Congratulations To Kimberly & Kim!

Congratulations to Kimberly and Kim for recently graduating from college!

Kimberly graduated earlier this month from Lakeland College in Sheboygan, WI, with a B.A. in Computer Sciences. Her sister Heather, gathered her family and friends for a surprise graduation party May 6th in Cincinnati, OH. She is now employed with Cincinnati Bell as a Project Engineer.

Kim graduated Cum Laude from Saint Leo University, whose main campus is located in Tampa, Florida, with a B.A. in Criminology. She was joined by her mother Kit, her nephew Dakota, and long time dear family friend Nancy.


Kimberly needed a very large cap to hold all that knowledge in!


Kim celebrates with Dakota, Kit and Nancy.


Kim and her mother, Kit.

David and Jane James, Part IV of IV

In the last year of his life, knowing he was ill, David drew up his final wishes, to which he added his mark on March 10, 1737/8.

David died soon after attending his son Evan’s wedding. The wedding was held on June 8, 1739. David died on June 27.

David’s will was executed in July of 1739. A copy survives to this day. In it, David thoughtfully attempts to see that his wife, Jane, will have a place to live, some comforts and conveniences, and some funds to pay for her expenses. He doles out certain possessions and funds to his sons Isaac, Thomas, and Evan. To his daughters Sarah Thomas and Rebecca Miles, he passes on funds. He also ensures the passing of “one pair of Shoes and a pair of Stockings and one flanell Shirt which I give to old William David” and set aside twenty shillings for “David Thomas of Haverford if he will dig my grave or to such person as shall perform that Service.”

The tombstone on David’s grave states: David James, d: June 27, 1739, 70 yrs. His grave can be found at the Great Valley Baptist Church Cemetery in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

In Memory of Mary Ann Payne

Alberta Mae (Mary Ann) Payne passed away suddenly on May 19, 2007, in Leesburg, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made by donating to the American Cancer Society, 3261 U.S. Hwy 441/ 27, Building B, Fruitland Park, FL 34731.

Mary Ann and her husband were longtime residents of the state of Maryland before moving to Florida. A memorial service is tentatively scheduled for Friday, June 30th, at 2:00 PM, in or near Ellicott City, Maryland. Details will follow as the date approaches.

Her daughter is requesting that you send your favorite memories of Mary Ann, and perhaps a digital photo, to me. I will collect these and send them along to the family.

MaryAnn's obituary is available online through the Orlando Sentinal. You can view it, and read or sign the guest book by clicking HERE

David and Jane James, Part III

For many years David lived on property in the Radnor Township of what is now Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Having obtained it in April of 1718, it was adjacent to other land already owned by David. One home, a log house, decayed in the early 1800’s. The other, primarily constructed of stone, was the James Family Mansion and survived until the 1980’s, when it was unfortunately destroyed to make way for an apartment complex. Below is a photo of that home...

I do not know what happened to David’s first wife. He eventually married the woman now identified only as “Jane.” Together they brought forth Thomas James, our direct ancestor, and four other children (Rebecca, Evan, Isaac, and Sarah).

David and Jane James, Part II

We are certain that David was a Baptist, and was a member of the Great Valley Baptist Church. This church, founded in 1711 in Tredyffrin township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, is now known as The Baptist Church in the Great Valley, located at 945 North Valley Forge Road, in Devon, Pennsylvania, (Zip Code 19333). The church was founded by Welsh Baptists, lending credence to the belief that David was from Wales. Until 1722, church services were held in the home of a Radnor Township member. The first log meeting house was built in 1722. In 1805, a stone meeting house replaced the log structure. This building still stands today, and serves as the congregation’s place of worship.

The church history includes two significant contributions to the history of the USA. David Jones, pastor of the church at the time of the American Revolution, was one of the first chaplains in Washington’s army and helped in gathering supplies for the Valley Forge encampment. In the 1830’s, Leonard Fletcher, then pastor, and several members of the church were instrumental in forming the Wilburforce Anti-Slavery Society in the area. The first African-American joined the church in 1762.


The Baptist Church in the Great Valley

David and Jane James, Part I

David and Jane James are 5G Grandparents of Chester Carson.

