by Karen Yvonne Hamilton, 2025

Actively researching as of June 27, 2025. Additions, Corrections welcomed.

Alexander George KNOWLES was born on December 2, 1782, in Long Island, Bahamas, to Hannah CAMPBELL (1745-1828) and James Alexander Sr KNOWLES (1733-1806).

Family lore says that James’ son, Alexander George Knowles had a twin brother, Joseph Alexander. Joseph was born on December 2, 1782, in Long Island, Bahamas when James was 59, and Hannah was 37. At this date, no official records have been found that corroborate this lore; no birth records have been found of either son. Much of genealogical research extending back this far centers around records that don’t follow conventional rules by today’s standards. Various records show that James and Hannah had three or four children in 1782, indicating a multiple birth (highly unlikely in this century) or illegitimate children that were listed as ‘sons’ and ‘daughters’ on census records. Baptismal records for Joseph show that he was baptized in Bakewell, Derbyshire, England on February 8, 1793. If Alexander and Joseph were twins, why is there no record of Alexander being baptized on this date?

The source below does not mention Alexander George. It does mention his brother, Joseph, and Joseph’s wife, children, and slaves (specifically a slave named Charley).

Slave Registers of former British Colonial Dependencies, 1813-1834

Little is known of Alexander. There are scanty records of his life other than the births of his sons. As he was absent at the reading of his father’s will in 1806, we can assume that he was not on Long Island at the time of his father’s death. More details of life come from his own Last Will and Testament (see at the end of this post).

SIBLINGS

  • Charles Gilbert was born on December 2, 1782, in Long Island, Bahamas
  • Joseph Alexander was born on December 2, 1782, in Long Island
  • George Richard was born on February 12, 1786, in Long Island, Bahamas
  • Thomas was born on May 15, 1787, in Long Island, Bahamas
  • Wiliam was born in 1788 in Long Island, Bahamas,
  • Ann Susannah was born in 1790 in Long Island, Bahamas

FIRST MARRIAGE

Sara Ann Clement. 

CHILDREN

  • George
  • Clement

SECOND MARRIAGE

Nancy (unknown last name)

CHILDREN

  • William was born in 1801 in Bahamas.
  • John Thomas was born on August 3, 1803, in Bahamas
Petition for clergymen and teachers to the governor 12 Oct 1835 Long Island, Bahamas

Alexander George KNOWLES died on September 28, 1862, in Long Island, Bahamas, when he was 79 years old.

Last Will and Testament of Alexander George Knowles

Alexander G. Knowles will of 1861 leaves property to wife Sarah Elizabeth ‘Clement’ and sons

SOURCES

Derbyshire, England, Select Church of England Parish Registers, 1538-1910; Slave Registers of former British Colonial Dependencies, 1813-1834; Last Will and Testament of John Knowles 11 January 1805 Bahama Islands; DISMISSAL OF EXECUTORS OF JAMES KNOWLES WILL Roll 805, Volume Q-2, page 111