Chris, Jon and I explored the State Capitol Building in Hartford, Connecticut, 
and found a prominent statue of Colonel Thomas Knowlton in front of the building.

These pages record the genealogical search for ancestral information
 by my mother and her ancestors.

The Knowlton and Gibson families have been collecting ancestral information for hundreds of years with a plethora of books and papers available.  These records are amazingly accurate and correspond exceptionally well with information found on the Internet.  Our family history is certainly noteworthy, with a few emotional and tragic events, and many ancestors exhibiting a significant influence on the founding of our country and the development of Europe and the western world.

The Richard Knowlton Shield of Arms and Crest
The Shield: A red chevron with three crowns.
The Crest: "Argent, a chevron, between crowns and ducal coronets sable".
The Motto: "Vi et Virtute" Translated: By Strength and Valor.

E-Mail

The origin of the name Knowlton is from the old English, 
"cnoll" (middle English, "knolle"), meaning a small rounded hill or mound 
and the old English "tun", meaning an enclosed place, homestead or village; 
so Knowlton means town, village or place on the hill.

The following is the chronological ancestry of Thomas Knowlton Gibson with links to additional information.

Genealogy information and descendants of Captain William Knowlton, 1584-1632, from Kent, England

The reference numbers after each Knowlton were assigned by genealogist, Rev. Stocking in his 1897 book on the Knowlton family history.
Stocking shows descent of William from Richard Knowlton and Elizabeth Candize which is contested by modern genealogists. 

The questionable and undocumented line descends from Lord Perot Knowlton.

William Knowlton (1) b 1584 Kent, England m. Ann Elizabeth Smith
The link will take you to a 4th grade report written by Chris Gibson.
 William is a fully approved, documented and cited, gateway ancestors, 
 and emigrated in 1632 to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. 
 Our other maternal gateway ancestors are listed below.
 There are at least three additional lines to William Knowlton in our family tree.

John Knowlton (2) b 1610, Kent, England m. Marjery Wilson

John Knowlton (5) b 1633, Ipswich, MA m. Deborah Grant
 Deborah, related to Ulysses Grant, was directly descended, 
 multiple times, from both the Forbes and Kennedy families.

Nathaniel Knowlton (19) b 29 June 1658, Ipswich, MA m Deborah Jewett 3 Dec 1664

Nathaniel Knowlton (74) b 3 May 1683, Ipswich, MA m Reform Trescott his second wife.
 His first wife was Marry Bennett, the mother of William.
 A list of siblings and detailed information follows on this page.

Captain Samuel Knowlton (121) m. Anna Fellows
 Brother of William Knowlton who was the father of Colonel Thomas Knowlton 
 Samuel was a decorated Captain in the Revolutionary War.

Jeremiah Knowlton (285) m. Anna Pierce
 He was a first cousin to Colonel Thomas Knowlton, She was a cousin to Franklin Pierce.

John Knowlton (605) m. Sally Knowlton (706) (3rd cousins)
 Sally's Father, Captain Joseph Knowlton was a cousin to Jeremiah and uncle of Colonel Thomas Knowlton 
 whom he fought alongside in the Revolutionary war.
 Captain Joseph is also a direct descendant of Richard More, through the family of daughter Susan More.

Freeman Knowlton (1608) m. Abigail Hatch

John Watson Knowlton (3848) m. Aseneth Elizabeth Brown who descended from a long line of early New England founders.
(3850) b. 1838 John was a railroad mail agent and is descended from the well known Watson family through his mother.

Frank Adams Knowlton m.6 May,1889, Isabel Nellie Swett b.1868 
 b. July 9, 1865 d. Feb 1929 Frank was a dentist in Fairfield, ME
 The Swett Family descends from a significant line of European Royalty and Nobility through the Mayhew family.
 Thomas Mayhew Sr. and Thomas Mayhew Jr. Thomas Sr. was the founder and first Governor of Martha's Vineyard Island.
 Benjamin F. M. Swett married Sophronia Norton, a direct descendant of the Adams family and seven Mayflower Pilgrims.
 Jonathan Mayhew, a noted American clergyman, is credited with coining the phrase "no taxation without representation."

Frank Watson Knowlton m. Letha Pearl Metzger

 Early Bell Telephone employee and supervisor in Albany, NY
 b. May 28, 1900 d. May 1928
 Letha Pearl Metzger is descended from these early American colonial families: 
 James Williamson, Johannes Von Tschudi, Cornelius Janse Vanderveer, Hendrick Hendricksen Kip, Wolfert Gerretse Couwenhoven,
 Giles Jason De Mandeville, Pieter Monfoort, Claes Cornelissen Van Schouwen, Johannes Theodorus Polhemius and Pieter Claesen Wyckoff. 
 Many descend from European royalty and are "first arrivals"(1625) of New Amsterdam, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island and Long Island.
 
Sarah Jane Knowlton b. 1926 
 Only child of Frank Watson Knowlton and Letha Pearl Metzger, she was Raised in Norristown, PA by her Stepfather, Theodore Andreas Wiedemann.
 m. Thomas Cushman Gibson b. 7/8/25-1996  
   Third son of Joseph Whitton Gibson, Raised in Norristown, PA, 
 Machine Tool Engineer, Designed aircraft carrier elevator lifting gears at Newark Gear 
 Thomas Knowlton   b. 1948    
 Philip Cook       b. 1950 
 David Cushman     b. 11/20/1952-2/5/1987
 Andrea Whitton    b. 1956

Thomas Knowlton Gibson addresses the General Assembly 
in Connecticut State Capitol Building in Hartford.

Thomas Knowlton Gibson b. 1948
     Eldest son of  Thomas Cushman, Husband and Father, College Administrator and Professor,
                                                        Museum Curator, Summer Camp Director and Radio Engineer.
   m. Cathy Ann Smith b.1960-   Divorced November, 1999.

Christopher Thomas Gibson b.1990-  High School Student,  
Webelos Scout Award
with Arrow of Light Award

Jonathan Knowlton Gibson b.1993-   High School Student, 
Webelos Scout Award
with Arrow of Light Award

m. Kelly Beth Shealer 1959 - Wife and Mother, Registered Graduate Pediatric Nurse,
Wellspan Inc, Raising six children.

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 Many of our family ancestors were instrumental with the drafting, signing or approving of significant historical documents in the founding of our country, including
  The Magna Carta in (1215); First, Second, & Third Virginia Charters; Mayflower Compact (1620); Charter of Massachusetts Bay (1629);  Pennsylvania
  Charter of Privileges (1696); Resolutions of the Stamp Act (Oct. 19, 1765); Declaration of Arms (July 6, 1775); Virginia Declaration of Rights (June 12, 1776);
  Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776); Articles of Confederation (Nov. 15, 1777) in York, PA; and finally the Constitution of the United States (1787).

Please view our complete family tree on Rootsweb.com, with more than 155,000 entries in 41,000 families.

If you have an Ancestry.com account, or are willing to sign up for a free one, you are invited to view our complete family tree.
It is one of the largest on the web, with more than 155,000 entries in 42,000 families, many going back more than 2000 years.
A few of the older listings on Ancestry.com (before 1500), are in error due to their "One World Tree" systematic approach,  please verify all sources.

Many of our ancestors are listed on the websites "The genealogy of 750,000 people connected to European Royalty", Cindi's List, 
Colonists with Royal Ancestry , and two superb genealogical surveys of the peerage of European royal families, and The Peerage.com.

Some of our Royal link are a result of genealogy research taken from manuscripts and books containing incorrect or intentionally fraudulent information 
creatively written by Gustav Anjou (c1863-1942).  His real name was Gustaf Ludvig Ljungberg, a Swedish immigrant to the United States in the 1890's.
When I find a line that is referenced to his work it is noted or removed, but unfortunately there are many branches that indirectly refer to his research.

We have identified more than 700 gateway ancestors with more than 50 descended from about 2000 ancestors of *European nobility.
 *Many lines are through King Edward III of England or his grandfather King Edward I,  and obviously their European Royal Ancestry through the Neville and Plantagenet trees.
  The oldest known colonial ancestor or original immigrant is noted, with * indicating one of more than fifty lines to European Royalty.
  Most of our ancestors are fully approved, documented and cited, gateway ancestors.  The paternal half of this list is on the Gibson page.
   You have probably found this page because you searched for ancestors listed on this page.  If you are of European descent and your ancestors
   arrived in Colonial America during the 17th century, statistically we are almost certainly related within 12 generations.  "We are all cousins."

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The maternal branch of our family is directly descended from the following notable colonial families.  
 
*Adams, William married Elizabeth Kemp, ancestors of John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Samuel Adams and John Adams.
    Our family has at least 7 ties with the Adams family of Quincy, Massachusetts, and is one of many lines to King Edward I of England.
*Adams, Joseph married Abigail Baxter, close relatives of Thomas Jefferson.
Allen, Bozoan married Ann Alby
Andrews, Robert married Grace  Melburn
Andrews, Thomas married Martha Baker
Baker, Thomas married Priscilla Symonds, ancestors of both Thomas Cushman Gibson and Sarah Jane Knowlton.
Balch, John married Margaret Lovett
      One of the oldest surviving wood frame houses in the United States was constructed by John Balch in 1636.
Bangs, Edward married Rebecca Hobart
Bearse, Augustine married MARY "Little Dove" Hyanno, daughter of Mary Nopae and John Hyanno, Chief of the Naragansett and son of Ihyannough.
Bennett, Anthony married Abigail Somes
Bird, Richard married Joanne Mitchell
Bird, Robert married Mary Popham
*Bompasse, Edward married  Hannah Annable both early (1621) arrivals of the Plymouth Colony on the ship Fortune.

