Stephen/Stevens Family "Journal"

(Jody Gray): I started this Blog Post as a draft on October, 30, 2016.
A lot has happened since my last Family "Update" email, which contained all the Blog Posts I had created for the Stephens/Stevens Family... to "shorten things up", from now on I'm just going to refer to them as the Stevens Family... back when I was searching for the parents of Selah Murray Stevens I hit a dead end; there was nothing for him on the internet. Not a single family tree listed parents for him. (refresher) Elizabeth aka Eliza Helm married Selah Murray Stevens; they are our 4th Great-Grandparents. Eliza was the daughter of Woodhull Helm Sr and Elizabeth McDowell aka McDonald. Eliza was five years old when her mother died in 1807 (I have not found any death records for Eliza McDowell Helm; I'm basing her death date on the birth of Woodhull's son, Edward b. 3/14/1808). Through the marriage of Woodhull Helm and Thaly Ann Stevens, I connected our (Piper Family Branch) to Airard Fitz Stephens b. 1036 who was commander of the "Mora" the ship that transported William the Conqueror to the Battle of Hastings; William became the 1st Norman King of England. I also connected our family tree through marriage to Jim's tree (my SO); his immigrant ancestor, Jonathan Murray is paternal grandfather of the husband of our 6th GGM, Sarah aka Lois Wilcox, who married 2nd, Jonathan's grandson, Selah Murray. Sarah married 1st, Aaron I. Stevens; their son Aaron II. named his son, (our 4th GGF) Selah Murray Stevens, after his stepfather. Aaron II. was about seven months old when his father died. Connection to the Murray Family allowed me to include some of their interesting relatives in our Family Tree, including Winston Churchill and his mother, Jennie Jerome. "Spiritual connections" - Jim and I reconnected back in 2016 (after losing touch with each other in 1991); I noticed two biographies of Jennie Jerome in his bookcase, when he told me he was related to Winston Churchill, I gave them to him, back in 1989. Biographies have been my favorite reading material since I became an avid reader in 7th grade. I will have to create a Blog Post for Jennie, later.
getting back to these new Blog Posts... After visiting Piper cousin, Joan Moore Baker, who borrowed me a copy of Piper genealogy. I learned the father of Selah Murray Stevens was the son of Aaron Stevens b. 1762; changing Airard Fitz Stephens from a step-ancestor to our 30th Great-Grandfather. A side-note: I call people related through marriage (not "bloodlineage") "TWIGS" -we have some interesting "TWIGS" in our family!
We have a another branch of ancestors who immigrated to England from Normandy with William the Conqueror in 1066; Walter aka Seir de Flanders, de Seton, our 27th Great-Grandfather (he later immigrated to Scotland and died there) . With Walter's son, Thomas, the surname became de Wahull (de means "of" - Wahull). One of the first things William I. did was to establish the Doomsday Book and the use of stable surnames as a means of keeping track of who owned land in his kingdom and how much they owed him in taxes. It is through the de Wahull (Woodhull) and the Fitz Stephen (Stevens) bloodlines that we are related to several different persons of "royal blood" in England. Ancestors from both branches lived-through, and many participated in, historical events and religious reformation. Many laws and customs changed over the years; some old ones were dropped and some new ones were added. As a result of these changes, many people were, executed and there were many suspicious deaths.
I was thrilled to learn who the parents of Selah Murray Stevens were; but, it caused me many headaches in that it changed a lot the information I had previously added to our Ancestry.com Piper Family Tree and the Blog Posts I had created while I was looking for his parents. Those MONTHS of research were very productive, resulting in many new branches and TWIGS being added our Family Tree; along with them more history was learned. So, I'm not regretful of the time I spent. My only concern would be that I have added to your confusion. I have edited my Blog Post: Descendants of Airard Fitz Stephen, b. 1036. It follows "father-to-son" his descendants down to the connection of the Stevens Family to the Helm Family, in America. And, you can see how the line continues down through marriage into other "Branches" to our Paternal Grandmother, Lucile Marie Piper: through the marriage of Stevens to Hendry, and DeLong to Piper. Note/Reminder: the Piper Family is the "Trunk", the Stevenses, Hendrys, DeLongs are the "Branches"; those related through marriage, not "blood" I call "TWIGS".

