Re: Looking for trivia abt Timothy Knapp (Israel, Timothy, Joshua, Nicholas)
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In reply to:
Looking for trivia abt Timothy Knapp (Israel, Timothy, Joshua, Nicholas)
Ron Mesnard 2/09/04
Just some; most from the Nicholas Knapp Genealogy Book
What do you have on him. I have nothign on his son, Timothy, but on another, living close to the same time and place, a bit
Timothy Knapp
Timothy’s (1668-1737)children were all minors at the time of his death. Sarah Knapp was granted 10 acres of land at Horseneck, 5-10-1697. Timothy withdrew from the 2nd Congregational Church 5-31-1731. He deeded land 1-4-1719 to sons Benjamin, James and Joshua. On 10-23-1728, he bought from his brother Joshua, his interest in his mother’s two thirds. Timothy bought the land on which the Knapp Tavern in Greenwich was built in 1692 and deeded to his son, Israel, in 1729. It was a famous tavern before the Revolution, a Masonic and Tory meeting place, the Headquarters of Gen. Israel Putnam when he made his famous ride down the stone steps. The Tavern is now a famous D.A.R. shrine and tearoom. Timothy and his son Israel were ardent Tories.
Israel Knapp (1705-1783
From “The Tavern and the Old Post Road", by Norman Talcott:
"Among the most inveterate Tories was the Innkeeper, Israel Knapp (1705-1783) and it is said that his tavern was for a long time, a secret meeting place for those who sought to defeat the patriot cause. It is certain he was held in ill repute by all good patriots, and his name was on the dangerous list held by the Committee of Safety. The old innkeeper s favorite son, Timothy, though as ardent a Tory as his father, was in love with the beautiful daughter of the patriot, Jonathan Mead, who lived nearby. Tradition says that the girl reciprocated his affections but she was imbued with a spirit of loyalty to the cause of the Revolutionists that made her indignantly refuse when Timothy sought her hand in marriage. The youth, as might be expected was deeply hurt. He called to her reproachfully and angrily as he left the house that evening: "You will speak to me one day, but I shall never answer you." He little knew how true were his words. One evening shortly afterwards when he was approaching the house, perhaps to make another attempt to win the maid, her father, mistaking him for a "cow-boy" (a name for Tory guerillas) marauder shot him through the heart. The girl recognized him, threw herself upon his lifeless body and implored him to speak, but he was dead. The body lies buried on the grounds of the ancient inn."
Israel Knapp: 1705-1783
The three Tomothy Knapps living at this time are rather confused in the records, and we are not always sure which one was meant. Prudence Knapp, 11-6-1734 bought land from Israel Knapp. Prudence sold 2-27-1733 to Israel Knapp all her right, title and interest in the estate of her father, Timothy Knapp. 12-21-1708, Timothy Knapp granted a parcel of land. In 3-5-1729 he deeded land to his son, Israel, one half interest in the homestead, old town of Greenwich. 3-5-1734, Abraham Benedict sold to Justin Brush, all his right, title and Interest in the land of his father-in-law, Timothy Knapp. On 3-13-1734, Ebenezer Pickett sold interest in the land of his father-in-law, Timothy Knapp. Mary and Elizabeth were not mentioned in the will of their father, 10-15-1733, so they probably died before that date. Elizabeth (Butler) (Knapp) Segar s will dated 5-22-1753 mentions her children: -James Knapp. -Martha Palmer. -Ruth Hubbard. -Elizabeth, all formerly Knapp. Executor, Capt. John Ferris. Witnesses, Reuben Reynolds, John Ferris and Abraham Hubbard. (Vol. 5, p. 181) Will proved 7-3-1753. (From Spencer P. Mead s Copy of Wills.)
Timothy's children were all minors at the time of his death. Sarah Knapp was granted 10 acres of land at Horseneck, 5-10-1697. Timothy withdrew from the 2nd Congregational Church 5-31-1731. He deeded land 1-4-1719 to sons Benjamin, James and Joshua. On 10-23-1728, he bought from his brother Joshua, his interest in his mother s two thirds. Timothy bought land on which the Knapp Tavern in Greenwich was built in 1692 and deeded to his son, Israel, in 1729. It was a famous tavern before the Revolution, a Masonic and Tory meeting place, the Headquarters of Gen. Israel Putnam when he made his famous ride down the stone steps. The Tavern is now a famous D.A.R. shrine and tearoom. Timothy and his son Israel were ardent Tories.
Extract from Conn. Magazine, Vol. X, third quarter, 1906. "The Tavern and the Old Post Road", by Norman Talcott: "Among the most inveterate Tories was the Innkeeper, Israel Knapp and it is said that his tavern was for a long time, a secret meeting place for those who sought to defeat the patriot cause. It is certain he was held in ill repute by all good patriots, and his name was on the dangerous list held by the Committee of Safety. The old innkeeper s favorite son, Timothy, though as ardent a Tory as his father, was in love with the beautiful daughter of the patriot, Jonathan Mead, who lived nearby. Tradition says that the girl reciprocated his affections but she was imbued with a spirit of loyalty to the cause of the Revolutionists that made her indignantly refuse when Timothy sought her hand in marriage. The youth, as might be expected was deeply hurt. He called to her reproachfully and angrily as he left the house that evening: "You will speak to me one day, but I shall never answer you." He little knew how true were his words. One evening shortly afterwards when he was approaching the house, perhaps to make another attempt to win the maid, her father, mistaking him for a "cow-boy" (a name for Tory guerillas) marauder shot him through the heart. The girl recognized him, threw herself upon his lifeless body and implored him to speak, but he was dead. The body lies buried on the grounds of the ancient inn."
Copy of a deed from Timothy to his son, Israel in 1729: "Know all men by these presents that I, Timothy Knapp, of Greenwich, in the County of Fairfield, and Colony of Connecticut, for ye love, good will and fatherly affection which I have and do bear to my loving and dutiful son, Israel Knapp, of the same place, County and Colony aforesaid, do fully, freely and absolutely give and grant unto my aforesaid son Israel Knapp, his heirs, executors or administrators. forever, "soietin" parcel or parcels of land within the bounds of Greenwich, the half of my dwelling house where I now live and the one half of my home lot and one half of a barn when it is built and finished and the one hail of my orchard and the land on the south side of the street that is bounded north by the street and east by the land of Ebenezer Mead and south by the land of Samuel Mills and west by the Meads land, for him, ye said Israel Knapp, his heirs, assigns, for to have and to hold ye above bargained premises, with all Rights, privileges and appurtenances to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining and do promise to warrant and defend the above bargained premises from all former bargains, seals, rents, taxes or Incumbrance what so ever made or contracted before the Day and Date hereof, always provided that the said Israel Knapp is not to sell nor let out said premises to any man or persons who so ever during the life of his father and for the conformation of this above written Deed of gift I have hereunto sett my hand and seal this twenty first day of March anno Domini 1729.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Caleb Knapp, Jun., John Marshall.
Entered April ye 19th Day 1729 by Joshua Knapp Recorder.
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Re: Looking for trivia abt Timothy Knapp (Israel, Timothy, Joshua, Nicholas)
Ron Mesnard 9/13/04