The Humphrey Family

The following genealogy profile (proof argument) traces the Humphrey 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 John Plantagenet, King of England. A similar proof argument has already been published (The Forsythe Family) following my grandfather's line. This article will follow my grandmother's line.

Recent advances in autosomnal DNA testing now make it possible to improve the reliability of a paper trail proof by showing common descent from a particular ancestor by other individuals, preferably, several. There are a few particulars of DNA testing to keep in mind. When we find that we share one or more segments of DNA with a distant cousin, the larger the segment size, the more likely that cousin is to have a closer genetic relationship than a more distant one. This is not always the case, however. If, for instance, you were related to a distant cousin through two separate ancestors (lines) and the more distant line had significantly more living descendants than the more recent one, then it might be that it is the more distant line that we share DNA with. Shared DNA segment sizes generally decrease with genetic distance, though not always, so there are ranges of segment sizes that indicate probable ranges of relationship. If a shared segment is small, but one of the shared lines is quite close, the shared segment may be for the more distant line.

It is important to note that using DNA test results to show descent from a particular ancestor is only valid if we can show that our distant cousin has a valid paper trail to that same distant ancestor, and that they we do not share other common ancestors, unless that ancestors is significantly more distant, such that the shared segment length would indicate that that ancestors is of a low probability. In order to show this, we need to verify that our distant cousin has a valid paper trail to all of their ancestors, at least up to an including the generation in question and perhaps several generations further. Like most people, our distant cousin will likely have undiscovered ancestors missing from their tree. We must use other techniques to verify that these holes could not be through another common ancestor. One method I use is to discovered a large number of other matches to the same common ancestor through several of that ancestors children. This improves the probability significantly since it would be very unlikely that are large percentage of these matches are invalid.

[1] Minnie Elizabeth Humphrey

Beginning with my grandmother, Minnie Elizabeth Humphrey, she wrote two unpublished genealogical works, The Forsythe Humphrey Story and A Book of Memories, where she stated that she was born in Galesburg, Illinois in December 26, 1894. She also states that she had two brothers, Artie Randolph Humphrey, born April 25, 1879, and Herschel Wayne Humphrey, born October 4, 1887. They were the children of David Henry Humphrey and Phoebe Jane Compton. This is verified by the 1880 federal census for Maquon, Knox county, Illinois, where Artie R. is shown as 1 year old, and the 1900 federal census for Galesburg, Knox county, Illinois, which shows "Wayne" as 12 years old and born in October of 1887, and Minnie as 5 years old and born in December of 1894. In the 1880 federal census, D. H. Humphrey is listed as 24 years old and Phebe J. Humphrey is listed as 23. In the 1900 federal census, D. H. Umphry is shown as 44 years old and born in March of 1856. Phoebe is shown as 43 years old and born in May of 1857. According to their marriage certificate, David H. Humphrey married Phoebe J. Compton in Fulton county, Illinois on February 21, 1878.

I currently have 3 DNA connections (470-722 cM) to grandchildren of Minnie through her daughter and one of her sons.

[2] Phoebe Jane Compton

According to my grandmother's books, her mother's name was Phoebe Jane Compton. In the 1880 federal census for Maquon, Knox county, Illinois, we find the newlyweds, David and Phoebe J. Humphrey, living along with their 1 year old son, Artie R. Humphrey, Phoebe's sister Sorelda A. Cunningham, Sorelda's husband James R. Cunningham, and their daughter Ora S. Cunningham. In the 1870 federal census, prior to her marriage, we find Phebe Compton (age 13) living in Union township in Avon, Fulton county, Illinois with her sister Sorelda A. Compton (age 16), and her parents John J. (age 53) and Julia A. Compton (age 45). In the 1860 federal census, Jonathan (age 43), Julia (age 36), "Sorella" (age 6) and Phebe (age 3) were living in Avon along with three other children, including Catherine (age 15). In both of these census records, Jonathan J. and Julia A. Compton state they were born in New York. Catherine (age 5) is also found in the 1850 federal census for Canton with her parents and three other siblings. Catherine Compton married John W. Hodson. In Catherine S. Hodson's death record we see that she was born in Canton on April 17, 1844, and that she was the daughter of J. Compton and Julia Taylor.

I currently have 2 DNA connections (17-46 cM) to Herschel Humphrey's grandchildren.

[3] Julia Ann Taylor

According to my grandmother's books, her grandmother's name was Julia Ann Taylor. In the 1880 and 1900 federal census records for Union township in Avon, Fulton county, Illinois, Julia A. Compton stated that both of her parents were born in Connecticut. When she died, the Avon newspaper published the following funeral notice.

"Died At her home in Avon, Illinois, Tuesday morning, May 13, 1913, at 3:30 o'clock, Mrs. Julia A. Compton Born July 7, 1824 Aged 88 years, 10 Months, 6 days ..."

On December 27, 1906, the Canton Weekly Register published an interview with Julia A. Compton. I have not seen the article, but notes were provided to me by another researcher. In the interview she stated that she was born in Auburn, New York on July 7, 1824 and that she and Jonathan J. Compton were married there in January 1839, which is probably incorrect as seen by the bible and census records below. She also stated that her parents were Bennet Taylor and Rachel Jelliff and they were natives of Connecticut. She said that Rachel died in the state of New York and is buried there, and that Bennet died in Christian County, Illinois. Julia and Jonathan arrived in Canton, Fulton county, Illinois in 1840 and lived there until they moved to Avon, Fulton county, Illinois in 1852 where Jonathan, a carpenter, built the home she was still living in over a half a century later. She stated that they had 12 children, of which five were still living in 1906. Of these she listed four - Mrs. Catherine Hodson of Avon, Mrs. Sorrilda Cunningham of Galesburg, Mrs. Julia I. Goodsell of Mayfield, Michigan, and Mrs. Minnie Hamill of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The other child was Phoebe J. Humphrey. She also stated that she had one living full brother in 1906, William Taylor who resided in Iowa. "William Tailor" is found living with her in Avon in the 1900 federal census. According to his obituary, he was born at West Port, Connecticut Dec. 17, 1818 and died in Russell, Iowa, February 8, 1908, at the age of 89 years, 1 month and 21 days. The obituary says that when he was 7 years of age (or about 1825), he with his father's family moved to New York.

