Famous Ancestors
Introduction:
If I was to have one wish granted in terms of my lineage, in a self-centered moment, it might be that I was descended from famous people. That might be fun to think about. With the advent of powerful computer ancestry tools it is now possible through sites such as familysearch.org to determine almost instantly distant lineage connections. In familysearch.org, there is a cool section called famous ancestors which I have summarized in Chapter One. Chapter Two continues along that line of thinking highlighting our lineage to Captain Billy Bush who was a friend of Daniel Boone, and helped found Kentucky and Boonesborough. Chapter Three highlights our families involvement in the Salem Witch trials through direct descendant Mehitable Braybrooke. Mehitable's husband John Downing is a direct descendant as well and one of his early ancestors was George Downing of 10 Downing Street! Chapter Four highlights the finding that one of our early American ancestors married an Indian, and that we do indeed have a very small part Indian blood.
Chapter One: Presidents and Famous Ancestors
Chapter Two: Bush Family Pioneers in Kentucky
Chapter Three: Salem Witch Trials
Chapter Four: Indian Blood
Chapter One: Presidents and Famous Ancestors
Our family story traces a path that few could ever guess. We are related to 33 American presidents, stretching from the American Revolution and George Washington to the recent past in President Ronald Reagan—leaders who bore the weight of a growing nation and left enduring marks on history.
Among them stand some of the most revered names of America’s story:
• George Washington, the steady hand of independence, guiding a fragile new republic with dignity and restraint.
• John Adams, the principled revolutionary who gave voice to justice and law.
• Thomas Jefferson, whose words enshrined liberty and whose vision shaped democracy’s promise.
• James Madison, the architect of the Constitution, who built the framework of America’s institutions.
• James Monroe, the statesman of expansion and global vision.
• Andrew Jackson, the general turned president, fierce and unbending, who embodied the spirit of frontier grit.
• Zachary Taylor, the soldier president, whose courage was forged in command and in character.
• Abraham Lincoln, who bore the weight of a house divided, preserved the Union, and spoke with a moral clarity that still echoes through the ages.
• Franklin Delano Roosevelt, whose steady voice and leadership carried a nation through the storm of depression and world war, proving that courage can endure even in the face of crippling odds.
From these great figures—and many others—we inherited not only a tie of blood, but the spirit of resilience, conviction, and leadership that shaped a nation.
Yet our story does not stop at the American presidency. Across the seas, our lineage branches to the majesty of empire. Through Queen Victoria, we share descent with a dynasty that touched nearly every throne of Europe, a reminder that empire and endurance also flow through our heritage.
The story continues into the modern age:
• With Winston Churchill, our kinship extends to the indomitable lion who steeled Britain, and the free world, in its darkest hour.
• With Princess Diana, it reaches into acts of love and compassion that eclipsed crown and protocol, reminding humanity that kindness is itself a form of nobility.
These presidents, monarchs, and world leaders form a chorus of history within our family tree. But lineage alone is not glory—it is responsibility. To descend from Washington and Lincoln, from Churchill and Diana, is to remember that history calls each generation to live with courage, compassion, and purpose.
Our ancestry is not a crown to be worn, but a torch to be carried. And in our hands lies the next chapter of this extraordinary family history—a story still being written, with your name as its newest and most vital part.
Impactful Leaders
John Robinson
Bishop of the Mayflower passengers
12th Great Granduncle through 13th GG John Robinson 1551.
Millard Fillmore
President of the United States
3rd cousin 7 times removed through GG Nathaniel Day 1665.
George Washington
President of the United States
3rd cousin 7 times removed through GG Colonel George Reed 1608.
James Madison
President of the United States
3rd cousin 8x removed through GG Colonel John Catlett 1622.
John Adams
President of the United States
6th cousin 6x removed through GG John Hawke 1575
Abraham Lincoln
President of the United States
4th cousin 4x removed through GG Henry Floyd 1677
William Henry Harrison
President of the United States
John Quincy Adams
President of the United States
William Howard Taft
President of the United States
Franklin Pierce
President of the United States
Calvin Coolidge
President of the United States
Zachary Taylor
President of the United States
8th cousin 3x removed through GG James Harington 1521
Andrew Jackson
President of the United States
7th cousin 5x removed through GG William Chamberlain 1482.
William McKinley
President of the United States
Benjamin Harrison
President of the United States
Rutherford B. Hayes
President of the United States
James Monroe
President of the United States
Thomas Jefferson
President of the United States
12th cousin once removed through GG John Montagu 1350
Herbert Hoover
President of the United States
Richard Nixon
President of the United States
James Garfield
President of the United States
Ulysses S. Grant
President of the United States
Winston Churchill
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
10th cousin through Edward Montagu 1530.
