THE JOHN KNILL CELEBRATIONS - MONDAY 25TH JULY 2011
 

John Knill was born at Callington, Cornwall on the 1 January 1733.  He died on the 29 March 1811 at the age of 78.

He was Collector of the Customs at St Ives in 1762, an office he held for 20 years.  He became the Mayor of the Borough of St Ives on 1 November 1767, and he developed a warm and abiding affection for the town and its people.

He built the Mausoleum in 1782, he intended that this imposing structure, 50 feet high, built on a high point looking down upon the Town should be his resting place, but he died in London and was not brought back to the tomb he prepared for himself.  The tomb on Worvas Hill is today known as Knill’s Steeple, it is a triangular pyramid of granite with the words “Resurgam” and the Coat of Arms and Motto - Nil desperandum - of John Knill on one side, the second side bears the inscription “I know that my Redeemer liveth” and on the third side is inscribed “Johannes Knill 1782”.

John Knill prepared an Indenture which bears the date of 29 May 1797.  He appointed the Mayor, the Vicar and the Customs Officer to be Trustees, and charged them with the duty of ensuring that this ceremony was duly performed every five years on 25 July, being the Feast of St James, the Apostle.

Ten girls, not exceeding 10 years, being native of St Ives and daughters of Seaman, Fishermen or Tinners, should dance around his monument accompanied by two widows aged over 64 years, being widows of Seamen, Fishermen or Tinners.  They should be accompanied by the Vicar of St Ives, the Mayor and Customs Officer, all led by a fiddler.   John Knill requested that they dance for 15 minutes and at the end everyone present sing the Hundredth Psalm, to the old tune which the same was sung in the present 15th Century Church of St Ives two centuries ago.

 Order of Ceremonies

10.30am  Assemble at the Guildhall Forecourt

10.40am  The Mayor will introduce the John Knill Ceremonies.

11.00am  Party will then proceed to the Malakoff via Street-an-Pol, St Andrew’s Street, High Street, Tregenna Place, Tregenna Hill and Fernlea Terrace to the waiting transport.  The party will then drive to the Steeple.

12.00 noon  The Master of Ceremonies will open the Ceremony with an introduction in explanation of the occasion.

12.30pm  The party will walk down from the Steeple to the waiting transport and ride down to the Malakoff where the party will form up again and walk back to The Guildhall direct. 

Link to St Ives TV - Hardings explains Knills Celebration

 Photos:  Colin Sanger

The John Knill
Souvenir Programme
 on sale at
 St Ives Visitor and Information Centre
Price £2.00