B. before 9 Nov 1605 near Mildenhall, Wiltshire, England1
M. 1 May 1629, Southwark, England2
Husband: Thomas Millet
D. 5 Jun 1682 in Gloucester, Massachusetts3
The life of Mary Greenway typifies many of the women who found themselves part of the Great Migration to New England of the 1630s. She settled first with her husband and children in a town close to Boston, then moved to a community which was further away, all the while participating in various aspects of Puritan society. And near the end of her life, she experienced the dangers of living a remote settlement.
Mary was born in about 1605 near Mildenhall, Wiltshire, where she was baptized on November 9th.1 Her parents were John and Mary Greenway (also spelled Greenaway), and she was the third of six known children, all girls. (Because there is a gap in the ages of the sisters, it’s believed that John may have had two different wives named Mary, but this is uncertain.)
When Mary was in her early 20s, she moved to an area of London called Southwark, and this is where she married her husband Thomas Millet on May 1, 1629.2 Everyone in Mary’s life seemed to be Puritan followers, and in 1630, her parents and younger sisters migrated to the Massachusetts colony in America.4 This was the beginning of the Great Migration to New England, and after having two sons born in Southwark, Mary and Thomas moved as well.2 One of her boys had died, but she was pregnant with a third son on the trip, and he was born after they got settled in Dorchester,2 where Mary’s parents already lived.
Dorchester became Mary’s home for the next 20 years. She and Thomas were admitted as members of Dorchester’s Second Church on August 23, 1636;2 Mary’s parents were also admitted around the same time. Five more children were born in Dorchester, with the youngest in 1647. Mary’s husband took an active role in the church as an unordained preacher;2 he also served as the town clerk, and it was said that a fire at their house destroyed some of Dorchester’s earliest records.2
Mary was among 21 women who signed a remarkable petition in Dorchester in 1649.5 It was to support a midwife named Alice Tilly, who was accused of causing the deaths of several women and children in her care. Over 200 women signed six petitions in the Boston area. What makes this significant is that it’s the earliest example in America of women organizing around a cause without the involvement of any men; this is because issues of childbearing were strictly a female domain.
In 1655, Mary, Thomas and the children moved to Gloucester,2 which was in an area north of Boston. It’s likely that they were solicited because of John’s service as a preacher. During their time in Gloucester, Mary was known to have testified in court twice. The first time was in 1657 when she was witness to a conversation between two men that was pertinent to a dispute they had with each other.6 The other case happened in January 1668 involving a man accused of moving a boundary marker on Mary’s son’s property. She and John said in court that although they had no proof he did this, they were “vehemently suspicious” that the man did this.7
During the 1670s, Mary and Thomas made one last move, this time to the remote village of Brookfield.2 By this time they were in their late 60s, but Thomas was still in demand as a preacher. It turned out to be a fateful decision because Brookfield was attacked during King Philip’s War, and much of the town was destroyed.8 Soon after the violence, Thomas died,2 perhaps of injuries received in the raid. Mary returned to Gloucester where her husband’s estate was settled on September 26, 1675.2 She lived out her final years in Gloucester, and passed away on June 5, 1682.3
Children:
1. John Millett — B. before 6 May 1630, Southwark, England;2 D. before 13 Apr 1635, (probably) Southwark, England2
2. Thomas Millett — B. before 16 Aug 1632, Southwark, England;2 M. (1) Mary Eveleth (~1633-1687), 21 May 1655, Gloucester, Massachusetts;9 (2) Abigail Colt (1657-1726), 20 Dec 1689, Gloucester, Massachusetts10
3. John Millett — B. 8 Jul 1635, Dorchester, Massachusetts;2 D. 3 Nov 1678, Gloucester, Massachusetts;11 M. Sarah Leach (~1635-1725), 3 Jul 1663, Gloucester, Massachusetts12
4. Jonathan Millett — B. 27 Jul 1638, Dorchester, Massachusetts;2 D. 15 Aug 1638, Dorchester, Massachusetts2
5. Mary Millett — B. 26 Aug 1639, Dorchester, Massachusetts;2 D. 23 Jan 1695, Gloucester, Massachusetts;13 M. Thomas Riggs (1633-1722), 7 Jun 1658, Gloucester, Massachusetts2
6. Mehitable Millett — B. 14 Mar 1642, Dorchester, Massachusetts;2 D. 28 Sep 1699, Gloucester, Massachusetts;14 M. Isaac Elwell (1643-1715), before 16662
7. Bethiah Millett — B. about 1646, (probably) Dorchester, Massachusetts;2 D. 15 Apr 1669, Dorchester, Massachusetts;2 M. Moses Ayers, before 10 Sep 1667, (probably) Dorchester, Massachusetts2
8. Nathaniel Millett — B. 1 Dec 1647, Dorchester, Massachusetts;2 D. 9 Nov 1719, Kettle Cove, Massachusetts;15 M. Ann Lester (1650-1718), 3 May 1670, Gloucester, Massachusetts2
Sources:
1 Baptismal record of Mary Greenway, England, Wiltshire, Church Records, 1518-1990, FamilySearch.org
2 The Great Migration: Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Robert Charles Anderson, 1999
3 Death record of Mary Millet, Massachusetts, Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910, FamilySearch.org
4 The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to NewEngland, 1620-1633, Robert Charles Anderson, 1995
5 1649 petition in support of Alice Tilley signed by the women of Dorchester, FamilySearch.org
6 Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Vol. 2, FamilySearch.org
7 Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Vol. 4, FamilySearch.org
8 Thomas & Mary Greenway Millett: Milletts In America, Donald Glen Millett, FamilySearch.org
9 Marriage record of Thomas Millett and Mary Eveleth, Massachusetts, State Vital Records, 1638-1927, FamilySearch.org
10 Birth record of Thomas Millett (Mary’s grandson), Massachusetts, Births and Christenings, 1639-1915, FamilySearch.org
11 Death record of John Millett, M., D. & B.
12 Marriage record of John Millett and Sarah Leach, M., S. V. R.
13 Death record of Mary Riggs, Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, FamilySearch.org
14 Death record of Mehitable Elwell, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
15 Death record of Nathaniel Millett, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Monday, May 11, 2026
One of the Colonial Virginia Elites — John Page
B. about 1627 in (probably) Bedfont, Middlesex, England1
M. before 26 Jun 1648 in England2
Wife: Alice Luken
D. 23 Jan 1692 in Middle Plantation, Virginia1
During the mid-17th century, Virginia became a colony with a distinct class structure; if you came from England, you were either from a rich family, or were an indentured laborer. Somewhere near the top of the social pyramid was John Page, a man who brought his wealth and status to Virginia, and left a mark on some of its institutions.
