American Tapestry

Welcome!

Here is a link to my file at Rootsweb.  I also have a public tree at Ancestry. Please let me know if you are seeking additional information on a particular ancestor, and I will do my best to help you as time permits.

Attributions

Cover Art: The March to Valley Forge, By Wm.B.T. Trego (1858-1909) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Additional Art: Thanksgiving, By Jennie Augusta Brownscombe [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The Fall of New Amsterdam, Jean Leon Gerome Ferris [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Patrick Henry Before the Virginia House of Burgesses, By Peter F. Rothermel (1817–1895)[Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Declaration of Independence, By John Trumbull [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Battle of Long Island, By Domenick D’Andrea, [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Nieuw Amsterdam, By Johannes Vingboons [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

First Dutch Reformed Church of Albany, By Unknown. Edited by Daniel Case prior to upload [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Official Presidential Portrait of Thomas Jefferson, Rembrandt Peale [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Martha Jefferson, [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

When I was growing up, I would hear about Americans celebrating their traditions from other countries, and I wondered why my family didn’t celebrate anything “foreign”.

Now that I have spent so many years doing genealogical research, it is obvious that the answer to my unspoken question is that every line of my family has been here for at least eight generations. Some have been here for as many as 14 generations. By the time I came along, my relatives had long before abandoned any “foreign” culture or loyalty to another country. We’ve been speaking English a long time!

All of my ancestral lines (that I know about) arrived on this continent before 1776, though my ancestors from the Nansemond  Indian tribe were already here.  My DNA has been identified as 100% European, but the Native American ancestry did show up in my brother’s DNA.

The earliest immigrants were mostly English and Dutch; later, many came from Germany, France, Ireland, and Scotland. There were a handful from Switzerland, Finland, Spain, Italy, and Belgium. Quite a few ancestors were descended from royalty, but I think that is true for most Americans of European origin.

I have found approximately 200 immigrant ancestors. Some of these are proven, but some are assumed until better documentation is found. My main purpose for researching and creating this blog is to answer these questions:

• • • Why did my immigrant ancestors come here?
    • What kind of work did they do?
    • What was their religion?
    • Were they good citizens?
    • How did they die?
    • Where did they live?
    • What was their family life like?
    • How did they contribute to the United States?
    • Were they patriots?
    • What kind of health problems did they have?
    • Were they literate and educated?
    • What kind of personality traits did they have?
    • What can I learn about them that helps me to better understand myself?

I don’t have the answers to everything I want to know, but I can see a general pattern already. Most came for religious freedom, whether they were Puritan, Dutch Reformed, Presbyterian, Lutheran, or French Reformed. I have not found any who were Catholic. Most of them were literate and wanted a good education for their children. A great many were leaders in their communities and were involved in the affairs of the day. Though most people of the time had to do some farming, my ancestors seemed to try to find other employment for their main income. I have come across sheriffs, elected officials, preachers, tanners, ship captains, soldiers, millers, merchants, tavern owners, road builders, and a few doctors and lawyers. Some had plantations and were slave owners, unfortunately. Almost all of my immigrant ancestors were involved in their churches and seem to have had healthy family relationships. A few were wealthy, but most were not. I assume they had an adventurous spirit and a lot of faith to make that long, dangerous trip across the Atlantic.  I feel truly blessed that these immigrants laid such a solid foundation for me and for those who come after me.

14th Generation

1. Richard Taylor, b.  in England, d. 1679 in Rappahannock County, Virginia
2. Richard Harnison (some say Harrison), b. abt. 1600 in England, d. 1664 in York County, Virginia
3. Elizabeth Besout Harnison, b. abt. 1600, d. Northumberland County, Virginia
4. Robert Wyatt, b. abt. 1620 in England, d. abt. 1660 in King William County, Virginia
5. Nathaniel Briscoe, b. abt. 1595 in England, d. aft. 1651 after returning to England from Massachusetts
6. Elizabeth Honor Briscoe, b. abt. 1600 in England, d. 1642 in Massachusetts
7. John Sloman, b. in England, d. in Charles City County, Virginia
8. Katherine Eppes Sloman, b. 1580 in England, d. 1660 in Charles City County, Virginia
9. Rice Justice, b. 1618 in England, d. in Virginia
10. William Snowdall, b. 1620 in England, d. 1670 in Henrico County, Virginia
11. Elizabeth Dawson Snowdall, b. in England, d. 1668 in Henrico County, Virginia

