B. about 1690 in (possibly) Londonderry, Ireland
M. about 1710 in (possibly) Londonderry, Ireland
Wife: Isabelle Baird
D. before 21 Nov 1757, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Robert Luckey was one of the thousands of Scots-Irish who helped populate America for generations to come. He began by settling in Pennsylvania, and producing children whose lines spread all over the country.
Little is known about Robert’s beginnings. He was said to be from Londonderry, Ireland, and if not from there, he likely came from some part of what is now Northern Ireland. It’s hard to establish a birth year for Robert, but we know that his son Hugh was born in 1713 because it’s on his gravestone, so a rough year of birth year of 1690 is applied to Robert. He married in about 1710 to Isabelle Baird, and they went on to have at least 12 children, with the oldest ones born in Ireland. Their order of birth is unknown, so the list below names them in a random order.
Sometime during the prime of his life, Robert took his family to America. Between 1717 and 1775, it was said that 200,000 people of Scottish descent living in Ireland migrated to the English colonies, the largest group of immigrants to that date. Since they were late-comers compared to the people already living there, the lands near the coast were taken and so the Scots-Irish settled inland. Many of them arrived in Philadelphia, and this appears to be the case for Robert. From there, he went west to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where he operated a farm.
The six sons and six daughters of Robert and Isabelle were each mentioned in the will he wrote on April 30, 1754, and from here we can glean that none of them were underage, although at least two girls were unmarried. The land Robert owned was to be divided between two sons, Samuel and Robert, while each of the other children was bequeathed an amount of money between three and five shillings. The will was probated on November 21, 1757, so Robert likely died not long before that date; wife Isabelle seems to have survived him.
As new lands opened up during the following years, many of Robert’s children moved on. By 1762, at least five of them had migrated to Rowan County, North Carolina, and we can track the descendants of these people to places all over the South and Midwest. The ones we know stayed in Pennsylvania also had later generations who moved west. This is the legacy of Robert — one of many Scots-Irish men who became the ancestor of thousands who formed the backbone of the United States.
A personal note
As of yet, I don’t know the line that gets me back to immigrant ancestor Robert Luckey. I have a proven ancestor, Joseph Luckey, born sometime during the 1790s in Rowan County. From circumstantial evidence, I estimate that Joseph was either the grandson or great-grandson of Robert. Since Robert was the progenitor of the Luckey family of Rowan County, the only thing that would seem to disprove a link were if there was an unrecorded illegitimacy in the lineage. There’s nothing to suggest that scenario.
Children:
1. Hugh Luckey — B. Feb 1713, (possibly) Londonderry, Ireland; D. 14 Apr 1786, Chester County, Pennsylvania; M. Jane Findley (1710-1782)
2. Andrew Luckey — B. about 1718, (possibly) Londonderry, Ireland; D. 30 Oct 1770, Hopewell, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
3. Ann Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; D. after 7 Aug 1782, (probably) Fayette County, Kentucky; M. Samuel Hillis (1707-1782), before 20 Aug 1753, (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
4. Mary Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; D. after 20 Aug 1753; M. William Orr
5. Jane Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; D. after 20 Aug 1753
6. Agnes Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; D. after 20 Aug 1753, (probably) Rowan County, North Carolina; M. Robert Pendry
7. Samuel Luckey — B. about 1733, Martic, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; D. after 4 Jan 1801, (probably) Rowan County, North Carolina; M. Mary _____ (~1735-?), before 1765
8. John Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; D. after 6 Oct 1772, (probably) Rowan County, North Carolina; M. Mary Anna ______, before about 1760
9. Sarah Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; D. after 20 Aug 1753
10. Isabella Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; D. after 25 Dec 1757, (probably) Rowan County, North Carolina; M. William Slavin (1723-1762), before 25 Dec 1757, (probably) Rowan County, North Carolina
11. James Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; D. after 20 Aug 1753, (probably) Rowan County, North Carolina
12. Robert Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; D. after 6 Oct 1772, Rowan County, North Carolina; M. Mary Holmes (1735-?), before 1755
Sources:
Sunday, April 5, 2026
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Up the Coast of Massachusetts — Margaret Norman
B. before 4 Feb 1614 in Charminster, Dorset, England1
M. (1) about 1637 in (probably) Salem, Massachusetts2
Husband: Robert Morgan
M. (2) before 21 May 1690 in (probably) Salisbury, Massachusetts3
Husband: Samuel Fowler
D. after 20 Feb 1694 in (probably) Salisbury, Massachusetts4
Margaret Norman arrived in the Massachusetts colony two years before the Winthrop Fleet, then spent her long life in various towns up the coast above Boston.
There is a baptism for Margaret recorded in Charminster, Dorset, England on February 4, 1614.1 Her parents were Richard and Florence Norman, and she was the third of their six children. Charminster was just north of Dorchester, which was seeing activity amongst those seeking to colonize New England. Margaret’s father became involved in the Dorchester Company, and sometime around 1628, the family boarded a ship bound for America.1
Since the motivation for moving was a commercial one, it isn’t certain if the Norman family were Puritans. They settled on Cape Ann in what is now Massachusetts, and this was where Margaret came of age. In about 1637, she married a man named Robert Morgan in what is believed to be Salem.2 They started a family with the birth of a son in 1638,3 and had eight known children by 1663.
Something happened to the family’s standing in the community in about 1669, and it involved Margaret’s 19-year-old son Benjamin trying to steal some horses.4 The young man reacted badly to authorities, and they pushed back by excommunicating him for being a “stupefied sinner.” After this, his father Robert disappeared from town records, which suggested that the family was looked down upon for raising such a son.
Robert passed away in 1672, probably in November or December,5 leaving Margaret with an uncertain future. She took a new husband named Samuel Fowler, but the date of their marriage is uncertain. We only know that it was before May 21, 1690, when their names appeared on a document together.3 Samuel lived in the town of Salisbury, and presumably this is where Margaret moved to. Salisbury was about as far north as you could go on the Massachusetts coast, and Samuel Fowler was described as a shipwright. The village was near the mouth of the Merrimack River, but while proximity to the water was important, it was mostly an agricultural community.
A document dated February 20, 1694 established that Margaret was still alive.3 It was concerning Samuel having his son look after them in their old age. In it, he stated “Margaret, my now wife, after her return from Beverly, the place of her present sojourning, to my present habitation, or to other as may be provided by or for me for her entertainment, to settle and abide in the time of our old age, and other our present want of sight and decay of other members and faculties.” In return for his son’s promise, he was deeded his entire estate.
After that date, nothing more is known of Margaret, and her death was unrecorded. Samuel passed away in January 1711.6
Children (all by Robert Morgan):
1. Samuel Morgan – B. about 1638, Salem, Massachusetts;7 D. before 20 Nov 1698, Beverly, Massachusetts;8 M. (1) Elizabeth Dixey (1641-1690), 15 Oct 1658;7 (2) Mary Phippen (1644-?), about 1692, Massachusetts7
2. Luke Morgan – B. before 23 Jun 1650, (probably) Salem, Massachusetts;9 D. Apr 1732, Cape Sable, Nova Scotia4
3. Joseph Morgan – B. before 23 Jun 1650, (probably) Salem, Massachusetts;10 D. 23 Oct 1731, Beverly, Massachusetts;11 M. Deborah Hart, 12 Jul 1669, Lynn, Massachusetts12
4. Benjamin Morgan – B. before 23 Jun 1650, (probably) Salem, Massachusetts;13 D. 1677, Cape Porpoise, Maine4
5. Robert Morgan – B. 15 Oct 1650, Salem, Massachusetts14
6. Bethiah Morgan – B. before 29 May 1653, Salem, Massachusetts;15 M. Samuel Weed (1652-?), about 12 Mar 1676, Massachusetts16
7. Moses Morgan – B. (probably) Salem Massachusetts;8 D. 1677, Cape Porpoise, Maine4
8. Aaron Morgan – B. 24 May 1663, Salem, Massachusetts16
Sources:
1 “The English Origins of Richard Norman of Salem Massachusetts,” Leslie Mahler, The American Genealogist, V. 77, 2002
2 WikiTree listing of Margaret (Norman) Morgan (read bio under heading “At Massachusetts Bay Colony”
3 The Fowler Family: a Genealogical Memoir of the Descendants of Philip and Mary Fowler, of Ipswich, Mass: Ten Generations: 1590-1882, Matthew Adams Stickney, 1883, pp. 24-25
4 “Whatever Happened to Brother Morgan?” Charles C. Wainwright, Historically Speaking: Stories from the Historical Archive of the First Parish Church in Beverly, Massachusetts
5 WikiTree listing of Samuel Morgan
6 Vital Records of Salisbury, Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849, 1915
7 WikiTree listing of Samuel Morgan
8 Probate record of Samuel Morgan, Massachusetts, U.S. Wills and Probate Records, 1635-1991, Ancestry.com
9 Baptismal record of Luke Morgan, Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, FamilySearch.org
10 Baptismal record of Joseph Morgan, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
11 WikiTree listing of Joseph Morgan
12 Marriage record of Joseph Morgan and Deborah Hart, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
13 Baptismal record of Benjamin Morgan, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
14 Baptismal record of Robert Morgan (younger), M., T. C., V. & T. R.
15 Baptismal record of Bethia Morgan, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
16 Birth record of Elizabeth Weed (Bethia’s oldest child), M., T. C., V. & T. R.
17 Baptismal record of Aaron Morgan, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
M. (1) about 1637 in (probably) Salem, Massachusetts2
Husband: Robert Morgan
M. (2) before 21 May 1690 in (probably) Salisbury, Massachusetts3
Husband: Samuel Fowler
D. after 20 Feb 1694 in (probably) Salisbury, Massachusetts4
Margaret Norman arrived in the Massachusetts colony two years before the Winthrop Fleet, then spent her long life in various towns up the coast above Boston.