I have photocopies of several pages that were torn from the Compton’s family bible. In their original handwriting we find that Jonathan J. Compton was born in Tyrone, Steuben county, New York on January 17, 1818, that Julia A. Taylor was born in Auburn, Chatagua county, New York on July 7, 1824. The bible records also show that they were married in James Town, Chautauqua county, New York in April of 1840, and that he died in Avon, Fulton County, Illinois on May 21, 1887. Their birth and death dates are verified by their tombstones, located in Avon Cemetery in Fulton county, Illinois. My grandmother's books put their marriage date on April 9, 1840.

The 1880 census for Avon shows Johnathan Compton (age 63) and Julia A. Compton (age 55) and daughters, Julia (age 19) and Minnie (age 14). As shown in the previous section, in 1870 they were living in Avon, and along with Sorelda A. and Phebe J., they were living with their other children Julia "J." (age 9), Minnie E. (age 4), John B. (age 23) and John's wife Isabel (age 23). In the 1860 federal census, we find the first reference to the the family living in Avon where Jonathan was 43 years old, Julia was 36, Catherine was 15, John was 13, "Sorella" was 6, Phebe was 3 and Ida was 2. Earlier in 1850, they were still living in Canton where Jonathan is shown as 33, Julia as 26, Sara M. as 8, William L. as 6, Catherine S. as 5, and John B. as 4. In 1840, prior to their move to Illinois, Jonathan Compton is found in the federal census living in Carroll, Chautauqua County, New York with a wife and no children, indicating that they were newly-weds.

I currently have 48 DNA connections of 20 cM or greater (22-186 cM) through 6 of Julia A. Taylor's children.

[4] Bennet Taylor

Bennet Taylor, the father of Julia Ann Taylor, first appears by name in the 1840 federal census in Ellicott, Chautauqua county, New York. According to the obituary of his son Robert William Taylor, Bennet Taylor was living in West Port, Fairfield county, Connecticut in 1818 and moved to New York around 1825, so we would expect to find Bennet Taylor in Connecticut in the 1820 census and in New York in the 1830 census, but these records have not been found. According to a letter sent to my grandmother by her cousin Ora Cunningham, Bennet Taylor married Rachel Jelliffe in 1813 and Rachel died in Troupsville, Cayuga county, New York on March 11, 1830. In the 1840 census he is shown with 7 sons and 1 daughter, and a second wife with which he did not yet have children. In the 1850 federal census for Christian county, Illinois, Bennet Taylor (age 56) is married to Nancy A. Taylor (age 39); 9 children from this second marriage are shown along with one daughter from his first marriage, Mary Harrison (age 24) and her two children. According to his tombstone, in Stonington Cemetery, Christian county, Illinois, he died March 11, 1853.

Bennet Taylor and his first wife Rachel sold land in Norwalk, Fairfiled county, Connecticut on October 5, 1824 to his uncle Dan Taylor (Norwalk Deeds, Volume 24, page 732, LDS film #5012). The land was originally owned by his grandfather Ahijah Taylor and was left for his wife, Isabella's use. When Isabella Taylor died in January of 1824, some of the land was inherited by Bennet Taylor because his father, Robert W. Taylor, had already passed away. The document was signed in the presence of his brother Charles W. Taylor and Seth Taylor. Unfortunately, I have not seen the actual deed, or the wills for Ahijah and Isabella Taylor, so must rely on the validity of the information as was given to me by Carol M. Lankston, another researcher. It is further unfortunate that Carol Lankston also did not have a copy of these documents, but was given the information by another relative. We must therefore rely on DNA evidence to further support these claims.

I currently have 16 DNA connections (12-35 cM) through 7 of the his Bennet Taylor's children, including 4 children from his 2nd wife.

[5] Robert William Taylor

According to the Connecticut Vital Records to 1870 (The Barbour Collection), Page 129, published by the New England Historic Genealogical Society, an index to the town records compiled by Lucius Barnes Barbour for 136 Connecticut towns, Robert W. Taylor was born in Norwalk, Fairfield county, Connecticut on December 15, 1769 to Ahijah & Isabella Taylor. Robert W. Taylor is also mentioned in his father's will. The index includes only one child for Robert W. Taylor and his wife Rhoda Bennett - Charles W. Taylor (b. Feb 12, 1808). As is explained below, some if not all of their other children were born in Vermont. In the History and Genealogy of the Families of Old Fairfield, Volume 2, compiled by the genealogist, Donald Lines Jacobus and published in 1932, we find on page 949

Taylor [Unplaced]. ... Robert, of Norwalk, m. 19 Dec. 1787, Rhoda Bennett. [Green Farms Church]

Early Connecticut Marriages confirms his middle name was William.

On June 21, 1819, Joseph Bennett, Rhoda Bennett's father, wrote his will in which he included among his children, "Rhoda, widow of Robert Taylor" (ibid. p. 110-111). On November 12, 1816, Robert's widow, as a guardian of their 5 minor children, appeared before a probate court where she submitted a petition to sell the lands they inherited from their father and from Ahijah Taylor (Connecticut Republican Farmer Newspaper, Dec. 11, 1816 [1]). In the 1810 federal census for Fairfield, Fairfield county, Connecticut, Robert Taylor is shown with his wife and 8 children. Living nearby is his father-in-law, Joseph Bennett. In the 1800 federal census for Fairfield, Robert Taylor and his wife are shown with 5 children. Bennet Taylor's father-in-law, William Jelliff is found in closeby Norwalk. Bennet Taylor is not included in the Barbour Collection.

