Samuel married Hannah Knox in NC. Hannah (daughter of Patrick Knox and Mary Smith) was born in 1767 in Lincoln Co., NC; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Birth: Ulster, Ireland
• Death: 20 Jun 1780, Battle of Ramsur's Mill, Lincoln, NC

Notes:

All notes below are from the work of P.R.Bruckner:
In 2008, Knox-DNA Project results proved a genetic link between descendants of Captain Patrick Knox of North Mecklenburg and descendants of Robert Knox of Lincoln County. In February 2009, results link descendants of Matthew Knox of Steele Creek, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina to both Patrick and Robert.

The KNOX-DNA project results-to-date place my Patrick in Line No. 1. The Matthew, b. 1803, Pendleton SC [who m. 1828 in Pendleton SC, Belinda Nicholson] has also been placed in this genetic group -- along with Robert Knox, b. 1842, Ireland - d. 1833 Lincoln Co, NC who m. Mary Ewart and William B. Knox, b. abt 1803, SC who m. 1825 in Hancock Co, GA, Hetty Wilkins. How these all connect is still unclear... We do not yet have a participant from John A. P. Knox's line.

Just one detail I want to clear up re Patrick Knox. Although he could have lived in Tryon/Lincoln at some time before 1779, there is no surviving evidence he ever did.

Captain Patrick Knox died in Lincoln in 1780 in a Rev War battle, but according to all historical accounts he was "of Mecklenburg." Lincolnton wasn't that far "over the county line" from Patrick's property on the "east side" of the Catawba River documented by a Sept 1779 Deed. I believe his 373 acres was located near Cowan's Ford, probably south of the Power Plant/Dam now on Lake Norman. His estate papers also state he was of Mecklenburg, and the estate was probated in Mecklenburg, so there is no question were he lived immediately prior to his death. (Peggy Bruckner - 30-Sept-2008)

Patrick Knox is said to have been killed at the Battle of Ramsur's
Mill, Lincoln Co., NC which took place 20 June 1780.. Source: FTM
CD524, Sketches of Western North Carolina; Author: C.L Hunter. (It is
not known when this Patrick was born, but I estimate between
1720-1740. His burial location is also unknown, but assumed to be
somewhere in Lincoln Co, NC were his estate was probated.)

"Now that we have Knox-DNA evidence of Patrick's connection with old Matthew of Steele Creek, I'm keeping an eye out for clues there as well." (Source: Peggy Bruckner - 7-2009)

In a January 3, 1996 article, written by Ken Brotherton and published
in the Mecklenburg Gazette, Mr. Brotherton states that Robert's
"brother, Patrick, was killed" at the Battle of Ramseur's Mill (June
20, 1780) in Lincolnton, Lincoln Co, NC; (see 1782 Estate of Patrick
Knox, naming widow Mary and his children: Matthew, Ruth, Jane, James,
& Hannah.)

NC Archives - Mecklenburg Original Estate Records Box CR.065.508.146:
Estate Papers of Patrick Knox: ABSTRACT: April Court Session 1782 -
"I hereby certify that Mary Knox, Admr of Patrick Knox Dec'd an
Inventory & Amount of sales of said Estate..." Test - Isaac Alexander,
Cmt July Session 1800 - Settlement of Patrick Knoxes Estate by Alison
Knox "Accounts Current & Settlement of Estate of Patrick Knox Dec'd
who was killed in June 1780, Mary Knox, Relict as Administratrux" [1]
The Full Amount of Sales as Returned to Court in 1782 amounting to...
...to an additional return by her Husband Alison Knox in 1786....
...by the Following vouchers - viz - ...John Duckworth...L0.15.8
...David Wilson's note acct..3.8.0 ...Thomas Davidson's acct..3.12.0
...Clerkes Certificate...1.9.0 ...Receipts for Taxes...5.18.3 ...Draw
Back monies...9.0.0 ...January 20, 1783 admintr paid to the Heires...
...Interest upon the above ...untill 20 January 1787... ...Interest
thereon until 20 January 1795... ...Mathew Knoxes Rect for 3.0.0...
...Mathew Knoxes Rect for 12.5.2... ...Samuel Wilson's Rect for
68.11.0 ...Saml Wilson Rect for 45.0.0 ...Alowance made the Admr at
July Term 1800... July 22, 1800 "We the subscribers as a Committe of
Court have examined & admited the foregoing Vouchers and after
Deducting the amount of said vouchers from the amount of sailes of
said estate Leaves a Ballance of L4.0.11 in the Hands of hte
administrator all of which is Submitted to Court" ....Conners JP Jno
Harris JP

