Tag: Connecticut

The Legacy of a Scotch-Irish Pioneer

John Logan was born in 1699 in Ahoghill, Antrim, Ireland1. (It is referenced that his father was from Restalrig, a suburb of Edinburgh, Scotland.) Restalrig is notable because my mother shared that my father named his ranch in Washington State “Restalrig.”

John Logan arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1717 and married Margaret Carr in 1723. Margaret, born in Massachusetts about 1703, remains a subject of ongoing research. The gap between John’s arrival and their marriage—six years—is a mystery still waiting to be unraveled. Together, they had eight children: seven sons and two daughters.

Service During the American Revolution

Two of their sons, John and Mathew, served under General George Washington during the battle for New York City in the American War for Independence. After the Continental Army became surrounded, Washington orchestrated a strategic nighttime evacuation to Philadelphia. John and Mathew likely endured the hardships of Valley Forge later on.2

Roots in Voluntown, Connecticut

John Logan founded the Logan family in Washington, Connecticut, and was descended from a lineage of Scotch barons. Their ancestral home, Logan, in Ayrshire, lent its name to the family. John immigrated with a group of Scotch Presbyterians led by Reverend Samuel Dorrance, a University of Glasgow graduate. After facing numerous challenges, the group traveled from Marblehead Harbor and Boston to Connecticut. There, they purchased Volunteer Grants in Voluntown and established the Presbyterian church on Ekonk Hill.3

The Scotch-Irish Influence in Connecticut

“John Logan, the founder of the Washington family, was descended from a long line of Scotch barons deriving their name, Celtic in origin, from the ancestral home, Logan, in Ayrshire. He came from the north of Ireland with the Gordons, Kassons, Keigwins, Parkes, Wylies, and other Scotch Presbyterians, under the leadership of Reverend Samuel Dorrance, a graduate of the University of Glasgow.

Their party, after experiencing a great many unusual difficulties, came from Marblehead Harbor and Boston to Connecticut, and buying up the Volunteer grants at Voluntown, forming the nucleus of the Presbyterian church Ekonk hill.”3

The Rising Sun Inn and the Logan Legacy

In 1748, John Logan built the Rising Sun Inn at 6 Romford Road in Washington, Connecticut. Originally a 1-1/2-story, five-bay lean-to house, it underwent significant renovations in the early 19th century. Matthew Logan, John’s son, expanded the house, adding three bays to the north, raising the roof to two stories, and incorporating a ballroom. The surrounding property features a historic barn, and photographs from the Sunny Ridge Historic District highlight additional barns that once stood behind the house.

A black-and-white postcard from July 1913 depicts the Logan Homestead—formerly the Rising Sun Inn—with its clapboard façade, dark trim, and multi-paned windows. The Gunn Historical Museum archives this image, offering a glimpse into the home’s storied past.5

Interesting Note: The Rising Sun symbol was associated with Edward III and appears in the arms of Ireland. It also served as a favorable omen for businesses and inns during that era.6

The Church on the Green
The Church on the Green: The First Two Centuries of the First Congregational Church
at Washington, Connecticut

We are related to the Hollister family. A Hollister Logan lived at the Logan homestead. I have a letter from her (actually, a friend wrote it for her as she was in her 90s.)

dvm_LocHist004193-00060-0.jpg
The Church on the Green: The First Two Centuries of the First Congregational Church
at Washington, Connecticut

Family Connections and Tragedy

John married Dorcas Root around 1771 after the death of his first wife, Margaret. Dorcas was previously married to John Royce; he died in 1760. Their daughter, Azubah, married John Logan, Jr. This makes John and Dorcas my double-sixth great-grandparents.

Dorcas died on 07 January 1777, at age 58. John Logan, Sr. passed away on 2 December 1777, at age 77, in Washington, Connecticut, during a year marked by a smallpox epidemic. His grandson, Matthew, also died that year at age 2. While it’s uncertain if smallpox caused their deaths, it remains a likely possibility.

The Logan Lineage

The Gunn Historical Museum in the Washington Green Historic District holds numerous Logan artifacts, photographs, and stories. My connection to John Logan was confirmed through DNA testing, initially via a Yahoo group and later through collaboration with a distant cousin—the President of the Clan Logan Society International. Together, we aim to uncover the link between John Logan and his Scottish origins.

Logan name variations include Loban, Lobban, Loben, Logan, Logane, Logen, Loggan, Loggane, Loggans, and Login.