13th Generation

1. Philippe Du Trieux, b. 1586 in Robais, France (now Belgium), d. 1653 in New Netherland
2. Susanna Du Chesne Du Trieux, b. 1601 in England, d. 1654, New Netherland
3. Joachim Wesselse, b. 1579 in Germany, d. 1681 in New York
4. Guertruy Hieronimus Wesselse, b. about 1584 in the Netherlands, d. in New York
5. Theunis Thomaszen Quick, b. 1600 in the Netherlands, d. 1666 in New York
6. Christopher Branch, b. 1602 in England, d. 1681 in  Henrico County, Virginia
7. Mary Addie Branch, b. about 1602 in England, d. 1630 in Henrico County, Virginia
8. Col. Francis Epes, b. 1597 in England, d. before 1674 in Charles City County, Virginia
9. Marie Pawlett Epes, b. England, d. in Virginia
10. Dr. Robert Booth, b. about 1613 in England, d. 1657 in York County, Virginia
11. Frances Burgess Booth, b. about 1619 in England, d. 1668 in York County, Virginia
12. William Andrews, b. before 1620 in England, d. 1684 in Essex County, Virginia
13. Anneke Jans, b. 1605 in Norway, d. 1663 in New Netherland
14. Roelof Jansz Jansen, b. 1602 in Sweden, d. before 1637 in New Netherland
15. Col. George Lydall, b. about 1620 in England, d. 1705 in New Kent County, Virginia
16. Jane Churchill Lyddall, b. in England, d. in Virginia
17.  Thomas Faulk Harwell, b. 1606 in England, d. 1704 in Virginia
18.  Elizabeth Bailey Harwell, b. abt. 1616 in England, d. abt. 1645 in Virginia
19. Richard Gildersleeve, b. abt. 1601 in England, d. abt. 1781 in Virginia
20. Stephen Hamlin, b. 1607 in England, d. 1665 in Surry County, Virginia
21. Agnes Margaret Powell Hamlin, b. in England, d. abt. 1680 in Jamestown, Virginia
22. Richard Taylor, b. 1621 in England, d. 1684 in Charles City County, Virginia
23. Sarah Frances Barker Taylor, b. in England, d. 1694 in Prince George County, Virginia
24. Francis Poythress, b. 1609 in England, d. abt. 1661 in Charles City County, Virginia
25. Mary Sloman Poythress, b. 1624 in England, d. 1675 in Charles City County, Virginia
26. Thomas Broughton, b. abt. 1614 in Kent, England, d. 1700 in Massachusetts
27. James Henry Lewis, b. 1559 in Wales, d. 1622 in Virginia
28. Sarah Ann Graig Lewis, b. 1575 in Wales, d. 1622 in Virginia
29. Richard Miles Nalle, b. 1598 in England, d. 1667 in Connecticut
30. Mary Chambers Miles, b. 1598 in England, d. 1641 in Connecticut
31. Robert Beverley, b. 1641 in England, d. 1687 in Virginia
32. Mary Boyd Carter Beverley, b. in England, d. in Virginia
33. Elizabeth Rugg Flippen, b. 1671 in England, d. 1758 in Virginia
34. Samuel Almond, b. abt. 1600 in England, d. abt. 1640 in Virginia
35. Mary Crockford Almond, b. abt. 1610 in England, d. in Virginia
36. Brandt Van Neukirke, b. 1593 in the Netherlands, d. 1644 in New Netherland (New York)
37. Lubbertje Peelen Van Neukirke, b. 1600 in the Netherlands, d. 1643 in New Netherland (New York)
38. Edward Bourke Ellis, b. 1630 in England, d. 1670 in Middlesex County, Virginia
39. Elizabeth Kate Stevens Ellis, b. 1620 in England, d. 1669, in Middlesex County, Virginia

