The Forsythe Family

The following genealogy profile (proof argument) traces the Forsythe family of Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois directly to English Royalty using the most pertinent and reliable sources. The profile has been intentionally left sparse, providing very little biographical information as to not overshadow its purpose, which is to show the family's direct descent from Edward I, King of England.  Feel free to follow any of the source links provided to explore their details further.

William Henry Forsythe & Edna Margaret Forsyth

Beginning with my grandfather, William Henry Forsythe, we know that on his WWI draft registration card [1], he stated that he was born in Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois, on February 25, 1893. This date is verified by his parents' bible [2], which also shows ‘William Henry Forsyth’ born on that date (my grandfather changed the spelling of his surname while in high school by adding an ‘e’ to the end; his reasons for doing so remain unclear).  His sister, Edna Margaret Forsyth is also shown in the bible record, born on February 25, 1895.  They were the children of William Marion Forsyth and Margaret "Maggie" Scully. This is verified by the 1900 federal census [3] for 1353 East Knox Street, Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois, which shows William Forsyth (born February 1893) and Edna (born February 1895) as the children of William M. Forsyth (born March 1871) and Margaret Forsyth (born January 1873).

William Marion Forsyth

A photocopy of a page torn from their family bible [4] shows that he was born on March 5, 1871 and died on November 26, 1904.  Margaret Scully, his wife, is shown born on January 22, 1873.  Her obituary [5] in a Quincy Newspaper, however, states that

"Mrs. Margaret Forsythe ... Margaret Scully was born in Galesburg, Jan. 21, 1873, and her marriage to William Forsythe took place in St. Patrick's Catholic Church here April 26, 1892. Mr. Forsythe died in 1904."

It was not all that uncommon in the recent past, before birthdates were used in official record keeping, for persons to remember their birthdate incorrectly at some point during their life, and then to use the new date going forward.  This would explain why her children stated the wrong day in her obituary.   This is also why non-contemporary sources should always be questioned and validated against primary sources if possible.

From her death certificate [6], we find that Margaret Scully died on April 23, 1954.

In his mother’s bible [7], we find that William Marion Forsyth was born on March 5, 1871, married Margaret Scully on April 26, 1892, and died on November 26, 1904.   The bible reveals that he was the third and youngest son of William Henry Forsyth and Martha Lurinda McFarland.

Martha Lurinda McFarland

In the family bible [8], which Martha inherited from her father, it states that she was born on January 10, 1846 in Camp Point, Adams County, Illinois, and that her husband, William Henry Forsyth was born on November 28, 1845.  His Civil War draft registration card [9] and his tombstone [10] both prove that his actual birthdate was November 28, 1844.  Again, it was not uncommon to find dates that were written down long periods after the events they represent, to be incorrectly stated as we see with Martha's husband’s birthdate in her bible, which she appears to have written down when she inherited the bible from her father, some 20 years after her husband had died.  The bible also states that they were married on November 30, 1865, and that her husband died on May 11, 1871 at the age of 26 years, 5 months and 13 days, which verifies that he was born on November 28, 1844, not 1845.  Since he died 2 months after his son William Marion was born in 1871, no census records exist that show both of them.  The 1870 federal census [11] for Chili Township, Hancock County, Illinois shows William H. Forsythe [sic], age 25, his wife Martha, age 24, and their two eldest sons, Alpha, age 3, and Joel, age 1.  In the 1880 federal census [12] for LaPrairie, Adams County, Illinois, we find Wm M. Forsyth (aged 8) as the son of Martha L. Forsyth (aged 34 and widowed) along with both Alpha (aged 13) and Joel (aged 11).

Martha Lurinda McFarland is also shown in the family bible as the daughter of William Madison McFarland and Eliza McFarland.  We find her also listed as their daughter in the 1850 [13] and 1860 federal census [14] for Houston Township, Adams County, Illinois.  In 1850 she was shown as Martha L., aged 4 years and her parents as William M. and Eliza McFarland, both 36 years of age.  In the 1860 census she is shown simply as Martha, aged 13 years, and both her parents as 46 years of age.

Eliza McFarland

According to her family bible [15], Eliza McFarland was born February 3, 1814 in Greene County, Ohio and her husband William Madison McFarland was born on August 12, 1814.  The History of Adams County, Illinois [16], published in 1879 by Chicago, Murray, Williamson and Phelps, while they were still living, supports these dates:

"McFARLAND WM. M., farmer; Sec 16; P.O. La Prairie; was born in Greene county, Ohio, Aug. 12, 1814; came to this county, Oct. 8, 1832; has 210 acres of land valued at $8,000; married Eliza McFarland. She was born in same county, Feb. 3, 1814 (twin brothers' children); was mother of four children, three living: Rebecca Jane (now Mrs. L. L. Strickler); Martha L. (now Mrs. Forsyth); Amy H. (now Mrs. Suter); George G. (died March 2, 1852); has held office of Town Clerk and Road Commissioner. His father came from Tennessee, left there when he was four years old, and came to Harrison county, Ky., lived there about seventeen years; thence to Greene county, Ohio, lived there twenty years, and thence to Adams county. His grandfather was in the Revolutionary War and served seven years, and his father was in the War of 1812, was under Gen. Harrison. When they came here, located a place two and a half miles northeast of Camp Point ..."

The fact that William Madison McFarland and Eliza McFarland were cousins born of twin brothers will become a key point in our later findings.

The Portrait and Biographical Record of Adams County, Illinois [17], published in 1892 by the Chapman Bros., provides additional information:

"WILLIAM M. McFARLAND, one of the oldest residents of Houston Township, now residing on section 16, was born in Greene County, Ohio, six miles east of Xenia, August 12, 1814. His father, John, was born in Tennessee, and his grandfather, Joseph, came of an old Virginian family. The latter entered the Revolutionary War when but fourteen years old, continued through the war and saw hard service. He removed to Tennessee after the war. After that he removed to Kentucky, and from there to Ohio, where he died at the ripe old age of eighty four years.

"John became a farmer in Ohio, and came to Illinois in the year 1832, landing three miles north of Camp Point October 8, 1832. He was about the first to make a permanent settlement there, and bought a tract of military land, and built a double log cabin. His family consisted of himself and wife and nine children. They came from Ohio with two yoke of oxen, an old Virginia wagon and a Quaker carriage drawn by a team of horses, and they were four weeks on the way. They found a wild looking country, with plenty of game, but no neighbors, and with not even the necessities of civilized life. All they had was strong arms and brave hearts. He broke up the prairie and improved a farm as fast as he could, and died July 24, 1840, in his fifty-third year.

"Mr. McFarland, Sr., served in the War of 1812, and the gun and powder-horn he then carried are treasured relics in the family. In 1834, he was elected Assessor here for the Fourth District, and was well and favorably known all over this section. The mother of our subject was Rebecca McFarland, of Tennessee, who died in 1860. She left four children living of the eleven which she bore. Our subject was the eldest of the family, and his early life was that of the usual farmer boy of that time, going to school a few months in winter and working the farm in summer. He remembers the little path through the woods to the log schoolhouse two miles away. He had no schooling after coming to Illinois. Our subject was married November 30, 1837, to Eliza McFarland, a native of Greene County, Ohio, born February 3, 1814. After this, he remained on the farm for three years. He owned in northeast range one-fourth of section 1, Camp Point Township, and broke ground on that land in 1836, and afterward secured a patent. He located on it in 1840, built a log house and lived on it two years. In 1842, he removed to Houston Township, where he purchased eighty acres on section 16. Here the country was all new, and the houses were few and far apart. He has made remarkable improvements on his land in his life here of fifty years, and he now has about two hundred acres of fine land, a beautiful home, and one of the best locations in the township.

"Mrs. McFarland died December 4, 1882, leaving four children. They are: Rebecca Jane, wife of L. L. Strickler, and removed to Sioux City, Iowa, but she died while on a visit at home in June, 1886. Martha L. married William Forsyth, who died several years ago. Amy H. married John Suter, a prominent farmer in this locality, and they live at home. One son died young. ..."

William Madison McFarland’s obituary [18] further states:

"William M. McFarland died suddenly Friday morning, September 11, aged 82 years. He had been ill for only a couple of days and many of the neighbors had no knowledge of the fact until his death was announced.  Deceased was born in Ohio, August 12, 1814, and came to Adams county in 1832, and was one of the early settlers of Houston township, where for more than a generation he held the office of town clerk. He was the son of Capt. John and Rebecca McFarland. He married Eliza McFarland November 30, 1837. To them were born a son and three daughters, of whom two daughters survive. ..."

As we see in these contemporary biographies, William Madison McFarland was the son of Capt. John and Rebecca McFarland and the grandson of Joseph McFarland, both of Greene County, Ohio and Eliza McFarland was the daughter of another son of Joseph McFarland - John’s twin.  It is only recently that the following information has come into my hands that shows that the father of Eliza McFarland was Arthur McFarland.

On September 4, 1840, Uriah Lawrence the husband of the late Thirza McFarland brought suit [19] against the heirs of the late James McFarland in Xenia, Greene County, Ohio for land the heirs had conveyed to him in 1836.  The suit lists all the children of Joseph McFarland Sr., including John and Arthur McFarland, and their children.  It is here we see that William M. and Eliza McFarland were cousins, and that Eliza McFarland was the daughter of Arthur and Jane McFarland.

"... James McFarland died intestate leaving neither Widow or children but left surviving him the following brothers and sisters his heirs at Law to wit: Robert McFarland, Priscilla McFarland, Martha McFarland, Margaret Newport, Polly Brewer the wife of Aaron Brewer, Tabitha White the wife of John White Catherine McFarland the wife of John W. McFarland, John McFarland since deceased, Joseph McFarland since deceased, Arthur McFarland since deceased, Benjamin McFarland, and your petitioner Thirza ... That said Arthur McFarland deceased died intestate leaving a widow Jane McFarland and the following children and heirs as follows. Green C. McFarland Eliza McFarland the wife of William McFarland. Sophronia Smith wife of John Smith. Lucinda Smith the wife of Joseph Smith Jesse N. McFarland Rachel McFarland all of full age.  That said John McFarland died intestate leaving a widow Rebecca McFarland and the following heirs and children to wit: William McFarland Joseph H. McFarland Rebecca Willard wife of John Willard and Margaret J. McFarland all of full age and the following who are minors to wit: Emily McFarland Priscilla A. McFarland Doctor B McFarland Robert V McFarland Catherine E McFarland Daniel G McFarland and Francis C. McFarland.  Your petitioner states that said Robert McFarland Priscilla McFarland Martha McFarland Margaret Newport Green C. McFarland Sophronia Smith and John Smith her husband Lucinda Smith and Joseph Smith her husband John White and Tabitha his wife Jane McFarland Jesse N. McFarland Rachel McFarland Mary J. McFarland Matilda McFarland Margaret McFarland and Martha McFarland reside in the county of Greene and State of Ohio and all the other defendants reside out of this state. ...