Discovery #2. I found the Full Text of the 1904 Stephens/Stevens Genealogy by C. Ellis Stevens. I decided to use it as my primary reference for the "Descendants of Airard Fitz Stephens"; instead of the 1968 Genealogy by Clarence Perry Stevens -which is very confusing because he combines his genealogy with the 1904 genealogy and I found it hard to decipher which author was speaking!

Start by "clicking on" on this weblink, Ref-https://gray-piperfamily.blogspot.com/2016/06/descendants-of-airard-fitz-stephens.html which will take you to, Blog Post: Descendants of Airard Fitz Stephens, b. 1036. At the bottom of the page are links to other Blog Posts for the Stephens/Stevens Family, in England. These Blog Posts cover The Norman Kings of England, 1066-1154 coinciding with the Stephens family from our 30th GGF, Airard b. 1036 to our 28th GGF, Ralph b. 1090 d. 1135. Note: the reference Blog Posts are for lineage verification, mainly useful to genealogical researchers, like myself. For interesting more interesting reading, "click-on" the weblink, Blog Post: Norman Kings of England, 1066-1154 -Many of our ancestors were related to and/or in close association with many of the Norman Kings; as such, they participated in and/or were affected by the events and customs of the period they lived in. Following “Kings and Queens” gives us insight into the customs and historic events of the period they lived. I am enjoying learning history through my ancestors. I’m certain this will be an ongoing project and additional information will be added to this Blog Post. At the end of this Blog Post, you’ll find: Royal Heritage of Matilda of Flanders and a review of our Fitz Stephen and de Wahull ancestors, who came from Normandy to England with William the Conqueror; Duke of Normandy, who became the 1st Norman King of England -he was the 3rd Great-Grandson of the Viking King, Rollo. -featured in the Vikings, television series; I've been watching, while doing my ancestry research and it's been interesting to learn, what's based on "truth" and what's been added for "dramatic effect", for example, our 36th GGM, Judith, Princess of West Francia, didn't concieve a child with a monk, and, there appears to be no "truth" to her being intimate with her father-in-law, King Egbert of Wessex. She is an interesting historical figure in her own right, I will be creating a Blog Post for her, later.

Noteworthy: when it comes to our family's Royal Heritage in England and Europe, both the de Wahull/Woodhull and the Fitz Stephen/Stevens Families are connected. The de Wahull family connects earlier than the Fitz Stephen family. To verify the our Piper Family "Royal Heritage" on my Ancestry.com Family Tree, I began with our "farthest back" ancestor, Charlemagne, "clicking on" 29th Great Grandfather. See, below.
Ancestry.com, the Royal Lineage from (36th GGF) Charlemagne, Emperor of the Romans; (29th GGF) Yaroslav, Grand Prince of Russia, of Russia m: Ingegerd, Princess of Sweden; links up with the Woodhull family 1st, with Fulk Woodhull, Knight b. 1530. Connects to the Helme family in America with Phineas b. 1723. Connects with the Stevens family with Marie Antoinette Stevens b. 1825…. Hendry… DeLong… Lucile Marie Piper, our Grandmother. The Connection to (36th GGF) Alfred the Great, King of Wessex and (36th GGM) Judith, Princess of West Francia (alliances in Flanders and Boulogne), links up with the de Wahull (Woodhull) family progenitor in England with Walter aka Seirer de Flanders, de Seton. Royal Connects to the throne of England begin with (1st cousin 29x removed) Matilda of Flanders marrying William, Duke of Normandy, who became the 1st Norman King of England; connects to the de Wahull family with Fulk Woodhull, Knight b. 1530... *At the end of the The Norman Kings of England, 1066-1154; there are links for Blog Posts about these ancestors.