12th Generation

1. Benjamin Brasseure, b. before 1620 in France, d. 1662 in Maryland
2. Mary Richford Brasseure, b. 1621 in England, d. 1663 in Calvert County, Maryland
3. Evert Jansen Wendell, b. 1615 in East Friesland (now in Germany), d. 1709 in Albany, New York
4. Maj. Abraham Staats, b. 1619 in the Netherlands, d. 1694 in Albany, New York
5. Catrina Jochemse Wessel Staats, b. 1621 in the Netherlands, d. 1703 in New York
6. Jacob Theuniszen De Kay, b. 1633 in the Netherlands, d. after 1688 in New York
7. Johannes Pieterszen Van Brugh, b. about 1624 in the Netherlands, d. abt. 1698 in Kings County, New York
8. Catrina Raeleffse Van Brugh, b. 1629 in the Netherlands, d. 1700 in New York
9. Capt. Goosen Gerritt Van Schaik, b. about 1624 in the Netherlands, d. 1676 in New York
10. Geertje Van Nieukerke Van Schaik, b. 1623 in the Netherlands,  d. 1656 in New Netherland
11. Pieter J. Lookermans, b. in the Netherlands, d. 1684 in New York
12. Mary Duncanson, b. 1614 in Scotland, d. in New York
13. Teunis (Anthony) Cornelisse Van der Poel, b. about 1618 in the Netherlands, d. aft. 1687 in Albany, New York
14. Catrina Janse Croon Van der Poel, b. in the Netherlands, d. 1694 in New York
15. Capt. Thomas Harris, b. 1585 in England, d. 1658 in Henrico County, Virginia
16. Col. Henry Isham, b. 1628 in England, d. abt. 1676 in Henrico County, Virginia
17. Katherine Banks-Royal Isham, b. 1625 in England, d. 1686 in Henrico County, Virginia
18. James Field, b. about 1605 in England, d. in Virginia
19. Col. Henry Soane, b. about 1622 in England, d. 1662 in James City County, Virginia
20. Judeth Fuller Soane, b. 1620 in England, d. aft. 1651 in Virginia
21. William Clopton, Sr., b. 1655 in England, d. 1733 in New Kent County, Virginia
22. George Wilkinson, b. about 1655 in England, d. in Virginia
23. Sara Lydall Wilkinson, b. before 1654, d. in Virginia
24. Salvatore Muscoe, Sr., b. in Italy,  d. in Virginia
25. Richard Singletary (previously Dunham), b. 1585 in England, d. 1687, Essex County, Massachusetts
26. Susannah Cooke Singletary, b. 1616 in England, d. 1682 in Essex County, Massachusetts
27. William Nicholls, b. 1599 in England, d. Virginia
28. John Stockbridge, b. 1608 in England, d. 1657 Suffolk County, Massachusetts
29. William Peacock, b. 1642 in England, d. 1702 in Surry County, Virginia
30. George Morton, b. before 1587 in England, d. 1624 in Massachusetts
31. Juliana Carpenter Morton, b. about 1584 in England, d. 1665 in Massachusetts
32. John Dunham, b. about 1589 in England, d. in Massachusetts
33. Abigail Barlow Dunham, b. in England, d. in Massachusetts
34. Francis Eaton, b. in England, d. 1633 in Massachusetts
35. Christiann Penn Eaton, b. 1607 in England, d. 1684 in Massachusetts
36. William Hoskins, b. in England, d. in Massachusetts
37. Sarah Cushman Hoskins, b. in England, d. in Massachusetts
38. Judith Cogan-King Rickard, b. about 1594 in England, d. 1662 in Massachusetts
39. Richard Charles Harwell, b. abt. 1636 in England, d. abt. 1700 in Virginia
40. Mary Winterbourne Harwell, b. in England, d. in Virginia
41. William Morris Veale, b. 1628 in England, d. 1695 in Westmoreland County, Virginia
42. Francis Epes II, b. abt. 1627 in Kent, England, d. 1678 in Henrico County, Virginia
43. Elizabeth Wells Epes, b. in England, d. in Virginia
44. George Bonham, b. bef. 1610 in Holland, d. 1704 in Massachusetts
45. Sarah Morton, b. 1624 in Holland, d. 1691 in Massachusetts
46. Darby Swillivent (Sullivan), b. in Ireland, d. 1699 in Westmoreland County, Virginia
47. Richard Lewis, b. 1609 in Wales, d. before 1684 in Virginia
48. Frances Miles Lewis, b. 1615 in Wales, d. 1663 in Virginia
49. John Garnett, b. in England, d. 1703 in Virginia
50. Philip Stockdale, b. in England, d. in Virginia
51. Thomas Keeling, b. 1608 in England, d. 1664 in Virginia
52. Anne Bray Thorogood Keeling, b. 1618 in England, d. 1683 in Virginia
53. John Martin, b. 1600 in England, d. 1638 in Virginia
54. John Jehu Robinson, b. England, d. bef. 1609 in Jamestown, Virginia
55. Doctoris William Christmas, b. 1585 in England, d. 1655 in Virginia
56. Isabell Goodman Christmas, b. 1579 in England, d. 1669 in Virginia
57. Susanna Hill Ellis, b. in England, d. in Virginia
58. Thomas Reade, b. in England, d. in Virginia