There is a baptism for Margaret recorded in Charminster, Dorset, England on February 4, 1614.1 Her parents were Richard and Florence Norman, and she was the third of their six children. Charminster was just north of Dorchester, which was seeing activity amongst those seeking to colonize New England. Margaret’s father became involved in the Dorchester Company, and sometime around 1628, the family boarded a ship bound for America.1
Since the motivation for moving was a commercial one, it isn’t certain if the Norman family were Puritans. They settled on Cape Ann in what is now Massachusetts, and this was where Margaret came of age. In about 1637, she married a man named Robert Morgan in what is believed to be Salem.2 They started a family with the birth of a son in 1638,3 and had eight known children by 1663.
Something happened to the family’s standing in the community in about 1669, and it involved Margaret’s 19-year-old son Benjamin trying to steal some horses.4 The young man reacted badly to authorities, and they pushed back by excommunicating him for being a “stupefied sinner.” After this, his father Robert disappeared from town records, which suggested that the family was looked down upon for raising such a son.
Robert passed away in 1672, probably in November or December,5 leaving Margaret with an uncertain future. She took a new husband named Samuel Fowler, but the date of their marriage is uncertain. We only know that it was before May 21, 1690, when their names appeared on a document together.3 Samuel lived in the town of Salisbury, and presumably this is where Margaret moved to. Salisbury was about as far north as you could go on the Massachusetts coast, and Samuel Fowler was described as a shipwright. The village was near the mouth of the Merrimack River, but while proximity to the water was important, it was mostly an agricultural community.
Margaret made her mark on the 1690 document.
A document dated February 20, 1694 established that Margaret was still alive.3 It was concerning Samuel having his son look after them in their old age. In it, he stated “Margaret, my now wife, after her return from Beverly, the place of her present sojourning, to my present habitation, or to other as may be provided by or for me for her entertainment, to settle and abide in the time of our old age, and other our present want of sight and decay of other members and faculties.” In return for his son’s promise, he was deeded his entire estate.
After that date, nothing more is known of Margaret, and her death was unrecorded. Samuel passed away in January 1711.6
Children (all by Robert Morgan):
1. Samuel Morgan – B. about 1638, Salem, Massachusetts;7 D. before 20 Nov 1698, Beverly, Massachusetts;8 M. (1) Elizabeth Dixey (1641-1690), 15 Oct 1658;7 (2) Mary Phippen (1644-?), about 1692, Massachusetts7
2. Luke Morgan – B. before 23 Jun 1650, (probably) Salem, Massachusetts;9 D. Apr 1732, Cape Sable, Nova Scotia4
3. Joseph Morgan – B. before 23 Jun 1650, (probably) Salem, Massachusetts;10 D. 23 Oct 1731, Beverly, Massachusetts;11 M. Deborah Hart, 12 Jul 1669, Lynn, Massachusetts12
4. Benjamin Morgan – B. before 23 Jun 1650, (probably) Salem, Massachusetts;13 D. 1677, Cape Porpoise, Maine4
5. Robert Morgan – B. 15 Oct 1650, Salem, Massachusetts14
6. Bethiah Morgan – B. before 29 May 1653, Salem, Massachusetts;15 M. Samuel Weed (1652-?), about 12 Mar 1676, Massachusetts16
7. Moses Morgan – B. (probably) Salem Massachusetts;8 D. 1677, Cape Porpoise, Maine4
8. Aaron Morgan – B. 24 May 1663, Salem, Massachusetts16
Sources:
1 “The English Origins of Richard Norman of Salem Massachusetts,” Leslie Mahler, The American Genealogist, V. 77, 2002
2 WikiTree listing of Margaret (Norman) Morgan (read bio under heading “At Massachusetts Bay Colony”
3 The Fowler Family: a Genealogical Memoir of the Descendants of Philip and Mary Fowler, of Ipswich, Mass: Ten Generations: 1590-1882, Matthew Adams Stickney, 1883, pp. 24-25
4 “Whatever Happened to Brother Morgan?” Charles C. Wainwright, Historically Speaking: Stories from the Historical Archive of the First Parish Church in Beverly, Massachusetts
5 WikiTree listing of Samuel Morgan
6 Vital Records of Salisbury, Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849, 1915
7 WikiTree listing of Samuel Morgan
8 Probate record of Samuel Morgan, Massachusetts, U.S. Wills and Probate Records, 1635-1991, Ancestry.com
9 Baptismal record of Luke Morgan, Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, FamilySearch.org
10 Baptismal record of Joseph Morgan, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
11 WikiTree listing of Joseph Morgan
12 Marriage record of Joseph Morgan and Deborah Hart, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
13 Baptismal record of Benjamin Morgan, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
14 Baptismal record of Robert Morgan (younger), M., T. C., V. & T. R.
15 Baptismal record of Bethia Morgan, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
16 Birth record of Elizabeth Weed (Bethia’s oldest child), M., T. C., V. & T. R.
17 Baptismal record of Aaron Morgan, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Greek Farmer Married 3 Times — Ioannis K. Bouloucheris
B. about 1836 in (probably) Apidia, Lakonia, Greece1,2
M. (1) about 1856 in (probably) Lakonia, Greece1,3
Wife: UNKNOWN
M. (2) 15 Feb 1864 in Geraki, Lakonia, Greece1
Wife: Kyriakoula Maroudas
M. (3) before 1886 in (probably) Lakonia, Greece4,5
Wife: Eleni _______
D. before 6 Jun 1914 in (probably) Apidia, Lakonia, Greece6
Piecing together the life of someone who lived in a place that hardly preserved records can be challenging. But for Ioannis K. Bouloucheris of Lakonia, Greece a few key documents help to tell his story.
Ioannis was born in about 1836, likely in the village of Apidia,7 where the Bouloucheris family seems to have originated from.1 (The Greek spelling of Bouloucheris is Μπουλουχέρης.) His father was called Konstantinos, but his mother’s name is unknown. Based on Greek tradition, she may have been Athanasia since that was the name of Ioannis’ oldest known daughter. There is no evidence that Konstantinos had any children besides Ioannis.
Apidia is in the southernmost region of Greece, a mountainous area where for generations, people have made a living off the land. Ioannis was born at a time just after the Greek War of Independence, and the population was recovering from that. After he came of age, it’s likely that Ioannis made a living as either a goatherd or an olive grower. Life centered around family, the church and the village, which formed a tight-knit community, and we can assume Ioannis practiced all the customs of the Greek culture.
The farmers’ census of 1856 is the first place Ioannis is recorded.3 His father is shown as a married man living in Apidia with only two household members, and since those two would have to be Konstantinos and his wife, it suggests that Ioannis was already out on his own. And this is backed by the listing of what appears to be Ioannis right below his father. It shows that he was also a married man in a household of two people, so it seems that Ioannis had taken a wife when he was about 20.
The name of Ioannis’ first wife is unknown; most likely she was a young girl from the area. She was deceased by February 6, 1864 when Ioannis applied for a license to marry a second wife.8 Her name was Kyriakoula Maroudas, age 18, from the nearby village of Geraki, where the wedding took place on February 15th.1 As with most Greek marriages, the union was probably arranged, perhaps by the bride and groom’s fathers.
