Person Page

     Waite Rhodes was born on 29 December 1714.¹ She married Moses Lippitt, son of Moses Lippitt and Ann Phillis Whipple, on 26 April 1732.¹ She died on 13 October 1768 at age 53.¹
     She and her husband Moses lived on a farm on Connimicut Point in Warwick, Rhode Island.¹ They had the following known children: Catherine (b 19 December 1734), Moses (b 1736, d 1740), Waite (b 1738, d 1740), Joseph (b 28 June 1740, d 29 July 1758), Waite (b 10 April 1743), Moses (b 26 May 1745, d 14 June 1833), Abraham (b 26 October 1747), Mary (b 26 June 1749), Rebecca (b 11 August 1751).¹

     Welthyan Greene was born on 17 February 1715.¹ She married Jeremiah Lippitt, son of Moses Lippitt and Ann Phillis Whipple, on 12 September 1734.¹ She died on 15 July 1797 at age 82.¹
     She and Jeremiah had the following known children: Anne (b 15 November 1735, d 9 June 1816), Welthyan (b 1737, d 1739), Jeremiah (b 1739, d 28 July 1766), Thomas (b 1742, d 4 February 1764), Elizabeth (b 20 November 1744, d 1 July 1808), Welthyan (b 15 March 1746), William (b 9 March 1748), John (b 15 May 1750, d April 1797), Moses (b 16 December 1752, d 11 April 1833).¹

     Catherine Holden was born on 13 October 1717.¹ She married Christopher Lippitt, son of Moses Lippitt and Ann Phillis Whipple, on 2 January 1736.¹ She died on 4 May 1807 at age 89.¹ She was buried in the family burial grounds on "Lippitt Hill" in Cranston, Providence Co., Rhode Island.¹
     She and Christopher had the following known children: Anthony (b abt 1738, d 23 October 1751), Freelove, Mary, Christopher (b 28 October 1744, d 17 June 1824), Catherine, Warren (b abt 1748, d 30 November 1751), Phebe (b 6 December 1749, d 6 December 1751), Moses (b 10 September 1751, d 15 December 1844), Charles (b 2 March 1754, d 17 August 1845), Loudon (b 17 April 1756, d 18 August 1841), Waterman (b 2 May 1758), John (b 14 February 1763, d 19 July 1830).¹

     Lucy Bowen was born about 1724.¹ She married Joseph Lippitt, son of Moses Lippitt and Ann Phillis Whipple, on 19 February 1746.¹ She died on 20 May 1795.¹ She was buried in Warwick, Kent Co., Rhode Island.¹
     She and Joseph had the following known children: Ann Francis (b 30 March 1748, d 1 April 1827), Lucy (b 4 December 1749, d 16 April 1787), Joseph (b 27 September 1751, d 20 September 1776), Sarah (b 5 August 1753, d 13 June 1786), Mary (b 24 March 1756, d 1 October 1778), Thomas (b 15 May 1758, d 20 April 1836), Eliza (b 26 September 1760, d 12 August 1830).¹

