The Martiau Family

   

NICOLAS MARTIAU:  
1591, Île de Ré, France -1657, Colony of Virginia

Medallion representing Nicolas Martiau

In 1591 there was born in France one who was to become an important figure in the early history of the Virginia colony – Nicolas Martiau, a Huguenot.  While still quite young Nicolas Martiau went to  England, where he fell under the influence of the powerful Earl of Huntingdon.  At the latter’s instance, Martiau was educated as a military engineer – for it will be remembered that in this era of Vauban, engineering as a profession was still largely confined to military engineering, especially fortification.  During his life in England Martiau also became a naturalized Englishman; and as he later held various offices in Virginia, his naturalization was plainly of the special form granted only by royal decree, which form alone, permitted the recipient to hold office and enjoy certain other privileges.

Henry Hastings 5th Earl of Huntingdon

The Earl of Huntingdon was one of the members of the Virginia Company, that private corporation which was entirely responsible for the initial colonization and development of Virginia.  About the year 1619 the colonists petitioned the company for an expert to be sent to Virginia to plan and construct fortifications, badly needed for defense against the Indians.  Huntingdon, we may be sure, was instrumental in securing the appointment of his young protege to this position; and in June of 1620 Martiau arrived in Virginia, where he continued to act as representative for the Earl’s extensive interests.  The Virginia Census of 1624 shows “Capt. Niccolas Martue” as having come to Virginia in the “Francis Bonaventure”, sailing from England on May 11, 1620.

More on Henry Hastings, 5th Earl of Huntingdon

More on the Virginia Company

In Virginia Martiau was given the rank of Captain in the militia and put in charge of the work of planning fortifications.  It is interesting to note that three places were selected by him for immediate fortification; and of the three one was Old Point Comfort, now the site of our principal fort for the defense of Chesapeake Bay; Fort Monroe, Virginia.  After the disastrous uprising and massacre by the Indians in 1622 he was stationed with a company of the militia at Falling Creek, well up the James River.

Martiau first resided at Elizabeth City; and from this community he was elected a member of the House of Burgesses, sitting in the Assembly of 1623-4 (Journals of the House of Burgesses 1619-1658/9).  In 1624 or 1625 he married the young Jane Berkeley, widow of Lieutenant Edward Berkeley; the exact date of the marriage is not known, but on December 12, 1625 Martiau wrote to the Earl of Huntingdon: “I am now both a husband and a father”.  At Elizabeth City, in 1625, was born Elizabeth Martiau, the oldest child of Nicolas and Jane Martiau; and the family continued to reside at Elizabeth City for several years after this event.

Martiau became the possessor of a considerable amount of land in Virginia during the course of his lifetime.  About the time of his marriage he acquired a large tract which included the present city of Yorktown.  It is noteworthy that Martiau was the earliest Virginia ancestor of George Washington, among others; and when Washington in 1781 proceeded against Cornwallis at Yorktown he camped his troops on land previously owned by his ancestor – and the surrender of Cornwallis took place also on the old Martiau  tract.  In 1630 the Martiau family took up its residence permanently on this tract at Yorktown, then called “Kiskyake” or “Cheskiacke”.  Nicolas Martiau was again elected to the House of Burgesses as the representative of Kiskyake and the Isle of Kent, sitting in the Assemblies of 1631-2, 1632 (beginning September 4th), and 1632-3 (assembled February 1, 1633).  He was appointed by Governor Harvey as a Justice of York County, which office he held for more than twenty years; his first appearance as a member of York County Court was on July 12, 1633, and his last appearance on September 24, 1655.

As indicated above, Martiau played an important part in the political life of Virginia in his day.  One of his minor appointments in 1639 was as one of the Tobacco Viewers for Charles River County – “Men of Experience and in dignity for the Careful Viewing of each Man’s crop of Tobacco” – the Viewers being selected by the Assembly.  Nor did he fail to increase his land holdings.  In March of 1639 Captain Nicolas Martiau was granted 1300 acres in the County of Charles River; of this tract 700 acres was granted for the transportation into the colony of fourteen persons, while 600 acres was granted for the migration of himself, his wife and ten persons to Chiskiack in its first year.  Chiskiack, or Yorktown, was at first a frontier settlement, exposed to attack by Indians, and grants of land were given to those who would settle there; but in 1644 this danger was removed by the migration of the Chiskack Indians from the York River to the Pianketank, where the tribe died out.  Martiau also secured two grants of land in Westmoreland County – one in 1654, and one in the following year – each grant being for two thousand acres.

Undoubtedly the most important part in Virginia history played by Captain Nicolas Martiau was in connection with the ejection of Governor Harvey.  Opposition to Harvey’s methods and high-handedness became general in the colony during the winter of 1634-5, and meetings were held at various places to voice this opposition.  Meetings were at the Martiau home, among others; and this led to the arrest by the governor of Martiau, Captain Francis Pott, and Sheriff William English of York.  These three were placed in irons by order of Harvey, who announced his intention of hanging them; but the opposition to him was so strong, even in the Council and House of Burgesses, that he was forced to release them; and Harvey was himself place under a heavy guard.  Being reduced to ineffectiveness as the governor, Harvey was forced to return to England to appeal for the support of the Crown in his struggle with the colonists.  He returned for a time to Virginia, bringing with him the young George Reade of whom we shall hear more later; but his views were so arbitrary and unsympathetic that he was soon forced to leave Virginia for a second and final time.  George Reade had become acting Secretary of State of the colony in the absence of Richard Kemp, then in England, and upon Harvey’s final departure Reade became acting governor.  Martiau was one of the outstanding leaders in the movement of the colonists which caused Harvey’s deposition.