Oct 27th, 1785 - Guardian Bond - "Allison Knox Guardian of the
aforesaid Hannah Knox" [signed by Alison Knox and James Knox]

March 1, 1786 - Administrator "Allison Knox now married to relict"
[signs Alison Knox]

April 28, 1794 - Guardian Bond - "Saml Wilson appointed guardian of
Patrick Knoxes minor children John & Jane Knox" (signed by Samuel
Wilson and James Curry; witness Isaac Alexander )

March 2, 1795 - Court Proceeding regarding an "error" in the [Jan 31,
1792 ] sale of a Waggon purchased by James Knox from the estate of
Patrick Knox "evidently was proved on trial on the 2nd March 1795
before Col. James Johnston & Isaac Alexander as arbitrators by the
Oath of Several Creditable Witnesses who were present at the said
sales & knew and believed said Admin. & Mary Knox then & there did
enter into a special agreement with said James Knox that he should
have the waggon at his former bid...and that she and her brother Smith
then urged him the said James to bid the said Waggon off to himself
and not suffer[?] it _____into the hands of those poor ___ persons who
were then bidding for it, to the great injury of herself and orphant
children, to which agreement the said James complied, bid it off at
L36.10.0 gave his said note publicly with the other people...yet the
Estate of said James Knox has got relief in the premises to the said
amount of L7 hard, by his Executors Hugh Terrence & Jno Sharpe on the
said 2 March 1795 before James Johnston & Isaac? Alexander, when there
was a full investigation of the whole matter, with evidence ___And
Samuel Willson present, who had said note assigned to him, as
Guardian of 2 of the Heirs of said Patrick Knox & married to a third
therefore he draws now three fourths of the Neat [sic Net] proceeds
of said Estate...'

June 7, 1800 - "Admin. for Schooling the Orphans of Decd Patrick Knox"
[Alison Knox accounting of money paid for schooling of children]: 1782
- Hannah & Matthew "9 months each"...1785, 1786, 1787 - [9] "three
years in the whole" for Ruth John & Jean [Jane?]Knox "at different
times"..."note Hannah & Matthew went to school some in the above three
years"

Estate Papers of Patrick Knox
ABSTRACT:
April Court Session 1782 - "I hereby certify that Mary Knox, Admr of
Patrick Knox Dec'd an Inventory & Amount of sales of said Estate..."
Test - Isaac Alexander, Cmt

July Session 1800 - Settlement of Patrick Knoxes Estate by Alison Knox
"Accounts Current & Settlement of Estate of Patrick Knox Dec'd who was
kiled in June 1780, Mary Knox, Relict as Administratrux" [1]
The Full Amount of Sales as Returned to Court in 1782 amounting to...
...to an additional return by her Husband Alison Knox in 1786....
...by the Following vouchers - viz -
...John Duckworth...L0.15.8
...David Wilson's note acct..3.8.0
...Thomas Davidson's acct..3.12.0
...Clerkes Certificate...1.9.0
...Receipts for Taxes...5.18.3
...Draw Back monies...9.0.0
...January 20, 1783 admintr paid to the Heires...
...Interest upon the above ...untill 20 January 1787...
...Interest thereon until 20 January 1795...
...Mathew Knoxes Rect for 3.0.0...
...Mathew Knoxes Rect for 12.5.2...
...Samuel Wilson's Rect for 68.11.0
...Saml Wilson Rect for 45.0.0
...Alowance made the Admr at July Term 1800...

July 22, 1800
"We the subscribers as a Committe of Court have examined & admited the
foregoing Vouchers and after Deducting the amount of said vouchers
from the amount of sailes of said estate Leaves a Ballance of L4.0.11
in the Hands of hte administrator all of which is Submitted to Court"
....Conners JP
Jno Harris JP

