TITLE: Biographical Sketch of Deacon James Knowles

SOURCE:  History of  the Town of Rochester New Hampshire, From 1722-1890      	      
         by Franklin McDuffee, A.M. edited and revised by Silvanus Hayward.     
         In two Volumes.-- Vol. I., Manchester,  The John B. Clarke Co.,
	 Printers.  ©1892.  Pages 120-121

SUBMITTED: Transcribe by C. Parziale 8/12/00

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             LEADING MEN OF THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD

                     DEACON JAMES KNOWLES


      James Knowles was born in Hampton in 1720, and come to Rochester in 
1749.  Little can be said of his life, further than to mention the positions
he filled.  Frequently moderator of the meetings, member of nearly every 
important committee in town during his active life, representative to the 
Old Provincial Assembly, when that body was convened for the last time by 
the British Governor, delegate to most of the conventions which fostered the 
spirit of Revolution, representative for six years to the new Assembly under 
the independent State government, member of the Constitutional Convention of
1778, and also of the Convention of 1781, muster-master in the Revolution, a 
magistrate of the town, Selectman for several years; -- such were some of the
offices he was called to fill.  As servant of the people, he spent a large 
part of his long life in unambitious yet useful public labor.  In the church,
taking the office of Deacon upon the death of Stephen Berry who had honorably
filled that position from the organization of the church till his death in 
1762, he zealously and with religious fidelity discharged its duties for a 
space of forty years, until his own death at the beginning of the present 
century.  To his patriotism were added the virtues of a calm and peaceful 
Christian character.  He was one of the pillars of the church, and at the 
same time was always earnest in every cause which concerned the welfare of 
his country.  As any one during this period.  He died in 1802, aged eighty-two 
few are the names that come down to us, around which cluster so many plea-
sant and honored associations.  In a sermon upon his death, Mr. Haven says: 
"As a friend he was to be trusted; as a neighbor, benevolent and respected; 
as a magistrate or citizen he was for order and government; and his general 
deportment was that of a sincere Christian,-- not ostentatious in his worship,
but steady and firm in his religion.  As an officer of the church, he dig-
nified his office.  The church has cause to lament his death, though he died
in venerable old age.  He lived beloved and died lamented, and we trust his 
memory like that of the just, will be sweet."

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