Thomas STRONG (1584 – 1663) was Alex’s 10th Great Grandfather; one of 2,048 in this generation of the Miller line.

George Strong Cottage before Renovation Source: Strong Family of America

Thomas Strong was born in 1584 in Chardstock, Devon, England.  His parents were George STRONG  and [__?__].  He married Joanna BAGGE 12 May 1604 in Chardstock, Devon, England.  Thomas died 12 May 1663, Chardstock, Devon, England.

George Stronge Cottage before restoration Source: Strong Family of America

Joanna Bagge  Joanna died 26 Aug. 1657 in  Chardstock, Devon, England.

Children of  Thomas and Joanna:

A daughter bur. 10 June 1609, Chardstock, Devon, Eng., probably one of the above, since three daughters mentioned in the will of John Stronge, 1612.

Thomas lived in George Strong’s cottage which was built in the late 1500s, likely for Strongs who later moved to Chard (about 4 miles away).

George Strong Cottage Source: Strong Family of America

The Strong Cottage was built by the Chardstock Manor Estates. The current Lord of the Manor is Jonathan Milford who lives in Manor Home in Chardstock. The Strong Cottage was rehabilitated around 1993.  Jarvis Strong’s project to help the rehab provided $10,000, which was a bit less than 10% of the total. It did indicate American interest in the project, though, and provided the impetus for the owners to complete the cottage rehab. The cottage is presently rented by Joe Harrison as his home.  Check the Strong Family of America website for details on how you can visit.

George Strong Cottage Source: Strong Family of America

Like his father, Thomas was as a tailor living in Chard

George Strong Cottage Source: Strong Family of America

Children

4. Jane Strong

Jane’s first husband John Hopkins was born in 1614 in London, England. His parents were Stephen Hopkins (1581 – 1644) and Constance Dudley (1580 – 1610). John died 14 Apr 1654 in Hartford, Hartford, CT.

Jane’s second husband Nathaniel Ward was born in 1604 in Little Wratting, Suffolk, England. His parents were Edward Ward (1560 – 1620) and Judith Lukin (1570 – 1627). Nathaniel died 1664 in Northampton, Hampshire, Mass.

Nathaniel was an original proprietor of Hartford, Connecticut in 1638. They moved to Hadley, Mass in 1659.

Jane’s third husband Gregory Wolterton was born 1593 in Heigham, Norfolk, England.  His parents were Richard Wolterton (b. 1550, d. before 8 Jan 1617/18) and Mary Bensley.  He first married Susannah Shepard (b. 1587 in Wherstead, Suffolk, England – d. 1662 in Hartford, Hartford, CT). About 1663 he married Bennet (Tritton) Stanley, widow of Thomas Stanley of Hartford and Hadley. Bennet was baptized at Ashford, Kent, 30 July 1609, and died Jan. l664/65 aged 55. He married third, perhaps in 1667, Hannah (Thurston) Lord, widow of Thomas Lord (Jr.) who had died in Wethersfield in 1662. She was a young woman with small children, the three Lord girls whom Gregory remembered in his will. Jane was his fourth and final wife. Gregory died 14 Jul 1674 in Hartford, Hartford, CT.

Gregory Wolterton, Wilterton, Walterton, Winterton, —the surname is spelled in countless ways—was an original early settler of Hartford, Conn., a tanner, and a man of good estate. He left no children, although he is known to have married at least four times. His will has been a puzzle to genealogists because it makes bequests to a large number of people. It can be shown that some of these were children of his second, third, and fourth wives; most of the others were presumably relatives of his own. Unfortunately, he fails to specify how any of his legatees were related to or connected with him, and in the past all kinds of theories have been advanced, some correct, some incorrect, to explain, to at least in part, the relationships involved. to draw proper conclusions.

Muffy Moore MaryM6@aol.com..5/27/98 1:55:47 PM, .

WOLTERTON has never been a *proven* surname for Nathaniel MERRILL’s wife. It was *guessed* when after Nathaniel’s death, young John went to Hartford to live with Gregory WOLTERTON. As Gregory was a wealthy, childless man, what young widow wouldn’t send her son, when invited, to CT – to apprentice to a rich man?… young John became the adopted son of Gregory WOLTERTON and a rich man himself when Gregory died and left him his fortune!