11th Generation

1. Richard Skaggs, Sr., b. probably in England, d. 1726 in Maryland
2. Jean Baptiste de la Chaumette, b. 1664 in France, d. 1728 in Stafford County, Virginia
3. Capt. John Nettles, b. 1620 in England, d. 1686, lost at sea near Indonesia
4. Mary Reed Nettles, b. 1626 in England, d. 1717 in Suffolk County, Massachusetts
5. Thomas Jefferson (great-grandfather of the President), b. in the West Indies, d. 1687 in Henrico County, Virginia
6. John Muse, Sr., b. 1633 in England, d. 1723 in Westmoreland County, Virginia
7. William Seale, b. about 1635 in England, d. 1704 in Essex County, Virginia
8. Susanna Stow Seale, b. about 1641 in England, d. in Virginia
9. Thomas Smithers, b. 1634 in England, d. 1678 in Norfolk County, Virginia
10. John Basse, b. 1616 in England, d. 1699, Norfolk County, Virginia
11. Judith Soane Field, b. 1646 in England, d. 1707 in New Kent County, Virginia
12. Humphrey Pope, b. 1645 in England, d. 1684 in Westmoreland County, Virginia
13. Elizabeth Hawkins Pope, b. about 1648 in England, d. 1717 in Westmoreland County, Virginia
14. Gwen Corem Carmack, b. 1685 in Scotland, d. 1746 in Frederick County, Maryland
15. Katharina Emmerich Trautmann, b. 1671 in France, d. in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
16. John Barrowe, b. 1609 in England, d. 1691 in Massachusetts
17. Anne Thompson Barrowe, b. about 1600 in England, d. 1639 in Massachusetts
18. Giles Rickard, Sr., b. before 1637 in England, d. Massachusetts
19. Thomas Page, b. about 1605 in the Netherlands, d. in Virginia
20. Elizabeth Allen Page, b. about 1600 in the Netherlands, d. in Virginia
21. William Pritchett, b. 1630 in England, d. 1678 in Gloucester County, Virginia
22. Dorothy Parsons Nicholls, b. 1635 in England, d. in Virginia
23. Hannah Stockdale Andrews, b. in England, d. in Virginia
24. Philip Raiford, b. about 1650 in England, d. in Virginia
25. Sarah Kinchen Raiford, b. about 1655 in England, d. 1724 in Virginia
26. Josiah Darby, b. 1670 in Ireland, d. 1710 in South Carolina
27. Hannah Berrisford Darby, b. 1670 in England, d. abt. 1710 in South Carolina
28. Capt. Richard Tye, b. 1614 in England, d. 1658 in Virginia
29. Elizabeth Potter Robinson, b. 1619 in England, d. 1688 in Virginia
30. Peter Starkey,  b. 1630 in England, d. 1676 in Virginia