Discover more about the Lowland Logans by clicking below:


Learn about the Connecticut Logans: https://amzn.to/4cyG14M

  1. The Logans of Scotland by James C. Logan. ↩︎
  2. The Logans of Scotland by James C. Logan. ↩︎
  3. A National Register of the Society, Sons of the American Revolution, Volume 1 ↩︎
  4. A National Register of the Society, Sons of the American Revolution, Volume 1 ↩︎
  5. The Sunny Ridge Historic District archives. ↩︎
  6. Jacob Larwood and John Camden Hotten’s History of Sign Boards, p. 118. ↩︎

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The Legacy of Lewis Hollister: A Musician’s Role in the Civil War

Lewis Hollister, born on September 6, 1840, in Washington, Connecticut, was the son of Sherman Preston Hollister and Martha “Patty” Nettleton. Raised on a family farm, Lewis developed a profound love for music, mastering instruments ranging from the Jew’s harp to more complex stringed instruments. This musical talent was a cherished gift from his mother.

On August 30, 1862, at the age of 21, Lewis enlisted as a musician in Company D of the 28th Infantry Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, a nine-month volunteer unit. His leadership and musical skills earned him the position of band leader for his regiment.

The 28th Connecticut Infantry played a significant role in the Siege of Port Hudson, Louisiana, a critical campaign during the Civil War. Port Hudson was the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River. The Union aimed to gain control of the river, effectively splitting the Confederacy and securing a vital transportation route. The siege, lasting from May 22 to July 9, 1863, was marked by intense combat and challenging conditions.

Tragically, during the siege, Lewis suffered a severe injury when a gunshot resulted in the loss of his finger. This injury led to subsequent illness, and he passed away on July 13, 1863. His dedication and sacrifice are remembered as part of the collective efforts that led to the Union’s strategic victory at Port Hudson.

Lewis’s story is a poignant reminder of the personal sacrifices made during the Civil War. His musical talents and leadership left an indelible mark on those who knew him, and his service contributed to a pivotal moment in American history.

Lewis’s sister married Seth Logan, a second cousin five x removed.

References

¹ “Lewis Hollister,” Washington Civil War Soldiers, washingtoncivilwarsoldiers.weebly.com.
² “Siege of Port Hudson,” American Battlefield Trust, battlefields.org.

Love Against All Odds: The Story of Elias Boudinot and Harriet Gold at the Logan Homestead

📸ideogram.ai

I received a copy of a letter from the Gunn Memorial Library and Museum, written in 2008 by Marlene Flanders, a former aide to Mrs. Verna Logan, who passed away in 1987. In the letter, she mentioned a story she had heard about the Rising Sun Inn, also known as The Logan Homestead, which allegedly harbored an “interracial couple”: a Cherokee Indian man and a white woman. I was intrigued by this account, as I had not come across it before. This blog post tells the story.

Letter written in 2008 by Marlene Flanders, former aid to Mrs. Verna Logan., who died in 1987.

The Beginning: Two Lives, Worlds Apart

In 1803, a boy named Killekeenah Oowaite was born into the Cherokee tribe in New Echota, Cherokee Nation (now Georgia, USA). His upbringing was steeped in the traditions of his family, including his father Dutse Oowaite, and his mother, the daughter of High Cherokee Chief Attaculcullah. Their family name was eventually shortened to Watie. Two years later, in Cornwall, Connecticut, Harriet Ruggles Gold was born into the prominent Gold family, whose legacy was rooted in strong Christian values and community leadership.

Education and Encounter

At 18, Killekeenah met Elias Boudinot, a Revolutionary War figure, a friend and counselor to George Washington, and former President of the Continental Congress, who saw potential in the young Cherokee man. Boudinot sponsored Killekeenah’s education, sending him to the Foreign Mission School in Cornwall, where he adopted the name Elias Boudinot. It was here that he met Harriet Gold, whose family often hosted students from the school.

Their friendship deepened into love, but the cultural and racial norms of the time set them on a path fraught with opposition and challenges.

The Challenges of Love

In 1822, Elias returned to the Cherokee Nation due to illness but remained in contact with Harriet and her brother Franklin through letters. By 1824, their correspondence revealed a deepening relationship. When Harriet shared her intentions with her parents, they vehemently opposed the union. The Gold family, known for its standing in Connecticut, was divided. Harriet’s brothers-in-law, both ministers, argued it was her Christian duty to prioritize the mission school’s reputation over her personal happiness.

Harriet, however, stood firm in her convictions. Despite public outcry and even the burning of an effigy depicting Harriet, Elias, and an ally, Mrs. Northrop, Harriet’s resolve did not waver. (Elias’ cousin, John Ridge also attended the Mission School, where he met Sarah Northrop, the daughter of the school’s steward. The two became romantically involved and wed in January 1824.)

The Honeymoon at the Logan Homestead

After enduring months of familial and societal pressure, Harriet’s immediate family softened their stance. In May 1826, Harriet and Elias married at the Gold Homestead and spent their wedding night at the Logan Homestead, which was fortified and protected by Captain Logan and his armed men. This act of defiance by Captain Logan ensured the couple’s safety during a time of heightened tension.

