The following article is by Pat Farnaby and first published on his previous village web site.
Sir James Knott
James Knott, was born on the 31st of January 1855, at Howdon on Tyne. He was the eldest of ten children. His father, Matthew, was a Customs Searcher and his mother's name was Margaret. He was educated at the Scotch School in North Shields, which he left at the age of 14.
He had other family in the area, including an uncle who worked in Howdon Ropeworks, and another who was the only chemist and druggist in Willington Quay.
At the age of 14 James Knott found a job as an office boy in a shipbroker's office on Newcastle Quayside. At the age of 19 he he started as a shipbroker, reputedly borrowing the sum of £500, part of which he used to purchase an old collier brig, called the "Pearl" for £186.
Sir James Knott has been described as a strong, genial, vigorous, enthusiastic and courageous man. He was noted to have a retentive memory and to be very observant. He was a regular attender at church and an ardent Conservative. In the 1906 election he stood unsuccessfully as Conservative candidate for the Tyneside Division of Northumberland. In the 1910 election he became Conservative MP for Sunderland, but retired in December 1910, after only a few months in office. He was a barrister, called to the Bar at Grays Inn in 1889. He practiced for about four years before returning to his first love, shipping. He was also a J.P. for Northumberland.
In 1914 he held a commission in the Royal Navy Reserve, but was never called up, as his shipping expertise was so important to the war effort.
He was a keen gardener and enjoyed deep sea and coble fishing. In later years he enjoyed sailing his private yacht around the Mediterranean.
It was during the temporary absence of the Bewickes when the late Sir James Knott became associated with Close House; Sir James took a lease on the estate for five years in November 1909, this was later extended for a further period of 15 years to expire in 1929.
He was created a Baronet of Close House in 1917. His Coat of Arms bore the words 'Facta non Verba' which translates to 'Deeds not words'. He was a Knight of Grace of the Order of St John of Jerusalem in England.
Knott family
In 1878 Sir James married his first wife Margaret Annie, the daughter of Rev. Thomas Garbutt, and they had three sons:
Both graves carry the same inscription: "Devoted In Life. In Death Not Divided."
- Thomas Garbutt Knott, born 14th of July 1879, died 1949
- Major James Leadbitter Knott DSO, born 2nd of December 1882, killed 1st July 1916
- Captain Henry Basil Knott, born 5th of February 1891, killed 7th September 1915
Both graves carry the same inscription: "Devoted In Life. In Death Not Divided."
At various times the family rented property in the Newcastle area,
including the Manor House at Jesmond, and also held the shooting rights
at Minsteracres and Roddam Hall. In 1906 they moved from Jesmond to
Close House. This was leased from the Bewicke family, initially for a
period of five years, but later extended up to the period when Sir
James moved to Jersey in 1928.
In 1925 the family moved to Samares Manor on the Island of Jersey. Lady Margaret Annie Knott died, (just after their Golden Wedding aniversary) on board their yacht, in Cannes, on March the 8th 1929, at the age of 74.
Sir James did remarry, in 1932 at Monte Carlo, to Miss Elizabeth Chystie Gauntlett, the 25 year old daughter of Colonel V. C. Gauntlett, and his second wife died in Jersey, on the 23rd of November 1998.
Sir James Knott died on the 8th of June 1934, in Jersey. His funeral was held in Jersey, on the the 12th of June, with a memorial service being held at St Andrew's Parish church, in Heddon, on the same day.
Sir James Knott left the bulk of his £5,000,000 estate to form the Sir James Knott trust fund. His second wife was granted an annual entitlememnt of £15,000, until such time as she re-married, as she did in 1943, when the sum was reduced to £10,000 per annum. A question was asked in the House of Commons, on the 27th of June 1934, concerning the estate of Sir James Knott, and the fact that it avoided paying £2,500,000 in death duties, as he was no longer a UK resident.
Sir Garbutt Knott, who inherited his father's title in 1934, lived at a property called Courtlands, near Exmouth in Devon. Here he raised Jersey cows and was a keen pigeon fancier. Although he was married twice, he died without issue.
In 1925 the family moved to Samares Manor on the Island of Jersey. Lady Margaret Annie Knott died, (just after their Golden Wedding aniversary) on board their yacht, in Cannes, on March the 8th 1929, at the age of 74.
Sir James did remarry, in 1932 at Monte Carlo, to Miss Elizabeth Chystie Gauntlett, the 25 year old daughter of Colonel V. C. Gauntlett, and his second wife died in Jersey, on the 23rd of November 1998.
