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Rachel Knight (Slave)

Contributed by Sondra Yvonne Bivins
© 2009

Rachel Knight the daughter of Abraham & Viny was born March 1849 in Macon, Bibb County, GA. She was a slave, owned by John "Jackie" Knight. Rachel died February 11, 1899 in Jasper County, Mississippi. Rachel is buried at the Knight Cemetery, in Jasper Co., MS.

See the photo of her headstone in the Knight Cemetery.

In the 1860 Covington Co., MS Slave Schedule John Knight owned 22 slaves.

Rachel is listed in the 1870 Jasper Co., MS Census with her children
Per 1870 Census - Jasper County, SW Beat
Rachel age 30
George Ann age 18
Jefferson age 15 (note: this is Jeffery)
Edmond age 13
Faney age 11
Masha age 9
Sturat age 7
Rachel and her children are living next door to Newton Knight (son of John "Jackie" Knight & Keziah Davis) & his wife Serena Knight. Rachel has a personal estate value of $50.00. She is listed as black and being born in Mississippi. All her children are listed as "mulatto" and born in Mississippi.

Rachel is listed in the 1880 Jasper Co., MS Census with her children
Per 1880 Census - Jasper County,
Rachel age 40
Geo A. age 26
Geoffrey age 22
Martha A. age 15
Jno S. age 12
Floyd age 10
A. A (female) age 7
Hinchy age 5
George A. (female) age 25, stepdaughter, Occupation Teacher
John H., age 9, step son
Rachel age 6
Rachel and her children are living 3 families away from Newton Knight and his wife Serena Knight. Rachel is listed as black, born in Georgia her parents born in Virginia. The children living in her household are listed "mulatto." Her oldest child George Ann is listed as born in Georgia. All the other children are born in Mississippi.

Jesse D. Knight was the father of three of Rachel's children: Jeffery, Fannie and Edmund. In his will dated Setember 4, 1860, John "Jackie" Knight" bequeathed Rachel to his son Jesse D. Knight. The Will reads as follows: "...and to my son, Jesse D. Knight I do will and bequeath a certain Negro woman named Rachel and Jeffrey, her child with her increase, if any, on his paying to each of the heirs of my son, Benjamin Knight, deceased...." [The Family of John 'Jackie' Knight and Keziah Davis Knight, 1773 - 1985. Printed by Robert and Delores Knight Vinson in Magee, MS 1985].

Known children of Rachel Knight are:

  1. George Ann Knight born October 13, 1855 probably in Covington Co., MS. Died August 22, 1922. She is buried at Knight Cemetery in Jasper Co., MS. (Note: On her headstone her name is Georgeanne)
    For more information see the George Ann Knight contribution.

  2. Jeffery Early Knight born 1858 probably in Covington Co., MS. He died November 1, 1932 in Jasper County, Mississippi. Jeffery is the son of Jesse Davis Knight, the uncle of Newton Knight.
    For more information see the Jeffery E. Knight contribution.

  3. Edmond Knight born 1857. Edmond is the son of Jesse Davis Knight, the uncle of Newton Knight.

  4. Frances "Fannie" "Fan" Knight born March 18, 1864. She died May 8, 1916 in Jones Co., MS. Fannie is the daughter of Jesse Davis Knight, the uncle of Newton Knight. Fannie married 1st to George Madison Knight (son of Newton Knight & Serena Turner). Fannie married 2nd to Dock Howze.
    For more information see the Fannie Knight contribution.

  5. Martha Ann Knight born 1865. Died July 5, 1922. Married Samuel Knight. Martha Ann is the daugther of Newton Knight.
    For more information see the Samuel & Martha Ann Knight contribution.

  6. John Stewart "Stewart" Knight born May 10, 1868 (note: death record has birth as May 6, 1865). He died in December 1, 1920 in Stringer, Jasper County, MS. Stewart was murdered by Sharp Welborn. Stewart is the son of Newton Knight.

  7. Floyd Knight born April 2, 1871 in Jasper County, MS. He died May 17, 1941 in Hattiesburg, Forrest Co., MS. Married Lucy Ainsworth Smith. Floyd is the son of Newton Knight.
    For more information see the Floyd Knight contribution.

  8. Augusta Ann Knight was born April 22, 1873 in Jasper County, MS. Died November 19, 1951 in Georgia. Augusta Ann is the daughter of Newton Knight. Augusta Ann married William Watts in 1906. William Watts was born in August 1883 (son for Orange Watts & Flora). He died after 1951.

    Children of William & Augusta Ann are: Leonard Watts 1906. Died 1984. Curtis James Watts April 14, 1908. He died October 29, 2001 in Mississippi. Van Buren Watts was born January 10, 1910. He died May 25, 1976 in Sacramento, California. Enoch Watts 1911. Enoch died when he was 17 years old. Rachel Watts was born April 4, 1913. She died October 1, 2002. Married Matthew Green. Ezra Watts was born September 21, 1916 in Lamar Co., MS. He died July 29, 1984.

    See a photo of Augusta Ann (Knight) Watts contributed by her granddaughter Wynona Williams.

    See the obituary for Augusta Ann (Knight) Watts contributed by her granddaughter Wynona Williams.

  9. John Madison "Hinchie" Knight born October 3, 1878 in Jasper Co., MS (source: death record). Died December 10, 1939 in Jones County, MS. Married Maggie Smith. John Madison is the son of Newton Knight.



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