In the 1790 federal census, Robert Taylor was living in Wolcott, Chittenden (later Lamoille) county, Vermont with two children, a son and a daughter that must have died young. In August 22, 1781, his father, Ahijah Taylor, was awarded, along with 62 others, including his uncles Gamaliel Taylor and Levi Taylor, proprietorship in the town of Wolcott, Lamoille County, Vermont. It is not clear why they were given proprietorship in this undeveloped land. It also does not appear his father ever set foot in the town, but Robert did. Of the original proprietors, almost none of them ever lived there. The town was only settled in 1789 by Seth Hubbell and Thomas Taylor, Robert's cousin, being the son of Gamaliel Taylor. (The Vermont Historical Gazetteer, Vol II, 1871, pp 773-777) In the 1790 census, Thomas Taylor, Seth Hubbell, Hezekiah Whitney, Robert Taylor and Luke Guyer were living in Wolcott. Gamaliel Taylor was living in the adjacent town of Hype Park about 10 miles away. His father, Ahijah Taylor was still living in Norwalk. In Bennet Taylor's 1850 census, he claimed he was born in Vermont in 1794.

I currently have only 1 DNA connection (35 cM) through Robert William Taylor's son Charles Hart Taylor. This is where DNA ceases to be useful, so from here we must rely on paper trails, and expert research.

[6] Ahijah Taylor

According to the Connecticut Vital Records to 1870 (The Barbour Collection), Page 128, "Abijah" Taylor was born September 22, 1740 in Norwalk, Fairfield county, Connecticut to Josiah & Thankfull Taylor. Also according to the Names of Persons for Whom Marriage Licenses Were Issued: New York, p. 388, "Abijah" Taylor married Isabella Wyley on December 16, 1768. As we've already seen he was one of the original proprietors of Wolcott, Vermont. This may indicate that he served with Capt. Joshua Stanton who, along with his "associates" was granted Wolcott in 1781 (State Papers of Vermont, Volume 1, 1918, p. 168).

From the Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Sangamon County, Volume 2, Part 2, 1912, page 1655, we find the following reference to Ahijah Taylor's military record.

Lieutenant Josiah Taylor, second son and child of Lieutenant John and Waite Clapp Taylor, was born October 17, 1701, and died February 11, 1781. He was married August 2, 1729, to Thankful French. Their son Ahijah was born September 22, 1740, married Isabella Wyley. From "Connecticut Colonial Homes" the following description is taken referring to Westport: "Across the highway a few rods east of "Washington Inn" may be seen an old Elm Tree stump, near which until two or three years ago stood the home of Ahijah Taylor, grandfather of Mr. Theodore Taylor of Westport. We have a valuable record of Ahijah's loyalty and courage while he was serving in a Connecticut regiment in 1764, under Israel Putnam, in the French War at Detroit. Bradstreet's little army had been sent to relieve Detroit. Israel Putnam was Lieutenant Colonel and gave to Ahijah Taylor at this time his "warrant as Second Sergeant in the Fifth Company a Battalion where I am Colonel. Given under my hand and Seal at Arms at Detroit, this 13th day of September, 1764. Signed by his own hand, Israel Putnam, Lieut Colonel." This commission was found among the papers of Charles Wiley Taylor, M.D., son of Ahijah, about the year 1884, and is now in the "Norwalk Historical Society."

Ahijah Taylor is in Norwalk in the federal census record for 1790, 1800, and 1810.

[7] Josiah Taylor

According to the Connecticut Vital Records to 1870 (The Barbour Collection), Page 129, Josiah Taylor was born October 17, 1701 to John & Wait Taylor and he married Thankfull French on August 2, 1729. The index lists 11 of their children including Ahijah Taylor. Ahijah is also listed in his will dated February 17, 1777.

Josiah Taylor's mother's maiden name was apparently Clapp or Clap. This can be seen in virtually every genealogical work concerning Connecticut families including New England Marriages Prior to 1700, 1985, p. 730, compiled by Clarence A. Torry from over 2000 town records and early manuscripts, where is states

TAYLOR, John (1667-1744) & 1/wf Wait [CLAPP] (1670-1722); b. 1690; Norwalk, CT/Deerfield

[8] Wait Clap

According to the Massachusetts Vital Records, Northampton 1654-1844, p. 11, found on Ancestry.com, which includes scanned images from original town record books, under "Births in 1670" it says

Novem 18 - Wait daughter of Preserved and Sarah Clap was born

In The Ancient Historical Records of Norwalk, Connecticut, 1847, page 210 is states

Wait Taylor , the wife of ye sd Lt. John Taylor , departed this life Jan. 29, 1721-1722. Sd Lt. John Taylor departed this life Nov. 18, 1744.

[9] Sarah Newberry

As we saw in the previous section, Wait Clap was the daughter of Preserved and Sarah Clap. According to the Massachusetts Vital Records, Northampton 1654-1844, p. 101,

Preserved Clap and Sarah Newbury were married the 4th of June 1668.

According to A Genealogical Dictionary of The First Settlers of New England, Before 1692, V.1., p. 390, by James Savage,

PRESERVED, Northampton, s. of Roger, m. 1668, Sarah, d. of Benjamin Newberry of Windsor, had Sarah, b. 1668, d. young; Wait, 1670; Mary, 1672, d. at 19 yrs.; Preserved, 1675; Samuel, 1677; Hannah, 1681; Roger, 1684; and Thomas, 1688; was freem. 1690, capt. and rul. elder, and d. Sept. 1720.

