Henry-Butts County GaArchives Biographies.....Knowles Sr., James c.1801 - August 15 1857
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Larry Knowles knonga@bellsouth.net August 31, 2004, 8:45 pm

Author: Larry C. Knowles
THE FAMILY OF JAMES KNOWLES-(page 1)

James Knowles, traditionally said to be of North Carolinian parents, and of 
Scotch-Irish extraction, was born in Georgia in 1801, likely in Hancock County
(#1). His sister, Elizabeth, was born there in 1797, and married James Gray 
there in 1820(#2). "Our" James Knowles may have married Lucy Thomas in 
adjoining Greene Co. in 1823, in any case, he had settled in Henry Co. by 1830
(#3). Two children were born there: Elizabeth(1831)and, James Bellah(1833). His 
wife, Lucy Knowles, died in 1837, and is buried in a family cemetery in 
adjacent Butts Co. There were at least two more children: Martha(b.1829)and 
Christy Rebecca(d.1847). The latter-and her young son-are also buried in Butts 
Co. A grandchild-Lucy G. Messer, listed with the James Knowles family in 1850 
Henry Co.-might also be Rebecca's child. A young man, John Abner Knowles, also 
listed with the family, and an adjacent entry, Joseph T. Knowles(newly married)
are quite likely nephews of James Knowles. Both are mentioned(not as brothers)
in the diary of James Bellah Knowles. This journal provided many of the 
facts/clues, names/relationships which led to further research. Now in the 
State Archives(microfilm, private papers)it covers the years 1852-1858. Even 
now, it occasionally supplies an obscure clue to the family. 

In 1840 the family moved to Butts Co. for about three years, and then, back to 
Henry Co. to the "same place". In December 1850, they moved again(an eight day 
journey)to Dooly Co. in South Georgia, perhaps, to be nearer relatives. Brother-
in-law James Gray had won land in Dooly in 1827-and a deed, recorded in Henry 
Co., shows that James Knowles owned land there in 1834(#4). The 1840 Dooly Co. 
census listed three Knowles families: George, G.W., and Joseph Knowles.  And in 
nearby Baker Co. in 1850, a George and Joseph Knowles were listed, as well as 
James Gray. The latter two men were clearly named as "uncles" in the J.B.K. 
diary. Young James B.(seventeen)had been upset by the move to Dooly, but he 
stayed until September 1851, when he returned to Henry Co. for his health, 
having suffered with ague since April. The family obviously still had relatives 
in Henry Co., several Turner cousins are noted in the Bersheba community. James 
started "home" to Dooly Co. on Christmas Eve. In February 1852, he began school 
there at Fort Early, near Warwick. In the fall he returned to Henry Co. with 
John Posey, to Samuel Moore’s(Posey's uncle). James went on Newton Co. to a 
school-"to Mr. Lee Bates"-for six weeks. After returning, he stayed with Mr. 
Moore, and attended a “writing school” at Sardis Baptist Church for about ten 
days. Early in November, Mr. Moore and John Posey went with him to Dooly Co. 
After a week, he, Moore, and Berry L. Posey returned to Henry Co. James 
continued school at Sardis("Mr. Wrine")for another ten days. In late November 
he attended "examinations" & "exhibitions" at O'Dell Academy in Bersheba. But, 
in the first week of December, he visited many local families-"trying for to 
make a school". His efforts proved fruitless. December 15th, he and B. L. Posey 
started back to Dooly Co. On Dec. 27th: "I left home to come to Henry County 
for to go to school to Jas. Hilsman-my father came with me". James Knowles Sr. 
arranged board for his son in Bersheba, and remained in Henry Co. until January 
20, 1853.
____________________

Notes-page 1:

#1) The NC link is obscure-one clue points to Bladen Co. Perhaps, wives 
supplied the Scotch-Irish lineage.[For probable Delaware/English origins-see 
Knowles In Georgia-4pp.(website in note #7)]

#2) James Gray's 1850 Baker Co. census listed the birth county of Elizabeth, 
and children, leading to Hancock Co., and their 1820 marriage. James Gray named 
as an "uncle" in J.B.K. diary(see text-pg.2).

#3) The accuracy of this union seems certain, as a letter from J.J. Knowles of 
Tyler TX provided a link to Greene Co.(see pg.2, diary entry). James Joseph 
Knowles married Anna Thomas in Greene in 1821, and they, too, had a son named 
James Bellah* Knowles. It may be that "our" James Knowles and J.J. Knowles were 
cousins(and-perhaps, also brothers-in-law)as Lucy and Anna could have been 
sisters. There were two more Knowles/Thomas marriages in Greene in 1820! 
*Likely namesake: Rev. James Bellah of Hancock & Newton counties. 