One other place where Ioannis was recorded was on lists of voters in his village. In Greece, when a priest needed to be replaced (often because they had died), that parish would have an election among its eligible citizens for a new one. On such occasions, a list was made of the men of that village, and for Apidia, this happened in 1868 and 1879.10,2 Ioannis appears to be on both of these lists. The one from 1868 also shows his father Konstantinos, who is gone by 1879 (he probably passed away). Only the 1879 voters list has the ages of the men, and it suggests a birth year for Ioannis of about 1837 — a close match to the age given on the 1864 marriage record.
Although it hasn’t been firmly proven, Ioannis married a third wife only known as Eleni.5 They had a son born in 1886,4 so Kyriakoula must have died sometime before that date. While there has been no record of this third marriage, the weddings of two daughters of Ioannis are documented. The first was for his oldest surviving child Athanasia on July 14, 1884,8 and the second was for daughter Stamata. That marriage took place in Apidia on April 6, 1896,11 and we know that Ioannis was in attendance. Interestingly, the groom’s parents were the great-grandparents of David and Amy Sedaris, and the descendants of this marriage were referenced in the show Finding Your Roots.12
The wedding of Stamata was the last known record of Ioannis, so he died some time after that date. When his daughter Eleni was listed on a ship arriving at Ellis Island on June 6, 1914,6 she identified her closest relative back in Greece as her sister Athanasia, so it can be assumed that Ioannis was deceased by then.
Child by unknown mother:
1. (supposed) Konstantinos Ioannou Bouloucheris — B. (probably) Apidia, Lakonia, Greece; D. young
Children by Kyriakoula Maroudas:
1. (supposed) Dimitrios Ioannou Bouloucheris — B. (probably) Apidia, Lakonia, Greece; D. young
2. Athanasia Ioannou Bouloucheris — B. about 1867, (probably) Apidia, Lakonia, Greece;9 D. after 6 Jun 1914, Greece;6 M. Peter A. Parthenios, after 14 Jul 1884, Myrtia, Lakonia, Greece9
3. Stamata Ioannou Bouloucheris — B. about 1873, (probably) Apidia, Lakonia, Greece;11 M. Spyridon Illia Sideras (1870-?), 6 Apr 1896, Apida, Lakonia, Greece11
4. George John Bollhan — B. 1876, Apidia, Lakonia, Greece;4 D. 11 Jan 1927, Birmingham, Alabama;13 M. Mildred Holotz (1886-1962), 19 Jan 1920, Chicago, Illinois14
5. Eleni Ioannou Bouloucheris — B. 1877, (probably) Apidia, Lakonia, Greece;6 D. after 1939, Greece;15 M. Andrew Hiotis (1867-1940), after 6 Jun 1914, (probably) St. Paul, Minnesota6
Children by Eleni _________:
1. James John Bolheres — B. 1886, Apidia, Lakonia, Greece;4 D. 11 Jul 1941, Minneapolis, Minnesota;5 M. Minnie Louise LaBrie (1893-1950), 17 Jun 1918, St. Paul, Minnesota16
Sources:
1 Marriage record of Ioannis K. Bouloucheris and Kyriakoula Maroudas, Greece, Peloponnese, Lakonia Vital Records, 1859-1950, MyHeritage.com
2 Voter List of Elous Municipality, 1878, Apidia, General State Archives of Lakonia
3 Greece, Farmers Census 1856, MyHeritage.com
4 Male town registers, 1844-1959, Apidia, Lakonia, Greece
5 Death record of James Bolheres, Minnesota, Death Records and Certificates, 1900-1955, FamilySearch.org
6 Listing of Eleni Boulouchery, New York, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists, 1820-1957, Ancestry.com
7 Searching for the name Bouloucheris or Μπουλουχέρης almost always leads to the small village of Apidia. The surname simply isn’t found anywhere else in Greece.
8 Marriage license of Ioannis K. Poulos and Kyriakoula Maroudas, Greece, Sparta Marriages, 1835-1935, MyHeritage.com
9 Marriage license of Panagiotis A. Panou and Athanaso Bouloucheri, Metropolis of Monemvasia and Sparta, Licenses, Miscellaneous Collection, compiled by Gregory Kontos
10 Voter List of Elous Municipality, 1868, Apidia, General State Archives of Lakonia
11 Marriage license of Spiros Syderis and Stamata Bouloucheris, G., S. M.
12 “Ancient roots,” Finding Your Roots, Season 2, Episode 9, 18 Nov 2014
13 Death record of George Bolhan, Alabama, U.S., Deaths and Burials, 1881-1974, Ancestry.com
14 Marriage record of George Ballhan and Mildred Holotz, Cook County, Illinois, U.S., Marriages Index, 1871-1920, Ancestry.com
15 Estimated date from stories told by Margaret Bolheres to Laura Mitchell
16 Marriage certificate of James Bolheres and Minnie LaBrie
M. (1) about 1856 in (probably) Lakonia, Greece1,3
Wife: UNKNOWN
M. (2) 15 Feb 1864 in Geraki, Lakonia, Greece1
Wife: Kyriakoula Maroudas
M. (3) before 1886 in (probably) Lakonia, Greece4,5
Wife: Eleni _______
D. before 6 Jun 1914 in (probably) Apidia, Lakonia, Greece6
Piecing together the life of someone who lived in a place that hardly preserved records can be challenging. But for Ioannis K. Bouloucheris of Lakonia, Greece a few key documents help to tell his story.
Ioannis was born in about 1836, likely in the village of Apidia,7 where the Bouloucheris family seems to have originated from.1 (The Greek spelling of Bouloucheris is Μπουλουχέρης.) His father was called Konstantinos, but his mother’s name is unknown. Based on Greek tradition, she may have been Athanasia since that was the name of Ioannis’ oldest known daughter. There is no evidence that Konstantinos had any children besides Ioannis.
Apidia is in the southernmost region of Greece, a mountainous area where for generations, people have made a living off the land. Ioannis was born at a time just after the Greek War of Independence, and the population was recovering from that. After he came of age, it’s likely that Ioannis made a living as either a goatherd or an olive grower. Life centered around family, the church and the village, which formed a tight-knit community, and we can assume Ioannis practiced all the customs of the Greek culture.
Growing olives in Lakonia. (AI-generated image)
The farmers’ census of 1856 is the first place Ioannis is recorded.3 His father is shown as a married man living in Apidia with only two household members, and since those two would have to be Konstantinos and his wife, it suggests that Ioannis was already out on his own. And this is backed by the listing of what appears to be Ioannis right below his father. It shows that he was also a married man in a household of two people, so it seems that Ioannis had taken a wife when he was about 20.
The name of Ioannis’ first wife is unknown; most likely she was a young girl from the area. She was deceased by February 6, 1864 when Ioannis applied for a license to marry a second wife.8 Her name was Kyriakoula Maroudas, age 18, from the nearby village of Geraki, where the wedding took place on February 15th.1 As with most Greek marriages, the union was probably arranged, perhaps by the bride and groom’s fathers.
Marriage license record of Ioannis and Kyriakoula.
Ioannis and Kyriakoula seem to have had four children together, with the first born in about 1867;9 there may have been others who died young. Noticeably missing are sons honoring each of their fathers, which would follow a certain order in the naming tradition. A child named Konstantinos may have been born to Ioannis’ first wife, then died young. If that’s true, Ioannis’ first son with Kyriakoula would have been named Dimitrios after her father, but that boy must have also died.
Although it hasn’t been firmly proven, Ioannis married a third wife only known as Eleni.5 They had a son born in 1886,4 so Kyriakoula must have died sometime before that date. While there has been no record of this third marriage, the weddings of two daughters of Ioannis are documented. The first was for his oldest surviving child Athanasia on July 14, 1884,8 and the second was for daughter Stamata. That marriage took place in Apidia on April 6, 1896,11 and we know that Ioannis was in attendance. Interestingly, the groom’s parents were the great-grandparents of David and Amy Sedaris, and the descendants of this marriage were referenced in the show Finding Your Roots.12
The wedding of Stamata was the last known record of Ioannis, so he died some time after that date. When his daughter Eleni was listed on a ship arriving at Ellis Island on June 6, 1914,6 she identified her closest relative back in Greece as her sister Athanasia, so it can be assumed that Ioannis was deceased by then.
