From "The History of Contra Costa County, California" By Frederick J. Hulaniski, ed., 1917, Berkeley, Cal., The Elms Publishing Co., Inc.

It has been said that, George Washington Knight, took great pride in his beard and never cut it off. Every night, after coming from working on the farm, he would unbraid it, wash it and braid/roll it back up, again. It grew to be so long that when he died, his beard had to be rolled up, in order for it to fit in his coffin.

George W. Knight born Jan 20, 1845 (marker incorrect) Whitefield, Lincoln County Maine. Died Dec 7,1931 Knightsen, CA

George Washington Knight and Christina Marie Christensen were married March 2, 1886 in Antioch, Contra Costa County, California. After the wedding, they took a river boat to San Francisco, where they honeymooned.
Together, they had three daughters: Amy Marie, born in 1887; Adeline Flora, born in 1891; and, Essie Wilmena born in 1894.

George and Christina owned quite a bit of land near Knightsen, California. They grew grain and hay, and propagated the klondike almond; which he made exhibits at the St. Louis Exposition in 1904. George was a self taught botonist. He grafted and developed new varieties of trees.

Another thing that George was known for was his beard. It is said that when he died, his beard was so long that it had to be rolled up in order for it to fit into the coffin. He wanted to see how long it would grow. If you look at the picture you can see that it is only partially showing. The rest of it is tucked up inside his shirt.

George and Christina lived in the town of Knightsen; which was named for both George and Christina. The Santa Fe Railroad Company wanted to build railroad tracks through their land. George gave them permission to build the tracks across one corner of their property. The town of Knightsen was created, as a result. It is a combination of Knight and Christensen. He served as Knightsen's first Postmaster and was the clerk for the school board of Eden Plain School.

Later on, George invited his brother Allen W. Knight to come out to California, from Maine, and work with him on the farm. So, Allan took George up on the invitation. He never returned to Maine.

George Washington Knight was born January 20, 1843 in Chelsea, Kennebec County, Maine. His parents were John Knight and Adeline Tibbets Knight. He moved to California when he was in his twenties.
George Washington Knight died, in the home of his daughter Adeline Flora (Knight, Mecum), Duff, December 7, 1931 of pneumonia. He was 87 years old.