    Our Bompasse family line is one of seven to King Edward III of England and obviously his Royal Ancestors, through the Neville and Plantagenet trees.
Bowers, George married Barbara Smyth
Bradford, William married
Bricker, Christian married Barbara Kissinger
Brown, William married Mary Murdock, the New England Brown family descended from 12 Mayflower Pilgrims including Tilley, Hopkins and Mullins.
Brown, William married *Susan Harding, the Harding family descended from many early colonial families.
* Buck, Isaac married Francis Marsh, ancestors of John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Samuel Adams and John Adams.
*Carter, Thomas married Mary Parkhurst, related to Robert "King" Carter, Robert "Councillor" Carter and James Earl Carter.
    We have at least five seperate connections with this famous family with more ancestors named Carter than either Gibson or Knowlton. 
Chesley, Philip married Elizabeth Leighton
Chittenden, Isaac married Martha Vinal
Clark, Thomas married Rose Kerrich, ancestors of both Thomas Cushman Gibson and Sarah Jane Knowlton.
Coit, John married Mary Stevens
Collins, Joseph married Ruth Knowles
Cooke, Josiah married Elizabeth Ring, ancestors of both Thomas Cushman Gibson and Sarah Jane Knowlton.
*Couwenhoven, Gerret Wolfertse Van, married Aeltje Cornelis Cool
Dalrymple, James married Eremiah Yeoman
*Denham, Thomas married *Sarah Bompasse  The Denham family descended from a significant Royal line.
Doane, John married Ann Perkins

*Dunham, Deacon John m. Abigail Barlow early Plymouth Colony members and ancestors of both Thomas Cushman Gibson and Sarah Jane Knowlton.
   Our Dunham family branch is well documented as one of seven to King Edward III of England and obviously his European Royal Ancestors through the Neville and Plantagenet family trees.
Dyer, William Sr. married Dorothy Shirley
Dyer, William Jr. married *Mary Barrett, Mary Dyer was hung for being a Quaker in 1660.  Please don't skip this incredible story.
Eliot, Francis married  Mary Saunders
Fiske, David married *Seaborn Wilson ancestor of Thomas Woodrow Wilson.
French, Thomas married Mary Scudamore, both very early Boston residents.
*Gates, Caleb, married *Mary Forbes, early settlers from Connecticut and multiple ancestors of Tom Gibson, Sally Knowlton and Bill Gates III.
     The Gates family is also descended from Thomas Mayhew, founder of Martha's Vineyard Island and an ancestor of many famous Americans.
George, John married Ann Goldstone
*Grant, James married *Agnes Grant (1st cousins) Both James and Agnes had an incredible pedigree descending from European Royalty.
     The were closely related to Ulysses Grant and directly descended, multiple times, from the *Gates, *Forbes and *Kennedy families.
     The Forbes family has owned many of the Elizabeth Islands off of Cape Cod for almost 200 years.  The town of Gosnold includes the island chain.
   *Our Grant, Forbes and Kennedy family lines are three of the twenty eight lines through King Edward I of England.
*Harding, Joseph married Martha Doane, both early arrivals of the Plymouth Colony on the ship Little James and ancestors of Warren G. Harding.
*Harrington, James married Ann Clinton, daughter of Thomas Clinton the grandson of the 1st Earl of Lincoln, ancestors of both Tom and Sally Gibson.
Hart, Isaac married Elizabeth Hutchinson,  Elizabeth was one of the accused during the Salem Witchcraft Trials.
     One of the oldest existing houses in the United States was constructed by Thomas Hart in 1640.
Hatch, John Adams married Abigail Hatch, the first seven generations of the Hatch family experienced significant homogamy, endogamy and consanguinity.
     There were two occurences of double first cousins and four of double second cousins, among the many intermarriages in the Adams and Hatch families.
Higgins, Owen married Seaborn Tew
Hilliard, Emanuel married *Elizabeth Parkhurst
Hinckley, Samuel married Sarah Soole (Two lines through Swett and Mayhew), They are also direct ancestors of both George Bush and Barack Obama.
Hinkson, Peter married Elizabeth Underwood
*Holbrook, John married Elizabeth Stream, closely related to Zachary Taylor, Franklin Pierce and Chester Alan Arthur.
    John's grandson John married Sarah Knowlton.  He was the founder of Brattleboro, Vermont, where his home is now a museum.
Howland, Henry married Anne Margaret Aires, ancestors of both Thomas Cushman Gibson and Sarah Jane Knowlton.

   Henry was an ancestor of seven presidents including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Richard Nixon,  Gerald Ford, and George W. Bush, as well as Sir Winston Churchill.

   Both of my parents are descended from his son, John Howland, my mother is also descended from his brother Henry who married *Mary Newland.

Howland, John with his wife Elizabeth Tilley, and her parents John Tilley  and Joan Hurst, all arrived on the Mayflower in 1620.
Jewett, William, married Ann Field
*Kent, Richard married Dorothy Emma Shorte
Kidder, James married Anna Moore
Knowlton, Jeremiah married *Abigail Pierce, she was descended from ancestors of Barbara Pierce Bush, John Hancock and Franklin Pierce.
Knowlton, John I married *Margery Wilson
Knowlton, John II, son of John I, married *Deborah Grant, daughter of James Grant and Agnes Grant, ancestors of Ulysses S. Grant.
Knowlton, William married Ann Elizabeth Smith
Lord, Thomas married *Dorothy Bird
Mackintosh, William married Margaret Ogilvie
Marshall, Peter married Elizabeth Weiser
*Mayhew, Jonathan a great uncle and noted American clergyman from Boston, MA is credited with coining the phrase "no taxation without representation."
*Mayhew, Thomas married Jane Paine, founders of Martha's Vineyard Island, ancestors of Rutherford B. Hayes, Bill Gates and many famous Americans.
    Living on an island, the first seven generations of the Mayhew family experienced significant intermarriage and hereditary deafness.
     A superb story, my great grandmother, Isabel Nellie Swett could sign MVSL and attributed her partial deafness to her multiple Mayhew ancestors.
     Three grandparents of Isabel were multiple Mayhew descendants and the family lived in the town of Chilmark on Martha's Vineyard for almost 300 years.

     Our Mayhew family line is one of seven to King Edward III of England and obviously European Royal Ancestry, through the Neville and Plantagenet trees.
Mayo, John married Thomasine Constable
Merrill, John married Elizabeth Vincent
Merry, Joseph married *Elizabeth Parkhurst, both early arrivals of Tisbury on Martha's Vineyard Island.
Metzger, Johann married Catherine Gerlach, daughter of Jacob Gerlach.  The Metzger family has lived in Lycoming County, Penna, for more than 200 years.
Monfoort, Pieter married Grietje Van Ness
*More, Richard married Christian Hunter, both early arrivals to the Plymouth Colony with Richard as a 6 year old indentured youth on the Mayflower.
Moulton, Thomas married Martha Page
Murdock, Henry married Audria Cook
Norton, Noah married Jerusha Dunham, both of notable early colonial families from Martha's Vineyard, Noah is one of our many DAR/SAR ancestors.
Living on an island, the first five generations of the Norton family experienced significant intermarriage and hereditary deafness.
Park, Richard married Margery Crane
Parker, Abraham married Rose Whitlock
Parker, James married *Joane Drake
Partridge, George married  Sarah Tracy, ancestors of Rutherford B. Hayes.
Pease, John married Mary Browning
Perkins, Abraham married Tabitha Niles
*Pierce, John married *May Barnett, ancestors of Barbara Bush, John Hancock and Franklin Pierce.  We have two additional relationships with John Hancock.
Poland, John married Bethia Friend
Polhemus, Daniel married Willemyntie Kip
*Popham, John married *Amy Anne Games
    With his nephew George, they founded the Popham Colony in 1607, one of the earliest English colonial settlements in North America.
    Although both Jamestown and Popham colonies were abandon for a period of time, Popham was ultimately not as successful as it's sister in Virginia.    
    Popham Colony experienced a death rate of less than 10% the first year, compared to 50% at Plymouth, 80% Jamestown and 100% at Roanoke Island.
    A Pinnace he named Virginia, was the first ocean going vessel ever constructed in the new world.   Please don't skip this story.
Poulter, John married Marie Pope
Powers, Walter married Joane Newman
Rawlins, James married Hannah Fry
Rogers, Jeremiah married Ann Playle, Rogers descends from Pilgrim Thomas Rogers, Puritan Rev. John Rogers, and English Martyr John Rogers.