Sir James Knott died on the 8th of June 1934, in Jersey. His funeral was held in Jersey, on the the 12th of June, with a memorial service being held at St Andrew's Parish church, in Heddon, on the same day.
Sir James Knott left the bulk of his £5,000,000 estate to form the Sir James Knott trust fund. His second wife was granted an annual entitlememnt of £15,000, until such time as she re-married, as she did in 1943, when the sum was reduced to £10,000 per annum. A question was asked in the House of Commons, on the 27th of June 1934, concerning the estate of Sir James Knott, and the fact that it avoided paying £2,500,000 in death duties, as he was no longer a UK resident.
Sir Garbutt Knott, who inherited his father's title in 1934, lived at a property called Courtlands, near Exmouth in Devon. Here he raised Jersey cows and was a keen pigeon fancier. Although he was married twice, he died without issue.
Samarès Manor, Jersey
Samarès Manor is located on the island of Jersey and dates back to at least the 12th century. Sir James purchased Samarès Manor in 1924 and retired there. He was responsible for much refurbishment of the property, reputedly spending around £50,000 on the gardens alone, between 1925 and his death in 1934.
Samarès Manor, which is open to the public, belongs to the Obbard family, after Lady Elizabeth Knott married Commander Edward Owen Obbard D.S.O., G.M., RN, in 1943.
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Samarès Manor, which is open to the public, belongs to the Obbard family, after Lady Elizabeth Knott married Commander Edward Owen Obbard D.S.O., G.M., RN, in 1943.
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Samarès Manor, Jersey. Photo I Tooze (2009).
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Garden, Samarès Manor, Jersey. Photo I Tooze (2009).
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 Sir James Knott |
 Mrs Elizabeth Obbard.; The former Lady Elizabeth Knott |
Images above reproduced from the Samarès Manor brochure with kind permission of the Seigneur.
Business interests
From the single collier brig, purchased in 1869, James Knott built up to over 20 collier brigs, all plying their trade along the east coast, managed from an office in Milburn House, Newcastle. James Knott had vision and was quick to see the possibilities of changing technical developments in the shipping industry, in particular the value of steam.
In 1881, he purchased his first steam ship the "Saxon Prince" which was 832 tons gross, 530 tons net. By 1883 he added a further 8 steam ships and by 1886 had a total of 17, and purchased his first tanker. In 1895 he set up the Prince Line Ltd, which he went on to build up to be the third largest privately owned shipping line in the world. In 1897 he formed the Prince Steam Shipping Association. By 1898 he had a fleet of 35 vessels and was trading all over the world. This increased to 45 vessels by 1914.
Throughout the time that he was in the shipping business Sir James had 32 ships built in Tyne and Wear shipyards, primarily by Short Bros. All the ships carried the following warning inscribed on their bridges:
'All accidents are the Result of Carelessness'
In 1916 the Prince Line was sold to the Furness Withy Co. for £3,000,000. In all there were four ships with the name of "Saxon Princes":
Apart from shipping, Sir James had other business interests. In 1899 he purchased Togston Colliery and formed the Acklington Coal Co Ltd, which was later taken over by Broomhill Colliery Ltd. He also had an interest in an anthracite mine called the South Wales Primrose Coal Co.
In 1918, Sir James bought property in Heddon village from the trustees of the Clayton family. In 1924 they sold 32 lots of property in Heddon, including East Town Farm, Clayton Terrace, Blue Row, Garden House, the Blacksmiths shop and the Three Tuns Inn. Click the link for the auction catalogue.
In 1881, he purchased his first steam ship the "Saxon Prince" which was 832 tons gross, 530 tons net. By 1883 he added a further 8 steam ships and by 1886 had a total of 17, and purchased his first tanker. In 1895 he set up the Prince Line Ltd, which he went on to build up to be the third largest privately owned shipping line in the world. In 1897 he formed the Prince Steam Shipping Association. By 1898 he had a fleet of 35 vessels and was trading all over the world. This increased to 45 vessels by 1914.
Throughout the time that he was in the shipping business Sir James had 32 ships built in Tyne and Wear shipyards, primarily by Short Bros. All the ships carried the following warning inscribed on their bridges:
'All accidents are the Result of Carelessness'
In 1916 the Prince Line was sold to the Furness Withy Co. for £3,000,000. In all there were four ships with the name of "Saxon Princes":
- The original was commissioned in 1881 and was launched in March at Swan Hunters yard in Wallsend. It was sold in 1885 to Christian Salvesen & Co Ltd at Leith and was renamed Glitra. It was the first ship to be sunk by submarine (U17) in the First World War, off the coast of Norway on the 20th October 1914
- The second cost £35, 893 when built by Shorts in July 1899. She was captured by the German raider Moewe in February 1916 and sunk by bombs.
