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From: John Steele Gordon <>
Subject: Re: "English Ancestry Series"
Date: Tue, 15 Aug 2000 12:06:08 GMT


"Kevan L. Barton" wrote:

> I have
> no known ancestry that ties my New England ancestors to the medieval period,
> even though I can trace to the Aldens, Mullins, Brewsters, Dunhams, Pratts,
> a gob of New Amsterdam dutch, etc.

> Aside, can anyone point out to me the possible connections of the above New
> England names with medieval ancestry?

I know nothing of Dunham and Pratt, but I descend as well from Alden,
Mullins (if you descend from one, of course, you must descend from the
other) and Brewster. These are among the commonest of Mayflower
descents, with Alden, I believe, the handsdown champion. John Alden and
Priscilla Mullins had something like 480 great grandchildren. (Lucky for
them the Pilgrims didn't celebrate Christmas!)

Despite much effort on the part of many genealogists, John Alden's
parents are not known. He came aboards in Southampton, needed for his
skills as a cooper, and he was evidently well-educated. Patricia Mullins
parents are known, as they also sailed on the Mayflower, but nothing
further. William Mullins was referred to as "Mr." by William Bradford,
indicating that he was considered a gentleman. Alice, the wife of
William Mullins, has an unknown last name.

William Brewster's father, also William, and mother, Mary Smythe, are
known but nothing beyond that. His wife's name was also Mary, but her
last name is not known for sure. There is a theory that she was Mary
Wentworth, which, if true, would give Brewster descendants a very
considerable medieval ancestry, including several descents from Edward
III. But as far as I know, the theory languishes for lack of proof.

Needless to say, should you discover the proof of the ancestry of any of
these people, you will find camped on your doorstep the editors of
several distinguished genealogical journals asking most politely but
insistently for permission to publish your findings.

JSG
--
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jsggenealogy/Jsgordo

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