     William Knowles was born about 1645.¹ He married Alice Fish, daughter of Thomas Fish and Mary (?).¹ He died in 1727.¹
     On 22 October 1661 William Knowles was apprenticed for five years, with his father's consent, to Thomas Smith of Pawtuxet, Rhode Island, to learn "the Arte, mistry and occupation of A Taylor."¹
     He was named as the executor of his father's will, dated 2 January 1670 (1670/71?) and proved on 20 Jan the same year. At his mother's death, his brother John was to receive the northeast half of the house in Warwick, the meadow in front, and certain other lands, which their father had left for her use while living. John also was left the rest of the house and land in Warwick and Potowomut, etc. William received half the land "of my now dwelling" [in Kingstown?]. The rest of their father's land was left to William and his brother Henry, to be divided equally. The witnesses testified that after signing the will, Henry Knowles said that if John didn't take what was left him, John and William were to exchange shares, and that the one ending up with the Warwick house was to provide wood for his mother. The rest of the cattle and hogs were to stay on the farm, but eventually divided equally between William and Henry. William was ordered "to be careful over Henry" until he came of age, and to then give him the house and half the land, with William retaining usage rights for two years.¹
     On 25 September 1671 he was one of a committee of five men in Kingstown, Rhode Island, who made an assessment on the residents of Pettacomscott.¹ On 29 July 1679 he and 41 others signed a petition to the King asking that he end the differences of the citizens of Narragansett about their form of government.¹ He served on a grand jury in Rochester, Rhode Island, on 6 March 1687/88.¹ On 30 October 1690 he and three others were chosen to set the tax rate in Kingstown.¹ On 6 June 1700 he was a proprietor in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, and received lot #15.¹ He donated 12s for building the Friends' meeting house in Mashapaug, Rhode Island, in 1701.¹ On 12 July 1703 he was one of twelve chosen to lay out roads in Kingstown.¹ He was chosen as deputy for Kingstown on 25 February 1706/07 and again on 29 October 1707.¹ He owned land in West Greenwich, Rhode Island, in 1709.¹
     He and his son John were co-executors of his brother John's will, dated 14 December 1714 and proved 15 October 1716.¹
     His own will was dated 6 October 1721 and proved 21 April 1727. His son Robert was named executor, and his friends Stephen and George Hazard were named overseers. His son Henry received part of his homestead and half of his land "on the plain." His son William, having already received his portion, received 5s. His son Daniel also received 5s. His son Robert received the rest of the homestead, all the housing, and 149 acres in East Greenwich. His son John received 5s, and the rest of the land in East Greenwich. His wife Alice received the great room and bedroom in their house; all the household moveables; half the cattle, sheep, horses, and swine; half the orchard where their son William was living; and half use of the lands given to their son Robert for as long as she remained a widow. His daughters Rose Wilson, Martha Sherman, and Mary Chase each received £5 to be paid by his son Robert. His daughter Alice Screven also received £5. His daughter Margaret Knowles received £40, a fire room and firewood while she remained unmarried, and a riding horse. The inventory of his estate included a feather bed, stillyards, pewter, a worsted comb, a cheese press, a riding mare, a yearling horse, nine cows, five heifers, two yearlings, a steer a yoke of oxen, and a shoat.¹

     John Knowles was born about 1647.¹ He died unmarried on 16 September 1716.¹
     He was named in his father's will, dated 2 January 1670 (1670/71?) and proved on 20 Jan the same year. To his wife, Henry Knowles left for life the northeast half of the house in Warwick, the meadow in front, and certain other lands. John Knowles was to outfit the house and mow the meadow every year. At his mother's death, he was to receive her part of the house and land. He also was left the rest of the house and land in Warwick and Potowomut, etc. His brother William was left half of their father's "now dwelling" [in Kingstown?]. The rest of their father's land was left to John's brothers William and Henry, to be divided equally. The witnesses testified that after signing the will, Henry Knowles said that if John didn't take what was left him, John and William were to exchange shares, and that the one ending up with the Warwick house was to provide wood for their mother. John also was to receive the second-best bed in the house in Warwick, and was to pay the legacies of £15 and £20 left to his sisters Mary and Martha.¹
     On 26 October 1670 the Rhode Island General Assembly, in a suit brought by John Knowles against an Indian named Wawenockshott for burning his hay, decided to empower three "assistants" from Providence and two from Warwick to decide the outcome, since the Indian could not understand the proceedings.¹
     He was admitted a freeman in Rhode Island in 1672.¹ On 31 October 1677 he and 47 others were named proprietors of the newly-incorporated town of East Greenwich, Rhode Island.¹ He served as a grand juryman in Newport, Rhode Island, on 14 June 1687.¹ He contributed 6s for building a Friend's meeting house at Mashapaug in 1702.¹
     His will was dated 14 December 1714 and proved 15 October 1716. His brother William and cousin (i.e., nephew) John Knowles were named executors, and his cousin (i.e., nephew) Moses Lippitt and friend Randall Holden were named overseers. To Moses, he left land in Warwick, and Moses was to pay his (the testator's) cousins (i.e., nieces) Mary Burlingame and Martha Burlingame £5 each. To his cousin (i.e., nephew by marriage) John Lippitt and wife Rebecca he left some meadow land north of Mashapoge Brook. To his cousin (i.e., nephew by marriage) John Wilson and wife Rose he left some salt meadow in Potowomut Neck. To his sister Martha Eldred he left £20. To his cousin (i.e., niece) Mary Burlingame he left a bed, known as his "mother's bed." He left the rest of his estate to his cousin (i.e., nephew) John Knowles, son of William. His estate was inventoried at £162 2s 5d, and included clothing, a Bible, eyeglasses, £101 in bonds, pewter, a pair of silver buttons, two small pieces of garlic, an apple mill and press, three horses, and three cattle.¹