The couple left Connecticut the next day, embarking on a 47-day journey to the Cherokee Nation in Georgia.

A New Life and Tragic Loss

Settling in New Echota, Elias became the editor of the Cherokee Phoenix, the first tribal newspaper in the United States. It was printed in English and Cherokee, using the Cherokee syllabary created by Sequoyah. In her family letters, Harriet described a good life, and that she had been warmly welcomed upon her arrival. Harriet gave birth to six children, but tragedy struck during her seventh pregnancy. In May 1836, Harriet’s child was stillborn, and she passed away three months later at the age of 31. She was buried in New Echota, and Elias erected a tombstone made from marble brought from Connecticut—a testament to her enduring connection to her roots.

Elias Boudinot, formerly known as Killekeenah Oowaite

The Aftermath

The Cherokee Nation’s land was increasingly encroached upon by settlers, culminating in the infamous Trail of Tears. Elias’ eventual support of the Treaty of New Echota, which advocated for Cherokee relocation, marked him and others as traitors in the eyes of many. In 1839, Elias was assassinated for his controversial stance.

Harriet and Elias’ children were sent back to Connecticut, where they were raised by Harriet’s sister Mary Brinsmade. The boys, William, Frank, and Elias, attended The Gunn School in Washington, Connecticut, while the girls were cared for by their aunt.

Legacy of the Logan Homestead

The Logan Homestead, a witness to this extraordinary love story, remains a symbol of courage and resilience. Harriet and Elias’ union defied societal norms, blending two distinct cultures in an era resistant to change. Captain Logan’s decision to protect the couple during their wedding night speaks to the power of individual acts of bravery in shaping history.

Harriet’s grave stands as a poignant reminder of a woman who followed her heart, defied convention, and left an indelible mark on both her family and history.

Threatened by Georgia soldiers for championing Cherokee nationalism yet executed by his own people for treason, Elias Boudinot left a complex legacy.

1800 Photograph of the grave of Harriet Ruggles Gold Boudinot, New Echota, Gordon County, Georgia

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Stephen Bartkus, previous Curator of the Gunn Historical Museum, and Sarah Griswold, previous Curatorial Assistant, for their invaluable contributions to the previous research by Mark Oliver*.

References

  1. *Oliver, Mark B. “ONE New England” Elias Boudinot and Harriet Gold, www.onenewengland.com/article.php?id=356. Accessed Jan. 2025.
  2. Gunn Memorial Library and Museum Archives. (Special thanks to Amy Campanaro and Corinne Tabolt.)
  3. Correspondence of Harriet Gold and Elias Boudinot. To Marry an Indian: The Marriage of Harriett Gold and Elias Boudinot in Letters, 1823-1839. United States, University of North Carolina Press, 2006.
  4. Historical records from the Foreign Mission School, Cornwall, CT.
  5. Cherokee Phoenix archives. “History of the Cherokee Phoenix” Cherokeephoenix.Org, 13 Jan. 2015, www.cherokeephoenix.org/archives/history-of-the-cherokee-phoenix/article_30c25bf9-bc26-5628-9687-75e1be8581ba.html. Accessed Jan. 2025.
  6. Trail of Tears www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/elias-boudinot-ca-1804-1839/. Accessed Jan. 2025.
  7.  “[Photograph of the grave of Harriet Ruggles Gold Boudinot, New Echota, Gordon County, Georgia].” 1800/1994. January 25, 2025. https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/vang/do:gor379.

William Hickox: The 1600’s Settler of Farmington, Connecticut

Is That Year Correct? The 1600s? You Betcha! Meet My 10th Great-Grandfather
Have you ever wondered what life was like for our ancestors in the 1600s? My 10th great-grandfather, William Hickok—whose last name can be found spelled as Hicox, Hikox, Hickox, Heacock, or even Hickcock—arrived in America in 1635 aboard the ship Plain Joan1. At about 36 years old, he stepped onto Virginia soil, ready to start a new chapter in his life.2

The Pioneer of Farmington, Connecticut
Not long after arriving, William became one of the original settlers of Farmington, Connecticut. This small settlement, primarily established by families from Hartford, began with a land purchase from the local Native Americans in 1640. The early days were challenging, with most landowners still living in Hartford and traveling back and forth to Farmington. William’s home lot, purchased in 1645, marked the start of his family’s roots in the New World.3

William’s wife, Elizabeth, is somewhat of a mystery—historians have yet to agree on her maiden name.4 Together, they had two sons, Samuel and Joseph, the latter of whom is our ancestor. Tragically, shortly after acquiring his Farmington land, William passed away while farming.

