Descendants of Thomas Knower


Generation No. 3


4. SARAH3 KNOWER (THOMAS2, THOMAS1) was born 1622 in St Clements', Eastcheap, London, England, and died Aft. 1679 in Malden, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She married WILLIAM BUCKNAM Bef. 1641 in Malden, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.

Notes for SARAH KNOWER:
Sarah Knower came over as a servant of Rev. Jose Glover (Hence the family name "Joses"). Jose Glover's will mentions William Bucknam? Sarah and William are buried in "The Old Yard " in Malden.

Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, vol. II, pg. 262; Glover, Joses, rector, it is said, of Sutton, in Surry, made contr. 7 June 1638, with Stephen Day of Cambridge, Eng. to come over with w. ch. and serv. in the John of London, at exp. of Glover, his design being to set up a printing press here; d. on the pass. and his wid. m. Henry Dunster, after. the first Presid. of Harv. Coll. His eldest s. Roger was a capt. k. in the civil war at Edinburg, it is said; John, above ment. is the only other s.; but three ds. were fixed in our country; Eliz. w. of Adam Winthrop, wh. d. early; Sarah, w. of Deane Winthrop; and Priscilla, w. of John Appleton. Sometimes he is called Jesse; by President Quincy and many others, Joseph; but the stranger name prevails. Of course, he had no claim to be insert. in these pages, as inhab. of N.E. where he never came, but eminent. are his righteous intent. to be honor. in his relat. to our country by his childr. m. and his own d. on the ocean would make ommiss. inexcus.

Notes for WILLIAM BUCKNAM:
He immigrated in 1630 in Gov.Craddock's Fleet. He was a joiner. He was brought to build the Craddock house, which is still standing as a museum, in Medford, Mass. He settled in Rumney Marsh (now Chelsea), then later in Malden, both in Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. He settled in Malden in 1647 and on what is now Bucknam Street in Malden (annexed to Everett) in 1649.
       His will was made June 3, 1667, with a codicil February 5, 1678, and proved June 17, 1679. He mentions his first born son John, his wife Sarah that is now, and his first wife, John's mother. John was taken by his grandmother and served her as an apprentice till he as 21. He had a portion from his grandmother instead of the portion due me in right of his mother, amounting to 20. He gave his wife Sarah his dwelling; names his son Joses, her eldest son; his son William, and my brother George "Knore". Son John to have 5. My other children, viz.: Edward, Samuel, Mercie, Sara and Mehitable, 10 each. To son Samuel, being weakly, 10. To daughter Elizabeth 10s., having given her her portion at marriage. Wife Sarah to be sole executrix. Mr. Joseph Hills and Capt. John Wayte to be overseers. (Middlesex C., Probate #3406)
       He built a house in Bucknam's Lane (now Bucknam Street, Everett) before 1675; demolished in 1875.
Sarah Knower came over as a servant of Rev. Jose Glover (Hence the family name "Joses"). Jose Glover's will mentions William Bucknam? Sarah and William are buried in "The Old Yard " in Malden.

Directory of the Ancestral Heads of New England Families 1620-1700 lists the following:
Buckman, William came from Ipswich, Mass., to Salem, Mass., 1632; removed to Chelsea, Mass., and was, in 1664, at Malden, Mass.
Bucknam, William located at what is now Malden, Mass., 1647.

