First Generation

1. WILLIAM KNAPP^1,2,3,4 was christened on 1 January 1580/1 in Bures St. Mary, Suffolk, England. He died on 30 August 1658 in Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

William Knapp [Knopp] was most probably the son of Thomas Knopp of Bures St. Mary, Suffolk, England. Thomas was buried there 18 May 1613, called Thomas Knopp, the Sexton. Thomas's wife was Alice Howlat, their marriage recorded 10 Jan 1569/70. She was possibly a daughter of Nicholas Howlett of Bures St. Mary whose will dated 14 Jan 1555/6 mentions seven children under age eighteen but names only three of them.

Children baptized at Bures St. Mary, that are apparently the children of Thomas & Alice were:
Elizabeth Knopp, bp. 9 Mar 1571/2
James, bp 19 Sep 1574
John, bp 13 Jul 1578
William, bp 1 Jan 1580/1
Thomas, bp 15 Mar 1583/4 as "the sonne of Thomas"
Margaret, bp 7 Nov 1586 "daughter of Thomas"
Ann, bp 13 Jan 1590/1 "daughter of Thomas"
Robert, bp 3 Feb 1593/4 "sonne of Thomas"

William & Judith's children John & Judith were also baptized at Bures St. Mary's, the other children at her home parish, Womingford, Essex, where they were married.

William was indentured to Sir Richard Saltonstall when he arrived in America in 1630 - probably for the amount of passage for himself and his family. Sir Richard sailed with the Winthrop Fleet:
The Winthrop Fleet consisted of eleven ships sailing from Yarmouth, Isle of Wright to Salem. Some sailed April 8, arriving June 13, 1630 and the following days, the others to sail in May, arriving in July. The total count of passengers is believed to be about seven hundred, and presumed to have included the following people. Financing was by the Mass. Bay Company.
The ships were the Arbella flagship with Capt Peter Milburne, the Ambrose, the Charles, the Mayflower, the Jewel, the Hopewell, The Success, the Trial, the Whale, the Talbot and the William and Francis.
Sailed April 8 1630: Ambrose, Arbella, Hopewell, Talbot,
Sailed May 1630: Charles, Jewel, Mayflower, Success, Trial, Whale, William and Francis
Winthrop wrote to his wife just before they set sail that there were seven hundred passengers. Six months after their arrival, Thomas Dudley wrote to Bridget Fiennes, Countess of Lincoln and mother of Lady Arbella and Charles Fiennes, that over two hundred passengers had died between their landing April 30 and the following December, 1630. That letter traveled via the Lyon April 1, 1631 and reached England four weeks later.
Listed on a reconstructed passenger list: William Knapp, Mrs. Knapp, John, Anne, Judith, Mary, James, William Jr., probably of Bures St. Mary, Suffolk. Other passengers were also from Suffolk.
<http://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/winthrop.htm>

30 Nov 1630, the Court of Assistants in Watertown ordered that whoever employed Willm Knopp or his son in any work was to pay half their wages to Sr. Rich. Siltonstall & whoever buys boards from them to pay one half the price to Sr. Richard, until the money disbursed for them be satisfied.

William was eventually granted seven parcels of land in Watertown, a 16 acre homestall, a 93 acre farm, 30 ares in the Great Divident, and smaller parcels which totalled another 29 acres. As an old man, he performed work around the meeting house and was the poundkeeper - he was referred to as "Ould Knop" or "Father Knop".

In 1656, William applied for assistance to the selectmen of Watertown who proposed he place his estate in the hands of his children in exchange for their support, but the children refused to do so. During the last years of his life, the town leased out William's lands and reimbursed others for their assistance to him.

Watertown Records
1st & 2nd Books of Town Proceedings
Lands Grants & Possessions
The Proprietors' Book
The 1st Book & Supplement of Births, Deaths, & Marriages
Watertown, MA 1894
p.24 8 Oct 1651 reference to “ould Knop” - received payment from the town
p.25 10 Dec 1650 [should have been 1651 according to surrounding entries] disbursements by John Shearman to “ould Knop” for wages
p.28 Jan 12 1651 Ordered that ould father Knop shall be payd out of this p'sent rate whatsoever he can make appeere to be due to him and to be Discharged of his service aboute the meeting house and keep of the pound when his yeare is expired which will be upon the first of May in '52.
p.30 Feb 3, 1651 Ordered that Sergent Beeres shall view the severall pertickerlers of old Knops work done at the meeting house and to make a returne to the towne
p.55 15 Dec 1657 10# for ould Knop …credit given to the town all wch somes are to be pd in this 50L rate wth the severall debts dew to the towne
p.56
Jan 29 1657 By Left. Beeres there is pd in the behalfe of the towne as lent to Willi Knop the Elder the some of fower poundes, eighteene shillings & eleaven pence. Other sums:
By Michaell Bearsto for Ould knop;More by Mich: Bearsto.
p.56 Thomas Hastings howse Apr 13, 1658.
The Land of Ould Knop his meadow & corne land is lett to Robt Jenison & Sargt Bloyse for this yeare att the rate of five pounds & if in case it continew in the hands of the select men to lett it, they do ingage the above named have it all the time that it continew in the same hands to lett