Child by unknown mother:
1. (supposed) Konstantinos Ioannou Bouloucheris — B. (probably) Apidia, Lakonia, Greece; D. young
Children by Kyriakoula Maroudas:
1. (supposed) Dimitrios Ioannou Bouloucheris — B. (probably) Apidia, Lakonia, Greece; D. young
2. Athanasia Ioannou Bouloucheris — B. about 1867, (probably) Apidia, Lakonia, Greece;9 D. after 6 Jun 1914, Greece;6 M. Peter A. Parthenios, after 14 Jul 1884, Myrtia, Lakonia, Greece9
3. Stamata Ioannou Bouloucheris — B. about 1873, (probably) Apidia, Lakonia, Greece;11 M. Spyridon Illia Sideras (1870-?), 6 Apr 1896, Apida, Lakonia, Greece11
4. George John Bollhan — B. 1876, Apidia, Lakonia, Greece;4 D. 11 Jan 1927, Birmingham, Alabama;13 M. Mildred Holotz (1886-1962), 19 Jan 1920, Chicago, Illinois14
5. Eleni Ioannou Bouloucheris — B. 1877, (probably) Apidia, Lakonia, Greece;6 D. after 1939, Greece;15 M. Andrew Hiotis (1867-1940), after 6 Jun 1914, (probably) St. Paul, Minnesota6
Children by Eleni _________:
1. James John Bolheres — B. 1886, Apidia, Lakonia, Greece;4 D. 11 Jul 1941, Minneapolis, Minnesota;5 M. Minnie Louise LaBrie (1893-1950), 17 Jun 1918, St. Paul, Minnesota16
Sources:
1 Marriage record of Ioannis K. Bouloucheris and Kyriakoula Maroudas, Greece, Peloponnese, Lakonia Vital Records, 1859-1950, MyHeritage.com
2 Voter List of Elous Municipality, 1878, Apidia, General State Archives of Lakonia
3 Greece, Farmers Census 1856, MyHeritage.com
4 Male town registers, 1844-1959, Apidia, Lakonia, Greece
5 Death record of James Bolheres, Minnesota, Death Records and Certificates, 1900-1955, FamilySearch.org
6 Listing of Eleni Boulouchery, New York, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists, 1820-1957, Ancestry.com
7 Searching for the name Bouloucheris or Μπουλουχέρης almost always leads to the small village of Apidia. The surname simply isn’t found anywhere else in Greece.
8 Marriage license of Ioannis K. Poulos and Kyriakoula Maroudas, Greece, Sparta Marriages, 1835-1935, MyHeritage.com
9 Marriage license of Panagiotis A. Panou and Athanaso Bouloucheri, Metropolis of Monemvasia and Sparta, Licenses, Miscellaneous Collection, compiled by Gregory Kontos
10 Voter List of Elous Municipality, 1868, Apidia, General State Archives of Lakonia
11 Marriage license of Spiros Syderis and Stamata Bouloucheris, G., S. M.
12 “Ancient roots,” Finding Your Roots, Season 2, Episode 9, 18 Nov 2014
13 Death record of George Bolhan, Alabama, U.S., Deaths and Burials, 1881-1974, Ancestry.com
14 Marriage record of George Ballhan and Mildred Holotz, Cook County, Illinois, U.S., Marriages Index, 1871-1920, Ancestry.com
15 Estimated date from stories told by Margaret Bolheres to Laura Mitchell
16 Marriage certificate of James Bolheres and Minnie LaBrie
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
A Dangerous Place to Settle — Jonathan Franklin
B. before about 1657 in (probably) England1
M. before 21 Dec 1687 in (probably) Massachusetts2
Wife: Sarah _______
D. 19 Mar 1693 in Haverhill, Massachusetts3
Many settlers in colonial America were victims of Indian raids — the random killing of civilians by indigenous warriors. Very often this happened in frontier settlements. Such was the case for Jonathan Franklin, who lived too near the edge of his colony, and too near territory that was under dispute with the French.
About Jonathan’s origins, nothing is known. Since there seems to be no record of his parentage in New England, it’s assumed he was born somewhere in England. Based on the age of his oldest known child, his birth year was before about 1666. There was also a record in Charlestown dated 1677 naming a man who was a glove maker,1 a profession that appears on a later document tied to Jonathan.4 If that was him, then the assumption is that he was at least age 20, and this pushes his birth year back before 1657.1
Jonathan married a woman named Sarah,1 and they had three sons born between 1687 and 1692. Jonathan moved to the town of Haverhill by June 15, 1689, as a deed shows he was living there.4 He bought 11 acres of land where he was residing from a Boston widow for £14. The deed also mentioned that he worked as a “skinner and glover,” occupations that involved making leather from animal skins.
Haverhill was on the northern border of Massachusetts, and was surrounded by raw wilderness. Jonathan’s home may have been close to the town’s boundaries and not within any sort of stockade. In Haverhill, it was said that “the Indians for some time past had been hovering over the town in such a manner as kept the inhabitants in continual alarm. Small parties were almost daily seen traversing the adjacent woods and slyly approaching the farm houses in search of plunder.”5
The Indian raid that took Jonathan’s life happened on March 19, 1693,3 but the town records didn’t make note of any of the details. Typically in such an attack, a small group of warriors would choose a time when a man was unready to defend himself, like breaking into a house before daybreak. Another way they would strike at settlers was to find someone alone outside their house. It was said that Jonathan’s death was the only aggression that year at Haverhill, so it was an isolated incident.
A year later, Jonathan’s widow Sarah remarried,6 and she moved down to the Boston area with her new husband and sons. Sarah passed away in about 1708.7
Children:
1. John Franklin — B. 21 Dec 1687, Boston, Massachusetts;8 D. before 1729;9 M. Lydia Tower (1687-), 15 Mar 1712, Hingham, Massachusetts10
2. Jonathan Franklin — B. about 1690, (possibly) Hingham, Massachusetts;11 M. Esther Parmalee (~1698-1788), 3 Dec 1718, Killingsworth, Connecticut12
3. David Franklin — B. 4 May 1692, Haverhill, Massachusetts;13 D. before 11 Sep 1739, (probably) Massachusetts;14 M. Elizabeth Ayers (~1691-1752), 18 Jun 1713, Boston, Massachusetts15
Sources:
1 Notes and queries column about the Franklin family, Boston Evening Transcript, 1905
2 Marriage year based on birth date of his oldest son
3 Vital Records of Haverhill, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849, V. 2, p. 402
4 Deed of Sarah Leverett to Jonathan Franklin, 15 Jun 1689, Essex Deeds 1701-1705, FamilySearch.org
5 History of Haverhill, Massachusetts, George Wingate Chase, 1861
6 Marriage record of John Field and Sarah Franklin, Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and town Records, 1626-2001, FamilySearch.org
7 Guardianship record of David Franklin, 8 Jun 1708
8 Birth record of John Franklin, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
9 Probate file of John Smith of Roxbury, Massachusetts, Suffolk County, Probate and Family Court Records, FamilySearch.org
10 Marriage record of John Franklin and Lydia Tower, Massachusetts, U.S., Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988, Ancestry.com
11 Estimated birth of Jonathan is based on it being a date between the recorded births of John and David.
12 Marriage record of Jonathan Franklin and Esther Parmalee, Connecticut, Vital Records Prior to 1850, FamilySearch.org
13 Birth record of David Franklin, Massachusetts, Births and Christenings, 1639-1915, FamilySearch.org
14 Sep 11, 1739, Suffolk County MA, letters of administration of the estate of David Francklyn to Elizabeth Francklyn, unindexed probate files of Massachusetts, FamilySearch.org
15 Marriage record of David Franklin and Elizabeth Ayers, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
M. before 21 Dec 1687 in (probably) Massachusetts2
Wife: Sarah _______
D. 19 Mar 1693 in Haverhill, Massachusetts3
Many settlers in colonial America were victims of Indian raids — the random killing of civilians by indigenous warriors. Very often this happened in frontier settlements. Such was the case for Jonathan Franklin, who lived too near the edge of his colony, and too near territory that was under dispute with the French.
About Jonathan’s origins, nothing is known. Since there seems to be no record of his parentage in New England, it’s assumed he was born somewhere in England. Based on the age of his oldest known child, his birth year was before about 1666. There was also a record in Charlestown dated 1677 naming a man who was a glove maker,1 a profession that appears on a later document tied to Jonathan.4 If that was him, then the assumption is that he was at least age 20, and this pushes his birth year back before 1657.1
Jonathan married a woman named Sarah,1 and they had three sons born between 1687 and 1692. Jonathan moved to the town of Haverhill by June 15, 1689, as a deed shows he was living there.4 He bought 11 acres of land where he was residing from a Boston widow for £14. The deed also mentioned that he worked as a “skinner and glover,” occupations that involved making leather from animal skins.