"... Joseph McFarland Sr., their father ...

"... William McFarland and Eliza his wife ... do not reside in the state of Ohio.

"... to William M. McFarland, Joseph H. McFarland Rebecca A. Willard wife of John Willard. and Margaret A. McFarland, Emily McFarland Priscilla A. McFarland Doctor B McFarland, Robert V McFarland Catherine E McFarland Daniel G McFarland and Francis C McFarland Heirs of John McFarland dec’d one equal twelfth part, assigning dower therein to Rebecca McFarland widow of said John McFarland dec’d:- and to Green C. McFarland Eliza McFarland the wife of William McFarland, Sophronia Smith the wife of John Smith Lucinda Smith the wife of Joseph Smith Jesse N. McFarland Rachel McFarland Mary Jane McFarland Matilda McFarland Margaret McFarland and Martha McFarland heirs of Arthur McFarland deceased one equal twelfth part and the dower therein assigned to Jane McFarland widow of said Arthur McFarland ...  "

The above record establishes that Eliza McFarland was the daughter of Arthur McFarland, granddaughter of Joseph McFarland, and the wife of William M. McFarland, and that William M. McFarland was the son of John and Rebecca McFarland.  We can conclude from this that the William M. McFarland mentioned here was the same person as William Madison McFarland.  To further prove this, we can show that Arthur and John McFarland were twins. There are no primary or contemporary records that show this directly, so we must analyze a variety of other independently derived at sources and records to determine this.

The tombstone [20] of John McFarland, father of William Madison McFarland, located in Hebron Cemetery, Adams County, Illinois states that

"John McFarland died July 24, 1840  aged 51 ys. 3 ms. 22 dys."

which implies that he was born on April 2, 1789.  However, according to The History of Greene County, Ohio [21], published in 1902, by George F. Robinson.

"McFarland, John W.. Xenia, 1812 ; son of Joseph ; born April 3. 1788."

Here we have a non-contemporary source (tombstone) disagreeing with a tertiary source, which as we shall see is known to contain many errors concerning this family.  Luckily, we also have a secondary source to fall back on.  In the February 1986 issue of DAR Magazine [22], a transcription of the bible record of Joseph and Margaret (White) McFarland is shown.  12 children are listed including a son John Arthur born on April 3, 1788.  It seems likely then, from this record, that the actual birth date of John McFarland was April 3, 1788, not April 2,1789, and that John’s children incorrectly stated his age on his tombstone.  I’ve already discussed how this can easily happen.  Since Arthur McFarland is known to also be a son of Joseph McFarland based on the suit [23] shown above, he should have also appeared in the bible record. It seems likely that the transcriber assumed that John and Arthur were a single person rather than twins and recorded John’s middle name as Arthur, rather than make Arthur a separate entry.  None of the other children in the bible record include a middle name.  Also, as we saw above, Robinson recorded John McFarland’s middle initial as ‘W’, not ’A’.   It is not known if this claim can be trusted however.   In the Genealogy of the Joseph and William McFarland Branches of the McFarland Family 1675 to 1910 [24], published in 1910, Thomas Simms McFarland, also stated that there were 12 children, not 13, and listed John A. McFarland born April 3, 1788, and left off Arthur McFarland.  Is this because he had access to Joseph and Margaret (White) McFarland’s bible record? Joseph was both his grandfather’s cousin and brother-in-law.

In the separate volume, History of Greene County [25], by R. S. Dills, published in 1881, we see the following

"Joseph McFarland came here from Kentucky in 1814, with a family of thirteen grown children."

In a transcription of the headstones at the Old Baptist Cemetery [26] in Cedarville, Greene County, Ohio by Don King in 2004, there is found an Arthur McFarland who died on November 22, 1834 at the age of 46 years, 7 months, which places his birth date in April of 1788.  In a separate transcription [27] of the same cemetery by Jim Sutton in 2008, Arthur McFarland’s age is given as 46 years (months were not listed for any of the persons he transcribed).  This would then seem to verify that Arthur McFarland was indeed born on April 3, 1788, and was a twin brother of John McFarland.

The next challenge is to determine who Eliza McFarland’s mother was.  We’ve already seen by the suit [28] listed above that her given name was Jane.  There are no known primary/contemporary sources that are able to give us the surname for Jane McFarland, therefore we must turn to several independent secondary sources, who along with a detailed analysis of the families and regions involved are able to prove conclusively that Jane McFarland was the same person as Jane Claypool, the daughter of Jesse Claypool.

Jane Claypool

According to the History of Greene County, Ohio [29], published in 1902, by George F. Robinson, we find

"McFarland. Arthur. Xenia. 1810; soldier of 1812; died November 27. 1834. aged forty-six; buried in Baptist graveyard. Cedarville; August 12. 1813. married Jane Junkin."

Arthur McFarland's will [30] was written on November 1, 1834. In it he lists both Eliza and Sophronia as daughters (both of whom were mentioned in the estate settlement of James McFarland [31]).  As we saw in his cemetery inscriptions [32], he died on November 22, 1834, and his will was proved shortly after on November 27, 1834. His wife is not named in the will, but we know from the aforementioned estate settlement that her name was Jane McFarland. It would seem that Robinson used the date the will was proved as Arthur’s death date. He probably did not have access to the tombstone (or he misread it).

Robinson [33] under the profile for John R. Smith, states

"...John G. Smith, the father of our subject ... married Sophronia McFarland. who was born in this county, her parents being Arthur and Martha (Claypool) McFarland ..."

We know from the estate settlement of James McFarland [34] previously mentioned that Sophronia McFarland, the wife of John Smith, was the sister of Eliza McFarland, and the daughter of Arthur McFarland. Did Arthur have three wives then, first Jane Junkin in 1813, then Martha Claypool the mother of Sophronia, and then another Jane whom he was married to at the time of his death - all in the span of 21 years? We must suspect that Mr. Robinson is mistaken, but where? Which if any of his claims are correct, and which are not?

According to Robert McFarland (1675-1740) of Ireland and Pennsylvania [35], unpublished, by Gary Morris, it was another Arthur McFarland (b. Nov 22, 1790), the son of William McFarland (brother of Joseph McFarland, Sr.) who married Jane Junkin.   Morris provides no documentation to back up this claim.  The two Arthur McFarlands, cousins, are both found in the 1820 [36] and 1830 federal census [37] for Greene County, Ohio. We also find in the 1816 estate sale for William McFarland [38] (brother of Joseph McFarland Sr) that his son, Arthur McFarland, as would be expected, bought up much of the estate. Lancelot and James Junkin were also purchasers. In the Revolutionary War Veterans of Greene County Ohio [39], published by Greene County Chapter, Ohio Genealogical Society, 1995, it lists under the children of Lancelot Junkin and Martha Galloway

"Jaine, b. 24 Feb 1790; m. Arthur McFarland, 12 Aug 18??"

The missing marriage date can be clearly seen in the original marriage record [40] for Arthur McFarland and Jane Junkin as August 12, 1813. According to the tombstone of Greene Clay McFarland [41], the eldest son of Arthur and Jane McFarland, and brother of Eliza McFarland, he was born on January 27, 1812, a year and a half before Arthur McFarland married Jane Junkin. We have also seen that Eliza McFarland was born on February 3, 1814, so their parents must have married prior to May of 1811, when their eldest child would have been conceived. This indicates that Robinson was not correct in the first instance, when he assigned Jane Junkin as the wife of the Arthur McFarland who died in November of 1834. What about the second instance? Did Arthur McFarland marry Martha Claypool as Robinson suggests?

We already know that at the time of his death, Arthur McFarland was married to Jane, not Martha.  We also know from his tombstone inscription [42], that he died before his 47th birthday. The obituary of Martha McFarland [43], the youngest daughter of Arthur McFarland, states that she was born on August 25, 1834, just 3 months before Arthur died. She was the last of 10 children whose births spanned just over 21 years. It seems very unlikely that Arthur remarried after Sophronia was born as that would have necessitated a gap in birthdates for his children, which does not appear to be the case.  So we are left with the conclusion that Martha Claypool and Jane McFarland must be the same person.

The only Claypools found in the Kentucky records during this period was the family of Jesse Claypool who was living in Stoner, Bourbon County, Kentucky at the time of the 1810 federal census [44] and in Millersburg, same county, in 1820 [45].

According to the will of Jesse Claypool [46] dated November 12, 1831 he had a daughter named Jane, but not one named Martha.

"I, Jesse Claypool of the County of Bath and State of Kentucky, being far advanced in years though strong in mind do seize upon this opportunity to make my last Will and Testament in manner and for following - First I desire that after my decease that my remains be deposited in the grave in a plain and decent manner and that all the expenses arising therefrom be paid out of the money which I have deposited with my Son-in-Law, John Keithley, and Secondly, my desire is that out of the money which I have deposited with my said Son-in-Law that there be paid to each of my children (ie) Cornelius, James Jesse, Jacob, and John, Margaret, Polly, Katharine, Elizabeth and Jane ... "

In The Claypoole Family In America, Vol. 1 & 2 [47], published in 1909, by Evelyn Claypool Bracken, the author makes the claim that Jane Claypool, the daughter of Jesse Claypool married a man with the surname of McFarland. His given name is not listed and no source is listed.

The tombstone of Jane McFarland [48], found in the same cemetery as her husband reads

"Jane McFarland who departed this life March 20, 1846 Aged 56 Years and 11 Months"

making her birth between March and May of 1789 and therefore 21 years old in 1810. The 1810 federal census [49] record of Jesse Claypool lists 1 daughter between 16 and 25 years of age. Since the elder daughters were all married at the time, Jane Claypool must be the daughter being referred to unless there was a younger daughter who died before Jesse Claypool’s will was written in 1831. We also see that Arthur McFarland was living with his father in nearby Cynthiana, Harrison County, Kentucky in 1810 [50]. Arthur and Jane must have therefore married between June of 1810, when the censuses were taken and April of 1811 when their eldest son was conceived. It is no surprise then that in Kentucky County Marriages, 1783-1965 [51], we find the marriage of "Arther Mcfarlin and Jane Clewpole" on March 25, 1811 in Bourbon County, Kentucky. As we saw above, Robinson stated that Arthur arrived in Xenia, Greene County, Ohio in 1810; he also shows [52] that his father, Joseph McFarland, arrived there in 1811, however the History of Greene County [53], by R. S. Dills, published in 1881 that author claims that Joseph arrived in 1814.  Robinson shows [54] John McFarland, Arthur's twin brother, arriving there in 1812. Based on the marriage date, if we assume they all came together, they must have arrived in early 1811.