The North Carolina Booklet (on NCGENWEB Site) Vol. IX
The History of Lincoln County By Alfred Nixon, page 6, 7:
"THE BATTLE OF RAMSOUR'S MILL"
The Tories were embodied at Ramsour's Mill through the efforts of
Lieut.-Col. John Moore and Maj. Nicholas Welch. These officers left
the victorious British on the march from Charleston and arrived at
their homes early in June, 1780. Moses Moore, the father of Colonel
Moore, was a native of Carlyle, England, married a Miss Winston, near
Jamestown, Virginia, and came to this section with the pioneers.
Esther, a sister of Colonel Moore, married Joshua Roberts, a patriot
soldier. The late Capt. John H. Roberts, a grandson, lived on the
Moore homestead. It is situate on Indian Creek, eight miles southwest
of Ramsour's Mill. Colonel Moore was an active partisan throughout the
Revolution. Major Welch was a son of John Welch, and was reared next
neighbor to Colonel Moore on Indian Creek. He was of Scottish descent,
of great fluency of speech and fine persuasive power. They bore
English commissions, were arrayed in splendid official equipments and
made lavish display of British gold. By the twentieth of June, these
zealous loyalists collected at Ramsour's Mill a force of 1,300 Tories,
and were actively engaged in their organization and drill preparatory
to marching them to unite with the British in South Carolina. They
occupied a well-chosen and advantageous position for offense and
defense. It was on a high ridge that slopes three hundred yards to the
mill and Clarke's Creek on the west and the same distance to a branch
on the east.

Col. Francis Locke collected a force of Rowan and Mecklenburg militia
to engage the Tories. His detachments met at Mountain Creek, sixteen
miles from Ramsour's on Monday, the 19th, and when united amounted to
four hundred men. They marched at once to the assault of the Tory
position. At dawn of day on the morning of the 20th, in two miles of
Ramsour's, they were met by Adam Reep, a noted scout, with a few
picked men from the vicinity of the camp, who detailed to Colonel
Locke the position of the enemy, and the plan of attack was formed.
The mounted men under Captains McDowell, Brandon, and Falls, marching
slowly were to follow the road due west to the camp, and not attack
until the footmen under Colonel Locke could detour to the south, and
reach the foot of the hill along the Tuckaseegee road, and make a
simultaneous assault. They proceeded without other organization or
order, it being left to the officers to be governed by circumstances
when they reached the enemy.

The mounted men came upon the Tory picket some distance from the camp,
were fired upon, charged the Tory camp, but recoiled from their deadly
fire. The firing hurried Colonel Locke into action, a like volley
felled many of his men, and they likewise retired. The Tories, seeing
the effect of their fire, came down the hill and were in fair view.
The Whigs renewed the action, which soon became general and obstinate
on both sides. In about an hour the Tories began to fall back to their
original position on the ridge, and a little beyond its summit, to
shield a part of their bodies from the destructive fire of the Whigs,
who were fairly exposed to their fire. In this situation the Tory fire
became so effective the Whigs fell back to the bushes near the branch;
and the Tories, leaving their safe position, pursued half way down the
hill. At this moment Captain Hardin led a company of Whigs into the
field from the south and poured a galling fire into the right flank of
the Tories. Some of the Whigs obliqued to the right, and turned the
left flank of the Tories; while Captain Sharpe led a few men beyond
the crest of the ridge, and, advancing from tree to tree, with
unerring aim picked off the enemy's officers and men, and hastened the
termination of the conflict. The action now became close and warm. The
combatants mixed together, and having no bayonets, struck at each
other with the butts of their guns. When the Whigs reached the summit
they saw the Tories collected beyond the creek, with a white flag
flying. Fifty Tories, unable to make the bridge, were taken prisoners.
Those beyond soon di spersed and made their escape. One-fourth of the
Tories were unarmed, and they with a few others retired at the
commencement of the battle.

Seventy men, including the five Whig and four Tory captains, lay dead
on the field, and more than two hundred were wounded, the loss on each
side being about equal. In this contest, armed with the deadly rifle,
blood relatives and familiar acquaintances and near neighbors fought
in the opposing ranks, and as the smoke of the battle occasionally
cleared away recognized each other in the conflict.