P.S. I've edited and re-read this so many times that my eyes tend to wander when I start to read it again to check for errors...

Stephens/Stevens Family, References, Part 2.

I created this Blog Post because there are so many References for this family and to address “Variations” in Records. I include all Stephens/Stevens Family genealogies I find; to aid others who are building their family tree… This is an “on-going” project, I’m sure there will be additions as I continue to work on the “Descendants of Airard Fitz Stephen…

References for “Descendants of Airard Fitz Stephen”...

[1] Stephens, Holliday, Harrell, Law, Hall, and Families *this is the online website I used for my Ancestry.com Family Tree and Blog Post: Decendants of Airard Fitz Stephen, b. 1036.

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=don4736&id=I23693  Rootsweb. Ancestry.com (opens to Ralph Fitz-Stephen, b. abt 1122 in Wapley) uses the 1904 genealogy as a reference, and refers to [2] William-Lackey-Stephens; http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com...

“opens” to Ralph Fitz Stephens b. 1090 d. ? *I have, he d. bef 1135 m: ? b. 1094 Ralph b. 1122 d. (1190) m: ? de Berkeley b. 1126 *I have he d. 1202 Fitz Ralph Fitz Stephens b. 1154 d. ? m: ? b. 1158 *I have he d. 1190 John Fitz Stephens b. 1186 d. ? *1274 m: ? Debradston b. 1190 Henry Fitz Stephens b. 1218 d. ? m: ? b. 1222 *I have he d. 1327 Henry Fitz Stephens b. 1250 d. ? *d. 1327 m: ? b. 1250 *I have he d. 1327 and her b. 1254 John Fitz Stephens b. 1282 d. 1374 m: ? b. 1286 John Stephens b. 1314 d. ? m: ? Spelly b. 1317 *I have he d. 1386 Richard Stephens b. 1346 d. 1390 m: ? Castell b. 1350  *I have m: Audrey de Castell *b. 1350 John Stephens b. 1378 d. ? m: Margaret Dedroke b. 1381 *I have him b. 1374  d. 1425 m: Margaret Didbrok aka Dedroke b. 1381 John Stephens b. 1400 d. 1442 m: Alice ? b. 1400 *I have he d. 1430 Thomas Stephens b. 1420 d. ? m: ? b. 1424 John Stephens b. 1459 d. ? m: ? d. 1463 *I have he m: Joan aka Johane Buckland b. 1643 Henry Stephens b. 1497 d. 1552 m: ? b. 1493 *I have m: Alexandra Lugg *aka de la Lega b. 1501 Edward Stephens b. 1523 d. 1587 m: Jane (Joan) Fowler b. 1529 Thomas Stephens b. 1558 d. 1613 m: Elizabeth Stone b. 1562 Edward Stephens b. 1584 d. ? m: Anne Crewe b. 1585 *I have him b. 1583 d. 1670; her b. 1584 John Stevens b. 1603 d. 1670, Guildford, CT m: Mary  (Ann) (?) b. 1605 *I have he m: Mary Moulson b. 1602, d. 1639, England Thomas Stevens b. 1630 d. 1685, England m: Mary Fletcher b. 1633 *I have he d. 1685, Killingworth, CT Children: James b. 1649/1650, *I have b. 1650, Killingworth; (9th GGF) d. 1695, Atlantic Ocean m: Mary Wakeley. Rebecca b. 1655; Mary b. 1653/54 *1656; Sarah b. 1655/56 *1657; John b. 1658/59 *1660 (10th great-uncle)... *I don’t have the following children Thomas b. 1659/60; Timothy b. 1664, Killingworth; (Twins) Joseph b. 1666, Killingworth; Abigail b. 1666, Killingworth; Elizabeth b. 1668, Killingworth; Ebenezer b. 1668/69, Killingworth; Phoebe b. 1670/71, Killingworth; Jonathan b. 1672/73, Killingworth (13 children) *this family tree doesn’t continue with the lineage of our 9th GGF, James b. 1650 (below) James Stevens b. 1650 d. 1695 m: Mary Wakeley b. 1657 James Stevens b. 1676 d. 1750 m: Hannah Barnes b. 1670 Amos Steevens b. 1711 d. 1803 m: Mary Stannard b. 1715 Aaron Stevens b. 1735 d. 1762 m: Sarah aka Lois Wilcox b. 1740 Aaron Stevens b. 1762 d. 1831 m: Phebe Post b. 1766 Selah Murray Stevens b. 1799 d. 1878 m: Elizabeth aka Eliza Helm -daughter of Woodhull Helme and Elizabeth aka Eliza McDowell…