There are other extenuating factors that lend support to the conclusion that Jane McFarland was the same person as this Jane Claypool being discussed, namely: Jesse Claypool’s son Jonathan, is found in Harrison Kentucky in January of 1810, listed in the estate sale for Hezekiah Doan along with Arthur McFarland’s uncle, Benjamin McFarland and Jesse’s son-in-law John Berry. I will readily admit, that this is a loose association, but an association nonetheless.  In the 1810 federal census [55] for Harrison County, Kentucky, Jesse Claypool’s son-in-law, John Berry and wife are found living 2 doors from Arthur McFarland. An analysis of all the McFarland families living in Kentucky in 1810 (discussed in more detail in my article The Arthur McFarland Family) reveals that there were no other unaccounted for McFarland suitors available to marry Jane Claypool. Jane Claypool had, it seems, the correct name, was the correct age, was found in the correct location and would have had ample opportunity to have met Arthur McFarland while visiting her sister, and later become his wife. These facts coupled with the knowledge that Jane McFarland’s eldest son’s middle name was "Clay", and her other son was named Jesse, makes it all but certain that Arthur McFarland married Jane, a the daughter of Jesse Claypool. It seems once again that Robinson was in error.

Jesse Claypool

The first appearance of Jesse Claypool in the records is when he appears in the 1782 and 1784 censuses [56] taken in Hampshire County, Virginia (now Hardy County, West Virginia) with 5 children.

We know that Jesse Claypool’s wife’s name was Elizabeth, because on September 20, 1794, Jesse and Elizabeth Claypool sold 187 ½ acres of land in Hardy County, West Virginia on Lost River (of Capecapon) to Lionel Branson. The document [57] begins

"THIS INDENTURE made this twentieth Day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven thousands and ninety four Between Jesse Claypool and Elizabeth his wife of the County of Hardy and state of Virginia of the one Part and Lional Branson of the County and state aforesaide of the other Part ..."

 We also known that Jesse Claypool's father was James Claypole, Sr., because in the Early Records, Hampshire County, Virginia [58], published in 1976, and compiled by Clara McCormack Sage and Laura Sage Jones, we see that James Claypole, Sr. of Hampshire County, Virginia leased this same land that Jesse sold, from James Thomas on May 11, 1761.

"5-11-1761 Thomas, James (w. Sarah) of Augusta Co. (lease and release) to James Claypole, Sr. of Hampshire Co. 187 ½ a. on Lost River; rec. 9-8-1761. Wit. Joseph How, Andrew Sadowski, Thomas Bull."

In his will, James Claypole, Sr. [59] of Hardy County, West Virginia (dated September 17, 1786, and proved December 7, 1789) bequeathed this same tract of land land to his son, Jesse Claypool.

"In the Name of God Amen I James Claypole Senior of the County of Hardy and State of Virginia never being in Helth of Body and of Perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God and calling unto mind the mortality of my Body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this (his) last Will and Testament that is to say princepally and first of all I give and recommend my soul unto the hands of Almighty God that gave it and my body recommend to the earth to be Buried in decent Christian Burial at the descretion of my Executors Nothing does ... ... at the general reserection I shall receive the same again by the mighty Power of God, and .......such worldly (?) estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life I give Demure and despose of the same in the following manner and form First it is my will and I do order that in the first place all my just debts and funeral charges be paid and satisfied.

"ITEM I give to Jean Mcneesy & Daughter of my well beloved son William Claypool deceased five shillings to be paid out of my estate I hereby debar her and her heirs from any further right title or interest on my Lands Tenements goods or chattels.

"Item I give and bequeath unto my well beloved son James Claypool my loom and all my gears with the utensils belonging to her

"Item I give my well beloved son George Claypool the tract of Land and Tenements thereof he now lives on to him and his Heirs and assigns forever the said land I bought of John Denton and ..... lines with David Wilsons Land

"Item I give to my well beloved son Jesse Claypool the tract of land and tenements whereof I now live on to him to his heirs and assigns forever the said land I bought of James Thomas and was formerly a part of his tract.

"Item all the rest of my moveable estate Goods and Chattels .....before excepted with the bond due me from Joshea Peppers heirs for a tract of land that I sold to the said Joshea Pepper which land William Pepper now lives on with all other Bonds Bills and Book accounts whatsoever due to me I give and bequeath to my beloved sons and daughters towit James Claypool John Claypool Joseph Claypool George Claypool Jess Claypool Mary Smith Betty Ozborn and Sara Viney to be equally divided between them I allow my goods and chattels to be appraised and sold at Publick or private sale at the decree of my excutors I likewise make and ordain my beloved sons John Claypool and George Claypool Executors of this my Last Will and Testament and I do hereby utterly disalow ...... and dis...... all and every other former Testaments wills Bequests and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament.

"In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventeenth day of September in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and Eighty Six Signed Sealed Publ.... and Declared by the said James Claypool as his last will and testament in the Presents of us who in his presents and in the Presents of each other have herunto subscribed our names Jacob Denton, Mary Denton, James Thomas, Jr, Tomme Thomas Jacob Denton junr, James Claypool, Sr

"At a court held for Hardy County the 7th day of December 1789 this Last Will and Testament of James Claypool Deceased was proved by the oaths of Jacob Denton and Tomme Thomas two of the witnessess thereto and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of John Claypool and George Claypool the executors therein named who made oath whereto acording to law Certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate whereof in due form giving securely whereupon they with security entered into and acknowledged bond conditioned as the law directs By the court E Williams."

In the Virginia Northern Neck Land Grants, 1775-1800, Vol. III [60], we see just prior to the land sale above, that on March 26, 1794, Jesse Claypool of Hardy County, West Virginia was living on Lost River and John Berry, is listed as his assignee.

"X-502: T.W. 17,310-25 June 1783 John Berry asne of Jesse Claypool 20 A (26 Mar 1794) in Hardy Co. on Lost R. of Great Cacapeon adj. his own land said Claypool 12 Aug 1796"

At this point it is necessary to establish that the Jesse Claypool found in Bourbon County, Kentucky is the same Jesse Claypool that was previously found in Hardy County, West Virginia. There is no direct evidence to link Jesse Claypool between Kentucky and West Virginia, however, there is some very convincing circumstantial evidence, which we may rely on.  Let us first examine his timeline. The last appearance  of Jesse Claypool in the records of West Virginia is in 1794 as seen in the grant to John Berry shown just above, and his first appearance in Bourbon County, Kentucky is in the 1797 tax list [61].  Next, there have not been any other persons by the name of Jesse Claypool found during the timeframe in which he lived besides the one in Hardy County, West Virginia between 1782 and 1794, and the one in Bourbon County, Kentucky between 1797 and 1833 (besides his, son of course).  As we saw above, his last act in Hardy County, West Virginia was associated with a Mr. John Berry. The Bourbon County, Kentucky marriage records [62] show that both of his daughters, Margaret and Elizabeth, married men by that name.  The Revolutionary Pension & Bounty Land Application Files, 1800 - 1900 [ 63 ], shows the pension application for John Berry [ 64 ] including one of these marriage records [ 65 ] showing that this John Berry married Elizabeth Claypole on June 4, 1802 in Bourbon County, Kentucky.  In the pension applicationfor John Berry [ 66 ], he stated that he enlisted in Augusta County, Virginia.  In a family manuscript written by Lucy Ross Berry (1889-1963), she stated that this same Elizabeth Claypool was born on July 16, 1781 in Culpepper County, Virginia.  Culpepper County, Virginia is located fairly close to Hardy County, West Virginia, although not adjacent.  Additionally, Cornelius, the eldest son listed in Jesse Claypool's will [67] appears in the 1850 federal census for Center, Knox County, Missouri where he states that he was 68 years old and born in Virginia. In the 1830 federal census, Cornelius was living in Fayette County, Indiana, where his cousins, Newton and Solomon Claypool, sons of Jesse’s brother Abraham, are also found. Jesse’s son, Jesse Jr., is found in the 1840, 1850 and 1860 censuses for Van Buren County, Iowa where he stated that he was born in Virginia in 1793/4/5. In the U.S. Army, Register of Enlistments, 1798-1914 [ 68 ], it shows that Jesse Claypole, Jr. was actually born in Greenbrier county, Virginia around 1794. Lastly, the known birthdates for his children support the 1782 and 1784 Virginia censuses [69] that show him with 5 children. These would be Margaret (1776), Katherine (1779), Elizabeth (1781), Cornelius (1782), and another child who must have died young. The 1810 census in Bourbon County, Kentucky appears to include, besides Jane (1789), Jesse (1794), James (1786), Jacob (1795) and John (1798). Jonathan and Mary who were both born in 1784 were too young to appear in the Virginia census and too old to appear in the Kentucky censuses.

In summary then, since two of his sons, and his son-in-law stated that they were born in Virginia, and one of his daughters almost certainly was, and all of them during a time when he was known to live there, and the census records in both counties match his known children, and no one else by that name has been found, and his known records do not overlap, we can reasonably conclude that Jesse Claypool of Bourbon County, Kentucky and Jesse Claypool of Hardy County, West Virginia were identical persons. As such, he was the son of James Claypool, Sr. of Hardy County, West Virginia.

James Claypole, of West Virginia

There are two tombstones [70] located near each other in the oldest section of the Miller-Claypool Cemetery [71] in Lost City, Hardy County, West Virginia that read:

[] YPOOL BORN    JANE CLAYPOOL
[] 14 1701       DECEAS•D
[] 9 1789        JUNE 2 1768

The first of which is broken and part of the inscription is missing. These are the tombstones for James Claypool Sr. ([February] 14, 1701 - [October] 9, 1789) and Jane Claypool (- June 2, 1768).

We’ve already seen [72] that James Claypool was living in Hampshire County, Virginia on Lost River in 1761 when he bought land from James Thomas.  Afterwards, between the years of 1761 and 1775, we find numerous land transactions in Hampshire County by James Claypool.  It is not always clear in these records if these transactions involved him or his son James Claypool, Jr.  However some of them were clearly for his son, such as we find in the [ 73 ] (extracted from the original court records of Augusta County, 1745-1800), where it states that he is living in Hampshire County, Virginia on May 15, 1761, when he sold 237 acres on a branch of Brock's Creek in Augusta County to Jacob Gum.

"Page 302.--15th May, 1761. Same [James Claypool, Jr. and Margaret ( ), of Hampshire County] to Jacob Gum, 30 pounds, patented to William Rutledge, 20th August, 1745, and by him conveyed to Cornelius Ruddle and by him to said James, on a branch of Brock's Creek, 237 acres. Delivered: Jacob Gum, 6th August, 1764."

Also in the [ 74 ] (extracted from the original court records of Augusta County, 1745-1800) we find James Claypool, Jr., when he was then of Augusta County, purchasing this tract of land on May 3, 1754.

