America’s First Murderer


I gathered the following information from Plymouth's Governor William Bradford's Bradford's History of Plymouth Plantation, 1606-1646, The Human Tradition in the Atlantic World, 1500–1850, and https://history.howstuffworks.com.  America's first murderer, his victim, and his execution are revealed in these histories: My 12th paternal great-grandfather, John Billington, was a Mayflower pilgrim.  As one of the 41 signers … Continue reading America’s First Murderer

My Cousins Declare America’s Independence


Many Americans take for granted our annual July 4th Independence Day.  While working in my genealogical databases, I came across the name of John A. Hancock, a familiar name from America's history.  I decided to compare our family's John Hancock (my second cousin, seven times removed), to the list of 56 signers of the Declaration of … Continue reading My Cousins Declare America’s Independence

Tuesday, March 22, 2022:


Marking the Death of John Rolfe - America's First Entrepreneur John Rolfe and Pocahontas Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022, is the 400th anniversary of John Rolfe's death. In his honor, my friend, Christine Dean, a retired College Lecturer, and fellow Pocahontas research enthusiast is planting a new mulberry tree at the Heacham Manor Hotel. Rolfe is … Continue reading Tuesday, March 22, 2022:

The Chesapeake Bay and Our Native American Heritage


This post focuses on our Native American heritage who resided along the borders of the Chesapeake Bay.  Digressing just a little into my lineage, my paternal Bolling ancestors were among the first in Jamestown and my maternal Lathrop ancestors the first in New England.  My ninth great-grandfather, Colonel Robert Bolling married Pocahontas' granddaughter, Jane Poythress … Continue reading The Chesapeake Bay and Our Native American Heritage