The family name KNAPP originated in Saxony, a province of Germany. The name KNAPP, is derived from the Saxon word, spelled Cnoep, meaning hill or summit. Most Knapp descendants of old England believed their nationality as Anglo-Saxon, or English.
Captain Job Knapp was a fourth generation Knapp who lived in America. His great grandfather, Aaron Knapp came over from England about 1638 and settled in Taunton, MA. Aaron Knapp took the oath of fidelity in 1657 and was given his freedom on June 7th 1659. On July 24, 1653, Aaron was one of the thirteen persons who viewed the body of Thomas Bradley who was found dead on a "highway". He was on a jury to investigate the death of James Wyatt as well, on July 5th, 1664.
Capt. Job Knapp's grandfather was Samuel Knapp. He was a shoemaker by trade and in 1768 gave his residence as Rehobeth. Samuel Knapp's will was written in April 1719. Samuel's fifth son, Seth, was Capt. Job Knapp's father.
In 1757, Seth was engaged in the first Foot Company of Taunton Training Bank and served in the Revolutionary War. He was also Captain in Philip Walker's Company, and served in the French and Indian War. Captain Job Knapp's uncle, Joseph, brother of Seth was killed in King Phillip's War.
Captain Job Knapp was born in Taunton, MA and was the eldest of four children. He married Ruth Reid of Taunton, MA. (Ruth Reid's family goes back to the Mayflower through the Richmonds to Rogers' line.)
Captain Job Knapp had already moved from Taunton to Douglas when he enlisted in Nathaniel Tyler's regiment in 1780 and served in the Revolutionary War. His war service was from Lieutenant on May 18, 1775 to Captain on July 27, 1780; with his last day of service being on March 15, 1781. His will is dated Oct. 23, 1784 and he died in Douglas, MA on May 26, 1786.
Captain Job Knapp's son was also named Job Knapp and served in the Revolutionary War as well. He was called "Lieutenant Job". Lt. Job Knapp was married to Sarah Wilson, whose ancestry goes back to Roger Wilson. Roger Wilson was instrumental in the preparation of the Mayflower voyage from England.
Lt. Job's third son was also named Job Knapp. Job Knapp III (born in Douglas July 18, 1795 and died on July 30, 1840) was married to Sarah Balcom. Job Knapp III settled on his father's estate and ran a country store with his uncle, Benjamin Wilson and brother, Moses Knapp.
There are many descendants of the originator, Aaron Knapp. Knapps are found in Vermont and Washington, and some as far away as Alaska. It is a family name to be proud of. Such goodly heritage has produced Lyman Enos Knapp, third governor of Alaska, who was third in descent from Captain Job Knapp.