by Karen Yvonne Hamilton, 2025

Silas Everett Knowles was born in March 1868 to Justin Everett KNOWLES (1847-1900) from Long Island, Bahamas and Jane Ann HOPKINS (1847-1933) from Colquitt County, Georgia.

Jane Ann HOPKINS Knowles
Justin Everett KNOWLES

SIBLINGS

In 1870, Silas lived with his parents on Knockemdown Key.

In 1880, Silas lived with his parents and siblings at 464 Frances St in Key West.

In 1885, Silas lived with other Knowles family on Watson St in Key West. 

MARRIAGE

Silas Everett Knowles married Anna Moore in Key West, Florida, on April 21, 1894

  • Hazel Louise was born on August 8, 1894, in Key West.
  • Lucille Antoinette was born on May 14, 1897, in Key West.
  • Hilda Corrine was born on December 13, 1899, in Key West.
  • Howard was born in 1902.

In 1900, Silas and Annie lived with their daughters at 1123 Grinnell St in Key West. 

1n 1910, Silas and his family lived at 1444 Virginia St in Key West. Silas worked as a laborer in U.S. Barracks.

Alphred ‘Tookie’ KNOWLES and Silas KNOWLES (From the files of Jane GARCIA Rowland. This photo has a question mark after the names, so this is not verified.)

It is said that Silas suffered from dementia and was sent to Florida State Hospital. He is listed as an “inmate” there on the 1930 census. The death certificate states that Silas had been at Chattahoochee for “12 yrs 10 mos, 10 days.” That would mean that he entered the hospital around 1925.

Chattahoochee is located on the far northern border of Florida. It touches the Georgia border and is only a few miles from the Alabama border.

Florida State Hospital, Chattahoochee
Florida State Hospital, Chattahoochee
Florida State Hospital, Chattahoochee

Originally called Florida State Hospital for the Insane, the hospital became nationally known when the O’Connor v. Donaldson case in 1975 went to the Supreme Court. Due to this case, mental institutions around the U.S. were forced to revise their practices.

There are several books and even a movie depicting the horrors of medical practices at the hospital. Silas would have been there during the time of the worst of it. I have noted on several death certificates that many elderly people were sent there due to dementia, Alzheimer’s, etc.

You can read more about this institution and find links to patient records, etc. here Exploring Chattahoochee (Florida State Hospital).

Silas’ wife, Annie lists herself as a widow in the 1930 Key West City directory even though Silas did not die until 1938. 

Silas Everett Knowles died on January 16, 1938, while in what was then called Florida State Hospital for the Insane in Chattahoochee, Gadsden County, Florida, when he was 69 years old.

NOTE: I have been unable to find Silas in the cemetery records of Florida State Hospital.

Aerial view of Florida State Hospital, date unknown, SOURCE Florida Memory

Jane GARCIA Rowland notes about the death certificate of Silas that “This poor man must have been deserted by everyone.” There is no information about his parents and the certificate does not even list his birthdate. 

Silas was buried in the Florida State Hospital Cemetery, Chattahoochee, Gadsden County, Florida according to his death certificate.

SOURCES

1870 United States Federal Census; 1880 United States Federal Census; Florida State Census, 1885; 1900 United States Federal Census; 1910 United States Federal Census; 1930 United States Federal Census Florida State Hospital; Florida Death Index, 1877-1998; The Key West Citizen 28 Jan 1938; 1906 Key West City Directory; 1911 Key West City Directory; 1914 Key West City Directory; Florida Memory

https://www.amazon.com/Out-Mind-Sight-Revealing-Chattahoochee/dp/1480101516

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