   Our family descends from four Rogers family branches.  English Martyr John Rogers was a Bible translator working with Rev. William Tyndale.
Rowland, Jacob married Barbara Zorn
Sawyer, William married Sarah Littlefield
Schenck, Roelof Martense married *Annetje Wyckoff
*Seymour, William married Arabella *Stuart, one of many lines to King Edward I of England.
   Some of the Royal links in the Seymour family are a result of genealogy research taken from manuscripts containing incorrect or fraudulent information written by Gustav Anjou. 
Shepard, Ralph married Thank Ye Lord, also recorded as Thankful Lord.
Shoemaker, George married Anna Maria Barbara
Skiffe, James married Mary Reeves
Smith, John married *Deborah Parkhurst
  The first five generations of the Smith and Parkhurst families experienced significant homogamy, endogamy and consanguinity.
Stream, John married *Elizabeth Whitman, ancestors of William Howard Taft and related to Walt Whitman.
Stewart, James married Elizabeth Stewart (3rd cousins)
*Stewart, John married Grizel Rattray  We show multiple descent from the Royal "House of Stewart" and Rattray families. 
    Some of the Royal links in the Stewart family are a result of genealogy research taken from manuscripts and books containing incorrect or fraudulent information written by Gustav Anjou. 
*Swett, Captain Benjamin married Ester Weare, ancestors of Millard Filmore, James Garfield and Rutherford B. Hayes.
*Swett, Stephen married Hannah Merrill, Stephen and his son Joseph were founders of the town of Marblehead, Mass.
   One of the oldest existing houses in the United States was constructed by Stephen Swett in 1670.
*Swett, Moses married Hannah Swett, (2nd cousins) descended from John and Sarah Swett. 
   There was significant intermarriage and hereditary deafness in the Swett, Norton, Gray, Smith, Parkhurst, Hatch, Wheeler, Dunham, Watson, and Mayhew families.
*Taylor, Doctor Henry married Lydia Hatch, he is a great uncle of presidents Zachary Taylor and James Madison.
Tilton, William married Susannah Morreal
*Treat, Richard married Alice Gaylord, ancestors of Robert Treat Paine, J. P. Morgan, and both Thomas Cushman Gibson and Sarah J. Knowlton.
Trescott, William married Elizabeth Nute
Trion, Johann married Elizabeth Achy
*Tschudi, Johannes Von married Maria Lang
*Underwood, William married Sarah Pellet, ancestors of Barbara Bush, John Hancock and Franklin Pierce.
*Vanderveer, Cornelius Janse married Tryntje Mandeville were early Dutch colonists in New Amsterdam.
      We were neighbors of Vanderveer descendants when living on the Craftsman Farms Estate, on Route 10, in Morris Plains, NJ
Weare, Nathaniel married Sarah Swain, both early arrivals of Nantucket Island. 
*Wheeler, Benjamin married his 1st cousin *Mehitable Wheeler, he was the son of Hannah French, a direct descendant of Owain I of Gwynedd, King of Wales.
    Some of the Royal links in the Wheeler family are a result of genealogy research taken from manuscripts and books containing incorrect or fraudulent information written by Gustav Anjou. 
*Wheeler, John married Agnes Yeoman
*Whipple, John married Susanna Clarke, John Whipple was an early settler of Providence, RI and an ancestor of Stephen Hopkins.
*White, John  was sent by Sir Walter Raleigh as Sir Richard Grenville's artist-illustrator on his first voyage to the New World (1585-1586).
     John was the first Governor of Roanoke Colony, grandfather of Virginia Dare, and an early member of the Plymouth Colony.
White, Resolved married Judith Vassall, both early arrivals of the Plymouth Colony with Resolved on the Mayflower.
White, William married Susanna ?,  parents of Resolved, they were both early arrivals of the Plymouth Colony on the Mayflower.
Whitlock, John married Sarah Vile were early Connecticut settlers and founders of Fairfield.  
Williamson, James married Jane Davis
*Winborn, Rev. John married Elizabeth Hart
Winship, Edward married Elizabeth Parke
Wise, Humphrey married Susan Tidd
Witt, John married Sarah Rooles
Woodman, Edward married Joanna Salway
*Wyckoff, Pieter Claesen married Grietje Van Ness  They were very early resident of Albany and New Amsterdam, (NYC).

       The oldest house in New York City was built by Pieter Wyckoff in 1652.
         Some of the Royal links in the Wyckoff family are a result of genealogy research taken from manuscripts and books containing incorrect or fraudulent information written by Gustav Anjou. 

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          My parents Thomas C. Gibson, (SAR member) and Sarah J. Knowlton, (DAR member) are multiple cousins (at least 17 times within 12 generations), both with significant colonial ancestry.
          They both descended from Thomas Clark an ancestor of George Wythe, John Baker an ancestor of  John Trumbull, John Hutchinson and Sarah Putnam, William Hurt, John Harrington,
          Samuel Treat, Matthew Whipple, Caleb Gates through the Forbes and Kennedy families, and finally through Mayflower passenger Richard Warren, Stephen Hopkins and Francis Cooke.
         [There are many instances of  homogamy, endogamy and  consanguinity throughout the Gibson and Knowlton family trees.]  
     My father was a machine tool engineer and worked for his father in law at Wiedemann Machine Tools in King of Prussia, PA,  among other companies.
     My parents obviously had a penchant for large historic old homes.  Listed below are some of the 17 homes we live in from 1948 until 1968.  We lived:
     on the original Craftsman Farms estate, on Route 10 in Morris Plains, NJ; next to the 1815 Freeman estate at 61 South Valley Road in West Orange, NJ;
     then "Tree Tops",  the Earl Barnes estate next to the Zimbalist Estate on Town Hill Rd, in New Hartford, CT, where we played with "Skipper" Zimbalist;
     next in a beautiful 1841 brick antebellum home at 280 Church St, in Wytheville, VA;  next to the old Norris Estate on Landing Road in Elkridge, MD;
     then to the 1850 stained glass windowed, red roofed Victorian "Hill House",  on Hill House Road next to Kernan Hospital in historic Dickeyville, MD;
     and finally, on Bristol Road in one of the oldest homes in Hartsville, PA, the Robert Darrah Farm, part of  his father's Estate built in the early 1700's.
     George Washington visited and rested at the Darrah house many times in August of 1777, during court martial at Neshaminy Church across the street.
     According to Darrah descendants, the children were usually sent to the grand parents house so they wouldn't disturb the General  while he was napping.  
     Yes, "George Washington Slept Here," and I have slept in the same room that our first president slept in, although it was almost 200 years later.  

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Here are some links on the history of the Knowlton family.

Follow these links for additional related information found on the web.

Genealogy Information on the Thomas Knowlton Branch

A list of soldiers fighting with Capt. Thomas Knowlton at Bunker Hill.

Col. Thomas Knowlton information from the Sons of the American Revolution.

Thomas Knowlton Gibson Genealogy Page.

CIA information on Captain Thomas Knowlton.

Biography of Lt. Thomas Knowlton.

225 Anniversary Ceremony of the deaths of Col. Knowlton and Captain Nathan Hale.

Information on the MICA Knowlton Award. Thomas Knowlton Gibson is a life member of MICA.

Background information on Nathan Hale.

A description of the Battle of Bunker Hill.

MICA, Military Intelligence information.

A short history of the U.S. ARMY Rangers.

A few interesting facts about the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Information on General Israel Putnam.

Significant Portraits from the 1910 Journal of American History.

Bunker Hill Report

Knowlton Family Genealogy

A directory of Knowlton related pictures.

There is quite a family history from the Swett side of the family.

The Founding Fathers of American Intelligence

Thomas Knowlton and His Rangers

The Battle of Bunker Hill

The Birth of the US Army

The Battle of Long Island and New York

The Legend of Knowlton Church and Knowlton Henge

Knowlton Church & Rings

The Connecticut Minuteman

PDF of Inaugural edition of the Connecticut Minuteman/

Battle of Bunkers Hill by John Trumbull

History of the US Army Rangers

Descendants of William Knowlton

Thomas Knowlton Letterbox

Statue of Colonel Thomas Knowlton

Connecticut US ARMY ROTC Knowlton Company

THE BATTLE FOR NEW YORK, WASHINGTON'S INTELLIGENCE NETWORK

Battle of Harlem Heights

More family information and genealogy

Old Knowlton family information

Knowlton Church

The Knowlton Court Estate

Harlem Heights, where angered Americans drove the British in only victory in N.Y. campaign

THE BATTLE FOR NEW YORK

"I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country"

Wills of John and Marjery Knowlton

Information on the Swett Family

John Swett Family Tree form Worldconnect

Comments from the Knowlton message board.

The Knowlton Brothers of Ipswich, Mass

The Knowlton Family, Coming to America.

Notable Knowltons

Extracts of Old Town Records of Ipswich, Mass

February 1996 Knowlton mailing list.
Books mentioning Thomas Knowlton

Original text pages mentioning Thomas Knowlton

http://goose.ycp.edu/~tgibson/knowlton/knowlton68

Additional family information that I have not categorized yet.  Please browse.
There are more pages, just update the page number in your URL window.  I think the total is up to 70 pages now.