"Page 207.--3d May, 1754. Cornelius Ruddle and Ingabo, his wife, to James Claypool. On Beach's Creek patented to Wm Rutledge 20th August, 1754 [sic, 1745], and conveyed by Rutledge to Ruddle, 237 acres. Cornelius Ruddle. Ingebo Ruddle."

Hampshire County, Virginia (now Hardy County, West Virginia) lies adjacent to Augusta County, Virginia.  In the Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish settlement in Virginia: Vol. 2 [75], published in 1912, by Lyman Chalkley, we find a list of delinquent taxpayers for Augusta County for the year 1755 where James Claypool and his son are shown as

"James Cleapole gone away; James Cleapole, Jr., Gone awaye'"

We also find several other records in Augusta County involving James Claypool (or his son James) and Jacob Gum showing a close association between the families.  The first appearance of James Claypool in the records for Augusta County is found in Chalkley, Vol 2 [76] where we find in the Land Entry Book No. 1 he was granted 200 acres on Cedar Branch on October 23, 1749.

"1749, October 23d--James Claypool, 200, on Cedar Branch, joining Wm. Picken's survey."

Very few land records are found prior to 1749, so he might have arrived much sooner.  Jacob Gum first appears in Augusta County on September 3, 1744 when he gave testament to the will of Margaret Adams of Orange County.  In the Augusta County Order Books, Book 1, p. 182 [ 77 ] for the date March 20, 1745/46 in a Bill of Complaint against Robert Gravens, Jacob Gum stated that he came to the back part (western) of Virginia in 1743 to purchase land for the maintenance of his family. This was originally land owned by Jost Hite, and located on the north bank of Linville Creek.  Jacob Gum was the husband of Sarah Claypool who was the granddaughter of Norton Claypool through his son Jeremiah Claypool, both of whom were from Sussex County, Delaware.   Due to the close contact between these two families, we expect to find James Claypool living in Delaware prior to 1749 and probably not after 1743.

The records of Sussex County, Delaware for the first half of the 18th century indicate that there were two James Claypools living there, one a yeoman and the other a weaver.  We cannot be sure from the available records which one of them was the same person as James Claypool of West Virginia, however we can be sure that the yeoman was the grandson of Norton Claypool, and the weaver was the grandson of James Claypoole the immigrant.  As will be seen in more detail, John Claypole and Mary Angell of England had two sons that emigrated to the America, James and Norton Claypool. James came to Philadelphia, but also owned land in Sussex County, Delaware that he bought from his brother Norton who located there upon his arrival in America.

In Bracken [78], we see that on December 13, 1727 (Sussex County Deed Book F. 6, p. 261 [ 79 ]), James Claypool, the son of another James Claypool (deceased), and his wife Jean received a quit claim from Richard and Mary Cooper of land which had previously belonged to his father.

"a deed release from Richard Cooper & wife Mary was given to James Claypoole & wife Jean 12/13/1727.  Quit claim for land that a certain James Claypoole dyed seized on."

We also see that his father had died before February 15, 1704 (Delaware Will Book A, 1704 [ 80 ]), because on that date his mother Elizabeth was already remarried

"On that date Richard Gill & Elizabeth, his wife, relict of James Claypoole sell land belonging to the children of James Claypoole."

The son James therefore must have been born sometime around 1701, and had a wife named Jean (Jane), both of which meet the known criteria of James Claypool of West Virginia.

We also see by the following list of Norton Claypoole's heirs (Kent County, Delaware, Book 2, Vol. I, p. 77 [ 81 ]), that this James was the yeoman discussed earlier, that Richard and Mary Cooper who awarded him the quit claim were his aunt and uncle, that Jeremiah Claypool, the father of Sarah (Claypool) Gum was also his uncle, and that he was the grandson of Norton Claypool, and therefore his father James was the son of Norton Claypool.

"Jeremiah Claypoole of the County of Sussex on Delaware, Esq. & James Claypoole of the same, yeoman & Richard Cooper of Sussex, farmer, & Mary his wife, heir & relict of Norton Claypoole ..."

In Bracken [82], we see that on May 3, 1742 (Sussex Deed Book H, 8, p. 88 [ 83 ]), this James Claypool, sold

"to John Maull of Lewes, pilot, land which James Claypool died seized of running from Lewes Creek to Pogan Creek, about 30 acres.  States that Orphan’s Court on 4/6/1719 alloted ? to said James, 60 ft. on Lewes Creek and 200 ft. deep."

The last record for James Claypool the yeoman in Delaware was on August 7, 1745 (Sussex Deed Book H. 8, p. 88 [ 84 ]) when

"8/7/1745 we find a mortgage between James Claypool of Sussex, yeoman and Martha Boyd, widow of Sussex ... all his houses and tract of land in the Libertines of Lewes 33 acres which James Claypoole, father of said James dyed possessed of and, by order of Orphans Court, was laid out to the guardian Thomas Edwards on behalf of the present James."

From this record, we see that James Claypool sold all his lands, which would normally indicate that he was soon to depart from the area, which is what we expected, However, the date occurs after Jacob Gum was already in Augusta County, Virginia, but before his first record there. Either Jacob Gum went to Augusta County before James Claypool, or this is not the correct James Claypool.

On Bracken [85], we see several entries for another James Claypool.  On February 4, 1729, James Claypool, weaver sold land to Joseph Hoggard (Haszard).  Then in 1741 he bought 2 acres from Joseph Wyatt on Bracey’s Branch and in 1742 he bought land from Peter Dale.   He is not seen thereafter.  In the Sussex County Deed Book H-8 [ 86 ] we see that the following month, Jacob Gum also sold land in Sussex County, Delaware, and then moved to Augusta County, Virginia shortly thereafter.  It is possible that they moved together.

"25 Jun 1742 Jacob Gum of Sussex Co, yeoman, to Robt Scot, cordwinder for L32, 10 current money 100 ac on north side of Gittats(?) Branch, fm Broadkill, tract of 200 ac dividing betw 2 improvements."

By process of elimination, we are able to determine that James Claypool the weaver was the grandson of James Claypool the immigrant.  To do this, all we must do is eliminate Norton Claypool as his possible grandfather.  Norton Claypool had two sons besides James Claypool (the father of James Claypool the yeoman). They were Robert and Jeremiah.

Robert Claypool probably died young as there are no records of him beyond his birth.  In the will of Jeremiah Claypoole (Bracken [87]), dated December 10, 1744, he lists, among others, his sons George, Jehu, and Joseph who he left lands to in Delaware, and his daughter Sarah Gum.  James Claypool, who was still living in 1744, was not mentioned and therefore could not have been his son, nor, for that matter, the brother of Sarah (Claypool) Gum.

James Claypoole, of Delaware

James Clayoole of Delaware was either of Sussex County and the son of Norton Claypoole, or from New Castle County and the son of his brother, James Claypoole, the immigrant.

As we already discussed, James Claypool, the yeoman, of Sussex County, Delaware was born before 1704 (1701), married a woman named Jean (Jane), was the son of James Claypool of Sussex County, Delaware, and was a grandson of Norton Claypool.

We also proved that James Claypool, the weaver, of Sussex County, Delaware must have been the grandson of James Claypoole, the immigrant, by eliminating any other sons of Norton Claypoole as possible parents.  Let us now eliminate those sons of James Claypoole the immigrant who could not be his father as well.

James Claypool the immigrant had 5 sons who lived to adulthood, namely, John, James, Nathaniel, George and Joseph.  They are found listed in The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Volume 14 [88], published in 1890, by The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, where we find, submitted by  Mr. J. Rutgers Le Roy of Paris, France, a transcript of a family document of James Claypoole, the immigrant.

"Memorandum that I, James Claypoole and Helena Mercer were Joyned in Marage the 12 day 12 month 1657/58 at Bremen in Germany by Conradus Lelius a Calvin Minister.

"1. The 15th day 9 month 1658 my sonne John was borne at London in Nicholas Lane between 2 & 3 of ye clock in ye Morning.
"2. My Daughter Mary was borne the 14th day 8 month 1660 near 8 of ye Clock at night in Minsing Lane in London.
"3. My Daughter Helen was borne ye 6 day 9 month 1662 about 9 of ye Clock in the Evening in Scots yard near London stone.
"4. My sonne James was borne ye 12th day 6 month 1664 about 8 of ye clock in the morning in Scots yard near London stone.
"5. My Daughter Priscilla was borne the 25th of ye 2 month 1666 at 3/4 past 4 in the Morning in Scots yard as above.
"6. My Sonne Nathaniel was borne the 23d Day 7 month 1668 at 2 of ye Clock in ye afternoon at the Signe of the Still upon Horsly Downe in Southwark.
"7. My Sonne Josiah was borne ye 9th Day of 9 month 1669 about half an hour past 9 at night in Scots yard as above.
"My sonne Josiah departed this life the 2d Day 3 month 1670 about 7th hour at night at Kingston upon Thames & was there buried in our friends burying place.
"8. My sonne Samuel was borne ye 19th 1 month 1670/71 about 3/4 past 2d hour in the Morning in Scots yard as above.
"9. My second sonne Nathaniel was borne ye 4th day 8 month 1672 about 3/4 past 6th hour in ye Evening in Scots yard as above.
"10. My sonne Georg was borne ye 14th day 11 month 1674 about ye 9th hour in the Evening in Scots yard as above.
"11. About the End of the year 1673 my wife was Delivered of a Sonne that Dyed in the birth & was not named.
"12. My sonne Joseph was borne ye 29th day of 1st month 1676 at 3/4 past one of ye Clock in the Morning in Scots yard.
"My sonne Joseph Departed this lyfe the 30th 6 month 1676 about 3 in ye afternoon at Lambeth & was buryed in friends burying place by Moorfields.
"13. My second sonne Joseph was borne the 14th day 5 Mo 1677 at 3/4 past 8th hour at night in Scots yard as above.
"14. My Daughter Elizabeth was borne the 25th day 5 Month 1678 at halfe an hour past 6 in the Morning in Scots yard.
"My Daughter Elizabeth departed this life the 31th 5 month 1678 about the 9th hour at night & was buryed in friends burying place by Moorfields.
"My sonne Samuel departed this life the 11th 1 month 1680/81 about 10th hour at night at Edmonton & was buryed ye 13th at friends burying place by Moorfields."

