Joseph Knight, Sr. family reunions began in 1980 when Darrell V. Knight gathered a group of Knight relatives together for an event in Liberty Park. For almost another 40 years Darrell was a guiding force in organizing reunions, researching Knight history and supporting the publication of the books written by William G. Hartley about the Joseph Knight, Sr. family.
The Joseph and Polly Knight Family Organization has continued to host reunions every two years. Planning, setup, and cleanup is all done by volunteers. In recent years, the reunions have been held on a Friday and Saturday. Around 400 people typically attend some part. The 2020 virtual reunion was one day.
There has never been a charge to participate in the classes, firesides, or activities, although there usually are t-shirts, meals, or family history items available for purchase. Donations are accepted to help cover reunions costs like postage, printing.
The Knight Family also uses donations to help support the maintenance of the Knight Farm Home in Colesville. If you would like to donate to the Joseph Knight, Sr. Family Organization, contact us.
Since 2010, each reunion has had a theme and its own reunion t-shirt. Click a theme to see the article and photos from that reunion.
Friday activities and “Knights Got Talent”. Friday dinner and fireside with guest speaker Dr. Daniel Peterson. Saturday classes and catered lunch.
Friday night fireside and classes on Saturday. Fireside speaker was Alex Baugh, BYU Church History Professor, speaking about the Colesville Branch journey from New York to Missouri.
Friday opening had Richard Bushman, Carl Davis, and Richard Morrey speak. Classes were held in the afternoon, and then a catered dinner and fireside. Dan Debenham from “Relative Race” was the speaker. Saturday started with classes and then a catered lunch and closing fireside featuring Dr. Daniel Peterson.
A one-day online event due to the pandemic. Started Knight Time Stories and Good Knight Stories on YouTube. Held family meetings for each of the families. Had classes and then ended with a book club discussion of the “Rise of the Latter-day Saints” book that came out since the last reunion.
Classes on Friday and Saturday. Friday fireside speaker was Dr. McKay Mackey from BYU. He discussed the coming of Newel Knight’s journals, which he has been working on. Saturday morning speakers were Tanner Mangum and Gabriela Ulloa. T-shirts were navy blue with the reunion logo.
Classes on Friday and Saturday. Friday fireside speakers were Raphael and Shari Meacham on the Knight Farmhouse restoration. Saturday morning speakers were Tanner Mangum and Bill Hartley. T-shirts were gray with the reunion logo.
Elder Steven R. Snow was the fireside speaker and he brought the Knight Cane for all to see. Tours were arranged at the Church History Museum and classes were held on both Friday and Saturday. Saturday morning speaker was Bill Hartley. T-shirts were tan with the reunion logo.
Celebrated Lydia Knight’s 200th birthday with a re-dedication of her headstone in the St. George Cemetery. Guest speaker: President Bruce Hafen (St. George Temple President). T-shirts were maroon with Lydia’s 200th birthday logo.
Celebration of the Knight Flour Mills for the Saints. Knight Cane on display at the Church History Museum. Friday night dinner and fireside with guest speakers Bill Hartley and Dr. Larry Porter. Saturday morning brunch and conference, followed by free time at Wheeler Farm. T-shirts were tan with a gristmill logo.
Held at Fort Tuthill State Park. Friday night was a dutch oven dinner and campfire program. Saturday was fishing and hiking. About 20 families joined on Friday, and 14 families stayed overnight.
Catered lunch and Family Olympics. Each family was assigned a different color shirt to help identify themselves. Activities were provided by Wheeler Farm.
Thursday was a temple session in the Manti Temple, followed by the pageant. Friday was Family Days. Newel’s family met in American Fork for Goofy Olympics and a Talent Show. Saturday, Bill Hartley presented the new book “Stand By My Servant, Joseph”. T-shirts were navy blue with the family logo.
Friday was Family Days. Newel’s family met at This Is The Place Heritage Park. Joseph Jr’s family met at Provo Kiwanis Park. Saturday all families met at BYU. After a catered lunch, there was a DNA presentation and blood was collected for a DNA database. Each family had a different colored t-shirt with the Knight Family logo.
Toured the BYU Special Collections Library and then held a family meeting to discuss future plans for the reunion. (Only 10 people attended.)
Bill Hartley spoke about his first book, “They Are My Friends”. This was the first sighting of the navy blue Knight Family Organization t-shirts.
Potluck lunch and program. Ended with Cowboy Poetry and a folksong sing-along.
Small gathering to discuss possibly commissioning Bill Hartley to write a book for the family. Bill presented information he had gathered. The decision was made to write a book about the history of the Knight Family.
Held a Sunday evening fireside where Darrell shared about his visit to Romsey, England and the abbey.
Gathering meeting for descendants in Southern Utah. (No other known information about this event.)
Bill Hartley, Darrell Knight, and James Kimball spoke. Plans were made to take a “Heritage Tour” in July to visit historic Knight sites.