ELIZABETH MARTIAU: 

born 1620's- died 1680's 

and her husband GEORGE READE: 1608-1671

The Reade Family

George Reade was born in England, probably in 1608, to the Reade family of Facombe.  His father was Robert Reade, but it was through his mother, Lady Mildred Windebank, that his most impressive connections are recorded. She was the daughter of Sir Thomas Windebank, Duke of Norfolk.  Her brother, Sir Francis Windebank, was Secretary of State to King Charles I, and George Reade's older brother, Robert, was the private secretary of Sir Francis.  With these connections it is not surprising that George Reade appeared initially on the scene in Virginia at a fairly high level.

George Read was one of about one hundred colonists, who emigrated to the colonies from England and Wales before the end of the 17th century, known to have legitimate descent from a Plantagenet King of England. 

His presence in Virginia was first indicated in a letter home in 1637 in which he indicated that he was "still at the Governor's House."  As Governor Harvey had been returned to the colony at the King's order in 1636, it is likely that Reade had accompanied him.  Then when Secretary Kemp left for England in 1640 Reade served as the acting Secretary of the colony.

When shortly thereafter Governor Harvey experienced his second sudden departure for England, he left the affairs of the colony in the hands of Reade, the acting Secretary, thus making him in turn the acting Governor.  The Council then elected George Reade to be Secretary of the Colony on 27 August 1640.

In 1641 George Reade married Elizabeth Martiau, daughter of Nicolas Martiau, one of Virginia's early settlers and a skilled engineer of French origin, who had first come to Virginia in 1620 as the representative of Henry, the fifth Earl of Huntington.  Their daughter, Mildred Reade, married Augustine Warner of Warner Hall, and the daughter of this marriage, Mildred Warner, married Lawrence Washington, the grandfather of George Washington.

After their marriage the Reades established their home in the vicinity of Middle Plantation, and in 1649 George Reade was a Burgess from James City. In documents dated 1648 and 1650 he was granted 2000 acres of land adjacent to Chiskyak Creek near Yorktown where his father-in-law lived, and in 1652 Reade was a justice of York County.

In 1656 George Reade was elected to represent York County in the House of Burgesses. In 1657 he was named to the Council, a position in which he was confirmed by Charles II upon the restoration in 1660 and which he retained for the rest of his life. In 1659 he was named Colonel of York County. Finally, his last will and testament was recorded at Jamestown in 1671.

THOMAS READE:

born 1649- died 1720

and his wife LUCY GWYNN: 1680-1731

The Gwynn Family

In 1610(?) Hugh Gwynn, often referred to by some as Sir Hugh Gwynn, and by others as Colonel Hugh Gwynn (probably the latter) arrived in Jamestown possibly with members of his family. The name Gwynn is variously spelled as Gwin, Gwinn, Guinn, Wynn, Wynne or Winn. Of Welsh origin, the name Gwynn means “white” and can be traced back as direct descendants of Caractacus, son of King Cymbeline, one of the early kings in Wales. According to history, in 47 AD, Caractacus refused to submit to Claudius the Roman Emperor who conquered Britain. After inciting tribe after tribe to revolt, he finally surrendered to the Romans. Because of his nobility and the renown of his heroism, he gained the admiration and respect of Claudius and was allowed to remain in practical freedom in Rome. 

In 1611(?), Hugh Gwynn was exploring the Chesapeake Bay and stopped at a small island at the mouth of the Piankatank River. Legend has it that he heard cries for help from an Indian girl who had fallen from her canoe. Seeing her about to sink, he dived in and pulled her to safety. When asked her name she replied “Pocahontas, daughter of Chief Powhatan", and in gratitude for saving her life she gave the island to Hugh Gwynn, hence the name Gwynn’s Island. besides, Hugh figured it was easier to spell Gwynn than Pocahontas. Chances are that Hugh Gwynn, like so many of his compatriots, claimed the Island in the name of the King, and settled in for the duration.

THE GEORGE WASHINGTON CONNECTION:

George Washington, President

How is this family related to George Washington, the first President of the United States of America?

George Reade ----------------Elizabeth Martiau

                             ||

              Mildred Reade --------- Augustine Warner, Jr.

                                        ||

                              Mildred Warner-----------Lawrence Washington

                                                           ||

                                                Augustine Washington-------------Mary Ball

                                                                                        ||

                                                                              George Washington

The Warner and Washington Families

Warner Hall, Virginia

Augustine Warner

In the winter of 1642, Augustine Warner, I arrived in Jamestown with twelve new settlers for the Virginia Colonies. For bringing these colonists to the new frontier, Warner was given a “head Grant” of 600 acres in Gloucester, Virginia. He eventually expanded his acreage at his new plantation, WARNER HALL, to several thousand acres prior to his death in 1674.