John was likely born in Bedfont, Middlesex, England in about 1627.1 This was just outside of London; in fact the location today is very close to Heathrow Airport. His father was Francis Page, said to be a wealthy “gentleman”3 (John’s mother’s name is unknown). There was at least one other child in the family, a sister named Elizabeth.3 Little is known about John’s early life until when he was about 20, he married a woman named Alice Lukin, also of the London-area. Soon after, they had their first child, a daughter named Mary.4
During this time, John was described as being a merchant,3 and there was talk of opportunity in colonial America among some of his peers. Tidewater Virginia was the object of their interest because of the lucrative tobacco crop, and the offer of vast amounts of plantation land to those who could afford it. This was also the era of Oliver Cromwell, and many upper class men were Royalists. All of these factors likely played a part in what motivated John to leave England.
The first mention of John in Virginia was for a land claim on the south side of the York River. The headright system gave any man an additional 50 acres for each person he transported to the colony, and on September 11, 1653, John filed papers naming himself, his wife Alice, his young daughter Mary and his sister Elizabeth as headrights.3 At some point, Elizabeth married another Virginia elite, Edward Digges,3 who served as governor of the colony from March 1655 to December 1656. John’s association with his brother-in-law no doubt brought him into the circle of men who governed the colony. From 1665 to 1677, John served in the House of Burgesses3 (the lower house of Virginia’s bicameral system). Then from 1677 to 1692, he served in the Governor’s Council3 (the upper house of Virginia). Together, it gave him 30 years of influence in the colony.
John’s family settled at a place called Middle Plantation,3 where at least two more children were born. Middle Plantation was located on high ground between the York and James Rivers, and it had been established in 1632, but it wasn’t until John moved there that it became a significant town. He built his house from brick,3 an early example of Virginia architecture, and also a sign of his status. In 1678, he donated the land and money for Bruton Parish Church,5 a structure that stood until it was replaced in 1715.
At some point, John acquired the title of “Colonel,” which was noted on his tombstone, but there doesn’t seem to be any military role appearing in any of the data about his life. He did have some involvement in Bacon’s Rebellion, firmly standing with the Royalists.6 Governor William Berkeley took refuge at John’s house during the rebellion,6 and John’s wife Alice was kidnapped by Bacon near the end of the insurrection to be used as a human shield.7
Not everything John did is to be admired. Like the men around him, he had many enslaved people working for him, but in addition to that, he was also an agent for the Royal African Company.3 The RAC was a business set up by the crown of England in 1660 to monopolize trade along the coast of western Africa. Early charters of the company forbade the trading of slaves, but that changed in 1672, and this was the period when John was said to be an agent. So no doubt some of his wealth was made from the brutal practice of enslaving Africans.
John did have two notable achievements in his life. One was that he was involved in the founding of William & Mary College, the second oldest university in the colonies (Harvard being the oldest). John was said to have played “a pivotal role in supporting the efforts of Reverend Doctor James Blair,”3 the man who worked with authorities in England to set up a place of higher learning in Virginia. John’s other claim to fame was that he was an advocate for moving the colony’s capital from Jamestown to Middle Plantation.3 In this way, he was a sort of a visionary regarding the future of Virginia.
Unfortunately for John, he didn’t live to see either plan carried out, because he died on January 23, 1692.1 William & Mary was founded a year later, and by the end of the decade, the capital was indeed moved to Middle Plantation, which was renamed in honor of the King: Williamsburg. John’s wife Alice survived him, and she passed away in 1698.8
The bloodlines of John found their way into many of the First Families of Virginia, including Byrd, Chiles, Dilliard, Tyler, Pendelton, Burwell, Nelson, Randolph, Carter, Harrison and Waller.3 One of his grandchildren was Mann Page, who accumulated over 70,000 acres of land. Great-great grandson John Page served as governor of Virginia from 1802 to 1805, and a 4G grandson was President John Tyler.3 The site of John’s home is today in the heart of Colonial Williamsburg, a place that attracts thousands of visitors every year. Perhaps this was John’s greatest legacy.
Children:
1. Mary Page — B. before 26 Jun 1648, (probably) London, England;4 D. about 1669, Jamestown, Virginia;9 M. Walter Chiles (1630-1671), before 1665, (probably) Jamestown, Virginia9
2. Francis Page — B. about 1657, Middle Plantation, Virginia;10 D. 10 May 1692, Williamsburg, Virginia;10 M. Mary Digges (1658-1690), Gloucester County, Virginia10
3. Matthew Page — B. 19 Jan 1659, Middle Plantation, Virginia;11 D. 9 Jan 1703, Gloucester County, Virginia;11 M. Mary Mann (~1672-1707), 1689, Gloucester County, Virginia11
Sources:
1 Find-a-Grave listing for John Page
2 Marriage date based on the baptism of his oldest known child
3 John Page (planter) (Wikipedia article)
4 Baptismal record of Mary Page, England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975, FamilySearch.org
5 “Bruton Parish Church” (Wikipedia article)
6 Rosewell, Garland of Virginia, Claude O. Luciano, 1978
7 “Bacon’s Rebellion: America’s First Revolutionary?” Military History Online
8 Find-a-Grave listing of Alice (Lukin) Page
9 WikiTree listing of Mary (Page) Chiles
10 Find-a-Grave listing of Capt. Francis Page
11 Find-a-Grave listing of Col. Matthew Page
M. before 26 Jun 1648 in England2
Wife: Alice Luken
D. 23 Jan 1692 in Middle Plantation, Virginia1
During the mid-17th century, Virginia became a colony with a distinct class structure; if you came from England, you were either from a rich family, or were an indentured laborer. Somewhere near the top of the social pyramid was John Page, a man who brought his wealth and status to Virginia, and left a mark on some of its institutions.
John was likely born in Bedfont, Middlesex, England in about 1627.1 This was just outside of London; in fact the location today is very close to Heathrow Airport. His father was Francis Page, said to be a wealthy “gentleman”3 (John’s mother’s name is unknown). There was at least one other child in the family, a sister named Elizabeth.3 Little is known about John’s early life until when he was about 20, he married a woman named Alice Lukin, also of the London-area. Soon after, they had their first child, a daughter named Mary.4
During this time, John was described as being a merchant,3 and there was talk of opportunity in colonial America among some of his peers. Tidewater Virginia was the object of their interest because of the lucrative tobacco crop, and the offer of vast amounts of plantation land to those who could afford it. This was also the era of Oliver Cromwell, and many upper class men were Royalists. All of these factors likely played a part in what motivated John to leave England.
John Page. (AI-enhanced illustration)
The first mention of John in Virginia was for a land claim on the south side of the York River. The headright system gave any man an additional 50 acres for each person he transported to the colony, and on September 11, 1653, John filed papers naming himself, his wife Alice, his young daughter Mary and his sister Elizabeth as headrights.3 At some point, Elizabeth married another Virginia elite, Edward Digges,3 who served as governor of the colony from March 1655 to December 1656. John’s association with his brother-in-law no doubt brought him into the circle of men who governed the colony. From 1665 to 1677, John served in the House of Burgesses3 (the lower house of Virginia’s bicameral system). Then from 1677 to 1692, he served in the Governor’s Council3 (the upper house of Virginia). Together, it gave him 30 years of influence in the colony.