THE BATTLE OF RAMSAUR'S MILL
20 Jun 178O, By William Graham:
Major on Staff of Adjutant General of North Carolina)
...Colonel James Johnston, who lived in Tryon (Gaston) County near
Toole's Ford, and who had joined Major Wilson when he crossed the
river, was dispatched to inform General Rutherford of their action.
Late in the evening they marched down the south side of Anderson's
Mountain, and taking the "State" Road, stopped at the Mountain Spring
to arrange a plan of battle. It was agreed that Brandon's, Fall's and
McDowell's men, being mounted, should open the attack, the footmen to
follow, and every man, without awaiting orders, govern himself as
developments might make necessary as the fight proceeded...
...The troops engaged, except Reep of Lincoln, and Major Wilson,
Captains Knox and Smith of Mecklenburg, were from (what to 1777 had
been) Rowan County. The officers' surnames were found among the
militia officers of the county in the proceedings of the "Committee of
Safety," of which many of them were members. Captain John Hardin's
beat was along Lord Granville's line from Silver Creek in Burke to
South Fork, and from these. two points to the Catawba River. Captain
Joseph Dobson was within its bounds. Much the largest portion of the
troops was from what is now Iredell County. Captain John Sloan was
from Fourth Creek. I do not think all who are mentioned as captains
held that position at this time; some may have been prior to and some
became so afterward. No account was written until forty years had
elapsed. There seems to have been but few commands given in the
engagement; officers and privates acted as occasion required, and both
suffered severely....

From the NC Archives- Mecklenburg Original Estate Records Box
CR.065.508.146:

Estate Papers of Patrick Knox

Abstract:

April Court Session 1782 - Patrick Knox "kiled in June 1780, Mary
Knox, Relict as Administratrux"

Oct[?] 9[?], 1785 - Guardian Bond - "Allison Knox Guardian of the
aforesaid Hannah Knox" [signed by Alison Knox and James Knox]

March 1, 1786 - Administrator "Allison Knox now married to relict"
[signs Alison Knox]

April 28, 1794 - Guardian Bond - "Saml Wilson appointed guardian of
Patrick Knoxes minor children John & Jane Knox" [signed by Samuel
Wilson and James Curry; witness Isaac Alexander]

June 7, 1800 - "Admin. for Schooling the Orphans of Decd Patrick Knox"
[Alison Knox accounting of money paid for schooling of children]: 1782
- Hannah & Matthew "9 months each" 1785, 1786, 1787 - "three years in
the whole" for Ruth John & Jean [Jane?]Knox "at different
times"..."note Hannah & Matthew went to school some in the above three
years"







-- MERGED NOTE ------------

Patrick married Mary Smith in 1766 in Mecklenburg, North Carolina. Mary (daughter of John Smith (?)) was born in 1740 in NC; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Peggy Reece Bruckner Notes and Questions:
[1] Rev. War - Battle of Ramseur's Mill, Lincoln County, NC, was June 20, 1780...
[2] Hannah, a minor in 1785, b. NLT 1764... Why only Hannah, if there other minor children (see 1794 bond for John & Jean/Jane, b. NLT 1773? Jane in one entry...Jean in another...appear to be same person, but may be two?
[3]Samuel Willson (aka Wilson] was guardian for John and Jean/Jane Knox - married Hannah... see note 9. (LDS records say Hannah m. Samuel Wilson, but year cannot be correct...) Schooling records indicate Ruth may have been younger...are Guardian Papers missing from this file?
[4] Appears to be Isaac Alexander, eldest son of Abraham Alexander, Signer of Mecklenburg Declaration;
[5] Col. James Johnston was also the commander of Private Robert Knox in Rev. War; also m. Jane Ewart, sister of Mary Ewart, wife of Robert Knox.
[6] Is this James Knox the same James Knox who bought property of Patrick Knoxes Estate on Jan 31 1792, later named in legal action March 2, 1795, but died sometime before the latter date? How is this James Knox who d. after Jan 31 1792, and before March 2, 1795, connected to this family?
[7] Also names "Smith" as the brother of Mary -- was this his given name? or surname?
[8] In 1795, estate divided in 1/4's, so there were 4 remaining heirs?: Samuel Willson (aka Wilson) is identified as the guardian of "2 of the Heirs (John & Jane, see note 3)...and married to a third" -- (Hannah), and # 4 Matthew?, who appears on 1800 Census of Mecklenburg? What happened to Ruth? Where is Mary, widow of Patrick? Did she die before 1800 Settlement?
[9] Hannah and Matthew appear to be older than Ruth, John and Jean/Jane since they were schooled earlier (1782 versus 1785-1787)? ...Are children listed in order of age? Hannah, Matthew, Ruth, John and Jean/Jane?
[10] Appears to be Hugh Terrence/Torrence was the father of James Galbraith Torrence who m. Mary Latta, d. of James Latta and Jane (Allison?) Knox, daughter of Robert and Mary Ewart Knox...
[11] Appears to be John Sharpe (m. Martha Young), son of James Sharpe/Jemima Alexander, sister of Priscilla Sharpe who m. Alexander Brevard Jetton, whose daughter Martha Nantz Jetton m. Robert Jay Wilson Knox, who was grandson of Robert Knox who m.