     Henry Knowles was born about 1654.¹ He died unmarried between 10 May 1726 and 13 July 1726.¹
     He was named in his father's will, dated 2 January 1670 (1670/71?) and proved on 20 Jan the same year. He received the house and half the land of his father's "now dwelling" [in Kingstown?], and a calf. After other lands were distributes, the rest was left to Henry and his brother William, to be divided equally. The rest of their father's cattle and hogs were to stay on the farm, but eventually divided equally between Henry and William. He was also to receive the best bed of "those which are here" [at his current house?]. His father ordered his son William "to be careful over Henry" until he came of age, and to then give him the house and half the land, with William retaining usage rights for two years. His father had also left 40s/year to his widow, which was to be paid by William until Henry came of age, then split evenly between them.¹
     He was admitted a freeman in Rhode Island on 30 April 1678.¹ On 6 September 1687 he was taxed 3s 5d in Kingstown, Rhode Island.¹ He was mentioned in an agreement concerning damage to a road in 1715/16.¹
     His will was dated 10 May 1726 and proved 13 July 1726. His cousin (i.e., nephew) Henry Knowles was named as executor. In it he left: his sister Martha £12; his cousin (niece) Margaret Knowles £30; his cousin (nephew) Moses Lippitt £20, his cousins (nephews) William, John, Robert, and Daniel Knowles £5 each; his cousin (grandniece?) Mary Greene £6; his cousins (grandnieces) Margaret Knowles, daughter of his cousin (nephew) Henry Knowles, and Sybil Knowles £5 each; his cousin (nephew) Henry Knowles all his homestead, 140 acres of land, and the rest of his estate.¹

     Samuel Eldred married Elisabeth (?).¹

     Elisabeth (?) married Samuel Eldred.¹

     Alice Fish married William Knowles, son of Henry Knowles and (?) Potter.¹ She died in 1734.¹
     In her husband's will, dated 6 October 1721 and proved 21 April 1727, she received: the great room and bedroom in their house; all the household moveables; half the cattle, sheep, horses, and swine; half the orchard where their son William was living; and half use of the lands given to their son Robert (149 acres in East Greenwich) for as long as she remained a widow.¹
     Her own will was dated 7 October 1732 and proved 20 July 1734. Her son Robert was named as executor. She left her daughter Margaret Knowles all her clothing. Her grandsons Isaac, Thomas, and William Screven each were to receive a Bible valued at 10s at the age of 21. Her granddaughters Mary and Susanna Screven received a fifth of the rest of her estate, to be held for them with interest until they reached age 18. The rest of her estate was left to her daughters Rose Wilson, Margaret Knowles, Mary Chase, and Martha Sherman. Her estate was inventoried at £167 5s 5d.¹