A partial copy of George Claypoole's will can be found on The Ira & Larry Goldberg Auctioneers website [ 89 ] where it is dated January 16, 1729/30.  The website describes the document as

"George Claypoole's last will and testament, executed in Philadelphia, 'this Sixteenth Day of the Eleventh month called January,' (the Quaker year started in March) 1729, being a certified true copy 'taken from and compared with the Original remainng In the Regr. Generals office at Philada. the 26 July 1731,' 3 pp, large folio. Claypoole's extensive holdings include many acres of land in Chester and Bucks counties, as well as numerous lots in Philadelphia: on the north side of High Street, two lots on Society Hill, land on the east side of Second Street, on the south side of Union Street, etc. His wife Deborah is to retain the use of the slaves during her lifetime, then they are to be divided: 'my Will is that my Negro man named Jacob be my Daughter Deborah's, and my negro woman Hannah be my Daughter Mary's, and my Negro boy named Ishmaiel shall be my Son Abrahams, and my Negro girl named Rachel shall be my Daughter Hannahs....'"

In the Genealogy of the Claypoole Family of Philadelphia, 1588-1893 [90], published in 1893, by Rebecca Irwin Graff, she states that George Claypool died during a small pox outbreak in 1730, but then references his obituary in the American Weekly Mercury newspaper for January 19, 1730/31.  This is obviously a typographical error and should have been 1729/30.  His will lists, besides his children who do not include a son named James, his two nephews, James Claypool (currier) and James Claypool of Sussex, Delaware.  The first of these men is identified as the son of George's brother Nathaniel Claypool (d. 1714), who went to Maryland and is listed in his own will as a currier.  George's other brother, Joseph Claypool, who was still living, had two sons named James.  The first was born in 1705 and died in 1719 and the second was born in 1720.  In The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Volume 14 (p. 88) [91], it shows that Joseph Claypool recorded in his papers that another brother, John Claypool, died on November 8, 1700, 3 months before James Claypool of West Virginia was born.  There is no record of him having a son named James.   Graff [92] states that he had only 1 daughter, Mary Bringhurst.  In the History of the Bringhurst Family (p. 24) [93], published in 1901, by Josiah Granville Leach, it states that Mary's husband John Bringhurst referred to a sister-in-law named Elizabeth Claypoole in his will dated June 16, 1750.  Leach [94] then records that in 1720, 'Eliz. Claypoole' came to live with them.  More than likely, she was not a sister-in-law, but a cousin, and as such, probably the daughter of the remaining brother, James Claypoole. Graff [95], includes the will of their sister Mary (Claypoole) Cooke, dated March 1726, in which she identifies Elizabeth Claypoole as the daughter of their brother, James.

"MARY COOK WILL WIDOW

"That all my just debts be paid herein named, I nominate my loving brother, George Claypool, of the City, to be the executor of this my last will.
"I give and bequeath unto my Brother Joseph Claypool 15lbs worth of household goods. I give unto his wife, Iddith, my best silver tankard, marked Fc. M.
"I give and bequeath unto the seven children, now living, of my Brother Joseph the sum of six pounds each when they shall come of age, respectfully. The son's age 21 years, the daughter's 18 years or day of marriage.
"I give unto Jeremiah Claypool, son of Uncle Norton Claypool, five pounds worth of house hold goods.
"I give unto James Nathaniel and William, sons of my Brother, Nathaniel Claypool, the sum of six pounds each at the age of 21 years.
"I give unto Mary, John and Elizabeth, the children of Cousin Mary, wife of John Bringhurst, the sum of five pounds each.
"I give unto Elizabeth, the daughter of my Brother, James Claypool, 8 pounds in house-hold goods.
"I give unto Martha, the daughter of Brother Nathaniel Claypool, the sum of six pounds, paid at 18 years of age or day of marriage, which shall first happen.
"I give unto Lemuel Cook, my husband's brother and unto Mary, sister of Lemuel and unto Lemuel's daughter the sum of 20 pounds.
"I give unto Eliza Hill and Eliza Teague, of the City of Philadelphia, member of the monthly meeting thereof of the people called Quakers, the sum of six pounds.
"I give unto my sister Deborah, wife of George Claypool, my biggest Silver Tankard, marked Fc. M.
"I give unto all the children of my Brother George Claypool, already born and to be born before the term of my decease, the sum of six pounds, to be equally divided among them.
"I give unto my Brother George Claypool, his heirs, assigns for ever all that my messuage or tenement and lot of ground in High St., the appurtenances of which I bought of Joseph Richardson.
"I give unto George Claypool of the rest and residue of my estate.
"Dated March, 1726 Signed Mary Cook"

James Claypool the weaver was undoubtedly, this nephew of George Claypoole, and the son of James Claypoole, Jr. who was born on August 12, 1664.

In The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Volume 10 [96], published in 1886 by The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, we find in a letter written by James Claypoole, the immigrant to his brother Edward, dated July of 1681 where he mentions his son James and confirms his age:

"My son James has more mind to be abroad, than at home, and thinks he shall do better with another, than with me, he writes a good hand, and has Arrethmetick very well, and I have proposed to him to be with thee as a writer, &c to wch let me have thy answer, and upon what terms I may send him, he will be 17 years old next month, My sister Staples is lately dead, in Ireland, and all our relations else are well, so far as I know, wth my love to thyselfe, and my sister I rest."

In The Claypoole Family In America, Vol. 1 & 2 [97], published in 1909, by Evelyn Claypool Bracken, we find that James Claypool Jr. was also mentioned in his father's will, dated February 5, 1686/87 and proved October 12, 1687 (Philadelphia Wills, Records Series 1, pp 20-21 [ 98 ]).

"JAMES CLAYPOOLE, of Philadelphia, in the Province of Pennsylvania, merchant, being in good health. Dated 5th of 12th month, 1686. Proved 12th of 8th month, 1687, To be burried amongst his dear Friends, the Quakers.
"Unto John, my Eldest sonn five shillings, and to Mary, his wife, all the household goods lent to them. Also £5 to their eldest child living at my decease. Also to said John, the balance due from him as per his account in my great Ledger.
"Unto my Dear wife household goods for the Common and necessary furniture of one Roome. Also to my Dear wife during her lyfe, and afterwards to my Children, ummarryed, my Lott of LAND UPON THE Front of Delaware with all the houses and Improvement. Unto my wife in silver, my largest and Least Tankard, my Last and biggest porengers and six spoons.
"my eldest daughter (Mary) my Lott of Land In the high street, fenced in with pales, and a little house upon it. Also my old silver Tankard which was my mother's and two silver spoons.
"my second daughter, Helena, my silver wach with Double Case, a silver Cupp with two eares and two silver spoons, and the nearest thousand acres of land in the County of Bucks.
"Priscilla, my youngest daughter, in silver, my Beaker, two spoons and a porrenger, and also one thousand acres of land in the County of Bucks.
"Household goods to be divided between his three daughters.
"To my son James all my Vessells upon River, Pinnace Boats and Canous & and likewise all my History Books and mathematical books of surveigh and navigation, and one silver spoon and tester.
"my son Nathaniel, five hundred acres of Land in the new Dutch Township -- and all my books about Tillage and Husbandry.
"my son George--one thousand acres of Land in this County of Philadelphia -- writing Cabinet and all written books.
"best Bible to his wife. Other Land.
"To Joseph, my youngest son, my plantation bordering on Lewis Creek in Sussex County which I bought of my brother, Norton Claypoole.
"dear Friends, William Penn, our Governor, and Thomas Lloyd, Keeper of the Broad Seal, to be overseers of this my Last will." Wife Executrix.
"give to the Poore of this Town Tenn Bushells of Indian Corne to be disposed of by the Overseers of the poore."

His other son Joseph is shown inheriting land in Sussex County, Delaware bought from the immigrant's brother Norton Claypoole.  In the same year, 1687, James Claypoole, Jr. appears in the list of taxables in the constablery of New Castle, Delaware.

Graff [99], includes an extract of the division of James Claypoole the immigrant’s estate (Records Office, Philadelphia, Exemplification Record No. 8, page 110 [ 100 ]) where it confirms that in 1689, his 25 year old son James was still unmarried and living in Delaware.

"To all christian people to whom these presents may come - John Claypool and Frances Cooke Adim’tr of the Estate of James Claypool, late of Phila., merchant deceased, send greeting - Know ye that at the request of James Claypool of _____ in Delaware river [illegible], to whom of right belongs the quarter part of a certain lot of ground in Phila., being bounded to the Eastward with Delaware, Front St., to the southward with a lot formerly belonging to Francis Baker, to the Westward with the Dock & Second St. and to the northward with Chestnut St., which said lot was left by the said James Claypool Deceased, by will, bearing date the fifth day of Dec. 1686, to such of his children as should remain unmarried at the decease of his wife, and the said James Claypool as eldest of the said children requesting his part to be set out and divided from the rest &c. &c. ... Phila. this 9th of August 1689

"Signed John Claypool
"Francis Cooke"

James Claypoole Jrs. marriage status would soon change, because in the will of John Cann, Esq. of Philadelphia & New Castle County, Delaware (Wills. Philadelphia Administration Book A., p. 184 [ 101 ]), who died on May 21, 1694 (Bracken [102], James Claypool is listed as John Cann's son-in-law and administrator of his estate.

The name of his wife is found in the Calendar of Delaware Wills, New Castle County, 1682-1800 [103], where the will of Mary Williams is abstracted

"Mary Williams. N. C. Oct. 22. 1695. Oct 28, 1695. B. 33. Thomas and John Land, sons of Samuel Land; Henry Land; Darem Hog, wife of George Hog and mother of said children; Mary Hutchinson, dau. of Robert Hutchinson; Peter Alrichs, John Donaldson, John Williams, Richard Hallywell, Robert French, Edw. Blake, James Claypool, and his wife, Mary, Exec. James Miller."

Bracken [104] states the will is found in the Delaware Will Book B. 1, on page 33 [ 105 ].

We know that James Claypoole Jr. had another child other than James and Elizabeth, because In A Journal of Travels From New-Hampshire to Caratuck (p. 37) [106], published in 1851, by George Keith, it states

April 11, Sunday, 1703. I Preached at New-Castle, on Jude 20. Mr. Talbot Preached there in the Afternoon, and Baptized three Children of Mr. James Claypool (who had been formerly a Quaker) and another Child of a Churchman. And at our return to New-Castle from Virginia, I Baptized the said Mr. James Claypool, he was much afflicted with a Palsie.

James Claypoole died (probably in 1706), and after his death, letters of Administration (Delaware Will Book B. 1 p. 112 [ 107 ]) were granted to Mary Claypool on July 24, 1706 (Bracken [108]).

We have now shown that James Claypool the weaver was born before 1703/1706 (1701), was the son of James Claypoole (Jr.) of New Castle County, Delaware, and was the grandson of James Claypoole, the immigrant.

