William McKnight

From: Patricia Johnson
Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2002 11:24:31 -0600
Subject: GOLDRUSH MOST WANTED - William MCKNIGHT

Looking for information on William MCKNIGHT, born 1809 in Loudoun Co VA, son of Uriah and Elizabeth (THOMAS) MCKNIGHT. In 1836, he joined the Madison Co MS Volunteers and went to Texas to fight in War for Texas Independence. Still in Texas 1839. After 1841, in an unknown place, married a woman from Ohio who could have been "Mrs. MORTON". Had daughter Virginia Elizabeth MCKNIGHT in 1845 - unknown place, probably LA. Court records in Washington Co TX prove he was dead by Sep 1853 - place unknown. From hand written note on transcribed bible records in VA - "William MCKNIGHT was killed by a tree-fall in California". There are two William MCKNIGHTS listed in the CA 1850 census. Neither match this William MCKNIGHT. Daughter Virginia married Samuel Reid HILL in 1864 - lived in TX and OK - died/buried 1926, Navarro Co TX. Family knows nothing about William or his wife from Ohio. I am hoping there is some record somewhere of a William MCKNIGHT, between 1845 and 1853, killed in CA by a tree falling on him. Thanks - Patricia Craig Johnson