John Tyler
President of the United States
Marie Antionette
Queen of France
Warren G. Harding
President of the United States
Franklin D. Roosevelt
President of the United States
Theodore Roosevelt
President of the United States
11th cousin once removed through GG Hugh Hesselhead 1496.
James K. Polk
President of the United States
Lyndon B. Johnson
President of the United States
Harry Truman
President of the United States
Victoria
Queen of the United Kingdom
Diana
Princess of Wales
11th cousin through GG John Gage Sr 1568
Dwight D. Eisenhower
President of the United States
Carl Gustav Fleischer
Norwegian WWII Military General in Battle of Narvik
King Haakon VII
King of Norway
John F. Kennedy
President of the United States
11th cousin 3x removed through GG Gilbert Kennedy 1503
Inventors and Scientists
Thomas Edison
Prolific inventor
Eli Whitney
Inventor of the cotton gin
Samuel Morse
Inventor of the single-wire telegraph
Jonathan Browning
Inventor of multiple firearms
Edward Jenner
Creator of the smallpox vaccine
Charles Darwin
Creator of the theory of evolution
Sir Isaac Newton
Formulated multiple laws of physics
John Browning
Inventor of multiple firearms
Adam Smith
Pioneering economist
Wilbur Wright
Invented the first successful airplane
Orville Wright
Invented the first successful airplane
Philo T. Farnsworth
Pioneer in television
Robert Ingebretsen
Pioneer in digital audio
William Clayton
Inventor of an odometer
Alexander Fleming
Discovered penicillin
Alexander Graham Bell
Inventor of the telephone
Walter Chrysler
Automotive pioneer
John Dunlop
Invented the first practical pneumatic tire
Entertainers and Artists
Jonathan Swift
Author
William Shakespeare
Author
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Author
Katharine Hepburn
Actress
Mark Twain
Author
Buffalo Bill
Showman
T. S. Eliot
Author
Edgar Allan Poe
Author
Jane Austen
Author
John Wayne
Actor
Lucille Ball
Actress
Emily Dickinson
Author
Henry David Thoreau
Author
Walt Disney
Animator and producer
Marilyn Monroe
Actress and model
Buster Keaton
Actor
Shirley Temple
Actress
Agatha Christie
Author
Cecil B. DeMille
Filmmaker
Bing Crosby
Singer
Jackson Pollock
Painter
Henrik Ibsen
Poet and writer
Robert Louis Stevenson
Author
Bob Marley
Pioneer of reggae
George Harrison
Musician
John Lennon
Musician
Audrey Hepburn
Actress
Peter O'Toole
Actor
Trailblazers
Love Brewster
Mayflower passenger
Wrestling Brewster
Mayflower passenger
John Howland
Mayflower passenger
Myles Standish
Mayflower passenger
William Brewster
Mayflower passenger
Mary Brewster
Mayflower passenger
Christopher Martin
Mayflower passenger
Richard More
Mayflower passenger
Mary More
Mayflower passenger
Jasper More
Mayflower passenger
Ellen More
Mayflower passenger
Helen Keller
First deaf-blind college graduate
Amelia Earhart
Aviation pioneer
Florence Nightingale
Founder of modern nursing
Otto Sverdrup
Arctic explorer
Robert Peary
First person to reach the geographic North Pole
Charles Lindbergh
Aviation pioneer
Neil Armstrong
First man on the Moon
Athletes
Babe Ruth
Baseball player
Sir Donald Bradman
Cricketer
Gordie Howe
Hockey player
Chapter Two: Bush Family Pioneers in Kentucky
Mark O’Rear (b.1957)
Floyd Barrett O’Rear Jr. (1931–2019)
My father was a man who walked a path of deep learning and heartfelt Christian service.
At Oberlin College, he met Virginia Beckman, and they developed a partnership built on shared ideals and love, beginning a lifelong union.
His studies at Princeton, Union, and Drew seminaries shaped him into a compassionate Methodist minister, guiding many through faith and pastoral care
Later, as a pastoral counselor, Barry, as he was known utilized his wisdom and empathy to help souls find peace and direction, reflecting a legacy of spiritual leadership.
Floyd Barrett O’Rear Sr. (1896–1978)
My grandfather was both scholar and servant, blending intellect with heart.
He was a professor at Columbia University and he influenced countless lives through education.
His later calling to the Methodist ministry was emblematic of a life lived fully devoted to service to God and community. With my grandmother Grace Alice Sherrow by his side, he built a family rooted in learning and faith, passing these gifts forward.