[2] Genealogy.com (surnames) William-Lackey-Stephens. *uses the combined 1904 and 1968 genealogy and a couple others, follows a different “bloodline” than mine.

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/s/t/e/William-Lackey--Stephens/index.html  genealogy.com -"opens-to" Jesse Stephens, Descendant of Thomas Stephens and Mary Hall -”click-on” Genealogy Report: Descendants of STEPHENS -"open-to" Generation No. 1, Notes for Stephens… end of page -Link, Child of Stephens is: i. Airard Fitz-Stephens b. 1036)… Contact person listed on the webpage: Don Stephens.

[1a] 1904 genealogy by C. Ellis Stevens.

[1b] 1968 genealogy by Clarence Perry Stevens.
Note (Jody Gray): I've decided to use information from this Website because the references it contains, relating to both the Stephens/Stevens family genealogy and historic events both in England and America. Often confusing (to me), because it combines the 1904 and 1968 genealogies (making it hard, sometimes, to determine who the narrator is) -and, other Stephens/Stevens genealogies are mentioned throughout. The author of the 1968 genealogy, Clarence Perry Stevens, inserts many of his own thoughts... he also gives insight into problems with the 1904 genealogy and it's author, C. Ellis Stevens, who appears to have angered other Stephens/Stevens descendants in America. Clarence points out some "variations" in records that have been challenged over the years by historians and genealogists.
While performing Ancestry.com research, I came across an earlier genealogy of 1700, relating to a Thomas Stephens -this is 204 years before C. Ellis Stevens wrote his genealogy -much of the wording/sentences are identical -it would appear that C. Ellis Stevens used this 1700 genealogy -refer to [4] 1700 Stephens/Stevens Genealogy..

Notes for Stephens: The Bayeux Tapestry, 900 year old tapestry depicts in continuous story form the events leading to the invasion of England by Duke William (the Conqueror) of Normandy… the defeat and death of the last Saxon king, Harold, at the Battle of Hastings in 1066… the 9th and 10th century double-ended Viking ships, propelled by sails and oars… 16 to 30 oars per side… varied in length from 80 to 140 feet… the large vessel in the center is William’s flagship, “the Mora”, presented to him by his wife, Queen Matilda, daughter of Baldwin V. of Flanders. Airard Fitz Stephen commanded this ship… 9/28/1066, the ships arrived in Pevensey Bay…
  Another famous Norman ship was “the Blanche Nef”, or “the White Ship”, commanded by Thomas Fitz Stephen, son of Airard; said to be the finest of the Norman navy. (Jody Gray): for Clarence's version of this story, Refer to Refer to: Blog Post: The Sinking of the White Ship.
http://historicalandmisc.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-sinking-of-white-ship-1120.html

