Knightsville is an urban neighborhood in the city of

Cranston, Rhode Island Cranston, formerly known as Pawtuxet, is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The official population of the city in the 2020 United States Census was 82,934, making it the second-largest city in the state. The center of ...

History

Knightsville is named after local inn keeper and U.S. Congressman

Nehemiah Knight Nehemiah Knight (March 23, 1746June 13, 1808) was a United States representative from Rhode Island. He was born in Knightsville (a village later named after him) within the town of Cranston in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantat ...

(1746–1808). The Knights were descendants of early English immigrants who were some of the earliest settlers in the area. Early town meetings in the 18th century were held in Caleb Arnold's tavern, Nehemiah Knight's tavern (currently on the site of present city building), and the old Knightsville Meetinghouse. In 1843

Amasa Sprague Amasa Sprague (April 10, 1798 – December 31, 1843) was an American businessman and politician from Rhode Island. He co-founded the A & W Sprague textile firm with his brother William Sprague III. He was murdered on New Year's Eve, 1843. Busines ...

, a textile entrepreneur, was beaten to death near what is now St. Ann Cemetery. His alleged murderer, John Gordon, was the last person executed in Rhode Island. By the turn of the 20th century, the city was home to various thriving businesses and industries, attracting large numbers of European immigrants. Many residents are now Italian-American, with many able to trace their lineage to

Itri Itri is a small city and ''comune'' the province of Latina, Lazio, central Italy. Itri is an agricultural centre divided in two parts by a small river, the Pontone. It lies in a valley between the Monti Aurunci and the sea, not far from the Gul ...

, a small Italian village approximately halfway between Rome and Naples.

Cultural attractions

The historic Knightsville Meetinghouse, built in 1807, was located within the village but demolished in December 2015. The neighborhood also features church celebrations including the Feast of Saint Mary, under the title of Maria Santissima della Civita (or la Madonna della Civita), a week-long celebration featuring a carnival, fireworks, and a religious procession. It is held every July and attracts thousands of visitors. The actual feast day is July 21, and is celebrated the closest weekend to that date. Knightsville is home to several churches, including St. Mary's, St. Ann's, and Knightsville-Franklin Congregational Church. The neighborhood also has a

public library A public library is a library, most often a lending library, that is accessible by the general public and is usually funded from public sources, such as taxes. It is operated by librarians and library paraprofessionals, who are also Civil servic ...

, The Knightsville Branch. Knightsville is also the home of PFC Anthony J. Sivo, who was killed in action in Vietnam in 1968. Anthony J. Sivo Park was built in his honor on November 11, 1991.

History

Cultural attractions

References

See also