Miranda Allen (M. A.) O’Rear (1869–1934)
My great-grandfather, M.A. as he was called, was a dedicated leader in education and life.
He was President of Missouri Teachers College, and shaped generations of educators, knowing that teaching is the foundation of enduring change.
Together with might Great Grandmother Cora Freeman, they cultivated a family dedicated to growth and the betterment of society.
M. A.'s legacy is the transformative power of education, inspiring those who followed to value knowledge and kindness.
Daniel Talbott O’Rear (1839–1870)
My 2nd great-grandfather, Daniel O'Rear had a pioneering spirit that helped shape a nation expanding westward.
He married Mildred “Kate” Weldon, and their lives showcased resilience amid challenge and hope amid the frontier’s wild promise.
As a descendant of Revolutionary War heroes, Daniel’s life was imbued with the courage and sacrifice of those who fought for freedom. His final resting place near Trion, Georgia, marks the peaceful end of a life bridged by hardship and hope.
John Bush O’Rear (1802–1883)
My 3rd great-grandfather, John Bush O'Rear was a Missouri pioneer who carried forward the spirit of adventure and commitment.
With his wife Elizabeth Talbott by his side, he forged family roots in the fertile lands of Missouri, embodying the joys and struggles of frontier life.
John was born in Kentucky to a family marked by Revolutionary valor. John’s migration westward reflected the enduring quest for opportunity and home.
John's presence in Rocky Fork and Boone County speaks to a man grounded in family and community, an anchor for generations. John bridged past and future with steady hands and a resilient heart.
Daniel O’Rear (b.1777)
Daniel O'Rear, my 4th great-grandfather, was a Revolutionary War soldier who faced the frontier’s dangers with bravery
His marriage to Elizabeth Bush was our link to the Bush lineage which ties our family history closely to Daniel Boone.
His campaigns with Captain Leonard Helm and Colonel George Rogers Clark helped secure the western frontier, actions that shaped a young America. Daniel’s life was one of sacrifice and steadfastness, fathering a lineage steeped in courage.
Elizabeth Bush (mid-1700s)
My 4th great-grandmother was the daughter of Francis Bush. Elizabeth embodied the grace and strength of women who held families and communities together across generations.
Through her, the Bush and O’Rear stories entwined, extending the family’s heritage of intertwined heart and history. She represents the strength of the women who held family and faith together through uncertain times.
Francis Bush (1750–1818)
My 5th great-grandfather was Francis Bush, a soldier of liberty and a man of faith.
Francis married Lucy Davis in 1773, and formed a partnership that gave birth to children who would carry the family forward, including Betsy Bush who married Daniel O’Rear.
Francis was veteran of the Revolutionary War, and his service embodied sacrifice for the cause of freedom. As a settler in Virginia and later in Kentucky, Francis’s donation of land for Providence Baptist Church holds testament to a heart devoted to community and spirituality.
Philip Bush Sr. (c.1710–1772)
My 6th great-grandfather was Philip Bush, a respected Virginian landowner and militia leader. He married Mary Bryan, and helped shape the social and political landscape of colonial Virginia.
His will, witnessed by James Madison, marks the esteem in which he was held.Philip’s life was one of stewardship, leadership, and enduring impact.
John Bush (b. circa 1670)
My 7th great-grandfather, John Bush, was a solid presence in Orange County, Virginia. I have the pleasure of living very close to Orange, and in fact drive through there frequently.
John married Bridget Braxton, building a foundation of family and community. John's life spanned a time of growth and challenge as Virginia evolved from wilderness to settled colony.
Abraham Bush (1622–1687)
My 8th great-grandfather was Abraham Bush. He was born in England, and undertook the extremely dangerous passage to America,. embodying the immigrant pioneer spirit.
His first marriage was to Martha (likely Wingate), then to Ann Alexander, fathering many children that carried forth the family’s promise.
Abraham worked as a tobacco planter in Lancaster County, Virginia, revealing a life of industry and commitment. Abraham’s story is one of migration, hard work, and legacy, setting down roots for generations to thrive.
John “Neptune” Bush (1590–c.1625)
Although there is some debate, my 9th great-grandfather was John Bush. I say debate because we are not sure whether he is the father of Abraham, or whether Abraham was his nephew. In either case, he was the courageous immigrant whose voyage across the ocean began our family’s Bush lineage in America.
John married Elizabeth Stokes and together with their daughters Mary and Elizabeth, they embarked on a journey full of hope and hardship.
They settled in Kiccoughtan (Hampton), Virginia. There John endured forced relocations and family trials with unshakable resolve. There is evidence that John and family were evicted from their home by the famous Jamestown Governor Yeardley.