In summary, there were two James Claypools, of Sussex County, Delaware in the early 1740s, one a yeoman, grandson of Norton, and one a weaver, grandson of James. Both were born about 1701 and disappear from Delaware shortly before James Claypool arrives in Augusta County, Virginia.  We can suppose that Norton’s grandson’s wife Jean is identical to that of James Claypool of West Virginia’s wife Jane. It also seems more likely that Sarah (Claypoole) Gum's cousin would have been closer to Jacob Gum and therefore more likely to remove with him than her second cousin, however, that is pure speculation. On the other hand, James Claypool of West Virginia mentioned his eldest daughter Mary in his will.  His ancestors had a habit of naming their children after themselves and/or their parents, so it is possible she was named after Mary Cann, her grandmother, lending credence to the other line as well.  We also saw that Jacob Gum sold his land in Sussex County, Delaware in 1742 and went to Augusta County, Virginia in 1743.  James Claypoole the weaver sold his lands in Delaware also in 1742, so may have left with Jacob Gum for Virginia where he appears first in 1749.  On the other hand, James Claypoole the yeoman was still living in Delaware in 1745 when he sold his lands.  No evidence has presented itself that will allow us to conclusively show which James Claypoole of Delaware is the correct father of James Claypool of West Virginia. So for now, the best we can say is that James Claypool of West Virginia was the son of James Claypoole of Delaware, and a grandson of either James or Norton Claypoole, immigrants and brothers.

James Claypoole, the immigrant

The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Volume 14 (p. 88) [109] includes excerpts from the personal papers of Joseph Claypoole, one of the sons of James Claypoole, the immigrant, where he stated that they left Gravesend, England aboard the Concord on July 25, 1683 and arrived in Philadelphia on October 8 of the same year.

"We set Saile from gravesend the 25 5 mo 1683 and Arrived at philadelphia in pensylvania 8 8 mo 1683. we came in the ship called the Concord Captain Jeffrys Commder burthen 550 tuhn."

In The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Volume 10 (p. 406) [110], James Claypoole, the immigrant, states in one of his letters, dated Philadelphia, February 24, 1683/84, that

"After we left England, that day 7 weeks we got sight of American land, and the 1st. 8 mo. (which was the month I was borne in Just 49 year) I went ashore in Pennsylvania ..."

making his birthdate in October of 1634.

In the article, The Identity of Helena "Merces" (Mercer), Wife of James Claypoole. (1634-1687), of Philadelphia [ 111 ], by Milton Rubincam, Esq., we find excerpts from the autobiography of the Calvinist clergyman Friedrich Lucae (1644-1708) who married Elizabeth Mercer, the sister of Helena Mercer.  The autobiography was first published by one of his descendants in 1854, and then extracted by the German historian Gustav Freytag and subsequently published.  His book was translated by Mrs. Malcom in 1862 and published in Pictures of German Life in the XVth XVIth and XVIIth Centuries, Vol. II [112]. It is here we find that in 1675 Lucae met

"'... 'a foreign lady, Elizabeth Mercer ... [who] was the daughter of Mr. Balthasar Mercer, formerly parliamentary assessor at Edinburgh, in Scotland, ... her mother, also  was called Elizabeth, was of noble lineage, born a Kennewy' (i.e. Kennedy) 'of Scotland.  When in 1644 perilous troubles broke forth in England, her honoured father and also her brother, the court preacher Robert Mercer, as they had been favourites of the decapitated King, fled the kingdom with the whole family, from fear of Cromwell and his party;  he went with all belonging to him to Bremen, where he lived on his own means, which were pretty considerable, till his happy end in 1650, leaving a widow, a pious, godly matron, with three sons and three daughters.  ... of the daughters the eldest married in London to a nephew of Cromwell, of the noble family Cleipold [8] ... In the year 1660, her lady mother also died in Bremen, and was laid beside her honoured father in the church of St. Stephen ...'

[8] ... Three corrections must be made to this statement: (1) the eldest daughter was not married in London, but in Bremen; (2) her husband was not a nephew of Cromwell, but a younger brother of Cromwell’s son-in-law; and (3) the Claypoole family was not noble, although of an assured social position."

The original church book for St. Paul's Church in Bremen no longer exists but in 1935 a catalogue of the marriage records, including original quotations, was published (Johann Ueltzen-Barckhausen, Das Verzeichnis der Getrauten zu Bremen - St. Pauli - in den 50 Jahren 1650-1699 [ 113 ]). There "James Cleypoel auß Engelland" (James Claypoole from England) married "Jungfr[au] Helena Mercers" (spinster Helen Mercer), "Sel[ig] Balthasar Mercers, gewesen[en] Bürgermeisters in Schottland, hinterl[assene] ehel[iche] To[chter]" (posthumous legitimate daughter of the late Balthasar Mercer, former mayor in Scotland) on 12 February 1658.  Since she was living in 1644, she must have been born in Scotland.

In The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Volume 14 (p. 88) [114], Joseph Claypool also stated that his father died on August 6, 1687 and his mother the following year on August 20, 1688.

"My Deare father James Claypoole Departed this Life the 6 6 mo 1687 and was buried in friends burying place at Philadelphia 7 6 mo.

My dear Mother Helena Claypoole departed this Life the 19 6 mo 1688 and was buryed in friends burying place at Philadelphia 20 6 mo 1688."

Norton Claypoole

According to Bracken [115] Norton, arrived in New York aboard the Bachelor’s Delight on February 22, 1678, and settled that same year in Lewes, Sussex County, Delaware, the southernmost county. In The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Volume 14 (p. 87) [116], Joseph Claypool stated

"My Uncle Norton Claypoole departed this Life in July 1688 at the Whorekill in Lewistown."

Whorekill was renamed by the Governor William Penn to Sussex County in 1682, and Lewistown in undoubtedly the town of Lewes.

Norton Claypoole sold 1000 acres of land in Sussex County to his brother James Claypool the immigrant, who as we saw in his will (Bracken [117]), left the land to his own son Joseph.

Norton married Rachel and had, besides daughters Mary Cooper and Elizabeth who died in infancy, three sons, James born first was baptized in London, Middlesex, England on December 8, 1673, Robert was born in 1683, and Jeremiah born about 1685.

In Some Records of Sussex County Delaware [118], published in 1909 and compiled by C. H. B. Turner for Sussex County records, we find that on December 6, 1689 that Rachel Claypoole remarried to Nehemiah Field.

"Lett this Certifie whom It may Concerne That Nehemiah ffield Batchelor and Rachel Claypoole widdow Did * * * Take Each other as Husband and Wife."

After which they had two additional children [119]

"Nehemiah the Son of Nehemiah and Rachel ffield Relicte of Norton Claypoole Deceesed was borne on the Twentieth Day of December in the year One Thousand Six hundred Eighty and Nine And his younger Brother William ffield Borne on the Twenty fifth of December In the year One Thousand Six hundred Ninety and three."

John Claypole

In The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Volume 10 [120], published in 1886 by The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, the following letter is transcribed.  The letter was written by Benjamin Claypoole, the brother of the immigrants, James and Norton Claypoole, to George Claypoole, the son of James Claypoole, the immigrant.

"London, 22d March 1706/7
"Loving Cousin, -

"... To requite your compliance with my curiosity in writing me a particular account of your family, I here send you an account of ours.  My Grandfather and your great Grandfather was a Knight, he had many children.  My father and your Grandfather was the third son of his wife, to whom he left an estate of 900 pounds p’ ann. & to his eldest son by his second wife he gave 600 pounds p’ annum. My father married Mary Angell, her father was a fishmonger to King Charles I.  My father was a justice in corum & member in parliament.  they had 14 children 8 sons & 6 daughters I mention them in order of birth, Mary who married William Selid Esquire he was a justice of the Peace, Member in parliament & Captain of Militia, John married Oliver Cromwell the protector’s daughter; Elizabeth who married Doctor Alexander Staple and english Knight but his estates was in Ireland, Robert a linnen draper but died a bachelor; Wingfield a Captain of Horse, Graneley a Cornet, Dorothy married a parson with a good temporal estate none living but a granddaughter lately married to one Jones a linnen draper, Frances married to a rich gentleman in lincolnshire and died of her first child, James your good father, Edward a Captain of foot but went to Barbadoes & there married a rich widow by whom he had two Daughters - vizt Mary & Frances, Martha died a child, second Martha died unmarried, Norton & myself the youngest, all Happiness attend you before & hereafter is the hearty desires & daily prayers of your affectionate uncle

"Benjamin Claypoole."

The letter shows us that James and Norton Claypoole, the immigrants, were the sons of Mary Angell.

In The Parish Registers of St. Thomas the Apostle, 1558 to 1754 [121], published in 1881, and edited by Joseph Lemuel Chester, we find under the year 1622, the following marriage record

"June 8 John (?Clerpoote) & Marie Angell"

proving that the immigrants' father was named John Claypoole.

The month in the original register (found in Guildhall Library, London, England) for the above stated marriage of John Claypoole and Mary Angell is unreadable, however we find in John's father’s Inquisition Post Mortem, the details of his marriage contract with Mary Angell.  In it, it states that the month of his marriage was July.  The Inq. P.M. is quoted in The Descent of James Claypoole of Philadelphia From Edward I, A Correction of the Lineage [122], The American Genealogist, V67, by Charles M. Hansen, F.A.S.G, then later [123].

"This Indenture tripartite made the Sixth ... day of July Ano’ dni’ 1622 ... Betweene Adam Claypoole of Northbrough ... County of Northampton Esqi of ye first parte And John Claypoole of Greys Inne in ye County of Middlesex gentleman second sonne of ye said Adam Claypoole on the second parte And William Angell & John Angell sonne & heire apparent of the said William of London Esqs and Mary Angell daughter of the said William Angell on the third parte Witnesseth that whereas there ... Marraige ... shortly to be had ... betweene the said John Claypoole & ye said Mary Angell ... that in Consideration of the sayd Marriage & to the entent that some Competent provision may be made ... for the ... maintenance of the said John & Mary ... after ye said Marriage & for the Jointure of the said Mary if she happen to survive the said John Claypoole ... & in Consideration of the Sume of one thousand & five hundred pounds of currant English money by the said William Angell agreed to be paid to ye said Adam Claypoole for the Marriage porcon’ of ye said Mary ... the said Adam Claypoole ... shall & will before ye eight day of this instant Month of July convey ... to them ... ye said William Angell & John Angell ... ye Manner of ... Northborough in the county of Northton’ ... [for] ... the use .... of the said John Claypoole & ye said Mary ... for parte of ye Jointure of ye said Mary Angell ... [Furthermore] ... the Manner of Lolsham in ye said County of Northampton ... after the decease of ye said Adam ... [will go] ... to the use ... of ye said John Claypoole & ye heires males of his body on ye body of ye said Mary Lawfully begotten ..."

In another article, The Angells and Robert Williams [124], The American Genealogist, V66, pp 129-132, by Dean Crawford Smith and Melinde Lutz Sanborn we find verification that Mary Angell was the daughter of William Angell where in the will of William Angell, fishmonger of London, proved October 31, 1629, we find that he leaves money

"... to the children of daughter Mary Clepole ..."