John’s family settled at a place called Middle Plantation,3 where at least two more children were born. Middle Plantation was located on high ground between the York and James Rivers, and it had been established in 1632, but it wasn’t until John moved there that it became a significant town. He built his house from brick,3 an early example of Virginia architecture, and also a sign of his status. In 1678, he donated the land and money for Bruton Parish Church,5 a structure that stood until it was replaced in 1715.
Building a brick house in Virginia. (AI-generated image)
At some point, John acquired the title of “Colonel,” which was noted on his tombstone, but there doesn’t seem to be any military role appearing in any of the data about his life. He did have some involvement in Bacon’s Rebellion, firmly standing with the Royalists.6 Governor William Berkeley took refuge at John’s house during the rebellion,6 and John’s wife Alice was kidnapped by Bacon near the end of the insurrection to be used as a human shield.7
Not everything John did is to be admired. Like the men around him, he had many enslaved people working for him, but in addition to that, he was also an agent for the Royal African Company.3 The RAC was a business set up by the crown of England in 1660 to monopolize trade along the coast of western Africa. Early charters of the company forbade the trading of slaves, but that changed in 1672, and this was the period when John was said to be an agent. So no doubt some of his wealth was made from the brutal practice of enslaving Africans.
John did have two notable achievements in his life. One was that he was involved in the founding of William & Mary College, the second oldest university in the colonies (Harvard being the oldest). John was said to have played “a pivotal role in supporting the efforts of Reverend Doctor James Blair,”3 the man who worked with authorities in England to set up a place of higher learning in Virginia. John’s other claim to fame was that he was an advocate for moving the colony’s capital from Jamestown to Middle Plantation.3 In this way, he was a sort of a visionary regarding the future of Virginia.
Unfortunately for John, he didn’t live to see either plan carried out, because he died on January 23, 1692.1 William & Mary was founded a year later, and by the end of the decade, the capital was indeed moved to Middle Plantation, which was renamed in honor of the King: Williamsburg. John’s wife Alice survived him, and she passed away in 1698.8
Original tombstone of John Page. (Source: Find-a-Grave)
The bloodlines of John found their way into many of the First Families of Virginia, including Byrd, Chiles, Dilliard, Tyler, Pendelton, Burwell, Nelson, Randolph, Carter, Harrison and Waller.3 One of his grandchildren was Mann Page, who accumulated over 70,000 acres of land. Great-great grandson John Page served as governor of Virginia from 1802 to 1805, and a 4G grandson was President John Tyler.3 The site of John’s home is today in the heart of Colonial Williamsburg, a place that attracts thousands of visitors every year. Perhaps this was John’s greatest legacy.
Children:
1. Mary Page — B. before 26 Jun 1648, (probably) London, England;4 D. about 1669, Jamestown, Virginia;9 M. Walter Chiles (1630-1671), before 1665, (probably) Jamestown, Virginia9
2. Francis Page — B. about 1657, Middle Plantation, Virginia;10 D. 10 May 1692, Williamsburg, Virginia;10 M. Mary Digges (1658-1690), Gloucester County, Virginia10
3. Matthew Page — B. 19 Jan 1659, Middle Plantation, Virginia;11 D. 9 Jan 1703, Gloucester County, Virginia;11 M. Mary Mann (~1672-1707), 1689, Gloucester County, Virginia11
Sources:
1 Find-a-Grave listing for John Page
2 Marriage date based on the baptism of his oldest known child
3 John Page (planter) (Wikipedia article)
4 Baptismal record of Mary Page, England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975, FamilySearch.org
5 “Bruton Parish Church” (Wikipedia article)
6 Rosewell, Garland of Virginia, Claude O. Luciano, 1978
7 “Bacon’s Rebellion: America’s First Revolutionary?” Military History Online
8 Find-a-Grave listing of Alice (Lukin) Page
9 WikiTree listing of Mary (Page) Chiles
10 Find-a-Grave listing of Capt. Francis Page
11 Find-a-Grave listing of Col. Matthew Page
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Refusing to Help Support Elderly Mother — Sarah French
B. 29 Oct 1671 in Billerica, Massachusetts1
M. 4 Aug 1691 in Billerica, Massachusetts2
Husband: Joseph Crosby
D. before 1727 in Billerica, Massachusetts3
When people reach a certain age, their elderly parents often become their responsibility, and bitter disagreements among siblings sometimes make the job messy. This was even true in colonial New England, as the record of a case involving Sarah French Crosby reveals.
Sarah was born into the French family of Billerica, Massachusetts on October 29, 1671.1 She was the second child of the couple William French and Mary Lothrop, but each of them had children from previous marriages. Sarah’s father was in his late sixties when she was born, and her half siblings from him were all adults by that time. Her mother’s two surviving children from her earlier marriage were still underaged, though, so she grew up their presence; half-brother Isaac Stearns would figure into the later court dispute.
In 1681, Sarah’s father died, and she inherited some land from him,3 which she brought into her marriage ten years later. On August 4, 1691, Sarah married Joseph Crosby, the son of a Billerica tavern keeper.2 Their first child was born about a year later;4 Sarah and Joseph went on to have a total of 12 children, of which all but the youngest were known to have lived to adulthood. All evidence showed that Sarah’s family wasn’t well-off. Joseph worked as a farmer and part-time tailor, but seemed to have sold off some of their property to pay their debts.3 A deed from 1714 shows that they got £80 in return for some of their Billerica land (it’s to be noted that Sarah was named alongside her husband in the transaction).5
The issue over Sarah’s mother came up in 1722. By now she had been widowed a third time, and was unable to support herself. The surviving children were Sarah, her two full-blooded sisters, and older half-brother Isaac. When their mother needed help, only Isaac stepped forward, but he felt it was unfair that the girls offered nothing. So Isaac and their mother brought the grievance to court.6 Officially, the husbands of the sisters were being sued, and it was Joseph Crosby, not Sarah, who appeared as the litigant. The issue dragged out in the courts for at least a year,6 and no resolution is given in the archived files.
Sarah and her husband, along with sisters Mary and Hannah and their husbands, were a united front. Their argument was that Isaac had been given property by their mother, while the women received nothing, so he should foot the bill to take care of their mother. The petition filed by Joseph and Hannah’s husband Nathaniel implied that Isaac had all of their “mother’s movables” in his possession, basically accusing him of taking advantage of the old woman. But Isaac’s stance was that whatever extra property he had gotten was inheritance from his father’s estate, which the sisters had no claim on.
