Hello John
Looking at 1871 Census I see that James N KNAPP, a Shipbroker, was born in
the United States of America c.1813. He was married to Newport born Susan
and they lived at Energlyn House, 17 Cardiff Road, Newport. There were three
sons: John V. (21), William C.W. (19), and James N. (18), all described as
Commercial Clerks and born in Newport - I should imagine they worked in
father's business.
By 1881 Susan was widowed and living as a Boarder at 8 Windsor Esplanade,
Cardiff. Son, William C.W. KNAPP, also a Boarder is described as Merchant
(Ships). James N KNAPP (the younger) was a Visitor at 19 South William
Street, Cardiff, described as a Ship Chandler.
In 1891 William C.W. KNAPP is described as a Ship Store Merchant (self
employed) living at 5 Piercefild Place, Roath, Cardiff.
In 1901 William C.W. KNAPP is living at 7 Metal Street, Roath, Cardiff and
is now described as House & Estate Agent (Employer).
The above makes me wonder whether this KNAPP family was the one associated
with the garage KNAPPs of the 1940s/1950s.
I note there is still a KNAPP presence in Cardiff - WCW KNAPP and Son,
Estate Agents & Surveyors, Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff. (I was an articled
clerk in Mount Stuart Square in 1950s). WCW KNAPP and Son are described as
Auctioneers at 28 West Bute Street in 1923 Kelly's Directory and there is a
William KNAPP still living at 7 Metal Street, Roath.
The 1861 Slater's Directory of Glos, Herefs, Mon, Shrops & Wales, lists on
page 28 under Agents - James Nelson Knapp (to the underwriters of the port
of New York), Great Dock Street, Newport. Also on page 31 under Coal
Agents - Jas. Nelson Knapp (to John Vipond & Co. Limited), Vipond's wharf,
Pilgwenlly, Newport. And on page 32 under Consuls-Vice - America, U.S.,
James N. Knapp, Great Dock Street, Newport. On page 35 under Ship &
Insurance Brokers - James N, Knapp & Co., Great Dock Street, Newport.
From Mercer & Crocker's 1876 Directory for Mon. Herefs. etc. - page 53 -
James N. Knapp & Co., United States Consulate, Ship Brokers and Coal
Exporters, 72 Dock Street, Newport.
Go to -
http://www.cavendish-auctions.com/sale648_21_22nov03/a1041_1120.html - where
you will see the following for sale:-
1118 EXTREMELY RARE PRINTED ENVELOPE ADVERTISING "JAMES N. KNAPP & CO.,
NEWPORT, MON.": 1869 Printed env. advertising the firm of James Knapp & Co.
(Ship Brokers & Coal Exporters) to "The Captain of the Ship St. James, Le
Havre" bearing 1d pl.122 & with two-line "INSUFFICIENTLY/STAMPED". £260
-
you can link to a photograph of this envelope.
also on
http://www.cavendish-auctions.com/sale651_652_5_6mar04/1397_14761.html (no
photo of this one:-
1408 1869 Printed env. for 'JAMES N. KNAPP & Co.,/SHIP BROKERS,/Coal
Exporters &c./NEWPORT,/ MON.' addressed to the Captain of the Ship "St.
James", Le Havre franked with 1d red plate 122 tied by superb Newport duplex
and bearing fine two line "INSUFFICIENTLY/STAMPED" instructional mark. An
extremely rare printed advertising env. £180
Regards
Brian
Brian Beeche Comley - Porthcawl, Glamorgan (South Wales - UK)
FHS Member: Glam; Gwent; Wilts
I use CDs produced by Archive CD Books to assist my own research and that of
fellow researchers. Go to:
http://www.archivecdbooks.org
All emails (in & out) scanned by Norton Anti Virus 2005
----- Original Message -----
From: "john phillips" <johnvphillips(a)btinternet.com>
To: <MONMOUTHSHIRE-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2005 12:50 AM
Subject: [Mon] JAMES N. KNAPP & Co, Newport, Monmouthshire
Hi Listers,
I am new to this list and this is my first post so fingers crossed.
In a copy I possess of one of the Log Books dated 1873, for the PRINCE
ALFRED ON 29353 Built by J. H. Willmett 1861, Registered Padstow there is
pinned a letter.
The Letter Head is for:
JAMES N. KNAPP & Co
Ship Brokers
NEWPORT AND CARDIFF
COAL, COKE, IRON ORE MERCHANTS
UNITED STATES CONSULATE
AGENCY NEW YORK & BOSTON UNDERWRITERS
FOR THE BRITISH CHANNEL
Does anyone have any further information about the above company?
This Cutter was built for my ggg grandfather and his brother-in-law,
William Chalk and Joseph Grigg Coad both of Port Isaac, Cornwall and
Launched by my gg grandmother Mary Jane Chalk.
Joseph was her MASTER for the first few years, between William and Joseph
they owned 40/64's, other interested parties were involved with the local
Delabole slate quarry. The vessel was used for exporting the slate and
various other cargoes from Port Gavern and brought back coal regularly
from
Newport, Monmouthshire. Some interesting cargoes such as manure,
salt(from
Gloucester) and potatoes (from Belgium) where imported.
The Ship Builder J. H. Willmett, was from Newport from where he moved with
two of his brothers who also went on to build ships at Padstow, Cornwall,
their father was a ship builder at Newport.
>From my research the trade in which they were involved expanded from the
Bristol channel to many of Northern Europe, it seems this starting with
exporting Slate to Nieuport Belgium before expanding into France. The Coad
Family at the turn of the 1900's actually had family members living in
Belgium as shipping agents for the family business by which time had
expanded into schooners involved in the Foreign and Home Trades. William
Chalk's Son-in-law William Cock Phillips (my gg Grandfather married Mary
Jane Chalk) died prematurely after an operation in 1897 aged 57yrs. at the
time of his death he left in his Will 9 Schooners/Brigs/Barques. The ships
continued to trade until around 1924, by then they were lost to WW1 and
The force of the sea and not replaced due to the decline of sail power to
mechanical transport.
Any way, got carried away there for a moment... SO, if anyone can help
With info' about James Knapp & Co, it would be very much appreciated. I
can
email a copy of the letter to any interested persons.
Many thanks to you all for your time to read this,
>
>
> Regards
>
> John Phillips (Kent, UK)