Do you remember the cat who would weekly proclaim "I hate meeces to pieces!" I believe Pixie and Dixie were the mice in question but I don't remember the name of the cat. Anyway, "Reeses" rhymes with "meeses". While I don't necessarily "hate" this line, it is enough to make me pull my hair out. Sorry about the vent, but at the moment my local genealogist/librarians are not available to soothe me.
So I'm writing about Thomas Rees today. Several sites say he was born in 1705 and died in 1783. But they also say he was married to Margaret Bowen, and that Thomas Rees and Margaret were married for several (the document says "many") years when Thomas and Margaret asked for a certificate from the Radnor Monthly Meeting to send to the Goshen Monthly Meeting. It states that "Whereas Thomas Reese and his wife Margaret Reese inhabitants within the verge of your meeting have made application unto us for something by way of Certificate unto you. These are therefore to certifie on their behalf that they was both of them educated amongst us and esteemed of us until they joined in marriage contrary to the order and departure of Friends which they these are satisfied unto this that they have been under trouble and exorcised of mind for many years as well as for the conduct of their lives desiring their sorrows for the same and that they took the blame and shame thereof on themselves and that they hoped through divine assistance to take care for the future not to do anything as may bring a reproach upon truth or a grief to friends, so desiring their insofar and that they who make their profession to the Divine Principal of Truth may be conducted and prospered by it to the end of their day, we remain your friends from our Monthly Meeting, at Radnor this 14th of 1st mo year 1722/1723."
Note: I did not transcribe this, but I sure do thank the unknown person who did. In copying it I have changed capitalizations but not the punctuation, or lack thereof. There are also the signatures of several members of the Radnor Monthly Meeting on this letter. I found this fascinating, but the main point is that Thomas was likely not born in 1705 in order to have married Margaret and be "under trouble and exorcized of mind for many years" by 1722/23. So, either this is not the Thomas Reese and Margaret Bowen who are said to have lived later, or there is another Thomas and Margaret that would be the parents of the Thomas and Margaret I think I'm writing about.
The children of Thomas and Margaret were born mostly in the 1730s and 1740s. It does appear that this was a Quaker family because they are later found at Hopewell Monthly Meeting in Frederick County, Virginia, in the far north "point" of the state. This is in the area of Opequon Creek. Early records there were lost in a fire so we don't know how early the Reese's arrived there. They seem to have been there by 1743, so they would have been in place for the battles of both the French and Indian war and the Revolutionary War. As a Quaker, Thomas wouldn't have been in the militia and he may have had to make a decision as to whether or not he would support the British in the first war and the patriots in the second war. Some Quakers were happy to supply materials and food for the troops, and some were not willing to do so, as they opposed any violence, or supporting any violence. It was a decision each man would have to make for himself. This area would have been under frequent, if not constant, threat of attack by native Americans.
Thomas and Margaret had 10 children who lived to adulthood. Two of them are direct ancestors, through this line. Thomas's uncle, Morris is also in the Beeks line. All of these trace back to David Rees. Theyr may be another line, also, for there is another wife of a Thomas Reese named Rebecca Price, and Price is a common contraction for ap Rhys. (These are Welsh names).
Thomas died in 1783 in Frederick County, Virginia and Margaret died two years later, probably in Washington County, Pennsylvania, where she had gone to visit or live with two of her sons. Obviously, there are still several records for me to look at for Thomas, especially land records and his will or estate records. But this is a start, to help us understand a little a very confusing set of families.
The line of descent is:
Thomas Reese-Margaret Bowen
Thomas Reese-Hannah Reese (she is the daughter of Morris Reese, who is a brother to the first
Thomas)
Solomon Reese=Anna possibly McNeal
Owen T Reese-Margaret Ellen Moon
Eliza Matilda Reese-Samuel Dunham
Margaret Catherine Dunham-Harvey Aldridge
Cleo Aldridge-Wilbur Beeks
Mary Beeks-Cleveland Harshaber
Their descendants
Showing posts with label Bowen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bowen. Show all posts
Friday, April 17, 2020
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Holbrook line: John Merryman 1678-1749
I don't have enough information to write a blog post about this ancestor, so this will be more like a placeholder, for now. John Merryman is one of our early Maryland ancestors, he owned land, he married and had children, and that's about most of what I know about him. There are other things we can speculate about.
John Merryman was the son of Charles and Mry Haile Merryman. He was born in either Lancaster County, Virginia, where his parents married, or Baltimore County, Maryland, where they moved about the time of his birth. We don't know why his parents moved but perhaps it was for religious freedom. Also, this was about the time of Bacon's Rebellion in Virginia and perhaps they felt safer there.
John married Matha Bowen, daughter of Jonas and Martha Henchman Bowen, on December 30, 1702. He already owned land on the north side of the Patapsco River, because he is taxed there starting in 1699. He was left two parcels of land by his father, and acquired more as he matured. The location of the land and the number of parcels he owned, plus the history of the other families I've reviewed for these posts, makes me speculate that he was a slave-owner. He likely grew tobacco as at least one of his crops, and that depleted soils rapidly so that farms had to be kept in rotation. This land was more or less directly east of what is now Fort McHenry in what is now Baltimore.
John and Martha had at least eight children. Three sons are named in his will, and five daughters are mentioned but not named. It is possible, even probable, that there were other children that didn't live to adulthood. We believe he was Anglican, as some of the family record's are at St Paul's Parish. He wrote his will in 1746 and died July 17, 1749.
That is what I know about John. He is not a man who has been thoroughly researched, but surely there is more to be found about him. I looked diligently for an inventory for John, but either it is misfiled or is lost. I would love to know what his estate was worth, and more particularly, I'd like to settle the question of whether he owned slaves, and how many there were. This family was early and important in the area so there should be more information to be found. If you know where and what it is, please contact me!
The line of descent is
John Merryman-Martha Bowen
Martha Merryman-Alexis Lemmon
Alexis Lemmon-Rachel Stansbury
Sarah Lemmon-Abraham Hetrick
Isaac Hetrick-Elizabeth Black
Mary Alice Hetrick-Louis Stanard
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
John Merryman was the son of Charles and Mry Haile Merryman. He was born in either Lancaster County, Virginia, where his parents married, or Baltimore County, Maryland, where they moved about the time of his birth. We don't know why his parents moved but perhaps it was for religious freedom. Also, this was about the time of Bacon's Rebellion in Virginia and perhaps they felt safer there.
John married Matha Bowen, daughter of Jonas and Martha Henchman Bowen, on December 30, 1702. He already owned land on the north side of the Patapsco River, because he is taxed there starting in 1699. He was left two parcels of land by his father, and acquired more as he matured. The location of the land and the number of parcels he owned, plus the history of the other families I've reviewed for these posts, makes me speculate that he was a slave-owner. He likely grew tobacco as at least one of his crops, and that depleted soils rapidly so that farms had to be kept in rotation. This land was more or less directly east of what is now Fort McHenry in what is now Baltimore.
John and Martha had at least eight children. Three sons are named in his will, and five daughters are mentioned but not named. It is possible, even probable, that there were other children that didn't live to adulthood. We believe he was Anglican, as some of the family record's are at St Paul's Parish. He wrote his will in 1746 and died July 17, 1749.
That is what I know about John. He is not a man who has been thoroughly researched, but surely there is more to be found about him. I looked diligently for an inventory for John, but either it is misfiled or is lost. I would love to know what his estate was worth, and more particularly, I'd like to settle the question of whether he owned slaves, and how many there were. This family was early and important in the area so there should be more information to be found. If you know where and what it is, please contact me!
