Sarah Kemble Knight
Encyclopedia
Sarah Kemble Knight was a teacher and businesswoman, who is remembered for her diary
of a journey from Boston
, Massachusetts Bay Colony
, to New York City
, Province of New York
, in 1704–1705, a courageous adventure for a woman to undertake.
She was born in Boston, to Thomas Kemble and Elizabeth Trerice. In 1689, Sarah married Richard Knight; they had one child, Elizabeth. Having been left a widow, in middle life she opened a school, which gained some reputation in Boston and included amongst its students Benjamin Franklin
. Before opening this school, Madam Knight, as she was generally called, in 1704 took a journey on horseback from Boston
to New York City, an unparalleled feat for a woman. She recounted her experiences in the "journals" that have made her known to students of American Colonial literature and history. The small diary of her Boston–New York journey was first published, posthumously, in 1825, by Theodore Dwight
. The Journal of Madam Knight has subsequently been reprinted by others with additional biographical information.
Her journal remains noteworthy both for its larger-than-life central character (Knight) and its telling of a trying journey not normally undertaken by a woman. The discomforts of primitive traveling are described with much sprightliness and not a little humor. Despite its uniqueness, its authenticity has been contested. Dwight stated that, after the publication of his volume, the manuscript was unfortunately burned. Furthermore, much of it had been in shorthand and never translated.
In 1714, Knight's daughter married John Livingston, of Connecticut
, and Madam Knight moved with them to New London
, where she continued her business and land dealings. When she died in 1727, she left her daughter a very large estate, attesting to her shrewdness and skill as a businessperson.
Sarah Kemble Knight is buried at Ye Antientist Burial Ground, New London
.
Diary
A diary is a record with discrete entries arranged by date reporting on what has happened over the course of a day or other period. A personal diary may include a person's experiences, and/or thoughts or feelings, including comment on current events outside the writer's direct experience. Someone...
of a journey from Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts Bay Colony
Massachusetts Bay Colony
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was an English settlement on the east coast of North America in the 17th century, in New England, situated around the present-day cities of Salem and Boston. The territory administered by the colony included much of present-day central New England, including portions...
, to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Province of New York
Province of New York
The Province of New York was an English and later British crown territory that originally included all of the present U.S. states of New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Vermont, along with inland portions of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maine, as well as eastern Pennsylvania...
, in 1704–1705, a courageous adventure for a woman to undertake.
She was born in Boston, to Thomas Kemble and Elizabeth Trerice. In 1689, Sarah married Richard Knight; they had one child, Elizabeth. Having been left a widow, in middle life she opened a school, which gained some reputation in Boston and included amongst its students Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
. Before opening this school, Madam Knight, as she was generally called, in 1704 took a journey on horseback from Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
to New York City, an unparalleled feat for a woman. She recounted her experiences in the "journals" that have made her known to students of American Colonial literature and history. The small diary of her Boston–New York journey was first published, posthumously, in 1825, by Theodore Dwight
Theodore Dwight (elder)
Theodore Dwight was an American lawyer and journalist.He was the brother of Timothy Dwight, president of Yale, and the grandson of Jonathan Edwards...
. The Journal of Madam Knight has subsequently been reprinted by others with additional biographical information.
Her journal remains noteworthy both for its larger-than-life central character (Knight) and its telling of a trying journey not normally undertaken by a woman. The discomforts of primitive traveling are described with much sprightliness and not a little humor. Despite its uniqueness, its authenticity has been contested. Dwight stated that, after the publication of his volume, the manuscript was unfortunately burned. Furthermore, much of it had been in shorthand and never translated.
In 1714, Knight's daughter married John Livingston, of Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, and Madam Knight moved with them to New London
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
, where she continued her business and land dealings. When she died in 1727, she left her daughter a very large estate, attesting to her shrewdness and skill as a businessperson.
Sarah Kemble Knight is buried at Ye Antientist Burial Ground, New London
Ye Antientist Burial Ground, New London
Ye Antientist Burial Ground in New London, Connecticut is one of the earliest graveyards in New England, and the oldest colonial cemetery in New London County. The hillside lot of 1.5 acres adjoins the original site of the settlement's first meeting-house...
.
External links
- Sarah Kemble Knight - From Annenberg Media Learner.org
- Sarah Kemble Knight - From Houghton Mifflin The Heath Anthology of American Literature
- "Wee made Good speed along" - Boston Businesswoman Sarah Knight Travels From Kingston to New London, 1704.