Richard Knight (1659–1745),[3] of Downton Hall, in the parish of Downton on the Rock in Herefordshire, England (situated about 5 miles (8 km) west of Ludlow), was a wealthy ironmaster who operated the Bringewood Ironworks,[4][5] on the Downton estate, and founded a large fortune and family dynasty.
He was born in 1659, the son of Richard Knight of Madeley, Shropshire.
[6] He was engaged in the iron trade at the time of the Commonwealth and acquired great wealth by the ironworks of Shropshire.
[7] He married Elizabeth Payne (1671–1754), a daughter of Andrew Payne of Shawbury in Shropshire, by whom he had four sons as follows:[8]
Arms of Knight:
Argent, three pales gules within a bordure engrailed azure on a chief of the last three spurs or
[
1
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Map showing properties in Herefordshire owned by members of the knight family, descendants of the ironmaster Richard Knight (1659-1745) of Downton
Lea Castle,
Wolverley
, Worcestershire, built after 1809 by
John II Knight
(1765-1850) and sold by him about 9 years later in about 1818
[
2
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to help finance his purchase of
Exmoor Forest
. Demolished 1945 with the exception of the gatehouse which still stands
Mural monument (erected 1813/16) to Richard II Knight (1693-1765), Chapel of Croft Castle, erected by his two surviving grandchildren
Thomas Johnes Knight
(d.1816), MP (who adopted the additional surname of Knight), and Anne Johnes
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9
]