Gregory had 4 wives: 1) Susanna ( ) who died Hartford 1662 age 75, having had no children. Then a series of widows 2) Benet (TRITTON) STANLEY, widow of Thomas STANLEY, who d. Jan 1664/5; 3) Hannah (THURSTON) LORD, widow of Thomas LORD, who d. c. 1669, having given birth to one son Samuel WOLTERTON who died at age 7 months; and finally, 4) Jane ( ) (HOPKINS) WARD, widow of John HOPKINS and Nathaniel WARD, who survived Gregory and d. before 1679.

In Gregory’s will, (transcribed in “Emily Angell”) he remembered Jane, several nieces and nephews in England, the LORD step-children, plus many other folks around CT. He made John MERRILL his executor and primary heir of the “tanyard” and all his “howsing” and remainder of his large estate.

There is no indication now that Susannah ( ), widow of immigrant Nathaniel MERRILL was any blood relation to Gregory WOLTERTON.

Regards,
Muffy Moore MaryM6@aol.com.

Excerpt from Will of Gregory Wolterton Hartford

Invt. £585-16-00. Taken 6 August, 1674, by Thomas Bull and Thomas Bunce. Will dated 17 July, 1674.

I Gregory Wolterton of Hartford, upon the river of Conictticote, doe make this my Last will and testiment, wherein I give unto my wife Jane Wolterton the some of twenty pound to be payd in moveable goods as is prised, provided that it be in such as she desire. I doe also give unto Jane my wife her dwelling, and liberty and use of the newe rooms which was last bilt, which is next to the garden, but not for to let it away to any but for to use it for her owne use during the Terme of her life, and for to use some part of the seller and the ( ) for her Convenientcy, and liberty for her to set her fire wood in the yard. I doe also give unto her Six pound, to be payd to her by the yeare by my Executor, during the Time of her life.

5. Sarah Strong (See Lt. William CLARKE‘s page)

Some genealogies say that Sarah married [__?__] Mathews and had two children, both alive in 1694: James Matthews and Jeremy Matthews.

6. Rev. James Strong

Vicar of Chardstock (illegally in 1645, confirmed in 1654), Commonwealth era Rector of Melcombe Regis (Weymouth, Dorset) (1646), Rector of Bettiscombe, Dorset (1648), Vicar of Ilminster (1654), Vicar of Curry Rivel with Earnshill (1686)

A genealogical and heraldic history of the landed gentry of Great Britain and Ireland Volume 2 By Sir Bernard Burke 1871 (Google Books)

James first married [Katherine] Minterne, niece of the equestrian family of Heown of Frampton, and had by her a son, Melakcthon. By a 2nd wife he had further issue, and particularly Martin,born in 1663, thirty years vicar of Yeovil, who married a dau. of Phelips of Mont acute, and left issue.

Melancthon Stronge, the elder Bon, 6. 1650, describes himself as of N’ether-Strongc, and appears to have allowed himself to be drawn in to take part in the unfortunate rising and defeat of James, Duke of Monmouth. Immediately after the battle of Sedge moor, near Bridgewater, on the 4th July, 1685, and the disastrous defeat which followed, he fled away on foot, disguised in the garb of a working artizan, with hia tools, etc., to London, which he reached In great misery. Some time previous to this adventure and happy escape from the massacre and from the horrors of the ” Bloody Assise,” he had m., and had (with two daus., Mary, wife of Gosforth, and Elizabeth, who m. Samuel Sandeforth, Esq., and had a dau., Anne, m. 12 April, 1742, to Robert Strcatfcild, Est].) a son,

The Battle of Sedgemoor was fought on 6 July 1685  and took place at Westonzoyland near Bridgwater in Somerset, England.  It was the final battle of the Monmouth Rebellion and followed a series of skirmishes around south west England between the forces of James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth and the crown he was trying to take. The royalist forces prevailed and about 500 troops captured. Monmouth escaped from the battlefield but was later captured and taken to London for trial and execution.

Many of Monmouth’s supporters were tried during the Bloody Assizes. Many were transported abroad, while others were executed by drawing and quartering.

Rev. John Pitt, Vicar of Chardstock (1627-1645), Warden of Wadham College, Oxford befriended James Stronge  “a poor tailor of Chardstock who wrought for a groat a day, his pottage and bread and cheese”. Rev. Pitt sent him to New Inn College, Oxford. In 1645, James returned to Chardstock and turned his mentor out of the vicarage and carried off his books and goods to his own living.