Sarah passed away by 1727.3 Ironically, her feeble, old mother outlived her and was alive as late as 1735.7 Joseph also survived Sarah, and died at an unknown date before December 23, 1737.3
Children:
1. Joseph Crosby — B. 3 Sep 1692, Billerica, Massachusetts;4 D. about 1744, Worcester, Massachusetts;8 M. Hannah Maynard (1694-?), 21 Apr 1714, Marlborough, Massachusetts9
2. Sarah Crosby — B. 12 Jun 1694, Billerica, Massachusetts;10 D. before 31 Dec 1760, (probably) Andover, Massachusetts;11 M. (1) Thomas Hunt (1689-1709), 22 Jul 1709, Providence, Rhode Island;12 (2) Ephraim Abbott (1682-1748), 6 Jan 1716, Andover, Massachusetts;13 (3) John Dane (1692-1763), 1 Aug 1749, Andover, Massachusetts14
3. Rachel Crosby — B. 18 Apr 1695, Billerica, Massachusetts;15 M. (1) Samuel Stearns (1693-1730), 1719, Billerica, Massachusetts;16 (2) Thomas Wyman (1687-1760)3
4. William Crosby — B. 13 Feb 1698, Billerica, Massachusetts;17 D. 1 Jan 1754, Billerica, Massachusetts;18 M. Hannah Ross (1702-1756)3
5. Mary Crosby — B. 12 Jan 1699, Billerica, Massachusetts;19 D. 1738, Dedham, Massachusetts;3 M. Eleazer Ellis (1692-1745)3
6. Thomas Crosby — B. 12 Oct 1701, Billerica, Massachusetts;20 D. 7 Dec 1745, Billerica, Massachusetts;21 M. Hannah Parker (1692-1729), 27 Jun 1724, Billerica, Massachusetts22
7. David Crosby — B. 27 Mar 1703, Billerica, Massachusetts;23 M. Sarah Foster (~1709-~1751)3
8. Prudence Crosby — B. 11 May 1705, Billerica, Massachusetts;24 M. Jeremiah Fisher (1701-~1766), 20 Jan 1725, Needham, Massachusetts25
9. Hannah Crosby — B. 9 Mar 1707, Billerica, Massachusetts;26 M. (1) John Peploe (~1707-?);3 (2) Samuel Watts3
10. Deborah Crosby — B. 23 Jul 1709, Billerica, Massachusetts;27 M. Peter Russell (1700-1759), 21 Mar 1727, Andover, Massachusetts28
11. Robert Crosby — B. 20 Jul 1711, Billerica, Massachusetts;29 D. 10 Sep 1743, Townsend, Massachusetts;30 M. Mehitable Chandler (1709-1768)3
12. Pelletiah Crosby — B. 5 Nov 1713, Billerica, Massachusetts31
Sources:
1 Birth record of Sarah French, Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, FamilySearch.org
2 Marriage record of Joseph Crosby and Sarah French, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
3 Simon Crosby the Emigrant: His English Ancestry and Some of His American Descendants, Eleanor Francis Crosby, 1914
4 Birth record of Joseph Crosby (younger), M., T. C., V. & T. R.
5 1714 deed of Joseph Crosby, Middlesex (Massachusetts) Deeds, 1715-1716, FamilySearch.org
6 Mary Mixer case, Middlesex (Massachusetts) Court Records, 1652-1798, FamilySearch.org
7 Find-a-Grave listing for Mary Mixer, but uncertain about the original source
8 WikiTree listing of Joseph Crosby (younger)
9 Marriage record of Joseph Crosby and Hannah Maynard, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
10 Birth record of Sarah Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
11 The Early Records of the Town of Providence, Vol. 5, 1894
12 Marriage record of Ephraim Abbott and Sarah Hunt, M., T. C. V. & T. R.
13 Marriage record of John Dane and Sarah Abbott, M., T. C. V. & T. R.
14 Probate file of John Dane, Essex County, Massachusetts, probate records and indexes 1638-1916, FamilySearch.org
15 Birth record of Rachel Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
16 Marriage record of Samuel Stearns and Rachel Crosby, Massachusetts, State Vital Records, 1638-1927, FamilySearch.org
17 Birth record of William Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
18 Death record of William Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
19 Birth record of Mary Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
20 Birth record of Thomas Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
21 Death record of Thomas Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
22 Marriage record of Thomas Crosby and Hannah Parker, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
23 Birth record of David Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
24 Birth record of Prudence Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
25 Marriage record of Jeremiah Fisher and Prudence Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
26 Birth record of Hannah Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
27 Birth record of Deborah Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
28 Marriage record of Peter Russell and Deborah Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
29 Birth record of Robert Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
30 Find-a-Grave listing of Robert Crosby
31 Birth record of Pelletiah Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
M. 4 Aug 1691 in Billerica, Massachusetts2
Husband: Joseph Crosby
D. before 1727 in Billerica, Massachusetts3
When people reach a certain age, their elderly parents often become their responsibility, and bitter disagreements among siblings sometimes make the job messy. This was even true in colonial New England, as the record of a case involving Sarah French Crosby reveals.
Sarah was born into the French family of Billerica, Massachusetts on October 29, 1671.1 She was the second child of the couple William French and Mary Lothrop, but each of them had children from previous marriages. Sarah’s father was in his late sixties when she was born, and her half siblings from him were all adults by that time. Her mother’s two surviving children from her earlier marriage were still underaged, though, so she grew up their presence; half-brother Isaac Stearns would figure into the later court dispute.
In 1681, Sarah’s father died, and she inherited some land from him,3 which she brought into her marriage ten years later. On August 4, 1691, Sarah married Joseph Crosby, the son of a Billerica tavern keeper.2 Their first child was born about a year later;4 Sarah and Joseph went on to have a total of 12 children, of which all but the youngest were known to have lived to adulthood. All evidence showed that Sarah’s family wasn’t well-off. Joseph worked as a farmer and part-time tailor, but seemed to have sold off some of their property to pay their debts.3 A deed from 1714 shows that they got £80 in return for some of their Billerica land (it’s to be noted that Sarah was named alongside her husband in the transaction).5
The issue over Sarah’s mother came up in 1722. By now she had been widowed a third time, and was unable to support herself. The surviving children were Sarah, her two full-blooded sisters, and older half-brother Isaac. When their mother needed help, only Isaac stepped forward, but he felt it was unfair that the girls offered nothing. So Isaac and their mother brought the grievance to court.6 Officially, the husbands of the sisters were being sued, and it was Joseph Crosby, not Sarah, who appeared as the litigant. The issue dragged out in the courts for at least a year,6 and no resolution is given in the archived files.
The petition of Sarah’s mother against her and her sisters.
Sarah and her husband, along with sisters Mary and Hannah and their husbands, were a united front. Their argument was that Isaac had been given property by their mother, while the women received nothing, so he should foot the bill to take care of their mother. The petition filed by Joseph and Hannah’s husband Nathaniel implied that Isaac had all of their “mother’s movables” in his possession, basically accusing him of taking advantage of the old woman. But Isaac’s stance was that whatever extra property he had gotten was inheritance from his father’s estate, which the sisters had no claim on.
