Knox, Andrew

Ca. 1733–76

Andrew Knox, merchant and public official, was a resident of Perquimans County where he had acquired land on both sides of the Yeopim Road between the Yeopim and Perquimans rivers. He owned the sloop Franklin with which he engaged in coastal shipping to supply his own store and others. About 1754 he married Christian Halsey, the daughter of William and Martha Halsey. Their first child, Ann, was born on 16 July 1755.

From 1761 to 1769 Knox was sheriff of Perquimans County, and from 1764 to 1775 he served in the Assembly. He was a member and clerk of the Provincial Congress in 1774 and 1775. Among his legislative assignments were the Committee to Regulate the Several Public Offices in the Province (1766) and the Committee to Issue Paper Currency (1775). In 1771, as a member of the legislature, he went to Rowan County in an attempt to pacify the Regulators there. In 1773 he was commissioner for the town of Hertford, and in 1775 he was a lieutenant colonel in the militia of the Edenton District, where he also served as commissary for the militia.

Knox had five children: Ann, Sarah, Christian, Andrew, and Hugh. He died shortly before 20 Jan. 1776, the date on which his will was probated.