Isabella Black Genealogy Source Records

**Isabella Black Genealogy Source Records**
Contents Baptismal Record (search) Birth Record (search) Marriage Records Death Record Obituary Cemetery Records Tombstone Last Will and Testament

**Birth/Baptismal Record Search Comments**
Based on other records, Isabella Catherine Black was born November 30, 1853-54. At first it was thought she was born in Montreal because she was married there in 1877 and also because she was in the Monreal 1871 census. Thus, in July 1987, a request was made of the National Archives for Quebec to do a search for her baptismal records for the district of Montreal. They searched both Catholic parishes (1851-1875) and non-Catholic parishes (1836-1875) and found nothing for her. The 1871 Census indicates that she was born in Quebec. However, all her brothers and sisters were shown as born in Quebec and it is known based on address data that her younger brothers and sisters were born in Montreal. Thus the use of the term "Quebec" in the census probably means they were all born in the province of Quebec.	A letter to Muriel Knowles Leonhardt from the Protonotaire in Saguenay in 1931 suggests that Isabella Black was born in the district of Saguenay, Quebec.

**Marriage License**
Copy PROVINCE OF QUEBEC Know all Men by these presents, that we, William Knowles, Policeman Robert Smith, Engineer Adolphe Galipeau, Carter All of the City and District of Montreal. are held and firmly bound, jointly and severally, unto Our Sovereign Lady Victoria by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Defender of Faith in the sum of Eight Hundred Dollars, of current mony of this Province, to be paid to His said Majesty, His Heirs and Successors; for the which payments, well and truly to be made, we do bind ourselves, and each of us by himself, our and each of our heirs, executors and administrators, firmly by these present, dated at Montreal, the twenty-fourth day of January in the fortieth year of his Majesty's Reign, and in the year of one thousand eight hundred and seven-seven. The condition of this Obligation is such, That whereas the above bounden William Knowles (a bachelor) hath obtained a License of Marriage for himself and Isabella Catherine Black of the said City and District of Montreal, (a spinster) now if it shall not appear hereafter that they, or either of them, the said William Knowles and Isabella Catherine Black have any lawful let or impediment, pre-contract, affinity or consanguinity, to hinder them being joined in Holy Matrimony, and afterwards their living together as Man and Wife, then this obligation to be void and of no effect, otherwise to be and remain in full force and effect. (signed) William Knowles (signed) Robert Smith (signed Adolphe Galipeau (X) his mark Signed and Delivered at Montreal, in presence of JNO. Monk of Montreal, Advocate T. P. Butler of Montreal, Advocate.

**Marriage License Comments**
It is believed that this Marriage License Record was obtained by Muriel Leonhardt in her genealogy research in the 1930s for information about her parents. The document appears to be a transcription of the "data" from the original 1887 record to a form that was used in the 1930s or thereabouts.	The need to pay $800 to his Majesty to be married seems very high for 1877 and also for the 1930s. The marriage license is for January 24, 1877, one day before their January 25, 1977 marriage at St. John the Evangelist.

Church Marriage Record

Superior Court
Prothanotary Office

Province of Quebec
District of Montreal

True Extract on the reverse, from the register of civil status of St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church MONTREAL for the year 1877
Montreal, April 12, 1979

William Knowles, Bachelor and Isabella Catherine Black, spinster, were married with license this Twenty fifth day of January Eighteen Hundred and Seventy seven by me.
Chas.

Chas. A. Daniel	Assist. Priest
Robert Smith	Williams Knowles
Sarah King	Isabella Catherine Black

**Church Marriage Record Comments**
William Knowles and Isabella Black were married on January 25, 1877 in Montreal.	William was 28 and Isabella was about 23 years old.