A Family Torn Apart
Elizabeth remarried and had two more children, but in 1655, heartbreak struck again. Her second husband died, and mere weeks later, Elizabeth also passed away—likely victims of the smallpox and fever epidemic that swept through New England. This left four young children, ranging in age from 3 to 12, without parents:

Benjamin-6 years, Elizabeth-3 years, Samuel Heacock-12 years, Joseph Heacock-10 years

What became of Samuel and Joseph’s upbringing remains unclear. However, Joseph later married Mary Carpenter and fathered five children before his own untimely death in 1687. Their eldest son, also named Joseph, ensured the Hickok line endured—and from this lineage came one of the most legendary figures in American history.

Wild Bill Hickok: Family Ties to a Legend
Yes, that Wild Bill Hickok, the gunslinging icon of the Wild West, is my 4th cousin, five times removed! James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok is the 5th great-grandson of our William Hickok. His lineage follows this path:

~William Hickoks
~Joseph
~Joseph
~Stephen
~Aaron
~Oliver Otis
~William Alonzo
~James Butler Hickok

But wait—there’s more! Did Wild Bill know that his 4th great-grandmother, was accused of being a Salem witch? That story is here, and it’s a tantalizing footnote in our family history.

Joseph Hickok
Wild Bill
Lewis Hiccox
They Called Him Wild Bill: The Life and Adventures of James Butler Hickok, By Joseph G. Rosa

Was William Hickok a Neighbor of Shakespeare?

Here’s another twist: William may have been born in London or Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England—Shakespeare’s stomping grounds! According to records, Shakespeare’s birthplace in Henley Street was later leased to a Lewis Hiccox, who converted it into an inn. Could William have been connected to this family? It’s fun to imagine our ancestor rubbing elbows with the Bard himself!5

 1863 Picture below

https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/shakespeares-birthplace-home-and-grave-pictures

2017 Picture Below

The Birthplace Now

From Connecticut to My Own Roots

The Hickok family’s journey to Connecticut ultimately brought together other branches of my family tree. John Logan, one of my immigrant ancestors, married Dorcas Root, Joseph Hickok’s granddaughter, and she became my 6th great-grandmother. What a fascinating tapestry of connections!

  1. Wikitree.com Plain Joan ↩︎
  2. Passengers of the Plain Joan to Virginia, May 1635, NEHGS April 1848 Passengers for Virginia www.rays-place.com ↩︎
  3. Bickford, Christopher.  Farmington in Connecticut. Canaan NH: Phoenix Publishing, 1982. At Salt Lake City, Utah: FHL 974.62/F1 H2b.  ↩︎
  4. See Biography https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Hickox-39 ↩︎
  5. The House After Shakespeare https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/explore-shakespeare/shakespedia/shakespeares-birthplace/house-after-shakespeare/ ↩︎

Books on Logan Ancestry: A Personal Story

In 2019, I embarked on a journey to write and self-publish two books about my Logan ancestry. My goal wasn’t fame or fortune; it was to create a legacy for future generations. Since then, I’ve refined my writing skills (hopefully!) and have since re-released updated editions of these books. One of these is The Lowland Logans —

“But, I am dead. I died in July of 1606. How can they convict me? They took all my lands, all my possessions. They dug up my bones and put them on trial. Yes, they put my bones on trial! And, they found my bones guilty of treason! They said I forfeited my rights because I could not testify. I AM DEAD! I died two years ago. Now they’ve confiscated my property, my lands, and my title was abolished. My heirs were stripped of their titles and holdings, they could not run for office, they were denied the privilege of their noble birth, and my estate, which included lands with four castles and monies valued at over £29,042. I was a multi-millionaire and they took it all!”

The second, Descendants of John Logan, Sr. of Washington, Connecticut, is a more traditional genealogy, including photos of the family homestead, historical article excerpts, and treasured memories.

Inspired by a letter from my great-grandfather, I also wrote a Vella series, weaving family history into a non-fictional narrative of lost and rediscovered stories.

You can click on each one to find them in Kindle.

I hope these works inspire future generations to discover the rich, resilient heritage woven into our family’s story and perhaps even uncover their own.

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Logan of Restalrig: Theories on Our Scotch-Irish Heritage

Featured Image above created by ChatGPT- Not actual Logan shield or colors.

Below are the actual Clan Logan crest and tartan.

https://www.clanlogansociety.org/
https://www.clanlogansociety.org/
https://www.clanlogansociety.org/
Marker stone for the burial place of Robert the Bruce’s heart, Melrose Abbey

At my sister’s request, I am writing about some theories on where John Loggan, our American immigrant, might have come from.  We know from records that he “was descended from a long line of Scotch barons deriving their name, Celtic in origin, from the ancestral home, Logan, in Ayrshire.1”  We also know from these same records that he was Scotch Presbyterian.