The line of descent is
John Merryman-Martha Bowen
Martha Merryman-Alexis Lemmon
Alexis Lemmon-Rachel Stansbury
Sarah Lemmon-Abraham Hetrick
Isaac Hetrick-Elizabeth Black
Mary Alice Hetrick-Louis Stanard
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Friday, June 29, 2018
Holbrook lines: Jonas Bowen, Immigrant
I'm going to play it conservative here and say that the Jonas Bowen I am writing about is an ancestor in the Holbrook line. That much I am relatively (sorry for the pun) certain abouot. I also have seen information that I think says that Jonas is also an Allen ancestor, but that is confusing. In order for these to be one and the same man, he would have had to have been born about 1605 and lived to be about 94 years of age. It's possible, but not probable and definitely not proven, in my opinion. However, he definitely lived in the same area as some of our Allen ancestors, the Corbins and the Wilkinsons.
So we'll still to the apparent facts. Jonas was most likely born in England or Wales, possibly close to the border between the two since the name may have originally been "ap Owen". I have seen various names suggested as being Jonas's father, (John, Nathaniel, Obadiah) but nothing has been proven. We don't know for sure when Jonas appeared in the colonies, or where. However, we do know that he was in Baltimore County, Maryland by 1676 when he was on a tax list. This probably indicates he had actually arrived some time earlier, in order to accumulate the property he was taxed on (I haven't yet seen the mentioned tax list, so can't comment further than that).
Jonas was married to Martha Henchman, daughter of Nathaniel Henchman and possibly Ann. Jonas may have been married earlier, as mentioned above, and he was at least a few years older than Martha, it's believed. (Martha's birth date is given as about 1649). Jonas and Martha had several children together, including Jonas, Benjamin, Martha, John, and Onner (Honor), and possibly Elizabeth.
In "Settlers of Maryland 1679-1783", Peter Coldham Wilson lists four parcels of land owned by Jonas, dating from 1679 to 1695 and totalling 300 acres, all in Baltimore County, and evidently located on the Patapsco River. Of course, he may have sold some parcels as he bought others. He is also known to have had land surveyed in 1673, which indicates that perhaps he lived there even prior to that date, since surveys may not have been requested as soon as the land was occupied.
Jonas may have served in the militia during the 1675-76 troubles with the native Americans, and I saw a mention that he may have been a constable at one time. I'm still looking for more information regarding both of those statements.
Jonas wrote his will March 26, 1699 and was dead by April 13 of that same year, when his will was probated. I have a copy of his will but it's difficult to read. It does have at least 12 "Items" on it, so there was property to dispose of. Some of the children were still underage. His wife Martha died in 1704.
I'd love to know so much more about Jonas. When and where was he born? Did he have a first wife? Who was she? What religion was he? Did he have an occupation other than farming? Did he raise tobacco, and if so, did he have indentured servants, or slaves? What is the connection, if any, that makes him an Allen ancestor?
The line of descent is:
Jonas Bowen-Martha Henchman
Martha Bowen-John Merryman
Martha Merryman-Alexis Lemmon
Alexis Lemmon-Rachel Stansbury
Sarah Lemmon-Abraham Hetrick
Isaac Hetrick-Elizabeth Black
Mary Alice Hetrick-Louis Stanard
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
So we'll still to the apparent facts. Jonas was most likely born in England or Wales, possibly close to the border between the two since the name may have originally been "ap Owen". I have seen various names suggested as being Jonas's father, (John, Nathaniel, Obadiah) but nothing has been proven. We don't know for sure when Jonas appeared in the colonies, or where. However, we do know that he was in Baltimore County, Maryland by 1676 when he was on a tax list. This probably indicates he had actually arrived some time earlier, in order to accumulate the property he was taxed on (I haven't yet seen the mentioned tax list, so can't comment further than that).
Jonas was married to Martha Henchman, daughter of Nathaniel Henchman and possibly Ann. Jonas may have been married earlier, as mentioned above, and he was at least a few years older than Martha, it's believed. (Martha's birth date is given as about 1649). Jonas and Martha had several children together, including Jonas, Benjamin, Martha, John, and Onner (Honor), and possibly Elizabeth.
In "Settlers of Maryland 1679-1783", Peter Coldham Wilson lists four parcels of land owned by Jonas, dating from 1679 to 1695 and totalling 300 acres, all in Baltimore County, and evidently located on the Patapsco River. Of course, he may have sold some parcels as he bought others. He is also known to have had land surveyed in 1673, which indicates that perhaps he lived there even prior to that date, since surveys may not have been requested as soon as the land was occupied.
Jonas may have served in the militia during the 1675-76 troubles with the native Americans, and I saw a mention that he may have been a constable at one time. I'm still looking for more information regarding both of those statements.
Jonas wrote his will March 26, 1699 and was dead by April 13 of that same year, when his will was probated. I have a copy of his will but it's difficult to read. It does have at least 12 "Items" on it, so there was property to dispose of. Some of the children were still underage. His wife Martha died in 1704.
I'd love to know so much more about Jonas. When and where was he born? Did he have a first wife? Who was she? What religion was he? Did he have an occupation other than farming? Did he raise tobacco, and if so, did he have indentured servants, or slaves? What is the connection, if any, that makes him an Allen ancestor?
The line of descent is:
Jonas Bowen-Martha Henchman
Martha Bowen-John Merryman
Martha Merryman-Alexis Lemmon
Alexis Lemmon-Rachel Stansbury
Sarah Lemmon-Abraham Hetrick
Isaac Hetrick-Elizabeth Black
Mary Alice Hetrick-Louis Stanard
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Friday, March 2, 2018
Holbrook line: Nicholas Haile, Immigrant
I don't know if I've ever written about an ancestor who had so many purported fathers. I'd love to agree with the family historians who say his father was George Haile, that George was the immigrant, and that Nicholas was in fact born in 1628 in Elizabeth City, Virginia. George arrived in Virginia in 1620 on the "Supply" and was a drummer. Or maybe his father was also Nicholas, and maybe our Nicholas didn't arrive at Elizabeth City until 1645. Possibly, just possibly, his father was Thomas Haile, with no speculation at all as to how Nicholas arrived in Virginia, or when. So take your pick, I guess. If I were working on a hunch, and putting out money to research one or another, I'd start with George,but that is certainly not saying George has been proven. George needs to be proved or disproved. Even if he is not Nicholas's father, he may provide a clue, as someone else in that family may be the father.
So what we know of Nicholas starts in Elizabeth City, Virginia. He has records in both Lancaster and York counties,starting from May 1654, including land on the Corrotoman River. Nicholas was able to purchase several large parcels of land and also was granted head rights in May of 1666 and again in 1669, meaning he earned land because he paid for the passage of several people from England to Virginia. Some of these people would likely have also become his indentured servants, for they were expected to repay whomever paid for their passage. The dates that he acquired new land indicate that his main crop may have been tobacco, because that crop depleted soils quickly and new land was always needed.
I have seen one reference that he was a burgess, but this honor belongs to Nicholas Hill, who doesn't seem to have any connection to this family Our Nicholas owned enough land to be respectable,(and probably also owned slaves) but he doesn't seem to have had a high enough social status to be chosen as burgess.
Nicholas married Mary, who was evidently not the daughter of Raleigh Travers, although many trees have her listed as his daughter. They had at least three children together, George, Mary and Nicholas, who were all listed in his will. Nicholas died September 8, 1669 and Mary, his widow, died in 1672. (It has been suggested that Mary's maiden name was Pollard, but I don't know if there is any documentation to support that idea. The Hailes did have transactions with the Pollard family, but that isn't conclusive proof.)
