John Knowles, Sr. and his wife, Jemima (Asten) Knowles, settled in Hampton, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire, in the 1660's.  John was the progenitor of many descendants who are now scattered all over the United States.  The genealogy for this family was well documented by Virginia (Knowles) Hufbauer in her book "Descendants of John Knowles, 1660 - 1978.", published in 1978.  One of the reasons for the absence of the genealogy for this Knowles family for so long was the absence of a Knowles Family Association in New England, per se, such as the Lockes, Dows, and other early New England families maintained throughout the years for the purpose of recording and handing down information of their forebears through the generations.  Perhaps this was due in part to the fact that several of the larger lines migrated to Maine soon after the American Revolution.  To this day, Maine is the home of many of the descendants of John Knowles, Sr. of New Hampshire.

Although some early vital records of Hampton and Rye are in existence, descendants of John Knowles, Sr. soon removed to other towns where records are few or non-existent.  Virginia Hufbauer indicated that "her research on the beginning generations of this Knowles family was possible mainly through Hampton and Rye church and cemetery records, deeds, some vital statistics, and via the help of other published family genealogies such as the for the Lockes and Dows through intermarriages."  Valuable sources for information concerning this Knowles family also include "Stearns Genealogy of New Hampshire", "History of Rye" and "History of Hampton."  However, the 1800's presented numerous research problems because of the loss of many town and county records from fire especially in the Gilmanton area.

Several sources concerning the John Knowles of New Hampshire, the subject of this sketch, indicate that he was the son of Richard Knowles of Eastham, Massachusetts (MA PRO #01).  However, John Knowles of New Hampshire was NOT the son of Richard Knowles from Massachusetts.  Richard Knowles did have a son, John, who died in Tauton, Massachusetts, during the Indian War.  Richard never went to New Hampshire.

Muriel James in her book on Hanserd Knollys, "Religious Liberty on Trial:  Hanserd Knollys - Early Baptist Hero", does a excellent job explaining both sides of the debate as to whether Hanserd Knollys was the father of John Knowles, Sr., the Rockingham Co., New Hampshire Knowles progenitor.  Hanserd has been listed as the father of John Knowles, Sr. for some time in the Knowles Database; however, the concern has always been that such a connection has not been proven. 

Actually, according to Muriel James, it's most likely that Hanserd was John's father, but there is contradictory evidence and no real proof.  So, here's another excellent case for Y-DNA analysis!

The earliest record of John Knowles, Sr. , a mariner, was his marriage 10 July 1660 to Jemima Asten (or Austin).  Stearn's Genealogy of New Hampshire states, "On 25 March 1666, he bought of Giles Fifield one dwelling house and house lot containing ten acres, together with six acres of marsh.  This house lot lay on the south side of the common in Hampton and entitled him to two shares of the commonage.  This homestead continued in the possession of his descendants down to the seventh generation (to the late 1800s).  John became blind during the last ten years of his life and died 5 December 1705."

John Knowles, Sr. left a will, dated 16 March 1693/4, proven 21 December 1705.  John was probably born in England (perhaps in Lincolnshire), but there has been no proof of his parentage, other than some evidence to indicate he was a son of Hanserd Knollys.

Jemima (Asten) Knowles was baptized 24 January 1641, Hampton, New Hampshire, daughter of Francis and Isabella (Bland) Asten.  Francis Asten had land granted to him in Hampton, 30 June 1640.  He died before 13 July 1642, when a grant was made to the widow Asten.

The children of John Knowles, Sr. and Jemima (Asten) Knowles were:

1.  John, Jr., born 6 February 1661 in Hampton  m  Susannah Lawrence

2.  Ezekiel, born 19 August 1663 in Hampton;  died 11 December 1666

3.  James, born 20 November 1665, in Hampton;  died 1 February 1682

4.  Simon, born 22 November 1667 in Hampton  m  Rachel

5.  Joseph, born 11 June 1672 in Hampton;  died in 1672

6.  Sarah, born 17 April 1676 in Hampton;  m  Robert Drake

7.  Hannah, born 18 April 1678 in Hampton  m  Deacon William Locke