Families of NW Pennsylvania: Links

Famous Folks

They say we all get our fifteen minutes of fame, but some relatives of NW Pa families got a little more than others. Here are a few Famous Folk whose relatives lived in NW Pa.

Several Northwestern Pennsylvania families descend from the founders of the original Massachusetts and Connecticut colonies...
Samuel Stone		The Reverand Samuel Stone arrived in the New World abord the Hector with Puritan Reverand Davenport and helped him found Hartford Connecticut. His descendents in NWPa include Nash, Shack, Bristol, Leehan families See Relationship to Gerald Leehan
Benedict Arnold I		Benedict Arnold I was the second governor of Rhode Island His descendents in NWPa include Nash, Shack, Bristol, Leehan, Sison, and Irish families See Relationship to Gerald Leehan
James Rogers		James Rogers, the Emigrant, arrived aboard the ‘Increase” ca 1635 and purchased land near New London from the legendary Uncus. James was the grandson of the preacher John Rogers of London who had been burned at the stake by Bloody Mary. His descendents in NW Pennsylvania include the founders of the Rogers Brothers Trailor Corp and several Rogers and Kulyk families. See Relationship to Betty Rogers Kulyk
Thomas Nash		Thomas Nash arrived aboard the ‘Hector’ with Reverend Davenport and with him founded the City of New Haven. Several of Thomas Nash’s g---grandchildren settled in Northwestern Pennsylvania intermarrying with Taylor, Salisbury, Kennedy, and and Shack families. See Relationship to Robert A Nash
John Irish		John Irish settled the Plymouth colony with William Bradford. Descendents include Frank Irish and his offspring. See Relationship to Myrl Waters
John Barnes		John Barnes was a prominent if somewhat colorful early settler in the Plymouth Colony. Descendents include the Morse and Springer families. See Relationship to Matt Springer
Joseph Kellogg		Joseph was the first Englishman so far as is known to travel through the Great Lakes and into the Illinois Country. His descendents include the NWPa Nash families See Relationship to Stewart Nash
Catherine Chatham		Katherine Chapman was stripped and driven out of Boston and sentenced to hang for her Quaker beliefs. The Mitchels of Cambridge Springs and Albion are descendents. See Relationship to James Mitchel.
NwPa has many ties to the revolution... see the military reports... but the following example stands out...
Conrad Stuntz		Conrad Stuntz was a Hessian hero of the revolution, joining the Hession troops in Europe then jumping overboard and swimming to land to avoid capture by the British. Descendents include Myrl Waters, daughter of Austin Waters, whose descendents include the Robbs and Cooks. See Relationship to Myrl Waters
Early American Statesmen with ties to NWPa include:
Alexander Hamilton		Alexander Hamilton, first Secretary of the Treasury, shot by Burr in 1804. His descendents in NWPa include Hamilton families See Relationship to Oren Hamilton
Aaron Burr		NWPa has ties to both sides of the Hamilton-Burr duel… Aaron Burr, our third vice president, shared a common ancestor with the Keeps, Morrisons, and Brights. See Relationship to Sally Bright
Edward Shippen		Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly; in 1699 he was made Chief-Justice, and on October 25, 1701, William Penn named him in the charter as Mayor of the City of Philadelphia. His descendents in NWPa include Shippen, Cullem, and Kearney families See Relationship to Mary Ann Kearney
Roger Sherman		Roger Sherman signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. He is related most of the Shermans and Sawdeys of Northwestern Pa. See Relationship to Edward T Sherman
John Hancock		John Hancock - Most famous signature on the Declaration of Independences. He is related to Bob Shakespeare and several others in NWPA. See Relationship to Bob Shakespeare
At least Fifteen Mayflower passengers have supportable ties to residents of Northwestern Pa.