If Nicholas was born in 1628, he lived a short life. Virginia at that time was not an easy place to live. It was hard work to clear land, supervise plantings, help with early crops, and take care of the livestock. In addition, there was the threat of native uprisings, and diseases (unspecified fevers, malaria, tuberculosis, for starters) were a huge problem. But Nicholas lived long enough to give his children a good start in life, and to help the colony get better established. Hats off to Nicholas Haile!
The line of descent is
Nicholas Haile-Mary possibly Pollard
Mary Haile-Charles Merryman
John Merryman-Maartha Bowen
Martha Merryman-Alexis Lemmon
Alexis Lemmon-Rachel Stansbury
Sarah Lemmon-Abraham Hetrick
Isaac Hetrick-Elizabeth Black
Mary Alice Hetrick-Louis Stanard
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
So what we know of Nicholas starts in Elizabeth City, Virginia. He has records in both Lancaster and York counties,starting from May 1654, including land on the Corrotoman River. Nicholas was able to purchase several large parcels of land and also was granted head rights in May of 1666 and again in 1669, meaning he earned land because he paid for the passage of several people from England to Virginia. Some of these people would likely have also become his indentured servants, for they were expected to repay whomever paid for their passage. The dates that he acquired new land indicate that his main crop may have been tobacco, because that crop depleted soils quickly and new land was always needed.
I have seen one reference that he was a burgess, but this honor belongs to Nicholas Hill, who doesn't seem to have any connection to this family Our Nicholas owned enough land to be respectable,(and probably also owned slaves) but he doesn't seem to have had a high enough social status to be chosen as burgess.
Nicholas married Mary, who was evidently not the daughter of Raleigh Travers, although many trees have her listed as his daughter. They had at least three children together, George, Mary and Nicholas, who were all listed in his will. Nicholas died September 8, 1669 and Mary, his widow, died in 1672. (It has been suggested that Mary's maiden name was Pollard, but I don't know if there is any documentation to support that idea. The Hailes did have transactions with the Pollard family, but that isn't conclusive proof.)
If Nicholas was born in 1628, he lived a short life. Virginia at that time was not an easy place to live. It was hard work to clear land, supervise plantings, help with early crops, and take care of the livestock. In addition, there was the threat of native uprisings, and diseases (unspecified fevers, malaria, tuberculosis, for starters) were a huge problem. But Nicholas lived long enough to give his children a good start in life, and to help the colony get better established. Hats off to Nicholas Haile!
The line of descent is
Nicholas Haile-Mary possibly Pollard
Mary Haile-Charles Merryman
John Merryman-Maartha Bowen
Martha Merryman-Alexis Lemmon
Alexis Lemmon-Rachel Stansbury
Sarah Lemmon-Abraham Hetrick
Isaac Hetrick-Elizabeth Black
Mary Alice Hetrick-Louis Stanard
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Friday, January 12, 2018
Holbrook line: Nathaniel Henchman, Immigrant
When I started gathering information for this post, all I had was an approximate death date and location, and the name of a daughter. I don't have a lot more information than that now, but it an hour or so of internet searching (also checking a couple of reference books I own), I have more than I started with.
The first thing I learned is that most of the trees showing Nathaniel Henchman born in 1640 in Massachusetts and married in 1693 in Massachusetts, then dying in 1695 in Maryland are not correct. There obviously was a Nathaniel Henchman born in 1640 etc but he is not the one we are still learning about. Our Nathaniel was in Maryland in 1665, according to both Robert W. Barnes and Gust Skordas. . I have only found the references at this tme and haven't seen the actual books that they wrote, but believe me, this will be high on my list for my next library trip.
What I found, that is new to me and apparently to most of those who have posted trees for Nathaniel Henchman, is that he was listed in the taxpayer records of 1692 in Baltimore County, Md. He was listed on both the north and the south side of the Patapsco Hundred, and is denoted by the number one, meaning he was the only taxable person there. This is not absolute proof of his family status, but it likely indicates that there were no other men over the age of 16 living with him. He apparently lived near his son in law, Jonas Bowen Also exciting to me is that the constable on the North side was Nicholas Corbin, who is probably the Nicholas Corbin who is a brick wall on our Allen side.
I was unknowingly either on or very near this land of our ancestors in 1993, when I was in Baltimore on a business trip, because the Patapsco River runs right through Baltimore. Of course, even had I known, I wouldn't have been able to get the feel of the place even by standing on the actual property, but it still would have been a thrill to do so The Patapsco River estuary now forms Baltimore Harbor, and in 1665 the settlers likely would not have been very far upriver from there.
Unfortunately, this is all I know of Nathaniel until we come to his will. I found a copy of it, too, and it would be very readable is I knew how to decipher the old handwriting. It was written in October of 1694 and proved in June of 1695. He left his land and plantation to his grandson, Benjamin Bowen, (will says son of Benjamin but it is believed by others that this was an error and should be son of Jonas Bowen; internal indications of will are that Jonas Bowen, mentioned later, is correct) and other bequests also. There is mention of his wife, who may be either Mary or Margaret, but we don't know if she was the mother of his daughter.
As far as is known, the only child of Nathaniel Henchman and his wife was Martha, although it is possible that a study of land records would show other children also. Martha is believed to have been born about 1661, which would mean Nathaniel was born probably 1640 or earlier. We don't know where Martha was born, either, so that is another of many mysteries still to be solved about this family.
This is as much as I know of Nathaniel, but it is so much more than I knew when I started this that I am indeed thankful to have learned this much. The search will continue, and I'm hopeful, because there are apparently so many cousins out there, that someone will contact me with more information.
The line of descent is:
Nathaniel Henchman-possibly Mary or Margaret
Martha Henchman-Jonas Bowen
Martha Bowen-John Merryman
Martha Merryman-Alexis Lemmon
Alexis Lemmon-Rachel Stansbury
Sarah Lemmon-Abraham Hetrick
Isaac Hetrick-Elizabeth Black
Mary Alice Hetrick-Louis E Stanard
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
The first thing I learned is that most of the trees showing Nathaniel Henchman born in 1640 in Massachusetts and married in 1693 in Massachusetts, then dying in 1695 in Maryland are not correct. There obviously was a Nathaniel Henchman born in 1640 etc but he is not the one we are still learning about. Our Nathaniel was in Maryland in 1665, according to both Robert W. Barnes and Gust Skordas. . I have only found the references at this tme and haven't seen the actual books that they wrote, but believe me, this will be high on my list for my next library trip.
What I found, that is new to me and apparently to most of those who have posted trees for Nathaniel Henchman, is that he was listed in the taxpayer records of 1692 in Baltimore County, Md. He was listed on both the north and the south side of the Patapsco Hundred, and is denoted by the number one, meaning he was the only taxable person there. This is not absolute proof of his family status, but it likely indicates that there were no other men over the age of 16 living with him. He apparently lived near his son in law, Jonas Bowen Also exciting to me is that the constable on the North side was Nicholas Corbin, who is probably the Nicholas Corbin who is a brick wall on our Allen side.
I was unknowingly either on or very near this land of our ancestors in 1993, when I was in Baltimore on a business trip, because the Patapsco River runs right through Baltimore. Of course, even had I known, I wouldn't have been able to get the feel of the place even by standing on the actual property, but it still would have been a thrill to do so The Patapsco River estuary now forms Baltimore Harbor, and in 1665 the settlers likely would not have been very far upriver from there.