The Everett Historical Society published a pamphlet Feb. 5 1981 entitled The Bucknam- Swan House by Julia Rich Hogan (available at the Parlin Memorial Library in Everett, Mass.)
       Bucknam Street in Everett is a very historic street. It was the location of the first permanant settlement here, not including the settlement made by Indians. Known originally as Bucknam's Lane, it was simply a country lane which led to a house first known as the Bucknam house and later as the Swan house. It also led to the Bucknam farm, a large piece of property in the area of the present- day Wall, Stuart, Dean, Andrew, Swan, and Kinsman Streets. The farm's boundary on the west was where Wall and Tappan Streets now run; on the north, where Hancock Street is; on the east, Swan Street, and on the south, Bucknam Street. It contained at least twenty-four acres, and probably more. None of the streets that now line this area were in existence at the time of this settlement.
       William Bucknam is believed to have been the first permanent settler in this area. His family arrived in the colony in 1630. He was born in England in 1602 and was twenty-eight years of age when he arrived on these shores. He became a freeman of Charlestown in 1647. It is important in determining where William Bucknam lived to remember that the area that is now Everett was part of Charlestown until 1726, when half of the area that is now Everett was annexed to Malden, including the area where the Bucknam farm was located. William Bucknam's son Joses was one of the petitioners for annexation to Malden. In 1760, thirty families lived on this land that had been made part of Malden.
       William Bucknam boasted in his will that he had purchased all of the parcels of land which comprised his farm (meaning that they had not been granted free to him). This land was part of the Freat Lot of Francis Willoughby. It was not, however, upon the Willoughby land that William, a carpenter, built his homestead. The Willoughby land acquired by William consisted of twenty acres. William purchased an additional four acres, probably from Francis Atwood, Esq., who had a large grant "this side of the Mystic River" given to him by the Crown, and it was on this four-acre plot that William built his homestead, according to his will.
       This homestead was occupied by William's descendants for one hundred years. The timbers, hewn with an axe, were oak. The cellar was cobblestone. The house was lined between the studdings with large hand-made bricks of clay. Immense oak timbers spanned the entire breadth of the house. Every nail was of iron wrought by hammer and nail. William's grandson, Lieutenant Samuel Bucknam, built an addition to the original house, enclosing the original house in the northwest corner of the new structure. This structure was a two-story mansion-type house with an ell on the east. There was an ornamental chimney on top. About 1825 layers of birch bark were found on the roof between the boards and the moss-covered shingles.
       The house was demolished in 1875, still in a state of good preservation, and by 1893 only a remnant of the original house remained. The date established for the erection of the original house by some historians is 1630. The first extant deed is dated 1649. It would seem, therefore, that the house was built between 1630 and 1649.
       There were several brooks of running water on the estate. A great quantity of clam shells, probably left by Indians, was dug up on the property. Such names as "Lower Orchard", "Upper Orchard", "Baiting Ground", "Pasture Land", Gravel Pit", "Meadow Land", and "Button Wood" were associated with the estate, and it was in the general area of what was then known as Johnson's Playne.
       At the time the house was demolished there was a road from the house to the main street which was bordered by a stone wall (from which wall the present Wall Street is said to have derived its name). To the right of the house at the time of its demolition there still stood an old pear tree which had been brought over from England in 1630 and which bore fruit for 225 years, until 1855. A few years before 1875 the tree was struck by lightning and the trunk split. Around 1872 or 1873 fresh branches started to grow, and in 1874 blossoms once again appeared on the tree.
       The Bucknam farm was a slave farm. In the days of slavery it was one of the largest slave farms in the northeast. It s said, however, that slaves in New England were looked upon more as companions than as bond-servants. At that time there were other slave farms in what is now Everett. The Blaney family, for example, had a slave farm, as did other settlers. The story is told that many times old Captain Bucknam marched down the road from his house at the head of his band of Negro slaves that had been captured from the Spanish and French. There is no explanation for his title of "Captain". No date is given and therefore it is impossible to determine to which Bucknam it referred. In 1796 Benjamin Bucknam, great-grandson of William Bucknam, owned a slave named Samson. In 1693 William Bucknam, son of the first William, freed his slave William Shan.
       According to an article in the MALDEN MIRROR of August 14, 1855, the last two slaves who lived on the Bucknam estate were called Pomp and Samp, but they rejected those names. The article also says that Pomp and Seser were fiddlers at a country frolic in 1777. A verse in the posession of the Swan family in 1899 confirms that these two took part in the frolic. The verse reads:
              there were five cobblers made a frolic
              as one was taken with the collick
              the fiddlers name was Pomp or Seser
              and dauid (they?) danced with a mop squeser (squeezer?)
       William Bucknam married twice. His first wife was Sarah Wilkinson, who died about 1639. His second wife was Sarah Knower. He drew his will on June 3, 1667, with a codicil on February 5, 1678 (Cambridge Registry of Probate, Book 3406 First Series). We can conclude, therefore, that he died between February 5, 1678 and June 17, 1679. He is undoubtedly buried in Bell Rock Cemetery. His son William, Jr. is also buried in Bell Rock Cemetery, and on his gravestone is this inscription: "Here lyes ye body of William Bucknam, aged 41 years, died September ye 17, 1693."
       The microfilm copy of the will of William Bucknam Sr. leaves much to be desired in terms of clarity, but from what can be read the will indicates a great deal of pathos over his first-born son, John. Here is a portion of the will:
....Concerning my first-born, I hereby declare the true grounds and just reasons for the several gifts and legacies to my wife and children, as stated, and why no more is settled or stated on my son, John, my first-born....expenses for him in his infancy...also paid out of this woman's portion...this son, John, was after taken by his grandmother from me...he came to Abelair(?)... and on her desire bound as an apprentice to her till he should be (of age?)...that I had no help of his to the caring of my estate...he also with my consent...from his grandmother instead of the portion due to me in the right of his mother....his things thus promised...
       William Bucknam's will reveals a very strong religious bent. He calls upon God to be with him always, and thanks him for his success in life and in the raising of his family. He then lists his bequests, cutting off with a gift of only five pounds his son John by his first marriage. To his second wife Sara he bequeaths, for six months, his homestead and a five acre plot "by the old houseplott," and all his "meddow" ground. At the end of the six months she was to give half of the twenty acres, half of the five acres, and half of the meadow to their son Joses, the eldest son of his second marriage.
       The children of William Bucknam were born between 1639 and 1659. The birthplace of the first two children is unknown; the other children were born in Malden (now Everett). There were nine children in all: John, Joses, Mercy, Sarah, William, Mehitable, Elizabeth, Edward, and Samuel. Joses became his principal heir, but William,Jr. and Edward also received land from their father. Samuel was described as weakly. William made a gift of money to his daughters.
       Lieutenant Joses Bucknam was the ancestor of the Malden (now Everett) Bucknam family and of the Swan family of Everett which intermarried with the Bucknams. Joses' wife was Judith Worth, who is referred to by him in his will as "Jude." Joses Bucknam lived with his family of eight children in the Bucknam homestead. Their names were: Joses B., Hannah, Samuel, Jude, Susanna, William, Edward, and Lydia. He drew his will on August 14, 1694, bequeathing to his son Samuel the Bucknam homestead. He specified that Samuel was to have the four acres upon which the homestead stood, the twenty-acre lot, and six additional acres. This is the way the will was worded: "4 acres adjoining, butting to the homestead so it may reach to the spring for ye benefit of watering." Joses had purchased additional land in 1677 from the lot known as Johnson's Playne, which consisted of fourteen acres bounded by what is now Norwood Street. He gave the balance of his land to his other sons, and money to his daughters. Joses Bucknam died on August 24, 1694 at the age of fifty-three and was buried in Bell Rock Cemetery.
       The member of the third generation of Bucknams who inherited the homestead was Lieutenant Samuel Bucknam, Joses' son. Samuel married Deborah Sprague Mellen, by whom he had ten children. This marriage established an important historical connection for future generations of the Bucknam family, as the Spragues had been the first to explore this area.
       Samuel Bucknam built an addition to the Bucknam house. During the years he was the occupant of the house an account book was kept, which dates back to 1699. The first item in the book is dated August 7 of that year. In the late 1800's this account book was in the possession of Joseph Swan, but it is not known where the book is now. Here are some entries in the account book:
Dec 13 1701- I reckoned Josef bolding and that is due to me
Dec 13 1701- reckoned with James Whitmore at the same time and there due to Whitmore 1-2-0
Aug 20 1703- reserved (received?) Master Lolly rom (room?)0-7-0
due to Mr. blaxton for a pare (pair?) of lather (leather?) breches (breeches?) 1-7-6 due for a pair of clothe breches tineing and making 0-10-6
       From Samuel, the land apparently passed to his nephew, another Joses Bucknam, whose father was the Joses who was a brother to Lt. Samuel. This Joses Bucknam, whom we shall call Joses III, lived on the Bucknam homestead. He married Phebe Tuttle. He died in 1757, and part of the property then went to John Bucknam, son of Benjamin Bucknam and grandson of Lt. Samuel.
       The property continued to be bequeathed to Bucknam descendants in the male line until the early 1800's when, lacking a male heir in the direct line, it went to Rebecca Bucknam, who married Joseph Swan. During the first half of the nineteenth century the number of Bucknams living in this are gradually dwindled, and by 1840 only one remained. The approximate time for the total disappearance from Everett of the Bucknam family is the period from 1800 to 1855. They had been on the homestead for eight generations. No Bucknams were in South Malden (now Everett) in 1860 or 1870.
       Joseph and Rebecca (Bucknam) Swan occupied the Bucknam homestead before 1835. On April 22 of that year John Bucknam, son of Benjamin and Mary Bucknam, made a will, which included this statement:"...a lot of land about 20 acres and a half adjoining land of Mary Bucknam and Rebecca Swan." This land, which was part of the original Bucknam estate was sold at public auction that year.
       Rebecca Bucknam, wife of Joseph Swan, was born about 1789 in Malden (now Everett). She and her husband took up residence in the Bucknam house about 1835 and farmed the land. She died on February 10, 1856 at the age of sixty-seven. Joseph, her husband, was born in Charlestown about 1777 and died on May 9, 1862 at the age of eighty- five. They both died in the Bucknam house, and are both buried in Woodlawn Cemetery. Rebecca was a descendant of William Bucknam through William's son Joses.
       Following their death, a plan of the farm of Joseph and Rebecca Swan was filed on October 20, 1882 at the Cambridge Registry of Deeds. This plan covered only their farm. They owned additional land which was divided among their heirs.
       Eventually the farm land was divided into building lots and many houses built. In 1913 an order was approved by the mayor authorizing the Playground Commission "to purchase, or failing that, to take by right of eminent domain, according to law, land for playground purposes bounded by Tappan, Kinsman and Swan Streets" The city purchased all but two lots, which were then taken by eminent domain, and the Swan Street playground, known officially as the Whittier playground, came into being.