John received a patent of 300 acres in Elizabeth City, and his determination laid the first stone of a family legacy that would endure centuries.
His will, which was crafted in 1624, closes a chapter on a life that seeded a vast familial legacy.
John represents the courage, faith, and vision that would grow into the foundation of a family woven into America’s fabric.
The Story of Captain Billy Bush—My 5th Great Uncle
Captain William “Billy” Bush (1746–1815) was much more than a figure of frontier lore; he was a defining presence in the shaping of early Kentucky and the western American frontier. As the son of Philip Bush Sr. and brother of my 6th great-grandfather Francis Bush, Captain Billy inherited a legacy of courage and leadership which he magnified through his own life’s deeds.
His friendship with Daniel Boone, one of America’s most famous pioneers, was not just a coincidence but a testament to his own stature as a bold and capable woodsman and protector of settlers. Together, they blazed trails through dense forests, crossed perilous rivers, and faced the ever-present dangers of the wilderness—Indian raids, wild animals, and the harshness of untamed land. Captain Billy was revered as an Indian fighter and militia captain, his tactical skill and unyielding spirit helping secure the territory that would become Kentucky.
Captain Billy was a central figure in the founding of the Bush Settlement near Boonesborough, a community that embodied the pioneer spirit, resilience, and hope for a new life on the western edge of the young nation. Stories passed down speak of his fearless leadership in battles and negotiations, his deep familiarity with the land, and a heart fiercely loyal to friends and family.
To this day, his tombstone in Clark County, Kentucky, proudly commemorates him as the “friend and companion of Daniel Boone,” a rare honor that signifies both personal loyalty and historical import.
This remarkable tale of Captain Billy Bush is woven into our family’s rich tapestry, a symbol of the bravery, tenacity, and friendship that courses through our lineage—a reminder that our heritage is forged not only by blood but by valor and steadfastness on the frontier of American history.
Story of John “Neptune” Bush and the Early Jamestown Settlers
John “Neptune” Bush arrived in Virginia at a time when the Jamestown colony—established in 1607—was still struggling for survival. The early settlers faced harsh realities: food shortages, disease, hostile relations with indigenous peoples, and the challenge of taming a wild and unfamiliar environment.
Life in Jamestown was fraught with peril. The “Starving Time” of 1609-1610 nearly decimated the colony, and those who persevered did so through incredible resilience and community. John “Neptune” Bush was part of this early generation, arriving in 1618 aboard the ship Neptune under the auspices of the Virginia Company and Governor Lord Delaware. Shortly after, his wife Elizabeth Stokes and daughters joined him, symbolizing a commitment not just to colonization but to establishing a lasting family and community in the New World.
Despite political and social upheavals, including forced relocations in 1624 and family hardships, John patented significant land in Elizabeth City, anchoring his family’s stake in the colony. That year, the family lost their home and most possessions during the forced move from Kiccoughtan, and the trauma resulted in the loss of an unborn child—a heartache recounted in the old colonial records. His will of December 1624 reflects a man mindful of his legacy and responsibilities amid uncertain times.
The story of John “Neptune” Bush and the Jamestown settlers is a birth narrative of America itself—a testament to courage, endurance, and faith that through struggle, new beginnings emerge. This foundation echoes through all descendants, including you, carrying the flame of pioneering spirit and hope across centuries.
References
• Kentucky Kindred Genealogy, “Bush Family – Colonial Virginia to Clark County, Kentucky” (2022)
• RootsWeb, “Genealogical Memoranda of the Quisenberry Family” (Various)
• Find a Grave Memorials for Francis Bush, Captain William Bush, and others
• Ancestors Family Search Records for John Bush, Abraham Bush, and descendants
• Columbia University and Princeton Seminary Archives
• TMG Tips, “Descendants of John O’Rear” (1998)
• Missouri State Historical Society, Pioneer Family Histories
Chapter Three: Salem Witch Trials
Perhaps the most unexpected geneology finding was that my 8th Great Grandmother, Mehitable Brabrooke, was tried and found guilty of witchcraft as part of the Salem Witch trials.
Setting the Stage: Puritan Fear and Societal Stress
In 1692, the village of Salem in the Massachusetts Bay Colony was a tightly woven Puritan community cast under a heavy shadow of religious fervor, mistrust, and harsh day-to-day realities. The colony faced numerous stresses: smallpox epidemics had recently ravaged the population, tensions with Native American tribes simmered, and internal disputes about land, social rank, and church politics frayed neighborly relations.
Puritan theology held firm beliefs about the devil’s active presence in the world and the real possibility of witches conjuring his power to harm the godly. Such fears, compounded by social rivalries and hardships, created conditions ripe for paranoia and scapegoating.
