Grandpa Odin!

by Andrea Elizabeth

It is taking me a very long time to get through my paternal grandmother’s ancestral lines. The last several post have been from one of her lines that now includes, and I hope this is true, Odin, the Scythian King of Asgard (215-306). His descendants include King Frodi the Valiant Friedleifsson; who married Hilda, Princess of the Vandals; Prince of Russia Danvers, King of the Danes; and Alfhild, Queen of Denmark and Norway Gandalfsdottir, who had Ragnar Hairy Britches Sigurdsson. Odin’s grandfather is Freothalaf of Troy. I haven’t even gotten to the end/beginning of this one yet.

My ancestor aided and abetted William the Conqueror’s hostile takeover

by Andrea Elizabeth

Robert Comine (also Robert de Comines, Robert de Comyn) was very briefly earl of Northumbria.

His name suggests that he originally came from Comines, then in the County of Flanders, and entered the following of William the Conqueror. He was sent to the north as earl from 1068 to 1069 after the deposition of Gospatric. He got as far as Durham with his 700 men, where the bishop, Ethelwin, warned him that an army was mobilised against him. He ignored the advice and, on 28 January 1069, the rebels converged on Durham and killed many of his men in the streets, eventually setting fire to the bishop’s house where Robert was staying. He was consumed in the blaze. [1]

After this attack, Ethelwin turned against the Normans and gathered an army in Durham before marching on York, leading to the Harrying of the North in retaliation by King William’s army. [wikipedia]

there’s more to the story:

“from Comines in Flanders. Rodbert or Robert de Comines was named Earl of Northumberland, or, according to Ordericus, Earl of Durham in January, 1069, and at once set forth, with a following of less than one thousand men, to take possession of his new domain:—a perilous errand, for Durham had not as yet submitted to the Conqueror. He marched as through an enemy’s country, slaying some of the tenants or bondmen of St. Cuthbert’s church on the way; and though the city, by the good offices of its friendly Bishop, AEthelwine, opened its gates to him without resistance, “he allowed his men to deal with the town as with a place taken by storm. The spirit of the people was now aroused. The news spread during the night, and towards morning the gates of Durham were burst open by the assembled forces of Northumberland. A general massacre followed. In the houses, in the streets, the Normans were everywhere slaughtered. No serious resistance seems to have been offered except in defence of the Bishop’s house, where the Earl and his immediate companions withstood their assailants so manfully that they were driven to have recourse to fire. The palace was burned; the Earl and his comrades all died, either by the flames or by the sword. One man alone contrived to escape with his life, and he was wounded.”—Freeman.

http://www.1066.co.nz/library/battle_abbey_roll1/subchap128.htm

and the list goes on

by Andrea Elizabeth

and the previously mentioned knight’s 2nd GGF (on his grandmother’s side) was “Andrew Moray (Norman French: Andreu de Moray; Latin: Andreas de Moravia), also known as Andrew de Moray, Andrew of Moray, or Andrew Murray, an esquire,^[1] was prominent in the Scottish Wars of Independence. He led the rising in north Scotland in the summer of 1297 against the occupation by King Edward I of England, successfully regaining control of the area for King John Balliol. He subsequently merged his forces with those led by William Wallace and jointly led the combined army to victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. Moray was mortally wounded in the fighting…

While King Edward marched through the subdued realm, the Scots nobles captured at Dunbar were taken south in chains. The most important prisoners, such as Sir Andrew Moray of Petty, were taken to the Tower of London.^[25] Sir Andrew spent the remainder of his life in English imprisonment, dying in the Tower on 8 April 1298.^[26] Andrew Moray the younger, a prisoner of less significance, was imprisoned in Chester Castle,^[25] the northernmost stronghold to which the Dunbar captives were taken; he would not, however, long remain a captive..” (wikipedia)

spin?

by Andrea Elizabeth

One of my ancestors was a knight templar and his son either “died on pilgrimage to the Holy Land” or another source says “died in the Crusades”.

catching up

by Andrea Elizabeth

Just finished Episode 9 of Season 5 of Walking Dead as we do not have “cable” and we think it’s worth $1.99/episode as we can’t wait for it to come out on Netflix like we can Supernatural, on which we are starting season 9. Back to WD, I think it was the best death scene they’ve done. It is popular to think that “good people” will go straight towards the heavenly light, but there was doubt in this case. Were the departed friends real, will it really be better, do the bad people still have access, is it all a mind trick? The dying person’s process of fighting death was very well done too.

