Comments on: An American Family: The Multiracial Knight Community

By: renegadesouth

renegadesouth — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 00:52:50 +0000

Thanks, Yvonne! Yes, DNA tests would be helpful at this point, with all the differing opinions among descendants.

Vikki

By: Yvonne Bivins

Yvonne Bivins — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 22:16:43 +0000

According to my grandmother, Jerolee Ainsworth Smith, Martha Ann was not Native American, but the product of a white slave owner and a black slave. She was sold and brought to Mississippi when she was about fourteen years old. My grandmother grew up living next door to her Aunt Charity Ainsworth Shelby and they did not disassociate themselves from their black kin. Her appearance comes from the racial mixing of black and white, not Native American. I realize that you could easily mistake her for having “Indian blood”, but I just wanted to set the record straight according to what I was told by my grandmother. I have asked several of my cousins on the Knight side to have DNA tests done, but have yet to see one.

By: renegadesouth

renegadesouth — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 20:09:21 +0000

The following query was posted by Frank Johnson III on http://renegadesouth.wordpress.com/2009/10/25/another-multiethnic-knight-family-this-one-from-tennessee/#comment-1891. I am cross-posting it here:

I am doing research on my paternal grandmother Socia Beatrice Knight. She was born in Indianola, Mississippi around 1910. She stated that her father was Joe Knight, White and that her Mother was a combo of African and Native American. She could not produce any documentation but stated that she had a brother Joe Knight Jr and a couple of other siblings. She passed away out here in California circa 1983.
Is it possible that anyone could be aware of my grandmother?

Thank you,
Frank Johnson III

By: renegadesouth

renegadesouth — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:43:46 +0000

Thank you, Yvonne, for this clarification!

Vikki

By: Yvonne Bivins

Yvonne Bivins — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:26:12 +0000

Susan Ella Smith was the daughter of Warren Edward Smith, Sr. whose mother was Jennie McGill. She was born in Bezer, Smith County, MS. Warren was the son of William L. Smith. Susan Ella Smith was my grandfather’s sister. His name was also Warren Smith.

By: renegadesouth

renegadesouth — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:45:04 +0000

Hi David,
The most important documented events of the Free State of Jones that I cite in my book are the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies (on Lowry’s raid, especially), the Civil War state legislative and governor’s papers (especially on 1865 battles over political power in Jones County, including the temporary renaming of Jones County). and Newt Knight’s post-war petitions for compensation by the federal government for having served the Union during the war. Not sure any of this helps you, however, since my book is not available digitally. Perhaps you have a college library nearby that might carry it.

The reason I asked about your Davis ancestors is because Newt Knight’s grandmother was Keziah Davis, wife of John “Jacky” Knight. The multiracial branch of the Ainsworths, descended from Sampson Ainsworth and his slave, Martha, are related to the Knights through extensive intermarriage with the multiracial descendants of Newt Knight and Rachel Knight.

I wish you the best on finishing your paper by the assigned date!

By: David Bush

David Bush — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:50:39 +0000

Mostly, I am looking for the actual events surrounding the establishment of the Free State of Jones, centering on Newt Knight and how his actions could both be seen as Heroic and villainous, as compared with actions in the movie. (Or book)

Included in that, I am interested in any primary documents and accounts concerning interactions between Jones county civilians and the Knight Company, both good and bad.

Paper-wise, I’m not as interested in the genealogies and past histories of families in the area as my paper is supposed to be event-centered. However, I would be very interested personally as to any ancestors I could learn more of.

I don’t think the Davis ancestor I was speaking of was related to Davis Knight; the last name was Davis. The reason I mentioned the Ainsworths was because I noticed you mentioned one in the above photo. How were they related to the Knights?

Thank you very much for working with me. Is there anyway I can purchase your book The Free State of Jones digitally? I was very strapped for cash until recently, and so by the time I order it, the shipping times would make it arrive after the due date.

By: renegadesouth

renegadesouth — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:24:56 +0000

Hello David,
Good luck with your research paper. I have not seen the movie, Tap Roots; have only read the novel. Perhaps some of our readers have seen it and would care to comment.

In regard to my book, I discuss Street’s works in various places throughout. Not sure which of those sections would best suit your work.

You mention your “Davis ancestors.” Would this be the family line of Keziah Davis Knight?

Yes, I would very much appreciate it if you passed on any Ainsworth research my way. The Ainsworth historian I am most familiar with is Shirley Pieratt of Texas–have you read her work?

Thanks for visiting Renegade South, Hope to hear more from you.

Vikki

By: David Bush

David Bush — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 04:18:19 +0000

Mrs. Bynum,

I am writing a short research paper on Tap Roots and The Free State of Jones, with comparisons to historical research like your own. I was drawn to the project by a family account of one of my Davis ancestor’s encounter with Newt Knight.

If you could personally highlight a few points from the film you found interesting or point me to specific places within your book, I would really appreciate the help.

Also, my grandmother was an Ainsworth before her marriage. I’ll going to be contacting the family’s de facto historian for more information, which I’d be happy to pass on if you’d like.