- The third was owned by the Prince Line from 1917 to 1928. She was torpedoed in 1942.
- The fourth was owned by the Prince Line from 1971 to 1975 and was still in service in 1988.
Apart from shipping, Sir James had other business interests. In 1899 he purchased Togston Colliery and formed the Acklington Coal Co Ltd, which was later taken over by Broomhill Colliery Ltd. He also had an interest in an anthracite mine called the South Wales Primrose Coal Co.
In 1918, Sir James bought property in Heddon village from the trustees of the Clayton family. In 1924 they sold 32 lots of property in Heddon, including East Town Farm, Clayton Terrace, Blue Row, Garden House, the Blacksmiths shop and the Three Tuns Inn. Click the link for the auction catalogue.
Gifts & donations
The Knott family were great benefactors to the north-east and in particular to the village of Heddon on the Wall, where they had a major influence on the village, as we know it today.
The Knott family were responsible for creating the Memorial Park, in Heddon, opened in 1925, in memory of the two sons who were both killed in action in the Great War: Major James Leadbitter Knott D.S.O. of the West Yorkshire Regiment and Captain Henry Basil Knott of the Northumberland Fusiliers.
The Knott Family also gave to the village of Heddon, the Knott Memorial Hall, erected in 1936, in memory of Sir James and Lady Margaret Annie Knott, by their son, Sir Garbutt Knott.
The Knott family have also been responsible for many other charitable works in the north east including the following:
The Knott family were responsible for creating the Memorial Park, in Heddon, opened in 1925, in memory of the two sons who were both killed in action in the Great War: Major James Leadbitter Knott D.S.O. of the West Yorkshire Regiment and Captain Henry Basil Knott of the Northumberland Fusiliers.
The Knott Family also gave to the village of Heddon, the Knott Memorial Hall, erected in 1936, in memory of Sir James and Lady Margaret Annie Knott, by their son, Sir Garbutt Knott.
The Knott family have also been responsible for many other charitable works in the north east including the following:
- James Knott Youth Centre, which opened in North Shield in 1938, provided the site and a generous contribution to the building cost
- Donation to the Northern Counties Orphanage
- Donating the section of the Roman Wall in Heddon to the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle
- Nursery School in North Shields
- Convalescent hospital for officers in Torquay during World War 1
- Provision of 'Merci Beaucoup' cottage, for the use of wives and mothers visiting wounded soldiers, convalescing at Holeyn Hall, in use as a Military Hospital.
- RNLI Lifeboat, The Sir James Knott, Cullercoats.
- An Interest in Tynemouth Victoria Jubilee Infirmary
- Knott Flats, Tynemouth
- Donation to Haig Homes to build about 25 houses for Newcastle ex-servicemen and their families
- Tower of St. George's Anglican Church at Ypres (Son's graves are within 200 yards of the church)
- Gifts to Newcastle University
- Knott Memorial trust for the relief of hardship of men who served in their son's regiments
- St. James and St. Basil church in Fenham (1931), including the vicarage, church hall and a sunken garden.
Sir James Knott Memorial Flats above North Groyne Promenade, North Shields. Photo by A Curtis (2013).
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Sir James Knott Memorial Flats, Tynemouth. Photo by Richard Webb (2012).
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It has been suggested than when the plans were being made to erect the Knott Memorial Hall in Heddon, three alternative sets of plans were drawn up. One of the sets not used in Heddon, was used to build the Church Hall in Fenham.
Sir James was responsible for establishing the Sir James Knott Trust, which is responsible for making payment to registered charities, currently around £1 million pounds each year funded from investment income. The trust was originally administered from Jersey but has more recently moved to Newcastle. The aim of the Trust is to help improve the conditions of people living and working in the North East of England. The Trustees try to follow the wishes and interests of the Trust’s founder where this is compatible with the present day needs of the North East.
Today the Sir James Knott Trust funds the College Valley Estates which owns the College valley, a beautiful and remote area of north Northumberland. In 1980, together with the Duke of Northumberland, the Trust bought Chillingham Park which includes the land on which the Chillingham herd of wild white cattle are kept. It was then managed by the Knott Trust's agents: College Valley Estates who granted a 999 year lease of the park to the Chillingham Wild Cattle Association. In 2005, after a fund-raising campaign, the association purchased the park and surrounding woodlands. Thus, the herd and the park were reunited under the same ownership.