#4) This Henry Co. deed notes lot #201/14D. of Dooly Co., evidently adjacent to 
one drawn in the 1821 Land Lottery(#200/14D.)by James J. Knowles of Jasper Co.
(Barnes dist.). In 1832 & 1833, J.J. Knowles, now living in Fayette Co., paid 
taxes on this lottery parcel. The young man, Joseph T. Knowles(text, above)
furnished a second Fayette County link, marrying there in 1847!
_______________________


THE FAMILY OF JAMES KNOWLES-(page 2)

In January 1853, boarding with B.G. Hooks, James started school at O'Dell 
Academy in Bersheba in Henry Co.(#5). He would not see his family again until 
November, however, in March, he would see two relatives he had never met. 
Cousin Thomas and Uncle Joseph Knowles, obviously unaware of the family's move 
to Dooly, came seeking refuge. A few days later their pursuers came, and March 
15th, James learned-"those men caught Uncle Joe in Dooly at Pa's". Later, he 
received a letter about Joe from Henly Brown-"Kingston" Alabama. During this 
period, he also got a letter from J.J. Knowles of "Tylor" Texas, relationship
(and content)unknown. In June for William T. Turner, he wrote to "E. Yancy a 
cliant for Joe in ala". In July he wrote to Uncle James Gray in Baker Co., and 
in August to Uncle Joe. He received a reply in September: "letter from U. Joe-
ala jail-he was well and want-ted help in his distress". There had also been a 
letter to A. Judia Johnson, an aunt, perhaps?(#6).  For a long while there was 
nothing more about Uncle Joe; until August 11, 1854: "today is the day for my 
Uncle to be hung-but was not". The nature of the crime has not been determined, 
but the sentence was evidently overturned. Swearingen Bible records(Watts 
Powell's Dooly County History-Vol.II)indicate that after his wife's death(Mary 
Swearingen-1862)Joseph Knowles remarried and moved to Texas. The record also 
shows; Mary's sister Jane married Washington Knowles, perhaps the G.W. 
mentioned earlier[they moved to Louisiana(#7)]. When young James Knowles 
returned home to Dooly Co. in November 1854, he learned that family member 
Abner Knowles had been sent to the "silem"(hospital records show that John 
Abner Knowles was admitted Nov. 25, 1854). The other young man, Joseph T. 
Knowles(Henry Co.-1850)apparently did not move to Dooly Co., living first in 
Newton Co., then moving further away. On top of family matters, James learned 
in December by letter: "they wanted me to come back…and teach where I had been 
going...the two last years...as Mr. Hilsman(his teacher)was kilde". Returning 
to Henry, he accepted the offer, and started his teaching career at O'Dell, 
January 8 1855. Busy in his new profession, he was concerned about Abner, and 
his family in Dooly: "when I think of them-it nearly makes me blow my head & 
give up the ghost-two sisters, a nease(Lucy Messer), and him(his father)-he is 
old and not able to work". In August, he learned of Abner's death, from Dr. 
T.F. Green of Midway GA, near Milledgeville(#8). 
______________________

Notes-page 2:

#5) The Berry G. Hooks family lived within 100 yards of the school. The O'Dell 
Academy was organized, and directed by Methodist minister, Solomon O'Dell-
assigned teacher, James Hilsman.

#6) James wrote this letter just a few days after Uncle Joe arrived. It seems 
likely that he would let other family members know about Joe's troubles
(his "book of letters" did not survive). A Judith Noles married Timothy Johnson 
in Hancock Co.-July 21, 1817. Tax digests there tie Timothy Johnson to “Uncle 
James Gray” of Baker Co.

#7) In fact, George Washington, and Joseph E. Knowles both moved to Claiborne 
Parish, LA-before 1860(U.S.census)their blood kinship is unknown.  After Mary's 
death, Joseph married Emma Beard in 1862. About 1867, the family moved to 
Navarro Co. Texas[U.S. censuses: 1870, 1880, & 1900(L.F. McCoy entry)]. Oldest 
son, "Cousin Thomas" Crawford Knowles(almost thirteen, when they came to Henry 
Co.)remained in Louisiana, as did G.W. Knowles. Research, documented in, "The 
Trials of Joseph Noles, 1817-1907", revealed crime details and court 
transcripts. See website, “Knowles In Georgia” at;  
http://members.tripod.com/knonga