During his life he was Justice of York, Justice of Gloucester, and a member of the King’s Council in Virginia. Augustine Warner was the great, great grandfather of George Washington, and an ancestor of Robert E. Lee. Queen Elizabeth II is a direct descendant of Augustine Warner I through the Bowes-Lyon family and the Earl of Strathmore. Warner Hall is referred to as the home of the Queen’s American ancestors.

Augustine Warner, Jr.

Augustine Warner II (1642 – 1681) inherited Warner Hall upon the death of his father in 1674, and further developed the plantation house and property. Augustine Warner II, like his father, was a member of the King’s Council and also served as Speaker of The House of Burgesses in Williamsburg. He married Mildred Reade, the daughter of George Reade, one of the founders of Yorktown. In 1676, Nathaniel Bacon came to Gloucester after burning Jamestown and made Warner Hall his headquarters. It was at Warner Hall that Bacon invited the “Oath of Fidelity” of his fellow countrymen.

All of Augustine Warner II ‘s sons died young and when Augustine himself died in 1681 at the age of 39, he left three daughters, Mary, Mildred and Elizabeth. Mary went on to marry John Smith, of Purton, on the York, and their son, Augustine Smith was said to have been one of the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe who accompanied Governor Spotswood on his famous expedition across the Blue Ridge Mountains in 1716.

Lawrence Washington

Augustine Washington

Mildred Warner married Lawrence Washington and their son, Augustine, married Mary Ball. Augustine and Mary became the proud parents of George Washington, who was named after his great-grandfather, George Reade, founder of Yorktown. Perhaps the most recognized patriot in American history, General George Washington led the Colonies to independence from the British in the Revolution of 1776. General George Washington continued his role as a great patriot in 1789 and become the first President of the United States of America. In a famous funeral phrase, Henry Lee declared that Washington was “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.”

Nicolas Martiau was the earliest emigrant ancestor of George Washington (and Robert E. Lee).

The garden behind the Ernest Cognacq Museum in Saint Martin de Ré holds a monument with a statue of George Washington, with the base of the monument featuring a medallion representing Martiau. The monument was inaugurated on October 11, 2007, by the ambassador of the United States to France. The filiation between the two men is described on the monument.

Statue of George Washington, with a medallion 
of his ancestor from Île de Ré, Nicolas Martiau.

Stuart Benson Clark> Anne Garnett Emory> Theodosia Blakey Garnett> Sarah Ann Tompkins> (Judge) Christopher Tompkins> John Tompkins> Joyce Reade> Thomas Reade> Elizabeth Martiau> Nicolas Martiau

The Rapelje Family

The Rapalje Coat of Arms

Joris Jansen Rapelje (also called George) was born on April 28, 1604 in Valenciennes, a town in Northern France, long considered a Protestant stronghold in the province of Hainaut, but was conquered by Spain in the 1500s. Then, in 1677, under Louis XIV, Valenciennes was recaptured for France. Joris was born there during the time of Spanish occupation and his family was surely under duress. 

Joris was the youngest child of Jean Rapareilliet, probably born to a woman other than Jean's wife, Elizabeth Baudoin, but possibly adopted by her. Joris did not know his father, since his father, Jean, died when he was less than 2 years old. He also would not have known Elizabeth, since she also died in 1606. It is not known if he ever knew his genetic mother, but it seems possible that his father would have employed the services of some woman, perhaps a mistress, perhaps Joris' genetic mother, to raise his family. Jean was born about 1552 in Valenciennes, Nord, France. Jean died after 1602. One source says buried on 23 Feb 1606 in Valenciennes, France. In about 1599, Jean married Elizabeth Baudoin, and she birthed 8 and raised 9 of the following children until she died in 1606.

Joris' surname, Rapelje, was a vulgar "Dutchification" of the French or Walloon name "Rapareillet". The variations of the spelling of his surname suggests that, although born in the Spanish occupied Hainaut Province of France, he may have spent some time in Walloonia, Flanders, now a part of Belgium. Once in America at New Amsterdam, he was said to have come from La Rochelle, France, indicating that he may have lived there as well, or at least had some trade in La Rochelle (possibly through Catalyntie's father). His middle name, Jansen, suggests that he was the son of Jan (in Dutch), or Jean (in French). 

Walloon Church of Amsterdam

Joris, a 19 year old illiterate textile worker (weaver) and Catalyntie (Catalina) Jeronimus Trico (b. 1605, France), his 18 year old bride were married in the Walloon (Protestant - Huguenot) Church at Amsterdam, Netherlands, Jan. 21, 1623/24 and had no family to witness the ceremony. Four days later, their ship sailed to America. Catalyntie's maiden name, Trico, is also a "Dutchification" of Tricault, her original French surname. The possibility does exist that they first came to America on separate ships, he on the Unity in 1623, and she on the Niew Nederlandt in 1624, or vice-versa. Another possibility is that Joris first arrived in 1623 on the Unity, then returned to Holland to marry Catalyntie and they both returned to New Amsterdam on the Niew Nederlandt in 1624. In the Bergen family history, published in 1876, it is asserted that they both came to the "Mannatans" on the Unity, commanded by Arien Jorsie, and were part of 18 families which remained on-board to go to Fort Orangie (Now Albany), where they lived until 1626. New research has Catalyntie arriving on the Niew Nederlandt in 1624, which brought a number of Huguenot refugees from La Rochelle. They were among the earliest settlers to "New Netherland".