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Knowlton   Volunteers from Nixon’s brigade, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Crary, boldly charged down Hollow Way viciously tempting the British troops on the Claremont Slope to meet them head-on in a salt marsh called Martje David’s Fly. The British rushed down into the marsh salivating over the sweetness of the coming victory. Suddenly musket shots were fired into their right flank. Startled, the British quickly re-grouped and attacked the encircling force on their right. By the end of the day, the exhausted colonists claimed victory at what would be called the Battle of Harlem Heights. But something had gone terribly wrong. The flanking troops had fired too soon, probably from the enthusiasm of an excited officer. Once this occurred, they could not reach the rear of the British as intended, but met the British force straight on. Over one hundred of General George Washington’s soldiers had died in the battle. Among them, was Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Knowlton the hero of Breed’s Hill (Bunker Hill). Descending from a long line of honorable military men, Thomas Knowlton was destined to serve and become a hero. Born in November, 1740, he accompanied his brother Daniel, a famous scout and revered military officer himself, on several scouting missions during the French and Indian War. A sure ancestor of Achilles, Knowlton’s aura of a military hero was as much physical as it was tactical. Over six feet tall and quite handsome, his presence demanded attention and respect. His care for soldiers and military knowledge earned him that attention and respect from all. Settling down to a quiet farm life after the French and Indian War, Knowlton became prominent in civil affairs. His peaceful life, however, turned to the military once again in the fall of 1774. Chosen by acclamation, Knowlton assumed command of a company of the Ashford, Connecticut, Volunteers, and by June 1775, Knowlton commanded two hundred men. On the 16th of that month, his soldiers followed him onto Breed’s Hill where they were assigned to defend a seemingly impossible position. Exposed to the enemy and vulnerable from both land and sea, Knowlton quickly assessed the situation and began to improve the odds. Calculating that the British Commander, General Howe, would attack the inexperienced, under-equipped Americans, Knowlton formulated a plan which used a series of fences and other obstacles to slow the British advance and give the Americans a chance to survive the oncoming slaughter. By the day’s end, British casualties were over 1000, compared to the total American casualties of 449. Only three men from Knowlton’s company died in the battle.Gaining the trust and admiration of General George Washington, Knowlton was soon given a group of select men from Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts who were known as "Knowlton’s Rangers." Under the direct control of Washington, Knowlton’s Rangers performed tasks similar to those of Roger’s Rangers in the French and Indian War and the United States Army Rangers of today. Unlike Roger’s Rangers, however, Knowlton’s Rangers were the first of their kind to be formally organized. On the morning of the fateful battle of Harlem Heights, Knowlton’s Rangers patrolled a small field near the British camp. Spotted by a British outpost, the Rangers soon found themselves in a firefight with the Black Watch. A hand picked unit for height and composed mostly of Highlanders, the Black Watch carried an assortment of weapons and was known for its unusual dress. To the ragtag group of Americans, even Knowlton’s Rangers, this uniquely dressed, physically impressive unit instilled fear in all who fought against them. Lightly armed for the ease of conducting reconnaissance, Knowlton’s Rangers fought valiantly and were able to stall the Black Watch assault. When the attackers began to try to encircle Knowlton, he ordered a retreat and brought his troops back to safety with few casualties. Eager for a victory over the British, Washington concocted the plan to cut off a section of the British troops’ rear with Knowlton’s Rangers. Once the premature shots had been fired into the right flank of the British, Knowlton quickly tried to rally his troops to carry on the attack. Shot in the small of his back, Knowlton fell, mortally wounded, within minutes of the failed attack. The following day, General Reed wrote, "All his inquiry was whether we had driven in the enemy." In 1995, Colonel Thomas Knowlton became the hero of the Military Intelligence Corps and the Military Intelligence Corps Association (MICA) created an award for Military Intelligence Corps’ soldiers and civilians named after him. Knowlton’s Rangers were the first of their kind.  Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Knowlton was a one of a kind. He epitomizes the Military Intelligence Corps’ Motto: "Always Out Front!" In every engagement with the enemy, Knowlton was on the front line encouraging, leading, and showing his troops where to go. The admiration he earned from his peers and superiors, the military genius displayed at Breed’s Hill and Harlem Heights, the love and respect he gained from his soldiers, and the honor with which he served should be a model for all Military Intelligence Corps’ soldiers to emulate.

The first American Intelligence Failure in New York

If  intelligence is information, and military intelligence is information that helps a commander deal with an enemy, than no less a commander than George Washington underscored best why the black art of the spy has been an essential part of American foreign policy since before the Revolution: "The necessity of procuring good intelligence is apparent and need not be further urged," he observed to one of his lieutenants in July of 1777.

The Father of our Country spoke from bitter experience. He lost his very first battle of the American Revolution because of a massive intelligence failure.

Washington had assumed command of the Continental Army in Cambridge on July 2, 1775. His military experience was limited to his role as a lieutenant colonel during the French and Indian War some sixteen years previously. He had never attended a military academy and in fact he'd had little formal education at all. He was forty-three years old.

The military situation at Boston was a stalemate: Washington's tiny army was sufficient to lay siege to the city, but not to capture it from General Thomas Gage, who had commanded a three thousand man advance guard in a bloody battle against the French and Indians in a ravine near the Monongahela River twenty years previously. As aide-de-camp to General Edward Braddock in that campaign, Washington had his horse shot out from under him, and had seen Braddock killed in a classic surprise attack. Nearly a thousand British had died that day—as opposed to less than fifty of the French. It had been the worst British military debacle on the American continent, and Gage was in no mood to give the enemy a chance for a second victory in the Americas.

Gage had three choices: attack Washington's army and attempt to lift the siege, evacuate Boston by sea, or do nothing but sit and wait for reinforcements from England. Gage chose to wait the Americans out, primarily because he had a network of spies and informants in place, and their reports assured him of Washington's troop strength and position. With fair winds and continued good intelligence, it seemed a certainty that the British would eventually prevail.

Significantly, at this time, General George Washington had but a single spy in action against the British. According to his accounts record, on July 15, 1775, less than two weeks after he took command, Washington paid $333.33 to someone whose name is lost to history "to go into the town of Boston to establish secret correspondence for the purpose of conveying intelligence of the Enemys movements and designs."

In October of that year, Gage was relieved by General William Howe. By January of 1776, with more spies finally in place, Washington had reason to believe that Howe's deputy, General Henry Clinton, would attack New York with an expeditionary force of fifteen hundred men. Both Howe and Washington understood that New York was crucial to control of the Hudson River, the means whereby the southern arm of the British forces would eventually meet up with those moving down the river from Canada, along the shores of Lake Champlain.

By February, the battle lines had somewhat changed. General Clinton sailed instead to South Carolina and failed to capture Charleston. Howe's New York plans were disrupted by the arrival of more than fifty pieces of heavy artillery that had been captured by the patriots at Fort Ticonderoga. Washington eagerly placed the cannon on Dorchester Heights where they threatened Boston, the harbor, and an end to the stalemate that had been in effect for almost nine months.

Howe gave the order to evacuate Boston on March 7th. Convinced that New York was Howe's strategic destination, Washington fatefully moved his army to New York, discovering in the process how difficult the island was to defend, even with an army ten times the size of his own. Surrounded by easily navigable waterways beyond which lay the shores of Long Island, Staten Island, and New Jersey—from which attacks could easily be staged—the island of Manhattan also contained a large proportion of Tories loyal to England and an enormous number of British spies.

Howe's actual battle plan would be revealed to Washington as an unhappy surprise. Instead of marching to New York, Howe repaired to Nova Scotia, and—regrouped and reinforced—arrived off Sandy Hook, New Jersey in June of 1776 in an enormous flotilla of 130 vessels. British spies immediately boarded the ships, flush with news of Washington's disposition of forces in New York. On July 2nd, Admiral Lord Richard Howe, the General's brother, arrived with another 150 ships. Additionally German mercenaries arrived in yet another flotilla, and on August 12th General Clinton and his force arrived from Charleston.

More than thirty-one thousand troops, ten ships of the line, twenty frigates, and hundreds of small transports manned by over ten thousand British seamen stood poised to destroy the Continental Army.

Between August 24th and 29th in the year 1776, the British inflicted more than 1400 casualties on the Americans. If  George Washington had not been able to retreat across the East River under the cover of fog and darkness, the American war for independence would certainly have been lost before it had truly begun.

Fully aware that it was a matter of failed intelligence that had cost so many lives, one of Washington's first acts subsequent to the battle of New York was to commission Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Knowlton to form a company of hand-picked volunteers in order to carry out reconnaissance missions and special operations "either by water or by land, by night or by day."

Knowlton's Rangers, as they were known, marked the birth of United States Army Intelligence, and the year of their formation is memorialized on the U.S. Army Military Intelligence emblem to this day.

 Colonel Thomas Knowlton

Thomas Knowlton was born into a military family on November 22, 1740 in West Boxford, Massachusetts. When he was eight, his family moved to a four hundred acre farm in Ashford, Connecticut. Like all American boys in those days, he grew up with an enormous knowledge of and respect for the wilderness. Fate and circumstance would determine that the forests and fields of his childhood would become the battlefields and cemeteries of his country's war for independence.

At the start of the French and Indian War in 1755, at the tender age of fifteen, Thomas Knowlton enlisted in Captain John Durkee's company, and by all accounts served admirably. On several occasions he accompanied his famous older brother Daniel on scouting missions into enemy territory. It was on these missions that he must have honed his youthful senses and problem-solving abilities. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1760.

By 1762 he was one of only twenty men out of 107 in Israel Putnam's Company to return home from the Battle of Havana, Cuba. Knowlton married Anna Keyes and settled down happily, virtually for all the world like Mel Gibson's character in The Patriot. He and his wife raised nine children.

