Notable Knights

Notable Knight Kin

Nehemiah Knight, Congressman, 1803-1808

Nehemiah Rice Knight, Governor, Rhode Island, 1817-21

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Nehemiah Knight - Congress 1803-1808

"KNIGHT, Nehemiah, representative, was born in Knightsville, Cranston, R.I., April 13, 1746. He was educated in the common school and became a farmer. He was town clerk, 1773-1800, and was succeeded by his son Jeremiah Knight, who held the office, 1800-20. He was appointed by the general assembly of Rhode Island to take an active part in providing means for carrying on the war of the Revolution, and was elected a representative in the general assembly in 1783 and again in 1787. He was sheriff of Providence county for several years and was elected by the anti-Federalist party a representative in the 8th, 9th and 10th congresses, serving, 1803-08. He was married, Aug. 8, 1762, to Eleanor Hudson, of Johnston, R.I., and they had sons—Jeremiah, Daniel and Nehemiah Rice (q.v.) He died at Knightsville, Cranston, R.I., June 15, 1808."

The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans: Volume VI

Nehemiah was descended from our ancestor (and therefore a cousin to all of us, unless he's an ancestor to you), by: Richard > Jonathon > Richard > Jeremiah.

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Nehemiah Rice Knight, Governor Rhode Island 1817-21, US Senator, 1821-1841.

"KNIGHT, Nehemiah Rice, senator, was born in Knightsville, Cranston, R.I., Dec. 31, 1780; son of Nehemiah and

Eleanor (Hudson) Knight. In 1801 he was chosen to represent the town of Cranston in the general assembly of Rhode Island. He removed to Providence in 1802, and was clerk of the court of common pleas for the county, 1805-11: clerk of the circuit court for the district of Rhode Island, 1812-17, and collector of customs by appointment from President Madison, 1812-17. He was elected governor of Rhode Island by the anti-Federalist party and held the office by annual re-election, 1817-21. While chief executive he repeatedly recommended measures to the legislature for the establishment of public schools throughout the state and urged the necessity of free common schools. He was elected to the U.S. senate from Rhode Island in 1821 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the Hon. James Burrill, and served by re-election until March 4, 1841. He was an active delegate to the state constitutional convention in 1848, and then retired to private life. He was president of the Roger Williams bank of Providence, R.I., 1817-54. He died at Providence, R.I., April 18, 1854."

The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans: Volume VI

Nehemiah Rice was descended from our ancestor (and therefore a cousin to all of us, unless he's an ancestor to you), by: Richard > Jonathan > Richard > Jeremiah > Nehemiah.

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Related Links:

The Political Graveyard have listed the graves of the two Nehemiah's above.

Return to the Knight Index of this site.

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