JOHN PITT – (1627 – 1645) – Son of Robert Pitt of Isle Abbotts who leased land from Nicholas Wadham of Merrifield. – 1644 became Warden of Wadham College, Oxford, founded by Dorothy Wadham, widow of Nicholas Wadham in 1613. He also became the leader of the dissident heads of houses who denied the authority of the Parliamentary Commissioners during the Civil War. [So John and James were on opposite sides during the English Civil War. ] – 1636 sent James Strong to New Inn College Oxford who in return in 1645 turned John Pitt out of his living in Chard, who “carried off his books and goods to his own living in Bettiscombe.” – 1648 – dispossesed of the Wardenship.

Quarter Session Rolls:  The name of James Strong occurred as preaching illegal conventicles, Habridge, Broadway, Theale [Ref. QS/I/186/29 Patricia Peirce]

“Calumny Revised ” by A.G. Matthews, M.A. Printed by Clarendon Press.

James Strong, Vicar of Ilminster, Somerset, admitted July 24, 1654.

The sequestrated vicar restored. Vicar of Curry Rivel with Earnshill, June 6, 1686, son of Thomas Strong of Chardstock, Dorset, New Inn Hall, Oxford, Matriculated April 8, 1636, age 17, M.A. in July 7, 1657. Rector of Melcombe Regis (now part of Weymouth, Dorset) by committee, September 24, 1646. Rector of Bettiscombe, Dorset, March 28, 1648. Assistant to Somerset Commission December 10, 1657. Preaching illegally in Thurlbear and five other parishes. Licenced at Broadway May 8, 1672. Living at Henlade in February 1674/75. Wife Katherine.

[Note: ‘by committee’ and ‘Somerset Commission applies to the Commonwealth ruled by Oliver Cromwell who rewarded those of similar religious thought.]

1654 – “Mr. James Stronge is by his Highness Oliver Lord Protector of ye Commonwealth of England under his seale manuall nominated publique preacher before the Committee to approval of public preachers…judging him to be a person qualified as in and by the ordinary…ratify confirm and allow him the said Mr. James Stronge to be continue in ye said sequestered vicarage, as public preacher there…possession of all rents profits etc…. Whithall, 24 July 1654 (Lambeth Augmentations: p968)

I normally don’t include wills of ancestors’ children/uncles, but Rev. James will has special interest beyond the usual inheritances.

Will of Rev. James Stronge, dated 26 Feb 1694, proved 20 Jun, 1694, by James Stronge and Sarah

Buried near my former wife and children in the parish Church of Ruishton…. 50 shillings to be bestowed on a salt which I give to New Inne Hall in Oxford…. 5 pounds to be bestowed in 20 bibles of 5 shillings each to the poor people….poor children or other of Curry Rivell and Ruishton…. 40 shillings to any of Alexander Cook’s children of Chardstock…. My dear and honorable friend Mr. John Speke…. To my son Martyn, Montanns Hebrew Bible in 8 volumes…. To my son James be he living and returned….100 pound paid to him out of my estate at Henlade…. My daughter Elizabeth Stacey, 10 shillings…. My estate at Henlade, I give to my son Edward and his heirs lawfully begotten of his body to the worlds end, but my wife shall enjoy the said 18 acres of land at Hospitts during her life…. Residue to my son Edward and my now wife Sarah whom I appoint joint executors…. Household goods and…. Goods at Curry Rivel…. divided between them….. and also debt of 50 pounds…. I hold by a mortgage of 7 years for Mr. Jeringes and Mr. Thomas Jennings, Esq. which at 10 pounds a year for Ernshill amount to 70 pounds…. all the small tithes due out of parsonage of Curry. Mr. Nicholas Massall of Taunton and Mr. John Gardner of Hinton St. George Overseers. [Jeanne Waters Strong]

Reverend James Stronge Ballad  circa 1653

(Sung to Chevy Chase)
I sing the man with lofty muse
With zeal and wit inspir’d
Did western women’s valour chuse
To chant with art acquire’d

Stang is his name, though Strong he writes,
Forgetting’s father’s Houses,
Whom he neglecteth and thus slights,
Because a Poor……..

The Sacred Function he invades
Without a Lawful call,
(As now adares do men of Trade,
Though learned not at all)

And soon became a Teacher quaint,
Zealous of Reformation,
Presently falling on the point
Of dire Presdestination.

