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Note: Jacob Knapp (son of Thomas and Martha Knapp) and Martha Benson (dau. of Daniel Benson and Electa Haskins) were married in Fabius, Onondaga Co., New York around 1812. In 1832 they left New York and moved to Westfield Twp., Delaware County, Ohio and settled near Martha�s father and brothers who lived in neighboring Lincoln Township which was at that time an unbroken wilderness with few other inhabitants. The Knapps stayed in Westfield Twp. for 16 years during which time Martha cared for her father until he died in 1848. They then moved to Florence Twp., Williams Co., Ohio, where they farmed some of the richest land in the county. Descendants of Jacob and Martha Knapp still live in Florence Twp. In 1980, one hundred and nineteen years after Jacob Knapp died, his tombstone was found under six inches of sod and was reset in a ceremony attended by many of his descendants. A tribute to the Knapp family pride in their heritage. There is some confusion as to when Jacob Knapp was born. His tombstone states that he was 87 years old when he died, but the censuses indicate that he was either 76 or 77 years old when he died. Maybe it was supposed to be 77 years and the stone maker accidently put 87 years old.
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF JACOB KNAPP
In the name of the benevolent Father of all, I Jacob Knapp of the county of Williams and the state of Ohio do make and publish this my last will and testament.
Item 1st : I give and devise to my beloved wife in lieu of her dower the farm on which we now reside, situate in Florence Township, Williams County Ohio, containing about thirty-nine acres and also about fifteen acres of timberland situate in above named county and state and about eighty rods north of the farm we now reside on during her natural life, and all the stock household goods, furniture, provisions, and other goods and chattels which may be thereon at the time of my decease during her natural life as afore said. She, however, selling so much thereof as may be sufficient to pay my just debts. At the death of my said wife, the household goods, furniture, and other goods and chattels are to be divided equally between my two daughters, Electy Benedict, formerly Electy Knapp, and Lorinda Meek, formerly Lorinda Knapp, as the value thereof.
Item 2nd : At the death of my said wife, the real estate aforesaid I give and devise to my children that is to be divided equally between my children, viz. Elias J. Knapp, Daniel Knapp, Eli Knapp, Silas Knapp, Nelson Knapp, Electy Benedict, and Lorinda Meek. The above named personal property devised to my daughters is to be appraised and the value thereof to be deducted out of the share of real estate to make them equal with my sons above named. If my said wife should not survive me, then I devise and bequeath the property aforesaid to my aforesaid children and their heirs forever.
Item 3rd : I do hereby nominate and appoint William VanFosen executor of this my last will and testament, hereby authorizing and empowering him to compromise, adjust, release, and discharge in such manner as he deems proper the debts and claims due me. I hereby revoke all former wills by me made. In testimony hereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirteenth day of January 1859.
Signed and acknowledged by said Jacob Knapp as his last will and testament in our presence and signed by us in his presence.
John Smith Jacob Knapp William A. VanFosen His X Mark "Seal" Filed August 30th A.D., 1861. ____________________________________ In the Census for Connecticut in1800 there is only one Thomas Knapp listed. In New York there is only one Thomas Knapp in 1800 as well. The Thomas from Connecticut resided in Litchfeld County.
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