     Henry Knowles was born on 29 September 1675 (29, 7 mo. 1675).¹ He married first Mary Case, daughter of Joseph Case and Hannah Smith.¹ He married second Susanna Boss, daughter of Edward Boss and Susanna Wilkinson, on 28 May 1712.¹ He died on 1 May 1740 (1, 3 mo., 1740) at age 64.¹ He was buried at the Friends' burial ground in South Kingstown, Rhode Island.¹
     In 15 Charles II (sic) (i.e., 1663/64) Henry Knowles bought some meadow land in Warwick, Rhode Island, from January Gereardy.² He was living in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, in 1700.¹ He was a member of the Society of Friends.¹ On 8 March 1721/22 an earmark was recorded for him, of "one half penny before the Right Eare."¹
     In his father's will, dated 6 October 1721 and proved 21 April 1727, he was left part of the homestead and half of his father's land "on the plain."¹ He was the executor of his uncle Henry Knowles' will, dated 10 May 1726 and proved 13 July 1726, and received all of his uncle's homestead, 140 acres of land, and what remained of the estate after the other bequests were distributed.¹ He was co-executor of his brother William Knowles' will, dated 26 April 1726 and proved 19 August 1727, along with William's brother-in-law John Browning.¹
     In 1731 he was living in South Kingstown, Washington Co., Rhode Island, on 260 acres of land owned by Jahleel Brenton of Newport, Rhode Island.¹
     His estate was administered by Robert Knowles of Charlestown, and was valued at £625 19s 2d. The inventory was presented on 16 May 1740, and included five cows, five pigs, a hog and 23 other swine, an old horse, three mares, two colts, a negro named Harry valued at £10, an Indian woman valued at £8, various hides of leather, 7 1/2 cords of bark, three suits, four turkeys, 15 geese, a warming pan, a gun, a quilting frame, and six cheese molds.¹
     He and his first wife Mary had the following known children: Mary (b 25 sep 1702), Joanna (b abt 1704), Margaret (b 9 November 1705), Sybil (b 11 February 1706/07), Henry (b 20 November 1708, d December 1799 or January 1800), Stephen (b abt 1709).¹ He and his second wife Susanna had two known children, Susanna (b abt 1715) and Martha (b abt 1723, d 6 October 1819).¹

     William Knowles was born about 1677 in South Kingstown, Rhode Island.¹ He married Hannah Browning, daughter of William Browning and Rebecca Wilbur, before 1710.¹ He died in 1727.¹
     In his father's will, dated 6 October 1721 and proved 21 April 1727, he was left just 5s, having already received his portion of the estate.¹ He was named in the will of his uncle Henry Knowles, dated 10 May 1726 and proved 13 July 1726, and received £5.¹
     His own will was dated 26 April 1726 and proved 19 August 1727. His brother Henry and brother-in-law John Browning were named executors. His estate was to be sold, and the proceeds to be given to his daughters Rebecca and Hannah Knowles equally at age 18. His estate was valued a £769 17s, and included five bonds worth £534 6s, clothing worth £24, a warming pan, a linen wheel, two horses, two mares, a cow, and a hog.¹
     He and Hannah had two known children, Rebecca (b aft 1710, d aft 1770) and Hannah (b aft 1710).¹

     Mary Knowles was born about 1679 in Warwick, Rhode Island.¹ She married Eber Chase, son of William Chase and Hannah Sherman, on 22 October 1706 in East Greenwich, Providence Co., Rhode Island.¹ She died after 7 October 1732 (when she was mentioned in her mother's will) in Swansea, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹
     She and her husband Eber lived in Swansea, Bristol Co., Massachusetts, in the area that is now the town of Somerset.¹ They were members of the Monthly Meeting of Friends in Swansea.¹
     In her father's will, dated 6 October 1721 and proved 21 April 1727, she was left £5, which was to be paid by her brother Robert.¹ She was named in her mother's will, dated 7 October 1732 and proved 20 Jul 1734. She and her sisters Rose Wilson, Margaret Knowles, and Martha Sherman were to receive what remained of the estate after the other bequests were satisfied.¹
     She and Eber had seven children.¹