Haverhill was on the northern border of Massachusetts, and was surrounded by raw wilderness. Jonathan’s home may have been close to the town’s boundaries and not within any sort of stockade. In Haverhill, it was said that “the Indians for some time past had been hovering over the town in such a manner as kept the inhabitants in continual alarm. Small parties were almost daily seen traversing the adjacent woods and slyly approaching the farm houses in search of plunder.”5
A family being watched. (AI-generated image)
The Indian raid that took Jonathan’s life happened on March 19, 1693,3 but the town records didn’t make note of any of the details. Typically in such an attack, a small group of warriors would choose a time when a man was unready to defend himself, like breaking into a house before daybreak. Another way they would strike at settlers was to find someone alone outside their house. It was said that Jonathan’s death was the only aggression that year at Haverhill, so it was an isolated incident.
A year later, Jonathan’s widow Sarah remarried,6 and she moved down to the Boston area with her new husband and sons. Sarah passed away in about 1708.7
Children:
1. John Franklin — B. 21 Dec 1687, Boston, Massachusetts;8 D. before 1729;9 M. Lydia Tower (1687-), 15 Mar 1712, Hingham, Massachusetts10
2. Jonathan Franklin — B. about 1690, (possibly) Hingham, Massachusetts;11 M. Esther Parmalee (~1698-1788), 3 Dec 1718, Killingsworth, Connecticut12
3. David Franklin — B. 4 May 1692, Haverhill, Massachusetts;13 D. before 11 Sep 1739, (probably) Massachusetts;14 M. Elizabeth Ayers (~1691-1752), 18 Jun 1713, Boston, Massachusetts15
Sources:
1 Notes and queries column about the Franklin family, Boston Evening Transcript, 1905
2 Marriage year based on birth date of his oldest son
3 Vital Records of Haverhill, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849, V. 2, p. 402
4 Deed of Sarah Leverett to Jonathan Franklin, 15 Jun 1689, Essex Deeds 1701-1705, FamilySearch.org
5 History of Haverhill, Massachusetts, George Wingate Chase, 1861
6 Marriage record of John Field and Sarah Franklin, Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and town Records, 1626-2001, FamilySearch.org
7 Guardianship record of David Franklin, 8 Jun 1708
8 Birth record of John Franklin, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
9 Probate file of John Smith of Roxbury, Massachusetts, Suffolk County, Probate and Family Court Records, FamilySearch.org
10 Marriage record of John Franklin and Lydia Tower, Massachusetts, U.S., Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988, Ancestry.com
11 Estimated birth of Jonathan is based on it being a date between the recorded births of John and David.
12 Marriage record of Jonathan Franklin and Esther Parmalee, Connecticut, Vital Records Prior to 1850, FamilySearch.org
13 Birth record of David Franklin, Massachusetts, Births and Christenings, 1639-1915, FamilySearch.org
14 Sep 11, 1739, Suffolk County MA, letters of administration of the estate of David Francklyn to Elizabeth Francklyn, unindexed probate files of Massachusetts, FamilySearch.org
15 Marriage record of David Franklin and Elizabeth Ayers, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
Sunday, February 15, 2026
Brooklyn Family Patriarch — Coert Stevense Van Voorhees
B. about Apr 1637 in Drenthe, Netherlands1
M. before 1665 in (probably) New York1
Wife: Marretje Gerritse Van Couwenhoven
D. after 1702 in (probably) Flatlands, New York1
By virtue of being one of several siblings who migrated from Europe, Coert Stevense Van Voorhees became one of the earliest generations of a great American family.
Coert came from Drenthe, a region of the Netherlands, and he was born there about 1637 to Steven Coerts Van Voorhees and Aaltjen Wessels, one of their three known children.1 His mother died when he was a child and his father remarried, producing six half-siblings.2
Coert was an adult when his 60-year-old father took the family to America, settling in Flatlands, part of present-day Brooklyn. His father purchased a large tract of land on November 29, 1660,3 and presumably Coert received part of it, or bought a farm of his own nearby. There’s no record of Coert’s marriage, but by about 1665, he wed Marretje Gerritse Van Couwenhoven,1 daughter of one of the earliest Dutch settlers of Flatlands. Between about 1667 and 1683, they had five sons and four daughters.
As a large landowner in Flatlands, Coert held many offices. In 1677, he was a deacon of the Dutch Reformed Church,1 and in 1689, he was captain of the militia.1 He was also a representative of Flatlands at an assembly held in New Amsterdam on April 10, 1664;1 presumably this was in regard to the English takeover of the colony which happened that year. And he was a delegate to “The Convention at New Orange” on March 26, 1674,1 which took place after New Netherland formally ceased to exist. Coert was also a church elder in 1679 and 1684.1
On March 8, 1692 Coert purchased property at Gravesend, New York, which he transferred to his son Albert on June 20, 1699.1 Coert was last known to be alive in 1702, but it isn’t known when he died.1 It’s believed that his wife Marretje was deceased by 1709. They were both the ancestors of Howard Dean, Paul Giamatti and Thomas Kean.4
Coert had four half-brothers, and the Van Voorhees family grew to a tremendous size over the years, leading the family association website to claim they are “the largest Dutch Family in America.”5
Children:
1. Gerrit Coertsen Van Voorhees — B. before 1666, (probably) Flatlands, New York;6 D. before 23 Sep 1704, New Utrecht, New York;6 M. (1) Mensje Janse;6 (2) Willemptje Pieterse Luyster (~1665-?), 26 Apr 1685, Flatlands, New York6
2. Aeltie Coertse Van Voorhees — B. before 1666, Flatlands, New York;7 D. 12 Nov 1746;7 M. Joost Rutgerz Van Brunt (?-~1746), 16 Apr 1687, Flatbush, New York7
3. Stephen Coertsen Van Voorhees — B. about 1667, Flatlands, New York;8 D. 16 Feb 1724, Gravesend, New York;8 M. (1) Eegje Jans;8 (2) Eva ______8
4. Albert Coertsen Van Voorhees — B. about 1670, Flatlands, New York;9 D. before 14 Apr 1748, (probably) Flatlands, New York;9 M. (1) Sara Willemse Cornel (?-1736), before 1695;9 (2) Willempje Suydam, 15 May 1743; (3) Ida Suydam (1678-?), 1 Dec 17449
5. Marretje Coertse Van Voorhees — B. about 1675, Flatlands, New York;10 M. Jacob Remsen10
6. Neeltje Coertse Van Voorhees — B. 30 Jun 1676, (probably) Flatlands, New York;11 D. 4 Aug 1750, (probably) Monmouth County, New Jersey;11 M. Garret Roelfse Schenck (1671-1745), Flatlands, New York11
7. Cornelis Coertsen Van Voorhees — B. before 23 Jun 1678, (probably) Flatlands, New York;12 M. Antje Remsen (1681-?)12
8. Annetie Coertse Van Voorhees — B. before 5 Dec 1680, Flatlands, New York;13 M. Jan Rapalje (1673-?)13
9. Johannes Coertsen Van Voorhees — B. 20 Apr 1683, Flatlands, New York;14 D.10 Oct 1757;14 M. (1) Barber Achyase Van Dyck (1682-1743), 19 Nov 1703;14 (2) Sarah Van Vliet (1694-?), 2 May 174414
Sources:
1 Brouwer Genealogy Database listing for Coert Stephense Van Voorhees
2 Brouwer Genealogy Database listing for Stephen Coert Van Voorhees
3 Steven van Voorhees (Wikipedia article)
4 FamousKin.com listing of Coert Stevense Can Voorhees
5 History of the Van Voorhees Family (website)
6 Brouwer Genealogy Database listing for Gerrit Coertsen Van Voorhees
7 Brouwer Genealogy Database listing for Aeltie Coertse Van Voorhees
8 Brouwer Genealogy Database listing for Stephen Coertsen Van Voorhees
9 Brouwer Genealogy Database listing for Albert Coertsen Van Voorhees
10 Brouwer Genealogy Database listing for Marretje Coertse Van Voorhees
11 Brouwer Genealogy Database listing for Neeltje Coertse Van Voorhees
12 Brouwer Genealogy Database listing for Cornelis Coertsen Van Voorhees
13 Brouwer Genealogy Database listing for Annetje Coertse Van Voorhees
14 Brouwer Genealogy Database listing for Johannes Coertsen Van Voorhees
M. before 1665 in (probably) New York1
Wife: Marretje Gerritse Van Couwenhoven
D. after 1702 in (probably) Flatlands, New York1
By virtue of being one of several siblings who migrated from Europe, Coert Stevense Van Voorhees became one of the earliest generations of a great American family.