Joris and Catalyntie had 11 children: 

The Rapalje Children, 1768, John Durand,
New-York Historical Society.
Descendants of Joris Jansen Rapelje

· Sarah b. June 7, 1625; d. 1685  m1. Hans Hansen Bergen  m2. Tunis G. Bogart 

· Maria b. Mar. 11, 1627; d. 1685  m. Michael Vandervoort

· Janetje b. Aug. 18, 1628  m. Rem Vanderbeek 

· Judith b. July 5, 1635; d. 1726  m. Pieter Pietersen Van Nest 

· Jan b. Aug 28, 1637; d. 1663  m. Maria Frederickse (Lubertson) 

· Jacob b. May 28, 1639; shot and killed by Indians while on the front steps of the Tap House on Pearl Street. 

· Catalina b. Mar. 21, 1641  m. Jeremias Westerhout 

· Jeronimus b. June 25, 1642; d. 1690 m. Anna Denise 

· Annetje b. Feb.8. 1646  m1. Marten Ryerson, m2. Joost Franz. 

· Elisabeth b. Mar. 28, 1648; d. 1712  m. Dirck Hoogelandt. 

· Daniel (1650-1725)  m. Sarah Klock.

The Rapalje family were first employed at Fort Orange, in what would eventually become Albany, New York. Fort Orange was being erected by the Dutch West India Company as a trading post on the west bank of the Hudson River. It became the company's official outpost in the upper Hudson Valley. 

Property of the Rapelje Family, Brooklyn circa 1835

By 1626, Dutch authorities relocated most settlers from Fort Orange to Fort Amsterdam at the southern end of Manhattan Island. The Rapeljes established a residence near the East River, and were among the earliest purchasers of land in Manhattan, later building two houses on Pearl Street near the Fort. In 1637, Joris Jansen Rapalje purchased about 335 acres around Wallabout Bay in what is now Brooklyn. Rapelje's son-in-law Hans Hansen Bergen acquired a large tract adjoining Rapelje's. After a few years of farming, Joris and Catalina opened a small tavern or "tap house" on the north side of what is now Pearl Street, abutting on the Fort, where they managed the tap-house and grew vegetables and served their guests. Later, their daughter Sarah and son-in-law, Hans Hansen Bergen, took over the tap-house, but Hans died in 1654. Today the land where the Rapalje’s farm stood is an industrial park under the direction of the Brooklyn Navy Yard. 

In 1641 Joris was elected member of a board of twelve men to consult with Governor Kieft on account of the dangerous situation the confronting the Colony due to the unrest among the Indians. This was the beginning of representative government in the Dutch portions of America, and the board availed itself of the opportunity to strengthen such institutions by an attempt to limit the arbitrary power of the Governor, for which they wished to substitute a more democratic system. According to their plan four of their number should become members of the Permanent Council. The representative body was, however, abolished the following year. 

There were troubles in 1660. Rapalie petitioned to be allowed to leave his house standing on his farm for the present, which application appears to have been denied. At this period, in consequence of the Indian troubles, an order had been issued for those residing outside of the villages to abandon their dwellings, and remove to the villages, which were fortified, for safety. He asked permission to create a village opposite Manhattans and was refused. 

Early view of a farm belonging to descendants of Joris Jansen Rapelje

In 1662 Rapalje became a member of the Reformed Dutch Church of Brooklyn. Joris Jansen Rapelje died in Brooklyn New York 21 Feb 1662 at 57. 

Home of the Rapelje Family foot of 34th Street & North River

From that point onward Catalina was known as the "old widow from Valenciennes" as she continued to raise her large extended family and grow vegetables on her farm in Brooklyn. In 1680 a group of Labidist visitors reported that, "M. de la Grange came with his wife to invite me to accompany them in their boat to the Wale Bocht, a place situated on Long Island, almost an hour's distance below the city, directly opposite Correlaer's Hoeck, etc. This is a bay, tolerably wide, where the water rises and falls much, and at low water, is very shallow and much of it dry, etc. The aunt of de la Grange (Catalyntie Trico), is an old Walloon from Valenciennes (her husband not her), seventy-four years old. She is worldly minded, living with her whole heart, as well as body, among her progeny, which now number 145, and will soon reach 150. Nevertheless, she lived alone by herself, a little apart from the others, having her little garden and other conveniences, with which she helped herself." 

She and Joris became the ancesters of over a million North Americans and author Russell Shorto called Joris Jansen and his wife Catalina "the Adam and Eve" of New Netherland.

Brooklyn's Rapelye Street is named for the family. The spelling of the Rapelje family name varied over the years to include Rapelye, Rapalje, Rapareilliet, Raparlié, Rapalyea, Raplee, Rapelyea, Rapeleye, Rappleyea as well as others. Rapelje, Montana is named for a descendant, and an early descendant, Capt. Daniel Rapelje, founded the settlement which became St. Thomas, Ontario.

Michael Pauluzen Van der Voort

Michael Pauluzen Van der Voort (approximately 1615 to 1690) - was an early resident of New Amsterdam and an early settler of Talbot County, Maryland. In New Amsterdam, in 1640, he married Marretje Maria Rapelje. Michael’s enterprises included real estate, shipping, tavern keeping and, in Maryland, planting tobacco. Michael is the ancestor of many in the United States who spell their name Vandervoort, Vanderford, Vandiver, Vandevert, Vandaveer or similarly.

