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KNAPP

In 1911 Oswald Greenwaye Knapp, M.A. wrote a book "A History of the Chief English Families bearing the Name of Knapp". However the major part of this chapter has been based on research by Paul White, also wills and the published family pedigrees prepared in the 16th and 17th Centuries at the Herald's "Visitations".

It may also be noted that Thomas Knappe (born c.1350), merchant selling wool and cloth abroad in France and Spain, was Bailiff at Bristol (1377), Member of Parliament (1386), Mayor of Bristol (1388/92/97, 1400/04), suggesting a slight possibility that the Suffolk Knapp family originated as merchants in Bristol. Thomas Knappe, Burgess of Bristol, died in 1404 and his will included references to his brother William, his late wife Avice/Agnes, and servant Avice Knappe ("50 pounds for her marriage"). He also had a daughter Margery, who married John Droyes (Mayor of Bristol, 1406/14). It would appear therefore that Thomas had no male issue, but that this brother William probably had at least one child, a daughter Avice.

Entries marked IGI appear on the International Genealogical Index and have not been confirmed at source

[KNAP571] William Knapp m. Jilian
. [KNAP581] Robert Knapp m. [POLY582] Margaret Poley
. . [KNAP591] John Knapp m. [BLOS592] Martha Blosse
. . . [KNAP601] John Knapp m. [HOWA602] Elizabeth Howard
. . . . [KNAP611] James Knapp m. Mary
. . . . . [KNAP622] Mary Knapp m. [WODS621] John Woods

13.  [KNAP571] William Knapp, as it is supposed, was married to Jilian, and they probably had only one child:

• 12. [KNAP581] Robert, see later.

William, as it is supposed, died and afterwards Jilian married 2. William Aldham.

William Aldham died at Brome (1540), and the beneficiaries under his will included:

• Jelian his wife -- (to receive 7 mylche keen, 6 yearlings, 2 calves, 20 sheep, swine, geese, capons and hens, wheat, corn & malt, 4 spoons, household utensils and implements);

• Robert Knapp -- (13s. 4d, plus a further 10s. as one of the executors);

• John Knapp, son of Robert -- (10s.) [This John would have been the John known as John the elder, implying that the later children of Robert were all born after this will was made (17th February 1740). John the elder was married prior to 1552, and in fact already had 2 children by then, so was born presumably before 1530].

When "Gelyan" died, the executor of her will was her son Robert Knappe (who had married Margaret Poley), and the several references therein to "son's child" etc mean "Robert's child". The chief beneficiaries were as follows:

• Edmund Knappe, son's child -- (£4);

• John the younger, son's child -- (£4);

• Robarde, son's child -- (£4);

• Thomas, son's child -- (£4);

• Myrable Knappe, son's daughter -- (£6. 13s. 4d. at marriage; featherbed; 2 pairs of sheets);

• John Knappe, son's eldest son -- (20s);

• Joane, wife of John the eldest son -- (gown);

• John, child of John the eldest son -- (6s. 8d);

• Robard, child of John the eldest son -- (6s. 8d).

The only child of Robert not mentioned was George, presumably born after the will was made (27th March 1552). All the other children were minors.

In accordance with the will of Jilian's second husband, William Aldham, the beneficiaries included:

• Jelian, wife -- (7 mylche keen, 6 yearlings, 2 calves, 20 sheep, swine, geese, capons & hens, gelding, wheat, corn & malt, 4 spoons, household utensils & implements, 10 marks);

• Robert Knapp -- (13s. 4d);

• John Knapp, son of Robert -- (10s).

12.  [KNAP581] Robert Knapp of Needham married 1. [POLY582] Margaret Poley (see POLEY). They had seven children:

• John the elder (1530), married Joan. (Although John was a beneficiary in Gelyan's will, his share was small. He also figured in Robert's will, see later. However he does not appear in the Pedigree listing, so it would appear he was perhaps illegitimate);

• Edmund (1540, based on age 69 when died in 1609), "son & heir", married 1. (at Nedging, 2nd November 1562 IGI) Bridget Munninges; then 2. (at Stonham Parva, 25th November 1568 IGI) Elizabeth Woodstock;

• 11. [KNAP591] John the younger (1543), "2nd son", see later;

• Robert (1546), "3rd son", married Christian Browne;

• Thomas (1548), "4th son", was a merchant in Ipswich (died 1631);

• Myrable (1550), married (at Wetheringsett, 21st June 1563 IGI) Robert Hovel alias Smith of Ashfield;

• George (1553), "youngest son".

Margaret died, and afterwards Robert married 2. (at Wetheringsett, 1st July 1560) Ann Horsman, widow. Robert, an Esquire, died at Wetheringsett (will made September 1563, proved May 1564.) A special request in his will was that "No child of mine to benefit by my will if he sues my executors for any legacy given to him by my late mother Jilian Aldame". This clause may have something to do with his son "John the elder". The chief beneficiaries of Robert's will were as follows:

• Anne his wife, late widow of Robert Horseman -- (£10 annuity for life from lands and tenements called Studdes in Needham & Barking, and after Anne's death this passes to John the younger; £5 annuity for life from lease of Bishoppes Hall in Battisford, and after Anne’s death this annuity passes to son George; close called Buttoler containing 6.5 acres purchased of Anthony Lockwood);

• John the younger, son -- (tenement and land called The Fenn with one close called Pond Closse in towns and fields of Barking, Creeting, Battisford & Badley; featherbed; quarter of residue);

• Robert, son -- (lands & tenements called Bungeons & hawl in towns of Barking, Creeting & Battisford, free & copyhold; meadow called Gruchin in Barking; lease in Northey; lands, tenements, woods & underwoods purchased of Robert Colchester the younger; featherbed; quarter of residue);

• Thomas, son -- (lands in Coddenham called The Pole; after 10 years, meadow in Creeting purchased of Mr Alnutt; featherbed; quarter of residue);

• John the elder, son -- (lands in Needham field & lands in Bosberowe, free & copyhold; lease of Bosberowe);

• George, son (under 21) -- (lands & tenements purchased of Henry Aylin called Masons, Kings & Collyers in Battisford & Combes; best bed; quarter of residue);

• children of John the elder -- (6s. 8d. when 21);

• Mirable, daughter -- (copper cauldron).