In volume 3, on page 268 he then says

NEWBERRY, BENJAMIN, Windsor, s. of Thomas of Dorchester, b. in Eng. m. 11 June 1646, Mary, only d. of Matthew Allyn, had Mary, b. 10 Mar. 1648, Sarah, 15 June 1650; Hannah, 22 Dec. 1652, d. at 11 yrs.; Rebecca, 2 May 1655; Thomas, 1 Sept. 1657; Abigail, 14 May 1659; Margaret, 23 Oct. 1662; Benjamin, 20 Apr. 1669; Hannah, again, 1 July 1673; and he d. 11 Sept. 1689; his w. d. 29 July preced. tho. Stiles, 720, makes it 14 Dec. 1703...

[10] Mary Allyn

In The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633, written by Robert Charles Anderson and published by the New England Historic Genealogical Society it includes the following under the heading for her father Matthew Allyn,

"In his will, dated 30 January 1670[/1] and proved 2 March 1670/1, Matthew Allyn of Windsor bequeathed to wife Margaret Allyn entire estate for life (sons John Allyn, Thomas Allyn & Benjamin Nuberry to improve it for her benefit); to son John Allyn (after decease of Margaret Allyn) all lands in "Kenillworth in the County of New London, I say both the farm & stock upon it" as well as land in Hartford previously given to him as his marriage portion; to son Thomas Allyn (after decease of Margaret Allyn) half of land at Catch [Simsbury] (out of which "my beloved grandchild Mathew Allyn" is to get one hundred acres) as well as lands at Windsor already given him as his marriage portion; to son and daughter Benjamin and Mary Newbery (after decease of Margaret Allyn) other half of land at Catch (out of which "my beloved grandchild Mary Maudsly" is to get fifty acres); to Mary Griffen (servant) 40s.; to John Indian one suit of clothes; to sons John and Thomas Allyn and daughter Mary Newbery residue equally; wife to be sole executrix. The inventory of the estate of "Mr. Mathew Allyn deceased" was taken 14 February 1670/1 and totalled £466 17s. 2d., of which £160 was real estate: "land & stock at Kennelworth," £120; and "land at Catch," £40 ("the house & land in Windsor not inventoried because by a deed of gift it was made over to Thomas Allyn by Mr. Mathew Allyn at the marriage of the said Thom: Allyn to be to him & his heirs forever after the death of the said Mr. Mathew Allyn & Margaret his wife") [Hartford PD Case #104; Manwaring 1:171-72]."

In The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, V. 51, p. 214, under the heading for weddings we find,

1626 Mathew Allin and Mris Margrett Wyot ffebruarie 2

They were married in Braunton, Devonshire, England.

[11] Margaret Wyatt

In The Visitations of the County of Devon: Comprising the Herald's Visitations of 1531, 1564, & 1620 p. 823, we see under "Wyatt of Braunton"

John Wyatt, 10 son bap. 27 Nov. 1558 at Braunton, Adm. to Inner Temple 1576. [married] Frances, 4 Da. of Amias Chichester or Arlington ... [children] ... Margaret, ...

Also in the Ancestral Roots of Sixty Colonists Who Came To New England before 1700, 7th Ed., 1999, compiled by Frederick Lewis Weis, under line 52, we see

42. FRANCES CHICHESTER, bur. Braunton, co. Devon, 5 Apr. 1626; m. Braunton, co. Devon, by 19 Oct 1584, John Wyatt, gentleman, bapt. Braunton 11 Nov. 1557, bur. 29 Nov. 1598, Braunton, son of Philip and Joan (Paty) Wyatt of Braunton. (NEHGR 51:214; Vivian, Devon 823; TAG 57:115-119).

43. MARGARET WYATT, bapt. Braunton, co. Devon, 8 Mar. 1594/5; m. Braunton 2 Feb. 1626/7, Matthew Allyn (or Allen), bapt. Braunton, 17 Apr. 1605, d. Windsor, Conn., 1 Feb. 1670/1, son Richard and Margaret (Wyatt) Allyn of Braunton. They were the ancestors of President Grower Cleveland. (Vivian, Chichester and Bolton, as above; v. Redlich 106; Waters II 932,1212-1213; TAG 57:115-119). (Amended by Douglas Richardson).

[12] Francis Chichester

In The Visitations of the County of Devon: Comprising the Herald's Visitations of 1531, 1564, & 1620 p. 173, 179, we see under "Chichester of Raleigh" and "Chichester of Arlington"

Amias Chichester of Arlington in Com. Devon 2 son by his 2 wife, 3 son, named in the Inq. taken on his father's death & exr. of his will d. 4 July 1577, aged 50. Inq. p. m. W. & I., vol. xviii, p. 16 [married] Jane Da. of Sr. Roger Gifford of Brightly. Will pro. 16 Ap. 1596. [children] ... Frances mar. John Wyott of Braunton, ...

Also in the Ancestral Roots of Sixty Colonists Who Came To New England before 1700, 7th Ed., 1999, compiled by Frederick Lewis Weis, under line 52, we see Francis Chichester is the daughter of

41. AMYAS CHICHESTER, b. ca. 1527, d. 4 July 1577, ae 50, of Arlington, co. Devon; m. by 1545, JANE GIFFARD, dau. of Sir Roger Giffard of Brightleigh, in parish of Chittlehampton, Devon; her will was probated 16 Apr. 1596. (Generations 28-41: Crispin, Falaise Roll, Table IX; Vivian, Visit. of Devon, 172-173, 179, 397, 400, 626, 823; v. Redlich 105-106; Chichester, op. cit., 32, 67-70, 77-80; Bolton, Ancestry of Margaret Wyatt, chart; NEHGR 51:214. See Wm. R. Drake, Notes of the Family of Chichester (London 1886) 324 et seq.)