Francis Eaton		Francis Eaton was a Mayflower Passenger and Survivor He is perhaps the most prolific Mayflower survivor and has many descendents in NW Pa, including the Eaton, Crane, Fain, Bateman, Meeker, and Ball families See Relationship to Harold U Fain
Richard Warren		Richard Warren was a Mayflower Passenger and Survivor Richard Warren’s g-grandchildren settled Keepville. See Relationship to Frank Keep
Henry Sampson		Mayflower Passenger Henry Sampson Henry shares a common ancestor with the Morse descendents in NWPa including the Shearers and Ellen Leehan Kohut See Relationship to Tom Shearer of Albion
Resolved White		Resolved White was a Mayflower Passenger and Survivor The Wheeler family that settled in Conneaut Township for a couple generations en route to Iowa were his 4th and 5th generation descendents. See Relationship to George Wheeler
John Alden William Mullins Priscilla Mullins		John Alden was a Mayflower Passenger as were William Mullins and his daughter Priscilla. Alden and Priscilla are perhaps the most famous Mayflower survivors. Their descendent, Randall Wheeler, lived in the Springfield area. See Relationship to Fanny Wheeler
John Tilley Elizabeth Tilley John Howland		John Alden was a Mayflower Passenger as were William Mullins and his daughter Priscilla. John Tilleys daughter Elizabeth married John Holland. All were Mayflower passengers. Hirem Keep was John Tilleys 8th grandson. See Relationship to Hirem Keep
William Brewster Mary Wrestling Love		William Brewster, his wife Mary, and his two sons were Mayflower Passengers and Survivors. As the only university educated member of the colony, Brewster took the part of the colony's religious leader until a pastor, Ralph Smith, arrived in 1629. He is related to Solomon Spaulding. See Relationship to Solomon Spaulding
Peter Brown		Peter Brown was a Mayflower Passenger and Survivor He is an ancestor of the Halls and Wordens of Cussewago. See Relationship to Lottie Worden Carberry
George Soule		George Soule was a Mayflower Passenger and Survivor He is an ancestor of the Judith Litz Elk Creek. See Relationship to Judy Litz
Some NWPa ancestors had their problems with the Indians
Martin Kellogg		Martin, son of Joseph, and his family were taken captive by Indians at Deerfield His descendents in NWPa include Nash families See Relationship to Stewart Nash
Thomas Hawley		Thomas Hawley was killed by Indians near Sudbury in King Phillips War. The Nashes of Springfield are his descendents. See Relationship to Maurice Nash
James Butler -Wild Bill Hickok		Wild Bill Hickok was a wild west hero who failed to keep his back to the wall while holding Aces and Eights He is related to the Keeps in a rather circuitious way see his relationship to Sydney Porter and Sydney Porters relationship to Julie Keep See Relationship of Wild Bill to Sydney Porter See Relationship of Sydney Porter to Julie Keep
Our entrepreneurial ancestors founded major corporations:
WK Kellogg		W K Kellogg, founder of the Kellogg Foods Corp His descendents in NWPa include Nash families See Relationship to Ethel Nash Shack
Oliver Winchester		Oliver Fisher Winchester, manufacturer of the Winchester Repeating Rifle that won the West. His descendents in NWPa include Winchester, Powell, Martin, and Bish families See Relationship to Marjorie Louise Martin Bish
Charles Rogers		Charles was the first president of Rogers Brothers Trailors which he founded with his brothers Hugh and Lew. Their famous ‘goose necked’ trailers move construction equipment and other high-center-of-gravity loads all over the world. Descendents include the Rogers and Kulyk families. See Relationship to Roxy Rogers Cole
William McLaren Bristol		William McLauren Bristol, founder of Bristol Myers Pharmaceuticals His relatives in NWPa include the Bristol and Hamilton families See Relationship to Charles V Bristol of Albion
William Durant		William Durant was a an auto industry pioneer and is credited with founding General Motors. He is related to the Sawdey and Nash families of Northwestern Pa. See Relationship to Alpheus Nash
Other Men of Science and Industry connected to NWPa include ...
Samuel F B Morse		Samuel F B Morris was a prominent artist as well as inventor of the Telegraph. He is related to the Sawdey and Nash families of Northwestern Pa. See Relationship to Gerald W Leehan
Alan B Shepard		American Astronaut. The first American into space, he is currently the oldest man to have walked on the moon. He is related to the Nash, Shack, and leehan families of Northwestern Pa. See Relationship to Gerald W Leehan
Would you believe a Saint...
Thomas More		Saint Thomas More was murdered for his refusal to attend the marriage of Henry VIII to Ann Bolynn He was related to Isaac Ball who was related to Mary Witter who was related to the Spaulding family of Northwestern Pa. See Relationship to Isaac Ball See Relationship of Isaac Ball to Mary Witter See Relationship of Mary Witter to Jonathon Spalding
Stars of stage and screen have had their NWPa connections...
Katherine Hepburn		Katherine Houghton Hepburn was born in Hartford, Connecticut on May 12, 1907. Hepburn went on to become one of the world’s best actresses. She won four Academy Awards, and is also an Emmy Award winner and Tony Award nominee. She shared the screen with Spencer Tracy in many films. She is related to the Spalding and Barns families of Northwestern Pa. See Relationship to Cassius Barns
Lucille Ball Desi Arnez Desi Arnez Jr Lucy Arnez		Legendary comedic actress, best known for the title role in the hit television sitcom of the 1950’s “I Love Lucy.” Her husband Desi and children Desi Jr and Lucy were also stars. She is related to the Spaulding family of Northwestern Pa through Mary Witter. See Relationship to Mary Witter
Elvis Presley Lisa Marie Presely Michael Jackson		Elvis Presely was the King of Rock and Roll, his daughter Lisa, a famous singer, wed King of Pop Michael Jackson All these folks were cousins of James Wesson who is buried at Hope Cemetery See Relationship to James Wesson
NWPa has made its mark in the world of sports...
John Williams		John Williams, World and Olympic Champion Archer. John and his parents resided in Cranesville. See John's NWPa Pedigree
Some NWPa families can trace their ancestry back to pre-colonial europe... even to Royalty...