Unfortunately, this is all I know of Nathaniel until we come to his will. I found a copy of it, too, and it would be very readable is I knew how to decipher the old handwriting. It was written in October of 1694 and proved in June of 1695. He left his land and plantation to his grandson, Benjamin Bowen, (will says son of Benjamin but it is believed by others that this was an error and should be son of Jonas Bowen; internal indications of will are that Jonas Bowen, mentioned later, is correct) and other bequests also. There is mention of his wife, who may be either Mary or Margaret, but we don't know if she was the mother of his daughter.
As far as is known, the only child of Nathaniel Henchman and his wife was Martha, although it is possible that a study of land records would show other children also. Martha is believed to have been born about 1661, which would mean Nathaniel was born probably 1640 or earlier. We don't know where Martha was born, either, so that is another of many mysteries still to be solved about this family.
This is as much as I know of Nathaniel, but it is so much more than I knew when I started this that I am indeed thankful to have learned this much. The search will continue, and I'm hopeful, because there are apparently so many cousins out there, that someone will contact me with more information.
The line of descent is:
Nathaniel Henchman-possibly Mary or Margaret
Martha Henchman-Jonas Bowen
Martha Bowen-John Merryman
Martha Merryman-Alexis Lemmon
Alexis Lemmon-Rachel Stansbury
Sarah Lemmon-Abraham Hetrick
Isaac Hetrick-Elizabeth Black
Mary Alice Hetrick-Louis E Stanard
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Friday, January 6, 2017
Holbrook line: Griffith Bowen, Welsh immigrant and emigrant
Griffith Bowen is an interesting man. He was from Wales, he came to England and then returned to Wales in about 1650, went on to London, has a royal descent from some of the early Welsh princes, and was married to someone of royal descent. He also is referred to as "Gentleman", which is a step up from our usual "yeoman." In fact, given the term "Gentleman" one would think there would be more information available than I have been able to locate. Much of what I will write here is from the article "Griffith Bowen of Boston" found in English Origins of New England Families, Second Series, Volumes II and III, but that source doesn't include Francis's wife's name. Oxwich woul
Griffith was born about 1600 in Oxwich, Gower, Glamorgan, Wales, the son of Francis Bowen and Ellen Franklin. Oxwich would have been a beautiful and interesting place to grow up as it is on a beautiful bay in the south part of Wales. The church there dates back to at least the 15th century so was 200 or more years old when Griffith was born. There was also a castle nearby, although I haven't found who controlled it during this time period. Griffith was one of at least 6 children born to Francis and Ellen, which may be one reason why his early history has not been noted, or at least, found. He is on record as having owned land in 1632. We don't know when he became a Puritan, but apparently he did.
In 1638 he sold two different tracts of land and apparently used some of the profits to bring his family to America. He had married Margaret Fleming (there is some speculation that he may have had an earlier wife) and altogether he is credited with having 10 children, some in Wales and some in the New World. So with most if not all of his children in tow, the family came to the New World in 1638. Griffith and Margaret were "taken in for members" of the congregation of the church in Boston in December or 1638, shortly after they arrived. In March, he was granted some land at Muddy River, and shortly after that he was made a freeman.
He was granted a house lot in1643, and this is where he raised his family. By this time, the oldest of his children were teenagers, but there were also infants to care and provide for. About 1650, something happened to convince Griffith to return to Wales, which may not have been the best move for him. Some of his children remained in Massachusetts Bay Colony, but we are not sure with whom they lived, or how they were provided for or provided for themselves. I'd like to think that the ones who stayed, stayed because it was their choice.
Back in Wales, Griffith was in financial trouble fairly quickly so he may have left America due to financial reasons, also. He was imprisoned at Southwark about 1660 because as a customs officer, he had failed to remit about 388 pounds due the Commissioner of Customs. Griffith reported that he had already sent the money up to London but it may not have been by the most trustworthy of carriers, if indeed he had sent the money. Earlier he had been the victim of a hoax, when he bought land for 524 pounds, which should have set him up for life. However, as it turned out, the land was not the owner's to sell, as it belonged partly to the City of London and partly to the University of Oxford. What a headache he must have had when this came to light! He filed suit, of course, but for reasons unknown, he lost both the suit and two subsequent appeals.
In 1669, he was granted rights to a water grainmill and a fulling mill, for a period of 31 years, as long as a yearly rent was paid. So either the king took pity on him, or someone was slipped something under the table in order to make this happen.
Griffith hadn't disposed of all his land when he left Boston, because in 1669 he gave his new son in low two small parcels of land in Boston. That same year, he suited Francis Bowen, John Bowen, and Edward Woodridge for property he said he had placed in the hands of his son Francis, but Francis claimed the property was rightfully his. It appears that he lost this case, also.
Griffith died probably about 1676, We don't know what happened to his English or Welsh estate, if he still owned land or rights to the mills or other property. He did own property in Boston and Muddy River, and after about seven years a committee was appointed to divide the land and other property, giving a double part to Francis Bowen, Griffith's eldest son. It seems that four adult children in the Colony shared in the estate, as well as Francis in Wales.
There are a couple of interesting side stories involving the children of Griffith. Son Peniel was born in 1644, "at a farm nearer to us (Dorchester) than to Boston, his wife (Margaret Fleming) was delivered of this child by God's mercy without the help of any other woman. God himself helping his pore servants in a straight" So said Rev. John Eliot. Also, son William was a mariner, and was captured by the Turks, and died in captivity about 1686. He may have been waiting for a ransom, or perhaps was being used as a slave.
So ends the story of Griffith and Margaret, as we know it now. Margaret especially earns my sympathy. I'd sure like to know more of Griffith's story, and why he was in court so often. Did he remain a Puritan when he returned to Wales? What else can be found about him?
Our line of descent is:
Griffith Bowen-Margaret Fleming
Mary Bowen-Benjamin Child
Mehitable Child-Samuel Perrin
John Perrin-Abigail Morris
Benjamin Perrin-Mary
Mary or Mercy Perrin-David Fay
Euzebia or Luceba Fay-Libbeus Stanard Jr.
Hiram Stanard-Susan Eddy
Louis Stanard-Mary Alice Hetrick
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Griffith was born about 1600 in Oxwich, Gower, Glamorgan, Wales, the son of Francis Bowen and Ellen Franklin. Oxwich would have been a beautiful and interesting place to grow up as it is on a beautiful bay in the south part of Wales. The church there dates back to at least the 15th century so was 200 or more years old when Griffith was born. There was also a castle nearby, although I haven't found who controlled it during this time period. Griffith was one of at least 6 children born to Francis and Ellen, which may be one reason why his early history has not been noted, or at least, found. He is on record as having owned land in 1632. We don't know when he became a Puritan, but apparently he did.
In 1638 he sold two different tracts of land and apparently used some of the profits to bring his family to America. He had married Margaret Fleming (there is some speculation that he may have had an earlier wife) and altogether he is credited with having 10 children, some in Wales and some in the New World. So with most if not all of his children in tow, the family came to the New World in 1638. Griffith and Margaret were "taken in for members" of the congregation of the church in Boston in December or 1638, shortly after they arrived. In March, he was granted some land at Muddy River, and shortly after that he was made a freeman.
He was granted a house lot in1643, and this is where he raised his family. By this time, the oldest of his children were teenagers, but there were also infants to care and provide for. About 1650, something happened to convince Griffith to return to Wales, which may not have been the best move for him. Some of his children remained in Massachusetts Bay Colony, but we are not sure with whom they lived, or how they were provided for or provided for themselves. I'd like to think that the ones who stayed, stayed because it was their choice.