[13] Jane Gifford

In The Visitations of the County of Devon: Comprising the Herald's Visitations of 1531, 1564, & 1620 p. 400, we see under "Gifford of Halsbury"

Sir Roger Gifford of Brightly, Kt. 1 son by 2 wife, d. 1 May 1547. Inq. p. m. W. & L. vol. iii, page 1. [married] Margaret Da. & sole hei. of John Cobley of Brightly, d. 23 Dec. 1547. Inq p.m. W. & L. vol. iii, page 94 [children] ... Jane, mar. Amias Chichester of Arlington ...

Also in the Ancestral Roots of Sixty Colonists Who Came To New England before 1700, 7th Ed., 1999, compiled by Frederick Lewis Weis, under line 25, we see

36. MARGARET COBLEIGH of Brightley, b. ca. 1502, d. 1547, Inq.p.m. 15 Oct. 1547, seized of the manors of Brightley, Stowford, Snape, Wollacombe Tracy, Bremridge, Nymet St. George; m. Sir Roger Giffard of Halsbury, d. 1547, of Brightley, par. of Chittlehampton, co. Devon, younger son of Thomas Giffard, b. ca. 1461, d. 1513, of Halsbury, co. Devon, by his second wife, Anne, living 1511, dau. John Coryton of Newton, Quethiock, Cornwall. (DA, cit. 34:679, 689, 692-693; Wm.Salt Soc. NS V 29, 32, 34, Vivian, Visit. of Devon, p. 397).

37. JANE GIFFARD, d. 1596, will pro. 16 Apr. 1596; m. AMYAS CHICHESTER, b. 1527, d. 4 July 1577. (Chichester, History of the Family of Chichester from 1086 to 1870, pp. 32, 77-80; Vivian, Visit. of Devon, 397, 400; Bolton, Ancestry of Margaret Wyatt, chart; NEHGR 51:214).

[14] Margaret Cobleigh

In the Ancestral Roots of Sixty Colonists Who Came To New England before 1700, 7th Ed., 1999, compiled by Frederick Lewis Weis, under line 25, we see Margaret Cobleigh is the daughter of

35. JOHN COBLEIGH, b. ca. 1479 (age 13 in 1492); m. (1) by 1502, JANE FORTESCUE, dau. of William Fortescue of Pruteston or Preston in Ermington, co. Devon, d. 1 Feb. 1519/20, & wife Elizabeth, dau. & coh. Richard Champernoun of Inworthy, Cornwall (see Thomas Fortescue, History of the Family of Fortescue (1886) pp. 1-9.). Jane died by 12 May 1527, and he m. (2) Elizabeth Owpye, wid. He d. 24 Oct. 1540, Elizabeth surv., Inq.p.m. 33 Hen. VIII (1546) shows he held manors of Brightley, Stowford, Snape, Bremridge, Stowford Carder, & Nymet St. George. (DA 34:619-692; Vivian, Visit. of Devon, pp. 353 & 357).

36. MARGARET COBLEIGH of Brightley, b. ca. 1502, d. 1547 ...

[15] Jane Fortescue

In The Visitations of the County of Devon: Comprising the Herald's Visitations of 1531, 1564, & 1620 p. 353, 357, we see under "Fortescue"

William Fortescue, 2 son, named in the Inq. taken at the death of his mother, d. 1 Feb. 1519-20. Inq. p.m. 12 Hen. VIII, No. 59, Will 14 Ap. 1518, pro. 12 Feb. 1521 at Lambeth [married] Elizabeth, da. and coh. of Richd. Champernowne. Vide p. 357. [children] ... Jane, mar. John Cobleigh of Brightley., ...

Also in the Ancestral Roots of Sixty Colonists Who Came To New England before 1700, 7th Ed., 1999, compiled by Frederick Lewis Weis, under line 246F, we see

36. WILLIAM FORTESCUE, 2nd s. & h. to part of mother's lands, b. say 1460, d. 1 Feb. 1519/20, Inq.p.m. 21 Apr. 1520, of Preston in psh. of Ermington, Co. Devon; m. Elizabeth, b. ca. 1465, d. bef. 1518, dau. & coh. of Richard Champernowne of Inworthy, Cornwall, by wife Mary, dau. & coh. Sir John Hamley. (Ca). Inq.p.m. Henry VII, 11:264-265; Vivian, Visit of Devon, p. 162 for Champernowne and p. 353 for Fortescue; Thomas (Fortescue), Lord Clermont, A History of the Family of Fortescue, pp. 1-10; Harleian MS 1567, fol. 46; Harleian MS 1091, fo. 58; Harleian MS 889, fol. 10v; Abstract of Inq.p.m. for William Fortescue (Year:1520), Devon Record Office, Exeter, co. Devon).

37. JANE FORTESCUE, b. say 1485, dead 12 May 1527, m. ca. 1501, as (1) wife, JOHN COBLEIGH, b. ca. 1479, d. 24 Oct. 1540, Inq.p.m. 4 Oct. 1541, lord of Brightley, Stowford Carder, Bremridge, Wollacombe Tracy, Snape, Stowford, & Nymet St. George, co. Devon, s. John Cobleigh by wife, Alice, dau. John Cockworthy of Yarnscombe, co. Devon, escheator of co. Devon in 1430 and 1440. (Thomas (Fortescue), Lord Clermont, A History of the Family of Fortescue, pp. 1-10; Vivian, Visit. of Devon, pp. 353 and 357; Abstract of Inq.p.m. for John Cobleigh (Year:1541), Devon Record Office, Exeter, co. Devon; Devon N & Q 1:210-214; Devonshire Association, 34:689-695; List of Escheators for England and Wales, List and Index Society, 72:35).

