Clemence Holly Knapp

     Clemence Holly was born on Thursday, 18 September 1783. She was the daugher of William Rundell Knapp and Mary Holly. Clemence Holly married Benjamin Vail, son of William Vail and Phebe Vail, in 1801 in Orange County, New York.¹ Benjamin and Clemence had children: Walter Simonson [3/31/1803] [m. Laouretta Abigail Drake], Mary Ann [7/17/1805] [m. 2/08/1832 Jonas Seely Compton], William Rundell [11/23/1807] [m. Sally Ann Murry], Samuel Knapp [6/21/18010] [m. Mary Drake Cooper], Elizabeth [8/12/1812] [m. 12/31/1843 William Henry Horton], Nathaniel Malg rove [2/18/1817-9/27/1898] [m. 5/11/1853 Mary Hilton], John Holly [8/09/1820] [m. Eliza Berry Knapp] & James Sawyer [4/23/1824] [m. Mary Drake]. 24 September 1850, Clemence and her husband, Benjamin, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Chester, Orange County, New York. Enumerated in this household were Benjamin Vail [73 New York], Clemence [67 New York], John K [30 New York] James S [26 New York] & Elizabeth V. Compton [15 New York]. The men were all farmers.² Clemence's husband, Benjamin, died on 13 October 1859 in Chester, Orange County, New York, leaving her a widow. Clemence departed this life on Wednesday, 14 August 1872 in Chester, Orange County, New York, at age 88 years, 10 months and 27 days. She was buried there in Chester Cemetery. The inscripton on her tombstone reads: Benjamin Vail 1776 - 1859 - Clemence Knapp - his wife 1783 -1872.³