My maternal grandmother did a lot of research into the family history during her lifetime. She very much wanted to be in the DAR, and so I have, from her, a great deal of geneological information about her side of the family.

Turns out, in 1820 or 1821, Catherine Piercy married John McKnight. They had a number of children, and one of their daughters is my great, great, great, great grandmother.

Son of a gun. Turns out the McKnights are part of the Clan McNaughton, and that most of the McKnights/McNaughtons that emigrated to the USA in the early 1800's were part of the Scots that moved into Ulster after the Irish uprising under Sir Cahir O'Dogherty in 1607. Apparently a large number them left for the New World around 1750, so John McKnight is probably the son or grandson of one of those immigrants.

Looks like I can legitimately wear the McKnight tartan, Hamish!

The internet is an amazing thing.