       Children of SARAH KNOWER and WILLIAM BUCKNAM are:

6. i.   JOSES4 BUCKNAM, b. July 03, 1641, Charlestown, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts; d. August 24, 1694, Malden, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.

  ii.   SAMUEL BUCKNAM, b. 1643, Charlestown, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts; d. July 13, 1658.

7. iii.   ELIZABETH BUCKNAM, b. 1644, Charlestown, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts; d. July 18, 1726, Malden, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.

  iv.   MERCY BUCKNAM, b. February 14, 1647/48, Charlestown, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts; d. Aft. 1693; m. BENJAMIN WEBB, December 07, 1669, Malden, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.

  Notes for BENJAMIN WEBB:
Listed as a Freeman of Massachusetts: Beniamin Weeb


  v.   SARAH BUCKNAM, b. July 1650, Malden, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts; d. Aft. 1693, Salem, Massachusetts; m. SAMUEL SHATTUCK, July 24, 1676, Malden, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.

  Notes for SAMUEL SHATTUCK:
"of Salem in 1693"


  vi.   WILLIAM BUCKNAM, b. August 1652, Malden, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts; d. September 16, 1693, Malden, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts; m. HANNAH WAITE, October 11, 1676, Malden, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.

  vii.   MEHITABLE BUCKNAM, b. August 1654, Malden, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts; d. Aft. 1693; m. SAMUEL WAITE, Bef. 1679.

  Notes for SAMUEL WAITE:
Listed as a freeman: Samuell Wayt


  viii.   EDWARD BUCKNAM, b. September 1657, Malden, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts; d. 1679.

  ix.   SAMUEL BUCKNAM, b. August 02, 1658, Malden, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts; d. September 13, 1658, Malden, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.

  Notes for SAMUEL BUCKNAM:
He settled in Newbury, Mass.


  x.   SAMUEL BUCKNAM, b. February 1659/60, Charlestown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; d. 1679, Malden, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.
5. HANNAH3 KNOWER (GEORGE2, THOMAS1) was born Abt. 1641, and died Bef. 1673. She married JOSES BUCKNAM Bef. 1667 in Malden, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, son of WILLIAM BUCKNAM and SARAH KNOWER.
Notes for JOSES BUCKNAM:
He made his will August 22, 1694, which was proved December 11, 1694. He mentions his wife "Jude", his sons Joses, Samuel, John and Edward; his daughters Hannah Tuttle, Elizabeth Meelen and his daughters "Jude", Sarah, Mary and Susanna Bucknam. In 1714 Judith Lynde is referred to as "formerly wife of Joses Bucknam". (Middlesex Probate #3391)

       Children of HANNAH KNOWER and JOSES BUCKNAM are:

8. i.   JOSES4 BUCKNAM, b. January 1666/67, Malden, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts; d. April 05, 1741, Malden, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.

  ii.   JOHN BUCKNAM, b. 1668, Malden, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts; d. June 15, 1714.

  Notes for JOHN BUCKNAM:
He went to sea in 1708.



  iii.   HANNAH BUCKNAM, b. August 1669, Malden, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts; d. Aft. 1694; m. ELISHA TUTTLE.

  Notes for ELISHA TUTTLE:
There is a listing in Boston Marriages 1700-1809: Elisha Tuttle of Boston & Elizabeth Spreague of Malden intention March 16, 1723. Could this be marriage 2 or a son?


  iv.   ELIZABETH BUCKNAM, b. Bef. 1673, Malden, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts; d. Aft. 1694; m. (1) JOHN MELLEN, Bef. 1694; m. (2) SAMUEL TOWNSEND, Aft. 1694.