Newton Knight
Encyclopedia
Captain Newton Knight was the grandson of John "Jackie" Knight, who was awarded land grants for his service in the War of 1812
in Jones County, Mississippi
and owned slaves. Unlike many in his family and his state Newton Knight was against slavery and favored equality between races. Like his father Newton refused to own slaves and was poor compared to slave owners in his family. After being drafted into the confederate army he deserted twice, forming a company of like minded deserters to fight the confederacy at home the second time. He tried to secede his land holdings in Jones County from the Confederacy
during the American Civil War
and form a "Free State of Jones" within Mississippi
. He led a company of sympathizers who attempted to protect the local people from both Northern and Southern Requisition. Many people thought he was in contact with Sherman, and he may have been given some instruction from Sherman. His outlaw company avoided capture by hiding among the many bluffs along the Leaf River
. He also generated controversy within his family and locally for living openly with a black wife, Rachel. He fathered children with her who bore the name Knight and were known to be biracial. The controversy was not his fathering children with Rachel, or his living with her but the way he considered her a wife, treated her as a wife, recognized his children, tried to provide for his half black children, and wanted the local school to accept all of his children. Newton was active in supporting Reconstruction, but faded from public life afterwards.
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
in Jones County, Mississippi
Jones County, Mississippi
-History:Jones County, formed out parts of Covington and Wayne counties, was established on January 24, 1826 and was named for John Paul Jones. There are other counties named Jones, but it appears that this is the only one named for John Paul Jones...
and owned slaves. Unlike many in his family and his state Newton Knight was against slavery and favored equality between races. Like his father Newton refused to own slaves and was poor compared to slave owners in his family. After being drafted into the confederate army he deserted twice, forming a company of like minded deserters to fight the confederacy at home the second time. He tried to secede his land holdings in Jones County from the Confederacy
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
and form a "Free State of Jones" within Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
. He led a company of sympathizers who attempted to protect the local people from both Northern and Southern Requisition. Many people thought he was in contact with Sherman, and he may have been given some instruction from Sherman. His outlaw company avoided capture by hiding among the many bluffs along the Leaf River
Leaf River (Mississippi)
The Leaf River is a river, about 180 mi long, in southern Mississippi in the United States. It is a principal tributary of the Pascagoula River, which flows to the Gulf of Mexico.-Course:...
. He also generated controversy within his family and locally for living openly with a black wife, Rachel. He fathered children with her who bore the name Knight and were known to be biracial. The controversy was not his fathering children with Rachel, or his living with her but the way he considered her a wife, treated her as a wife, recognized his children, tried to provide for his half black children, and wanted the local school to accept all of his children. Newton was active in supporting Reconstruction, but faded from public life afterwards.