RELEASE DATE: NOVEMBER 27, 2005
KINSEARCHING
by
Marleta Childs
P. O. Box 6825
LUBBOCK, TX 79493-6825
[email protected]
In November 1633 the Ark and the Dove set
sail from England on the arduous journey to the New World. Carrying 125
colonists, the ships headed for the province of Maryland. A new book, THE ARK
AND THE DOVE ADVENTURERS, presents the first comprehensive account of these
first Maryland settlers.
Compiled by The Society of The Ark and The Dove and edited by respected genealogists George Ely Russell and Donna Valley Russell, the volume of assembled genealogies carries descendants of the adventurers down to the fifth generation when possible. Passengers known to have had families are
James BALDRIDGE
Major Thomas BALDRIDGE
Anam BENUM
John BRISCOE
William BROWN
Leonard CALVERT
Thomas CORNWALLIS
Ann COX
William EDWIN
Cuthbert FENWICK
Captain Henry FLEETE
Richard GERARD
Richard GILBERT
Thomas GREENE
John HALLOWES
Nicholas HARVEY
Richard LOWE
John NEVILLE
Richard NEVITT
John PRICE
Robert SMITH
Ann SMITHSON
Robert VAUGHAN
and
Robert WISEMAN.
Because no passenger lists exist for the Ark and the Dove, the compilers gleaned data from alternative resources in order to reconstruct the rosters. These sources include primary ones such as land and probate records and court proceedings as well as noted secondary materials like Harry Wright Newman's THE FLOWERING OF THE MARYLAND PALATINATE.
Naming approximately 6,000 individuals, the work is divided into three sections. The first part focuses on the founder of Maryland, Sir George CALVERT (Lord Baltimore) and his descendants. Comprising the majority of the volume is the second segment, which deals with biographical accounts and descendants of the passengers. Information about the passengers who are not known to have left offspring is the topic of the third section.
Part three also includes information on later arrivals who were previously--and erroneously--claimed as 1634 settlers and some spurious claims of descendants. As a result, genealogists who have based their ancestry on Ark and Dove colonists will want to study these latest findings to see if their lineage remains in tact.
A significant contribution to early Maryland history and genealogy, THE ARK AND THE DOVE ADVENTURERS helps to put Maryland's "first families" on a par with the first families of Virginia and Massachusetts. Genealogical libraries will want to have a copy of this book in their collections.
The 284-page hardback has illustrations, a foreword which provides information on the historical setting, an introduction which explains the book's purpose and scope, and abundant footnotes. A new full name index by Jane Fletcher Fiske lists women under both their maiden and married surnames. As item number 5042, it may be purchased for $32.50 postpaid or $34.50 UPS by check, MasterCard, or Visa from Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 3600 Clipper Mill Rd., Suite 260, Baltimore, Maryland 21211 (toll free phone 1-800-296-6687; fax 1-410-752-8492; website www.genealogical.com).
Due to the use of cell phones over which people can send pictures instantly, we now take for granted that we can get a photograph of friends and relatives just about any time we wish. Before the wide spread use of photography in the twentieth century, physical descriptions and mannerisms of ancestors are rare finds. Sometimes, however, physical characterizations can be located in resources such as newspapers. The same is true for such details as age, county of birth, and relationships.
Thanks to Ray Parker Fouts of Cocoa, FL, for this interesting and amusing tidbit that she found on page 3 of the 13 March 1830 issue of the North Carolina newspaper Edenton Gazette (source: North Carolina State Archive Microfilm Reel EdEGw-2, Edenton Gazette, Jan. 12, 1819 - Dec. 21, 1831):
"$15 Reward. Escaped from the Jail of Beaufort County on the night of the 24th inst. Miles SPIER, Churchill PURSER, & Thos. PERRY. The sum of ten dollars will be given for the apprehension of SPIER, five dollars for PERRY, and five cents for PURSER. SPIER is a brother to Robert SPIER who was tried at Newbern for the murder of John WILLIAMS. SPIER is a man of small stature, thin visage, sallow complexion, and has a down look when spoken to. He was born and raised in Pitt County, but has latterly resided in Beaufort; he is well known in both Counties. He was committed at the last Term of Beaufort County Court on a charge of grand larceny. PERRY is about 18 years of age, thick set, light complexion, and speaks quick. He is a native of Currituck County, and was committed under a Capias on a charge of Assault and Battery. PURSER is so well known in this County, that a particular description of him is deemed unnecessary. Allen GRIST, Sh'ff. Washington, Feb. 25th."