[16] Elizabeth Champernoun

As we saw in the previous section listed in "Ancestral Roots", Elizabeth Champernoun was the daughter Richard Champernoun of Inworthy. Weis claimed that her mother was Mary Hamley, however, several postings published on the GEN-MEDIEVAL-L mailing list prove her mother was Elizabeth Reynell, the daughter of Walter Reynell. The confusion arises from the fact that early documents did not always specify the given name of an individual. Margaret Hamley, as it turns out, was the wife of his father.

[17] Richard Champernoun, Esq., of Inworthy

In the article, Champernoun of Modbury, Devonshire, Ronny Bodine notes:

RICHARD CHAMPERNOUN. Born 6 Jan 1435 (IPM of his father); died 26 May 1468 (IPM 8 Edw. IV file 28 (35)). He married Elizabeth Reynell, daughter of Walter Reynell, of Malston.

Children:
23. Margery Champernoun, born 1461.
24. Margaret Champernoun, born 1463. m. 1) John Carminow, of co. Cornwall. m. 2) Nicholas Cockworthy
25. Elizabeth Champernoun, born 1465, died bef. 1518. m. William Fortescue (DCNQ, 19: 26-29, 265-270)
26. Joan Champernoun, born 1466.
27. Mary Champernoun, m. Humphrey Monk.

[18] John Champernoun

In the article Champernoun of Modbury, Devonshire, Ronny Bodine lists Richard Champernoun as the only known son of John Champernoun and Margaret Hamley.

13. JOHN CHAMPERNOUN (de CAMPO ARNULPHI in his IPM), of Insworth. Died 2 June 1449 (IPM 27 Hen. VI, file 133 (7)). At his death he held no lands in Devonshire or Cornwall. He married Margaret Hamley, daughter of Arthur Hamley, of Halwyn, co. Cornwall. Margaret was born 1409.

Children:

18. Richard Champernoun, m. Elizabeth Reynell.

[19] Sir Richard Champernoun, Knt., of Modbury

In the article Champernoun of Modbury, Devonshire, Ronny Bodine shows that John Champernoun was the son of Sir Richard Champernoun and his second wife, Katherine Daubeney.

Sir RICHARD CHAMPERNOUN. According to a inquisition of proof of age made at Jevelchestre on 6 Aug 1366, he was born 29 June 1344 at the manor of Suddon, Somersetshire and baptised in the church of Wyncaulton. On the occasion of his baptism, his great-grandfather, Sir Richard Lovel, gave a celebration (CIPM, 7: 91). On 27 Nov 1368 he was appointed Sheriff of Devonshire in succession to his father (Cal. Fine Rolls, 1356-68, p. 392). In Nov 1377 he paid homage and fealty to the King for the manor of Ashton Rowhant, Oxfordshire (Cal. Close Rolls, 1377-81, p. 22). As a knight he was appointed assessor of a tax in Devonshire, 27 May 1379 (Cal. Fine Rolls, 1377-83, p. 142 and was again appointed Sheriff for a one-year term on 1 Nov 1381 (ibid., p. 270) and 18 Jan 1387 (Cal. Fine Rolls, 1383-91, p. 152). In 1395 he was holding Stokkinchurche Manor, Oxfordshire (CIPM, 7: no. 476).

In 1393 and 1394 Richard Chambernon, Kt. and Catherine, his wife, received indents from the Catholic Church to make confessions, obtain a portable alter and celebrate mass. (Cal. of State Papers, vol. 4, 1362-1404: Entries Relating to Great Britain and Ireland, pp. 483, 489, 494, 497, 498).

As Lord of Portelmouth, one of the Rohant manors, he presented to the church there in Jan 1383/4, Sept 1399 and May 1405 (Brantscombe, p. 86; Stafford, p. 195); as Lord of Dodbrook, another Rohant manor, he presented to the church there in Mar 1383/4, Mar 1403, June 1405, Nov 1409, and Nov 1410 (Brantyngham, p. 87, Stafford, p. 163-4); as Lord of Modbury, he presented to Modbury Priory in March 1398/9, Feb 1406/7 and Jan 1415/6 (Stafford, p. 188); and as Lord of Bridford, he presented there to the church in Sept 1399 (Stafford, p. 150). On 14 July 1402, Richard Chambernon, "chivaler," was appointed a commissioner of array for Devon (Cal. Patent Rolls, 1401-5, p. 114). On 1 Jan 1412, he and others granted 40 acres in Wodelegh to the parson of Wodelegh in exchange for 40 acres in the same town (Cal. Patent Rolls, 1408-13, p. 368).

His will of 26 Feb 1418/9 was proved 3 Apr 1419, naming his wife Katherine and sons Richard and John. He requested burial in the parish church of Dodbrooke by the side of his wife Katherine (Stafford, p. 422-3).

Vivian (p. 162) reports he was married 1stly to Alice, daughter of Thomas, Lord Astley, and 2ndly to Katherine, daughter of Sir Giles Daubeney. For confirmation of Alice as a Astley see following, under Joan Champernoun (no. 11) where, Joan's Chudleigh descendants impale the arms of Champernoun and Astley (RTDA, 31: 92). Alice would consequently be a daughter of Thomas de Astley, of Astley and Bentley, Warwickshire, 3rd Baron Astley, and his wife, Elizabeth de Beauchamp, a relationship accepted by Paget in his Official Baronage (no. 9). Katherine was apparently the daughter of that Sir Giles Daubeny, who was the 3rd Baron Daubeny, of Kilmersdon, Somersetshire, who died 24 June 1386, and his wife Eleanor Wyllington, herself a Champernoun descendant, though no daughter is named among their children in Lord Hylton's Notes on the History of the Parish of Kilmersdon [Taunton, 1910].