     Margaret Knowles was born about 1681.¹ She died after 7 October 1732 (when she was mentioned in her mother's will).¹
     In her father's will, dated 6 October 1721 and proved 21 April 1727, she was left £40, a fire room and firewood while she remained unmarried, and a riding horse.¹ She was named in the will of her uncle Henry Knowles, dated 10 May 1726 and proved 13 July 1726, and received £30.¹ In her mother's will, dated 7 October 1732 and proved 20 Jul 1734, she was left all her mother's clothing. She and her sisters Rose Wilson, Mary Chase, and Martha Sherman were also to receive whatever remained of the estate after the other bequests were satisfied.¹ She never married.¹

     Rose Knowles was born about 1683.¹ She married John Wilson.¹
     She and her husband John Wilson were named in the will of her uncle John Knowles, dated 14 December 1714 and proved 15 October 1716. They were left some salt meadow in Potowomut Neck.¹ In her father's will, dated 6 October 1721 and proved 21 April 1727, she was left £5, which was to be paid by her brother Robert.¹ She was named in her mother's will, dated 7 October 1732 and proved 20 Jul 1734. She and her sisters Mary Chase, Margaret Knowles, and Martha Sherman were to receive what remained of the estate after the other bequests were satisfied.¹
     She and John had the following known children: Jemima, Ann (b 26 April 1709), Alice, Mary, Sarah, a daughter.¹

     Martha Knowles was born about 1685.¹ She married Samuel Sherman on 7 March 1711.¹
     In her father's will, dated 6 October 1721 and proved 21 April 1727, she was left £5, which was to be paid by her brother Robert.¹ She was named in her mother's will, dated 7 October 1732 and proved 20 Jul 1734. She and her sisters Rose Wilson, Margaret Knowles, and Mary Chase were to receive what remained of the estate after the other bequests were satisfied.¹

     John Knowles was born about 1687.¹ He married Elizabeth Warner, daughter of John Warner and Elizabeth Coggeshall, on 22 May 1718 (22, 3 mo.)¹ He died between 4 April 1771 and 13 November 1772.¹
     He and his father were co-executors of the will of his uncle John Knowles, dated 14 December 1714 and proved 15 October 1716. He was to receive what remained of the estate after the other bequests were distributed.¹ In his father's will, dated 6 October 1721 and proved 21 April 1727, he was left 5s, plus land in East Greenwich.¹ He was named in the will of his uncle Henry Knowles, dated 10 May 1726 and proved 13 July 1726, and received £5.¹
     He was admitted as a freeman in Warwick, Providence Co., Rhode Island, on 3 May 1720.¹ In 1748 he appeared on a list as a proprietor of land in Warwick.¹
     On 1 May 1750 he was admitted as a freeman in Richmond, Washington Co., Rhode Island, along with his son John.¹ He was a member of the Society of Friends, and in 1753 gave some land to the Richmond meeting for a church along the road to Exeter.¹
     His will was dated 4 April 1771 and proved 13 nov 1722. His son John was named as executor. To his wife Elizabeth, he left the best room in his house, two beds and household goods, and the use of a heifer until their grandson John Warner reached age 21; to his son John, his homestead farm; to his son Daniel, a feather bed; to his son Robert, ten silver dollars; to his son Samuel, $1.00; to his grandson William Sherman, $5.00 at age 21; to his grandson John Sherman, a cow. The rest of his estate was to go to his son John. His estate was inventoried at £54 3s, and included clothing worth £5 2s, three cows, a yearling, two calves, 14 sheep, 10 lambs, an old mare, cider, pewter, a sidesaddle, steelyards, and four beds.¹
     He and Elizabeth had the following known children: John (b 25 July 1720, d 9 February 1793), Daniel (b abt 1722), Robert (b abt 1724), Samuel (b abt 1726, d 24 July 1799), Mary (or Margaret) (b abt 1726), Ezekial (b abt 1730).¹