Coert came from Drenthe, a region of the Netherlands, and he was born there about 1637 to Steven Coerts Van Voorhees and Aaltjen Wessels, one of their three known children.1 His mother died when he was a child and his father remarried, producing six half-siblings.2
Coert was an adult when his 60-year-old father took the family to America, settling in Flatlands, part of present-day Brooklyn. His father purchased a large tract of land on November 29, 1660,3 and presumably Coert received part of it, or bought a farm of his own nearby. There’s no record of Coert’s marriage, but by about 1665, he wed Marretje Gerritse Van Couwenhoven,1 daughter of one of the earliest Dutch settlers of Flatlands. Between about 1667 and 1683, they had five sons and four daughters.
On a farm in Flatlands. (AI-generated image)
As a large landowner in Flatlands, Coert held many offices. In 1677, he was a deacon of the Dutch Reformed Church,1 and in 1689, he was captain of the militia.1 He was also a representative of Flatlands at an assembly held in New Amsterdam on April 10, 1664;1 presumably this was in regard to the English takeover of the colony which happened that year. And he was a delegate to “The Convention at New Orange” on March 26, 1674,1 which took place after New Netherland formally ceased to exist. Coert was also a church elder in 1679 and 1684.1
On March 8, 1692 Coert purchased property at Gravesend, New York, which he transferred to his son Albert on June 20, 1699.1 Coert was last known to be alive in 1702, but it isn’t known when he died.1 It’s believed that his wife Marretje was deceased by 1709. They were both the ancestors of Howard Dean, Paul Giamatti and Thomas Kean.4
Coert had four half-brothers, and the Van Voorhees family grew to a tremendous size over the years, leading the family association website to claim they are “the largest Dutch Family in America.”5
Children:
1. Gerrit Coertsen Van Voorhees — B. before 1666, (probably) Flatlands, New York;6 D. before 23 Sep 1704, New Utrecht, New York;6 M. (1) Mensje Janse;6 (2) Willemptje Pieterse Luyster (~1665-?), 26 Apr 1685, Flatlands, New York6
2. Aeltie Coertse Van Voorhees — B. before 1666, Flatlands, New York;7 D. 12 Nov 1746;7 M. Joost Rutgerz Van Brunt (?-~1746), 16 Apr 1687, Flatbush, New York7
3. Stephen Coertsen Van Voorhees — B. about 1667, Flatlands, New York;8 D. 16 Feb 1724, Gravesend, New York;8 M. (1) Eegje Jans;8 (2) Eva ______8
4. Albert Coertsen Van Voorhees — B. about 1670, Flatlands, New York;9 D. before 14 Apr 1748, (probably) Flatlands, New York;9 M. (1) Sara Willemse Cornel (?-1736), before 1695;9 (2) Willempje Suydam, 15 May 1743; (3) Ida Suydam (1678-?), 1 Dec 17449
5. Marretje Coertse Van Voorhees — B. about 1675, Flatlands, New York;10 M. Jacob Remsen10
6. Neeltje Coertse Van Voorhees — B. 30 Jun 1676, (probably) Flatlands, New York;11 D. 4 Aug 1750, (probably) Monmouth County, New Jersey;11 M. Garret Roelfse Schenck (1671-1745), Flatlands, New York11
7. Cornelis Coertsen Van Voorhees — B. before 23 Jun 1678, (probably) Flatlands, New York;12 M. Antje Remsen (1681-?)12
8. Annetie Coertse Van Voorhees — B. before 5 Dec 1680, Flatlands, New York;13 M. Jan Rapalje (1673-?)13
9. Johannes Coertsen Van Voorhees — B. 20 Apr 1683, Flatlands, New York;14 D.10 Oct 1757;14 M. (1) Barber Achyase Van Dyck (1682-1743), 19 Nov 1703;14 (2) Sarah Van Vliet (1694-?), 2 May 174414
Sources:
1 Brouwer Genealogy Database listing for Coert Stephense Van Voorhees
2 Brouwer Genealogy Database listing for Stephen Coert Van Voorhees
3 Steven van Voorhees (Wikipedia article)
4 FamousKin.com listing of Coert Stevense Can Voorhees
5 History of the Van Voorhees Family (website)
6 Brouwer Genealogy Database listing for Gerrit Coertsen Van Voorhees
7 Brouwer Genealogy Database listing for Aeltie Coertse Van Voorhees
8 Brouwer Genealogy Database listing for Stephen Coertsen Van Voorhees
9 Brouwer Genealogy Database listing for Albert Coertsen Van Voorhees
10 Brouwer Genealogy Database listing for Marretje Coertse Van Voorhees
11 Brouwer Genealogy Database listing for Neeltje Coertse Van Voorhees
12 Brouwer Genealogy Database listing for Cornelis Coertsen Van Voorhees
13 Brouwer Genealogy Database listing for Annetje Coertse Van Voorhees
14 Brouwer Genealogy Database listing for Johannes Coertsen Van Voorhees
Sunday, January 11, 2026
Over 100 Living Descendants — Dorothy “Dolly” Coburn
B. 10 Jun 1754 in Dracut, Massachusetts1
M. 7 Jan 1773 in Dracut, Massachusetts2
Husband: Stephen French
D. 13 Oct 1835 in Bedford, New Hampshire3
Dorothy Coburn came from a small family in colonial America, but she made up for that by producing her own large family, one that substantially boosted the population of Bedford, New Hampshire.
Dorothy, who went by the name Dolly, came from Dracut, Massachusetts, the town where her great-great grandfather, Edward Colburn, first settled in 1654. She was born 100 years later on June 10, 1754 to Ebenezer Coburn and Sarah Whiting,1 the second of their three children. Older brother Phineas and younger brother Leonard were both soldiers in the American Revolution, serving as Minutemen in 1775.4 Phineas died in Boston early in the war; Leonard, who served on several campaigns, died in 1785.4
On January 7, 1773, Dolly married Stephen French,2 a tanner who lived in New Hampshire. The wedding took place in Dracut, but soon after they settled in Bedford, New Hampshire, where they spent the rest of their lives. Dolly’s first child was born in April 1774;5 she was said to have had 14 children with the youngest born in 1801. Only 11 of the children are known by name, so presumably the other three died young.
One-by-one, Stephen and Dolly’s surviving children married (only son James did not), and most produced large families. A couple of the children moved out of the area, but eight stayed in Bedford. Dolly’s husband built a house big enough for two families to live in, and eventually sons Leonard and Daniel did so.6 It’s easy to imagine Dolly having much contact with her grandchildren as they grew up. At some point, Dolly’s parents also moved from Dracut to Bedford; her father died in 1799,7 and her mother was well into her 90s when she passed away in 1825.8
By 1830, Dolly and her husband seemed to have moved into the household of their son Stephen. In his old age, Stephen Sr. had a “protracted and distressing illness,”9 but it isn’t known if Dolly also had any serious health issues. He passed away first on November 16, 1832,10 and Dolly followed three years later on October 13, 1835. She left behind a numerous family of 10 children, 71 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren — a total of 102 living descendants. Dolly was buried alongside Stephen at Bedford Center Cemetery.
Children:
1. Ebenezer French – B. 28 Apr 1774, Bedford, New Hampshire;5 D. 20 Nov 1846, Bedford, New Hampshire;11 M. Rhoda Coburn (1780-1853), 16 Nov 1697, Merrimack, New Hampshire12
2. Stephen French – B. 7 Nov 1775, Bedford, New Hampshire;13 D. 4 Sep 1850, Bedford, New Hampshire;14 M. Hannah Swett (1777-?), 1800, Bedford, New Hampshire15
3. Dolly French – B. 9 Nov 1778, Bedford, New Hampshire;16 D. 12 Nov 1858, Bedford, New Hampshire;17 M. Gawn Riddle (1777-1837), 20 Feb 1800, Merrimack, New Hampshire18
4. William French — B. 24 Mar 1781, Bedford, New Hampshire;19 D. 1 Mar 1847, Prospect, Maine;20 M. Agnes Riddle (1781-1852), 9 Feb 1807, Bedford, New Hampshire21
5. Sarah French – B. 10 Apr 1782, (probably) Bedford, New Hampshire;22 D. 29 Sep 1823;22 M. William McDole McPherson (1778-1869), 15 Mar 1804, Bedford, New Hampshire23
6. Leonard Coburn French – B. 10 Feb 1785, Bedford, New Hampshire;24 D. 23 Feb 1868, Bedford, New Hampshire;25 M. Nancy Hutchinson (1787-1870), 26 Jan 1808, Bedford, New Hampshire26
7. Elizabeth French – B. 28 Apr 1789, Bedford, New Hampshire;27 D. 2 Apr 1877, Bedford, New Hampshire;27 M. William Bursiel (1780-1857), 12 Feb 1807, Bedford, New Hampshire28
8. Phineas French – B. 14 Dec 1791, Bedford, New Hampshire;6 M. (1) Hannah Cutler (1792-1845), Dec 1813;6 (2) Mary Patten, 8 Apr 184729
9. James French – B. 22 Nov 1794, Bedford, New Hampshire;30 D. 3 Mar 1878, Bedford, New Hampshire30
10. Reverend Daniel L. French – B. 28 Jan 1796, Bedford, New Hampshire;31 D. 20 Jul 1860, Hudson, New Hampshire;31 M. Polly Riddle (1797-1880), 10 Oct 1820, Bedford, New Hampshire32
11. Robert W. French – B. 31 Oct 1801, Bedford, New Hampshire;6 D. Feb 1880, Bedford, New Hampshire;33 M. Harriet Parker (1812-?), 24 Apr 1832, Bedford, New Hampshire34
Sources:
1 Birth record of Dolly Coburn, Massachusetts, Births and Christenings, 1639-1915, FamilySearch.org
2 Marriage record of Stephen French and Dolly Coburn, Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, FamilySearch.org
