Untangling the Knights family history has proved to be a bit confusing. My research began with the account of George Samuel Knights death in 1908.
The report in the Swindon Advertiser states – For many years Mr Knights acted as local and district agent for Messrs Brown and Plummer, wine and spirit merchants, and he was in charge of the branch shop in Faringdon Street. In fact, Mr Knights and his late father had been sole agents in New Swindon and District for some forty years, and they were both held in the highest esteem by the firm, and by all with whom they had business transactions. However, at the end of the account a disclaimer is added We are asked to state, in order to correct a misapprehension which has apparently got about, that Messrs Brown and Plummer were in no way connected with the late Mr. G.S. Knights as a wine and spirit merchant.
All very confusing. So, what do we actually know about George? Well, we know about the circumstances of his death.
Swindonian’s Tragic Death
Cycling Fatality at Hannington
Mr Geo. S. Knights killed by a Fall
General regret will be felt in Swindon and district at the news of the tragic death of Mr. George S. Knights of Faringdon Street, Swindon.
For many years Mr Knights acted as local and district agent for Messrs Brown and Plummer, wine and spirit merchants, and he was in charge of the branch shop in Faringdon Street. In fact, Mr Knights and his late father had been sole agents in New Swindon and District for some forty years, and they were both held in the highest esteem by the firm, and by all with whom they had business transactions.
It was while out cycling near Hannington last Tuesday afternoon that the accident, which so suddenly terminated his life, happened. He was riding a bicycle to Hannington, and as far as can be ascertained in Swindon, had arrived at the top of what is known as Nell Hill, just outside Hannington. While on the brow of the hill, and on the point of descending, a sudden gust of wind blew off Mr Knights’ hat. In attempting to catch the hat, Mr Knights lost control of his machine, and overbalanced, with the result that he fell heavily to the ground. How long he lay by the roadside is not definitely known, but it is clear that he was so severely hurt that he was unable to help himself, and it was not until a little boy passed along and saw him that assistance was procured. A doctor was as soon as possible summoned, but in the meantime Mr Knights had succumbed to his injuries, which, it is stated, were chiefly confined to the spine. The body was removed to the “Jolly Tar” Inn, Hannington.
Mr Knights’ untimely end will be deeply deplored by his many friends in Swindon. The deceased was a highly respected townsman. For some time he has been Churchwarden at St. Mark’s Church, where he was held in the warmest esteem, and had been for many years a devoted worker. He was 49 years of age, and leaves a wife and a grown up family of three – two sons and one daughter, for whom the keenest sympathy will be felt.
The funeral will probably take place on Saturday.
The Jolly Tar, Hannington published courtesy of Arkells and Local Studies, Swindon Central Library.
Inquest at Hannington
On Wednesday afternoon, Mr. A.L. Forrester, Coroner for North Wilts, held an inquiry at the “Jolly Tar” Inn, Hannington, into the circumstances of the death of the late Mr. George S. Knights, wine and spirit merchant, of 39 Faringdon Street, Swindon.
Mr E. Tytherleigh was chosen foreman of the jury, and the following evidence was taken:-
George Robert Knights, of 84 Dixon Street, Swindon, son of the deceased, identified the deceased as his father, George Samuel Knights, aged 49 years, wine and spirit dealer, lately residing at 39 Faringdon Street, Swindon. Witness last saw his father alive on Saturday night.
The Coroner: Then you know nothing about the accident. We are all very sorry for you and desire to express our sympathy with you.
John Henry Payne, a lad of 13 years, residing at Hannington, said that at the time of the accident he was at work on the Hannington Wick Road, between Hannington and Kempsford. He saw a bicycle coming down the hill (Nell Hill) in the afternoon.
The Coroner: What did you see?
Witness: I saw him fall off his bicycle. It was nearly at the bottom of the hill.
The Coroner: Did you watch him go down the hill?
Witness: Yes.
The Coroner: Did you see a straw hat or something?
Witness: No. He was wearing a black bowler hat, and it would have fallen off if he had not put his hand to it.
The Coroner: Was that at the bottom of the hill?
Witness: Nearly at the bottom. The bicycle got shaky, and he fell off sideways. Witness added that he told the man he was with and they went down to the man’s assistance.