Michael was born about 1615 in Dermonde, Flanders, in what is now Belgium. It is believed that his ancestry traces back to Artus Van der Voort, who lived near Turnhout, North Brabant. Various records suggest that Van der Voorts were well-to-do burghers in Amsterdam and Ghent. 

Michael may be related to Cornelis van der Voort (1576–1624), a Dutch portrait painter whose house Rembrandt later occupied.

New Netherland and Marriage

There is no definitive record of Michael’s presence in New Netherland until his marriage, on November 18, 1640 under the auspices of the New Amsterdam Dutch Church.  The marriage was among the first seven to be recorded in New Amsterdam, founded in 1625. Michael married Maretje Maria Rapelje, a daughter of two of the earliest settlers on New Netherland, Joris Jansen Rapelje and Catalina Trico. Maretje was born May 16, 1626 and was only 13 yrs., 11 months old when she married Michael. Joris and Catalina were Huguenots. 

Unlike the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts, founded by Puritans escaping religious persecution, New Netherland was founded by the Dutch West India Company seeking profits. The area was good for farming and was the best location in North America for trading with the Indians and with Europe. One result of this unique founding was that the colony welcomed settlers of all religious persuasions from all over the world. Another effect was the predominance of the commercial spirit, which led settlers to participate in multiple businesses at the same time. A third effect was the keeping of thorough records, particularly having to do with property.

From these records, many not translated or published until late in the twentieth century, we can learn some surprising things about Michael and Maretje. On May 6, 1623 Abraham Rycker won a suit against Michael for the overdue first payment on land sold to him. At one time Michael owned several lots on Pearl Street (which still exists in downtown Manhattan) and built a house on one of the lots.

Michael and Maretje probably moved to the Wallabout Bay area of Brooklyn in about 1647, following Joris Rapelje who had bought land there in the 1630s. At some point Michael expanded into the shipping business. In 1653 Maretje demanded payment of the money Michael had earned with his sloop in fetching palisades for the city.  Undoubtedly these palisades were requisitioned by Peter Stuyvesant to augment the wall built in 1653 to repel a possible attack by the English (not by Indians as folklore would have it). Wall Street, a rough track at the time, was named after this wall.

In 1655 Michael was granted a license to sell wine and beer by the “small measure” on the condition that he also lodge strangers. The records refer to Michael as an “Old Burgher”, indicating that he had reached a certain prominence in the local community. The last reference to Michael in New Netherland was in a suit he brought in 1659 against Hendrick Pieterson.

Maryland

Michael’s first appearance in Maryland records was on March 16, 1661 when 300 acres  were “laid out” for him at the head of Corsey’s Creek in Talbot County.  Author Ledley says, “No doubt Michael removed to Maryland to grow tobacco, as the New Netherland government had previously encouraged its people to settle there and supply the product and Michael had a brother-in-law interested in the tobacco trade.”

Michael acquired more land from the Maryland colony by inducing others to come inhabit the area alongside him. It is a testimony to his reputation that he was influential enough to accomplish this. It is unknown whether the new settlers came from the New Netherland colony or directly from Europe. In the records of this English colony, Michael’s name was first anglicized to Vandefort, Vandeford, and ultimately Vanderford. Michael came to own 1,300 acres.  in the area before selling 350 acres “called Vanderford” to Robert Smith in 1681.

Children and Descendants

Michael and Maretje had nine children, not all of whom survived to adulthood or had children. Paulus Michaelis Van der Voort was the couple’s eldest surviving son and was baptized January 3, 1649 in the Dutch Church of New Amsterdam. He probably moved to Maryland with his parents before returning to the Bedford section of Brooklyn where he died in 1681 and where his descendants lived for several generations. Michael is the ancestor of all those in the United States who spell their name Vandervoort, Vandervort, Vandevort, Vandifort, or Vandivert, except descendants of possibly later immigrants from Holland. Among his descendants is William Plutarch Vandevert, pioneer of Central Oregon and founder of the historical Vandevert Ranch.

Stuart Benson Clark> Anne Garnett Emory> Francis A. Emory> John Martin Groome Emory> Charles Emory> John Emory> Catherine van der Voort> Marritje "Maria" Rapelje> Joris Jansen Rapelje & Catalina Trico

Colonel Caleb North

Colonel Caleb North

Colonel Caleb North

NORTH, Caleb, soldier, born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 15 July, 1753; died in Philadelphia, 7 November, 1840. 

He was first married to Ann Hockley in 1791 and had a son, Francis Asbury North. Later he married Lydia Lewes of Lewes, Delaware in 1795 and had 8 children (Ann, Sarah, Caleb, Emmeline, George Washington, Maria, Edwin and Ella Harriet). It is through this line that Anne Garnett Emory (wife of Robert Stuart Clark) descends. Caleb North was her great grandfather, her paternal grandmother being Ann North, Caleb's oldest child by Lydia Lewes.