3 Find-a-Grave listing of Dolly (Coburn) French
4 Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, Vol. 3, 1897
5 Birth record of Ebenezer French, New Hampshire, Births and Christenings, 1714-1904, FamilySearch.org
6 The History of Bedford, New Hampshire, from 1737, Rumford Printing Company, 1903
7 Find-a-Grave listing of Ebenezer Coburn
8 Find-a-Grave listing of Mrs. Sarah Coburn
9 Obituary of Stephen French, The Farmers’ Cabinet, 7 Dec 1832
10 Find-a-Grave listing of Stephen French
11 Find-a-Grave listing of Ebenezer French
12 Marriage record of Ebenezer French and Rhoda Coburn, New Hampshire Marriages, 1720-1920, FamilySearch.org
13 Birth record of Stephen French (younger), N. H. B. & C.
14 Find-a-Grave listing of Stephen French (younger)
15 Marriage record of Stephen French and Hannah Swett, N. H. M.
16 Birth record of Dolly French, N. H. B. & C.
17 Death record of Dolly Riddle, New Hampshire Death Records, 1654-1947, FamilySearch.org
18 Marriage record of Gawn Riddle and Dolly French, N. H. M.
19 Birth record of William French, N. H. B. & C.
20 Death record of William French, Maine Deaths and Burials, 1841-1910, FamilySearch.org
21 Marriage record of William French and Agnes Riddle, N. H. M.
22 Find-a-Grave listing of Sarah W. (French) McPherson
23 Marriage record of William McFerson and Sally French, N. H. M.
24 Birth record of Leonard Coburn French, N. H. B. & C.
25 Death record of Leonard Coburn French, N. H. D. & B.
26 Marriage record of Leonard C. French and Nancy Hutchinson, N. H. M.
27 Find-a-Grave listing of Betsey (French) Bursiel
28 Marriage record of William Bursiel and Betsey French, N. H. M.
29 Marriage record of Phineas French and Mary Patten, M., T. C. V. & T. C.
30 Find-a-Grave listing of James French
31 Find-a-Grave listing of Daniel L. French
32 Marriage record of Daniel L. French and Polly Riddle, N. H. M.
33 Find-a-Grave listing of Robert W. French
34 Marriage record of Robert French and Harriet Parker, N. H. M.
M. 7 Jan 1773 in Dracut, Massachusetts2
Husband: Stephen French
D. 13 Oct 1835 in Bedford, New Hampshire3
Dorothy Coburn came from a small family in colonial America, but she made up for that by producing her own large family, one that substantially boosted the population of Bedford, New Hampshire.
Dorothy, who went by the name Dolly, came from Dracut, Massachusetts, the town where her great-great grandfather, Edward Colburn, first settled in 1654. She was born 100 years later on June 10, 1754 to Ebenezer Coburn and Sarah Whiting,1 the second of their three children. Older brother Phineas and younger brother Leonard were both soldiers in the American Revolution, serving as Minutemen in 1775.4 Phineas died in Boston early in the war; Leonard, who served on several campaigns, died in 1785.4
On January 7, 1773, Dolly married Stephen French,2 a tanner who lived in New Hampshire. The wedding took place in Dracut, but soon after they settled in Bedford, New Hampshire, where they spent the rest of their lives. Dolly’s first child was born in April 1774;5 she was said to have had 14 children with the youngest born in 1801. Only 11 of the children are known by name, so presumably the other three died young.
Marriage record of Stephen and Dolly.
One-by-one, Stephen and Dolly’s surviving children married (only son James did not), and most produced large families. A couple of the children moved out of the area, but eight stayed in Bedford. Dolly’s husband built a house big enough for two families to live in, and eventually sons Leonard and Daniel did so.6 It’s easy to imagine Dolly having much contact with her grandchildren as they grew up. At some point, Dolly’s parents also moved from Dracut to Bedford; her father died in 1799,7 and her mother was well into her 90s when she passed away in 1825.8
By 1830, Dolly and her husband seemed to have moved into the household of their son Stephen. In his old age, Stephen Sr. had a “protracted and distressing illness,”9 but it isn’t known if Dolly also had any serious health issues. He passed away first on November 16, 1832,10 and Dolly followed three years later on October 13, 1835. She left behind a numerous family of 10 children, 71 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren — a total of 102 living descendants. Dolly was buried alongside Stephen at Bedford Center Cemetery.
Dolly’s gravestone.
Children:
1. Ebenezer French – B. 28 Apr 1774, Bedford, New Hampshire;5 D. 20 Nov 1846, Bedford, New Hampshire;11 M. Rhoda Coburn (1780-1853), 16 Nov 1697, Merrimack, New Hampshire12
2. Stephen French – B. 7 Nov 1775, Bedford, New Hampshire;13 D. 4 Sep 1850, Bedford, New Hampshire;14 M. Hannah Swett (1777-?), 1800, Bedford, New Hampshire15
3. Dolly French – B. 9 Nov 1778, Bedford, New Hampshire;16 D. 12 Nov 1858, Bedford, New Hampshire;17 M. Gawn Riddle (1777-1837), 20 Feb 1800, Merrimack, New Hampshire18
4. William French — B. 24 Mar 1781, Bedford, New Hampshire;19 D. 1 Mar 1847, Prospect, Maine;20 M. Agnes Riddle (1781-1852), 9 Feb 1807, Bedford, New Hampshire21
5. Sarah French – B. 10 Apr 1782, (probably) Bedford, New Hampshire;22 D. 29 Sep 1823;22 M. William McDole McPherson (1778-1869), 15 Mar 1804, Bedford, New Hampshire23
6. Leonard Coburn French – B. 10 Feb 1785, Bedford, New Hampshire;24 D. 23 Feb 1868, Bedford, New Hampshire;25 M. Nancy Hutchinson (1787-1870), 26 Jan 1808, Bedford, New Hampshire26
7. Elizabeth French – B. 28 Apr 1789, Bedford, New Hampshire;27 D. 2 Apr 1877, Bedford, New Hampshire;27 M. William Bursiel (1780-1857), 12 Feb 1807, Bedford, New Hampshire28
8. Phineas French – B. 14 Dec 1791, Bedford, New Hampshire;6 M. (1) Hannah Cutler (1792-1845), Dec 1813;6 (2) Mary Patten, 8 Apr 184729
9. James French – B. 22 Nov 1794, Bedford, New Hampshire;30 D. 3 Mar 1878, Bedford, New Hampshire30
10. Reverend Daniel L. French – B. 28 Jan 1796, Bedford, New Hampshire;31 D. 20 Jul 1860, Hudson, New Hampshire;31 M. Polly Riddle (1797-1880), 10 Oct 1820, Bedford, New Hampshire32
11. Robert W. French – B. 31 Oct 1801, Bedford, New Hampshire;6 D. Feb 1880, Bedford, New Hampshire;33 M. Harriet Parker (1812-?), 24 Apr 1832, Bedford, New Hampshire34
Sources:
1 Birth record of Dolly Coburn, Massachusetts, Births and Christenings, 1639-1915, FamilySearch.org
2 Marriage record of Stephen French and Dolly Coburn, Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, FamilySearch.org
