by Karen Yvonne Hamilton, 2024

Belle Corrine KNOWLES was born on November 1, 1889 to Justin Everett KNOWLES (1847-1900) from Long Island, Bahamas and Jane Ann HOPKINS (1847-1933) from Colquitt County, Georgia.

SIBLINGS

  • George Washington was born on May 7, 1866, in Key West, Florida
  • Silas Everett was born in March 1868.
  • Hannah Elizabeth was born on October 10, 1869, in Key West, Florida
  • James Everett was born in 1873 in Key West, Florida
  • Clara Dena was born on December 18, 1879, in Key West, Florida
  • Alphred ‘Tukie’ Pillage was born on December 18, 1882, in Key West, Florida
  • Leonora “Lela” was born on October 18, 1884, in Key West, Florida

MARRIAGE

Belle married Claude Adolphus FREEMAN on September 22, 1906, in Tampa, Florida. They had two children during their marriage: Edna Bell and Claude Adolphus, Jr.

Belle lived with her parents and siblings at 1126 Watson St in Key West, Florida in 1900. In 1910, she lived with her husband, Claude FREEMAN, and daughter, Edna. Claude worked as a cigar maker.

In 1920, Belle and her family lived at 511 West 10th Ave in Tampa, Florida along with her mother, Jane Ann KNOWLES, her nephew, John RODRIGUEZ, and a boarder, William J. HALL. Claude and John worked in a cigar factory, the boarder worked as a riveter in a shipyard.

In 1923, Claude, Belle, and Edna lived at 1011 Catherine in Key West. Belle’s mother, Jane KNOWLES lived next door at 1013 Catherine.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Ed Woodson, Claude Freeman, Belle KNOWLES Freeman, Jane Ann HOPKINS Knowles, J.V. Woodson, Clarie Lariz in Key West, Florida.

By 1930, Claude and Belle moved to 1115 Grace St in Tampa with their son, Claude, Jr. In 1940, they lived at 1102 N. Willow in Tampa with Claude, Jr., Edna, and their nephew, Dewitt LONES. Claude worked as a clerk in a cigar factory, Claude, Jr. worked as an attendant at a filling station, Edna was a typist for a welding business, and Dewitt worked in a cigar factory. 

Belle was a member of First Baptist Church in Key West and one of the organizers and charter members of the Order of the Pocahontas. She was also a member of the Royal Neighbors of America.

Belle died on March 6, 1962, in Hillsborough, Florida, at the age of 72, and was buried in Key West, Florida.

SOURCES: Ancestry.com, United States Federal Census Records, 1923 Key West Directory, The Tampa Tribune 7 Mar 1962

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