Henry the Fowler		Ancient (9th century) king and founder of the first medieval German state... one of the longest descendencies on the site His relatives in NWPa include most of the Joslins of NwPa. See Descendents of Henry the Fowler... be sure to set descendents to all 32 generations and get the Register version rather than the chart
James II Stewart		James II Stewart, King of England. His relatives in NWPa include Hamilton families. Because the relationship spans more than 16 generations, it is necessary to show first the relationship of his daughter Princess Ann Stewart to John Hamilton, then that of John Hamilton to Gayle Hamilton, daughter of Dorson of Albion. See Princess Ann Stewart's relationship to John Hamilton of the 17th century. See John Hamilton's relationship to Gayle Hamilton
Queen Elizabeth II		Queen Elizabeth II Windsor, present monarch of England, Husband of Phillip, Mother of Charles, GrandMother of William and Harry Meet HRM Elizabeth II, aka Cousin Elizabeth See Relationship to Jerry Leehan
Henry VII Tudor		Henry VII Tudor, King of England Henry VII father of Henry VIII and ancestor of Powells, Martins, Stewarts, Dorchesers, and others Few of us realized that Gene Powell, who butchered at Robb & Powell, was the 13th grand nephew of Henry VIII, who also did a fair job of removing heads... see Henry VII to Eugene Powell here...
Matthew Randall		Matthew Randall was Lord Mayor of Bath England in the 16th century. His descendents fought in the revolution and also include many of the Randall, Salsbury, and Sherman families. See Relationship to Edward T Sherman
It has become fashionable to create fantasy trees connecting ones ancestors to presidents or other historical figures. However, the following presidential trees appear to be supportable based on contemporary documentation.
Martin Van Buren		Martin Van Buren, President of the United States His descendents in NWPa include Teed families See Relationship to Harold Teed
President Ulysses S Grant		Civil War General and President of the United States He is related to the Bumpus and Keep familiese. See Relationship to Mark Bumpus
President Abraham Lincoln		Abraham Lincoln President of the United States Abraham Lincoln married Mary Todd who is a Salisbury descendent as are several NW Pennsylvanians See Relationship to Maria Therese Martin Dorchester
Franklin Delano Roosevelt		Franklin Delano Roosevelt, President of the United States His descendents in NWPa include the Pomeroy families See Relationship to HL Pomeroy
James Garfield		James Abram Garfield, President of the United States His wife Lucretia Randolph's relatives in NWPa include the Sanford and Sawdy families See Relationship to WH Sanford
Grover Cleveland		President Grover Cleveland He is related to the Keeps of Keepville. See Relationship to Alsinius Keep
George Herbert Walker Bush		President George HW Bush, son of a president and brother of a governor. His mother, Barbara Pierce Bush, shares a common ancestor with the Morse descendents in NWPa including the Shearers and Ellen Leehan Kohut See Relationship to Kathleen Kohut, daughter of John and Ellen
Northwestern Pennsylvanians have sat in our states highest tribunals...
Emory Andrew Scott Walling		Judge of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania His relatives in NWPa include Sawdeys and Coyles See Descendents of Emory Walling
...and we have our ties to the infamous as well as the famous...
Benedict Arnold		Benedict Arnold, Revolutionary hero turned traitor. His relatives in NWPa include Cullem and Kearny families to whom he is related thru his marriage to Peg Shippen, and the Kennedy/Nash/Shack/Leehan families which are descended from his gggndfather See Relationship to Mary Ann Kearney See Relationship to Gerald Leehan
Sarah Pardee Winchester		Sarah Pardee Winchester, the wife of William Wirt Winchester became an eccentric in later years and began building the now famous "Mystery House" in San Jose California. The "spirits" told her in order for her to atone for the people killed by Winchester rifles she would have to continue adding rooms to her house and she would not die. Her relatives in NWPa include Winchester, Powell, Stewart, Martin, and Bish families See Relationship to Wallace Charry
Solomon Spaulding		Solomon Spaulding was the reputed author of a romance novel that served as the basis for the 'Divinely Inspired Book of Mormon' His relatives in NWPa include descendents of Jonathon Spaulding See Relationship to Nellie Spaulding of Albion
Men of letters appear among our relatives...
William Sydney Porter - O Henry		O Henry auther of the Gift of the Magi and other short stories. He is related to the Keeps of Keepville. See Relationship to Julie Keep
Edgar Allen Poe		Early American Poet He is related Kennedy/Nash/Shack/Leehan families. See Relationship to Gerald Leehan
Laura Ingalls Wilder		Author of Little House on the Prairie She is related to Kennedy/Nash/Shack/Leehan families. See Relationship to Gerald Leehan
Ralph Waldo Emerson		Early American Essayist He is related to the Keep familiese. See Relationship to Julie Keep
Founders of respected centers of education have ties to NWPa families...
John Mark Gannon		Archbishop John Mark Gannon, Founder of Gannon College His relatives in NWPa include Kearney, Ruckhouse, Dunlavey families See Relationship to Eleanor Mary Alice Kearney
Joel Bristol		Joel Bristol, a founder of Hamilton College His relatives in NWPa include the Bristol and Hamilton families See Relationship to William Bristol of Albion

There are certainly many other famous folk with connections to Northwestern Pennsylvania. To see more try browsing Notes from the home page, or Reports, or Histories, or Albums