Children (by 1st wife):

10. Alexander Champernoun, m. Joan Ferrers.
11. Joan Champernoun, m. 1) Sir James Chudleigh, 2) Sir John Courtenay.

Children (by 2nd wife):

12. Richard Champernoun, m. Isabel Bonville.
13. John Champernoun, Margaret Hamley.
14. Margaret Champernoun, m. Robert Hill.

[20] Thomas Champernoun, Esq. of Modbury

In the article Champernoun of Modbury, Devonshire, Ronny Bodine lists Sir Richard Champernoun as the son of Thomas Champernoun, Esq. and Eleanor Rohant.

THOMAS CHAMPERNOUN, Esq. As Lord of Modbury, he presented to Modbury Priory in June 1345, June 1349, April 1350/1, March 1361/2 and June 1375 (Grandison, pp. 1347, 1390-1, 1416, 1480; Brantyngham, 1370-1394, p. 37); as Lord of Bridford he presented there to the church in June 1349 and Jan 1358/9 (Grandison, p. 1391, 1450). Collector of the 10th and 15th for Devonshire, 1 Aug 1357-15 Sept 1357 (Cal. Fine Rolls, 1356-1368, p. 44, 46); appointed Sheriff of Devonshire 20 Nov 1362 and 26 Nov 1367 (ibid., p. 237, 359) serving a one year term in each instance. In Apr 1369, he quit-claimed his rights to the Rohant lands in Worthington, Leicestershire; Estcoton, by Gildesburgh, Northamptonshire; and Combe Real and Portesmouth, Devonshire to his son, Richard (Cal. Close Rolls, 1369-74: 84).

Appointed escheator for Devonshire, 15 June 1369, serving until 16 Feb 1371 (Cal. Fine Rolls, 1368-77, pp. 9, 109). In that capacity, he was appointed on 20 Nov 1369 to guard the temporalities of the Bishop of Exeter, now void, and in the King's hands (ibid., p. 44); appointed collector of the 10th and 15th, 6 Dec 1373 and again 14 Nov 1374 (ibid., pp. 229, 269); writ of supersedeas issued May 1379 in favor of Thomas Chambernoun, Esq. for a demand for his homage which he has done (Cal. Close Rolls, 1377-81: 256); exempted for life from assizes, juries, etc., by letters patent of 9 Nov 1378 (Cal. Patent Rolls, 1377-81, p. 346); appointed collector of a tax in Cornwall (Cal. Fine Rolls, 1377-1383, p. 54). The last reference to him occured on 12 Nov 1387 when he was serving on commission of road inquiry in Devonshire (Cal. Close Rolls, 1385-9: 391).

Married to Eleanor, daughter of Sir Roger Rohant and heiress to Aston Rohant, Oxfordshire and Woodleigh, Devonshire. She was dead by April 1369 when her husband quit-claimed his rights to her inheritance in favor of their son Richard (Cal. Close Rolls, 1369-74: 84; VCH, Oxfordshire, 8: 21).

Children:

7. Sir Richard Champernoun, m 1) Alice Astley, 2) Katherine Daubeney.
8. Edmund Champernoun.
9. Cecily Champernoun.

[21] Sir Richard Champernoun, of Modbury

In the article Champernoun of Modbury, Devonshire, Ronny Bodine shows Thomas Champernoun as the son of Sir Richard Champernoun and Elizabeth Valletort.

Sir RICHARD CHAMPERNOUN. Died shortly before 26 Nov 1338 when Bishop Grandisson recorded the testamentary probate of Lord Richard de Campo Arnulphi, Knight (Grandisson: 894). The will itself was not recorded in the register and is now lost. In 1285, by commandment of Edward I, James de Okeston conveyed Modbury to him. On 13 Apr 1315, a plea of covenant was summoned wherein James de Oxton acknowledged the manor and advowson of Brideford (Bridford) to be the right of Richard as by James's gift, to be held by James for his life upon payment of a yearly rose, and after his death the manor and advowson would revert in its entirety to Richard (Devon Fines, 2: no. 1023). On 20 Jan 1315/6, James de Oxton and Ida, his wife, acknowledged the manor of Modbury and advowson and priory of Modbury to be the right of Henry de Lappeslode as by James' gift, that Henry granted the manor and advowson to James and Ida for their lives, and after their deaths, the manor and advowson shall remain in their entirety to Richard de Campo Arnulphi and his heirs (Devon Fines, 2: no. 1031).

On 25 Sept 1319 he received a grant, at the request of Edmund de Woodstock, the King's brother, for a weekly market on Tuesday at his manor of Inneswerk, co. Cornwall, and a yearly fair there on the vigil, the feast and morrow of St. Michael (Cal. Charter Rolls, 1300-1327, p. 415). Knight of the Shire for Devon Oct 1324 and Sept 1331 (Parliaments, pp. 71, 94). On 7 July 1324 he was a knight liable for military service against the Scots (RTDA, 71: 292, 294). On 28 Aug 1325, he was commissioned to pursue and arrest disturbers of the peace and on 28 Feb 1326 was appointed a commissioner of the peace in co. Cornwall. On 20 Mar 1326, he was appointed arrayer for co. Cornwall (Cal. Patent Rolls, 1321-4, pp. 228, 285, 222). In 1332, he was holding lands in Brixton, Compton and Egg Buckland, Highampton, North Buckland, and Modbury (Devon Lay Subsidy of 1332, p. 12, 15, 65, 81, 100). Holding Modbury of John de Dynham, 20 June 1332 (CIPM, 7, p. 327).