Bishops and Deans he much decr’d
As things intolerable,
The Surplice and the Cross beside
Were most abominable

The Doctor he turned out o door,
And took into possesion
His lands, his goods and what is more,
His Book by Sequestration.

The holy Font that raised was
For the Administration
Of Infant-Baptisme, he (alas)
Fed pigs, and put his wash in.

When Raw, the Sequestrator had
Himself hang’d. through despair,
Our Author (as his Chaplain) made
A sermon to repair

The Credit of this Fallen Saint,
And did much applaud,
As one impatient of Restraint
From being with his God.

This Corps which should have buried been
In some Cross-qay and stak’d,
In holy ground interr’d has been
By our author, and up rak’d.

But being at length ambitious grown,
He could not be content
With that small lot which was his own,
To Ilminster he went,

A market town in Somerset,
And though a sequestration,
Yet….throat could swallow it
Glibber than ordination.

Our author here increas’d he wealth
As well as in Renown,
Though what he got was all by stealth,
And was noe of his own.

A purchaser he then became
Of House, and eke of lands,
And rose to be a man of fame,
But he built on the sands.

For moving from the Vicarage-house
The Porch, unto his own,
The Fact, so Sacriligious,
Did throw his own house down.

And being now a widower,
He would a wooing ride,
To get a rich wife, far or near,
His Palfrie he’d bestride.

In order whereunto, on goes
The Rich Black velvet coat,
Which worn is , everybody knows,
Onely by men of note.

In this he swaggerer’d up and down
Ilminster, Taunton, Chard,
On Market Daies; scarce any town
Near him, but saw or heard

Analysis of Rev. James Strong by John R Mayer 10 Oct 1997

“STRANG is his Name, though STRONG he writes, Forgetting
Father’s Houses, …”Ballad of Rev. James Strong, circa
1653

What kind of trouble did Katherine Minterne have, either
during her pregnancy, or after giving birth to Melancthon?

If she had septicemia, one would think she would have died
within one or two weeks of Melancthon’s birth. She would
hardly have had any time to “break her heart” and die.

What would have left her in such a condition that she
would have been “forced to go back to her parents”? It
was natural enough for a prospective mother to return to
her native home for the support and midwifery of her own
mother, especially during the first pregnancy. However,
the account seems to allude to some other circumstance or
condition, much more dire and compelling than the ordinary
course of a pregnancy.

The note set in brackets, inside the Ballad, suggests to
me that Katherine must have returned to her parents’ home
to have her baby. The note also seems to imply that
Melancthon might have been raised by his maternal
grandparents (John Minterne and Bridget Brown), after his
mother’s death, instead of his own father and stepmother.

[Nether Stronge] – The fictive place named Nether Stronge certainly sounds like a term of self-deprecation. I can imagine that Melancthon must have felt a certain degree of regret, self-pity, and resentment at having lost his mother to death, and at having been raised separately from the family of his natal father the Reverend James Stronge.

[Cunnabula gentis] – Cunnabula gentis is a distinctly feminine expression in the feminine gender, so why would it not refer to the cradle of his maternal family?

The Latin cunnus refers to the pudenda, and it survives in several English obscene expressions I shall decline to recite. Therefore, the expression carries with it connotations that may not be polite, but which certainly denote a maternal gentry, as opposed to one paternal. I would guess some modern anthropologist might equate the expression with, or translate it as, some scientific phrase, such as “uterine family.”

Cunnabula may literally mean simply ‘cradle’ but it says a lot more that that. It sounds like the type of word a man would be apt to remember from his college Latin course. There is little difference between high-brow courses, and pedestrian courseness.

Places in Somerset, Dorset, and Devon What is your impression of the far-flung locations? There was obviously some connection between Batcombe, Somerset, and Battiscombe, Dorset. These two places named Batcombe happen to lie almost directly north and south of one another, in Somerset and Dorset, are both spelled the same. The Battiscombe you mentioned here must refer to the Battiscombe, Dorset, that lies to the southeast of Chard.

The same interpersonal connections that once linked these places (Batcombe and Battiscombe), must have played some part in introducing James Stronge to Katherine Minterne. Satellite settlements were fairly common along the southern shores, for we see them in Kent and elsewhere throughout England.

I presume that the Reverend James Stronge must have been living at the vicarage of Battiscombe, Dorset, in 1650, when Melancthon was born.