Evidence of Norman Ancestry… the Fitz-Stephen or Stephens name does not appear in England before 1066… so that probably most of the Stephens families of England were of Norman descent… Thomas Stephens, coat of arms, was undoubtly the same as his father Anthony (b. ca. 1560)… “In Family Crests of Great Britain”, the Genealogical Quarterly (of London) winter, 1956 (note, Jody Gray, the date implies the the narrative so far is the author of the 1968 Genealogy, Clarence Perry Stevens), says: “Stephens of Little Sodbury, Glouc., a demi-eagle, displayed OR.” These were undoubtedly Norman Stephens arms… this would indicate that our Thomas, Nicholas etc. also lived in the Tower St. Ward of London… where Nicholas Stevens and Elizabeth Starkey were married in 1641… (the author inserts): but the second crescent on the shield shows that his father was a second son and so there apparently was not title for his to inherit… The evil of the system is in that an eldest son, although a moron, could inherit the title of nobility while his virtuous and brilliant siblings could not. Of course, in the U.S.A. titles of nobility are outlawed by the constitution and justice is better served that way. But if scientific methods had been used a superior caste could have been produced just as breeds of livestock have been improved. [eugenics: the science of improving a human population by controlled breeding to increase the occurrence of desirable heritable characteristics. Developed largely by Francis Galton as a method of improving the human race, it fell into disfavor only after the perversion of its doctrines by the Nazis.] Note, Jody Gray: interesting insight into the author and the times, 1968.

Reference: Stevens - Stephens Genealogy and Family History. Author: Clarence Perry Stevens. Call Number: CS71.S844. This book contains the history and genealogy of the Stevens-Stephens family of North Carolina. Privately Published. 1968.

  Some of the Norman Stephens Family in England. Airard Fitz-Stephen, probably born about 1036, a nobleman of Normandy in France, immigrated to England with William the Conqueror in 1066. A son was Thomas, d. 1120, who commanded “the White Ship”... Ralph, High Sheriff of Gloucestershire m: Berkeley and received the feudal barony of Wapley, d. 1190. Fitz Ralph Fitz Stephen… John Fitz-Stephen m: Bradestone… Henry Fitz-Stephen held the lordship of Winterbourne with Lord Bradstone… Henry Fitz-Stephen… John Fitz-Stephen d. 1374… John Stephens (dropping the “Fitz”), Esq. of St. Brivals, co. Gloucester m: Spelly of Lewynsmede… Richard Stephens d. 1390, Baron of Lewynsmede m: ? Castel… John Stephens, Lord Mayor of Bristol in 1403 m: ? Dedroke… John Stephens m: Alice ?... Thomas Stephens, MP in 1422… John Stephens MP for Bristol… Henry Stephens, Esq, lived in Frocester, co. Gloucester m: ? Lugg… Edward Stephens (1523-1587), Lord of Eastington Manor m: Joan Fowler… Thomas Stephens (1558-1613) of Lypiatt Park, a lawyer who practiced in London m: Elizabeth Stone; appointed by King James I as Attorney General for Prince Charles (later Charles I.)... (the author says there is a conflict of authority ["Variations" in Records] as Dan V. Stephens says that Thos. m: Elizabeth, daughter of John Suirir of London)... [another son of Edward] was MP in 1645, John, whose grandson Thomas m: Anne Neale, a cousin of the illustrious Oliver Cromwell… Edward Stephens d. 1670 m: Ann Crewe -Children: 1.Thomas b. 1618/19. 2.John b. 1622 d. 1643 (the son C. Ellis claimed immigrated to Guilford, CT. Mrs. C.S. Holmes disproved it. 3.Edward. 4.Anne m: Parker. C. Ellis Stevens in his Stevens Genealogy, 1905 (1904), claims that the second son (d. 1670) “was ancestor of the only authenticated male line that has survived to the present day”, meaning the Norman Stephens line, of course, his line, from which we see he is a little exclusive if not disgustingly vain. He also says on page 10 “The family though existing in the male descent only in America, had, after colonial times, the first native born citizen of the United States in the direct line, in the person of the grandfather of the present head of house”, meaning himself, of course. ["Variations" in Records] But Charlotte Steevens Holmes sort of pulled the rug out from under him. She says: “Unfortunately the editor’s (C. Ellis Stevens) research did not extend quite far enough, for according to Foster’s Alumni Oxoniensis, p. 1418 ‘John Stephens, son of Edward, of Little Sodbury, co. Gloucester, arm., matriculated at Lincoln College, 11/24/1637, aged 15.’ An inscription taken from St. Thomas’ church of Oxford tells the remainder of the story. I quote only the translation. “John Stevens, second son born to Edward Stephens of Little Sodberry in co. Gloucester, Arminger 1, a youth of great natural ability, and beyond the ordinary inclinations of young manhood distinguished for piety and literary attainments, died 4/8/1643.” Had this John lived he could not have been “the ancestor” as he was only 17 years old when the real John immigrated as the father of four children to Guilford, CT (1639-sources vary) and became the ancestor of so many descendants. I do not see how such official evidence as this can be overthrown so I must conclude that this link is missing and so C. Ellis Stevens cannot claim to be thus linked to the Norman Stephens lines… Several hundred descendants of this John Stephens (Steevens) who immigrated to Guilford, CT in 1639 are listed by Charlotte Steevens Holmes in her “Genealogy of John Steevens”, 162 pp. 1906… In the records his name is spelled either Stephens, Stevens or Steevens, the last being more common. So far as I know (1968), the link to his father, whoever he was, has never been proved. ["Variations" in Records] who are the parents of the John Stevens, immigrant ancestor, to Guilford, CT ?