Sarah passed away by 1727.3 Ironically, her feeble, old mother outlived her and was alive as late as 1735.7 Joseph also survived Sarah, and died at an unknown date before December 23, 1737.3
Children:
1. Joseph Crosby — B. 3 Sep 1692, Billerica, Massachusetts;4 D. about 1744, Worcester, Massachusetts;8 M. Hannah Maynard (1694-?), 21 Apr 1714, Marlborough, Massachusetts9
2. Sarah Crosby — B. 12 Jun 1694, Billerica, Massachusetts;10 D. before 31 Dec 1760, (probably) Andover, Massachusetts;11 M. (1) Thomas Hunt (1689-1709), 22 Jul 1709, Providence, Rhode Island;12 (2) Ephraim Abbott (1682-1748), 6 Jan 1716, Andover, Massachusetts;13 (3) John Dane (1692-1763), 1 Aug 1749, Andover, Massachusetts14
3. Rachel Crosby — B. 18 Apr 1695, Billerica, Massachusetts;15 M. (1) Samuel Stearns (1693-1730), 1719, Billerica, Massachusetts;16 (2) Thomas Wyman (1687-1760)3
4. William Crosby — B. 13 Feb 1698, Billerica, Massachusetts;17 D. 1 Jan 1754, Billerica, Massachusetts;18 M. Hannah Ross (1702-1756)3
5. Mary Crosby — B. 12 Jan 1699, Billerica, Massachusetts;19 D. 1738, Dedham, Massachusetts;3 M. Eleazer Ellis (1692-1745)3
6. Thomas Crosby — B. 12 Oct 1701, Billerica, Massachusetts;20 D. 7 Dec 1745, Billerica, Massachusetts;21 M. Hannah Parker (1692-1729), 27 Jun 1724, Billerica, Massachusetts22
7. David Crosby — B. 27 Mar 1703, Billerica, Massachusetts;23 M. Sarah Foster (~1709-~1751)3
8. Prudence Crosby — B. 11 May 1705, Billerica, Massachusetts;24 M. Jeremiah Fisher (1701-~1766), 20 Jan 1725, Needham, Massachusetts25
9. Hannah Crosby — B. 9 Mar 1707, Billerica, Massachusetts;26 M. (1) John Peploe (~1707-?);3 (2) Samuel Watts3
10. Deborah Crosby — B. 23 Jul 1709, Billerica, Massachusetts;27 M. Peter Russell (1700-1759), 21 Mar 1727, Andover, Massachusetts28
11. Robert Crosby — B. 20 Jul 1711, Billerica, Massachusetts;29 D. 10 Sep 1743, Townsend, Massachusetts;30 M. Mehitable Chandler (1709-1768)3
12. Pelletiah Crosby — B. 5 Nov 1713, Billerica, Massachusetts31
Sources:
1 Birth record of Sarah French, Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, FamilySearch.org
2 Marriage record of Joseph Crosby and Sarah French, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
3 Simon Crosby the Emigrant: His English Ancestry and Some of His American Descendants, Eleanor Francis Crosby, 1914
4 Birth record of Joseph Crosby (younger), M., T. C., V. & T. R.
5 1714 deed of Joseph Crosby, Middlesex (Massachusetts) Deeds, 1715-1716, FamilySearch.org
6 Mary Mixer case, Middlesex (Massachusetts) Court Records, 1652-1798, FamilySearch.org
7 Find-a-Grave listing for Mary Mixer, but uncertain about the original source
8 WikiTree listing of Joseph Crosby (younger)
9 Marriage record of Joseph Crosby and Hannah Maynard, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
10 Birth record of Sarah Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
11 The Early Records of the Town of Providence, Vol. 5, 1894
12 Marriage record of Ephraim Abbott and Sarah Hunt, M., T. C. V. & T. R.
13 Marriage record of John Dane and Sarah Abbott, M., T. C. V. & T. R.
14 Probate file of John Dane, Essex County, Massachusetts, probate records and indexes 1638-1916, FamilySearch.org
15 Birth record of Rachel Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
16 Marriage record of Samuel Stearns and Rachel Crosby, Massachusetts, State Vital Records, 1638-1927, FamilySearch.org
17 Birth record of William Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
18 Death record of William Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
19 Birth record of Mary Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
20 Birth record of Thomas Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
21 Death record of Thomas Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
22 Marriage record of Thomas Crosby and Hannah Parker, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
23 Birth record of David Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
24 Birth record of Prudence Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
25 Marriage record of Jeremiah Fisher and Prudence Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
26 Birth record of Hannah Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
27 Birth record of Deborah Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
28 Marriage record of Peter Russell and Deborah Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
29 Birth record of Robert Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
30 Find-a-Grave listing of Robert Crosby
31 Birth record of Pelletiah Crosby, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Tangled Family in Frontier America — William Sutherland
B. before 1770 in Burke County, North Carolina1
M. 1787 in (probably) Burke County, North Carolina2
Wife: Mary “Polly” Franklin
D. after June 1, 1830 in (probably) Indiana3
Those who followed a trail from the colonial South to the American Midwest, carving out farms in raw wilderness, often left few records along the way. Such was the case for William Sutherland who went from North Carolina to Indiana during the period 1790 to 1820. It takes detective work and DNA evidence to piece together some of his story.
William was believed to be the second oldest child of William Sutherland and Mary “Polly” Owen, born about 1769 in Burke County, North Carolina.1 He was a young boy when his father went off to serve in the American Revolution,4 and he probably took on responsibilities on the farm by the time he was ten. There would be eight younger siblings in the family, with the youngest born in about 1792.5 William’s brother Fendall was about three years older, and they were likely close. The two brothers married sisters, Lydia and Mary “Polly” Franklin. The dates of both marriages are unknown, but William seems to have been about 18-years-old at the time of his wedding.2
The military service of William’s father would play an important factor in the lives of William and his siblings. As a veteran of the Revolution, William Sr. earned a considerable amount of bounty land.6 He shared the land with his sons, and this began a migration of the family into the west. In 1801, William Jr. appeared on a tax list in Lincoln County, Kentucky, living near the Green River.7 On the same record were his father and brother Fendall. While Fendall had 100 acres and 2 horses, William had only 50 acres and a single horse.
By now William had started a family of his own, but not all of the children are confirmed with written records. When William was still living in North Carolina, the 1800 census described his family as one boy age 10 to 15, one girl age 10 to 15, two boys under 10 and 1 girl under 10.8 These children are thought to be Isaac, Ervin, William, Jordan and Ann. During the next decade, William continued to live in Kentucky, gaining title to his Lincoln County farm upon the death of his father in 1803.9 It was said that William’s mother Mary came to live in his household “for many years.”10 In about 1808, he relocated to Adair County, Kentucky,11 and the 1810 census showed that more children were added to the family: two boys under 10 (Jesse and possibly John) and one girl under 10 (possibly Mary).12
William was listed on Adair County tax lists through 1815, then disappeared from records, suggesting he left the region after that date. We pick up his trail in Orange County, Indiana on a voting list dated August 1819.13 The following year, he was listed in the 1820 census in Orange County with some new additions to his family: two girls and one boy, all under the age of ten.14 The boy is almost certainly Jackson Sutherlin, who was thought to be William’s youngest child (see here).