10th Generation

1. Johann Peter Ensminger, b. 1694 in France, d. 1739 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
2. Maria Catherine Trautmann Ensminger, b. 1700 in France, d. 1773 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
3. Johann Nicholas Ensminger, b. 1699 in France, d. 1785 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
4. Anna Margaretha Ludwig Ensminger, b. 1703 in France, d. 1774, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
5. Samuel Paxton, b. about 1670 in Ireland, d. about 1746 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
6. Cornelius Noell, b. 1623 in the Netherlands, d. 1699 in Essex County, Virginia
7. Elizabeth Page Noell, b. about 1627 in the Netherlands, d. aft. 1699 in Essex County, Virginia
8. John Henry Raines, Sr., b. 1689 in England, d. 1767 in Caroline County, Virginia
9. John Bristow, b. 1649 in England, d. 1716 in Middlesex County, Virginia
10. Andreas Ludwig Kissinger, b. 1707 in Germany, d. 1757 in Lancaster County, Pennsylania
11. Susanna Fischerin Kissinger, b. 1707 in Germany, d. 1760 in Lancaster  County, Pennsylvania
12. Johann Georg Spahr, b. 1699 in Germany, d. 1777 in York County, Pennsylvania
13. Maria Catrina Kauffman Spahr, b. 1703 in Germany, d. 1776 in York County, Pennsylvania
14. Johann Balthasar Kuntz, b. in Germany, d. after 1800 in Monroe County, (West) Virginia
15. John Shumate, Jr., b. before 1708 in Martinique, d. 1783 in Fauquier County, Virginia
16. Elizabeth Taylor Smithers, b. 1661 in England, d. after 1729 in probably Maryland
17. Johann Christian Schneider, b. 1707 probably in Switzerland, d. 1793 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
18. Susana Margaretha Ranck Schneider, b. 1707 in Germany, d. 1767 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
19. James McKeown, b. 1695 in Ireland, d. 1767 in South Carolina
20. George Cusack, b. abt. 1690 in England, d. abt. 1750 in America
21. Elizabeth Cusack, b. 1695 in England, d. about 1760 in America
22. Thomas Devane, b. 1663 in France, d. 1773 in New Hanover County, North Carolina (age 110)
23. David Lee, b. 1692 in England (assumed), d. 1743 in New Hanover County, North Carolina
24. William Faris, b. in England, d. in New Hanover County, North Carolina

9th Generation

1. Johann Philip Ensminger, b. 1727 in France, d. 1807 in Monroe County, Virginia
2. Francis George Steger, b. 1710 probably in Germany, d. 1769 in Cumberland County, Virginia
3. Ann Perratt Steger, b. 1719 in England, d. 1748 in Cumberland County, Virginia
4. James Maitland Lauderdale, b. 1690 in  Scotland, d. 1769 in Sumner County, Tennessee
5. Jean Sutherland Gordon Lauderdale, b. 1693 in Scotland, d. 1747 in Botetourt County, Virginia
6. Johann Friedrich Spahr, b. 1725 in Germany, d. 1789 in York County, Pennsylvania
7. John Dickey, b. 1720 in Ireland, d. 1788 in Newberry County, South Carolina
8. Jane Dickey, b. in Ireland, d. in South Carolina
9. James Irwin, b. 1709 in Scotland, d. 1770 in Rowan County, North Carolina
10. Agnes Patterson Irwin, b. 1717 in Ireland, d. 1800 in Burke County, North Carolina
11. Johannes Theobaldt Mueller, b. about 1640 in Germany, d. in Pennsylvania
12. James McVey, b. 1712 in Scotland, d. in Virginia
13. Thomas Paxton, b. about 1713 in Ireland, d. 1762 in Rockbridge County, Virginia
14. Ana Margaretha Schnaeder Spahr, b. 1729 in Switzerland, d. 1801 in Pennsylvania
15. Jackson McKeown, b. about 1740 in Ireland, d. in Chester County, South Carolina
16. Samuel McKeown Sr., b. before 1747 in Ireland, d. in South Carolina
17. Robert McKeown, b. before 1750 in Ireland, d. in South Carolina
18. Elizabeth Jane McKeown, b. in Ireland, d. in South Carolina
19. Robert Wiseman, b. about 1715 in Ireland, d. in South Carolina
20. Margaret Jefford, b. about 1714 in Ireland, d. in South Carolina
21. Dr. Thomas Broome, b. about 1702 in England, d. 1765 in Virginia
22. James McNealy, b. 1700 in Scotland, d. 1764 in South Carolina
23. Agnes McNealy, b. 1700 in Scotland, d. in South Carolina
24. John McFarland, b. 1708 in Scotland, d. 1784 in Bedford County, Virginia
25. Mary Montgomery McFarland, b. 1712 in Scotland, d. 1782 in Bedford County, Virginia
26. John Andrews , b. 1699 in Ireland, d. in North Carolina
27. Margaret Kate Bell Andrews, b. abt. 1715 in Ireland, d. in North Carolina
28. Jacob Neathawk, b. 1730 in Germany or Switzerland, d. in Pennsylvania