**Newspaper Marriage Notices**
Montreal Daily Star Marriages Jan. 27, 1877, Saturday Knowles, Black - On the 25th past, at the Church of St. John the Evangeslist, by the Reverend Mr. Daniels, Mr. William Knowles, formerly of Cavan Ireland to Isabella Catherine, oldest daughter of Thomas Black Esq., of this city. Marriages Jan. 29, 1877, Monday Knowles, Black - On the 25th past, at the Church of St. John the Evangeslist, by the Reverend Mr. Daniels, Mr. William Knowles, formerly of Cavan Ireland to Isabella Catherine, oldest daughter of Thomas Black Esq., of this city.

**Marriage Notice Comments**
William Knowles and Isabella Catherine Black were married on Thursday, January 25, 1877.	This marriage notice provided a key piece of information about William Knowles, that he was from Cavan County Ireland. Most other data indicated Scotland. It was subsequently found that he was born in Cavan County, Ireland.

**Certificate of Death**
Physician's Certificate of Death Issued by State Board of Health State of Illinois Cook County Certificate Number: 9472 Name: Isabella Knowles Sex: Female Color: White Age: 38 years 9 months Occupation: Housewife Date of Death: September 1st 6-30 92 A.M. Married Nationality and place where born: Scotch, Canada How long resident in this State: 7 years Cause of Death: Uterine Hemorrhage with collapse immediately following Cholera Duration of disease: Four days Place of burial: Name of undertaker: Dated at: Chicago Sept. 2nd 1892 Name (unreadable) M. D. 448 31st

**Death Record Comments**
The age of 38 years and 9 months implies November/December 1853. Her tombstone indicates November 30, 1854. They date of death was September 1, 1892 at 6:30 a.m., but her tombstone indicates August 31, the day before. Perhaps she died on August 31, but the doctor did not arrive until 6:30 a.m. the next day.	Although it doesn't specifically say, the place of death was Chicago. The seven years in the State (Chicago) imply that Isabella arrived in 1885. Perhaps this is when William arrived because their daughter Muriel was born in Montreal on March 20, 1886. The earliest William can be placed in Chicago is 1887.

Obituary
Chicago Tribune
September 2, 1892 Page 3
KNOWLES Sept. 1 at 5734 Wabash av., Isabella C. Knowles, beloved wife of W. W. Knowles, aged 38 years 9 months. Funeral Saturday at 2 o'clock p.m.

**Obituary Comments**
5734 Wabash was her home. The age implies November/December 1853.

**Cemetery and Grave Location**
This is an overview map of Oakwoods Cemetery. The Oakwoods Cemetery is located between 67th and 71st Streets and Cottage Grove on the South Side of Chicago.	The Knowles family plot is shown in the Linden Hill Section. Addtional information is with the Knowles' Cemetery Records.

Knowles Family Plot

Oakwoods Cemetery
Chicago, Illinois

Section: J

Division: 1

Lot: 314

Deed 5100

Owner Name: Wm. W. Knowles

Number	No.	Location	Name
37951	1	4W - 5S	Isabella Knowles - ad
53256	2	2N - 4W	Wm. W. Knowles - ad
57101	3	2S - 4W	Robert Knowles - ad
80953	4	1 3/4N - 2 3/4 E	Harold A. Knowles - ch
-	5	-	1'10" X 1'10" Monument

**Knowles Family Plot Comments**
The Oakwoods Cemetery is located between 67th and 71st Streets and Cottage Grove on the South Side of Chicago. Data on each of the individuals is presented below.	The tombstone is a concrete like monument in the form of an obelisk similar to a small Washington Monument. It sits on a small base and is about 5 feet high. The lettering is beginning to fade away as the stone is soft. A picture can be seen in the Knowles Picture Collection. The 1'10" X 1'10" Monument is probably the size of the base.