Caleb North was a merchant at Coventry, Pennsylvania, at the beginning of the Revolution, at which time, it is said, he hired a British deserter to teach him the manual of arms. He was a captain in the 4th battalion and served in the Canada campaign, when on his return from Ticonderoga he was pro-rooted major of the 10th regiment, and as such rendered important service.

Battle of Paoli

General William Smallwood

General Anthony Wayne

At Paoli, by the par-titular exertions of General Anthony Wayne, Major North, and Captain Stout, a rear-guard was formed by which two pieces of cannon and the remainder of the brigade was saved. He was detached the same night to direct the retreat of General William Smallwood, and a vidette was killed by his side. After taking part in the battle of Germantown, he was promoted lieutenant-colonel of the 11th Pennsylvania regiment and was in the battle of Monmouth. In July, 1778, he was transferred to the 9th Pennsylvania, and in January, 1781, to the 2nd, with which he took part in the southern campaign. After the surrender of Cornwallis he had charge of the British prisoners on their march from Virginia to York and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, conducting Tarleton's noted legion to Philadelphia. He retired from the army at the close of the war, resumed business at Coventry, and subsequently removed to Philadelphia, where in 1819 he was chosen high-sheriff. From 1828 until his death he was president of the Society of Cincinnati in Pennsylvania, being the last survivor of the field-officers of the Pennsylvania line.

The Battle of Germantown

The National Gazette, 1840 - Obituary

Died on the 7th November, 1840, at his residence in Coventry Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, Colonel Caleb North, in the 88th year of his age. Colonel North was for many years a respectable merchant of this city, and at one time High Sheriff of the city and County of Philadelphia, and was at the time of his death, President of the Pennsylvania Society of Cincinnati. He retired a few years since to his farm in Chester County, the same neighborhood in which he raised a company and went out as captain in the army of the Revolution, was distinguished by his bravery and prudence, and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, which rank he held at the close of the war. In all duties of life, whether as a father, a husband, a Christian, or a friend, his conduct has been most exemplary. Dignified in deportment, yet affable to all, his society was agreeable, notwithstanding the infirmities of age. Thus has descended to the tomb in the world, one of the best of men, and the last of the field officers of the Pennsylvania line of the army of the Revolution.

Caleb North's signature when he was High Sheriff of Philadelphia

Pennsylvania Society of the Cincinnati

Inception of Pennsylvania Society, at the City Tavern

The Pennsylvania State Society was the ninth of the 14 constituent societies formed by the original 13 states and France after the General Society was founded at Fishkill, NY, 10 May 1783.

The State Society of the Cincinnati of Pennsylvania was formed at the City Tavern, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 4 Oct 1783. 

A second meeting was held on 10 Oct, leading to a third on 13 Oct at which the 85 men present signed the Parchment Roll, Pennsylvania's draft of the institution earlier adopted at Fishkill. Signatures on the Roll eventually totaled 268. These are what we consider Original Members. To this are added the names of those officers who died in service, and therefore could not make the choice themselves, officers who joined the society later, and lines of descent that are now eligible through the Rule of 1854. Our total eligible officers are 612.

On 4 May 1784, all fourteen societies met at the Tavern for the first general meeting. At that time the French delegate gave General Washington the Cincinnati Eagle insignia, designed by Pierre L'Enfant, that the Society President General wears to this day at all official functions.

Caleb North's Burial Place

Original record of burial place

According to the Daily Pottstown Ledger of November 4, 1904, Colonel North was first buried in the Old Potts family burial ground at Coventry in Chester County. His body was removed and re-interred in 1904 by his descendants. The marker that is at West Laurel Hill Cemetery is the original marker that was in place at the Potts Cemetery. According to the article, Colonel North had no military training but was educated in the manual of arms and military evolutions by a British traitor. With this knowledge he raised and equipped a company and offered his services to General Washington.

Colonel Caleb North's grave marker

Stuart Benson Clark > Anne Garnett Emory > Francis Emory > Ann North > Caleb North

Clayton Fotterall McMichael

Clayton Fotterall McMichael

CLAYTON FOTTERALL McMICHAEL was born in Philadelphia, PA on October 1, 1869 to Clayton McMichael and Anna E. Fotterall*. 

(*See  The Fotterall Family)

Clayton McMichael's ancestors came to America from Northern Ireland some time in the 18th century.  More about this illustrious family in another post.

Although dying at the age of just 37 (September 28, 1907) from appendix complications, Clayton made  his mark in the short time he lived. He was truly remarkable...like his father and grandfather. Here are just a few things about this man and his life...

CLAYTON McMICHAEL'S FAMILY TREE

 THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

McMICHAEL, '91 C., ASSISTANT TO THE PROVOST.

Mr. Clayton Fotterall McMichael, '91 C., has been appointed assistant to the Provost. The appointment was made at the solicitation of the Trustees who, on account of the great increase in the administrative work of the University, at a recent meeting requested the Provost to appoint an additional assistant.

