Of all of the members of the Knapp Family, that could of actually constructed the mansion in Mastic Beach, my strongest hunch would be it was Joseph Palmer. As of this writing the earliest land dealings I've found there involving the Knapp's and the Smith's are in the year 1893. That would be two years after JF's (his fathers) passing and his son Joseph Fairchild would only be a year old. But until I know the actual construction date of the Mastic Beach home it's just an educated guess. Both Joseph Palmer and Joseph Fairchild's name appear on deeds that transferred the land to Home Guardian in the 1930's and 40's.

In my early research about Joseph Palmer Knapp 1864-1951, I've learned that he just didn't spend Daddy's Money. He learned early lessons in how to earn it. and he certainly knew how to make it grow and grow. He also used it for a lot of worthwhile projects. He was quite an innovator in the publishing and printing world. Color printing and Weekly Magazines in Sunday Papers are but two of his innovations.

In the 1930's and 40's he seems to turn his attention to the outer banks area of North Carolina. He built a large estate there on Mackay Island and performed many philanthropic acts in the areas of education. He actually started and funded schools there. Today there are many schools, libraries, and public buildings named after him in North Carolina. You have to wonder if the Knapp's had not pulled up stakes in Mastic Beach, if the school district would still be named William Floyd? I believe it was developer Walter T Shirley who came up with using that name. The founding father not withstanding, I know had the Knapp's stayed on, their house would still be standing and there would probably be a school or two with their name on it.

Prior to 1932 the Knotts Island men folk often guided for wealthy sportsmen to support their families. My grandfather, Edgar Wright Brumley, was one such individual. He had five children - Nita, Adell, Ruth, Edgar and Paul. During that particular time, it was decided by the "powers that be" that to legally operate your Battery (a type of boat, outfitted to be used like the duck hunting blinds of today) a special license would be necessary. However, only so many licenses were to be made available to the Currituck County guides and Papa Ed did not receive one. He, however, took his Battery out and was promptly issued a citation, which resulted in a trip over to the Courthouse.

Mr. Joseph Knapp was also there that day, as apparently were a lot of Knotts Islanders upset over the latest methods to keep the poor folk from earning a living off the water. Apparently my Grandfather had to pay a fine because Mr. Knapp came up to Papa Ed and spoke these words, "Mr. Brumley, it is not fair that someone like you who is trying to feed your family is denied a license and someone like me without a large family to feed, is given a license. If you ever need any help for your family, come and see me." My grandfather did not forget that friendly offer which came from Knotts Island's most wealthy part-time resident/sportsman.

In 1932 his two daughters, Nita and Adell, expressed a wish to go away to college and become teachers. The money was not available, but my grandfather remembered Mr. Knapp's offer. He hitched the old mule up, set off with his lantern swinging from the wagon and went to Mackay Island where the beautiful estate of Mr. and Mrs. Knapp was located. He went up to the Clubhouse entrance, was received politely and invited inside. He came away with a promise of a loan for whatever was needed for both girls to receive two years of college instruction. In those years, young unmarried women were allowed to teach with a 2-year certificate. The very next day their father took them to Norfolk where a cardboard suitcase apiece was purchased, and one trunk to be shared between them for their clothing. There would be no trips home for these two until the Christmas break. This was a loan and both girls were to repay it after they became teachers. Both did complete the two years required at East Carolina Teacher's College and both became elementary teachers. My mother, Adell Brumley Fentress, ended her teaching career in the late 60's teaching "little folks" at the same school in which she herself attended as a young child - Knotts Island School. I grew up hearing her repeatedly mention this wonderfully kind benefactor who
made her dream of teaching become a reality. That she was able to share her love of teaching at the school which first nurtured her was, I think, a fitting closure to her 30 years of teaching. Mr. Knapp would have smiled at having been the instrument that made it all possible so many years ago.

(excerpt from newspaper article published in the 1940's)
The J.P.Knapp School is named to honor Joseph P. Knapp. Mr. Knapp is generally known
to most people in Elizabeth City and Northeastern North Carolina as a wealthy New York
publisher and sportsman who gives lavishly to the betterment of roads, school, and
agriculture in Currituck County; who, with his friend, William E. Corey, generously loaned
the U.S. government a half million dollars for two years without interest, to hasten the restoration of the locks in the Albemarle Canal. What few people know about Mr. Knapp is that he is chairman of the finance committee of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, the world's largest financial institution with assets of more than three billion dollars; a member of the Board of Directors of the Bankers Trust Company, one of the strongest banks in New York City, Chairman of the Board of the Crowell Publishing company; and a business partner of Thomas W. Lamont of J. P. Morgan & Co. He didn't want notoriety or his name up in lights. It was just a genuine concern and need of his to help other people. No place knows this better than Currituck County, whose school system was revolutionized by Mr. Knapp. He used his own money to build schools and pay teacher wages, started education programs, hired a traveling nurse and even supplemented teachers salaries.

a guestbook entry from Tunis Corbell on a Knott's Island Web Page

I am now almost 73 and live in Los Altos Hills, CA. I still visit Knotts Island every year or so to see relatives and to just enjoy the area. I was raised on Knotts Island having moved there when I was six weeks old from Creeds, Va. I left to work with the Corps of Engineers in Norfolk in 1940 and on into the Navy in 1942. In 1946 I enrolled at NC State and I believe I was the first State graduate from Knotts Island. I still credit much of my success in life to the great beginning at the school on Knotts Island built and almost run in my day by Joseph P. Knapp. We had about eight teachers for 85 to 90 students and a curriculum that much of the country is still dreaming about- sex education, music, home economics, drama, etc. We also enjoyed a balanced diet thanks to the lunch program and milk and veggies from Mackay Island.

Below is the New York Times Obituary for Joseph Palmer Knapp. In reading it I learned a lot, and of course am curious to know more. I have contacted the University of North Carolina where there are several books and papers written about him. Besides accumulating tremendous wealth (taking a large fortune and turning into what would be the equivalant of a Warren Buffet or Bill Gates fortune today) He seemed to have a lot of vision for ways to use it to benefit others. Here are a few things that jumped out at me.

Upon entering the employ of his father's printing firm his first year in college. He was paid $5.00 per week. Of that he had to donate $3.00 to the church. Thinking that $2.00 was a little tight to get by on he came up with ways to earn a whole lot more money.

He set himself up on a commission basis and sold printing. While working on his lunch hour he caught the attention of James B Duke, founder of American Tobacco Co. ( Doris Duke's Grandfather? ) Impressed with his work ethic American Tobacco became one of his best clients.

He developed the multi-color press and the roto gravure process.

Publisher of Collier's Magazine and Books

Upon joining the board of directors of Met Life after his fathers death, brought about the idea of mutalization of policies to help the poor. It was a fore runner of the Social Security system.