3 Find-a-Grave listing of Dolly (Coburn) French
4 Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, Vol. 3, 1897
5 Birth record of Ebenezer French, New Hampshire, Births and Christenings, 1714-1904, FamilySearch.org
6 The History of Bedford, New Hampshire, from 1737, Rumford Printing Company, 1903
7 Find-a-Grave listing of Ebenezer Coburn
8 Find-a-Grave listing of Mrs. Sarah Coburn
9 Obituary of Stephen French, The Farmers’ Cabinet, 7 Dec 1832
10 Find-a-Grave listing of Stephen French
11 Find-a-Grave listing of Ebenezer French
12 Marriage record of Ebenezer French and Rhoda Coburn, New Hampshire Marriages, 1720-1920, FamilySearch.org
13 Birth record of Stephen French (younger), N. H. B. & C.
14 Find-a-Grave listing of Stephen French (younger)
15 Marriage record of Stephen French and Hannah Swett, N. H. M.
16 Birth record of Dolly French, N. H. B. & C.
17 Death record of Dolly Riddle, New Hampshire Death Records, 1654-1947, FamilySearch.org
18 Marriage record of Gawn Riddle and Dolly French, N. H. M.
19 Birth record of William French, N. H. B. & C.
20 Death record of William French, Maine Deaths and Burials, 1841-1910, FamilySearch.org
21 Marriage record of William French and Agnes Riddle, N. H. M.
22 Find-a-Grave listing of Sarah W. (French) McPherson
23 Marriage record of William McFerson and Sally French, N. H. M.
24 Birth record of Leonard Coburn French, N. H. B. & C.
25 Death record of Leonard Coburn French, N. H. D. & B.
26 Marriage record of Leonard C. French and Nancy Hutchinson, N. H. M.
27 Find-a-Grave listing of Betsey (French) Bursiel
28 Marriage record of William Bursiel and Betsey French, N. H. M.
29 Marriage record of Phineas French and Mary Patten, M., T. C. V. & T. C.
30 Find-a-Grave listing of James French
31 Find-a-Grave listing of Daniel L. French
32 Marriage record of Daniel L. French and Polly Riddle, N. H. M.
33 Find-a-Grave listing of Robert W. French
34 Marriage record of Robert French and Harriet Parker, N. H. M.
Friday, December 19, 2025
Virginia House of Burgesses Member — Walter Chiles
B. about 1630 In Bristol, England1
M. (1) before 1665 in (probably) Jamestown, Virginia1,2
Wife: ______ Page
M. (2) before 15 Feb 1671 in (probably) Jamestown, Virginia1
Wife: Susanna ______
D. before 15 May 1672 in (probably) Jamestown, Virginia1
The earliest settlers of the Virginia colony included many who took on a ruling class status. One man was Walter Chiles, who followed in his father’s footsteps.
Walter’s parents were Walter and Elizabeth Chiles, and they were from Bristol, England, where young Walter was born in about 1630.1 Not much is known about the family in England, except that there was one other son named William.1 Walter’s father first went to Virginia by himself in 1636, and two years later, he migrated there with his wife and young sons.1 They took advantage of the headright system, which offered 50 acres to a man for each person who he brought with him. The Chiles family got 400 acres in Charles City County on the Appomattox River,3 and this was young Walter’s first home in America.
In 1642, Walter’s father became a member of the brand new House of Burgesses,3 an elected body set up to handle colony issues on a local level. At some point, this put the family in Jamestown, and from 1649, they lived in a place known as Kemp House; it had been built in 1638 and is thought to be the first ever brick house in Virginia.3 Walter Sr. died just five years later,3 and he passed the house on to son Walter, who added “a brick house 37 feet in length” to the property.1
Walter was married twice. His first wife was the daughter of John Page,1 but there is uncertainty about her first name. Some say it was Elizabeth and others believe it was Mary. In either case, John Page was another prominent man in Jamestown, and a marriage to his daughter would further indicate Walter’s status. His first wife gave birth to at least two children during the 1660s, a daughter and son, but she died not long after,4 and Walter remarried to a woman named Susanna.1 The second marriage brought one son.
After the death of his father, Walter became a member of the House of Burgesses, serving in 1653, 1658, 1659 and 1660.1 In 1660, Governor William Berkeley appointed him and others to “act during the recess of the Assembly.”1 Walter also was a justice in Jamestown for a time.1
Walter made out his will on November 15, 1671, and it was probated May 15th of the following year, so he passed away between those dates.1 His widow Susanna remarried to Reverend James Wadding,1 who later became an important figure in Bacon’s Rebellion. Through Walter’s daughter Elizabeth, he was the ancestor of President John Tyler.5
Children by _____ Page:
1. Elizabeth Chiles — B. before 24 Feb 1665, Jamestown, Virginia;2 D. 19 Jan 1703, Williamsburg, Virginia;2 M. Henry Tyler, about 25 Jun 1684, York County, Virginia2
2. John Chiles — B. about 1669, (probably) Jamestown, Virginia;6 D. before 5 May 1723, King William County, Virginia;6 M. (1) Mary ______, before Sep 1693, Virginia;6 M. (2) Eleanor Webber6
Child by Susanna _______:
1. Henry Chiles — B. before 4 Apr 1671, Jamestown, Virginia;1 D. after 29 Apr 1718, Hanover County, Virginia;7 M. Mary _____7
Sources:
1 WikiTree listing of Walter Chiles Jr.
2 WikiTree listing of Elizabeth (Chiles) Tyler
3 WikiTree listing of Walter Chiles Sr.
4 The approximate date of death is based on the fact children Elizabeth and John were known to be grandchildren of her father John Page (per his will).
5 FamousKin.com listing of Walter Chiles Jr.
6 WikiTree listing of John Chiles
7 Tidewater Virginia Families, pp. 224-227, 2004
M. (1) before 1665 in (probably) Jamestown, Virginia1,2
Wife: ______ Page
M. (2) before 15 Feb 1671 in (probably) Jamestown, Virginia1
Wife: Susanna ______
D. before 15 May 1672 in (probably) Jamestown, Virginia1
The earliest settlers of the Virginia colony included many who took on a ruling class status. One man was Walter Chiles, who followed in his father’s footsteps.
Walter’s parents were Walter and Elizabeth Chiles, and they were from Bristol, England, where young Walter was born in about 1630.1 Not much is known about the family in England, except that there was one other son named William.1 Walter’s father first went to Virginia by himself in 1636, and two years later, he migrated there with his wife and young sons.1 They took advantage of the headright system, which offered 50 acres to a man for each person who he brought with him. The Chiles family got 400 acres in Charles City County on the Appomattox River,3 and this was young Walter’s first home in America.
In 1642, Walter’s father became a member of the brand new House of Burgesses,3 an elected body set up to handle colony issues on a local level. At some point, this put the family in Jamestown, and from 1649, they lived in a place known as Kemp House; it had been built in 1638 and is thought to be the first ever brick house in Virginia.3 Walter Sr. died just five years later,3 and he passed the house on to son Walter, who added “a brick house 37 feet in length” to the property.1
Kemp House. (AI-generated image)
Walter was married twice. His first wife was the daughter of John Page,1 but there is uncertainty about her first name. Some say it was Elizabeth and others believe it was Mary. In either case, John Page was another prominent man in Jamestown, and a marriage to his daughter would further indicate Walter’s status. His first wife gave birth to at least two children during the 1660s, a daughter and son, but she died not long after,4 and Walter remarried to a woman named Susanna.1 The second marriage brought one son.
After the death of his father, Walter became a member of the House of Burgesses, serving in 1653, 1658, 1659 and 1660.1 In 1660, Governor William Berkeley appointed him and others to “act during the recess of the Assembly.”1 Walter also was a justice in Jamestown for a time.1
Walter made out his will on November 15, 1671, and it was probated May 15th of the following year, so he passed away between those dates.1 His widow Susanna remarried to Reverend James Wadding,1 who later became an important figure in Bacon’s Rebellion. Through Walter’s daughter Elizabeth, he was the ancestor of President John Tyler.5
Children by _____ Page:
1. Elizabeth Chiles — B. before 24 Feb 1665, Jamestown, Virginia;2 D. 19 Jan 1703, Williamsburg, Virginia;2 M. Henry Tyler, about 25 Jun 1684, York County, Virginia2
2. John Chiles — B. about 1669, (probably) Jamestown, Virginia;6 D. before 5 May 1723, King William County, Virginia;6 M. (1) Mary ______, before Sep 1693, Virginia;6 M. (2) Eleanor Webber6
Child by Susanna _______:
1. Henry Chiles — B. before 4 Apr 1671, Jamestown, Virginia;1 D. after 29 Apr 1718, Hanover County, Virginia;7 M. Mary _____7
Sources:
1 WikiTree listing of Walter Chiles Jr.
2 WikiTree listing of Elizabeth (Chiles) Tyler
3 WikiTree listing of Walter Chiles Sr.
4 The approximate date of death is based on the fact children Elizabeth and John were known to be grandchildren of her father John Page (per his will).
5 FamousKin.com listing of Walter Chiles Jr.
6 WikiTree listing of John Chiles
7 Tidewater Virginia Families, pp. 224-227, 2004
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