Stories

Antoine emigrated from Tournai, Walloon Region, Belgium to Canterbury, Kent, England, arriving on the 11 May 1591. He is listed as one of the Elders and Deacons of the Walloon Church in Canterbury in 1596. The name of his first wife, whom we are descended from, is unknown. Antoine married second at the Walloon Church in Canterbury on the 2 Sep 1602 by contract, as follows: "1602 August 10. Marriage contract between Antoine Le Comte, accompanied by Mr. Jean de Riquebourg and Andrien Bacler,...

Obituary original newspaper clipping in Mary Margaret Edgar's keepsake box:Obituary:Mrs. Mary Margaret McGinnis a native of New Brunswick, died Wednesday at the family home, 606 Nineteenth avenue, North. Mrs. McGinnis was born fifty-three years ago in New Brunswick, and came to Seattle in 1889 with her husband, Arthur McGinnis, who survives her. She is also survived by two sons, John P. and Arthur, both of Seattle, and three daughters, Mrs. G.A.Edgar of Seabeck; Pearl McGinnis and Sadie...

Will of Christian Bourne Essex County Virginia Deeds and wills # 14 Reg.C. 56741711-1716In the name of god Amen, the 8th day of Aug.1712, I Christian Johnson beingsick and weak in body but in sound and perfect memory thanks be to God forthe same I do make and ordain this my last will and testament.First I give my soul to almighty God who gave it and my body to the earthImprimis I give unto my two sons, John Bourne and Robert Bourne each of themtwelve pounds to be paid to them by my ececutor....

Many years ago there lived in England a wise and good king whose name was Alfred.  No other man ever did so much for his country as he; and people now, all over the world, speak of him as Alfred the Great. In those days a king did not have a very easy life.  There was war almost all the time, and no one else could lead his army into battle so well as he.  And so, between ruling and fighting, he had a busy time of it indeed. A fierce, rude people, called the Danes, had come from over the...

There was once a great king of England who was called William the Conqueror, and he had three sons.One day King William seemed to be thinking of something that made him feel very sad; and the wise men who were about him asked him what was the matter."I am thinking," he said, "of what my sons may do after I am dead. For, unless they are wise and strong, they cannot keep the kingdom which I have won for them. Indeed, I am at a loss to know which one of the three ought to be the king when I am...

At one time the Danes drove King Alfred from his kingdom, and he had to lie hidden for a long time on a little island in a river. One day, all who were on the island, except the king and the queen and one servant, went out to fish.  It was a very lonely place, and noe one could get to it except by boat.  About noon a ragged beggar came to the king's door, and asked for food. The king called the servant, and asked, "How much food have we in the house?" "My lord," said the servant, "we have...

Peter is probably the same Peter Watkins mentioned as the husband of Mary Griffin who was mentioned by her father, David Griffin, in his will in New Castle, DE, dated 27 Apr 1716.  The date is consistent with what is known about Peter and New Castle is not far from Talbot Co and accessible by water most of the way.  If Peter was from Talbot Co and lived on the Wye River, he would have been familiar with boats and ferries and setting up a ferry to transport people, wagons and livestock across...

Sources: Family records ofMr. Kirby D. Watkins - Arlington, Texas,(Mrs. Howard)Elizabeth Hodges Hill and(Mrs B.A.)Nelle Morris JenkinsPermission given throughCharlene Simpson,Ashville Museum and ArchivesSt. Clair County, AlabamaFile no. 14455"Peter was in the American Colonies before 1700. He also married prior 1700, perhaps in presentState of Delaware, then a part of Pennsylvania.Both Peter and Mary Watkins died in Old Frederick County, Virginia, in the portion that became part of West...