Two brothers of William — Fendall and George — had also moved to Indiana, and all three settled in Putnam County by the early 1820s.10 A land deed shows that William purchased 80 acres there on May 25, 1824.15 In his listing in the 1830 census in Putnam County, his household consisted of one man age 60 to 70 (himself), one girl age 15 to 20, and one boy age 10 to 15 (Jackson).3 William’s son Ervin lived next door with his wife, and on the other side of Ervin was William’s younger brother George.
M. 1787 in (probably) Burke County, North Carolina2
Wife: Mary “Polly” Franklin
D. after June 1, 1830 in (probably) Indiana3
Those who followed a trail from the colonial South to the American Midwest, carving out farms in raw wilderness, often left few records along the way. Such was the case for William Sutherland who went from North Carolina to Indiana during the period 1790 to 1820. It takes detective work and DNA evidence to piece together some of his story.
William was believed to be the second oldest child of William Sutherland and Mary “Polly” Owen, born about 1769 in Burke County, North Carolina.1 He was a young boy when his father went off to serve in the American Revolution,4 and he probably took on responsibilities on the farm by the time he was ten. There would be eight younger siblings in the family, with the youngest born in about 1792.5 William’s brother Fendall was about three years older, and they were likely close. The two brothers married sisters, Lydia and Mary “Polly” Franklin. The dates of both marriages are unknown, but William seems to have been about 18-years-old at the time of his wedding.2
The military service of William’s father would play an important factor in the lives of William and his siblings. As a veteran of the Revolution, William Sr. earned a considerable amount of bounty land.6 He shared the land with his sons, and this began a migration of the family into the west. In 1801, William Jr. appeared on a tax list in Lincoln County, Kentucky, living near the Green River.7 On the same record were his father and brother Fendall. While Fendall had 100 acres and 2 horses, William had only 50 acres and a single horse.
A farm in Kentucky. (AI-generated image)
By now William had started a family of his own, but not all of the children are confirmed with written records. When William was still living in North Carolina, the 1800 census described his family as one boy age 10 to 15, one girl age 10 to 15, two boys under 10 and 1 girl under 10.8 These children are thought to be Isaac, Ervin, William, Jordan and Ann. During the next decade, William continued to live in Kentucky, gaining title to his Lincoln County farm upon the death of his father in 1803.9 It was said that William’s mother Mary came to live in his household “for many years.”10 In about 1808, he relocated to Adair County, Kentucky,11 and the 1810 census showed that more children were added to the family: two boys under 10 (Jesse and possibly John) and one girl under 10 (possibly Mary).12
William was listed on Adair County tax lists through 1815, then disappeared from records, suggesting he left the region after that date. We pick up his trail in Orange County, Indiana on a voting list dated August 1819.13 The following year, he was listed in the 1820 census in Orange County with some new additions to his family: two girls and one boy, all under the age of ten.14 The boy is almost certainly Jackson Sutherlin, who was thought to be William’s youngest child (see here).
Two brothers of William — Fendall and George — had also moved to Indiana, and all three settled in Putnam County by the early 1820s.10 A land deed shows that William purchased 80 acres there on May 25, 1824.15 In his listing in the 1830 census in Putnam County, his household consisted of one man age 60 to 70 (himself), one girl age 15 to 20, and one boy age 10 to 15 (Jackson).3 William’s son Ervin lived next door with his wife, and on the other side of Ervin was William’s younger brother George.
1830 U.S. Census showing William Sutherlin with his son and brother listed below him.
William’s wife Mary had likely died by the 1830 census. This was the last known record of William; other researchers have claimed he died in Marysville, Missouri in 1856, but this was a son of Fendall who was also named William.
How DNA Helps Identify William’s Family
I am a descendant of Jackson Sutherlin, and because I received a very large amount of his DNA, I was able to connect him to William because I have so many matches with the Franklin family (see my proof in Jackson Sutherlin’s biography.) The key piece of DNA evidence is a segment on chromosome 5 which I share with both Sutherland/Sutherlin and Franklin descendants. This segment is also shared by descendants of Ervin Sutherland, making them Franklin descendants as well, and firmly connecting Ervin to William Sutherland. Of William’s other listed children, Jesse, Mary and Ann seem fairly certain because of information passed down in their families, but I can’t use the same DNA proof with the segment on chromosome 5. The other names on the list come from a printed book that didn’t cite its sources.
Children (all except Ervin and Jackson are uncertain):
1. Isaac Sutherland — B. about 1788, (probably) Burke County, North Carolina5
2. Ann Sutherland — B. about 1795, (probably) Burke County, North Carolina;16 D. before 8 May 1823, (probably) Adair County, Kentucky;17 M. John H. Boyer (1795-1868), 4 Apr 1815, Adair County, Kentucky18
3. William Sutherland — B. about 1797, (probably) Burke County, North Carolina5
4. Ervin Sutherland — B. about 1798, (probably) Burke County, North Carolina;19 D. 10 Dec 1878, (probably) Polk County, Missouri;20 M. Susannah Keith (~1806-?), 27 Nov 1821, Orange County, Indiana21
5. Jordan Sutherland — B. about 1799, (probably) Burke County, North Carolina;22 D. after 21 Aug 1850, (probably) Vermillion County, Illinois;22 M. Martha Patsy Bailey, 24 Aug 1831, Adair County, Kentucky23
6. John Sutherland — B. about 1802, (probably) Lincoln County, Kentucky5,14
7. Mary Sutherland — B. 28 Jan 1803, (probably) Lincoln County, Kentucky;24 D. 24 Feb 1879, Morgan County, Illinois;24 M. John H. Boyer (1795-1868), 8 May 1823, Adair County, Kentucky17
8. Jesse R. Sutherland — B. about 1805, (probably) Lincoln County, Kentucky;25 D. before 1860, (probably) Polk County, Missouri;26 M. Tabitha Wilson (~1805-?),18 Sep 1826, Putnam County, Indiana27
9. [UNKNOWN FEMALE] Sutherlin — B. between 1810 and 1815, (probably) Adair County, Kentucky3
10. [UNKNOWN FEMALE] Sutherlin — B. between 1810 and 1820, (probably) Adair County, Kentucky14
11. Jackson Sutherlin — B. about 1815, (probably) Orange County, Indiana;3 D. before 22 Apr 1878, Merriam, Kansas;28 M. Mary Fleming (1819-1907), 17 Jan 1838, Parke County, Indiana29
Sources:
1 Birth year estimate based on ages of children
2 Marriage year based on the age of his children
3 1830 U.S. Census, Putnam County, Indiana
4 Pay roll of Capt. George B. Wallace’s company in the Virginia Regiment, 1 Jun 1777
5 Sutherlands and Their Tangled Branches, Robert J. Walsh, 1985
6 Land grant to William Sutherland, a private in the continental line of North Carolina, 20 May 1693
7 1801 personal property tax list of Lincoln County, Kentucky, FamilySearch.org
8 1800 U.S. Census, Burke County, North Carolina
9 Probate record of William Sutherland, Lincoln County, Kentucky, 22 Jan 1803, FamilySearch.org
10 “Pioneer Life of Fendel Sutherlin,” Anne Sutherlin Waite, Oregon Historical Quarterly, Vol. 31, No. 4, 1930, p. 372
