ROBERT EULON T. KNOWLES  (1887 - 1906)

My (Robert B. Noles) Knowles research is normally consumed with the search for the facts (names, dates, and places) and for verification of the facts (proof) via multiple original sources, whenever possible, and then via DNA test results.  The search for the facts and the proof there of is very time consuming, yet very rewarding, when fragments of data can be pieced together into a complete and verified genealogy.  The search for and the documentation of the facts often overshadows the collection of family stories, photographs, and descriptions of the kind of person our ancestors were.

I often get the question when I am discussing genealogy with a new group of genealogists or from  immediate family members for that matter: "Have you found any horse thieves in the family?"  This question, of course, is a euphemism for a more generic question:  "Who were the scoundrels and criminals in our family history".  I rarely get a question concerning: "Who were the real sweet people in our family tree?"  Normally, we don't know much about the disposition, personality and moral character of our ancestors, because it hasn't been documented in an official record somewhere.  We may know an ancestor's name, how they signed their name, the names of their parents and their children, where they lived, when they lived and died and perhaps a little about their earthly possessions from the various extant sources documenting certain events in their lives.  Occasionally, we lucky enough to have family stories passed down by word of mouth through the generations about one or more of our ancestors that indicate a little about their character.

It's rare to find hand written accounts of what our ancestors thought about each other.  One such example is the description of Robert Eulon T. Knowles (1887 - 1906) in a manuscript he started concerning his family's genealogy.  Robert died at the age of 18 before finishing his family history manuscript.  However, Robert's brother added a few paragraphs at the end of the manuscript that reflect on how Robert Eulon T. Knowles was perceived by his family.  I thought you would appreciate reading this epilogue to the "Knowles Family" manuscript, even if you are not related to this particular Knowles family.

As a person (yours truly) who failed poetry in the sixth grade and who has always struggled with prose and English and who is much more comfortable with facts and figures (typical engineer), I do appreciate the well written (or spoken) word.

The Epilogue to "Knowles Family" follows this brief genealogy of Robert Eulon T. Knowles:

Robert Eulon T. KNOWLES  (1887 - 1906)
s/o Francis Marion KNOWLES, C.S.A.  (1847 - 1903)
s/o Henry Walton KNOWLES  (1808 - 1893)
s/o Rice Prettyman KNOWLES  (1783 - 1873)
s/o Edmund KNOWLES, Sr.  (1747 - 1835)
s/o Richard KNOWLES, Sr.  (1715 - 1791)
s/o Edmund "Old Silverhead" KNOWLES  (1685 - 1762)

Robert Eulon T. Knowles, composer and writer of his Knowles family history was born at Ellis, Jackson Co., Florida, July 18, 1887 and died while attending school at Chipley, Washington Co., Florida, on Sunday morning February 11, 1906, at the age of 18 years, 6 months, 23 days.  A short life, but a noble one!

The following is the passage from "Knowles Family", by Robert Eulon T. Knowles,
written by his brother, shortly after Robert's premature death:

On July 18, 1887, a jewel was brought to the home of F.M. and Mary E. L. Knowles, a gift direct from God, and this jewel was not theirs to keep for always, but until the owner should come and reclaim his property.

This jewel was in the Angelic form of the smiling face of a sweet little babe whose name was called "Robert" and God the owner, giver, and taker saw fit to let him stay in earthly toil until he had reached the nearly manly age of 18 years, but at six o'clock on the quiet Sabbath morning of February 11, 1906, God in his all powerful wisdom saw fit to snatch from our earthly view his ever smiling lights shining face.

His short stay on earth was one worthy of oration, he was kind, gentle, lovable, considerate at all things, quiet but sociable, a cheerful worker and a true Christian.

His life was not one of wickedness, but he felt the need of that blessed assurance which is promised to those who worship God in spirit and in truth, so he came nobly forward at a great revival held by the Apostle of God and extended his hand as a sign of having accepted Christ as his personal Saviour and of wanting to unite and live with the church of God.

During his sickness he bore his fair with true Christian fortitude, until the moment came that his pain and sufferings were over and he entered into rest eternal where Pain and Sorrow, Sin and Despair can never enter.

Let us copy his example, live as he lived, die as he died, and unite with him and other loved ones where all is happiness and praise for ever more.
 

If you have inspiring family stories concerning your Knowles ancestors, I hope you will share them with me, so that I may share them with other Knowles researchers. Although Robert Eulon T. Knowles is not a famous or infamous person, I have added him to the list of Knowles biographical sketches on this Web site.

Robert B. Noles
October 22, 2006