Capt. John McKnight

Captain John McKnight (1705-1786) was born in Scotland and came to America about 1735 settling in Pennsylvania. His son, William (1733-1812) was commissioned a Captain in the First Battalion of the Pennsylvania Regiment and with his command participated in the capture of Fort Duquesne. William moved to Alexandria in 1775 and soon thereafter began operating McKnight's Tavern. William fathered two sons: Charles (1774-1853) and John (1769- 1834). Charles was a Captain of the Independent Blues and later took over the tavern renaming it Eagle Tavern. He never married. John, a sea captain, piloted the Polly and Nancy and was a partowner in the Schooner Adventure. John married Catherine Piercy; they had 12 children -- one of whom was William H. McKnight, who married Margaret Jacobs. They begot Charles H. and William P. McKnight.

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In the 1770s, one of the best places to look at the taverns of Alexandria was the 100 block of North Royal Street. Richard Arell's Tavern was located on what is now Market Square. William McKnight's tavern was across the street, while widow Mary Hawkins's tavern (later known as Gadsby's) was near the corner of Cameron and Royal streets. They were only three of the eleven tavern-keepers providing bed, food and drink to travelers and townspeople in predominately two- and three-story frame buildings. In 1777 a new tavern of large proportions was under construction by John Dalton at the northeast corner of Cameron and Fairfax streets, but it was not completed until after his death. We know from an advertisement that this tavern was L-shaped and contained a two-story kitchen with an eight-foot wide fireplace with boilers and oven. A 28-horse stable and carriage house also graced the lot. - taken from the Alexandria.gov website