In January 2013, a gentleman emailed me and told me of a website called “clanlogansociety.com” now Clan Logan Society International, and “electricscotland.com,” of which he was Vice President.  His name is James C. Logan.  At the time, we had no idea if we were related, but he gave me some information on some interesting Logans.  Since then, we have found that we share the same 3rd great-grandfather, Lemuel H. Logan.  James has done an extensive search on this line using records as well as DNA.  There is a DNA Pre-1900Logans Project that uses numbers to distinguish families.  Ours is Limb 1, #1034.

DNA links John Logan #1034 directly to the Gawn Logan family #1032, which suggests our Logan line immigrated from Scotland to Ireland where they lived perhaps several generations before moving on to Connecticut.

They are no doubt closely related. With the differences in age, it could well be that Gawn is actually descended from John, and the connection has not yet been identified. Alternatively, Gawn may descend from a brother or some other near relative of John.

John arrived in the Colony of Connecticut in about 1729 or so with enough wealth to purchase a farm. James thinks the funds came from his inheritance or possibly a sale of a land grant in the Ulster Plantation. DNA indicates that we are related to some Logans from Ayrshire, Scotland. He found a Walter Logane who left Ayrshire about 1610 for the Ulster Plantation and obtained a land grant in 1617. He thinks Walter may be John’s great-grandfather.

“Sir Hugh Montgomery, 2nd Viscount Ards, received his land grant from King James I of England (James IV of Scotland) on the condition that he settle English and Scottish Protestants on their estates. Sir Hugh returned to Braidstane [in Ayrshire] during the winter of 1605/06 with the purpose of inducing his neighbors to join him. The surnames of the Scots who took letters of denization in 1617 include Catherwood, Boyle, Harper, Barkley, Moore, Hunter, Thompson, Logan, Crawford, Agnew, Adair, Wilson, Williamson, Cunningham, Cathart, Maxwell, Allen, Fraser, Aiken, McDowell, Harvy, Semple, Anderson, Kennedy, Martin, Speir and Montgomery.2“

“All the substantial persons – Persons of this class generally took out letters of denization soon after they came to Ireland. The following received such letters of denization in 1617, the majority of them having settled on Sir Hugh Montgomery’s estates, probably ten years prior to that date. Viz.” John Wyly of Ballyhay………………… Walter Logane of Proveston……………..Alexander Speire of Gray Abbey. – fm. Calendar of Pat. Rolls, James I, pp. 3263393. ” (Interesting to note is that the name Wyly is one of the families with whom John came to Connecticut with.)

So, yes, indeed, we are related to the Scottish Logans — and most probably to the Logan of Restalrig, as some of this family moved to Ayrshire after the last Baron of Restalrig (the 7th Baron) was deprived of his title and land holdings by a huge miscarriage of justice which can be read about here.

Click the book above to read more about the Logans of Restalrig.

“During the reign of Robert the Bruce, the barony of Restalrig, on which the town of Leith is built, passed by marriage into possession of the Logans, and soon afterwards occurred the most heroic episode which stands to their name. Sir Robert and Sir Walter Logan were two of the knights who accompanied the Good Sir James of Douglas in his expedition to bury the heart of King Robert the Bruce in the Holy Sepulcher. On the plain of Granada, when the little body of Scottish knights found itself hemmed round by Moorish spears, and Douglas, throwing his master’s heart far into the press, rode after it and fell, Sir Walter and Sir Robert fell with him.4“

You can read all of their researched articles on Restalrig or the  History of the Logans

Another interesting read is The Logans of Restalrig-Scot Clans

Logan_by_R_R_McIan
“Logan”. A Victorian-era, romanticized depiction of a member of the clan by R. R. McIan, from The Clans of the Scottish Highlands, published in 1845.

Again, genealogy is documenting records from person to person.  There is a huge gap of missing sources from our John Loggan b. 1699 to the 7th Baron of Restalrig, Sir Robert Logan b. 1555, but there are a lot of remarkable concurrences of events happening here to suggest we are on the right track.

  1. A National Register of the Society, Sons of the American Revolution, Volume 1 By Sons of the American Revolution, Louis Henry Cornish, Alonzo Howard Clark ↩︎
  2. Jonathan Bardon, The Plantation of Ulster, Gill Books, Dublin, 2012, ISBN 978 07171 5447 0, pp. 77. Perceval-Maxwell, M., The Scottish Migration to Ulster in the Reign of James I., Belfast, 1973, pp. 57. ↩︎
  3. Sir Hugh Montgomery, The Montgomery Manuscripts, (1603-1706), Archer & Sons, Belfast, 1869 (from the library of the University of Toronto), pp 5, 94, 117, 322. ↩︎
  4. https://electricscotland.com/webclans/htol/logan2.html ↩︎

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Finding Abigail… Part 3

My search for Abigail continues! (see Finding Abigail… Part 1 (Logan Family) and Finding Abigail… Part 2 (Logan Family). However, due to DNA, I may have some great leads.