Note: an aminger was an esquire; one next in degree to a knight, and entitled to armorial bearings.

   For our claim I refer to Edward Stephens (1523-1587) of Eastington in Gloucester Co (or shire) m: Joan Fowler: they had some sixteen children of whom four are officially listed in Visitations of Gloucestershire 1623, viz. Thomas b. 1558, Richard b. ca. 1562 *I have b. 1554 m: Margerett Seintloe, Margeria, and James (b. 1556). *in addition to these, I have Anthony b. 1560, Elizabeth b. 1560, Anne b. 1562, Alice b. 1565. It is my thesis that our Anthony1 was one of the twelve other unnamed children as his son Thomas (b. 1585) had a son Thomas (b. 1621) and a grandson Richard (b. 1641); and that Anthony simply moved over into Wiltshire. The coat of arms seems to be the same except for the demi-lions.

  ...end of page -Link, Child of Stephens is: i. Airard Fitz-Stephens b. 1036)… 2.Airard Fitz-Stephen b. abt 1036, Normandy, France d. at sea…

Notes for Airard: Some Descendants of the Fitz Stephen Famile in England and New England, by C. Ellis Stevens, LL.D., D.C.L. F.S.A. (Edinburgh) Knight Commander of the Order of Christ of Portugal. Privately printed 1904.  

Introduction (Note, Jody Gray): repetition of information already covered… information about Stephen surname… immigrated to England with William the Conqueror in 1066… commander of the “Mora”... son Thomas commanded the “White Ship” Thomas Fitz Stephen had two sons: 1st was Ralph his heir, founder of the English line; 2nd Stephen, founder of the Welsh and Irish lines.

The Battle of Hastings in 1066. for Clarence's version, Refer to: Blog Post: Battle of Hastings aka Battle of Senlac, 1066.
http://historicalandmisc.blogspot.com/2016/11/battle-of-hastings-aka-battle-of-senlac.html
followed by Preface:

