William and Luella Knott The Knott House Built in 1843, probably by free black builder George Proctor, the Knott House was first occupied by attorney Thomas Hagner and his wife Catherine Gamble. The house served as temporary Union Headquarters in 1865, where Brigadier General Edward McCook announced the Emancipation Proclamation. Physician Dr. George Betton made the location his home and office in the 1880s. Betton assisted in the early medical training of his carriage driver, William Gunn, who became Florida’s first African - American physician. In the early 20th century, three Florida Supreme Court judges lived in the house, acquired by William and Luella Knott in 1928. As the wife of a state treasurer, Luella hosted notable social functions, and as a poet, she wrote verses about the home and its furnishings, causing the site to be known as "The House That Rhymes." With the death of the Knott's son in 1985, the Historic Tallahassee Preservation Board became the beneficiary, and after extensive renovations, the Knott House Museum opened to the public in 1992. Its administration was transferred to the Museum of Florida History in 1997. William and Luella Knott Luella Pugh Knott Luella Pugh Knott was born in Graham, North Carolina, on May 31, 1871. Her parents died of tuberculosis when she was only six years old. This early loss caused Luella to develop strong character. Her determination enabled her to graduate from Greensboro Methodist College in 1891, a rare achievement for women of that era. Later, she taught school in central Florida, where she met her future life-partner. Luella and William married in 1895. His political career brought them to Tallahassee, where Mrs. Knott became involved in many charitable causes. She also published her music, poetry, and other writings. However, family life remained her top priority. She was a devoted mother of three children, whom she schooled at home. she suffered from poor health on and off throughout her life, in spite of it she entertained frequently in her home. She attached poems to her furnishings with satin ribbons, drawing attention to her unique antiques. She often shopped at estate sales for vintage pieces. She worked very hard to "fit in" with the "old money" society that wielded much power in the 1930s. Luella passed away on April 11, 1965, eight days after her husband died. She was 93 years old. The following poem is believed to be the last one that she wrote, created only days after her husband's death and only days before her own. Somehow, a mist is in the sky, The shadows closer, darker lie. Since then; The days have been so gray and long, without a note of cheery song, And everything's been going wrong Since then . . . The light grows dimmer every day, My voice grows weaker when I pray, Since then; Not that I'd want to call him back, ah, no! God knows I wanted him to go, But somehow something hurts me so, Since then. There's nothing now to hold me here, And everything to draw me there, Since then; Sweet Sorrows taught me how to see And hear and feel, and want to be With that dear voice that's calling me - Since then. William Knott William Valentine Knott was born in Terrell County, Georgia, on November 24, 1863. He moved via covered wagon to central Florida in 1881, where he helped his parents establish citrus groves near Leesburg. Later he opened a phosphate mining business with his brother Charles near Ocala. Always good with numbers, he took jobs in accounting and worked with his brother in local government. While William's career opportunities in economics advanced, he still maintained an interest in agricultural work and a love for farming. William and Luella made their home in Tallahassee in 1897 when he became Florida's first state financial agent under Governor Mitchell. William earned an admirable reputation during these years. He held such positions as a State Treasurer in 1903, and State Comptroller. By 1917 William was well known for his genius for organization, his attention to detail, and his honesty. He was selected as the Democratic candidate for governor, but in a close and confusing election, the Prohibition candidate Sidney Catts, was elected governor in 1917. In 1921 the Board of State Institutions under Governor Cary Hardee appointed him administrator of the state hospital in Chattahoochee. William achieved much success at this daunting task, and within two years had the hospital in better shape than it had ever been. Even before the start of the national Depression, bank failures and a devastating hurricane threatened Florida's economy and Governor John Martin appointed William Knott to his original post as auditor in 1927. The Knotts returned to Tallahassee and moved into the house that is now the Knott House Museum. In September 1928 was appointed to the position of Treasurer for a second time. He had served under sixth governors. He announced his retirement at age 75. The longest term of service in the treasurer's office ended in 1941. William was born during the Civil War when Abraham Lincoln was president, and he died on April 3, 1965, when Lyndon B. Johnson was in office. William passed away at this home, reaching 101 years of age. His body was brought to the Capitol Rotunda where hundreds came to pay tribute to the man who had given so many devoted years of service to the state of Florida. Left-Bed Room Right- Throughout the house, Luella's whimsical poems are attached to her favorite items and furniture pieces with satin ribbons. Left-Living Room Right- Study [Florida Index] Some Facts and Photos [1] [2] [ 3] [ 4] [Currency] [Eatonville] [Lighthouses] [Art Deco- South Beach] [Kingsley Plantation] [Florida Plantations] [Ante Bellum Plantations] [Native Floridians] [James Weldon Johnson] [Mary Mc Leod Bethune] [Zora Neale Hurston] [John Ringling] [Dr. John Gorrie] [George Proctor] This information and photos are from: Florida Division of Historical Resources I have sincerely and honestly tried to follow all guidelines, terms of use and copyright notices for using information from the above sources and have given complete titles, web site addresses, credit, etc. to the best of my abilities. I take no credit for any of the information and have no personal knowledge of the events and I am not representing such. If the information I have provided concerning where and how the information was obtained is not properly done or credited, it is in no way intentional.