Mr. Clayton Fotterall McMichael was born in Philadelphia on October 14, 1869, the son of Hon. Clayton McMichael and Mrs. Anna Fotterall McMichael, daughter of the late Stephen G. Fotterall. Mr. McMichael entered Pennsylvania as a partial student from Towne Scientific School in 1887, and left at the end of Junior year. During his undergraduate career he was especially active in promoting student organizations and publications. He was one of the founders and sometime editor-in-chief of the Red and Blue, the University literary monthly. Associated with a small group of College men he founded in 1889 the Mask and Wig Club, which has become so noted in the history of amateur theatricals. Mr. McMichael has been president of the club for many years, and it is largely through his able management and judgment that organization has maintained its prominent position. He contributed many of the University songs that have appeared since 1890, and he has written several of the annual Easter burlesques for the Mask and Wig Club. He is a member of the board of directors of the Athletic Association and secretary of that body. For many years Mr. McMichael has been active in the work of the Sunday-school of St. Stephen's Church, of Philadelphia.

Mr. McMichael's very wide but intimate acquaintance with University affairs, together with his ability and sound judgment, particularly fits him for the position of assistant to the Provost.

POETRY

Warning to Freshmen

                                 Clayton Fotterall McMichael

A little Fresh went out to swim,

And took a cake of soap with him,

And slimed each supple little limb.

And when he on the bank arrove,

One long, last downward look he gove,

And then into the water dove.

And trying to regain the top,

In vain, alas, he tried to flop--

He went so fast he could not stop!

His limbs were soaped from heel to hip--

He could not get a half-way grip--

For every time he tried he'd slip!

The water no resistance gave,

And so, beneath the murky wave,

He found a wet, untimely grave.

With thrilling, thundering, thomping thud

He struck the misty, moisty mud--

And turtles fatten on his blood.

We dedicate this little hymn

To all "Ye Freshie" of supple limb

Who soap themselves before they swim.

From The Club and Smoker

THE CREW SONG*

Clayton Fotterall McMichael, ‘91

I sing a song of rowing

On the waters deep and blue,—

A most exhilarating scene.

As through the waves we're going

With a brave and sturdy crew,

Our senses are both sharp and keen.

But the rowing that's most bracing,

All your weariness effacing,

Is when you're bravely racing

For the trophy that you dearly prize.

CHORUS

There are staunch men true

In the old Yale blue;

There are loyal men from Harvard and from Princeton, too.

But of all true men

Now within my ken,

There are none to me so dear as are the Sons of Penn.

* From "Old King Cole."

Pennsylvania’s Verse

THE MASK AND WIG

The first call for Mask and Wig members

Once upon a time, in 1888, a small group of Penn undergraduates, led by Clayton Fotterall McMichael, were interested in the stage and were feeling restless. Here were talented and ambitious young men of prominent Philadelphia families with no proper outlet for their artistic pursuits. Those interested in the Classics went to that department for productions of Euripides; Shakespeareans went to the English department. However, McMichael and his cohorts wanted something different: a troupe that would produce humorous theatrical pieces. What was a college man to do? Get up in frocks and spoof everyone and everything, naturally.

Because colleges at the time were open only to young gentlemen, any production was limited to an all–male cast. These organizations naturally saw burlesque, which was quite popular in that era, as the perfect genre. The overblown characterizations, loose plotting, musical interludes, and parody of high art made the style perfect for a group of young, well–educated, amateur men, especially since the drag tradition came “built–in.”

The first Mask and Wig production: "Lurline"

Founder McMichael combed the local bookstores for a story to produce and found it in Henry Byron’s The Nymphs of the Lurleyburg. With a little pirating and a bit of imagination, Lurline, the Club’s first production, hit the boards at the Chestnut Street Opera House on June 4, 1889, for one night only. The show was a spectacular success financially, socially, and historically. From that night onward, the Club, supported by a strong network of alumni now known as the Graduate Club, produced an annual show. The runs were extended and the Club established a fine tradition among Philadelphia’s theater–going society.

The full cast of "Lurline"

In 1894 the Club purchased a property at 310 South Quince Street to serve as a gathering place and rehearsal hall. Prominent Philadelphia architect Wilson Eyre was commissioned to convert the building, which had previously served as a church, a dissecting room, and a stable. He hired the young Maxfield Parrish, who would later become one of the greatest illustrators of the twentieth century, to decorate the interior. The Grille Room was decorated with caricatures of members; a tradition that continues today, with the second century of members’ caricatures continued upstairs at the entrance to the auditorium.

The Club prospered throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In 1908, the Club, awash in philanthropic good will, not to mention cash, donated funds to build a dormitory in the University Quadrangle, which still bears the name of Mask and Wig. The 1950s were a heady time for the Club. Appearing in the big Center City theaters and traveling across the country in its own Pennsylvania Railroad car, the Club survived through two world wars. Mask and Wig songs were the rage of the big band orchestras, radio shows, and solo acts of the day. The likes of Frank Sinatra, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, and Les Brown all covered Mask and Wig tunes.

1895 Mask and Wig production of "Kenilworth" authored by Clayton Fotterall McMichael

Portrait of Clayton Fotterall McMichael hanging in the Mask and Wig

But by the time the fifties rolled around and television became a staple of the American entertainment diet, the Club, as well as its more sophisticated cousins on Broadway, found leaner days and thinner audiences. The 1961 production, Wry on the Rocks, introduced a satirical revue format in a cabaret atmosphere. Seventeen years ago, with Myth America, Mask and Wig returned the student – written book musical to its stage, a practice which continues each year. One of the factors in the success of the shows has been their topicality – a treatment with both wit and music of subjects of the day with which students and alumni identify. Also important in the show’s success are the traditional high standards in the caliber of performers and excellence of the material performed.