At the comparatively young age of 33, Knowlton was appointed a Selectman of Ashford Connecticut.  Life was good.

And then came April 18, 1775. General Thomas Gage dispatched a contingent of British troops to Lexington and Concord, about fifteen miles from Boston. His intention was to destroy the military stores there, and to seize the Rebel American leaders, Samuel Adams and John Hancock. A third rebel, Paul Revere reached Lexington at midnight, in an effort to warn Adams and Hancock.

Units under the command of Major John Pitcairn arrived at Lexington at dawn on the 19th. A group of seventy armed townsmen, led by John Parker, were gathered on the commons, and they were ordered to disperse. As they did, shots rang out. Eight colonials were killed, and Hancock and Adams escaped as the colonial militia took to the forests and fields. The British pressed forward to the town of Concord.

Dr. Samuel Prescott rode ahead of the British column, and the townsmen of Concord were better-prepared to counter the wrath of the redcoats. They killed nearly 300 British soldiers, and the American Revolution had begun.

On perceiving "the shot heard run the world," Thomas Knowlton grabbed musket and powder horn and rushed to join his militia. The Ashford Company was part of the Fifth Regiment, along with the towns of Windham, Mansfield, and Coventry, Connecticut. They had no leader, and it was with a hearty vote of confidence that Knowlton was chosen unanimously.

Captain Thomas Knowlton led his men to Massachusetts, the first unit from a neighboring colony to enter the brand new war.

In June of 1775, he was recognized for his leadership at the Battle of Bunker Hill, where he accomplished his mission without losing a man. Captain Thomas Knowlton was promoted to Major by Congress and was considered "the first officer of his grade in the army." Colonel Aaron Burr said years later "I had a full account of the Battle from Knowlton's own lips, and I believe if the chief command had been entrusted to him, the issue would have proved more fortunate. It was impossible to promote such a man too rapidly."

General of the Army George Washington agreed, for on August 12, 1776, he promoted Knowlton to Lieutenant Colonel and gave him what he considered to be the most important job of the war. He was ordered to select an elite group of men, wise and industrious, from Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts in order to carry out reconnaissance missions and special operations "either by water or by land, by night or by day."

"Knowlton's Rangers" were the first organized American elite troops, analogous to our men in Afghanistan today, the Special Forces, Army Rangers, and Marine Force Recon. In historical deed, Knowlton's Rangers were America's first official spies, and the first American spy to die in the Revolution, Captain Nathan Hale, was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Knowlton.  

On September 16, 1776 Knowlton's Rangers were scouting in advance of Washington's Army at Harlem Heights, New York, when they stumbled upon the Black Watch, an elite British unit picked for size and ferocity and composed mostly of Highlanders in traditional attire. With his sixteen-year-old son at his side, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Knowlton was killed in action.

 The Knowlton Award was established in 1995 by the Military Intelligence Corps Association. It is given to individuals who have contributed significantly to the promotion of Army Intelligence in ways that stand out in the eyes of the recipients' superiors, their subordinates, and their peers; men and women, brave and true, who have performed honorably, with diligence and integrity, as did Colonel Thomas Knowlton, America's first Intelligence Professional.

Thomas Knowlton Gibson is a full member of the Military Intelligence Corps Association.

Genealogy information and descendants of

William Knowlton b. 1584, in Kent, England

The following information, which has been corrected in certain instances in accordance with information gathered from public records and other sources, was taken from 
The History and Genealogy of the Knowltons of England and America, by the Rev. Charles Henry Wright Stocking, D.D., The Knickerbocker Press (1897). 
The work was dedicated to our Lt. Daniel Knowlton, hero of the French and Indian and Revolutionary Wars. The dedication reads as follows: 
"In Reverent and loving Memory of Lieutenant Daniel Knowlton of the Continental Army, The Resolute Patriot, The Fearless Scout, The Intrepid Soldier, The Upright Man, 
whose eminent services to his Imperiled State and Country amply merit this his first Public Memorial, This Volume is humbly dedicated, by the Author." 

The reference numbers after each Knowlton were assigned by Rev. Stocking in his book.

The name comes from the old English, "cnoll" (middle English, "knolle"), meaning a small rounded hill or mound and the old English "tun", 
meaning an enclosed place, homestead or village; so Knowlton means town, village or place on the hill.

1. John
(2) b. 1610, Kent, England, m. Marjery Wilson ca. 1632
2. Samuel b. 1611, occupation mariner, d. Hingham, MA abt. 1655
3. Robert b. 1613, d. England
4. William b. 1615, m. Elizabeth Balch? 1/10/1640, d. 1655
5. Mary b. 1617?, d. young in England
6. Deacon Thomas b. 1622, Kent, England, d. 4/3/1692, Ipswich, MA, occupation deacon, cordwainer, shoemaker, m. (1^st) Susannah ________, (2^nd) Mary Kimball, d. 4/3/1692

As no record of Captain William appears in the Customs Department in London, it must be inferred that he was independent in political action and a non-conformist in religious matters. A record was kept of only those emigrants who, upon leaving England, took an oath of loyalty to the Crown and promised conformity to the Established Church. William was at least part owner of the vessel in which he sailed for America.

Stocking surmises that William died on the voyage to America, probably off the coast of Nova Scotia. In 1839, a headstone was found by a surveyor in Shelburne, N. S. reflecting "William Knowlton, 1632". Tradition says his widow and children proceeded to Hingham, MA, where it is said she remarried. Ann Elizabeth d. Hingham 10/8/1675.

In his correction of Stocking’s work (Errata and Addenda to the Knowlton Ancestry, 1903), George H. Knowlton informs the reader that the town records of Hingham, MA reflect grants of land and a house lot in 1635 to one William "Nolton". Probate records show that the estate of William Nolton was appraised 9/18/1661 and that his widow, Ann, and grand-daughter, Susanna, were appointed administrators thereof on 10/23/1667. On 9/26/1668, "Ann Tucker, late wife of William Nolton" presented an inventory of the estate of "the late William Nolton, her former husband". Widow Ann Tucker died 10/8/1675. A Susanna Gilford was grand-daughter of Ann Tucker. Knowlton concludes that the facts strongly favor that this William Nolton was one and the same person as Capt. William Knowlton.

John (2) and Marjery Wilson:

1. John
(5) b. 1633 at Ipswich or Hingham, MA, m. (1^st) Deborah (surname supposed to be Grant) ca. 1655, Ipswich, MA. She d. after 1666. m. (2^nd) Sarah ______ ca. 1667 in Wenham or Ipswich. She d. 2/14/1679 in Ipswich
2. Abraham b. 1635, d. before 1688, occupation soldier
3. Elizabeth b. 1639, d. before 1688

John was a shoemaker, settled in Ipswich in 1639, became freeman 6/2/1641, and died abt. 1654. Before a member of society (male only, of course!) could exercise the right of suffrage or hold public office, he had to be made a "freeman" by the general or quarterly court. To become such, he was required to produce evidence that he was a respectable member of the Congregational Church and take an oath. In 1652, John was appointed to "search and scale leather", that no unmarketable leather might be sold by any tanner of hides. Marjery also died abt. 1654 (both of their wills were dated 1653 and proved in 1654).

John (5) and (1^st) Deborah Grant?, (2^nd) Sarah _________:

1. John b. abt. 1656, m. Sarah _________
2. Nathaniel
(19) b. 6/29/1658 in Ipswich, MA, m. Deborah Jewett of Rowley, MA 5/3/1682
3. Elizabeth b. 3/1/1660, m. Timothy Dorman of Topsfield, MA 11/15/1688
4. Thomas b. 5/19/1662, m. (1^st) Margery Goodhue of Ipswich, MA, (2^nd) Mary Coy of Beverly, MA
5. Catherine b. 1668
6. Deborah b. 1670?
7. Robert b. 1672, occupation soldier
8. Suzannah b. 8/15/1673
9. Ephraim b. 1676
10. Abraham b. 1678
11. Ezekiel b. 1 or 2/1679

John was a shoemaker, also residing in Ipswich, and, during King Philip’s War, was drafted into the Narragansett Winter Campaign (Major Samuel Appleton’s Company) on 11/30/1675. According to Stocking he was a man of substance, being a public official and involved in many real estate transactions. Admitted freeman 10/13/1680.

John removed from Ipswich to Wenham probably abt. 1666; he had a seat in the meetinghouse there in 1669 and d. 10/8/1684. Deborah d. after 1666 and Sarah d. 2/3/1679. John and his second wife, Sarah, must have moved back to Ipswich, as they both died there.

Nathaniel (19) and Deborah Jewett:

1. Nathaniel
(74) b. 5/3/1683, m. (1^st) Mary Bennett of Ipswich 4/29/1703, (2^nd) Reforme (Trescott) Jewett, widow of Benjamin Jewett and daughter of Samuel and Margaret Trescott of Milton, MA, 4/15/1717
2. John b. 12/7/1685, d. 1760
3. Joseph b. 4/1687
4. Thomas b. 11/8/1692, m. Ruth Lord 1/11/1716, d. 2/28/1718
5. Abraham b. 2/27/1698, m. Mary Smith 9/20/1722
6. Elizabeth b. 9/15/1702, m. Thomas Hart (pub. 7/22/1721)
7. David b. 5/15/1707, m. Esther Howard 2/23/1731

Nathaniel was a shoemaker and, according to Stocking, was "a man of consequence in Ipswich". He was made Commoner 2/18/1678, became freeman 5/16/1683, was Deacon of the First Congregational Church in 1697 and Deputy to the General Court in 1700, ’02, ’03, ’05, ’09, ’14, ’15 and ’20. Nathaniel was chosen by the town in December, 1700 to serve on a committee "To appoint all persons where they should sitt in ye new meetinghouse – and also to grant pues in ye places reserved joining to ye walls and sides of ye meetinghouse – not to extend above 5 foot & ½ from ye sides of ye house into ye allies". It was said of him, "Though honored by men, he did not forget to honor his God".