On 1 June 1334 he received license to crennelate Modbury Manor (Cal. Patent Rolls, 1330-34, p. 554) and on 1 Feb 1335, he received a grant, of special grace, of free warren in all their demense lands of Modbury, co. Devon and Inneswerk and Ledeweyn, co. Cornwall (Cal. Charter Rolls, 1327-1341, p. 322).

By May 1316 (VCH, Somersetshire, 6: 92) he was married to Elizabeth Valletort, coheiress of Hugh de Valletort, of North Tawton, and widow of Richard Tremenet (DCNQ, 20: 294).

Children:

3. (Sir?) Richard Champernoun, m. Emeline Brankescombe.
4. John Champernoun.
5. Thomas Champernoun, m. Eleanor Rohant.

[22] Joan de Okeston

In the article Champernoun of Modbury, Devonshire, Ronny Bodine says that Joan de Okeston was the wife of Sir Richard Champernoun and they were the parents of Sir Richard Champernoun the husband of Elizabeth Valletort.

Sir RICHARD CHAMPERNOUN, of Modbury, Devonshire. As "Richard de Chambernon, son of Dom Henry de Chamb'noun," he terminated a Plea brought by him in City Court against Master Henry de Bollegh, Archdeacon of Cornwall, 4 Oct 1286 (DCNQ, 8: 132). In 1275/82, as Ricardus de Chambernun, he was recorded as a tenant of the manor of Inswork (Book of Fees, II, p. 1298).

Married to Joan, half-sister of James de Okeston, of Modbury. Sir James de Okeston presented to Modbury Priory Sept 1321 (Stapledon, p. 235). It has been suggested that Joan had remarried by 1300, in which year Peter de Fissacre was holding Inceworth, as per the IPM of Edmund, Earl of Cornwall, and that Joan, wife of Peter de Fissacre, put in a claim in 1316, endorsed on the final concord of Modbury (RTDA, 67: 269-270, 280-282). Joan apparently died soon after as in 1319 her son Richard was holding Inceworth.

Children:

2. Richard Champernoun, m. Elizabeth Valletort.

Joan de Okeston's parentage is discussed in Ancestral Roots, 7th Edition - Corrections published by Todd A. Farmerie in August of 1995 on the GEN-MEDIEVAL-L mailing list, where he clarifies for line 124B that Joan de Okeston was the daughter of Richard, 2nd Earl of Cornwall by way of Joan (de Valletort) de Oxton.

32. RICHARD DE CHAMBERNOUN, second son, was granted Modbury, co.Devon, and Inceworth, co. Cornwall in right of his wife. He married Joan, (half-)sister of James de Okeston (Oxton) of Modbury. Joan's mother, also named Joan, and widow of Sir Reginald de Valletort, married secondly Alexander de Oxton, but was mistress of RICHARD, Earl of Cornwall. Pole (p. 309) reports a grant of 1284/5 in which Joan, wife of Richard Champernoun, is called "sister" by Edmund, Earl of Cornwall, legit. son of the Earl Richard, which appears to be conclusive evidence of her being illegitimate daughter of RICHARD [Earl of Cornwall, King of the Romans, 2nd son of JOHN, King of England, and ISABELLA OF ANGOULEME]. For a discussion of her paternity see: DCNQ xviii:108-112, and xix:319-321, and Cornwall Feet of Fines, p. 121-2.

[23] Richard, 2nd Earl of Cornwall

In Ancestral Roots of Sixty Colonists Who Came To New England before 1700, 7th Ed., 1999, compiled by Frederick Lewis Weis, under line 258, we see

27. RICHARD, Earl of Cornwall, King of the Romans, 2nd son of JOHN, King of England, and ISABELLA OF ANGOULEME, b. 5 Jan. 1209, d.2 Apr. 1272, had by Joan, w. of Sir Reginald de Vautort or Valletort, at least one illeg, child.

[24] John Plantagenet, I, King of England

Finally, in the Ancestral Roots of Sixty Colonists Who Came To New England before 1700, 7th Ed., 1999, compiled by Frederick Lewis Weis, under line 1, we see

26. JOHN, Lackland, King of England, 1199-1216; b. 24 Dec. 1167; d. 19 Oct. 1216; m. (2) 24 Aug. 1200, ISABELLA OF ANGOULEME; b. 1188; d. 31 May 1246. (CP V 736; CCN 547-548; DNB 29:402, 29:63).

27. RICHARD, Earl of Cornwall

Genealogical Table

[1]                Minnie     Herschel   Artie
                   Elizabeth  Wayne      Randolph
                   Humphrey   Humphrey   Humphrey
                     \_________|_________/
                               |
[2]                       Phoebe Jane Compton
                               |
[3]                       Julia Ann Taylor
                               |
[4]                       Bennet Taylor
                               |
[5]                       Robert William Taylor
                               |
[6]                       Ahijah Taylor
                               |
[7]                       Josiah Taylor
                               |
[8]                       Wait Clap
                               |
[9]                       Sarah Newberry
                               |
[10]                      Mary Allyn
                               |
[11]                      Margaret Wyatt
                               |
[12]                      Francis Chichester
                               |
[13]                      Johan Gifford
                               |
[14]                      Margaret Cobleigh
                               |
[15]                      Jane Fortescue
                               |
[16]                      Elizabeth Champernoun
                               |
[17]                      Richard Champernoun, Esq.
                          (of Inworthy)
                               |
[18]                      John Champernoun
                               |
[19]                      Sir Richard Champernoun, Knt.
                          (of Modbury)
                               |
[20]                      Thomas Champernoun, Esq.
                          (of Modbury)
                               |
[21]                      Sir Richard Champernoun
                          (of Modbury)
                               |
[22]                      Joan de Okeston
                               |
[23]                      Richard, 2nd Earl of Cornwall
                               |
[24]                      John Plantagenet, I, King of England