The Club’s primary purpose has always been and continues to be, “Justice to the stage and credit to the University.” Today, Mask and Wig maintains its position as one of the premier extracurricular activities on the Penn campus. Its yearly alumni tour over spring break brings the show to alumni clubs across the nation. 

Mask and Wig History

THE NORTH AMERICAN

The oldest daily newspaper in America: 

The North American of Philadelphia 

Published at 701 Chestnut Street

By Clayton McMichael & Sons

The North American newspaper first existed as The Pennsylvania Packet and American Daily Advertiser, the first daily number of which was issued by John Dunlap, September 21^st, 1784.  Later David C. and Septimus Claypole succeeded Dunlap, and in 1795 the title was changed to Claypole’s American Daily Advertiser, which was sold in 1800 to Zachariah Poulson, Jr. In 1839 the paper was transferred to S. C. Brace and J. R. Newbold, who called their journal THE NORTH AMERICAN. They were succeeded by William Welsh, who in 1844 sold out to George R. Graham and Alexander Cummings. Cummings soon retired, and on January 1st, 1847, Morton McMichael became associated with Mr. Graham, and later purchased his interest. On July 1st, 1847, THE NORTH AMERICAN and THE UNITED STATES GAZETTE were consolidated, Mr. McMichael becoming sole proprietor in1854.

On April 17th, 1876, The United States Gazette was dropped from the title page and as THE NORTH AMERICAN this newspaper was published by Morton McMichael until his death in 1878; when it passed to the control of his sons, Walter and Clayton, who had been associated with their father in the work of the paper since 1860. On July 1^st 1890, Clayton McMichael purchased the interest of his brother and on January 1^st 1896, he admitted to partnership with him his two sons, Campbell Emory McMichael and Clayton Fotterall McMichael.

THE NORTH AMERICAN is a thoroughly and fearlessly American Family Newspaper, published daily except Sundays, and it goes into the homes of the people.  It can be purchased anywhere for one cent a copy.

Directory of the Principle office buildings in Philadelphia 1896

The North American's Connection to 

The Philadelphia Inquirer

The Philadelphia Inquirer was founded as The Pennsylvania Inquirer by printer John R. Walker and John Norvell, former editor of Philadelphia's largest newspaper, the Aurora & Gazette. An editorial in the first issue of The Pennsylvania Inquirer promised that the paper would be devoted to the right of a minority to voice their opinion and "the maintenance of the rights and liberties of the people, equally against the abuses as the usurpation of power." They pledged support to then-President Andrew Jackson and "home industries, American manufactures, and internal improvements that so materially contribute to the agricultural, commercial and national prosperity." Founded on June 1, 1829, The Philadelphia Inquirer is the third oldest surviving daily newspaper in the United States. However, in 1962, an Inquirer-commissioned historian traced The Inquirer to John Dunlap's The Pennsylvania Packet, which was founded on October 28, 1771. In 1850 The Packet was merged with another newspaper The North American, which later merged with the Philadelphia Public Ledger. Finally, the Public Ledger merged with The Philadelphia Inquirer in the 1930s and between 1962 and 1975, a line on The Inquirer's front page claimed that the newspaper is the United States' oldest surviving daily newspaper.

The Philadelphia Inquirer - History

 FAMILY

Clayton was married to Elizabeth Butcher Glendinning* on April 18, 1894 at the St. James' Church in Philadelphia.  (*See The Glendinning Family)

Elizabeth Butcher Glendinning
with Clayton Fotterall McMichael

Clayton and Elizabeth had two children: Clayton Fotterall McMichael (born February 3, 1895) and Elisabeth McMichael (born October 6, 1897). They lived a privileged and exciting life in Philadelphia. They lived for a time at 123 S. 4th Street in Philadelphia...right in the heart of all the action, always making the "Who's Who in America" list. 

Sadly, after only 5 years of marriage, Elizabeth died on April 25, 1899 at the young age of 29, leaving Clayton to raise his very young children...Clayton was only 4 years old and Elisabeth was just 2 years old.  He never remarried and as mentioned, died just 8 years later leaving his children as orphans.  

Campbell Emory McMichael

Clayton's only brother, Campbell Emory McMichael was married and raising children of his own. He took in his nephew Clayton and niece Elisabeth and raised them as his own. "Emory" and his wife Ellen Nixon Harrison were wealthy Philadelphians themselves. Ellen herself came from an old Philadelphia family and when they married, the match was equally suitable to both "well-to-do" families. They provided the children with a manner of life that they had when their parents were alive and in spite of this tragic loss, both children were raised in a loving atmosphere. 

Knoll House was where the Emory McMichaels lived
and where Elisabeth and SBC had their wedding reception

More on the family of Emory McMichael and Ellen Nixon Harrison McMichael in another post. More on the families of Clayton Fotterall McMichael and Edith Shober his wife and Elisabeth McMichael and Stuart Benson Clark in another post.

The Blended and Extended McMichael Clan: Top Row: Emory McMichael, 1st from left; Ellen Nixon Harrison McMichael, 3rd from left; Edith Shober McMichael (wife of Clayton Fotterall McMichael); Elisabeth McMichael Clark; the rest are the McMichael and Clark children and various in-laws)