However, if Katherine’s father was associated with Batcombe, Somerset, why was Melancthon born in Nether Stowey, far to the west? Was Nether Stowey the ancestral home of the Minterne family? Did John Minterne and his wife Bridget Brown relocate from Batcombe to Nether Stowey?

It is fairly interesting to see that Katherine was buried at Ruishton, Somerset, just about half way between Nether Stowey and neighborhood of Ilminster. It is likewise interesting to see that James’ youngest son Edward Stronge took up residence at Ruishton, Somerset.

Ultimogeniture was a very odd practice in England, but it had existed in Kent from very ancient times. The only times when the English ever resorted to ultimogeniture were times of wholesale migration, such as during the early colonial period in America, or the famines in Ireland.

Let us review the ways in which James’ family broke the rule of primogeniture:

(1)Melancthon was the ulterior sibling, belonging to Katherine Minterne instead of Sarah. The story certainly implies that Sarah simply declined to raise Melancthon with stepmotherly affections.

In those days, the marriageform would have depended upon the father of the bride, so he might have made it part of the marriage contract and a condition of dowry. It seems reasonable to surmise that Melancthon’s upbringing at Nether Stowey might have been motivated by the prospect he might inherit his natal mother’s portion of whatever the Minterne and Strong families deemed to grant him in his mother’s right.

Melancthon’s natal father James Stronge probably thought it was perfectly reasonable to separate his eldest son from the rest. His eldest son could simply enjoy his mother’s matrimony. It probably was more convenient for James, and more acceptable to his new bride Sarah, to start anew their younger family in the southern towns of Battiscombe, Dorset, and Iminster, Somerset.

(2) Rev. Martin Stronge was a cleric, and therefore could expect to have his livings thereafter provided by the church. Thus, it was probably reasonable to both Rev. James Stronge and his second son Martin that he should accept religious emoluments, allowing any inheritance to bypass him.

(3)James Stronge junior sounds like the Prodigal Son. Have you compared the words “be living and returned” to the text of the King James Bible?

Perhaps James junior left for America, but perhaps he was just indignant, and left his father’s house for a time. He could have eventually returned to his father, in either case. The eldest son Melancthon had his mother’s rightful matrimony, the second son Martin had tithing for his support, and the third son James was next in line. His father might have pegged plenty of hope upon his third son James,  for his words want to tell us some deeper story.

Naming the third son after his father was a custom typical of the English, Scots, and Welsh, during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The custom might characterize the special fondness a father would customarily reserve for his third son, anticipating that his eldest son and second son would probably both go away for adventure, military service, or the priesthood, or even for emigration.

(4) Edward Stronge apparently succeeded to whatever patrimonial rights remained at Ruishton, Somerset, by default. If James senior buried his first wife at Ruishton, then he must have had some prior attachment to that place.

Melancthon must have felt a certain longing for his Cunnabula gentis, but his place name Nether Stronge, for Nether Stowey, would seem to speak more of his longing for the natal father he never had the chance to really know. Perhaps his maternal grandfather was too old and reclusive to play the role of his surrogate father, and he used the name Nether Stronge to allude to his alienation from his natal father.

The sacrifice of Melancthonto the Minterne family must have made sense, in view of succession. Whether James junior’s new father-in-law had any influence in the matter would be anybody’s guess. I would suppose that James senior would have agreed to alienate his eldest son from the sibship that would inherit from his new bride.

The story the Ballad tells is surely replete with interesting, but sad detail.

Best regards,
John R. Mayer
johnrmayer@msn.com

Martha Strong replies:

From: MFBSTRONG@aol.com
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 1997 01:14:27 -0400 (EDT)
To: johnrmayer@classic.msn.com
Cc: rts2@ro.com
Subject: Strong, Melancthon, his Cunnabula gentis
(REPLY)

Dear John,

Don’t ask me how Rev. James Strong married into this family but here is the ancstry of Katherine Minterne

Visitations of Dorset 1623 –

I. John Mynterne of Bettiscombe Dorset
II.John Mynterne
III. John Mynterne -m. Margaret Wolley of
Leigh, dau. of John Wolley
IV. John Mynterne m. Frances Maye
Children
1. John Minterne -see below
2. Joan Mynterne m. Thomas Balstone
of Hawkchurch
3. Elinor Mynterne m Richard Draper
4. Dorothy Myterne
5. Henry Mynterne m. Briget Keymer, dau.
of John Keymer of London
V. John Mynterne m . Bridget Brown
Children
1. John Minterne
2. William Minterne
3. Frances Minterne m. Fowler
4. Rachel Minterne m. Hall
5. Katherine Minterne m. Rev. James Stronge