Lands & Proprietors….
25 Jul 1636 Grant of great dividents lotted out by the Freemen to all the Townsmen being 120 in number. 4 Division, each 160 rods in breadth.
First Division - Lott 23, William Knop, 30a
2nd Division - Lott 17, Nicholas Knap 30a
Etc. Both mentioned many times, William's name consistenly spelled “Knop”, as is William Jr., Nicholas as Knap. Strangely, Nicholas seems not be appear in the books of the Town. In the register of births, deths, marriages, both names seem to be spelled Knap more often then not.

First Inventory of Grants and Possessions:
William Knop Sen.
1. An homestall of 16a bounded SE & SW with Robert Lockwood & Nicholas Knap, the E with Richard Browne, NE with Richard Beers, N with the highway & the W with George Munnings
2. 7a of Plowland in the further Plaine & the 86 Lott
3. 8a of Plowland in the further Plaine & the 52 Lott
4. 7a of Meddow in the remote Meddowes & the 99 Lott
5. 7a & halfe of upland beyind the further Plaine & the 31 Lott
6. 30a of upland being a great Divident in the 1st Division & 23 Lott
7. A farme of 93 acres of upland in the 1st Division

Grants & Possessions of the Lands in Watertown
According to order of the Court of 9 (7) 1639
Attested Feb 27 1714/15

William Knop, Sen
Missing the 8 acres of plowland in the first inventory
Missing the farm
Added: One acre of Meaddow by estimation in West meddow bounded wth common land granted to him

Watertown
Births, deaths, marriages
Priscilla dau of William & Mary Knap born 10 (9) 1642
John Cade, sonn of Nickholas & Judeth Cade borne 15 January 1650
Judy Knap dau of Willyam & Mergrett Knop bornn the 2d of March 1652
Judy Cady dau of Nicholas & Judy bornn the 2d of September 1653
Elizbath Knap dau of James & Elizabath Knap borne the 21 Second, 1655
James Knap sonn of James & Elizabeth Knap borne the 26 of May 1657
Nicholas Cady sonn of Nichholas & Jedeth Cady dyed the 21st of 11th 1657
James Knap sonn of James & Elizabeth dyed the 26 September 1657
Nicholas Cady, sonn of Nickholas & Judeth bornn the 2nd of Aug 1657
Elizabeth Knop dau of Willyam & Mergrett Knop bornn the 23 Jul 1657
Danill Cady sonn of Nickholas & Judy Cady borne the 27 Nov 1659
Willyam Knap aged abought 80 years, Deceased the 30 of August 1659
John Knape & Sary Younge maryd the 21 3rd 1660
Ezekiell Cady sone of Nickholas & Judy Cady Borne ye 14 (6) 1662
Sary Knop of John & Sary Borne 5 (7) 1662
Nickholas Cady son of Nickholas & Judy Cady borne the 20 of the 12, 1663
Joseph Cady son of Nickholas & Judeth borne 28 of May 1666

His will dated 5 Jul 1655 was never proved, possibly because of ambiguous language. Daughter Anne had died but the will not modified to dispose of her portion. Elizabeth Buttery of Bures St. Mary was the daughter still in England - she appointed attorneys to receive her portion but she died before she received her share. The heirs in New England indicated in a deed dated 1 Apr 1662, that their father had died intestate. The estate inventory was taken 31 Aug 1658.

WILLIAM KNAPP and JUDITH TUE were married on 11 January 1606/7 in Wormingford, Essex, England. JUDITH TUE⁵ was christened on 31 May 1589 in Wormingford, Essex, England. She died before 1651 in Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

Judith was the daughter of John Tue of Wormingford, Essex, born maybe about 1540, buried at Worminford, 31 May 1605. His wife's given name was Cicely. His will was dated 15 Apr 1605 and proved 8 Jul 1605. He left all to his wife during her natural life, with the land, etc. to descend to John Tue, their son. Also his daughters Marie & Judith to receive 10£ each when they reach age 21. Baptism records also show a child Annis, baptized 1575, buried 1576 - since there was no other Tue family having children at this time, she was also likely their child.