Another Saxon attribution to a probable Norman replacement by William the Conqueror

by Andrea Elizabeth

The Lords Shirley of Derbyshire go back to Saswalo in 1066 whom this document (from The Lyons genealogical company, 1914) says was probably Saxon.

This document begs to differ:

“The Shirleys believe he was a Saxon
nobleman who for some reason benefited
under the largesse of William the
Conqueror. I beg to differ and here is
the reason. A book entitled ‘The Norman
People’ published in London
1989 reads : “Shirley: This family descends
from Sasualo, who held vast
estates from Henry de Ferrers 1086.
He had been supposed of Anglo-Saxon
origin, but the name does not occur
amongst the proprietor’s t. Edward
Confessor (Domesd.); nor is it probable
that such vast estates (nine
knight’s fees) would have been given
to an Anglo Saxon. The name is
probably foreign. Sasualo or Saswalo
was Castellan of Lisle (Keeper of the
castle of L’Isle – or the island – now
Lille in Northern France but then) –
Flanders c.1000 and 1039 founded the
Abbey of Palempin (Albert Miraeus,
Op. Diplom. i. 54) His son, Robert,
Castellan of Lisle, had 1. Roger,
whose grandson went to the Crusade
1096, and from whose brother Hugh
descended the powerful Castellans of
Lisle. 2. Sasualo or Sigwalo, who witnessed
a charter of Baldwin, Bishop of
Tournay 1087 (ib. 60). He appears to
be the ancestor of this family, who
came to England 1066. From him descended
the families of Edensor, Ireton,
and Shirley, who bore respectively
the arms of Ferrers and Ridel.”

7th GGF Rev. David Mossum married George and Martha Washington

by Andrea Elizabeth

“The Anglican Ministry in Virginia, 1723-1766 A Study of Social Class.by Joan Gunderson’s

David Mossom was born in London, the son of a chandler, educated at Lewisham, came to Virginia to live with relatives, while finishing studies for ministry after Cambridge. He returned to London for ordination. He was a member of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel minister in Massachusetts 1718-1726, He then returned to Virginia to avoid Anglican factionalism in Massachusetts. He was for forty years the rector of St. Peter’s Parish. He had married Elizabeth in England, who died in 1737. Next, he married Mary Claiborne, who died in 1745; finally, he married Elizabeth Sloan Marston who died in 1759.

On a plaque; On the Inside Wall of St. Peter’s Episcopal church; Reverends David Mossom prope Jacet[…] Translation; Reverend David Mossom reposes nearby an alumnus student of ancient Saint John College at Cambridge, Rector of this parish during forty years. He was the first one among the Americans to be admitted into the order of priesthood and to take the rank among all the priests of the Anglican Church; He was second to few (people) in Literature; Finally consumed by old age and worry, caused by varied hard works that he had accomplished. and in view of the day of his death: then being youthful and healthy, he had indicated by testament this place for his sepulcher (burial) and he had chosen that same locality for the sepulcher of his wives Elizabeth and Mary near to his tomb where he reposes until the day he will be resurrected (resuscitated) to the eternal life by Jesus Christ, our Savior. Those words inscribed above not to indicate this stony tomb but to make remembering the man well known who was born in London on the twenty fifth day of March in the year 1690 and who died on the 4th day of January in the year 1767.