11 Adair County, Kentucky Tax Books, 1802-1878, FamilySearch.org
12 1810 U.S. Census, Adair County, Kentucky
13 History of Orange County, Indiana, Orange County Genealogical Society, 1985
14 1820 U.S. Census, Orange County, Indiana
15 Land deed of William Sutherlin, United States, Patent Records, 1824, FamilySearch.org
16 Estimated birth year based on age at marriage.
17 Marriage record of John Boyer and Mary Sutherlin, Kentucky, U. S., County Marriage Records, 1783-1965, Ancestry.com
18 Marriage record of John Boyer and Ann Sutherlin, K., U. S., C. M. R.
19 Estimated birth year based on age at marriage and various census records.
20 Find-a-Grave listing of Ervin Sutherlin
21 Marriage record of Irvin Sutherlin and Susannah Keith, Indiana, U. S., Marriage Index, 1806-1861, Ancestry.com
22 1850 U.S. Census, Vermillion County, Illinois
23 Marriage record of Jordan Sutherland and Mary Patsy Bailey, Kentucky, Marriages, 1785-1979, FamilySearch.org.
24 Find-a-Grave listing of Mary Boyer
25 1850 U.S. Census, Polk County, Missouri
26 1860 U.S. Census, Polk County, Missouri showing Tabitha Sutherland as a widow
27 Marriage record of Jesse Sutherland and Tabitha Wilson, I., U.S., M. I.
28 “Death on the Rail: A Deaf Man Killed While Walking on a Railroad Track,” The Kansas Star, 11 Apr 1878
29 Marriage record of Jackson Sutherlin and Mary Fleming, Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007, FamilySearch.org
How DNA Helps Identify William’s Family
I am a descendant of Jackson Sutherlin, and because I received a very large amount of his DNA, I was able to connect him to William because I have so many matches with the Franklin family (see my proof in Jackson Sutherlin’s biography.) The key piece of DNA evidence is a segment on chromosome 5 which I share with both Sutherland/Sutherlin and Franklin descendants. This segment is also shared by descendants of Ervin Sutherland, making them Franklin descendants as well, and firmly connecting Ervin to William Sutherland. Of William’s other listed children, Jesse, Mary and Ann seem fairly certain because of information passed down in their families, but I can’t use the same DNA proof with the segment on chromosome 5. The other names on the list come from a printed book that didn’t cite its sources.
Children (all except Ervin and Jackson are uncertain):
1. Isaac Sutherland — B. about 1788, (probably) Burke County, North Carolina5
2. Ann Sutherland — B. about 1795, (probably) Burke County, North Carolina;16 D. before 8 May 1823, (probably) Adair County, Kentucky;17 M. John H. Boyer (1795-1868), 4 Apr 1815, Adair County, Kentucky18
3. William Sutherland — B. about 1797, (probably) Burke County, North Carolina5
4. Ervin Sutherland — B. about 1798, (probably) Burke County, North Carolina;19 D. 10 Dec 1878, (probably) Polk County, Missouri;20 M. Susannah Keith (~1806-?), 27 Nov 1821, Orange County, Indiana21
5. Jordan Sutherland — B. about 1799, (probably) Burke County, North Carolina;22 D. after 21 Aug 1850, (probably) Vermillion County, Illinois;22 M. Martha Patsy Bailey, 24 Aug 1831, Adair County, Kentucky23
6. John Sutherland — B. about 1802, (probably) Lincoln County, Kentucky5,14
7. Mary Sutherland — B. 28 Jan 1803, (probably) Lincoln County, Kentucky;24 D. 24 Feb 1879, Morgan County, Illinois;24 M. John H. Boyer (1795-1868), 8 May 1823, Adair County, Kentucky17
8. Jesse R. Sutherland — B. about 1805, (probably) Lincoln County, Kentucky;25 D. before 1860, (probably) Polk County, Missouri;26 M. Tabitha Wilson (~1805-?),18 Sep 1826, Putnam County, Indiana27
9. [UNKNOWN FEMALE] Sutherlin — B. between 1810 and 1815, (probably) Adair County, Kentucky3
10. [UNKNOWN FEMALE] Sutherlin — B. between 1810 and 1820, (probably) Adair County, Kentucky14
11. Jackson Sutherlin — B. about 1815, (probably) Orange County, Indiana;3 D. before 22 Apr 1878, Merriam, Kansas;28 M. Mary Fleming (1819-1907), 17 Jan 1838, Parke County, Indiana29
Sources:
1 Birth year estimate based on ages of children
2 Marriage year based on the age of his children
3 1830 U.S. Census, Putnam County, Indiana
4 Pay roll of Capt. George B. Wallace’s company in the Virginia Regiment, 1 Jun 1777
5 Sutherlands and Their Tangled Branches, Robert J. Walsh, 1985
6 Land grant to William Sutherland, a private in the continental line of North Carolina, 20 May 1693
7 1801 personal property tax list of Lincoln County, Kentucky, FamilySearch.org
8 1800 U.S. Census, Burke County, North Carolina
9 Probate record of William Sutherland, Lincoln County, Kentucky, 22 Jan 1803, FamilySearch.org
10 “Pioneer Life of Fendel Sutherlin,” Anne Sutherlin Waite, Oregon Historical Quarterly, Vol. 31, No. 4, 1930, p. 372