The First Signs: Afflicted Girls and the Spark
In January 1692, the village minister’s daughter, nine-year-old Elizabeth “Betty” Parris, and her eleven-year-old cousin Abigail Williams began experiencing terrifying fits of screaming, convulsions, and contortions. Local doctor William Griggs, unable to find a physical cause, surmised witchcraft was involved. This diagnosis validated Puritan fears and launched the community into a frenzy of suspicion.
Soon other children in Salem Village exhibited similar fits, and accusations rapidly escalated. Under pressure from ministers and townspeople, Betty and Abigail named Tituba, the Parris family’s Caribbean slave, as the source of their torment—a confession that ignited the trials.
The Tide of Accusations
Within weeks, neighbors Sarah Good and Sarah Osborne were also accused, beginning a firestorm of allegations. Over 150 people across Salem and surrounding towns would eventually be accused, many imprisoned in horrid conditions.
The accused faced “spectral evidence”—claims that afflictions came from the invisible spirit or shape of the accused—as key proof. The girls would writhe and point, claiming attacks by unseen assailants.
Court of Oyer and Terminer: The Legal Machinery of Tragedy
Governor William Phips established the Court of Oyer and Terminer on May 27, 1692, to hear witchcraft cases. Presided over by Lieutenant Governor William Stoughton, the court accepted spectral evidence and provided no legal counsel for defendants.
Accused people were torn between confessing—hoping mercy—or proclaiming innocence and facing certain death. The community watched as neighbor turned accuser, friendships dissolved, and fear permeated every trial.
Executions and Martyrs
• June 10, 1692: Bridget Bishop, a woman known for her assertiveness and unconventional behavior, was hanged—the first of 19 executed accused witches.
• July 19: Five more were hanged, including Rebecca Nurse, an elderly woman of great respect, whose conviction shocked many.
• August 19: George Burroughs, former Salem Village minister, was executed after being accused as the ringleader of witchcraft.
• September 22: Eight were hanged, including Martha Corey. Her husband Giles Corey died under pressing after refusing to plead.
The executions tore families apart and sent chilling ripples of terror through Salem.
The Ordeal of Mehitable Brabrooke Downing
Among those swept into the hysteria was Mehitable Brabrooke Downing, Mark O’Rear’s 8th great-grandmother. Mehitable, already burdened by a troubled past including a conviction for arson, found herself a target in an atmosphere hungry for scapegoats.
Imprisoned in Ipswich’s cold, vermin-ridden jail, Mehitable endured months isolated from family and community. Her accusers likely included neighbors embroiled in property disputes and family rivalries.
A hypothetical testimony might read, “I saw the specter of Mehitable Braybrooke tormenting me with unholy whispers and chilling touches in the night.” Accusations could never be disproved, and many accused faced death without trial.
Unlike others who were executed, Mehitable survived as courts became skeptical of spectral evidence. Her resilience marks a rare victory amid widespread injustice.
The Collapse of the Trials
By fall 1692, voices against the trials grew louder. Increase Mather, president of Harvard and Cotton Mather’s father, publicly questioned spectral evidence’s validity. Governor Phips dissolved the Court of Oyer and Terminer in October, replacing it with a Superior Court that disallowed spectral evidence.
Accused persons were released or pardoned, and by 1693 the hysteria ended.
Aftermath and Legacy
The Salem Witch Trials resulted in 19 executions, one pressing to death, and many deaths in prison. Survivors and their families carried the scars for generations.
In 1697, the Massachusetts General Court declared the trials unlawful and formally expressed remorse. Families of victims received reparations. Salem’s dark chapter is now memorialized as a cautionary tale against mass hysteria, injustice, and violation of due process.
The Human Story
For Mehitable Brabrooke Downing, the accusation meant years of suffering, suspicion, and social stigma. As an ancestor of Mark O’Rear, her story humanizes a historic tragedy and anchors the past in personal survival amidst chaos.
Here is the lineage:
Mark O’Rear (me)
• Born 1957
• Son of Virginia Beckman (b. 1934) and Floyd Barrett O’Rear Jr.
Virginia Beckman (mother)
• Born 1934
• Daughter of Marion Frances Bee (b. circa 1913) and Albert A. Beckman
Marion Frances Bee (grandmother)
• Born circa 1913
• Daughter of Lilla Gertrude Thurston (b. circa 1878)
Lilla Gertrude Thurston (2nd Great Grandmother)
• Born circa 1878
• Daughter of John Albert Thurston (b. 1842) and Eliza Sparrow Downing (b. circa 1809)
John Albert Thurston (3rd Great Grandfather)
• Born 1842
• Married Eliza Sparrow Downing
• From the established Thurston family of colonial Massachusetts.