Back in Wales, Griffith was in financial trouble fairly quickly so he may have left America due to financial reasons, also. He was imprisoned at Southwark about 1660 because as a customs officer, he had failed to remit about 388 pounds due the Commissioner of Customs. Griffith reported that he had already sent the money up to London but it may not have been by the most trustworthy of carriers, if indeed he had sent the money. Earlier he had been the victim of a hoax, when he bought land for 524 pounds, which should have set him up for life. However, as it turned out, the land was not the owner's to sell, as it belonged partly to the City of London and partly to the University of Oxford. What a headache he must have had when this came to light! He filed suit, of course, but for reasons unknown, he lost both the suit and two subsequent appeals.
In 1669, he was granted rights to a water grainmill and a fulling mill, for a period of 31 years, as long as a yearly rent was paid. So either the king took pity on him, or someone was slipped something under the table in order to make this happen.
Griffith hadn't disposed of all his land when he left Boston, because in 1669 he gave his new son in low two small parcels of land in Boston. That same year, he suited Francis Bowen, John Bowen, and Edward Woodridge for property he said he had placed in the hands of his son Francis, but Francis claimed the property was rightfully his. It appears that he lost this case, also.
Griffith died probably about 1676, We don't know what happened to his English or Welsh estate, if he still owned land or rights to the mills or other property. He did own property in Boston and Muddy River, and after about seven years a committee was appointed to divide the land and other property, giving a double part to Francis Bowen, Griffith's eldest son. It seems that four adult children in the Colony shared in the estate, as well as Francis in Wales.
There are a couple of interesting side stories involving the children of Griffith. Son Peniel was born in 1644, "at a farm nearer to us (Dorchester) than to Boston, his wife (Margaret Fleming) was delivered of this child by God's mercy without the help of any other woman. God himself helping his pore servants in a straight" So said Rev. John Eliot. Also, son William was a mariner, and was captured by the Turks, and died in captivity about 1686. He may have been waiting for a ransom, or perhaps was being used as a slave.
So ends the story of Griffith and Margaret, as we know it now. Margaret especially earns my sympathy. I'd sure like to know more of Griffith's story, and why he was in court so often. Did he remain a Puritan when he returned to Wales? What else can be found about him?
Our line of descent is:
Griffith Bowen-Margaret Fleming
Mary Bowen-Benjamin Child
Mehitable Child-Samuel Perrin
John Perrin-Abigail Morris
Benjamin Perrin-Mary
Mary or Mercy Perrin-David Fay
Euzebia or Luceba Fay-Libbeus Stanard Jr.
Hiram Stanard-Susan Eddy
Louis Stanard-Mary Alice Hetrick
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Friday, May 27, 2016
Holbrook line: Benjamin Child, 1631-1678, Immigrant
First, if you really want to know about this ancestor, don't read this post. Read the one at stagge-parkerblogspot.com. It is well researched and wonderful, and more than I think my relatives want to read.
One neat thing I found in researching Benjamin is that he was the son of a minister, so add another pastor to our list. Benjamin was born to Reverend Benjamin and Sarah Shenton Childe in 1631, about three years after his parents married. His parents were married, and their children were born, in Cotesbach Parish, Leicestershire, England. Cotesbach was a very small village and during the time leading up to our immigrant's birth had been the scene of troubles between the tenants and the land-owner, who disrupted the way the farm land was used and enclosed many fields. So it was still a rather tense time when Benjamin was born.
When he was four, his father died rather suddenly and mother Sarah was left with three small children. She managed by herself, or perhaps went to live with a relative, until Benjamin was 16 and then remarried. At 16, perhaps Benjamin was not ready to adjust to a step-father, or maybe he just thought a change of scene to America would be good for him. He came to America in 1647, with help from an uncle, and made a new life for himself here.
Benjamin apparently started out with next to nothing, and found work with Griffith Bowen, the man who would later become his father in law. He married Mary Bowen in 1653, and then leased land from Griffith so they could start their own farm. Eventually they were able to buy the land, and also purchased more land as time went on, all in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Benjamin and Mary had 12 children, so it is a good thing that the family prospered.
We know that they prospered because they were able to make a significant donation toward the building of the First Church of Roxbury. He was admitted to the church in 1648, but his wife didn't join until 1658. She was from Wales and perhaps not of the same Puritan beliefs as Benjamin, at least not at first. The Childs lost three of their children in infancy or early childhood, and an adult son was killed during King Philip's War, so life was not easy even though they did well financially.
Benjamin died in October 14, 1678. Some say he died in Roxbury, and some in Brookline but it is the same location, actually, as their land was on either side of the boundary between these two towns. It's believed that he is buried at the Eliot Burying Ground in Roxbury. His inventory shows a total of over 506 pounds, including three houses and land. The inventory mentions a carbine, a fowling piece, and a rapier, so it is likely that he belonged to some sort of training band or militia. It doesn't mention books, which surprises me because as the son of a pastor, even though his father died young, I would have expected some books to be in the household.
His wife Mary lived another 30 years, and had the task of raising the younger children. She never remarried and died on October 31, 1707.
Although I would certainly like to know more about his life, I find Benjamin a truly remarkable man. Leaving England and home at the age of 16 must have been difficult, but he made good choices and was able to establish a considerable fortune, and a good heritage for his children.
The line of descent is:
Benjamin Child-Mary Bowen
Mehitable Child-Samuel Perrin
John Perrin-Abigail Morris
Benjamin Perrin-Mary
Mary or Mercy Perrin-David Fay
Luceba (Euzebia) Fay-Libbeus Stanard Jr.
Hiram Stanard-Susan Eddy
Louis Stanard-Mary Alice Hetrick
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Fun Fact: Samuel F.B. Morse, Louis Comfort Tiffany, and Dick Van Dyke are also descended from this couple.
One neat thing I found in researching Benjamin is that he was the son of a minister, so add another pastor to our list. Benjamin was born to Reverend Benjamin and Sarah Shenton Childe in 1631, about three years after his parents married. His parents were married, and their children were born, in Cotesbach Parish, Leicestershire, England. Cotesbach was a very small village and during the time leading up to our immigrant's birth had been the scene of troubles between the tenants and the land-owner, who disrupted the way the farm land was used and enclosed many fields. So it was still a rather tense time when Benjamin was born.
When he was four, his father died rather suddenly and mother Sarah was left with three small children. She managed by herself, or perhaps went to live with a relative, until Benjamin was 16 and then remarried. At 16, perhaps Benjamin was not ready to adjust to a step-father, or maybe he just thought a change of scene to America would be good for him. He came to America in 1647, with help from an uncle, and made a new life for himself here.
Benjamin apparently started out with next to nothing, and found work with Griffith Bowen, the man who would later become his father in law. He married Mary Bowen in 1653, and then leased land from Griffith so they could start their own farm. Eventually they were able to buy the land, and also purchased more land as time went on, all in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Benjamin and Mary had 12 children, so it is a good thing that the family prospered.
We know that they prospered because they were able to make a significant donation toward the building of the First Church of Roxbury. He was admitted to the church in 1648, but his wife didn't join until 1658. She was from Wales and perhaps not of the same Puritan beliefs as Benjamin, at least not at first. The Childs lost three of their children in infancy or early childhood, and an adult son was killed during King Philip's War, so life was not easy even though they did well financially.
Benjamin died in October 14, 1678. Some say he died in Roxbury, and some in Brookline but it is the same location, actually, as their land was on either side of the boundary between these two towns. It's believed that he is buried at the Eliot Burying Ground in Roxbury. His inventory shows a total of over 506 pounds, including three houses and land. The inventory mentions a carbine, a fowling piece, and a rapier, so it is likely that he belonged to some sort of training band or militia. It doesn't mention books, which surprises me because as the son of a pastor, even though his father died young, I would have expected some books to be in the household.