     Robert Knowles was born about 1689.¹ He married Ann Hull, daughter of Joseph Hull and Ann Gardiner, on 27 April 1721 (27, 2 mo.)¹ He died between 29 November 1758 and 8 January 1759.¹
     He was admitted as a freeman in Kingstown, Rhode Island, on 1 May 1722.¹ He built a quaint mansion house east of Peace Dale in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, with wooden shutters and double doors inside for protection. It was torn down in 1850.¹ On 8 March 1721/22 his earmark was recorded, as "a hole in the Right Eare and two half pennys before the Left Eare." His brand was an "RK" symbol, with the "R" reversed, on the rear buttock.¹ He was a member of the Society of Friends.¹
     He was the executor of his father's will, dated 6 October 1721 and proved 21 April 1727, and was left part of the homestead, all the housing, and 149 acres in East Greenwich. His mother Alice was to have half use of this land for as long as she remained a widow. He also was to pay the legacies of £5 that were left to his sisters Rose Wilson, Martha Sherman, and Mary Chase.¹ He was named in the will of his uncle Henry Knowles, dated 10 May 1726 and proved 13 July 1726, and received £5.¹ He was the executor of his mother's will, dated 7 October 1732 and proved 20 Jul 1734.¹
     His own will was dated 29 November 1758 and proved 8 January 1759. His sons William and Joseph were the executors. He left his wife, for life, the use of the largest lower room in his house, the adjacent bedroom, all the household goods, the right to use the oven, the cellar, his negro woman Tent and her children, four cows, a horse, £40/year, and corn and meat. She was also to be supplied with firewood. He also left: to his father-in-law Joseph Hull, "maintenance by his executors"; to his grandson Benjamin Hoxie, when he came of age, "a silver tankard of the value of £180, old tenor, equivalent to Spanish milled dollars at £6, old tenor, each"; to each of his granddaughters Barsheba and Ann Hoxie, when they came of age, a silver tankard and £1000; to his daughter Ann Reynolds, £2800; to each of his granddaughters Hannah and Ann Reynolds, at age 18, a silver tankard. The rest of his estate was to be divided equally between his sons William and Joseph. His estate was valued at £7279 12s 6d, and included clothing, a riding horse, £18 3s in cash, a silver spoon, pewter, a warming pan, a pair of worsted combs, a negro man worth £1000, a woman worth £800, two boys worth £150 and £50, a horse, a mare, 64 sheep, 10 cows, two oxen, a heifer, five yearlings, and 12 calves.¹
     He and Ann had the following known children: Sarah (b 9 May 1722, d 11 July 1750), William (b 13 October 1725, d 5 January 1807), Robert (b 27 February 1727/28, probably d bef 29 November 1758), Joseph (b 16 March 1729/30, d 7 March 1809), Ann (b 20 October 1737).¹

     Daniel Knowles was born about 1691.¹ He married first Hannah Hazard on 5 May 1721 in Kingstown, Rhode Island.¹ He married second Deborah Reynolds, daughter of Robert Reynolds and Deliverance Smith, on 24 March 1744/45 in South Kingstown, Rhode Island.² He died before 4 May 1759, when his widow Deborah declined administration of his estate.²
     In his father's will, dated 6 October 1721 and proved 21 April 1727, he was left just 5s (having already received his portion of the estate?).¹ He was also named in the will of his uncle Henry Knowles, dated 10 May 1726 and proved 13 July 1726, and received £5.¹
     He was admitted as a freeman in Kingstown, Rhode Island, on 1 May 1722.¹ He was living in Providence, Providence Co., Rhode Island, by 1732.¹ On 3 June 1737 he bought 260 acres there from John and Sarah Tibbitts for £2400.¹
     Some think he was the father of Jonathan (b abt 1733, d 12 February 1815) and Edward Knowles (b 9 March 1768, d 11 January 1811), who were ancestors of several distinguished people in Rhode Island. This has not been proved, however.¹
     His estate was administered by Robert Potter. It was valued at £1352 10s, and included clothing, a linen wheel, a pair of worsted combs, a mulatto boy worth £200, a "negro wench with bedding" worth £12, four old sheep, six hogs, a yearling mare, and four geese.¹