Deborah was b. 12/3/1664 in Rowley, MA, the daughter of Abraham and Ann (Allen) Jewett. Nathaniel died 9/24/1726. Deborah died 4/25/1743.

Nathaniel (74) and Mary Bennett:

1. Mary b. 6/3/1704
2. William
(197) b. 2/8/1706, m. Martha Pinder of Boxford, MA 3/12/1729
3. Nathaniel b. 6/30/1708, m. Mary Fuller 7/1/1729
4. Jeremiah bapt. 5/13//1712, d. young
5. Jeremiah bapt. 8/2/1713, m. Sarah Allen 7/24/1735 and removed to Concord, MA
Information on descendants of Nathaniel and Mary Bennet continues later on this page.

Mary was b. 3/3/1685, the daughter of Henry and Frances (Burr) Bennett. Nathaniel and Mary resided in Ipswich, MA. After Mary’s death (bef. 1717), Nathaniel m. (2^nd) Reforme (Trescott) Jewett, the widow of Benjamin Jewett of Rowley, MA. Benjamin d. 1/22/1716, having been killed by falling timber at a house raising. Nathaniel d. after 1760.

Nathaniel and Reforme Jewett had the following children.
                      Especially due to the 1736 great smallpox epidemic, it is sadly apparent that Nathaniel and Reforme had great difficulty in raising a family.

1. Mary, bapt. 5/10/1719
2. Margaret, bapt. 3/27/1720, d. 7/19/1736
3. Elizabeth, bapt. 7/15/1722, d. 10/18/1722
4. Elizabeth, bapt. 8/23/1724, d. 3/12/1725
5. Samuel (121), bapt. 6/26/1726, m. Anna Fellows
6. Anna, bapt. 2/23/1728, d. 4/4/1729
7. Thomas, bapt. 12/13/1730, d. 7/31/1736
8. Ebenezer, bapt. 1/25/1732, d. 7/15/1736
9. Sarah, bapt. 3/30/1735, d. 8/25/1736
10. Thomas, bapt. 10/30/1737      

Freeman Knowlton (1608) m. Abigail Hatch

7. William
(197) and Martha Pinder:

1. Lucy b.?, d. young
2. Mary, bapt. 6/7/1730, m. Ezekial Tiffany of Ashford, CT 3/9/1749, d. 11/9/1816
3. William bapt. 10/10/1731, d. young
4. Sarah, bapt. 7/22/1733, m. Joshua Kendall of Ashford
5. William, bapt. 8/10/1735, m. Mehitable Eaton of Ashford
6. Lucy, bapt. 2/20/1737, m. Deacon Abijah Brook of Ashford, d. 4/13/1820
7. Daniel
(424) baptized 12/31/1738 in Boxford, Essex Co., MA, m. (1^st) Elizabeth Farnham of Windham, CT 11/3/1763, (2^nd) Rebecca Fenton of Willington, CT 4/24/1788.
8. Thomas bapt. 11/30/1740, m. Anna Keyes of Ashford, CT 4/5/1759, d. 9/16/1776 at the Battle of Harlem Heights. He is buried where he fell, on the current 143^rd St. On 11/13/1895, a bronze statue of Col. Thomas Knowlton was unveiled on the Capitol grounds in Hartford, CT. In 1995, The Knowlton Award was established as a joint venture between MICA and the U.S. Army Intelligence Center. Named in honor of Lt. Col. Thomas Knowlton, the award recognizes individuals who have contributed significantly to the promotion of Army intelligence in ways that stand out in the eyes of the recipient’s seniors, subordinates and peers. During the Revolution, Gen. George Washington appointed Thomas to raise a regiment known as "Knowlton’s Rangers" expressly for desperate and delicate services. As such, he was the first intelligence officer in the Continental Army.
9. Priscilla bapt. 5/20/1744
10. Nathaniel bapt. 3/9/1746, d. 7/19/1749

 William was a "housewright" and was born in Ipswich where he married Martha. They removed to Ashford, Windham County, CT in May, 1748 where William purchased a 400 acre farm which he later divided among his sons.

Martha was the grand daughter of John Pynder who, at the age of 8, in 1635 arrived with his mother Mary on the "Susan and Ellen", the same ship which brought the Rev. Peter Bulkeley of Odell, County Bedfordshire, wife Grace and children to the New World. Our cousins, Martha, Deborah and Judith Bulkley are direct descendants of Peter Bulkeley. According to Stocking, the Pynders were lineal descendants of the Pynders of County Lincoln, England to whom arms were granted in 1538 (registered in Herald’s College, London).

William d. 3/13/1753 in Ashford, CT and Martha m. (2^nd) Colonel Dean of Taunton, MA and moved there. She d. 5/25/1775 in Taunton.

8. Lt. Daniel
(424) and (1^st) Elizabeth Farnham:

1. Daniel (1041) b. 12/7/1765 at Ashford, CT, m. Betsey Burchard (Birchard) of Ashford, CT 4/4/1793
2. Elizabeth b. 3/24/1768, m. Frederick Chaffee of Ashford, CT
3. Nathaniel b. 12/24/1770, m. Sarah Leach 11/25/1798
4. Manassah b. 12/24/1770, m. (1^st) Lydia Burton, (2^nd) Elizabeth Card, (3^rd) Clarissa Cogswell
5. Ephraim b. 10/3/1773, m. Jemima Farnham of Ashford
6. Martha b. 2/24/1777, m. Charles W. Brandon of Ashford
7. Keziah b. 2/9/1781, m. Amasa Lyon 1/3/1815. Keziah was the mother of Gen. Nathaniel Lyon, Mexican and Civil War commander.
8. Hannah b. 4/19/1783, m. Daniel Knowlton 11/24/1803

Daniel served with distinction in the French and Indian War. He was "distinguished for bravery and daring, particularly as a scout". He fought in northern New York in the vicinity of Forts Edward and Ticonderoga. During Lord Loudon’s expedition to Fort Edward (3/15 - 10/17/1757), he saved the life of Israel Putnam (later a Revolutionary War General, noted for his command of our troops at Bunker Hill) who had been attacked by Indians. Daniel arrived at the defining moment. An Indian was about to remove Putnam’s head with his tomahawk. Daniel came to his friend’s relief and "brought down the redskin by a timely shot from his musket". In June, 1758, Daniel served at Crown Point. Here he captured three men "belonging to a gang of bloodthirsty desperadoes, whose numerous atrocities made them as odious as they were terrible". Deciding it unsafe either to retain or dismiss the prisoners, the captives were hung with "halters", made from the bark of hickory saplings.

Daniel’s first wife, Elizabeth was the daughter of Manassah Farnham of Windham, CT. According to Stocking, she is descended on her father’s side from Sir John Farnham of Quorndon, County Leicester, England, who lived in the reign of Edward I. His arms are registered in Herald’s College. In St. Bartholomew’s Church, Quorndon, there is a Farnham Chapel.

Daniel also served with distinction in the Revolutionary War, initially as an Ensign with Knowlton’s Rangers, commanded by his brother, Thomas. His friend Israel Putnam, before leaving to assist in the relief of Boston, was heard to say, while gazing over to a field in Ashford where Daniel and others were training, "Gad, Zounds, had I only Daniel Knowlton to take with me, I’d lick hell itself". Daniel’s brother, Thomas, fought with General Putnam at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Upon his arrival after the Battle of Lexington, "Old Put" asked Thomas where his older brother was. Thomas responded by telling the General that Daniel had gone in another direction. Putnam remarked "I am sorry that you did not bring him with you; he alone is worth half a company. Such is his courage and lack of fear, I could order him into the mouth of a loaded cannon, and he would go".

In June, 1776, Knowlton’s "Rangers", as part of Chester’s Regiment, were assigned to the 6^th Batallion, Wadsworth’s Brigade reinforcing General Washington in the vicinity of New York City. They participated in the Battle of Harlem Heights on 9/16/1776, where Thomas was killed. Upon hearing of his brother’s death, Daniel exclaimed "We will retrieve my brother’s loss". Daniel participated in the Battle of White Plains on 10/28/1776. For bravery in the field, he was appointed 2nd Lieutenant by the State Assembly. Daniel was taken prisoner at Ft. Washington on 11/26/1776 and was held captive by the British for almost two years, for part of the time on the prison-ship, "Jersey". Upon being exchanged for other prisoners, he was again taken prisoner at the Battle of Horseneck 12/9/1780. In 1782, he was 1^st Lieutenant at Ft. Trumbull, New London, CT. Daniel was discharged from service 7/6/1783.

