KNOX, REDDICK, born 1790, died 1858

Reddick Knox was a native of Pitt County, N. C. and was born in 1790.  He came to Georgia as a young man and stayed here two years then returned to his native county and state for a few years.  During that time he married Miss Ruhama Taylor, born 1791 in N.C. By Reddick Knox's tombstone is Gaynelle Highsmith Sasser, the descendant that sponsored this web page. Afterwards, Reddick and his wife came to Georgia and located in Wayne County (now Brantley).  Here he lived until his death about 1858.  His wife died about 1870.  We are told that Reddick Knox was the only member of his Knox family that came South, and that all Knoxes in this area are descended from him.   VISIT KNOX CEMETERY - HISTORY

Reddick was received and baptized May 3, 1823 into the High Bluff Baptist Church, and dismissed by letter Aug. 1823.  Subsequent church membership not traced.  To Reddick and Ruhama Knox were born: (1) Elizabeth, born 1811, married Allen Highsmith, Jan. 14, 1830.  (2) John, born 1813, and married Nancy Purdom on Jan. 24, 1833.  (3)  Wiley, born 1824 and Married Elizabeth (Lydia) Wainright, daughter of James Jr.  (4) James, born 1831 and Married Mary Jones, daughter of James, Jr.

Mr. Knox served as Second Lieutenant in the Wayne County militia, 335th district, 1830-31, also as a private in Capt James. James Walker's Company of Ware County militia in 1838 in the Indian War.

A deed of gift appears of record in Wayne County from Mr. Knox to his son, James Knox, dated Nov. 9, 1850 conveying his home place property containing 656 acres in Wayne County, also all his farming tools and plows, etc., all his hogs and household furniture and 58 head of cattle, specifying the remainder of his large herd of cattle was to belong to his wife until her death (Deed Book "G," page 276, Wayne County).

There are no tombstones marking the grave sites of Reddick and Ruhama, who were buried side by side in the Knox Cemetery near their home on the Satilla River.  However, a story is told that someone riding through the cemetery in years past stopped his horse to rest near the earth covered grave of Reddick Knox and stuck his "cherry switch" into the ground.  Henceforth, a cherry tree grew out of his grave site.  An oak tree grew out of the grave of Mrs. Ruhama Knox.

 Submitted by: Gaynell Highsmith Sasser, Route 2, Box 55, Nahunta, Ga 31553. Sources: Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia, Vol I (Census Reference: 1830, 1840, 1850, Wayne County).