WILLIAM KNAPP and JUDITH TUE had the following children:

2	i.	Elizabeth KNAPP was christened on 10 July 1608 in Wormingford, Essex, England. She died on 23 February 1661/2 in Bures St. Mary, Suffolk, England. Elizabeth married John Buttery and probably remained in England.
3	ii.	William KNAPP was christened on 3 February 1610/1 in Wormingford, Essex, England. He died on 25 September 1676 in Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Watertown Records 1st & 2nd Books of Town Proceedings Lands Grants & Possessions The Proprietors' Book The 1st Book & Supplement of Births, Deaths, & Marriages Watertown, MA 1894 p.41 29:11:1654 Paid 1sh "for caring of mege Knop home" [young William's wife was Margaret - I believe this might refer to "Meg Knop" p.104 Jan 3 1670 [definitely the younger William Knapp - his father deceased] Also John Edy senr and Isaak Sternes wear a pointed to speak with Willyam Knop a bought the Education of his Daughter and to make return how they find it as to her Education and also being kept under restraint and Government. p.107 Sept 2nd 1671 Ther comeing a complaint of a child of Willyam Knop that have ben neglected in being Learned in the English tongue we did appoint John Bigulah to warne in Thomas Smyth to the meeting of the selectmen also to warne Willyam Knop to the meeting. p.109 Oct 24 1671 Thomas Smyth a peereing before the selectment a bought the Daughter of Willyam Knop did accknowledg that the child had not ben so well a tended in matter of Learneing as she should have ben: did promise that he would be mor carefull for the time to come that she shall be Learned in the knowledg of reading the English tongue p.125 At leftenant Shearmans: 10 of the 8th 1676 It was agreed by voate that Insine Warrin and Samuell Stearns should teack an invoice of Willyeam Knops Esteat and see to the disposal of the woman in sum family if they could p.127 5 of 10th 1676 …Stearns to go down to Charlstown Corte to give evidence concearning Willyeam Knops Invertory of his Esteate p.131 1 of 9th 1677 Lost Knops rate towards the scoole house 1.18.01 p.134 5th of 1st 1677/8 Sargant Barnut cuming to the selectmen to desire them to take cear of Willyeam Knops widdoo they finding that she was committed to him the last of ye 8th munth 76 and the select men heaveing then agree wth him for ayeare and allowed him 12 pounds to find her meat drink & apparel to be paid by the administrators of the essteat: of hur husband whoo wear soo appointed by the corte: the select men doo now agree with sargant barnut for to ceep hur another yeare upon the account of 12 pounds more to be paid by the administrators afore said, he finding the woman meat drink and apparall as in the year before & if the esteat of hur husband will not suffice to pay the 12 pounds then the town to meak it up the year begun the last of the 8th munth 1677. p.141 31 8th munth 1679 to Samuel Stearns for perambulation and for time spent abought Will Knop 1.4.0 p.144 5 Jan 1679 also upon ye request of sergent John Barnard concerning a parcel of weast Land that lies between the Land that was formerly William Knops and bever brooke, that Samuell Sterns and William Bond should view said land and make report of the same to the Towne First Inventory of Grants and Possessions [Watertown]: William Knop Jun. 1. An homestall of 4 acres bounded the North with the highway, the South with the Meeting house land the East with Henry Kemball Jun. & the West with William Page. Watertown Births, deaths, marriages Priscilla dau of William & Mary Knap born 10 (9) 1642 Judy Knap dau of Willyam & Mergrett Knop bornn the 2d of March 1652 Elizabeth Knop dau of Willyam & Mergrett Knop bornn the 23 Jul 1657
4	iii.	Mary KNAPP was christened on 19 August 1613 in Wormingford, Essex, England. Mary married Thomas Smith of Watertown.
5	iv.	Anne KNAPP was christened on 24 December 1618 in Wormingford, Essex, England. She died on 20 October 1657 in Died at sea.. Anne married Thomas Philbrick of Hampton. Thomas, Anne, and their daughter Sarah were lost at sea when their ship sank en route from Hampton to Boston on 20 Oct 1657. Their surviving children were heirs to part of their grandfather Knapp's estate.
+6	v.	JOHN KNAPP.
7	vi.	James KNAPP was christened on 30 April 1626 in Wormingford, Essex, England. He died before November 1700 in Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Watertown Births, deaths, marriages Elizbath Knap dau of James & Elizabath Knap borne the 21 Second, 1655 James Knap sonn of James & Elizabeth Knap borne the 26 of May 1657 James Knap sonn of James & Elizabeth dyed the 26 September 1657
8	vii.	Judith KNAPP was christened on 16 July 1629 in Bures St. Mary, Suffolk, England. Judith married Nicholas Cady and removed to Groton, MA, about 1668 Births, deaths, marriages John Cade, sonn of Nickholas & Judeth Cade borne 15 January 1650 Judy Cady dau of Nicholas & Judy bornn the 2d of September 1653 Nicholas Cady, sonn of Nickholas & Judeth bornn the 2nd of Aug 1657 Nicholas Cady sonn of Nichholas & Jedeth Cady dyed the 21st of 11th 1657 Danill Cady sonn of Nickholas & Judy Cady borne the 27 Nov 1659 Ezekiell Cady sone of Nickholas & Judy Cady Borne ye 14 (6) 1662 Nickholas Cady son of Nickholas & Judy Cady borne the 20 of the 12, 1663 Joseph Cady son of Nickholas & Judeth borne 28 of May 1666

Priscilla AKERS (private).