Eliza Sparrow Downing (3rd Great Grandmother)
• Born circa 1809
• Daughter of Smith Downing (b. 1779) and Hannah Jacobs
Smith Downing (4th Great Grandfather)
• Born March 17, 1779, Boston, Massachusetts
• Son of John Downing Jr. (5th Great Grandfather)
John Downing Jr. (5th Great Grandfather)
• Born 1733
• Father of Smith Downing
John Downing Sr. (6th Great Grandfather, baptized July 25, 1708, Gloucester, MA)
• Son of David Downing and Susanna Roberts
• Married Tabitha Deland (b. November 25, 1706) in 1731, Newbury, MA
• Children include John Downing Jr. (b. 1733), Susanna Downing (b. 1734), David Downing (b. 1738), Moses Downing (b. 1742)
• Died circa 1743 Newbury, Massachusetts (some sources list 1777 Springfield, MA)
David Downing (7th Great Grandfather, b. circa 1677 – d. 1723)
• Son of John Downing (b. circa 1640) and Mehitable Braybrooke
• Conveyed half of family farm to son David in 1699
• Married Susanna Roberts in 1701
• Father of John Downing Sr. and other children
John Downing (8th Great Grandfather, b. circa 1640 – d. after 1714)
• Son of Emanuel Downing (b. 1585) and Lucy Winthrop (b. 1601)
• Married Mehitable Brabrooke (b. c. 1651) in 1669
• Owner of substantial Ipswich landholdings
• Accused during Salem Witch Trials, survived
Mehitable Brabrooke (8th Great Grandmother, b. c. 1651 – 1721)
• Born circa 1651 in Salem, Massachusetts
• Illegitimate daughter of Richard Brabrooke (b. c. 1613) and Alice Eliss
• Married John Downing in 1669 (8th GG)
• Convicted of arson in 1668; sentenced to whipping and fines
• Accused in the 1692 Salem Witch Trials, imprisoned but released without trial
• Died 1721
Emanuel Downing (9th Great Grandfather, 1585–1660)
Emanuel Downing was John Downing’s father and was a Cambridge-educated attorney and ardent Puritan born in Ipswich, Suffolk, England in 1585. He was a close relative of Governor John Winthrop, marrying his sister Lucy Winthrop, thereby connecting the Downing family directly to one of the most influential families in early Massachusetts colonial history.
Emanuel emigrated to Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1638, where he became a respected figure in both political and religious circles. He was a deputy in the Massachusetts General Court and served in various local capacities. His Puritan ideals and leadership helped shape the colony during its early turbulent years.
He fathered John Downing (b. circa 1640), who would carry forward the family legacy in New England.
George Downing (Brother of Emanuel Downing, c. 1623–1684)
George Downing, my 8th Great Granduncle was the brother of Emmanuel. He was born circa 1623, and was a distinguished English soldier, diplomat, and politician. He served under both Oliver Cromwell and King Charles II, navigating the tumultuous politics of mid-17th-century England.
George was knighted and created a baronet, amassing significant estates. Notably, he built the house that became Downing Street in London, now synonymous with the British Prime Minister’s official residence.
His will famously included the founding of Downing College, Cambridge. Though legal battles delayed the actual establishment, the college was chartered in 1800, cementing the Downing family’s legacy in British education and society. He built 10 Downing Street, and it is named after him!
References
1. Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription Project, University of Virginia
2. Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Salem Witch Trials,” 2025
3. Historic Ipswich Blog, Mehitable Brabrooke Downing, 2021
4. Donna B. Gawell, In the Shadow of Salem, 2018
5. Massachusetts Historical Society Primary Court Records
6. Wikipedia, “Timeline of Salem Witch Trials,” 2007
7. Peabody Essex Museum, “The Salem Witch Trials of 1692,” 2023
8. Salem Witch Museum, Chronology, 1999
9. Wikipedia, “Sir George Downing, 3rd Baronet,” 2008
10. Downing College History, University of Cambridge
I recieved the following personal email from Donna Galwell the author of a documentary book on Mehitable Brabrooke entitled "In the Shadow of Salem". I purchased her book and asked her to clarify some confusion as to whether Mehitable’s husband John Downing was the son of the famous Emmanuel Downing.