8th Generation

1. Henry Johnson, b. 1738 in Ireland, d. 1815 in Robertson County, Tennessee
2. Ann Wiseman Dickey, b. about 1757 in Ireland, d. 1830 in South Carolina
3. Alexander Dickey, b. 1746 in Ireland, d. abt. 1835 in South Carolina
4. Mary Seed McKeown, b. 1769 in Ireland, d. in South Carolina
5. John Samuel Sparr, b. 1757 in Germany, d. 1836 in Fayette County, (W) Virginia
6. Maria Neathawk Sparr, b. 1758 in Germany or Switzerland, d. 1834 in Virginia
7. Reuben Steele, b. about 1720 in Scotland, d. 1759, lost at sea on a trip from America to Scotland
8. Hannah Watkins Crockett Steele, b. 1705 in Ireland, d. 1800 in Virginia
9. Robert John Withrow, b. 1692 in Ireland, d. in Virginia
10. Jennet May Withrow, b. 1686 in Ireland, d. in Virginia
11. Hugh Norton Lamb, b. 1756 in Scotland, d. after 1815 in Tennessee
12. Mary Smyth Lamb. b. 1760 in England, d. in Tennessee
13. John McVey, b. about 1737 in Scotland, d. 1823 in Kentucky or Virginia
14. Henry McNeely, b. 1720 in Scotland, d. 1811 in South Carolina
15. Mary Causley McNeely, b. 1736 in Scotland, d. 1817 in South Carolina
16. William Haseltine, b. 1746 in Germany, d. in North Carolina

A Little About Me

Starting at age 15, I often helped my mother do family tree research.  We spent a lot of time traipsing through cemeteries and interviewing older relatives. Genealogy continues to consume much of my time. Though I am mostly retired after 46 years of teaching, I don’t think I will ever retire from genealogy. I have two sons and six grandchildren, and I think it is important for them to know as much as possible about their family history.

Though I have lived most of my life in Texas, I have also lived in West Virginia, Germany, and Suriname, and I have visited France, Switzerland, Spain, Lichtenstein, Austria, Czechoslovakia, the Netherlands, French Guiana, Peru, and Italy. I have not yet visited England, Scotland, or Ireland, which is unfortunate because most of my ancestors came from there. Even so, my travels have helped me visualize the places and circumstances most of my ancestors came from.

I want to make a clarification about the title of my site. I know that Michelle Obama’s genealogist has written about Mrs. Obama’s family history under the title “American Tapestry.” However, I used that specific title many years ago on a genealogy.com web page before I had ever heard of Michelle Obama. As far as I know, I was the first to use it.  (See below.)

I would like to thank Cathy Meder-Dempsey for finding the page (below) showing my use of the title American Tapestry. This page was made well before 2008.

Though my files need to be updated, you can view my tree at Rootsweb and at Ancestry.com.

I would love to hear from you.

Kitty Steele Barrera

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