Joseph Hedges, of Hannington, the man who accompanied the previous witness, deposed to going up Nell Hill about 3.50 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon. He saw the gentleman going down the hill on a bicycle. He was waring a bowler hat. Witness saw nothing amiss until the boy Payne told him the man had fallen off his machine. Witness went to his assistance, and found him lying on his face, bleeding, and in an unconscious condition. The bicycle was on the other side of the road. There was a rim brake on the front wheel.
Dr. J. Powell (Highworth) said that about 5.30 p.m. he received a telegraphic message, in response to which he proceeded to Hannington Wick Hill, and there saw the man now identified as George Knights, lying dead by the side of the road. Witness examined him and found he was bleeding freely from the nose and ears, evidently caused by a fracture of the base of the skull. The injury was probably caused by the deceased falling off the bicycle.
The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony, and expressed their sympathy with deceased’s relatives.
Extracts from The Swindon Advertiser Friday July 24, 1908.
The Late Mr G.S. Knights
Impressive Funeral
On Saturday afternoon the remains of the late Mr George S. Knights, whose tragic death as the result of an accident whilst cycling was reported in these columns, were laid to rest in the Swindon Cemetery amid very many manifestations of sincere sympathy and unfeigned regret.
The funeral cortege left the residence of the deceased gentleman, 39 Faringdon Street, Swindon, Shortly before half past twelve, and proceeded to St. Mark’s Church, where Mr. Knights was an esteemed churchwarden.
Other organisations associated with the Church represented in the procession were the General Purposes Committee of St Mark’s parish, the Sunday School teachers and among the representatives of the CFTS was Mr A. Cross, the Secretary.
Several of the deceased’s old shopmates in the GWR Works also followed. Mr Knights being formerly in the Carpenters’ Shop under Mr Abell. Among those who followed were Mr G. Hutchings, foreman of the Wagon Shop; Mr Smith, foreman of the Carpenters’ Shop; Mr Nevill, under-foreman of the Carpenters’ Shop; Mr Hayward, under-foreman of the Saw Mills and others.
The large congregation in the Church included many others to whom Mr Knights was known, and by whom he was warmly respected. The service, though short, was of a most impressive character, and was fully choral. Among the clergy present were the Vicar, the Rev. A.G.G. Ross, M.A., the Rev. H.R.B. Morgan, B.A., in charge of St. Luke’s’ Rev. H.C. Brocklehurst, M.A., in charge of St. Saviour’s; Rev. K.M.S. Graeme, M.A. , Rev. C.E. Prior, and the Rev. E.F. Winnington-Ingram.
As the solemn procession entered the Church they hymn, “Brief life is here our portion,” was sung, after which the 90th Psalm was chanted. The Rev. H.R.B. Morgan read the lesson from I. Corinthians, 15th chapter, and then the hymn. “On the Resurrection Morn,” was sung. As the procession left the Church, the organist, Mr. John Newton, played the “Dead March” in Saul, the congregation standing meanwhile.
The mournful procession was added to by many sympathizing friends as it proceeded to the Cemetery, where it was joined by a further assembly, and where the second portion of the solemn rite at the graveside was conducted by the Rev. A.G.G. Ross.
The remains were enclosed in an elm shell within an elm coffin with brass furnishings, the breastplate bearing the following inscription: “George Samuel Knights died July 21st 1908, aged 49 years.”
The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. H. Smith and Son, Gordon Road, Swindon.
We are asked to state, in order to correct a misapprehension which has apparently got about, that Messrs Brown and Plummer were in no way connected with the late Mr. G.S. Knights as a wine and spirit merchant.
The Swindon Advertiser Friday July 31, 1908
George was baptised at Holy Trinity Church, Mile End Road and consistently states on census returns that his birth place was Tower Hamlets. Some family historians researching the Knights family make a link to Haddiscoe in Norfolk. However, at the time of his marriage to Marion Emily Ellen Timpson in 1884 George was living in Swindon where he was employed as a carpenter. The couple were married at St. Stephen’s Church, Paddington on February 23, 1884 and at the time of the 1891 census they were living at 48 Radnor Street with their two young sons George and Arthur. A daughter Gertrude was born the following year.
George was buried on July 25, 1908 in grave plot C1997. His wife Marion Emily Ellen died in 1932 and was buried with him on January 26. Their son George Robert died in 1941 and was buried with them on April 2. On July 13, 1946 Joan Lloyd Wyndham Rawlings was buried in the Knights family grave. Whether Joan had any connection to George and his family has yet to be established.
Radnor Street Cemetery 