His wife Mary lived another 30 years, and had the task of raising the younger children. She never remarried and died on October 31, 1707.
Although I would certainly like to know more about his life, I find Benjamin a truly remarkable man. Leaving England and home at the age of 16 must have been difficult, but he made good choices and was able to establish a considerable fortune, and a good heritage for his children.
The line of descent is:
Benjamin Child-Mary Bowen
Mehitable Child-Samuel Perrin
John Perrin-Abigail Morris
Benjamin Perrin-Mary
Mary or Mercy Perrin-David Fay
Luceba (Euzebia) Fay-Libbeus Stanard Jr.
Hiram Stanard-Susan Eddy
Louis Stanard-Mary Alice Hetrick
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Fun Fact: Samuel F.B. Morse, Louis Comfort Tiffany, and Dick Van Dyke are also descended from this couple.
Friday, April 15, 2016
Holbrook line: John Merryman 1614-1674, Immigrant
Usually when I write about the Holbrook line, it's about ancestors in New England. I've also written posts about our few German ancestors, We also had a small representation of ancestors who settled in Virginia or Maryland, and John Merryman is one of our immigrant ancestors who settled in Virginia. This automatically means we have to shift our thinking from Puritan, early Baptist, Quaker and Lutheran religions to the Church of England, for early Virginians were required to .support the state religion. But I get ahead of myself...
John Merryman was born in Herefordshire, England (some sources say Monkton Hall). Dates vary. I believe the correct date would be before 1617, as we know he was in Virginia and patented land in 1638, so I'm using the 1614 date most sites are showing, although it is without documentation and we don't know his parents.. He patented 150 acres of land in Charles County, Virginia on May 10, 1638. He was entitled to 50 acres simply for going to Virginia. We don't know whether he purchased the other 100 acres or whether he may have paid for two people to come to Virginia and therefore got the other 100 acres by headright. At any rate,by the time he arrived Jamestown had been in existence for 31 years, but the area would still have been frontier, never settled by white men.
He apparently returned to England to marry his wife, Audrey Heynes, and then sponsored her arrival in Virginia in 1649. One wonders if they had been sweethearts for 11 or more years, or whether this was a more or less arranged marriage. Some women in England were so eager to leave their homes that they willingly went to Virginia with a new spouse or even without a spouse, hoping that life in Virginia would be an improvement on the life they left behind them.
On November 14, 1649, John patented 500 acres in Lancaster County, which was then Northumberland County, on the north side of the Rappahannock River on Island Neck Creek. Again, this would have been an unsettled area, probably requiring clearing of land in order to plant crops.
John was was an attorney as well as a planter. He and Audrey patented an additional 100 acres in Lancaster County, near the mouth of the Corotoman River, which was apparently near the first Lancaster County Court House. Perhaps this served as his office when court was in session, to cut down on the commute time.
He or probably a son John, acquired additional land in 1656 in James City County, Virginia and in what soon became Henrico County.A John Merryman was noted as being a merchant who went to Rotterdam to collect accounts or/and to acquire merchandise, but I don't know if this is our John or not.
He was a church warden of St.Mary's Parish, appointed by the court from at least 1650-to 1664, and was a constable in 1664 and one of the justices of Lancaster County. So we was apparently a man of some means, owned considerable land, and served the community in church and court.
His will was written December 3, 1673 and probated on January 13, 1674. There were at least five children born to John and Audrey. William, Elizabeth, Richard, and John all remained in Virginia but son Charles moved to Baltimore County, Maryland. Audrey married again in 1680, to Captain Edward Carter.
Among other things about John Merryman that I'd like to know, is how did he dress? Was a justice at that time expected to wear the robes and white powdered wigs? How did a Virginia planter normally dress? And the question I don't really want answered, is did he have slaves, or indentured servants, to work his land? Finally, I'd like to pinpoint his birthplace and find his parents!
The line of descent is:
John Merryman-Audrey Heynes
Charles Merryman-Mary Haile
John Merryman-Martha Bowen
Martha Merryman-Alexis Lemmon
Alexis Lemmon-Rachel Stansbury
Sarah Lemmon-Abraham Hetrick
Isaac Hetrick-Elizabeth Black
Mary Alice Hetrick-Louis Stanard
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
John Merryman was born in Herefordshire, England (some sources say Monkton Hall). Dates vary. I believe the correct date would be before 1617, as we know he was in Virginia and patented land in 1638, so I'm using the 1614 date most sites are showing, although it is without documentation and we don't know his parents.. He patented 150 acres of land in Charles County, Virginia on May 10, 1638. He was entitled to 50 acres simply for going to Virginia. We don't know whether he purchased the other 100 acres or whether he may have paid for two people to come to Virginia and therefore got the other 100 acres by headright. At any rate,by the time he arrived Jamestown had been in existence for 31 years, but the area would still have been frontier, never settled by white men.
He apparently returned to England to marry his wife, Audrey Heynes, and then sponsored her arrival in Virginia in 1649. One wonders if they had been sweethearts for 11 or more years, or whether this was a more or less arranged marriage. Some women in England were so eager to leave their homes that they willingly went to Virginia with a new spouse or even without a spouse, hoping that life in Virginia would be an improvement on the life they left behind them.
On November 14, 1649, John patented 500 acres in Lancaster County, which was then Northumberland County, on the north side of the Rappahannock River on Island Neck Creek. Again, this would have been an unsettled area, probably requiring clearing of land in order to plant crops.
John was was an attorney as well as a planter. He and Audrey patented an additional 100 acres in Lancaster County, near the mouth of the Corotoman River, which was apparently near the first Lancaster County Court House. Perhaps this served as his office when court was in session, to cut down on the commute time.
He or probably a son John, acquired additional land in 1656 in James City County, Virginia and in what soon became Henrico County.A John Merryman was noted as being a merchant who went to Rotterdam to collect accounts or/and to acquire merchandise, but I don't know if this is our John or not.
He was a church warden of St.Mary's Parish, appointed by the court from at least 1650-to 1664, and was a constable in 1664 and one of the justices of Lancaster County. So we was apparently a man of some means, owned considerable land, and served the community in church and court.
His will was written December 3, 1673 and probated on January 13, 1674. There were at least five children born to John and Audrey. William, Elizabeth, Richard, and John all remained in Virginia but son Charles moved to Baltimore County, Maryland. Audrey married again in 1680, to Captain Edward Carter.
Among other things about John Merryman that I'd like to know, is how did he dress? Was a justice at that time expected to wear the robes and white powdered wigs? How did a Virginia planter normally dress? And the question I don't really want answered, is did he have slaves, or indentured servants, to work his land? Finally, I'd like to pinpoint his birthplace and find his parents!
The line of descent is:
John Merryman-Audrey Heynes
Charles Merryman-Mary Haile
John Merryman-Martha Bowen
Martha Merryman-Alexis Lemmon
Alexis Lemmon-Rachel Stansbury
Sarah Lemmon-Abraham Hetrick
Isaac Hetrick-Elizabeth Black
Mary Alice Hetrick-Louis Stanard
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Friday, September 4, 2015
Beeks line: Henry Bowen 1678-1755
It's hard to find information about Henry Bowen. It's even harder to find accurate information about him. The dates I have used here are in dispute, but I believe they are close. It is believed that he was born in Wales, possibly Carmarthen, but I'm not aware of any documentation to that. His parents were Evan ap Owen and Mary McMillan, and he had a much more famous brother, Moses, or Moses John.
