"Mr Joseph Knight Senr. of Colesville, Broom County, Penn [New York]; who having heard of the manner in which we were occupying our time, very kindly and considerately brought us, a quantity of provisions, in order that we might not be interrupted in the work of translation, by the want of such necessaries of life: and I would just mention here (as in duty bound) that he several times brought us supplies (a distance of at least thirty miles) which enabled us to continue the work when otherwise we must have relinquished it for a season." — Joseph Smith Jr.1
Joseph Knight Sr. was born on November 26, 1772, in Oakham, Massachusetts. Knight married Polly Peck in 1795 and lived in Vermont before moving to Colesville, New York, in 1808 where he worked as a farmer and miller.2
Knight met Joseph Smith when the young man came to work for Josiah Stowell and he occasionally hired Joseph as a farmhand. The older man soon became a supporter of Joseph Smith. Knight had even loaned his horse and wagon to Joseph so he could retrieve the golden plates from the Hill Cumorah and waited at the Smith home while he did so.3 During the translation process, Knight was an invaluable supporter and friend and provided needed supplies.1 Knight was one of the first baptized into the Church of Christ.2