David James and Jane (Unknown last name)
->Thomas James and Sarah Henderson
-->Daniel James and Susannah Bealert
--->Daniel James Junior and Elizabeth Bandy
---->Maston James and Delilah Thrasher
----->John MacNeil James and Mary Elizabeth Amos
------>Maude Deleilah James and William Bernard Lloyd Carson
------->Chester Carson

We are fortunate to know some facts about the life of David James, one of our earliest known ancestors. Other information is surmised from these known facts.

David is believed to have been born in Wales, in the late 1600’s.

Most researchers show either 1668 or 1669 as his year of birth. There is some disagreement over his birth date and his arrival in this country. For one thing, even today few detailed records are kept for most people. Many, if they ever existed at all, have not been found, or may have been destroyed or discarded. Secondly, there may have been two men named David James alive at the same time, in the same region. If true, then some of the facts associated with our David James might be improperly assigned to him.

David James arrived in America in late October, 1682, aboard the ship “Bristol Factor.” Some believe it made land on the 28th of that month, but the exact date is in dispute. Along with David came his wife Margaret, and their daughter, Mary. Margaret and Mary are not part of our lineage.

The Bristol Factor made at least two voyages to America. The first, in 1681, was the first of a string of crossings by ships to America under the direction of William Penn. After discharging her passengers, the Bristol Factor was loaded with tobacco and returned to England. The ship was loaded between 26 July - 26 Aug 1682 in preparation for the next voyage, then set off under the direction of Roger Drew with eighteen passengers. After a voyage of about two months, which included one birth at sea, the ship arrived in the new world in October 1682.

Next time: Life in America

Thomas and Sarah James, Part II

In 1749, Thomas married Sarah Henderson (birth date and location not known). They had at least two children: Daniel (b:1750); and Jonathan (b:1751).

We do not yet know when Sarah died.

Thomas died January 15, 1753, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is supposedly buried in the Potts Burying Ground, also known as Edgegrove Cemetery, on Short Hill, just outside Purcellville, Virginia. According to people who maintain this cemetery if Thomas is there, his grave is unmarked.

Thomas and Sarah James, Part I

Thomas James and Sarah Henderson are GGGG Grandparents of Chester Carson.

Thomas James and Sarah Henderson
->Daniel James and Susannah Bealert
-->Daniel James Junior and Elizabeth Bandy
--->Maston James and Delilah Thrasher
---->John MacNeil James and Mary Elizabeth Amos
----->Maude Deleilah James and William Bernard Lloyd Carson
------>Chester Carson

Thomas was born in about 1690, in the English Province of what is now Pennsylvania.

His first wife was named Mary Jones (b:1715, also in English Province, Pennsylvania).

Together Thomas and Mary had at least three children (I know of Elias, Enoch, and Leah).

I do not know if Thomas and Mary divorced, seperated, or if she died. But Thomas would marry again before siring our ancestor.

Daniel James, Sr. and Susannah Bealert

Daniel James, Sr. and Susanhah Bealert were GGG Grand Parents of Chester Carson. The lineage is:

Daniel James and Susannah Bealert
->Daniel James Junior and Elizabeth Bandy
-->Maston James and Delilah Thrasher
--->John MacNeil James and Mary Elizabeth Amos
---->Maude Deleilah James and William Bernard Lloyd Carson
----->Chester Carson

Susannah Bealert was born August 30, 1745 in Germantown, Pennsylvania.

About five years later, Daniel James, Sr., was born on March 31, 1750 in the Upper Merion Township of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.

They were married the 18th of June, 1772 in Pennsylvania (either Philadelphia or Bedford).

They had a large family, ten children that I know of: Daniel Junior, Thomas, Elizabeth (aka Betsy), Sarah, Samuel, Joel, Mary Elizabeth (aka Polly), Johnson, Jacob, Jonathan.

Daniel passed away January 4, 1817, in Bedford township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania. I do not know when Susannah passed away.

Daniel James, Jr and Elizabeth Bandy, Part II

The only other census record, hence the only other insight I have into Daniel and Elizabeth's life, is from 1840.

Daniel and his son Maston both lived in Roanoke County, Virginia, and were enumerated sequentially (Daniel's family first, followed immediately by Maston's).

In Daniel's home was one boy (between 5-10), one man (30-40) and one older gentlemen (presumably Daniel himself) between 60-70. Also in the home was one young girl (15-20) and one woman (40-50).

I do not know when Elizabeth died. I found one mention of Daniel's death, which said only "before 1841".


The 1840 U.S. Census listed Daniel's household first, followed by his son, Maston.