It's believed the ap Owen family, hereafter referred to as the Bowen family, came to Pennsylvania before 1700, and possibly as early as 1681 as there is record of a Moses Bowen's arrival in 1681. the family is thought to have been Quaker, and came to Pennsylvania at William Penn's inducement if not in his actual fleet. Nothing more is known of Henry until about 1703, when he married Jane Carter, daughter of Robert Carter and Margaret, at the Brick Meeting House in Bucks County, Pa. (I have found both the 1703 and 1704 dates, which could be calendar confusion, or perhaps one date was the date of their intentions and the other was the date of their marriage.)
Henry and Jane's children appear to have been born in Pennsylvania. Their known children include Henry, William, Jane, Priscilla, Margaret, and Catherine. Henry doesn't seem to have been as successful financially as his brother Moses, who at one time owned 10,000 acres. In fact, I've yet to find evidence of land ownership, although I hope to locate records someday.
We don't know when Henry and Jane moved to Frederick County, Virginia but we know they were there for some years before Henry's death in 1755, and we know he was in New Garden for the wedding of a daughter in 1726. Frederick County would have been somewhere in the northern tip of Virginia, or on west into what is now West Virginia. This was a common location for Quaker families, and was very much frontier country.
We know that he died in 1755, shortly after the outbreak of the French and Indian War. As a Quaker, Henry would not have fought in these or any other battles, but it is interesting to wonder where the family went when battles broke out. Did they ever see George Washington or General Braddock as they were on their way to what turned out to be disasters, fighting the Indians? Or did they see the President as an even younger man, as he was doing land surveys in that part of the country?
Much more research needs to be one about Henry, to locate land records and to locate his will, if any. My tentative picture of him is as a hard working, brave, and peaceful man. I'd like to know more than that!
The line of descent is:
Henry Bowen-Jane Carter
Margaret Bowen-Thomas Rees
Thomas Rees-Hannah Rees
Solomon Rees-Anna
Owen T. Reese-Margaret Ellen Moon
Eliza Reese-Samuel G Dunham
Margaret Catherine Dunham-Harvey Aldridge
Cleo Aldridge-Wilbur Beeks
Mary Margaret Beeks-Cleveland Harshbarger
Their descendants
Fun fact: Henry's parents were the ancestors of former Vice President of the US, Richard Cheney. It's fun to find that the Beeks family has both Republican and Democratic VIPs in their lines.
It's believed the ap Owen family, hereafter referred to as the Bowen family, came to Pennsylvania before 1700, and possibly as early as 1681 as there is record of a Moses Bowen's arrival in 1681. the family is thought to have been Quaker, and came to Pennsylvania at William Penn's inducement if not in his actual fleet. Nothing more is known of Henry until about 1703, when he married Jane Carter, daughter of Robert Carter and Margaret, at the Brick Meeting House in Bucks County, Pa. (I have found both the 1703 and 1704 dates, which could be calendar confusion, or perhaps one date was the date of their intentions and the other was the date of their marriage.)
Henry and Jane's children appear to have been born in Pennsylvania. Their known children include Henry, William, Jane, Priscilla, Margaret, and Catherine. Henry doesn't seem to have been as successful financially as his brother Moses, who at one time owned 10,000 acres. In fact, I've yet to find evidence of land ownership, although I hope to locate records someday.
We don't know when Henry and Jane moved to Frederick County, Virginia but we know they were there for some years before Henry's death in 1755, and we know he was in New Garden for the wedding of a daughter in 1726. Frederick County would have been somewhere in the northern tip of Virginia, or on west into what is now West Virginia. This was a common location for Quaker families, and was very much frontier country.
We know that he died in 1755, shortly after the outbreak of the French and Indian War. As a Quaker, Henry would not have fought in these or any other battles, but it is interesting to wonder where the family went when battles broke out. Did they ever see George Washington or General Braddock as they were on their way to what turned out to be disasters, fighting the Indians? Or did they see the President as an even younger man, as he was doing land surveys in that part of the country?
Much more research needs to be one about Henry, to locate land records and to locate his will, if any. My tentative picture of him is as a hard working, brave, and peaceful man. I'd like to know more than that!
The line of descent is:
Henry Bowen-Jane Carter
Margaret Bowen-Thomas Rees
Thomas Rees-Hannah Rees
Solomon Rees-Anna
Owen T. Reese-Margaret Ellen Moon
Eliza Reese-Samuel G Dunham
Margaret Catherine Dunham-Harvey Aldridge
Cleo Aldridge-Wilbur Beeks
Mary Margaret Beeks-Cleveland Harshbarger
Their descendants
Fun fact: Henry's parents were the ancestors of former Vice President of the US, Richard Cheney. It's fun to find that the Beeks family has both Republican and Democratic VIPs in their lines.
Monday, July 6, 2015
Beeks line: Robert Carter abt 1648-1686, immigrant and mystery
Robert Carter was born most likely in England, about 1648. This is a common name so it's hard to know for sure that family historians have found the right person. However, a boy by that name was christened at St Peter's, Bedford, Bedfordshire, England on February 13, 1650, at the age of two, and the (very extended) family seems to think this is our Robert Carter. If so, then his parents were Thomas and Elizabeth. I've also found reference to his father possibly being William, so let's just say I'm not sold on the either "fact" yet. Bedforshire would surely be worthy of further study, though. A simple search on FamilySearch turns up several candidates of the right age, and there would surely be more scattered all over England.
It is believed that he married a girl named Hannah, likely in England. He was a passenger on the ship "Samuel" which arrived in Philadelphia on September 18, 1682. The "Samuel" was one of the 22 ships that sailed for Pennsylvania with William Penn. Many of the settlers were from Lancashire, but not all of them, and many were Quakers, but again, not all of them. However, Quakers from Lancashire would likely be his neighbors, and at least some of his children were Quakers, so he would have been surrounded by them if not actually a Quaker himself.
Robert apparently had money for he is listed as a landowner in 1684, in "History of Bucks County."
He received a land patent in 1683 in Bucks County, Pa in land which eventually became Middletown Township. Edward Carter, who arrived about the same time but seems to have stayed in Philadelphia, may have been a brother.
Robert and possibly Hannah had at least five children, namely John, Margaret, Joan, Edward, and Jane. Jane at least was an "infant" (under the age of 14) when Robert died in 1686. If the other children were above the age of 14 then Robert would have been fairly young when he married, and the first four children would have been born in England. There are different birthdates proposed for Jane, anywhere from 1678 to 1683, so we don't know where she was born. Jane was placed with Thomas Janney in 1691, which probably means she was at least 6 years old at the time.
Robert Carter is mentioned in "History of Bucks County" as being on the first petit jury of Bucks County in 1685, and as a high-constable later that same year. However, there are also references to Robert Carter in Bucks County in the years following 1686, which can't be our Robert Carter, so it is not a provenfact that our Robert Carter was the one mentioned here.
I don't know anything more about Robert Carter, but I honor him for his bravery in coming to America and for his hard work, which may have contributed to his early death, in making a home for his family. I'd love to know more about him, of course, so if anyone recognizes this name, please contact me.
The line of descent is:
Robert Carter-possibly Hannah
Jane Carter-Henry Bowen
Margaret Bowen-Thomas Rees
Thomas Rees-Hannah Rees
Solomon Rees-Anna possibly McNeal
Owen T Rees-Margaret Moon
Eliza Rees-Samuel Dunham
Margaret C Dunham-Harvey Aldridge
Cleo Aldridge-Wilbur Beeks
Mary Margaret Beeks-Cleveland Harashbarger
Their descendents
It is believed that he married a girl named Hannah, likely in England. He was a passenger on the ship "Samuel" which arrived in Philadelphia on September 18, 1682. The "Samuel" was one of the 22 ships that sailed for Pennsylvania with William Penn. Many of the settlers were from Lancashire, but not all of them, and many were Quakers, but again, not all of them. However, Quakers from Lancashire would likely be his neighbors, and at least some of his children were Quakers, so he would have been surrounded by them if not actually a Quaker himself.