**Cemetery Record**
The Oak Woods Cemetery Association Chicago, Illinois Name: Isabella A. Knowles Date of Decease: Sept. 1, 1892 Date of Interment: Sept. 3, 1892 Age at Time of Decease: 38 years old Place of Birth: Germany Place of Decease: Chicago - Lived at 5734 Wabash Ave. Kindred: William W. Knowles - Husb. Lot or Grave No.: J-1-314 Name: William Knowles Date of Decease: March 24, 1897 Date of Interment: March 27, 1897 Age at Time of Decease: 46 years 4 months Place of Birth: Scotland Place of Decease: Chicago - Lived at 5734 Wabash Ave. Kindred: Sarah Lot or Grave No.: J-1-314 Name: Robert Knowles Date of Decease: July 26, 1898 Date of Interment: July 28, 1898 Age at Time of Decease: 42 years old Place of Birth: Not Stated Place of Decease: ICRR Track - Struck by an Engine Kindred: Sarah Lot or Grave No.: J-1-314 Name: Harold A. Knowles Date of Decease: July 6, 1908 Date of Interment: July 6, 1908 Age at Time of Decease: 1 year - 6 months Place of Birth: Chicago Place of Decease: Chicago - Lived at 7919 Woodlawn Kindred: W. W. & Margaret Knowles Lot or Grave No.: J-1-314

**Cemetery Record Comments**
Above are transcriptions for the four persons in the Knowles Family plot at Oakwoods Cemetery in Chicago. Isabella Knowles: This is Isabella Catherine Black who married William Wallace Knowles. Other data indicates that she was born in November, thus 38 years old implies she was born in 1853. The location of Germany has to be a typographical error. She is thought to have been born in Ireland or in the Sanguenay District of Quebec. The middle initial "A" is also thought to be a typographical error as her middle name was Catherine. William Knowles: This is William Wallace Knowles. The age of 46 years and 4 months implies a birth of November 1850. His church birth/baptismal record indicates he was born December 27, 1848 in Cavan County, Ireland. William married Sarah White after Isabella died in 1892.	Robert Knowles: Robert Knowles was the brother of William Wallace Knowles. The 42 years old implies a year of birth of about 1856. ICRR would be Illinois Central RailRoad. Sarah would be Sarah Knowles, the widow of his brother. Harold A. Knowles: This is thought to be the son of Wilfred Washington Knowles, who was the son of William Wallace Knowles and Isabella Catherine Black. Wilfred's wife was Mabel, but Margaret and Mabel may be interchangeable names.

**Tombstone Inscription**
Knowles In memory of Isabella C. Beloved wife of William W. Knowles Born Nov. 30, 1854 Died Aug. 31, 1892

**Tombstone Inscription Comments**
The tombstone is a concrete like monument in the form of an obelisk similar to a small Washington Monument. It sits on a small base and is about 5 feet high. The lettering is beginning to fade away as the stone is soft. A picture can be seen in the Knowles Picture Collection. Dave Jordan copied the tombstone inscription in July 1978. The only lettering is for Isabella. There is none for William, Robert or baby Harold. Perhaps William's 2nd wife didn't want to spend the money.	There is a small concrete like monument in the form of an obelisk similar to a small Washington Monument. A picture can be seen in the Knowles Picture Collection. The dates of birth and death are particularly intriguing. Both the Death Certificate and Obituary clearly state the date of death as September 1, 1892. All I can conjecture is that William decided she really died August 31 and the doctor didn't arrive until 6 a.m. of Septembe 1. This is the only record so far that shows a month of birth for Isabella. The date correlates pretty well with an age at death of 38 years and 9 months, except that the year of birth would be 1853 and not 1854. Perhaps after dwelling on it, William recalled the year of birth as 1854 in stead of 1853. The earliest record to date that indicates age is the 1871 census and that implies 1853 was the year.

**Last Will and Testament and Distribution of Estate Search**
A request was in 1978 to the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Probate Division, Chicago, Illinois to search for the last will and testament for Isabella Knowles who died on September 1, 1892.	The January 1978 response was as follows. We are unable to find any record of probate on the estate of the person named herein, in the Probate Court of Cook County, Illinois. A search was done for 1891-1906 (No Est.)