerly Afore8
said, Which John Kinyon Now hires of me Which I purchased
of Wm Hall When he comes to age to him his heirs, Executors,
Administrators & Assigns forever, & my wife to have ye Benefit of said Land till my Son David Comes to ye Age of
Twenty One years. Item, I give to my Daughter Elizabeth*
Babcock Ten Acres of Land Where She Now Lives with ye
house & Orchard & Improvements thereon to be Layd Square
or as she Shall Think fitt During her Life & After to One of
her Sons which She See Good to him his heirs and Assigns
forever. Item, I give unto my Daughter Penelope 30 pounds
in One year After my Desease. Item, I give to my Daughter
Tabitha & to my Daughter Lydia Each of them fifty pounds
apiece When they come to ye Age of Eighteen years &: to
their heirs & Assigns forever.
Item, I give to my son
Nicholas Ten Acres of Salt Marsh After my Desease. Item,
I give to my son Joseph'an Addition of 50 Acres of Land
Adjoining to ye Land I formerly Gave him by Deed of Gift
& five Acres of Salt Marsh after my Desease.
Item, I give
unto my Grandson Joseph Larkin, my Son Edward's Son five
Shillings, I having given to his father his portion before.
Item, I give unto my son John & to my Son Samuel Each
of them five Shillings, I having given them Land by Deed of
Gift before. Item, After all my Just Debts are paid & Discharged by my Executrix I do Give and Bequeath all ye Remaining of my Lands to be equally Divided Between my Sons
John & Samuel to them their heirs & Assigns forever.
Lastly, I do hereby Constitute Appoint & make my Loving
Wife Mary Larkin to be Sole Executrix oi this my Last Will
& Testament, Revoking Disannulling & making Void and Null
all former & Other Wills & Testaments & do Publish & Declare
this to be my Last Will & Testament & No Other in Manner
& form as Aforesaid.
*
f
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto Set my Hand and
Affixed my Seal ye 17th Day of November 1737 & in ye 10th
year of his Majesty's Reign George ye Second by the Grace
of God King of Great Britain.
Signed Sealed &:
Delivered In
first
presence of
John Hill
John Dodge
Isaac Sheffield
John Langworthy
My Will further is that I give my
Executrix Power to Sell So much of
my Land as Will pay all my Just
Debts After my moveable Estate is
Sold besides What I have
Given as Above sd.
Edward Larkin.
Two of ye Within Witnesses (Viz) John Dodge & John
Langworthy Appeared in ye town Council in Westerly ye 30th
Day of March 1741 & made Oath that they Saw ye Testator
Edward Larkin Sign seal Pronounce & Declare this Will to be
his Last Will and Testament & that he was in his Perfect
Sense mind & Memory at ye Same time, According to ye both
of their Judgment & that John Hill & Isaac Sheffield Signed
as Witnesses at ye same Time & that they all Signed in presence of ye sd Testator.
Test. Wm. Babcock, C.C.
10
Lewisham, K e n t
Monumental Inscription.
In the New Church, (South Gallery) Now St. Mary's.
William Larkins. Born Sept. 18, 1755, died Apr. 2 3 , 1800.
He was a faithful and confidential servant
To the East India Company
from 1772 to 1793
and filled the office of Accomptant General
at Fort William in Bengal
during the last nineteen years of that period
under the administrations of
Warren Hastings Esq.
and the most noble the Marquis Cornwallis.
Larkins, farewell: nor shall thy humble stone
Record a virtue, nor a frailty own;
Let those who loved thee cherish in their breast
The dear remembrance of a friend at rest;
Let those who blamed thee now their cavils save,
The voice of censure reaches not the grave.
No: bid them pass thro' life's entangled ways
Above reproach, nor yet the slaves of praise,
Till sunk like thee, beneath the oblivious tomb,
The judge of judges shall pronounce their Doom.
11