by Karen Yvonne Hamilton, 2024

Alphred Pillage “Tukie” KNOWLES was born on December 18, 1882, in Key West, Florida to Justin Everett KNOWLES (1847-1900 Bahamas) and Jane Ann HOPKINS  (1847-1933 Georgia). 

Documents show his name as ‘Alphred’ and ‘Alfred’, but he was known to friends and family as ‘Tukie.’

Tukie is described as tall, medium build, with light brown hair and gray eyes.

In 1900, he lived at 1126 Virginia St in Key West. Tukie worked as a day laborer. 

He married Elizabeth DELOMONTE on August 13, 1915, in Key West.

Alphred Tukie KNOWLES and Silas KNOWLES
Alphred Tukie KNOWLES and Silas KNOWLES
Alphred Tukie KNOWLES

In 1917, Tukie and his wife, Elizabeth lived at 1011 Catherine St in Key West.

In 1920 Tukie lived at 1116 Seminary St in Key West with his wife, Elizabeth. He worked at the Key West Fire Department.

He still lived at 1116 Seminary St in 1930 and continued working as a fireman.

Key West Fire Brigade, 1924. “Fire Day 1924” Firemen sitting on the fire engine behind the Court House on Whitehead St. Key West, 1922-24. L-R: Manuel Napoles, Hamilton Pinder, Richard Russell, Cleveland Dillion, Tukie Knowles, John P. Baldwin. (photo source: Alex Vega)

In 1940 and 1950, Tukie lived with his wife at 821 Duval St in Key West and was a Captain for the fire department. 

Tukie died on June 2, 1960, in Key West, Florida, when he was 77 years old.

Research notes Jane GARCIA Rowland

FROM JANE ROWLAND’S RESEARCH: “Edward Woodson, who was raised with Jane Ann and adopted by her son Alpherd “Tukie” says that Jane Ann had a big trunk with letters from family somewhere in Georgia. The house was rented out to a gang of hippies after Tukie died. It is said that they took the trunk with the old letters and pictures. The man who told me this has since passed away, but at the time he told me the story, I had to strongly resist the urge to choke him for being so uncaring about these valuable family heirlooms. Tukie was a Fire Chief for many years in Key West and Ed says his fire helmet and chiefs’ badge also vanished with this trunk along with some old bibles.”

Alphred and Elizabeth KNOWLES

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SOURCES: Ancestry.com, United States Federal Census Records, Key West, Florida, City Directory, 1917, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Research Notes of Jane GARCIA Rowland, Alex Vega

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