On Jan 6, 1759, Reverend David Mosson performed the marriage of Col. George Washington and Martha Dandridge Custis, in New Kent County, VA.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Article XXXIV.
Nevertheless, from the long continuance of Mossom in this parish, we doubt not that he was a more respectable man than many of his day. He was married four times, and much harassed by his last wife, as Colonel Bassett has often told me, which may account for and somewhat excuse a little peevishness. He came from Newburyport, Massachusetts, and was, according to his epitaph in St. Peter’s Church, the first native American admitted to the office of Presbyter in the Church of England.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Virginia Soldiers of 1776″, Compiled from Documents on File in the Virginia Land Office,
David Mossums English ancestry is given on page 206, W. and M. Quar. Vol. V. Rev. David Mossom was Rector of St. Peters Parish for forty years, in spite of his determination to tell the truth, and the reputation he had of being Peevish. He was born in New England, and though he still adhered to the Church of England, he probably had imbibed some of the puritan strict moralities. He came to Virginia at a time when some of the clergy were somewhat to be criticized for their little slips and slides; becoming Rector of Saint Peters 1727, where he remained forty years. He officiated at the nuptial [p.29] of General George Washington, at the White House, a few miles from the church.
Built in 1701, the church is believed to be the location of the marriage between George and Martha Washington on January 6, 1759. One of the oldest churches in the Commonwealth, the site was originally purchased for 146,000 pounds of tobacco. In 1862, Union soldiers marching from Fort Monroe toward Richmond used the building as a stable. The original portion of the church is one of the few Jacobean baroque style structures in America; the 1740s stump tower is also unusual. Located on S.R. 642 (St. Peter’s Lane) off S.R. 609 (Old Church Road) near Talleysville. Church grounds are open to the public every day, but the interior is open only by appointment. Regular worship services are held at 9 and 11 a.m. Sundays. Call (804) 932-4846 for information.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Rev. David Mossom was born March 25, 1690 and died January 4, 1767. The youngest child above of the first marriage, Elizabeth Mossom {6th GGM}, born in 1722, married Captain William Reynolds, owner of a vessel plying in the tobacco trade. their daughter, Elizabeth {5th GGM}, married Richard Chapman, Jr., and the births of their children are entered in an old prayer book which I have been permitted to see: Jane Chapman was born 29 Feb. 1776. [Mrs. Price, of Hanover, d.s.p.] Reynolds Chapman was born 22 July 1778 [died February 1844. Succeeded George C. Taylor as clerk of Orange in 1802. He married Rebecca Conway Madison, daughter of General William Madison and his wife Frances Throckmorton. One of their children was Judge John Madison Chapman, who married August 3, 1841, Susannah Digges Cole.] Johnson Chapman was born 26 Dec. 1780. [Signed] Sunday mar. 1781, Rich. Chapman {4th GGF}”.

Son of Thomas Mossom, chandler, was born at Greenwich, Kent, England, March 25, 1690, schooled at Lewisham, admitted sizar at St. John’s College, Cambridge, June 5, 1705. He became rector of St. Peter’s Church, New Kent County, Virginia, in 1727, and continued forty years. On January 6, 1759, he performed the marriage of George Washington to Martha Custis, widow of Colonel Daniel Parke Custis, and daughter of Colonel John Dandridge. He died January 4, 1767, leaving issue. Reverend David Mossom occasionally served at Queen Anne’s Chapel

.***********************

VIRGINIA VITAL RECORDS BIRTHS 1656-1896 (Ancestry.com CD)

Source: Register of St. Peter’s parish YEAR 1736. page 125

Vital Info: Phebe Negro Girl belonging to David Mossom, born Nov 20, 1736 and baptized Jan 30, 1736.

Source: Register of St. Peter’s parish YEAR 1737. page 132
Vital Info: Greenwich Negro man belonging to the Reverend David Mossom died Feb 17, 1736.

Source: Register of St. Peter’s parish YEAR 1739. page 142
Vital Info: Esther Mulatto girl belonging to Reverend David Mossom, born Sept 17, 1739 and baptized November 11, 1739.

Source: Register of St. Peter’s parish YEAR 1739. page 144
Vital Info: Esther Negro girl belonging to David Mossom born July 3, 1739 baptized Aug 17, 1739.”

from http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com

29th GGF Thor and William the Conqueror

by Andrea Elizabeth

“The House of Crawford considers all those surnamed Crawford as descended from a common ancestor. The name Crawford or Craufurd is derived from the Barony of Crawford in Lanarkshire. The most complete history of the House of Crawford was written by the historian George Crawfurd in the early 1600s. In line with George Crawfurd account, the House acknowledges as its progenitor the Anglo-Danish chief Thorlongus (Thor the tall) who is most closely identified with the Merse in Southern Scotland, a marshy area west of Berwick and north of the River Tweed. Thorlongus also held lands in Northumbria. He fled to Scotland in the winter of 1068-9 when William the Conqueror ravaged Northumbria. Thorlongus served under Malcom Cadmore during the Dano-Scottish war with William the Conqueror. He was granted lands in Ednam by King Edgar around 1107. Thorlongus is known in documents located in Durham Cathedral Archives as the Overlord of Crawford. Thorlongus’ grandson Galfridus de Craufurd is the first to assume the surname.” http://www.scotweb.co.uk/info/crawford/