11.  [KNAP591] John the younger Knapp (born 1543) of Ipswich, married (at Ipswich, 1563) [BLOS592] Martha "Bloyse" (born 1540, see BLOSSE). He was a merchant and portman of Ipswich, where they had eleven children:

• John, died young;

• 10. [KNAP601] John, "2nd son & heir", see later;

• Thomas "3rd son", married Katharine Barker;

• Margaret, married John Barron of Essex;

• Mary, married John Randes of Ipswich;

• Martha, married James Palmer a draper of London (mentioned later);

• Elizabeth, married 1. Thomas Woodgate of Ipswich; then 2. Revd. Richard Holmested of Dinington, Norfolk;

• Anne, married (at Ipswich, 17th February 1605 IGI) Newman Rookes of London;

• Judith, married William Hobart of Essex;

• Dorcas, married (at Belstead 1612) Revd. Robert Stansbye;

• Phebe, remained unmarried.

John purchased New Place in Stoke, near Ipswich, from Edward Sulyard (September 1576), where the family afterwards resided. John died at Ipswich (May 1604). There was a plaque to John in St. Peter's Church, Ipswich. The description in "County Churches: Suffolk" by T. Hugh Bryant (1912) reads:

"In the S. aisle is a brass bearing the effigies of a civilian in ruff and fur-lined gown, and his wife in calash and embroidered petticoat; there are groups of 4 sons, two of them in cloaks, and 8 daughters, five of them in hats, shield, and mantling, and inscription to John Knapp, merchant and portman, 1604, and Martha his wife."

The inscription on the brass itself reads:

HERE LYETH THE BODY OF IOHN KNAPP MARCHAT

AND PORTMAN OF THIS TOWNE OF IPSWICH WHO

DYED YE SECOND DAY OF MAYE ANNO 1604 AND HAD

ISSVE BY MARTHA HIS WIFE 4 SONES & 8 DAVGHTERS

The Knapp coat of arms above the brass has "three close helmets above a lion passant".

By John's will, the beneficiaries included:

• Martha his wife -- (house in occupation of testator, & houses, yards, gardens, etc. in St. Peter's Ipswich, and after Martha's death this passes to daughter Mary and her husband John Randes; also tenement in occupation of Robert Barwicke, in St. Mary Key [viz St. Mary-at-Quay, Ipswich], and after Martha's death this passes to son Thomas; also lands & houses in Stoke next Ipswich, free & copyhold, and after Martha's death this passes to son John; also house & lands called "Parnells" in Ipswich, Kesgrave, Rushmere & Playford, and this passes to son Thomas when he is 21; also rent from rent charge purchased of Robert Sampson, esqr, at Netherhall, in Harsteed, Suffolk. [Query Harkstead];

• Mary, his daughter, and her husband John Randes -- (part occupation of house bequested to Martha by testator, & houses, yards, gardens, etc. in St. Peter's Ipswich)

• Marye, daughter -- (an additional £100);

• Elizabeth, daughter -- (£300; also house, purchased on John & Richard Smith, in Stowe Markett, Suffolk);

• Anne, daughter -- (£200; also house in S. Peter's Ipswich bought of Edmond Harrold);

• Judith, Dorcas and Phebe, three youngest daughters -- (£200 apiece; also after Martha's death, £100 from house bequested to Martha by testator, & houses, yards, gardens, etc. in St. Peter's Ipswich);

• Thomas, son -- (lands in Battisford bought of brother, George Knappe; also £100 when 21);

• John, son -- (£50 per annum from lands & houses in Stoke next Ipswich during his mother's lifetime; also lands in Sproughton ("??? Hilles Farme") purchased of Edward Cage & Richard Alexander, gents.

Martha died at Ipswich (1612).

10.  [KNAP601] John Knapp the younger's son, known as "John of Stoke-juxta-Ipswich", married [HOWA602] Elizabeth Howard (see HOWARD). They had seven children:

• Elizabeth, died young (before 1612);

• Margaret (baptised at Stoke St. Mary, Ipswich, 28th September 1608), married James Palmer of Widnesham, Norfolk;

• Martha (born 1612);

• Edmund (born c.1613), latterly a gentleman;

• John (baptised at Stoke St. Mary, Ipswich, 26th October 1613);

• 9. [KNAP611] James, see later;

• William, Clerk in Holy Orders M.A., married (at Bentley, 1662) Margaret daughter of John Tesdale.

John, a gentleman, received New Place in Stoke (1615). He immediately conveyed this property to James Palmer (December 1615). John was last noted at Kenninghall, Norfolk.

9.  [KNAP611] James Knapp and his wife Mary had (at least) four children born and baptised at Winfarthing, Norfolk, as follows:

• James (baptised 18th April 1649);

• 8. [KNAP622] Mary (baptised 1st January 1651-52), see later;

• William (baptised 19th January 1659-60);

• Charles (baptised 1st March 1665-66).

James (a gentleman) died intestate at Winfarthing (buried there 16th April 1678), and Administration of his estate was granted to his widow Mary.

• 8. [KNAP622] Mary Knapp (born 1651) married (between1685-88) [WODS621] John Woods (born 1646, see WOODS).