I. John Brown of Frampton m. Thomazine Wareham, of Compton Valence, dau. of John Wareham.
Children
1. John Brown – m. Elizabeth Trenchard, dau. of Sir George Trenchard and Elizabeth Speake, dau. of George Speake (Speke)
Children
a. Jane Browne m 1)Walter Newburgh
2) Rev. John Stoughton
b. Grace Browne m John Stevens
c. Elizabeth Browne m Robert Hunt
d. Ann Browne m William Gould
e. Joan Browne m. Robert Coker
f. John Browne m. Elizabeth Wyes
g. Thomas Browne
h. Robert Browne
i. Susan Browne m. George Fulford
j. George Brown m. Anne Hunt

2. Robert Brown – m. Francis Martin
Children
a. Robert Brown
b. Francesca Brown
c. Bridget Brown.

These two families were in the Visitations and had knighthoods and money. Notice the name Speake here and in the write up on Rev. James at Ilminster. It would seem that is how he met Katherine and also seem that this is where he had the influence of Katherine’s family. They were powerfull enough.

Taking your first point – the trouble Katheine had, notice the date of Ilminster 1654. At that time Cromwell was in power. 1660 Charles II was restored to the throne and Rev. James had definately been doing well under Cromwell.

We also know from his will that not all his and Katherine’s children lived and are buried with her. Patricia Pierce searched the records but, there was no mention of any of them. We also know he was at Ruishton before Curry Rivall, but that Parish doesn’t claim him and we couldn’t get the details.

I don’t think Chardstock was to happy with him either because he is not listed under the list of Vicars but in other documents.

We have no record of the birth of Melancthon anywhere. Don’t forget Rev. James liked to throw baptismal fonts and feed the live stock in them, of course, by the time Martin was born he had changed sides again.

There was a date of 1650 in Burke Landed Gentry, but we have no idea where it came from and can’t prove it. Burke also had George Stronge wrong because he only had two of the sons, Thomas and Walter.

I think you will find the ditty means that Rev. James Stronge was not a nice person and hard to live with.

Melancthon died in 1691, Rev. James died in 1694. He wouldn’t mention him in his will. He also didn’t name any of his grandchildren

I’m sure Melancthon was raised by his father, remember that he was involved with the Duke of Monmouth and Rev. James had preached a sermon for the Duke. He probably had his mother’s family help escape any consequences.

In wills of this time period “living and returned” is often used and always means the son has gone off somewhere on an adventure or even to sea where the father would not have any idea if he lived. Where Rev. James left him 100 pounds it may mean he had no need of material goods.

(Note: BoB could you foward that write up I did on Sir. Edward Phelips to John).

There is another curious thing about this family. Thomas Stronge d. 1663 not according to Church rite, but his son was a minister?

One thing is for sure Rev. James Stronge took good care of himself. Throwing his mentor out and later changing with the political tide.

Nether Stowey was not the ancestral home of the Minterne or Browne family and they never moved there.

The names of the grandchildren sure make it look like Katherine is the mother not Sarah.

Rev. Marting Stronge of Yeovil, was there 30 years and well respected. There is a coat of arms in the church that is quartered with the Martin family, although we don’t know how he got it or if it was just made up.

Rev. James Stronge and Katherine Minterne were related either by blood or marriage to Rev. John Warham, Windsor, Ct., Rev. John Stoughton, whose brother Thomas Stoughton  [son of our ancestor Thomas STOUGHTON] came over, Rev. Walter Newburgh (Newberry) related to Thomas Newberry Elder John Strong and Vincent Meigs. Those are just the obvious ones.

I love the story “they didn’t know one another”, my answer always is “Yes, I know, they were just relatives”

That Captain James Stronge need lookin into especially with the Phelips connection.

Martha

Sources:

http://kinnexions.com/ancestries/strong.htm#JStrong

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/p/e/e/Candace-T-Peebles-NC/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0269.html

http://www.chardstockwebmuseum.org/index.html

http://strongfamilyofamerica.org/strong/cottage.html

http://strongfamilyofamerica.org/strong/revjstrong.html

http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/1267307/person/768905832

http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/1267307/person/556730210

http://trees.ancestry.com/owt/person.aspx?pid=207358

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~havens5/p26312.htm