Dorothy Wingfield

The above Inq. P.M. also shows us that John Claypoole, father of the immigrants, was the son of Adam Claypoole of Northborough.  Adam Claypoole’s ancestry can be found in the 1618 Visitation of Northampton [125], published in 1887 and edited by Walter C. Metcalfe.  The visitation chart for the family of 'Cleypoole of Northborough', states that Adam Claypoole married Dorothy Wingfield and that she was the daughter of Robert Wingfield of Upton.

"... Adam Cleypoole of Northburgh, 2 son and heir to his brother, 1618, Esq. [m.] Dorothy da. of Robert Wingfield of Upton, co. North'ton, Esq. ..."

Their marriage is also referred to in The Descent of James Claypoole of Philadelphia From Edward I, A Correction of the Lineage [126], where they quote from the St. George Parish Registers found in the Lincolnshire Record Office, stating that "Dorithye Wyngfelde" married "Adam Cleapole" on September 30, 1586.

In the same visitation, under the family of 'Wingfield of Upton [127]', their marriage is again referenced.

"... Dorathey, ux. Adam Cleypoole of Lulham, co. Lincoln, and of Northburgh, co. Northampton ..."

and her ancestry is listed including her parents:

"... Robert Wingfield of Upton [m.] Elizabeth, da. of Richard Cecil of Burleigh and sister of William, Lord Burleigh ..."

Elizabeth Cecil's ancestry is continued under the family 'Cecil, Earl of Exeter [128]'.  Elizabeth Cecil's brother was Sir William Cecil, K.G., Lord Burleigh, Treasurer of England, and a key member of Queen Elizabeth I's Privy Chamber.

In the 1618 Visitation of Rutland [129], published in London in 1870 by the College of Arms, we also see the marriage Dorothy and Adam listed under the 'Wingfield' family

"Dorothy ux. Adam Claypole of Latham in Com' Lincon"

and her parents as

"Robert Wingfield of Upton" and "Elizabeth d. of Richard Scecill & sister of Will'm Lord Burleigh".

Robert Wingfield of Upton, the Younger

In the 1618 Visitation of Northampton [130], Robert Wingfield of Upton, the husband of Elizabeth Cecil is shown as the son of

"Robert Wingfield of Upton co Northampton" and "Margery da of George Quarles of co Norfolk".

In the 1618 Visitation of Rutland [131], Robert is shown as the son of

"Robert Wingfield of Upton in Com' Northampton" and "Margery d. of George Quarles of Norff".

In The Descent of James Claypoole of Philadelphia From Edward I, A Correction of the Lineage [132], it states that in his will, dated March 30, 1580, "Robert Wingfelde of Upton" also specified that he was to be buried in the church of Castor where his father was buried.  While he was living he was often referred to in the records as Robert Wingfield the Younger.

Robert Wingfield the younger's grandfather, his parents and his daughter are all listed in the funeral certificate of Robert Wingfield the Elder [133] (transcribed and spelling corrected by P. L. Dickinson, Richmond Herald):

"Robert Wingfield of Upton in the county of Northampton, esquire, second son of Sir Henry Wingfield of Orford in the county of Suffolk, Knight, died at his house of Upton the fourth day of February Ao. Dm. 1575[/6] and from thence he was carried to his parish church of Castor in the said county the xxiiith day of the said month & there was buried.  The said Robert married Margery, daughter of John Quarles of Norfolk, and by her has issue Robert Wingfield, his son and heir and only executor, John 2 & Elizabeth.  The said Robert married Elizabeth, the second daughter of Richard Cecil of Burghley in the county of Northampton, esquire, and by her had issue Robert, his first son, John, second son, Cecil, 3 son, Richard, 4 son, Elizabeth and Dorothy ..."

Later [134] it states that in his will dated June 4, 1575, "Robert Wingfelde of Upton" left his son Robert Wingfield among other things, the manor of "Shattisham" in co. Suffolk, which he had in turn inherited from his father.

Robert Wingfield of Upton

In the 1618 Visitation of Northampton [135], the elder Robert Wingfield of Upton, is shown as the son of

"Sir Henry Wingfield of Orford co Suffolk Kt of the Rhodes 7 son = Elizabeth da of Robert Rookes".

In the 1618 Visitation of Rutland [136], he is shown as the son of

"Sr' Hen. Wingfeld of Orford in Com' Suff. Knt. of the Rhodes. = Elizabeth d. of Robert Rookes".

Also, in his funeral certificate as we saw above, his father was named as "Sir Henry Wingfield of Orford".

In The Descent of James Claypoole of Philadelphia From Edward I, A Correction of the Lineage [137], it states that in his father’s will dated February 21, 1493/4, "Sir Henry Wyngfeld, or Orford, Knt.", left his wife Elizabeth a house in Shottisham, which was to go to his son Robert on her death.  We saw above that he transferred this manor to his son Robert in his will of 1575.

Henry Wingfield of Orford

In The Descent of James Claypoole of Philadelphia From Edward I, A Correction of the Lineage [138], it states that Henry Wingfield was listed as the son of Robert Wingfield and Elizabeth Goushill in Robert Wingfield’s will dated October 6, 1452. It also states that in the 1561 Visitation of Suffolk, Henry Wingfield was named the fifth son of Sir Robert Wingfield and his wife Elizabeth Goushill.

Elizabeth Goushill's descent from Edward I, King of England is well established and documented.  I will highlight below only a few key documents that establish this connection.

Elizabeth Goushill

In The Descent of James Claypoole of Philadelphia From Edward I, A Correction of the Lineage [139], it states that in the 1561 visitation of Suffolk, it is recorded that

"Sir Robert Wingfeld ... maryed Elizabeth Daughtr and heyr of Robert Gowsell & of Elizabeth his wyfe Daughtr and one of theyres of Rychard erll of arondell"

Also, Elizabeth Goushill’s half brother, John Mowbray, was Duke of Norfolk by her mother’s first marriage to Thomas Mowbray which will be discussed shortly.  A reference to him is found on a brass effigy that once hung in Letheringham church where it is transcribed:

"Her lieth S’r Thomas Wingfeld, knyght, Richard Wyngfeld and William Wyngfeld, squyres, sonns of S’r Rob’t Wyngfeld, knyght, and of lady Elizabeth his wif, syster to the duke of Norff."

It also states that in Robert Goushill’s Inq. P.M., dated after July 21, 1403 (Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, 18:311-15, 5 HEN IV [ 140 ]), his wife is listed along with his daughter Elizabeth, 1 year old.

Elizabeth D’Arundelle

Elizabeth Goushill’s mother, Elizabeth D’Arundelle, first married Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk.  This is established in Dugdale Monasticon VI, Newburgh Abbey, Yorkshire, VI, Progenies Moubraiorum, hujus Abbatiæ Fundatorum, p. 321 [ 141 ] where it states

"Thomas duxit in uxorem filiam comitis de Arundell, nomine Elizabetham"

[Translaton: Thomas married the daughter of the Earl of Arundel, whose name was Elizabeth]

After the death of Thomas Mowbray, she was granted much of the Duke’s estates making her one of the wealthiest women in England.  However on August 19, 1401 (Calendar of Fine Rolls, Membrane 9, page 130 [ 142 ]), the King ordered her lands confiscated because she had married Robert de Goushill without the King’s permission.

"Aug. 19. 
"Westminster

"Order to the escheator in the county of York to resume into the king's hand all the lands lately assigned in dower to Elizabeth late the wife of Thomas late duke of Norfolk, who contrary to the form of her oath has married Robert de Gousill, esquire, without the king's licence, and to answer for the issues and profits thereof from the time of the marriage. By K.
"The like to the following :--
"The escheators in the counties of Lincoln ; Warwick ; Leicester ; Northampton and Rutland ; Bedford ; Buckingham ; Sussex ; Norfolk ; Nottingham ; Cambridge ; Huntingdon ; Salop and the adjacent march of Wales. The mayor and escheator of Calais.
"Order in like terms to the escheator in the county of Derby touching the castle and manor of Bretby and the manors of Rostlaston and Coton, 12 messuages, 14 bovates of land and 101. of rent in Repyngton, Lynton, Meleton, Wylyngton, Asshburn and Howes, co. Derby, which among other things were granted in dower to the said Elizabeth with her consent by letters patent in recompense of the castle and manor of Framelyngham lately assigned to her and for certain causes resumed into the king's hand. By K."

On September 28, 1401 (Calendar of Patent Rolls, Membrane 7, page 544 [ 143 ]), after paying a fine of 2000 marks, she was pardoned and her lands restored.

"Sept. 28.
"Westminster.

"Pardon for 2,000 marks to be paid to the king, viz. 500l. at All Saints next, 500 marks at Whitsuntide following, 500 marks at All Saints following and 250 marks at Whitsuntide following, to Robert Gousill, esquire, and Elizabeth late the wife of Thomas, duke of Norfolk, tenant in chief by knight-service. of their trespass in inter-marrying without licence, and grant that they shall have restitution of all lands assigned to her in dower, with the issues from the time of the marriage.
"Vacated because otherwise below. By K."

As we saw in the 1561 Visitation of Suffolk above, Elizabeth D‘Arundelle was the daughter of Sir Richard, Earl of Arundel and his wife Elizabeth.

Elizabeth de Bohun

Elizabeth D‘Arundelle's mother was Elizabeth de Bohun who had married Richard de Arundel.  This is shown in the Dugdale Monasticon VI, Lanthony Abbey, Gloucestershire, II, Fundatorum progenies, p. 135 [ 144 ], where it states:

"Humfredus octavus de Bohun desponsavit Elizabetham filiam regis Edwardi filii regis Henrici tertii; de quibus sex filii et quatuor filiae; viz. Margareta quae juvenis obitt, Humfredus nonus, qui etiam juvenis obit, N. die Septembris anno Domini MCCCIIII. Johannes comes Hereford et Essex, constabularis Angliae, et dominus Breconiae. Humfredus decimus, comes Hereford et Essex, constabularis Angliae, et dominus Breconiae. Edwardus et Willielmus nati ad unum tempus; Alianora, Margareta secunda, Eneas, Isabella quae juvenis obit. Elizabetha comitissa supradicta, uxor predicti Humfridi octavi, sepelitur apud Waldene. ... comes Johannes supradictus, moriebatur apud Kirkbey Thore, sine haerede, in festo sanctorum Fabiani et Sebastiani, anno Domini MCCCXXXV et jacet in abbathia de Stratford, juxta London. ... Willielmus de Bohun supradictus, quem rex Edwardus tertius, post mortem praedicti Johannis fratris sui, fecit comitem Northamtoniae, desponsavit Elizabetham filiam domini Bartholomei de Badlesmere, quae fuit prius desponsata domino Edmindo de Mortuaomari; ... tamen, de dictus Willielmo et Elizabetha, procreati fuerunt unus filius, nomine Humfredus undecimus, et una filia, nomine Elizabetha. ... Et Elizabetha filia Willielmi comitis Northamtoniae desponsata fuit Richardo filio et haeredi ipsius comitis Arundeliae."