There is a DNA match to me through ThruLines® (6th cousin) that shows Samuel Soper, Jr. being Abigail’s brother, my 4th great-granduncle. But, of course, this all depends on whether the person I match has an accurate tree. As I was researching her tree, I did find some things that didn’t make sense, but luckily it was not with the Soper line.

As I was looking through her Soper line, I ran into another sixth cousin who had the same line. This tree seemed to be more thoroughly researched. Although it shows us as a DNA match, it isn’t showing her through ThruLines®, but it may be that their algorithm doesn’t change automatically with my additions and changes.

Both of these matches have pretty much the same Soper line. I will continue along this line, proving my own sources, but I think we might have a winner! They have an England and a Canada connection which is interesting.

Wish me luck! Maybe Part 4 will be the finale!

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1800s Census Records & ThruLines®

Have you ever looked at the 1800 or 1810 census and thought, “well, this does not give me much information.” No, it doesn’t give you the specific details as in later census records, but it can tell you other things.

The 1800 census was the second census in America and was taken as of 04 August 1800. It tallied free white males and females in several age categories: under 10, 10 but under 15, 16 but under 25, 25 but under 45, and over 45. Indians, slaves, and free blacks were listed in single categories undivided into age groups.

The age breakdown of household members is far more useful than the one in 1790 census, because it can help to separate parents from children (or grandparents living with their adult children and grandchildren) and it lets you match up the offspring more accurately.

But, what if you cannot find the names of all the children? Patience is key. For instance, because of the 1800 and 1810 census, I knew that my 4th great grandfather, Daniel Logan, had a couple more children. I just never could find them. Fast forward about a decade or two and AncestryDNA® ThruLines® helped me crack my case wide open!

Meet Polly Ann Logan.

AncestryDNA® ThruLines® needs to be used as a guide, not fact. But, in most cases, they can help you connect the dots so to speak. ThruLines® shows you how you may be related to your DNA matches. But, if your tree is incorrect or their tree is incorrect, the information may be wrong. Again, use it as a guide. You know you’re related because of the DNA, but make sure you find the paper trail accurately to connect those dots.

However, Orpha has been as allusive as her mother, Abigail Soper! Orpha is on a lot of other people’s trees, but I cannot find her anywhere else. Some say she married Stephen Morey, others have Samuel Morey. I can’t find much information on either men. Orpha is a popular name in this family line, but maybe she didn’t live long or maybe this wasn’t even the other daughter’s name. Time and research will tell.

But, Polly Ann was a different story. I was able to track her down with records and find many descendants. All thanks to TruLines®!

Happy hunting! Share their stories! Tell their stories!

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Do You Know the AGBI?

It is the American Genealogical Biographical Index and one of the most essential printed genealogical sources in the United States. But I did not always know that. It was a hint, a source in Ancestry.com that would come up periodically on my New England ancestors. I never really understood it except for it to confirm a birth or some other fact. Ah, the ignorance of the early days!  

Recently, I looked back at some older entries in my family tree to see if I could find new leads on some of my more elusive ancestors. One was Margaret Car(r), my 6th great-grandmother. She married John Logan, the ancestor who came to Connecticut through Massachusetts. Although I know John came from Ireland, I do not know anything about Margaret before she came to Connecticut. Although I know they married in Massachusetts.  

One of the first clues I looked at again was the AGBI. In researching it, I came across a blog by Diane B. of OneRhodeIslandFamily.com. In it, she wrote, “The Boston Transcript was a Boston, Massachusetts newspaper that regularly carried a page of genealogical questions and answers. That feature ran for several decades in the late 1800s/early 1900s.” And, it is indexed in the AGBI!  

Even more exciting was learning that I can order them and over 800 printed genealogies and other compiled sources from the Godfrey Memorial Library. From their website, “Godfrey Memorial Library is the owner and publisher of the American Genealogical Biographical Index (AGBI), which contains more than four million names, statistics, and sources for research, including local histories, church and vital records, military lists, and more. It also includes over two million records from the Boston Transcript. AGBI is the largest and most important genealogical reference set ever published, and clearly the best starting point to find any early New England settlers. This is an index to the books and periodicals on our shelves.”

This is what it looks like in Ancestry.com.

Did I just stumble upon a gold mine? We’ll soon find out, as I mailed out my request a couple of days ago. I printed out their order form, and for $10 each entry, I can soon find out what they know about my ancestor.  

You, too, can access this gold mine at https://www.godfrey.org/agbi.html. Print and fill out the order form, then use the information from the AGBI index for each ancestor requested. I limited myself to three ancestors, including Margaret.  

