Mark Twain

Update!  Do you need three hours of writing time at an inspirational spot?  The Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford, CT is offering off hours writing time.  I would love to do this! 

3 hours of writing time at Mark Twain's house!

Time magazine focuses on an American historical figure every July 4th. The year 2008 Mark Twain received the honors. Being from the south Mr. Twain was very much a part of my history as a youth. This article tells you a bit of history of his views and upbringing. Take a look at:http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1820166,00.html

The above picture is from the Time Magazine article.

His genealogy is interesting. Apparently, I am a 5th cousin, 4 times removed through my father’s side of the family.  A stretch, but a connection none the less!

Samuel Langhorne Clemens, received his pen name, Mark Twain, from "mark twain", the leadsman's cry for a measured river depth of two fathoms (12 feet), which was safe water for a steamboat.  He received his steamboat pilot licenses after pursuing this career early on in his life, which gave him his background for future writings.

  

New York Times obituary:  Mark Twain obituary    

Samuel Langhorne⁶ Clemens (John Marshall⁵, Samuel⁴, Adam³, Benjamin², William¹) born 30 Nov 1835 in Florida, Monroe County, Missouri and died 21 Apr 1910 in Redding, Fairfield County, CT where I go to the big book sale event each year at the Mark Twain Library.

Mark Twain was the son of John Marshall Clemens and Jane Lampton of Virginia families. His genealogy is a bit sparse.  His Lampton line is believed to be a direct decent to the earl of Durham, England through Jane's grandfather William Lampton III (known as "William the Pioneer" serving the militia of the Virginia colony) who was born in Durham, England about 1724 and died 25 Feb 1790 in Crab Orchard, Lincoln County, Kentucky.

The following link is to the Routledge Encyclopedia of Mark Twain, edited by J.R. LeMaster and James D. Wilson, 1993, specifically, the pages on his genealogy. Routledge Genealogy of Mark Twain

And to the following Genealogy reference from the early 1900's.  Genealogy: A Journal of American Ancestry 

Both references are free through google books, but beware that they either date back before scrutiny of sources were available or don't reference their source material, such as in the Routledge Encyclopedia. 

Future spare time will be devoted to researching these lineages for documented verification.  For now that is just a dream as my spare time is spent making a living, alas!!

Comedic Connections

It is my passion to find these crossroads, of people I study, through some type of cosmic connection through time.

I have always had a love of great comedians.  As a child it started very young with watching Red Skelton with my grandparents.  It continued with Danny Kaye and ended tragically with Robin Williams.  I have yet to recover from the loss of Robin Wiliams, so I have no one to admire for their comedic greatness.  Shortly after Robin's death, colleague Chris Child, genealogist with the New England Historic Genealogical Society did a short genealogy article on Robin's southern roots.

Robin Robin-williams-ancestry

I did my own preliminary research on Robin a while ago and was surprised to discover his genealogy, both lines, are deeply southern.  His father was born in Evansville, IN (with this lineage going through KY, NC, and then VA) where I spent much time as a youth growing up (about 30 miles away), and attending my undergrad at the University of Evansville.  I was born in Kentucky.  His mother's family was from Jackson, MS.  I also spent two years living in Hattiesburg, MS while pursuing a doctorate in music, spending much time in New Orleans, playing in an Orchestra in Meridian, MS and touring with the faculty of USM's brass quintet all over the south.

Robin⁶ Williams (Robert Fitzgerald⁵, Robert Ross⁴, Haywood Ross³, James Claridy², Tobias¹) born 21 Jul 1951 in Chicago, Cook County, IL. 

Robin's 3rd great grandfather, Tobias, who served in the Revolution and died in (believe it or not!) the town of Difficult, Smith County, TN.  Below is a link to his grave site.  Tobias served in North Carolina, but was born in VA.  Later in his life he moved to Defeated Creek, TN.  Yikes!  Not a very positive place to end up!

Tobias Williams Grave site

This is only his father's line.  Personally, I find researching the female side more intriguing as you discover new surnames and open new families this way.  I will delve more deeply into his mothers line in a future post!

One of my Rev War patriots was from NJ, served in PA, received a land grant in NC, moved there with his extended family only to find NC too "occupied" with little resources, sold his land, and moved to Hendersonville, TN where he died.  This was about 50 miles from Defeated Creek, TN where Robin Williams 3rd great grandfather, also a Rev War patriot, died.


Next up, Red Skelton!  Red was born and raised in Vincennes, IN where my 5th great grandfather was the land registrar for the entire Indiana Territory starting in 1804 after our country acquired the Louisiana Purchase.

Royal Families Americans of Royal and Noble Ancestry

One of the many great things I was able to be involved with at the New England Historic Genealogical Society, when I worked there as a researcher, was helping the eccentric Gary Boyd Roberts on a few of his projects.  One that I received mention in was Marston Watson's Second Edition of his Royal Families Volume One Governor Thomas Dudley and Descendants through Five Generations.  

I do miss the scholarly atmosphere that only NEHGS can supply in the genealogical field.  I haven't made a trip back there for several years.  I'm long over due!

Selected pages can be viewed at the link below:

http://hylbom.com/family/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Royal-Families-Americans-of-Royal-and-Noble-Ancestry-Vol-2_selected-pages.pdf

You can search the entire book with an Ancestry.com membership.