[Translaton: Humphrey de Bohun VIII married Elizabeth, daughter of King Edward, son of King Henry III: they had six sons and four daughters, viz. Margaret, who died young, Humphrey IX, who also died young, the 10th day of September in the year 1304. John, Earl of Hereford and Essex, Constable of England and Lord of Brecon. Humphrey X, Earl of Hereford and Essex, Constable of England and Lord of Brecon. Edward and William were born at one time, Eleanor, Margaret the second, Eneas, Isabel who died young. Countess Elizabeth above mentioned, the wife of Humphrey VIII was buried at Walden. ... Count John abovementioned, died at Kirkbey Thore, without issue, and was buried on the feast of the saints Fabian and Sebastian, in the year of the Lord 1335, in the abbey of Stratford, near London. ... William de Bohun, aforesaid, was by King Edward III, after the death of John, his brother, before mentioned, made Earl of Northampton, married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Bartholomew de Badlesmere, who was previously married to Sir Edmund Mortimer ... yet of the said William and Elizabeth, were born one son, named Humphrey XI, and one daughter, named Elizabeth. ... Elizabeth, daughter of William, the Earl of Northampton, was married to Richard, son and heir of the Earl of Arundel.]

This extract also shows us that Elizabeth de Bohun was the daughter of William de Bohun and Elizabeth de Badlesmere and grandaughter of Humphrey de Bohun VIII and Elizabeth Plantagenet, the daughter of Edward I, King of England.  The remaining discussion is provided only to show additional sources.

Sir William de Bohun, Earl of Northampton

As we saw above, William de Bohun who married Elizabeth de Badlesmere, was the son of Humphrey de Bohun VIII and Elizabeth, the daughter of Edward I, King of England.

We also find this in Dugdale Monasticon IV, Walden Abbey, Essex, I, Fundationis Historia, p. 139 [ 145 ], where it  records

"... dominum Humfredum de Bohun filium domini Henrici de Bohun, comitis Herefordiae tres nati sunt filii nobiles, et una filia, scilicet, Matildis filia sua, Humfredus filius suus primogenitus, Henricus et Radulfus fratres ejus. ... Humfridus primogenitus erat comes Herfordiae et Essexiae, et constabularius Angliae. ... Obiit iste Humfridus de Bohun, anno Domini mccxcviij. cujus corpus apud Walden jacet humatum; cui Humfridus de Bohun, filius suus, successit in haereditatem, Elizabethae illustris regis Angliae Edwardi, filii regis Henrici, filiae in matrimonio copulatus; de quorum sobole isti processerunt Margareta primogenita sua apud Tinehmue sibi fuit nata; apud Knaresburgh, Humfridus filius suus primogenitus; apud Plessat, Johannes; apud Longmaban in Scotia, Humfridus; apud Caldecot, duo gemelli nobiles, Edwardus et Willielmus; apud ..., Eneas; et apud Quenden, quaedam filia de qua praedicta nobilis domina Elizabetha comtissa in puerperio mortua apud Walden sepulta est."

[Translaton: [To] ... Sir Humphrey de Bohun, son of Sir Henry de Bohun, Earl of Hereford, were born three noble sons and one daughter, namely, their daughter Matilda, Humphrey his eldest son, Henry and Ralph his brothers. ... Humphrey, his firstborn, was Earl of Hereford and of Essex and Constable of England. ... This Humphrey de Bohun died in the year of the Lord 1298; his body lies buried at Walden, to which Humphrey de Bohun, his son, succeeded to the inheritance. Elizabeth, daughter of the illustrious King of England, Edward, King Henry's son, joined with him in marriage; of them they had issue, the first-born Margaret born in Tinehmue; in Knaresborough, their eldest son Humphrey was born; in Plessat, John; in Longmaban, Scotland, Humphrey; in Caldecot, were two nobles, twins, Edward and William, in ..., Eneas, and in Quenden, a daughter of which the above Countess Lady Elizabeth died in childbirth and she was buried at Walden.]

Elizabeth Plantagenet, Princess of England

The Continuator of Florence of Worcester, Florentii Wigornensis Monachi Chronicon, Continuatio, p. 228 [ 146 ], records the birth of Princess Elizabeth in 1282.

"Alienora, regina Angliæ, apud Rothelan filiam peperit, quam vocavit Elizabetham."

[Translaton: Eleanor, Queen of England, at Rhuddlan gave birth to a daughter, which she called Elizabeth.]

The Chronologia Johannes de Beke to 1430, p. 229 [ 147 ], edited by H. Bruche, 1973, records that

"Ubinam  Elizabeth eiusdem  Eduardi  regis filia copulata est Iohanni filio Florencii comitis in uxorem"

[Translaton: Where Elizabeth, daughter of King Edward, is coupled to Jan, son of the Earl of Florence in marriage.]

and then and in The Chronologia Johannes de Beke to 1430, p. 253 [ 148 ] it states

"Anno Domini mccxcix^o Iohannes domicellus iiii kalendas (!) novembris apud Harlem requievit in Domino, postquam Hollandiam rexisset annis tribus cum dimidio. Hic Iohannes solus inter omnes Hollandie principes sine liberis ..., qui in Reynsburgensi monasterio penes patrem honorifice tumulatus est. Domicella qvidem Elizabeth post mortem ui coniugis transivit ad regnum Anglie, quam exinde duxit in uxorem comes Erffordie."

[Translaton: A.D.1299,Count Jan, on the fourth calends of November (November 28, 1299), rested with the Lord at Harlem, after three and a half years ruling Holland. Now, Jan, alone of all the princes of Holland, died without children, is in the hands of the father of the monastery of Reynsburgensi where he was honorably entombed. Indeed, Lady Elizabeth, after the death of her husband crossed over to the Kingdom of England, where she then married the Earl of Hereford.]

In the Annales Londonienses, p. 129 [ 149 ] it records the second marriage of Elizabeth (called "Margaret") in 1302.

"Eodem anno, die Dominica, in festo Sanctæ Katerinæ desponsata fuit domina Margareta filia regis Angliæ, comitissa Hoylandiæ et Salondiæ domino Humfrido Bohun comiti Herefordiæ, apud Caversham juxta Redyng."

[Translaton: This year, on Sunday, the feast of St. Katharine, was married Lady Margaret the daughter of the King of England, the countess of Hoylandiæ and Salondiæ to Sir Humphrey Bohun, Earl of Hereford, at Caversham, near Reading.]

Edward I, King of England

Edward was the son of Henry III, King of England, and Eleanor, Countess of Provence.

Annals Monasticic, Vol. I, The Annals of Tewkesbury, Annales de Theokesberia, p. 112 [ 150 ] record the birth of King Edward in 1239.

"XIV. kal. Julii ... Londoniae apud Westmonasterium nascitur regi Henrico Angliae filio regis Johannis, filius, nomine Eadwardus, de regina sua Alienora, filia comitis de Provencia."

[Translaton: Jun 17 ... was born in London, in Westminster Abbey, to Henry, King of England, son of King John, a son, whose name was Edward, by Queen Elinor, daughter of the Earl of Provence.]

The Continuator of Florence of Worcester, Florentii Wigornensis Monachi Chronicon, Continuatio, p. 177 [ 151 ] also records his birth

"Alienor, regina Angliae, peperit, XIV. kal. Julii [18 Jun.], Edwardum, filium suum primogenitum, cujus pater Henricus, cujus pater Johannes, cujus pater Henricus, cujus mater Matilda imperatrix, cujus mater Matilda regina Anglorum, cujus mater Margareta regina Scottorum, cujus pater Edwardus, cujus pater Edmundus Ferreum-latus, qui fuit Ethelredi, qui fuit Edgari, qui fuit Edmundi, qui fuit Edwardi Senioris, qui fuit Aldredi. Genealogia autem ab Alfredo usque ad Adam, primum hominem, supratexitur."

[Translaton: Eleanor, Queen of England, gave birth on June 17th to Edward, her first born son, whose father was Henry, whose father was John, whose father was Henry, whose mother was Empress Matilda, whose mother was Matilda, Queen of the English, whose mother was Margaret, Queen of the Scots, whose father was Edward, whose father was Edmund Ironsides, who was the son of Ethelred, who was the son of Edgar, who was the son of Edmund, who was the son of Edward the Elder, who was the son of Alfred. Alfred, however, was descended from Adam, the first man.]

His marriage to Eleanor of Castille is recorded in the Annales Londonienses, p. 46 [ 152 ]

"Anno Domini M^oCC^oL^oIIII^o missus est Edwardus filius regis Henrici cum maximo apparatu apud regem Hispaniae Amfulsum, ubi Alienoram juvenculam, ipsus regis sororem, apud Bures desponsavit, et ab codem cingulo donatur militari."

[Translaton: A.D. 1254 was Edward the son of King Henry, with great splendor, with Alfonso, the King of Spain, in Boures, where he married young Eleanor, sister of the King, and was given singular military honors.]

[1]                    William    Edna
                       Henry      Margaret
                       Forsythe   Forsyth
                          \_________/
                               |
[2]                      William Marion Forsyth
                               |
[3]                      Martha Lurinda McFarland
                               |
[4]                      Eliza McFarland
                               |
[5]                      Jane Claypool
                               |
[6]                      Jesse Claypool
                _______________|_________________
               /                                 \
[7]     James Claypole, weaver             James Claypole, yeoman
              |  (of Hardy County, West Virginia) |
              |  (of Hampshire County, Virginia)  |
              |  (of Augusta County, Virginia)    |
              |  (of Sussex County, Delaware)     |
              |                                   |
[8]     James Claypoole                    James Claypoole
        (of New Castle County, Delaware)   (of Sussex county, Delaware)
              |                                   |
[9]     James Claypoole, immigrant         Norton Claypoole, immigrant
               \_________________________________/
                               |
[10]                      John Claypole
                               |
[11]                      Dorothy Wingfield
                               |
[12]                      Robert Wingfield, the younger
                          (of Upton)
                               |
[13]                      Robert Wingfield, the elder
                          (of Upton)
                               |
[14]                      Henry Wingfield
                          (of Orford)
                               |
[15]                      Elizabeth Goushill
                               |
[16]                      Elizabeth D’Arundelle
                               |
[17]                      Elizabeth de Bohun
                               |
[18]                      Sir William de Bohun, Earl of Northampton
                               |
[19]                      Elizabeth Plantagenet, Princess of England
                               |
[20]                      Edward I, King of England

This profile provides the proof necessary to reasonably conclude that William Henry Forsythe of Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois was descended directly from Edward I, King of England.

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