11 Adair County, Kentucky Tax Books, 1802-1878, FamilySearch.org
12 1810 U.S. Census, Adair County, Kentucky
13 History of Orange County, Indiana, Orange County Genealogical Society, 1985
14 1820 U.S. Census, Orange County, Indiana
15 Land deed of William Sutherlin, United States, Patent Records, 1824, FamilySearch.org
16 Estimated birth year based on age at marriage.
17 Marriage record of John Boyer and Mary Sutherlin, Kentucky, U. S., County Marriage Records, 1783-1965, Ancestry.com
18 Marriage record of John Boyer and Ann Sutherlin, K., U. S., C. M. R.
19 Estimated birth year based on age at marriage and various census records.
20 Find-a-Grave listing of Ervin Sutherlin
21 Marriage record of Irvin Sutherlin and Susannah Keith, Indiana, U. S., Marriage Index, 1806-1861, Ancestry.com
22 1850 U.S. Census, Vermillion County, Illinois
23 Marriage record of Jordan Sutherland and Mary Patsy Bailey, Kentucky, Marriages, 1785-1979, FamilySearch.org.
24 Find-a-Grave listing of Mary Boyer
25 1850 U.S. Census, Polk County, Missouri
26 1860 U.S. Census, Polk County, Missouri showing Tabitha Sutherland as a widow
27 Marriage record of Jesse Sutherland and Tabitha Wilson, I., U.S., M. I.
28 “Death on the Rail: A Deaf Man Killed While Walking on a Railroad Track,” The Kansas Star, 11 Apr 1878
29 Marriage record of Jackson Sutherlin and Mary Fleming, Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007, FamilySearch.org
Sunday, April 5, 2026
Progenitor of an American Family — Robert Luckey
B. about 1690 in (possibly) Londonderry, Ireland1,2
M. about 1710 in (possibly) Londonderry, Ireland1,3
Wife: Isabelle Baird
D. before 21 Nov 1757, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania4
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,2 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.1 He married in about 1710 to Isabelle Baird,1,3 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.5 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.6 From there, he went west to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where he operated a farm.4
The six sons and six daughters of Robert and Isabelle were each mentioned in the will he wrote on April 30, 1754,4 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, 1757,4 so Robert likely died not long before that date; 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,7 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;8 D. 14 Apr 1786, Chester County, Pennsylvania;8 M. Jane Findley (1710-1782)9
2. Andrew Luckey — B. about 1718, (possibly) Londonderry, Ireland;10 D. 30 Oct 1770, Hopewell, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania10
3. Ann Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania;4 D. after 7 Aug 1782, (probably) Fayette County, Kentucky;11 M. Samuel Hillis (1707-1782), before 20 Aug 1753, (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania4
4. Mary Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania;4 D. after 20 Aug 1753;4 M. William Orr4
5. Jane Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania;4 D. after 20 Aug 17534
6. Agnes Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania;4 D. after 20 Aug 1753, (probably) Rowan County, North Carolina;4 M. Robert Pendry4
7. Samuel Luckey — B. about 1733, Martic, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania;4 D. after 4 Jan 1801, (probably) Rowan County, North Carolina;12 M. Mary _____ (~1735-?), before 176513
8. John Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania;4 D. after 6 Oct 1772, (probably) Rowan County, North Carolina;14 M. Mary Anna ______, before about 176015
9. Sarah Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania;4 D. after 20 Aug 17534
10. Isabella Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania;4 D. after 25 Dec 1757, (probably) Rowan County, North Carolina;16 M. William Slavin (1723-1762), before 25 Dec 1757, (probably) Rowan County, North Carolina16
11. James Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania;4 D. after 20 Aug 1753, (probably) Rowan County, North Carolina4
12. Robert Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania;4 D. after 6 Oct 1772, Rowan County, North Carolina;14 M. Mary Holmes (1735-?), before 175517
Sources:
1 It’s hard to establish a birth and marriage year for Robert, but we know that his oldest son Hugh was born in 1713 because it’s on his gravestone.
2 Old Sands Street Methodist Episcopal Church of Brooklyn, N.Y., Edwin Warriner, 1885
3 WikiTree listing of Robert Luckey
4 Probate records of Robert Luckey, Pennsylvania, Probate Records, 1683, 1994, FamilySearch.org
5 Scotch-Irish Americans (Wikipedia article)
6 The migration story for Robert Luckey fits the many Scots-Irish who came around that time and wound up living in eastern Pennsylvania.
7 The children who moved to North Carolina are Samuel, John, Isabella, James and Robert.
8 Death record of Hugh Luckie, U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970, Ancestry.com
9 Find-a-Grave listing of Hugh Luckie
10 Geni.com listing of Andrew Luckey
11 Find-a-Grave listing of Samuel Hillis
12 Will of Samuel Luckey, transcribed on his listing on WeRelate.org
13 WeRelate.org listing of Samuel Luckey, Sr. of Rowan Co. NC
14 Will of Robert Luckey, transcribed on his listing on WeRelate.org
15 Geni.com listing of Esther Knox (Luckey)
16 Find-a-Grave listing of John Slavin
17 WeRelate.org listing Robert Luckey
M. about 1710 in (possibly) Londonderry, Ireland1,3
Wife: Isabelle Baird
D. before 21 Nov 1757, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania4
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,2 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.1 He married in about 1710 to Isabelle Baird,1,3 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.5 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.6 From there, he went west to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where he operated a farm.4
Working on a Pennsylvania farm. (AI-generated image)
The six sons and six daughters of Robert and Isabelle were each mentioned in the will he wrote on April 30, 1754,4 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, 1757,4 so Robert likely died not long before that date; 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,7 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;8 D. 14 Apr 1786, Chester County, Pennsylvania;8 M. Jane Findley (1710-1782)9
2. Andrew Luckey — B. about 1718, (possibly) Londonderry, Ireland;10 D. 30 Oct 1770, Hopewell, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania10
3. Ann Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania;4 D. after 7 Aug 1782, (probably) Fayette County, Kentucky;11 M. Samuel Hillis (1707-1782), before 20 Aug 1753, (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania4
4. Mary Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania;4 D. after 20 Aug 1753;4 M. William Orr4
5. Jane Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania;4 D. after 20 Aug 17534
6. Agnes Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania;4 D. after 20 Aug 1753, (probably) Rowan County, North Carolina;4 M. Robert Pendry4
7. Samuel Luckey — B. about 1733, Martic, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania;4 D. after 4 Jan 1801, (probably) Rowan County, North Carolina;12 M. Mary _____ (~1735-?), before 176513
8. John Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania;4 D. after 6 Oct 1772, (probably) Rowan County, North Carolina;14 M. Mary Anna ______, before about 176015
9. Sarah Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania;4 D. after 20 Aug 17534
10. Isabella Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania;4 D. after 25 Dec 1757, (probably) Rowan County, North Carolina;16 M. William Slavin (1723-1762), before 25 Dec 1757, (probably) Rowan County, North Carolina16
11. James Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania;4 D. after 20 Aug 1753, (probably) Rowan County, North Carolina4
12. Robert Luckey — B. (probably) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania;4 D. after 6 Oct 1772, Rowan County, North Carolina;14 M. Mary Holmes (1735-?), before 175517
Sources:
1 It’s hard to establish a birth and marriage year for Robert, but we know that his oldest son Hugh was born in 1713 because it’s on his gravestone.
2 Old Sands Street Methodist Episcopal Church of Brooklyn, N.Y., Edwin Warriner, 1885
3 WikiTree listing of Robert Luckey
4 Probate records of Robert Luckey, Pennsylvania, Probate Records, 1683, 1994, FamilySearch.org
5 Scotch-Irish Americans (Wikipedia article)
6 The migration story for Robert Luckey fits the many Scots-Irish who came around that time and wound up living in eastern Pennsylvania.
7 The children who moved to North Carolina are Samuel, John, Isabella, James and Robert.
8 Death record of Hugh Luckie, U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970, Ancestry.com
9 Find-a-Grave listing of Hugh Luckie
10 Geni.com listing of Andrew Luckey
11 Find-a-Grave listing of Samuel Hillis
12 Will of Samuel Luckey, transcribed on his listing on WeRelate.org
13 WeRelate.org listing of Samuel Luckey, Sr. of Rowan Co. NC
14 Will of Robert Luckey, transcribed on his listing on WeRelate.org
15 Geni.com listing of Esther Knox (Luckey)
16 Find-a-Grave listing of John Slavin
17 WeRelate.org listing Robert Luckey
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 probably in 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 probably in 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
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