Primarily due to his treatment by the British while a prisoner, Daniel developed strong anti-British sentiments. While attending services at the Congregational Church at Ashford in later years, Daniel protested the singing of a hymn with the refrain "Give Britain Praise". He never returned!

He has been described as follows: "Bold, stern and intrepid as a lion on the battlefield, he was retiring, non-assertive in private life and inclined to belittle his achievements". Daniel died 5/31/1825 in Ashford from the effects of a fall in his barn. He is buried at Westford Hill Cemetery, Ashford. His gravestone is inscribed as follows:

Lieutenant Daniel Knowlton

A Patriot of the Revolution

Died May 31, 1825, aged 86 yrs.

His first wife, Elizabeth, died 6/1/1786. Daniel married (2^nd) Rebecca Fenton 4/24/1788. They had:

1. Erastus Fenton b. 1/29/1790, m. (1^st) Waite Windsor, (2^nd) Rhoda Gage of Monson, MA 5/16/1820

1. Marvin b. 9/3/1794, m. Calista Leonard 4/19/1820

9. Daniel
(1041) and Betsey Burchard (Birchard):

1. Nathaniel b. 1/7/1794 at Ashford. After this birth, there are no further references in the Ashford Town Records to the children that follow. He m. Temperance Day of Wilbraham, MA 10/6/1818. Was a soldier in the War of 1812
2. Clarissa b. 5/15/1795, d. young
3. Lydia b. 9/21/1797, d. young
4. Phineas b. 11/8/1800 at Wilbraham, MA, d. US Navy, 10/1827
5. Gordon
(2648) b. 7/8/1803 at Wilbraham, m. Arethusa Atwood of Belchertown, MA 11/30/1825
6. Manassah b. 7/30/1805 at Wilbraham, m. Sally Stebbins
7. Calista b. 12/2/1807 at Wilbraham, m. Herman Corbin of Union, CT

Daniel was captain of the militia and died 2/1834, according to Stocking. Betsey was b. 10/11/1768 at Ashford, CT, the daughter of Phineas and Lydia Birchard.

10. Gordon
(2648) and Arethusa Atwood:

1. Orson b. 1/7/1826, m. Julia Collins
2. Harriet b. 12/8/1827, d. 1834
3. Alonzo b. 9/15/1829, d. 11/24/1848
4. Daniel
(5242) b. 9/4/1831, m. (1^st) Sophia R. Lawrence of E. Berkshire, VT 9/16/1855, (2^nd) Caroline Brooks of W. Springfield, MA
5. Sarah J. b. 5/15/1834, d. young
6. Sarah Jane b. 2/4/1836, m. Joseph Dexter, res. Springfield, MA
7. Timothy b. 7/15/1839, m. Eunice Dimock, res. Norwich, CT
8. Alfred d. 2/19/1842, d. young
9. Charles B. b. 12/25/1842, m. Agnes Williams, res. Belchertown, MA
10. Diana A. b. 2/25/1846, m. P. P. McIntyre, res. Belchertown, MA
11. George P. b. 8/19/1849

The spelling of Arethusa’s name (she spelled it "Arrathusa") gave Town Clerks problems as it was variously spelled Arethusia, Arthusia, Arathusa, Arathusia and Aretusa! Arethusa was b. 9/25/1805 in Belchertown, MA, the daughter of John and Hannah (Rice) Atwood. Her father was b.at Spencer, MA. Arethusa had eight brothers and sisters:

1. Anna b. 1/14/1794, d. 6/3/1801
2. Timothy b. 4/3/1796
3. Joseph b. 4/6/1798, d. 9/27/1800
4. Polly b. 10/2/1800
5. Samuel b. 2/27/1803, d. 10/28/1881 at Palmer, MA
6. Anna Maria b. 9/12/1807
7. Joseph b. 5/7/1809, d. 3/3/1889 at Springfield, MA
8. Sarah b. 1/4/1812, m. Jesse Miller 5/15/1852 at Springfield, MA

Arethusa and Gordon were married 11/30/1825 in Belchertown. The name "Arethusa" has its origins in Greek mythology; it is also the name of an orchid. Gordon died 4/7/1857. Arethusa died in Springfield on 1/21/1881, at the age of 75.

11. Daniel
(5242) and Sophia B. Lawrence:

1. Emma Frances
(7067) b. 7/15/1856, m. James Willis Keyes of Springfield, MA 9/11/1877
2. Hattie Sophia b. 2/12/1858, m. Arthur F. Bardwell 11/1879. Arthur was a mechanic and b. 12/24/1859 in Whately, MA. Their first child, Maud, b. 6/19/1881, d. in infancy.

Daniel m. (1^st) Sophia B. Lawrence of E. Berkshire, VT on 9/16/1855 in Somers, CT. According to the Springfield death records, Sophia died 2/12/1858 aged "24 yr., 3 mo., 23 days". The cause of death was "child birth". She is buried in Wilbraham. Daniel m. (2^nd) Caroline Brooks of W. Springfield, MA on 5/14/1860. According to the 1860 Springfield City Directory, Daniel was farming and residing at the "cor. of 16 acres and Boston Rd."

Responding to President Abraham Lincoln’s July 1, 1862 call for 300,000 volunteers, Daniel enlisted in Springfield on August 19^th (from July 21^st) for 3 years military service (Names of Officers & Soldiers Enlisted from Springfield during the Rebellion Commenced April 12^th, 1861, on file in City Hall, Springfield, MA) and collected a $25 bounty. Daniel gave his occupation as "painter". He mustered-in as a Private in Captain Algernon S. Flagg’s Company (later Co. ‘D’) of the 37^th Reg’t Mass. Inf. on September 2nd at Camp Briggs, Pittsfield, MA.

Under the command of Col. (later Brig. Gen.) Oliver Edwards, the 37^th was composed principally of men (initially, 1,062) from the four Western counties of Massachusetts, Hampden County furnishing 259. The regiment left Pittsfield for the front on September 7^th, and after a short encampment on Arlington Heights (nr. Washington, D. C.) joined the Army of the Potomac, under the command of Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, then encamped in Maryland, a few miles from the battlefield of Antietam. The 37^th participated in the subsequent movements of that Army, forming a part of the VI Corps. The Regiment’s first battlefield experience came at Fredericksburg (December 13, 1862), where the 37^th formed a part of the 3^rd Division (Brig. Gen John Newton), VI Corps (Brig. Gen William T.H. Brooks), Left Grand Division (Maj. Gen. William B. Franklin) of the Army of the Potomac then under the command of Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside (for whom the "sideburn" was named).

They fought with distinction at the Battle of Chancellorsville (May 1-4, 1863) where the Corps stormed the supposedly impregnable Marye’s Heights (the same Heights which had defied the Union Army at the Battle of Fredericksburg less than five months earlier and which were defended by six Brigades under the command of Confederate Maj. Gen. Jubal Early, with artillery support) and fought at Salem Church.

After a prodigious 19 hour, 34 mile march, the Corps reached Gettysburg on July 2, 1863. See the Appendices for excerpts describing the VI Corps’ involvement at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. The 37^th, along with others, was rushed to New York City on July 31^st to assist in quelling the draft riots. During their time in New York, 47 members of the 37^th deserted ("confined almost entirely to the foreign-born element", according to the History of the Thirty-Seventh Regiment Mass. Volunteers in the Civil War of 1861-1865, by James L. Bowen, 1884). "Foreign-born" meant Irish. The 37^th returned to the front on October 14, 1863.

Daniel also participated in engagements at Franklin’s Crossing (6/5/1863), Rappahannock Station (11/7/1863) and Mine Run (11/30/1863).

On April 13, 1864, Daniel transferred to the Navy by Special Order No. 98 of the Army of the Potomac. He was assigned to the U.S.S. (Bark) "Gem of the Sea", a wooden sailing vessel of 371 tons, 116’ in length, which had been purchased by the government for $15,000 in 1861. On 4/14/1864, the "Gem of the Sea" shipped out of Baltimore bound for Charlotte Harbor, Florida (where Daniel was stationed) to participate in blockade duties as part of the East Gulf Blockading Squadron. On April 27^th, the "Gem" was off Charleston, South Carolina. On February 1, 1865, it was "ordered north for repairs".

During his Naval service, Daniel was to contract chronic diarrhea. He was discharged at New York on 5/12/1865 and was awarded a pension of $4/month. According to the medical report of S. W. Leach, Surgeon, U.S.N., Daniel "……has been afflicted with diarrhea chronica for the last four months. I am of the opinion that it was caused by the weakening influence of intermittent fever combined with the action of malaria atmospheric, vicissitudes to which he was exposed to in the line of duty." He was muster-out at Hall’s Hill, VA on 6/21/1865 and awarded the remainder on his bounty, being $75. Daniel died 3/31/1866 in Springfield of the foregoing malady. The April 2^nd Daily Republican carried a notice of Daniel’s death with the following: "Funeral from his late residence today (Monday) at 1 o’clock p.m."

At the time of the 1880 Census, Caroline Knowlton was residing on Boston Rd., five houses removed from William L. Keyes, his children, daughter-in-law (Emma), etc., with her daughter Addie L. Adams and grandson, Clarence. Daniel was Caroline’s second husband.

From a noted professional genealogist:

"After spending several “fun” evenings on the Gibson ancestry, I am happy to report verified multiple royal or noble lines of descent 
through the Gibson, Knowlton, Swett, Whitton, Whipple, Tutt,  Metzger, Hutchinson, Putnam, Shackelford and Pendleton family lines."