#8) Doctor Thomas Fitzgerald Green is considered the founding physician of the 
State mental hospital in Milledgeville. His journal noted that John Abner 
Knowles died July 19 1855. The case was briefly outlined by Dr. Green.
___________________


THE FAMILY OF JAMES KNOWLES-(page 3)

Despite the discontent of patrons-"they was talking about getting another 
teacher in my sted"-James began a second term at O'Dell in January 1856. He 
also, Hooks having moved, began a third year boarding with Andrew J. Ammons in 
Bersheba. In March he learned of an uncle's death, J. Allen(Jan. 12th-no 
locale). When his teaching career ended, Nov. 13, 1856, he bought land($775)
from James E. Buntyn. Visiting in Dooly Co., he arrived(evidently by chance)for 
sister Martha's marriage-Dec.18, 1856-to George D. Whitfield. Back in Henry, he 
learned that a “Mr. Traynham” would teach at O'Dell Academy. For 
his "plantation", he impulsively purchased a slave($900)from Ammons, then, just 
as abruptly, arranged to study medicine with Dr. James H. Bryans at Worthville 
in Butts Co. "Dr. Bryans is to board me & horse...to help his clerk...ride som 
to collect...other times I am to read med-i-son". Briefly, he considered a 
position as teacher in the Turner settlement, but did not wish to "interupt" 
the doctor. In July his slave died-"much bothered about yestoday's affair..what 
will be my condition this night 12 months". Then, August 25th: "This day I 
received a letter that Pa was ded...dide-and for me to come home". He returned 
to Dooly Co. for about three weeks. After sister Elizabeth married John Hart
(Sept.15th)-"1 month since Pa dide", he returned to Butts & Henry for a similar 
period. He then returned to Dooly to help with his father's estate(#9). On 
October 28th, he left Dooly Co. for the University of Nashville-"for the 
purpose of attending Lectors"(#10). The final three pages(nearly 3 months)of 
his diary give only a hint of his college life. In March 1858, he returned to 
Dr. Bryans in Butts Co. He later graduated from the University of Louisiana(N. 
Orleans-Tulane). In Butts Co. in November 1859, he married Lavonia C. 
Williamson-all of their descendants are easily traced(#11). He began practice 
near Ellistown in Henry Co. On the 1860 Henry Co. census, niece Lucy Messer is 
listed with the couple. Sister, Martha Whitfield, remained in South Georgia. 
She, and George D., are buried in Smoak Cemetery in Crisp Co. Their daughter, 
Lucy J. Whitfield(the only child to reach maturity)married William D. Odom in 
Worth Co. Her will(Bk.2-1922)notes: son, Henry Doss(?)Odom, guardian of unnamed 
grandchildren; and, deceased daughter, M.L. Holt(Martha? Lola?)who likely 
married Wesley Holt in Crisp Co. in 1909. I have been unable to locate sister 
Elizabeth, or husband John T. Hart, on the 1860 census(#12).  

(Compiled September 1991; revised August 31, 2004) 
________________________   

Notes-Page 3:

#9) Though James referred to the area as Dooly Co., his father had purchased 
land which straddled the current Worth/Crisp Co. line(Worth was created in 
1853, Crisp in 1905). James Knowles Sr. first lived in Dooly(tax digest-1851)-
but died in Worth Co.(unfortunately, many of its records were lost). Daughters, 
Martha and Elizabeth married in different counties!

#10) There were ads about the University of Nashville's medical program in the 
Griffin GA newspaper during the mid-1850s. James Knowles recorded his schedule 
and professors in the diary. I found him listed in the University of 
Nashville ‘college catalog’ for 1857-58. He completed one session. During the 
Civil War, the school disbanded. Later, its faculty moved, almost intact, into 
the fledgling Vanderbilt University.

#11) James B. Knowles, and wife, Lavonia C. are buried in Butts Co., on land 
drawn by her great, grandfather(Rev. Soldier)John Williamson Sr. in the 1821 
Land Lottery. On Nov. 12 1822, Gov. John Clark granted him lot #250/8th district
(then in Henry Co.). In 1831, he willed 600 acres to "beloved grandson" Nathan 
C. Williamson(Lavonia's father). John Williamson Jr.(Nathan's father)served as 
co-executor. He evidently never moved to Butts Co., dying in Jackson Co. in 1849
(the original Williamson "homeplace" was along Walnut River in Wilkes 
Co., "bounty land" won by John Williamson Sr.). [see Williamson-Knowles 
cemetery photos; also, personal photos]

#12) John Hart was listed as a patient in Dr. Knowles' 1865 estate records; as 
a  soldier, in Henry Co. tax digests.
                                 


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