When James Smith died in May 1860 [Mecklenburg Co NC Will Book J, page 79],
he was unmarried, and left most of his estate to his single sister Esther
Smith, with a provision that upon her death a portion of the property was to
pass to John McFadden - relationship not given, but assumed nephew -- who
was living in James' household at that time. When Esther Smith died in
1868, her estate papers [NC Archives Mecklenburg Co Loose Estate Papers -
Reel 100, Box 234] show that her estate was combined with her brother, James
Smith.

I'm including the following information because it references locations
[which I'm sure are misspelled...] where James' [and I would assume David
and Mary's] relatives lived back in Ireland. Of course, this is also
many years
after David (b. 1741) and Mary (b. bef 1751) were born -- and there may be
no relationship to the birthplace of Patrick anyway. But, there may still
be a clue here, so I'm sending it along:

Power of Attorney - dated June 20, 1871 - Coleraine - Estates of Esther
Smith & James Smith:

Mrs. Rose Haughey,
John McFadden, Hugh
Reid & John Reid--------
-------------------to---------------------
Mr. John McFadden
=====================
----------Power of Attorney------

R[---?---] A. C. Crookshank
4 Blessington Street
Dublin & Coleraine


[Excerpts from affidavit]

[Cover Summary - Sworn statement given by James Hay who witnessed signatures
of John McFadden, Hugh Reid, John Reid, and Rose Haughey in County of
Londonderry]

page 1:

"Know all men by these presents th[ ] Rose [Reid] Haughey otherwise Reid
of Clogher in the Parish of Billy in the County of Antrim in Ireland, widow
- John McFadden of the Park in the Parish of Dunluce in said County farmer
the lawful Husband of Esther McFadden otherwise Reid; Esther Reid aforesaid
- Hugh Reid of Clogher aforesaid of [ ] and John Reid of Prinadarres[?]
in the Parish of Prinuntullagh[?] and County of Antrim aforesaid farmer Have
nominated consituted and appointed, and by these presents do and each and
every of us Doth nominate consitute & appoint and in our place and stead [?]
John McFadden of Meeklinburgh County North Carolina in the United states of
America farmer and Planter our true and lawful attorney for us and for each
and every of us and in our joint names or in the names of any one or more of
us or in his own name to demand recover and receive and to give receipts and
discharged for our shares or share proportions or proportion of the Estate
and effects goods chattels moneys and all other the property of every nature
and kind left by or which belonged or was owing to ESTHER SMITH
formerly of Carnkirk
in the Parish of Billy and County of Antrim in Ireland, but lately of
Macklinburgh County North Carolina in the United States of America spinster
deceased and we further nominate constitute and appoint the said John
McFadden our true and lawful attorney for us and for each and every of us
and in our joint names or in the names or name of any one or more of us or
in his own name to demand receover and received and to give receipts and
discharges for the shares or share proportions or proportion of the Estate &
Effects Goods Chattels moneys and property of JAMES SMITH late of
Macklinburgh County North Carolina aforesaid farmer or planter
deceased......"

