Matthew Knox,
b. bef 1741, Ireland, probably -
d. bef Jan 1803, Steele Creek Community, Mecklenburg Co, NC
Knox-DNA Project [Group 1; Haplogroup R1b1b2]
There is considerable disagreement among Knox Researchers regarding Matthew's age and ancestry. We do not know when arrived in America; however, his earliest known record is a Mecklenburg NC Deed dated Dec 1762 which indicates he was "of Anson" county NC. Based on this deed, we can assume he was born not later than 1741.
We have no primary evidence sources that prove this Matthew was a son of "Old" Sarah Knox and her unknown husband, or that Matthew was a brother to any of other Steele Creek Knoxes, although the DNA evidence is fully consistent with such a relationship. However, it's also consistent with his being a first cousin or other close relative, and his geographic location and documented associations do support the probability of near-kinship with the Steele Creek Knoxes.
Five of Matthew's seven known children, and two
grandchildren are named in his Mecklenburg Co, NC Will, dated 26 April 1800,
probated Jan 1803, and filed in Will Book D, page 141. Matthew's wife
is unnamed, and assumed to have pre-deceased him. It is unclear where
he was married more than once.
Children of Matthew Knox & Unknown Wife are:
Jane Knox, m. Unnamed Garrett
James Knox, m. Mary Ann Abbott [see below]
**
Unnamed (pre-deceased?) Daughter Knox m. Berry Young (parents of
grandson, Matthew Young, named in
Matthew Knox's LWT) ***
Unnamed (pre-deceased?) Daughter Knox m. Unknown Price (parents of granddaughter Amy Price, named in Matthew's LWT)
***
Margaret Knox, m. John W. Peck
John T. Knox, m. Celia Unknown
Elizabeth Knox
Footnotes:
* Matthew Knox, 1800 Salisbury District, Mecklenburg Co, NC Census: Age Range given as 45+ (b. bef 1755). Son James was b. 1760-1770, this according to his 1830 and 1840 census records; therefore, Matthew was born no later than 1740-1750. Matthew's 1762 Deed indicates he was at least 21 at that time, therefore born not later than 1741. Matthew may have been much older, however, his age cannot be determined with any degree of confidence. Son James was b. in Ireland, according to the 1880 census of three of his sons; therefore, it is likely that Matthew, himself, was also b. Ireland; however, this is unproven.
** Proven by Mecklenburg Co, NC Deed Book 23, page 111; 17 Jan 1825, James Knox of Pendleton Dist, SC to John Knox of Mecklenburg For $700, 250 A on the Catawba River adj. Saml Knox & Joseph Swann being the land left to the granter in the will of his father Mathew Knox [WB-D, p 141 & HWF 368]Wit: James M. Hart & John Knox. Proven at Feb Court 1827 by both Wit. [Herman W Ferguson Abstract #5697]
*** Two unnamed daughters, mothers of two grandchildren named in Matthew's April 1800 LWT [WB-D, p 141 & HWF 368], are assumed to have pre-deceased their father. "Son" Berry Young is assumed to be Matthew's son-in-law, and the father of grandson, Matthew Young.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Descendancy from Matthew Knox to Participant No. 49726:
James Knox, b.
ca 1760,
Ireland c
- d. 1847, Pickens Co, SC:
Children of James & Mary Ann (Abbott) Knox:
William Knox, b.1797, SC; m. Agnes Bailey
Polly Knox, b. 1800,
SC, probably
Matthew Knox, b. 1803, SC; m. Belinda Nicholson [see below]
John Knox, b.
ca 1805, SC m. Nancy Holland
Robert Knox, b. 1809, SC; m. Sarah Wilson Craig
Sarah Ann Knox, b. 1810, SC; m. Samuel DeArmand
Joseph Knox, b. 1812, SC; m. Melissa Brooke
Drury Knox, b. 1815, SC; m. Sabre Terrell
Benson Knox, b. 1818, SC; m. Mary Ann Wall
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matthew Knox, b. 1803 Pendleton District SC; d. 1856, Chickasaw Co MS:
Birth date/location:
Feb. 27,1803;
Pendleton District (later Pickens/Oconee County), SC
Death date/location:
Aug. 13, 1856;
near Houlka, Chickasaw Co, MS; died in
logging accident
Occupation: Farmer
Wife: Belinda Nicholson; m. 1827,
Pickens Co SC
Birth date/location:
Jan. 10, 1809;
Pendleton District, SC,
Death date/location:
Jan. 7, 1851,
near Houlka, Chickasaw Co, MS
Children of Matthew Knox and Belinda Nicholson:
Caroline Knox, b. ca. 1831, Pickens Co, SC
William E. Knox, b. ca. 1833, Pickens Co, SC
James M. Knox, b. ca. 1835, TN (county unknown)
Mary J. Knox, b. ca. 1837, Chickasaw Co, MS
Pendleton C. "Pen" Knox, b. ca. 1838, Chickasaw Co, MS
Isabella Knox, b. ca. 1841, Chickasaw Co, MS
Cornelia Knox, b. ca. 1842, Chickasaw Co, MS
Isaac Nicholson Knox, b. 1844, Chickasaw Co, MS [See below]
John Knox, b.ca 1846, Chickasaw Co, MS
Virginia Knox, b. ca. 1849, Chickasaw Co, MS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Isaac Nicholson Knox, b. 1844, Chickasaw Co MS; d. 1922 Pontotoc Co MS:
Wife: Martha Almarine Hightower, b. 1847, Randolph Co, AL; daughter of John
Hightower and Keziah Armistead; d. 1935, Clay Co MS:
Children of Isaac Nicholson Knox and Martha Almarine Hightower:
Oscar J. Knox, b. 1867; lived in Pontotoc, MS
James Edgar Knox (father of James E. Knox, Jr. and grandfather of participant
no. 49726), b. 1869
Bruce Knox, b. 1874; lived in West Point, MS
Ada Cornelia Knox, m. John William Brown (grandparents of James Armistead Brown,
Jr.); b. 1876; lived in Pontotoc and Jackson, MS
Rush Hightower Knox, m. Florence Bigham; b. 1879; (was Attorney General of
Mississippi, 1924-28); lived in Houston and Jackson, MS
Dewitt Knox, b. 1882; lived in Tupelo, MS
Alma Knox, m. John Tyler; b. 1884; lived in West Point, MS
Isaac Cecil Knox, b. 1887; physician in Vicksburg, MS
Baxter M. Knox, b. 1889; lawyer in New Albany, MS