Jabez C. Knight

Jabez Comstock Knight (July 31, 1815 – April 6, 1900) was mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, for five terms, 1859-1864.

Jabez Comstock Knight
Official painting in Providence City Hall
8th Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island
In office
June 6, 1859 – June 5, 1864
Preceded byWilliam M. Rodman
Succeeded byThomas A. Doyle
Personal details
Born(1815-07-31)July 31, 1815
Centerville, Rhode Island
DiedApril 6, 1900(1900-04-06) (aged 84)
Resting placeSwan Point Cemetery
Political partyRepublican
Residence(s)Providence, Rhode Island,
Newport, Rhode Island (summers)
Known forMayor of Providence, Rhode Island

Early life

Knight was born in Centerville, Rhode Island.[1] His family moved to Providence in 1830, when he was 15.[1] He was employed by cotton merchants Orray Taft & Co.

Career

He became Paymaster General for Rhode Island for 24 years, and was on the board of trustees of the Providence Reform School[1] He was a trustee of Butler Hospital for 35 years.[1] Knight was a member of the Providence Common Council, representing the Fourth Ward, 1849-1852. He was elected to the Providence Board of Aldermen for the Sixth Ward, 1854-1858.[2]

Mayor

In May 1859 Knight ran for mayor against a Democratic opponent. He won 1,835 votes to 1,100. He then ran four more times unopposed, then declined nomination for a sixth term.[2]

As Mayor, Knight demolished the Town House on Benefit Street that served as police station, and opened a new Central Police Station on Canal Street in April 1861. Knight introduced horse-drawn streetcars in Providence in 1863.[2]

Knight served as mayor during the Civil War. During this time Providence industries provided uniforms, blankets, biscuits, rifles, and tools to the Union war effort.[2]

Personal life

Knight married Catherine A. Taft on September 28, 1842, and had three daughters.

In the 1880s, Ex-Mayor Knight spent his summers at a cottage in Newport, Rhode Island, on Bellevue Avenue.[3][4][5]

Knight died on April 6, 1904, and is buried at Swan Point Cemetery.

References
  1. Greene, Welcome Arnold (1886). The Providence Plantations for 250 Years. Providence, RI: J.A. & R.A. Reid. pp. 104–105.
  2. "Jabez C. Knight" (Informational display on Jabez Knight in Providence City Hall). Providence City Hall. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. "Local Matters". Newport, RI: Newport Mercury. 18 May 1889. Retrieved 17 January 2016. Ex-Mayor Jabez C. Knight and wife are at their residence on Bellevue avenue
  4. "Local Affairs". Newport, RI: Newport Mercury. 23 April 1881. p. 2. Retrieved 17 January 2016. Frank B. Porter & Co. have rented for Hon. Jabez C. Knight his cottage on Bellevue avenue to Mr. W.K. Norn, of New York, for the coming season
  5. "Fifty Years Ago: From Mercury of April 7, 1900". Newport Mercury. 31 March 1950. p. 1. Retrieved 17 January 2016. Deaths in the last week include former Mayor Jabez C. Knight, 85, of Providence, Newport summer resident
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