THOMAS ANDREW KNIGHT, ESQ. 5 



Before the expiration of the lease, Mr. Knight had himself 

 become the possessor of this portion of Lord Craven's estate, 

 together with much other land adjoining, on part of which his 

 grandson, Mr. Payne Knight, between the years 1773 and 1776, 

 built the mansion of Downton Castle. 



Previously to Mr. Knight's removal to Bringewood, he had 

 married the daughter of Mr. Andrew Payne of Shawbury, and 

 two sons had been born. The eldest, Richard, afterwards mar- 

 ried Miss Powell of Stanage Park, county Radnor, and had 

 a daughter, who became the wife of Thomas Johnes, Esq., of 

 Havod, county Cardigan, and was mother to Colonel Johnes 

 and the Rev. Samuel Johnes Knight. 



From her the Johneses inherited Croft Castle, in Hereford- 

 shire, Stanage Park, and the Priory, near Cardigan. 



Of the second son, Thomas, more will be said hereafter. 

 There were also two younger sons, Edward and Ralph, who 

 were ancestors of those branches of the family who settled at 

 Wolverley, in Worcestershire, and Henley Hall, in Shropshire. 

 Mr. Knight had several daughters, from one of whom is 

 descended Mr. Samuel Rogers, the distinguished author of " The 

 Pleasures of Memory ;" and another married Mr. Spooner, of 

 Warwickshire, and was the mother of the last race of that 

 name. 



Mr. Richard Knight died at his house at Downton, February 

 3rd, 1745, and was buried in the chancel of Burrington church, 

 under an appropriate monument a large slab of cast iron ! 



Mr. Thomas Knight was born in the year 1 700, and entered 

 the Church. In 1730 he was presented by the Lord Herbert to 

 the livings of Ribbesford and Bewdley, in the county of Wor- 



deer two or three thousand at least. Mem. That the forest and chase of 

 Mocktree and Bringewood are near adjoining to the castle of Ludlow, the chief 

 house of the Prince of Wales, out of which the President and Council had their 

 timber for building, and wood and coals for their provisions, besides the pleasures 

 of the game, till they were granted to Robert, Earl of Essex (by Queen 

 Elizabeth), since when the ^ord President and Council have been enforced to 

 buy their timber, wood, and coals, which was a great charge to her Majesty, 

 and is likely to be so to his Majesty." 