"Hi Mark! To answer your question, the John Downing of Ipswich, MA,. who married Mehitabel Brabrooke, was born about 1640, and MAY have been, and probably was, the son of Emanuel Downing and Lucy Winthrop. BUT ..he did not die in 1694, but was alive in 1714 when his son-in-law Thomas Lufkin posted a bond for the suppport of his 'revered father and mother', according to Ipswich Town Records. (See Thomas Waters. Ipswich in Mass Bay Colony, 1905, Vo 2, 253) John and Mehitabel deeded portions of their 200 acre farm to sons David, John and son-inlaw Thomas Lufkin from 1690-1705 (see LDS micro films #066021, #866021, #08866088 and #0899618)
The John Downing who died 4-24,1694 was a merchant from Nevis in the Caribbean,(from Barbados in 1679) , who moved to Boston to educate his son, Nathaniel in 1689. After extensive research, it is deemed highly improbable that he is the son of Emanuel Downing and Lucy Winthrop, as there is no evidence whatsoever, of his being in contact with their daughter, Anne Downing Gardiner Bradstreet, wife of Gov Simon Bradstreet who was living in Salem, or Lucy Downing Norton of Hingham.(supposedly his sisters). Contemporary gossip diarist, Judge Samuel Sewall, did not recognize him, altho he was intimately acquainted with both Winthrop and Downing fmilies of the West Indies, and in the Bay area. Renowned historian and genealogist Eben Putnam in 1898 tried, and failed, to find any relationship with Elizuer Holyoke, who Nevis John claimed to be his kinsman.(Manuscipt collection NEGHS)
Unless there is corroborated data, ie, more than the 73 word deposition of the Irish John Downing (Essex County Court Record 6-117-173), there is no proof either that this was the John Downing who married Mehitabel Brabrooke in 1669. Whether Irish John was an indentured servant, was married, was born in 1638 or before, or even an inhabitant of Ipswich must be verified.
Finally, Sidney Perley, editor of the Essex Antiquarian and the two volume Histor of Salem, in notes( Essex Amtiquarian 11:141) about the deed by Richard Brabrooke giving one half of his farm to John Downing 'in consideration for a marriage to be performed' called John Downing 'planter', a social standing title indicating possession of more than 150 acres of land (Edward Perzel's doctoral thesis The First Generation of Settlement in Colonial Ipswich 1633-1663 published in 1967) Ipswich farmer John Downing, if indeed son of Emanuel Downing and Lucy Downing, would have been an heir to Emanuel's 600+ acre farm in nearby Salem which was in the Downing family name until 1702. Perley would not have dignified the Irish John Downing with this title."
Chapter Four: Indian Blood
The O’Rears have Indian blood!
John Basse is my 8th Great Grandfather.
John Basse was born in London, England on September 7, 1616, the third of a dozen children born to Nathaniel and Mary Jordan Basse. Little could anyone know that this well-born English child would be the sole survivor of an enormous massacre in a far-away land, that he would be raised as a member of an Indian tribe, that he would marry an Indian princess, have eight children with her, live to the age of 85, and have countless descendants, many of whom would still tell his story four hundred years later. But he was born in a time of change, and this great adventure was his destiny.
Three months before John’s birth, the exotic Indian princess, Pocahontas and her English husband, John Rolfe arrived in England amid great fanfare along with the very first shipment of tobacco from a far away colony in a little-known place called Virginia. Only nine years earlier, the first intrepid band of English adventurers had established a settlement there called Jamestowne. It was to become the first permanent settlement of English speaking peoples in the New World.
John’s grandfather, Humphrey Basse and his brothers, William and Thomas were French Huguenots who immigrated to London during the reign of Elizabeth I seeking religious freedom. Humphrey married Mary Bouchier, daughter of Dominick and Genevieve Bouchier, also French Huguenots. Humphrey was an entrepreneurial man, first as a merchant haberdasher, and then as an investor and stockholder in the Virginia Company which financed settlements in Jamestowne, Virginia. Humphrey invested in the Third Charter of the Virginia Company signing as a founder on March 12, 1612.
Arriving in Virginia
In 1619 when John was three years old, his father, thirty-year-old Nathaniel Basse made his first trip to the new colony. On April 27, 1619 Nathaniel arrived at Jamestown on Captain Christopher Lawne’s ship. They brought workmen, supplies and one hundred settlers. Their camp was at the mouth of a creek near Jamestown, still named, Lawne’s Creek, from which they built the first settlement in Isle of Wight County, Virginia.
By mid-summer 1619, there were about a thousand English living in Virginia. In early August, the first legislative assembly in America met in the church at Jamestowne. This meeting established the principle of elected self-rule in America and became a foundation of our Republic. Five months later, the Virginia Company dissolved its subsidiary company which had been formed to exclusively supply the colony. Thereafter, free trade prevailed in the colony and laid the foundation for free enterprise as the form of the American economy.
