Nokomis in Sarasota County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Knight Memorial/Area First Cemetery
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, February 27, 2020
1. Knight Memorial Marker (side 1)
Side 1
The original settlers of the area were Jesse and Rebecca Knight who came to the Venice area in 1868 with their children and 300 head of cattle. The Knight family settled south of Shakett Creek and north of this marker. Their cattle grazed freely throughout the entire region. As more settlers to the area a school was needed and in 1897 Jesse Knight donated a one acre school site. The school yard was located 1/8th of a mile east of this marker. The school served as this area’s church on Sundays. Many of the early sermons were delivered by Knight, an unordained Methodist Preacher.
Side 2
As the community grew, Knight saw the need for a separate church building and on October 22nd, 1903, he donated ½ acre for a Methodist Episcopal Church. The church, a wood frame structure, was located east of this cemetery. Knight donated the one acre cemetery plot to the church. While owned by Knight, this site had served as a cemetery since the 1880’s, in the area then known as Venice. In 1904, the cemetery was known as Venice Cemetery and the church was known as Knight’s Chapel. The original trustees of both the church and cemetery were Jesse Knight, Alfred Wrede and Charles Curry.
Erected
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 27° 7.176′ N, 82° 26.585′ W. Marker is in Nokomis, Florida, in Sarasota County. Marker is at the intersection of Colonia Lane East and Riverview Drive, on the right when traveling west on Colonia Lane East. Marker located within the cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nokomis FL 34275, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. History of Nokomis / Fred Albee (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Turpentine / Venice Ice House (about 800 feet away); Nokomis School (approx. ¼ mile away); Curry Family / Wading Birds (approx. 0.3 miles away); Shakett Creek / Estuary "the cradle of the ocean" (approx. 0.6 miles away); Pentagon 9-11 Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Berlin Airlift Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Revolutionary War Patriots (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nokomis.
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, February 27, 2020
2. Area First Cemetery Marker (side 2)
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, February 27, 2020
3. Knight Memorial/Area First Cemetery Marker
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, February 27, 2020
4. Rev Jesse Knight headstone
Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 3, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 404 times since then and 94 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 3, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