"Tom is a cousin  to both HRH Prince Charles of Wales, and the former Princes Diana of Wales.
His sons, Chris and Jon Gibson are double cousins to Princes William and Harry.  
Tom is also a multiple 9th cousin to both George and Laura Bush."

"Tom's ancestors are descended, via New England immigrants to the Philadelphia area, Susquehanna Valley in Pennsylvania, and northern Virginia, 
from a plethora of Mayflower passengers and New England colonial ancestors. 
I suspect Tom has more documented Mayflower blood ancestors than anyone else on the face of the earth."

Presidential Families of America
First Families of America
First Families of Virginia
Established Families in America
National Society of the Sons of Colonial New England
National Society of Sons of American Colonists
National Society of Old Plymouth Colony Descendants
Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
Descendants of the Knights of Bath
Descendants of British Royal Families
Military Order Of The Crusades
Hereditary Society Blue Book
Order of the Crown in America
Order of the Crown of Charlemagne in the United States of America
Baronial Order of the Magna Carta
General Society of Mayflower Descendants (GSMD)
Mayflower Society
Society of Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims
Society of Americans with Multiple Mayflower Ancestors (Life Member) (SAMMA Founding Member)

Society of Descendants of Founders of Jamestown Colony
Society of Descendants of Founders of Plymouth Colony

Society of Descendants of Founders of Popham Colony
Society of Descendants of Founders of Roanoke Colony
Society of Descendants of Founders of Martha's Vineyard Island
Society of Descendants of Early American Quakers
Society of Descendants of Colonial Clergy
Order Of Descendants of Colonial Physicians and Chirurgiens
Order Of  Descendants Of Colonial Governors

FOUNDERS & PATRIOTS
SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE PILGRIMS (S&D PILGRIMS)
Sons and Daughters of Early American Witches
Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution (SAR Member) Dad was an SAR member, Mom is an active DAR member.
Sons and Daughters of the War of 1812
Sons of the US Civil War (North and South)
Order of the Founders and Patriots of America
Order of Americans of Armorial Ancestry

New England Society of New York

General Society of Colonial Wars
Flagon & Trencher: Descendants of Colonial Tavern Keepers
Welsh Society of Philadelphia
Order of Indian Wars in the United States of America     (many ancestors)
General Society, Sons of the Revolution, (GSSR Member) My father, grandfather and great grandfather were members
General Society of the Sons of the American Revolution  (more than 18 ancestors)
National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (more than 18 ancestors)
Descendants of Mexican War Veterans (4 GGGG Grandfathers)
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (1 GG Grandfather) and (2 GGG Grandfathers)
Order of The First World War (Grandfather)  (U. S. ARMY)
Order of The Second World War (Father) (Lt., U. S. Marines)
Military Order of the World Wars (Father and Grandfather)
Military Order of Foreign Wars of the United States (Self)
Vietnam War Veterans (Self)
Veterans of Foreign Wars (The VFW) (Self) (Life Member)
MICA, Military Intelligence Corp Association  (Life Member) MICA is the organization that maintains the Knowlton Award
American Legion (self)
Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts
Society of Descendants of Knights of the Garter
Order Of The Honorable Artillery Company Inc.
Royal Society of Saint George
Sons of the American Legion

                  Your Name
You got it from your father, it was all he had to give. 
So it's yours to use and cherish, for as long as you may live. 
If you lose the watch he gave you, it can always be replaced. 
But a black mark on your name, son, can never be erased. 
It was clean the day you took it, and a worthy name to bear.
When he got it from his father, there was no dishonor there. 

So make sure you guard it wisely, after all is said and done.
You'll be glad the name is spotless, when you give it to your son.

Thomas K. Gibson is a member of  these organizations.

Boy Scouts of America, 25 years service, Former Scout Master, Unit Commissioner, York City District Commissioner.
Intercollegiate Broadcasting System, 35 years service, Senior Vice President and Director of Engineering.
WVYC Radio, 37 years service, Founder, Faculty Advisor and Supervisor, Director of Engineering.
Shohola Museum of Communications and Technology, Founder and Curator.
Society of Broadcast Engineers, 25 years service, Officer and Committee Chair.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Deacon, Church Council, Lay Assisting Minister, and Committee Chair.
York Amateur Radio Club, member since 1972, Past President and Director of Education.
Camp Shohola Amateur Radio Club, 43 years member, Founder, President and Trustee.

Camp Shohola Scholarship Foundation, Honored member for fifty years of service.
Pennsylvania Industrial Heritage Society, 35 years, current president and member of the Board of Trustees.

York Heritage Trust, member since 1972 and public speaker.
Naval Order of the United States (Life Member)

Veterans of Foreign Wars (Honored Life Member)
MICA, Military Intelligence Corp Association  (Life Member) MICA is the organization that maintains the Knowlton Award
Society of Americans with Multiple Mayflower Ancestors (Life Member) (SAMMA Founding Member)

Tom was recently featured on a front page article in "Radio World" Magazine for his contributions to the industry.
He was also recently recognized for 50 years at Camp Shohola with a gold watch, rocking chair and the "Argus" dedication.

Tom was recently featured on a front page article in "Radio World" Magazine.

A short note from a noted professional genealogist who questioned our incredible family history and pedigree:

"After spending several “fun” evenings on the Gibson ancestry, I am happy to report verified multiple Royal or noble lines of descent 
through the Gibson, Knowlton, Swett, Whitton, Whipple, Tutt,  Metzger, Cushman, Hutchinson, Putnam, Shackelford and Pendleton family lines."

"Tom's ancestry is unique in his direct multiple descent from founders of all of the principle early English colonization attempts of our country."

"Tom's ancestors are descended, via New England immigrants to the Philadelphia area, Susquehanna Valley in Pennsylvania, and northern Virginia, 
from a plethora of Mayflower passengers, New England colonial ancestors and founders of Jamestown, Virginia. 
I suspect Tom and his children have more documented Mayflower blood ancestors than anyone else on the face of the earth."

"Tom is a ninth cousin to both HRH Prince Charles of Wales, and Diana, the former Princess of Wales.
His sons, Chris and Jon Gibson are double cousins to Princes William and Harry.  
Tom is also a multiple 9th cousin to both George and Laura Bush."

Update: President Barack Obama, George Bush, and Thomas K. Gibson are all direct descendants of Samuel Hinckley and Sarah Soole.
The letter to the Obama girls from the bush twins, Barbara and Jenna, is actually to their cousins Malia and Sasha. (I wonder if they know it.)
Chris and Jon, the letter is also very relevant to both of you.  It is well written and has a superb message that is meaningful and poignant.

With more than thirty direct Mayflower ancestors, at least ten more by marriage, 
and more than fifty blood lines to the founders of the Plymouth Plantation,
our immediate family is extremely unique in our multiple descent from the "first arrivals" of the Plymouth Colony.

If you have an Ancestry.com account, or are willing to sign up for a free one, you are invited to view our complete family tree.
It is one of the largest on the web, with more than 160,000 entries in 52,000 families, many going back more than 2000 years.
The Ancestry.com listing includes hundreds of Royal and Noble ancestors, more than 800 images, stories and descriptions, and thousands of citations.
A few of the older listing on Ancestry.com (before 1500) are in error due to their "One World Tree" systematic approach, always verify your sources.

Please view our complete family tree on Rootsweb.com, with more than 160,000 entries in 52,000 families.
We have family trees posted on five other genealogy web sites including Genealogy.com and Genes Reunited.com, all created from "One World Tree".
With hundreds of links to published royal family trees, we have identified more than 12 million ancestors, obviously one of the largest family trees on the web.

Thanks for reading and sharing our genealogy pages, 
Our E-mail address is GibsonFamily@mayflowerman.com
Tom is a Professor at York College of Pennsylvania, Museum Curator, 
Telecommunications Manager, Radio Engineer, Summer Camp Director,
IBS Corporate Vice President, and founder of SAMMA,
the Society of Americans with Multiple Mayflower Ancestors.
He is a decorated Vietnam Veteran and life member of the VFW, 
Veterans of Foreign Wars, and has been active in scouting for more than 25 years.

Tom is a professional lecturer and a long time member of the York College Speakers Bureau. 
His many talks include, Identifying Many Myths of Plymouth Plantation, General Arthur St. Clair,
The Real Causes of the Salem Witch Trials, Forgotten Founders of Colonial America,
Bartholomew Gosnold, Founder of  Jamestown, Judge Edmund Pendleton, Father of Our Country,
and Colonel Thomas Knowlton, the First American Spy.

Do you have more than ten, direct blood related, Mayflower ancestors?  
E-mail SAMMA@mayflowerman.com for information in joining SAMMA, the Society of Americans with Multiple Mayflower Ancestors.
If approved for membership, you will receive a handsome gold bordered certificate suitable for framing,
and optionally, having your name placed on a web page listing your total number of Mayflower ancestors.
Member will also receive periodic e-mail newsletters.

These pages have received the prestigious "Preserving Our Family History Award".

WOW, you actually made it this far on the page!

Who is Tom Gibson?  I'm a been there, done that guy.  I have.....

placed hidden and encoded secret messages all over these web pages.