As I mentioned earlier, my connection is Mary Ann's half brother John. I've been searching for a connection between the Irish Smiths who were in Mecklenburg during this timeframe. I'm fairly sure I've located one of her brothers -- probably the "Smith" mentioned in the Court Minutes regarding the 1792 dispute of the sale of a "waggon" in Capt Patrick Knox's Estate. The James Knox who was involved in this transaction was none other than Capt James Knox, the grandfather of President James Knox Polk... Capt James Knox owned property on McDowell Creek during the same timeframe that Allison Knox and John Knox (son of Capt Patrick and Mary Smith Knox) owned land. I still have no idea how, or if, Capt James Knox is related to Capt Patrick Knox, and there are so few documents relating to both, we'll probably never know...
My research was done in both directions...back from my John's 1853 LWT and forward from Capt Patrick Knox's Estate records. Needless to say, there are a lot of gaps in the records...but John's 1853 will had a few crumbs to follow.
He left 126 acres of land he called the "Blakely place" to his son Robert J. Wilson Knox. [John Knox acquired the property about 1844 from one of the Blakely heirs] In researching the "Blakely place" I found that it's owner, Rebecca Blakely aka Blackley/Blakeley/Blakley was likely the widow of Jasper Blakely who was an early (if not the first) Ruling elder at Gilead A. R. P. in Huntersville. A David Smith was a Ruling Elder at the same time as Jasper Blakely.
When David Smith (b. 1741) died in 12 Jun 1823 , he had large land/slave holdings in Mecklenburg. His wife Nancy (Kenmore) Smith predeceased him. (Both are buried at Gilead ARP). They apparently had no children, or none survived them (at least none mentioned in his LWT).
However...David bequeathed 120+ acres to a Rebecca Blakely, although his LWT does not specify his relationship to her. I speculate, but cannot prove, that she was his sister. He left property to several others whose relationships are not spelled out either, and who may be siblings...but two nephews are mentioned 1) "my nephew by marriage John Kenmer [Kenmore?]" and 2) "James Smith, son of my brother William in Ireland..."
David Smith's nephew was still back in Ireland..and there is a paper trail in Court Minutes giving the specific location of James...and I would assume his father William...and perhaps the hometown of David Smith..and Mary (Smith) Knox, assuming she was his sister...
Mecklenburg Co, NC Minutes of Court of Common Pleas & Quarter Sessions: 1824 August Session, 66 & 67
"A Power of Attorney from James Smith, County Antrim in Ireland to his brother, Hugh Smith, of South Carolina, Greenville District, to wit: Know all men by these presents that I, James Smith of Carneock, Parish of Billy, & County Antrim have made, Ordained, Nominated, Constituted and Appointed, And by these presents Do make Ordain, Nominate, Constitute and Appoint and in my name & Stead put and depute my brother Hugh Smith of Greenville District, South Carolina in the United States of America my true & Lawful Attorney, for me & in my name & for my proper use & Benefit to ask, demand, Sue for & recover of & from the Executor or Executors of my late uncle David Smith of Mecklenburg County State of No. Carolina in the United States of America..."
James arrived in the United States in November 1827 (according to his tombstone at Gilead A. R. P). His "Uncle" David Smith is also buried at Gilead with his wife Nancy.
In 1860 David Smith's nephew James Smith made his LWT:
------------------------------
Mecklenburg Co NC
James (X) Smith
1 May 1860, prb July 1860 Ct. By oaths of the wit named below:
I, James Smith, desire by this my last will and testament to put my house in order.
I will to my Sister Esther Smith all notes and monies arising from the sale of property as hereinafter directed, and during her lifetime. all livestock on my farm, all household and kitchen furniture, all wagnons, and carriages, and farming implements. I also will to my sister Esther Smith, during her lifetime, my servants Green, Daniel, Judy, Harriet and her four children, Katy, Jane, John, and Margaret, as well as all my lands.
I will to John McFadden, now living in my house, and at the demise of my sister Esther, my servants James and Caleb and their mother Sucry, and my land known as the Steel Place of some 187 A lying adj. Alex Caldwell and John Knox
I will to Eliza Jane Eakin (Aiken), the demise of my sister Esther, my servants Martha and Eliza and their increase;
to my nephew James Reid, at the death of my sister Esther, my servant Levi and my home place of some 500 A being all the land I own except for the tract bequeathed to John McFadden.
------------------------------
Now...looking backward...in 1850, this same James Smith was living next door to my John Knox in the Ramah District of Mecklenburg Co, NC. [I noticed him years ago, because one of my John's daughters married a Smith...and I wondered if this family was related to John's son-in-law. When I discovered that John's mother was a Smith, I discounted James Smith...because he was a "late comer" b. 1785, Ireland, who didn't arrive until 1827...and only recently realized that my dismissal was premature...]
Back to David Smith...before he died in 1823, David appears in 1818 Court Minutes with John Knox, November Session, 189:
Nov 23, 1818
"Ordered by Court that John Knox Administer on the Estate of Jane Knox, Decd, who appeared in Court and was Qualified and entered into bond with David Smith, Security, in the some of ?250."
I think this is Jane Knox...sister of my John Knox...and David Smith...his/her uncle? Jane died intestate and there are loose estate papers which I've ordered and hope to get soooon... I doubt there is much there, but am hoping that something will prove John was her brother.
All of this, of course, is circumstantial evidence so far -- but there is a lot of it.
(Source: Peggy Bruckner)