Royal Families: Americans Of Royal And Noble Ancestry. Volume Three

I am not sure why it is, but it seems like American genealogist are obsessed with the notion of having royal ancestry. The truth is, a significant number of us are descendant or royal blood; however, proving so will bring you little more than bragging rights, which you will share with millions of other people. First, whether of a legitimate relationship, or the other type, given enough generations any royal will have millions of descendants. Second, even if you proved a connection, there is no crown, no throne, no glory waiting for you. What does that leave us? Bragging rights, and maybe a few more generations filled in on our pedigree. To be honest, that may be a reward in itself, regardless of the royal nature of that extended pedigree. Yet, we are still captivated by the possibility or our royal ancestry. In full disclosure, I too must admit I think it would be cool to be royal lineage. Just don’t ask me to explain why.

So what does this commentary have to do with anything? Well, because there is a book, Royal Families: Americans of Royal and Noble Ancestry. There is actually an entire series of books; however, for today, we will look at Volume Three. Within this book, you will find the five generations of descendant of Samuel Appleton and his wife Judith Everard, who were descended of William the Conqueror and of Louis IV. Together they came to the American colonies in the 1630s. There are over three thousand descendents in just fiver generations. The 3,000 would easily measure into the millions today, giving those of European descent a significant chance of tying our own ancestry into this family line.

You may be wondering just how this all works. Let me try and explain further. Samuel Appleton married Judith Everard in the early 1600s. Each was a descendant of royal ancestry. Here are their royal lineage lines:

Samuel Appleton

Mary Issac

Margery Whetehill

Sir Richard Whetehill of Calais

Margaret Worsley

Rose Revor

Angharad Puleston

Lowri ferch Gruffyd Fychan

Guffyd Fychan ap Gruffydd

Elizabeth Lestrange

John Lestrange V

Joan de Somery

Nichole d’Aubigny

Mabel of Chester

Hugh de Kevelioc

Maud of Gloucester

Robert de Caen

Henry I Beauclerc of England, King of England

William I, the Conqueror

In the book, spouses are also listed. One interesting fact is the spouse listed on this line for Henry I is simply “unknown mistress.” Here is Judith’s line:

Judith Everard

John Everard

Thomas Everard

Henry Everard

Mary Cornish

John Cornish

John Cornish

Iodena Hunt

Margaret Pecche

Sir Simon Pecche

Gilbert Pecche

Gilbert Pecche

Hamon Pecche

Alice Fitz Walter

Walter Fitz Robert

Matilda de Saint Liz

Matilda

Judith

Lambert

Matilda de Louvain

Gerberga

Charles, Duke of Lower Lorraine

Louis IV “the Simple,” King of the Franks

Somewhere in my genealogy I have a similar list, created by one of my ancestors, also tying me to Henry I. Looks like I could have a few hundred thousand more cousins by way of Samuel and Judith.

Based on these lists, Samuel and Judith can trace their royal ancestry back to at least one king each. Thus, any descendant would also link to these two kings. While there may be other royals along other lines, this book only details these two lines. Still, the book outlines five generations of individuals, descendents, from Samuel and Judith. If you can find a family connection to any of the three plus names inscribed in this book, then you too can claim your own bragging rights to royal ancestry.

To put all another way, “The purpose of the book is to provide a genealogical history with documented sources (using vital records primarily) for the descendants of Samuel and Judith (Everard) Appleton. Where possible, the identity of the parents of each known spouse is also provided, along with relevant biographical, genealogical, and historical details.”

If your lineage connects to this family, then who might some of your more famous cousins be? “Americans linked to Samuel and Judith Appleton will find near or distant cousins among such distinguished individuals as President Franklin Pierce, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte, Jr. Other descendants include “signer” William Whipple, Jr., Mrs. John Singleton Copley, James Russell Lowell, Francis Parkman, Jr., Phillips Brooks, Josiah Quincy, Jr., and poet Robert Frost.”

So in the end, why get the book? One, you may discover your own connection to royalty. Second, and in my opinion the more important reason, if you can connect your lineage to anyone in this book then you just opened up a huge addition to your family pedigree.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Gary Boyd Roberts

Introduction

About the Author

Appleton Pedigree Chart

Appleton Descendancy Chart

Everard Pedigree Chart

Everard Descendancy Chart

Generation One

Generation Two

Generation Three

Generation Four

Generation Five

Generation Six

Bibliography

Person Index

Lineage Society Index

You may just uncover your own Royal connection, with Royal Families: American of Royal and Noble Ancestry, Volume Three; Available from Family Roots Publishing.