Another source attached to Margaret is regarding her marriage in Marshfield, Massachusetts, to John, titled “Mayflower Source Records.” Upon closer inspection, it was from the New England Historical and Genealogical Register called the “Mayflower Source Records: Primary Data Concerning Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the Islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard” by Gary Boyd Rogers. It’s a source of material where the majority of the descendants of the Mayflower Pilgrims settled by the end of the 18th century. Am I, or is Margaret, descended from a Mayflower passenger?  

Exciting stuff! New revelations to dig up for sure.  

Thanks for reading!

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Malebysse to Beckwith- 25 Generations (Logan Family)

UPDATED 3/2021: There is speculation about how our Beckwith line connects with the Yorkshire Beckwiths. More research is needed. Beware of “The Beckwiths,” Paul Edmond Beckwith, Albany, 1891. This genealogy, which contains a totally fabricated English lineage, is filled with errors, has a son Benjamin2, who never existed, and was thoroughly debunked in “The American Genealogist” articles by Simeon Fox. This genealogy is not recommended by the Society of the Descendants of the Founders of Hartford.

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Sir Hugh de Malebisse (Malbisse, Malebysse, Malbis), one of the Norman knights who accompanied the Conqueror to England and served in the Battle of Hastings, is my 25th great-grandfather. That’s right, 25th!  

“Sir Hugh de Malbisse held lands (in Yorkshire), time of William the Conqueror” is all the Domesday Book says about him.  (The Domesday Book or “Book of Winchester” is a manuscript record of the “Great Survey” of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086 by order of King William the Conqueror.)  Since he was a Norman, he must have had a fair complexion and a tall height. When he fought in Hastings, he wore “a leather coat of tough bull hide.” According to the book “The Beckwiths” by Paul Beckwith, the leather coat would have had metal rings sown upon it, just touching each other. The coat and breeches would have been one piece with a casque of metal at the breast gilded and painted. He would have had gloves of leather and sheepskin covering his legs. He must have been a formidable figure in 1066 A.D. 

He married Emma de Percy, daughter of Henry de Percy of Acaster.  (There is a lot of confusing information in different books on who this Emma married.  Some say she married Hugh’s son, Richard. Others say she married a William.) I am more inclined to believe the original writers of history, such as the Madox, Hist. of Exchequer, i. 316, which states that the first Hugh was married to the daughter of Henry de Percy.  

Madox was a legal antiquary and historian known for his publication and discussion of medieval records and charters, particularly his History of the Exchequer, tracing the administration and records of that branch of the state from the Norman Conquest to the time of Edward II. It became a standard work for the study of English medieval history. He held the office of historiographer royal from 1708 until his death.

Hugh had three sons. Richard, Hugh (2), and Galfred.  This Hugh (2) is our direct line. He married first, Emma de Bray.  I am not finding much on this, Hugh. His brother, Richard, seems to take up much of the glory, or in this case, scandal.  More on him later. Hugh’s (2) will be proven in the third year of the reign of King Stephen, 1138. Galfred gave all his land to God and became the first Prior at the monastery of Newbo of Lincolnshire in 1142.

By the way, Richard, whom I mentioned before, was an interesting, cruel fellow.  He was a justiciar, held Acaster in 1176, and was a forester for Yorkshire (Madox, i. 316).  But then things changed for dear ‘ole Richard.  

He was one of the leaders in the savage attack on and massacre of the Jews at York in 1190 (Will. Newburgh, i. 321, Rolls Ser.) As a punishment for his share in this outrage his lands were seized by the king. Malebysse appears to have been a supporter of Earl John, and in consequence he was one of those who were excommunicated by William de Longchamp in December 1191 (Hoveden, iii. 153). In 1193 he paid a fine of twenty marks for the recovery of his lands till the king’s return, and eventually paid six hundred marks for full restoration (Madox, Hist. of Exchequer, i. 473, 483).  Richard Malebysse

Evidently, he owed many debts to “the Jews” and was known as “the Evil Beast’.  On hearing the news of the southern outbreaks, he and various members of the Percy, Faulconbridge, and Darrel families determined to seize the opportunity to wipe out their indebtedness.  One hundred and fifty Jews were killed.  The entire Jewish community was wiped out!  More can be read in the Jewish Encyclopedia.

However, after about ten years, Richard is back.  

After the accession of John, Malebysse comes into some prominence. In June 1199, he, or it may be his brother Hugh, was sent as an envoy to Scotland to William the Lion to demand homage. In July 1200, he had a license to fortify Wheldrake Castle, but the permission was withdrawn at the request of the citizens of York. In May 1201, he was sent on a mission to the king of Scots to ask him to defer his answer to Northumberland until Michaelmas (Hoveden, iv. 91, 117, 163–4). Malebysse was a justice itinerant for Yorkshire in 1201 and next year sat to acknowledge fines at Westminster. In 1204, he was employed to enforce the payment of aid. He was keeper of the forests of Galtres, Derwent, and Wernedale. He died in 1209.