Nom de guerre

by Andrea Elizabeth

Watching the names of the longer lines of my ancestry turn French has been an enlightening experience. I have two more recent French (one a silk-weaver) ancestors who came to colonial Virginia directly from France. So far I have 5 English lines that end up marrying French-named noblewomen, or obtaining a “de” right after the Norman Conquest of England. Three of those lines hail from Cambridgeshire, and two from western Scotland: Ayrshire andpRenfrewshire. Historical accounts of both of the latter lines make them sound purely Scottish, usually in the property grant, but still, the name changes. One of these accounts from 1888 even inserts Marjorie (daughter of Robert the) Bruce in there, but Wikipedia proves that wishful thinking.

I found the following from the first link pretty informative:

Consequences [of the Norman Conquest]

Elite replacement

A direct consequence of the invasion was the almost total elimination of the old English aristocracy and the loss of English control over the Catholic Church in England. William systematically dispossessed English landowners and conferred their property on his continental followers. The Domesday Book meticulously documents the impact of this colossal programme of expropriation, revealing that by 1086 only about 5 per cent of land in England south of the Tees was left in English hands. Even this tiny residue was further diminished in the decades that followed, the elimination of native landholding being most complete in southern parts of the country.^[99][100]

Natives were also removed from high governmental and ecclesiastical office. After 1075 all earldoms were held by Normans, and Englishmen were only occasionally appointed as sheriffs. Likewise in the Church, senior English office-holders were either expelled from their positions or kept in place for their lifetimes and replaced by foreigners when they died. By 1096 no bishopric was held by any Englishman, and English abbots became uncommon, especially in the larger monasteries.^[101]

English emigration

Following the conquest, many Anglo-Saxons, including groups of nobles, fled the country^[102] for Scotland, Ireland, or Scandinavia.^[103] Members of King Harold Godwinson’s family sought refuge in Ireland and used their bases in that country for unsuccessful invasions of England.^[69] The largest single exodus occurred in the 1070s, when a group of Anglo-Saxons in a fleet of 235 ships sailed for the Byzantine Empire.^[103] The empire became a popular destination for many English nobles and soldiers, as the Byzantines were in need of mercenaries.^[102] The English became the predominant element in the elite Varangian Guard, until then a largely Scandinavian unit, from which the emperor’s bodyguard was drawn.^[104] Some of the English migrants were settled in Byzantine frontier regions on the Black Sea coast, and established towns with names such as New London and New York.^[102]

Imagine how many rabbits there would be without predators

by Andrea Elizabeth

“Of the 102 passengers of the Mayflower, 24 males produced children to carry on their surnames. And although approximately half of the Mayflower passengers died at the plantation during the harsh winter of 1620-21 (one passenger had died at sea while another was born before landing), today, a staggering 35 million people claim an ancestral lineage that runs all the way back – sometimes through fifteen generations – to the original 24 males. That number represents 12 percent of the American population.” http://historynewsnetwork.org/blog/

To see if my estimate yesterday works I’ll use yesterday’s table which says that a person has 32,768 potential 13th great grandparents (15 generations), though less given the ancestral repetition that occurs after going back 10 generations. Yesterday I gave a projection that if ancestors average 2 children each, which would give the original couple of that generation 4 children, each person would have the same number of descendants after 15 generations. So then multiply each of the 24 Mayflower males x 2 (because they had mates and it’s easier that way than figuring 4 children because the backwards projection is based on couples) then that by 32,758 (assuming non-repetition) and you get 1,572,864. That means each couple averaged way more than 4 children to get to the claimed 35 million descendants.

Myles Standish and his wives had 7 children and 19 grandchildren. I quit counting at 500 when my scrollbar was in the middle of the page, so in the 5 generations listed, there are at least 1000 Standish descendants. The page links say some of the grandchildren are unknown. It’s all also complicated when you figure in the wives who not only bring in different surnames, but mess up the math because you can’t just divide or multiply by 1 or even 2 as couples make individuals who may or may not get married. Only 3 of Myles’ children got married and only 2 of those had kids, but all 7 count. So even with infant mortality and lack of mates for the Pilgrims, population boomed.