The Online Catalog allows searching and browsing of information about the Florida State Archives’ holdings of over 48,000 cubic feet of state and local government records and historical manuscripts. The catalog provides descriptions of over 3,400 collections and lists the contents of containers and folders in many of those collections. For assistance with accessing and using State Archives collections, call our Reference Staff at 850.245.6719 or email us at archives@dos.myflorida.com.
*****MUSEUM OF FLORIDA HISTORY RESERVES COPYRIGHT in all literary works by Knott Family members in the collection, including poems, works of fiction, memoirs and similar works. PUBLICATION OF SUCH WORKS REQUIRES WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION from the Museum of Florida History.*****
Biographical/Historical:
William Valentine Knott came to Florida in the 1890s. He married Luella Pugh in 1895 and they had a family home (Knott House) on the southeast corner of Park Avenue and Calhoun Street in Tallahassee, Florida. Their three children were James R., John Charles, and Mary F. Knott.
W.V. Knott had a long career in state government, including State Auditor (1899-1903, 1927-1928); Superintendent of the Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee (1921-1927); State Treasurer (1903-1912, 1928-1941); and State Comptroller (1912-1916). He ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1916. He oversaw the establishment of the state university system, the state highway system, homestead exemption, and the abolition of the poll tax.
Charles Matthew Knott, the brother of W.V. Knott, became clerk of the Circuit Court of Sumter County in 1885. He was married to the former Permelia Colley. Among his business interests were land sales; the Peoples Ice Company; and the Swann and Holtsinger Company.
Summary:
The Knott family papers document the activities of three generations of the Tallahassee family. The bulk of the collection dates from 1930 to 1980. It contains the papers of William V. Knott, documenting his land interests, his tenure as superintendent of the Florida State Hospital, and his career in state government; and of his wife, Luella Pugh Knott, which includes genealogical research of the Butt, Kolb, Pugh, and Reese families.
It also contains the papers of James R. Knott, reflecting his role as family attorney and manager of the family's land holdings at Pine Island, Terra Ceia, South Bay, and Lutz, Florida; his work in historical societies, as a circuit court judge, and as a naval officer. John Charles Knott's papers document his role in the Department of Motor Vehicles as deputy commissioner. His family's cordial relationship with Marjorie Merriweather Post is also documented, along with other personal affairs and hobbies. The papers of Mary Knott Bazemore document her career as a pediatrician and her interests in the family's real estate.
The papers of Charles Matthews and Permelia Knott document their personal and business activities, particularly related to the Peoples Ice Company and the Swann and Holtsinger Company. The collection also contains deeds, court records, and photographs, including photos of Winston Churchill taken by James R. Knott at Harvard during World War II.
Finding Aids:
Folder listing available. 0
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Subject Access Fields:
Butt family. Kolb family. Post, Marjorie Merriweather, 1887-1973 Pugh family. Reese family.
Florida State Hospital. Peoples Ice Company (Tampa, Fla.) Swann and Holtsinger Company (Tampa, Fla.) Knott House (Tallahassee, Fla.)
Historic sites Florida Family Florida Women History 20th century Florida
Business records. aat Diaries. aat Clippings. aat Photographs. aat Sound recordings. aat Genealogies. aat
Florida Genealogy Leon County (Fla.) Tallahassee (Fla.) Tampa (Fla.) West Palm Beach (Fla.)
Added Entries
Knott, Charles Matthew, 1858-1933
Knott, James R.
Knott, John Charles, 1900-1985
Knott, Luella Pugh, 1871-1965
Knott, Permelia Colley.
Knott, W.V. 1863-1965 (William Valentine),
Bazemore, Mary Franklin Knott, Dr., 1897-
for detailed listing.