We must take the bad with the good in our family history. 

Back to my direct line.  Hugh (2) and Emma had Simon.  He was lord of Cowton in Craven, England, and married a daughter of John, Lord of Methley.  I do not know much about Simon either. More research needs to be done.  

Simon had Hercules de Malebysse.  Hercules married Lady Beckwith Bruce, daughter of Sir William Bruce of Uglebarnby and heiress of an estate named Beckwith. He retained the Malbisse escutcheon (his coat of arms) and assumed Beckwith as a surname during the period when surnames were being adopted in England. Beckwith was the name of his wife’s estate.  So, the Beckwith surname was passed down. At this time, they still use “de Beckwith”. Lady Beckwith and Hercules had Nicolas de Beckwith born in 1260. He married a woman by the last name of Chaworth, but nothing more is known.  

Nicolas and his wife had Hamon in 1294.  Hamon married a daughter of Sir Philip Sydney. He was the first of the family to drop the use of the particle “de” in the surname.  Hamon and Anne had William in 1316. William and “unknown” Usfleet had Thomas. Thomas and “unknown” Sawley had Adam. He married (second) Elizabeth Malebisse, widow of John Heringe. His children were all by his first wife, name unknown.  His first wife and he had William. William married a daughter of Sir John Baskerville, a descendant of English and French ancestry, who traced his lineage to the Emperor Charlemagne (don’t we all).

I’ll run through our line in this paragraph as I know the names; I just haven’t researched them.  William and his wife had Thomas, who died in 1495. Thomas had Robert, who had John, who had Robert, who had Robert. This Robert made his will on October 6, 1536, and died before March following.  Robert had Marmaduke Beckwith in 1567.

In 1597 he sold Clint and purchased Fetherstone and Aikton (or Acton).   Among his numerous children was William Beckwith, the founder of the Virginia line of Beckwiths, who landed in America in 1607. He sailed from England in the ship “Phoenix” and arrived with Captain John Smith at Jamestown, Va. (I’ll be researching this little gem!)

This immigrant ancestor and progenitor of the Beckwiths of New England and those branches of the family, which are offshoots of the New England lines, was born in England about the year 1610. The history of his life from when he came to America is somewhat obscure. 

He is found early in Hartford, Conn. Here, he bought the homestead of William Pratt, one of the original proprietors of Hartford, in 1645. About 1652, he was in the same colony at New London and Lyme, his land lying in both towns. It is judged from the size of his real estate holdings that he was a man of considerable wealth.

He was able to give land to his sons liberally, and it is recorded that in 1675, thirty acres of additional land were granted to him, all of which he gave to his son, Joseph Beckwith. 

UPDATE March 2021: There is a question that the connection between Matthew 1 (b. 1610 or maybe 1612) and the Beckwiths of Yorkshire seems inaccurate/undocumented. 

Matthew Beckwith occupied a prominent place in the community and was one of its most prominent citizens. He was killed on October 21, 1680, “by a fall in a dark night down a ledge of rocks.”

There are many books about the Malebisse family.  You can research yourself at Google Books.  

Sources:

(WordPress will not let me cite them properly without upgrading to the Business Plan!)

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/domesday/

“The Beckwiths”: Beckwith, Paul (Paul Edmond), 1848-1907 ….” 3 Jun. 2009, https://archive.org/details/thebeckwiths00beck.

From https://www.foundersofhartford.org/the-founders/matthew-beckwith/ Genealogy not recommended: “The Beckwiths,” Paul Edmond Beckwith, Albany, 1891. This genealogy, which contains a totally fabricated English lineage, is filled with errors, has a son Benjamin2, who never existed, and was thoroughly debunked in “The American Genealogist” articles by Simeon Fox.

There are several pamphlets entitled “Beckwith Notes,” intended to correct some of the “The Beckwiths” errors, but these only marginally help.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Madox

“Justiciar – Wikipedia.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justiciar

“Malebysse, Richard (DNB00) – Wikisource, the free online library.” 30 Jun. 2016, https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Malebysse,_Richard_(DNB00)

http://www.svsu.edu/library/archives/public/follett/documents/152_168/KFP152_08.pdf

http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/15122-york

 “Malebysse, Richard (DNB00) – Wikisource, the free online library.” 30 Jun. 2016, https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Malebysse,_Richard_(DNB00)

 “The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence ….” http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/thomas-williams-bicknell/the-history-of-the-state-of-rhode-island-and-providence-plantations-volume-8-kci/page-59-the-history-of-the-state-of-rhode-island-and-providence-plantations-volume-8-kci.shtml

Thank you for reading. As always, please let me know if you see any errors.

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