Robert apparently had money for he is listed as a landowner in 1684, in "History of Bucks County."
He received a land patent in 1683 in Bucks County, Pa in land which eventually became Middletown Township. Edward Carter, who arrived about the same time but seems to have stayed in Philadelphia, may have been a brother.
Robert and possibly Hannah had at least five children, namely John, Margaret, Joan, Edward, and Jane. Jane at least was an "infant" (under the age of 14) when Robert died in 1686. If the other children were above the age of 14 then Robert would have been fairly young when he married, and the first four children would have been born in England. There are different birthdates proposed for Jane, anywhere from 1678 to 1683, so we don't know where she was born. Jane was placed with Thomas Janney in 1691, which probably means she was at least 6 years old at the time.
Robert Carter is mentioned in "History of Bucks County" as being on the first petit jury of Bucks County in 1685, and as a high-constable later that same year. However, there are also references to Robert Carter in Bucks County in the years following 1686, which can't be our Robert Carter, so it is not a provenfact that our Robert Carter was the one mentioned here.
I don't know anything more about Robert Carter, but I honor him for his bravery in coming to America and for his hard work, which may have contributed to his early death, in making a home for his family. I'd love to know more about him, of course, so if anyone recognizes this name, please contact me.
The line of descent is:
Robert Carter-possibly Hannah
Jane Carter-Henry Bowen
Margaret Bowen-Thomas Rees
Thomas Rees-Hannah Rees
Solomon Rees-Anna possibly McNeal
Owen T Rees-Margaret Moon
Eliza Rees-Samuel Dunham
Margaret C Dunham-Harvey Aldridge
Cleo Aldridge-Wilbur Beeks
Mary Margaret Beeks-Cleveland Harashbarger
Their descendents
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Beeks line: Solomon Rees 1744-1829
I'm choosing to write about Solomon today because
1) his ancestry leads us back to Wales
2) study indicates that his family was Quaker, perhaps for several generations
3) there are some mysteries still surrounding him
4) I happen to like the name Solomon!
5) while preparing this blog, I discovered a major error on my part, and will have to change the ancestry family tree as soon as I have a chance. Suffice it to say that his father was Thomas Rees born 1706, not Thomas Rees born 1734.
Solomon was born to Thomas Rees and Margaret Bowen, about 1743 or 1744, possibly in Frederick County, Virginia, or perhaps en route from Chester County to Frederick County. His parents had married in Chester County, Pa. and were Quakers, or members of the Society of Friends. Many of the settlers of Chester County were Quakers, who had been forced from Wales due to religious persecution, and many eventually went to Virginia, and then eventually on to Pennsylvania and points west. Thomas and Margaret had 10 children who lived to adulthood, and given the facts of the time, they may have had more children who died young.
Solomon was married in or near Frederick County, Virginia, contrary to the rules of the Friends, and thus was disowned prior to June 6, 1774. Quakers were permitted to marry only Quakers, and being disowned was a serious matter, since technically Quakers were no longer permitted to speak to him or help him in any way. So we must assume that he really loved his wife, believed to be named Ann or Anna. The couple stayed in Frederick County until 1787. Some of his brothers had moved to Washington County, Pennsylvania about 1780 and it is possible that this is where Solomon and Ann
went. This would have been a difficult time to be living in that part of the country, as it was very much frontier country. The British had made allies of the Indians, and there were numerous battles and skirmishes as part of the Revolutionary War, and after, so it was not really a safe place to raise a family.
There are records of several Rees families, including Solomon, in Hocking Township, Fairfield County, Ohio in 1806, but it isn't yet known when the family had moved there, and it appears that he moved on to Fayette County, Ohio about that time. He built and operated a brewery on the outskirts of New Martinsburg. Solomon died in 1829 in Fayette County. I have not yet located a copy of his will, if there was one.
His known children are Sarah, Lydia, Hiram, Owen Traveler, John, Sampson, and possibly two other daughters, Margaret and Katherine.
I'd like to know who Solomon's wife was, and whether there is a will, and details of his travels. From Chester County, Pa to Frederick County, Va. to possibly Washington County, Pa to Fairfield and Fayette Counties, Ohio, from Quaker to whatever religion he may have accepted, from whatever his earlier occupation might have been to brewer, from settled land to dangerous frontier, this man led a fascinating life.
The line of descent is:
Solomon Rees-Ann
Owen T Rees-Margaret Ellen Moon
Eliza Matilda Moon-Samuel Goodnight Dunham
Margaret Catherine Dunham-Harvey Homer Aldridge
Gretta Cleo Aldridge-Wilbur Beeks
Beeks children-grandchildren, etc.
1) his ancestry leads us back to Wales
2) study indicates that his family was Quaker, perhaps for several generations
3) there are some mysteries still surrounding him
4) I happen to like the name Solomon!
5) while preparing this blog, I discovered a major error on my part, and will have to change the ancestry family tree as soon as I have a chance. Suffice it to say that his father was Thomas Rees born 1706, not Thomas Rees born 1734.
Solomon was born to Thomas Rees and Margaret Bowen, about 1743 or 1744, possibly in Frederick County, Virginia, or perhaps en route from Chester County to Frederick County. His parents had married in Chester County, Pa. and were Quakers, or members of the Society of Friends. Many of the settlers of Chester County were Quakers, who had been forced from Wales due to religious persecution, and many eventually went to Virginia, and then eventually on to Pennsylvania and points west. Thomas and Margaret had 10 children who lived to adulthood, and given the facts of the time, they may have had more children who died young.
Solomon was married in or near Frederick County, Virginia, contrary to the rules of the Friends, and thus was disowned prior to June 6, 1774. Quakers were permitted to marry only Quakers, and being disowned was a serious matter, since technically Quakers were no longer permitted to speak to him or help him in any way. So we must assume that he really loved his wife, believed to be named Ann or Anna. The couple stayed in Frederick County until 1787. Some of his brothers had moved to Washington County, Pennsylvania about 1780 and it is possible that this is where Solomon and Ann
went. This would have been a difficult time to be living in that part of the country, as it was very much frontier country. The British had made allies of the Indians, and there were numerous battles and skirmishes as part of the Revolutionary War, and after, so it was not really a safe place to raise a family.
There are records of several Rees families, including Solomon, in Hocking Township, Fairfield County, Ohio in 1806, but it isn't yet known when the family had moved there, and it appears that he moved on to Fayette County, Ohio about that time. He built and operated a brewery on the outskirts of New Martinsburg. Solomon died in 1829 in Fayette County. I have not yet located a copy of his will, if there was one.
His known children are Sarah, Lydia, Hiram, Owen Traveler, John, Sampson, and possibly two other daughters, Margaret and Katherine.
I'd like to know who Solomon's wife was, and whether there is a will, and details of his travels. From Chester County, Pa to Frederick County, Va. to possibly Washington County, Pa to Fairfield and Fayette Counties, Ohio, from Quaker to whatever religion he may have accepted, from whatever his earlier occupation might have been to brewer, from settled land to dangerous frontier, this man led a fascinating life.
The line of descent is:
Solomon Rees-Ann
Owen T Rees-Margaret Ellen Moon
Eliza Matilda Moon-Samuel Goodnight Dunham
Margaret Catherine Dunham-Harvey Homer Aldridge
Gretta Cleo Aldridge-Wilbur Beeks
Beeks children-grandchildren, etc.
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