FAMILY MATTERS
Richard was the son of Thomas Knight, and the first cousin of our ancestor James Knight from Bicknor.
My cousin John Edwards writes: that Richard is "almost certainly the Rychard Knight and Margret Iden married in Stockbury on 20 Oct 1600 ... He was actually married twice. His first wife was called Margaret, and was buried in Boughton Monchelsea on 20 Sep 1605. She was the mother of Richard's first two children. Perhaps there was a complication from the birth of their short-lived daughter Anne earlier that year."
"He then married Anne Hopper (shown in the transcript as Agnes) at nearby Loose on 23 Jun 1607 and had three more children including our ancestor Anne."
RIPPLE COURT
Sometime prior to 1652, Richard came into possession of Ripple Court Manor in Hollingbourne.
There were actually many owners during the 17th century. Francis Barnham, who lived in the great manor of Boughton Monchelsea, came into possession of it in 1613. He sold it to Gabriel Livesey, who died in 1622.(Hellen Allison, HOLLINGBOURNE, p 62)
Richard Knight probably obtained possession of the manor prior to his wife Anne's burial, on 4 Sept 1651. He mentions Ripple Court in his will (Reference: PROB 11/239/213 Probate Date: 27 Jan 1653/4) He said he was to be buried "neere to the corps of my late loving wife Anne Knight in the churchyard of Hollingbourne."
RICHARD'S WILL
Richard left the manor and most of his estate to his unmarried son Robert, who was living with him. Robert was named executor.
He also left inheritances for:
RICHARD'S DEATH
Richard Knight's will was probated on January 27, 1653/54, after which which his son Robert became the owner of Ripple Court Manor.