Nathaniel made frequent trips between Virginia and London over the next few years. On November 21, 1621 he made his move to establish a home in the New World and patented 400 acres on the James River at Pagan Creek in Isle of Wight County. Here he founded Basse’s Choyce Plantation and built a home for himself and his young family.
John’s maternal grandfather, Silas Samuel Jordan was also an early Virginia Adventurer. In 1620 he received a grant of land on the James River at Bailey’s Creek near the present Hopewell, Virginia. Here, at what is still called Jordan’s Point, he and established a home for his family in the New World
Indians kept a close watch on the English settlers.
Throughout this period, relations with the Indians had been volatile. Early encounters had been hostile, and then the “Peace of Pocahontas” gave the settlers a sense that conditions would remain amenable.
Having established Basse’s Choyce Plantation, John’s father began to move his family to Virginia. In early 1622, six-year-old John Basse along with at least one of his brothers were at Basse’s Choyce when their parents made a return trip to England.
And then disaster struck. Emperor Powhatan (father of Pocahontas) had died four years earlier and had been succeeded by his brother, Opechancanough. He wanted no part of the white men and he patiently organized a surprise attack that was carried out by almost every tribe in the area. On the same day, at the same time, and anywhere there was a white man, he was to be killed.
Virginia Indians attack the colony, March 22, 1622
At midday on Good Friday, March 22, 1622, there were twelve hundred forty English inhabitants in the Colony of Virginia. Of these nearly four hundred were killed by Indians. At the house of Captain John Basse, only six-year-old John Basse survived. John’s oldest brother seven-year-old Humphrey and possibly other siblings were killed in the attack.
John’s parents, Nathaniel and Mary arrived back in Virginia on the ship Furtherance within the next couple of weeks only to find their oldest son (and possibly others) killed in the massacre, and six-year-old John was missing without a trace. They found the woods around the English settlements patrolled by hostile Indians.
Nathaniel and Mary had little time to mourn because Basse’s Choyce had to be immediately repaired for the birth of another child. On May 8, 1622 their sixth child, Edward, arrived. To make matters even more dire, in December an epidemic arrived with the ship Abigail, and killed twice as many people as the Indian attacks. The colony also had a poor harvest that year and experienced another “starving time” throughout the winter of 1622-23. Less than 500 survived to see the spring of 1623.
Amid the carnage that happened that fateful Good Friday, young John Basse managed to slip away from the attackers and into the forest. Fortune smiled on the boy as he was found and taken in by friendly Nansemond Indians who were fleeing from the hostilities. His rescuers managed to reach the Nansemond River with John before their enemies had organized patrols in the woods.
John’s rescuers took him into their tribe and gave him advantages and standing. He absorbed the Nansemond culture. In spite of the danger, missionaries continued to teach the Nansemonds – including young John Basse – and he matured to become literate and a Christian.
By the time he was twenty-two John had fallen in love with a Nansemond girl whom he knew as Keziah Elizabeth Tucker, daughter of Chief Robin the Elder, but to the English she was the Princess Keziah Elizabeth, daughter of the King of the Nansemond Kingdom. On August 14, 1638 John and Keziah Elizabeth, age 14, were married. She was born about 1624 at Kecoughton, an Indian village in Virginia (now part of the city of Newport News). “Keziah” is an old testament name that can mean faithful or female equality.
Writing on the cover of the “Book of John Basse”
At some point during his remarkable lifetime, John acquired an English prayer book which served as his family Bible. In this book he recorded many important facts and events. This book exists today and is in the possession of his Nansemond tribe descendants
John Bass’ prayer book is a manuscript religious book of about 100 pages. It measures 4 5/8″ by 7 1/4″. The author’s name not known. The earliest date of a sermon entry is March 4, 1660. In ink on the cover is written “Book of John Basse Norfolk Co., Vir. A. D. 1675.”
John recorded the following passage in his prayer book:
“John Basse was born ye 7 day of September in ye year of our Lord 1616 ye son of Nathll Basse and Mary his wife… he married Elizabeth dafter of Robin the Elder, King of ye Nansimuns kingdom, a Baptized xtian, in Holy Matrimonie accdg to ye Canons of ye Church of England, ye 14th day of August in the Year of our Blessed Lord 1638.”
At some point it is believed John reconnected with his birth family because his brother Edward (born immediately after the massacre of 1622) married Keziah Elizabeth Tucker’s cousin.
John and Keziah were living in Nansemond territory when it became Upper Norfolk and then Nansemond County, Virginia. John passed away in 1699 at the age of 82 in Norfolk, Virginia. Keziah Elizabeth passed away in 1676 at the age of 52.
John and Keziah Elizabeth had eight children and today have countless descendants.