  This, we believe, is the first family history to link some of the large branches of the Stevens-Stephens family, Henry of Stonington, CT, Thomas of the North Carolina Colony, their father, Nicolas (b. 1620), an officer under Oliver Cromwell in England, Richard of Taunton, MA, Cyprian (b. 1647) of Lancaster, MA, and Thomas of Stow and Plainfield, CT; being descendants of Thomas Stephens (b. 1585) of London, England, living in 1634 and his father Anthony Stephens (b. 1560) of Wiltshire in the 16th century… In the first edition, published in 1950 (Clarence must be referring to a genealogy he printed earlier), the North Carolina line is correct as far back as Thomas Stevens, d. 1751 in Craven Co, N.C. But it appears now this Thomas was the younger son of Capt. Nicholas instead of the son of his nephew Richard of Taunton, MA. Both men had the same name, were about the same age, had wives with exactly the same name “Mary Caswell” and the records show the brother of Mary came to N.C. and settled in S.C. But, nevertheless, from later research by M.J. Gavin, we conclude this was not the same Thomas, and so change the genealogy accordingly.... In addition to those noted in the 1st edition, we wish to thank those who have sent in genealogical records and data, especially Mrs. Ruhlin Holloman of Raleigh, N.D.; Brig. Gen. M.J. Gavin (deceased) et ux.; Mrs. Veraldine Benton, 201 Fulwood Blvd, Tifton, GA; Lane Stephens Wilcox of San Jose, CA; Mrs. Stephen A. Breed, Cambridge 38, MA; Mrs Vivian Swent, San Francisco, CA; Ethel Stephens of Indianapolis, IN; Brig. Gen. Jesse F. Stevens of Boston, MA; John J. Stephens of Brooklyn, NY; Miss Alice E. Johnson of Ann Arbor, MI; Clarence Perry Stevens 2038 Edmart St., Escalon, CA; Veraldine Sharp Benton, 201 Fulwood Blvd, Tifton, GA.

Introduction (Clarence Perry Stevens): A family history has certain values… Who begot my ancestors? What are my racial and national origins… join certain patriotic societies, as the DAR or SAR… Dr. White, who attended President Eisenhower, has said facetiously that if you want to avoid heart trouble, choose your ancestors carefully. The tendency to live long is also inherited; so if you will look over your ancestry, you may get a good idea of how long you may life, barring accident. We are what we are largely because of our ancestry.

...more about the surname… Before 1840 and the establishment of public schools, most people were illiterate and the spelling was rather phonetic so cousins sometimes spelled their names different and sometimes the same person spelled their names different at different times… In this book, marriages are not confined solely to those still listed in church registers and county recorders’ offices… A so-called illegitimate child is defined as “one born out of wedlock”... In the early Christian church (and secular government) it consisted simply in an exchange of consent before witnesses after a contract and dowry and no permit or blessing from the clergy was used. (Vide Quaker marriages). It was a civil right of the people.

  Even after the Roman church became powerful enough and united with the state, to have a monopoly in most of Europe, no permit was required from the clergy before the 9th century. About this time some of the clergy conceived the idea it would add to their power and wealth if they had authority over marriage. Naturally, if people had to get clerical permits for marriage they could also be forced to join the church and pay money to the bishops. By the 11th century a clerical permit (blessing) was rather well established which, of course, showed the church's authority in permitting anyone to marry. What right did they have to this authority? Why, none at all; they just usurped it.

  Then the tyranny over marriage began in earnest. In the 12th century any marriage between people more related than sixth cousin was prohibited… There were also other “impediments” such as a prohibition against marrying a deceased wife’s sister or the widow of a maternal uncle. These of course, were no blood relation, nor were those of “spiritual affinity”, added later. This is a sample of the list too long to give here. Also by the 12th century the clergy were branding innocent children as illegitimate and began hunting witches. One delusion was about as bad as the other.

  Thus they established a sort of taboo, which to a certain extent has come down to the present time (1968) against the so-called illegitimate child. The writer (Clarence Perry Stevens) recalls a classmate whose innocent child was called illegitimate. This fine boy was so persecuted by his school mates that he committed suicide when he was 14 years old. People should be on their guard so that they thinking is not influenced by this superstitious taboo. Then in the 17th century religious liberty was established in England by the great Cromwell and his brave soldiers, including, of course, our Capt. Nicholas Stevens (b. 1620) and some of his kin. They were tired, as Milton said, of “clergy meddling with marriage”, so they outlawed marriages “blessed” by the Roman clergy which, in effect, made such marriages illegitimate in England unless there was also a civil ceremony. In fact I think only a civil marriage had any legal validity. This was a long step toward the separation of church and state we are supposed to have in the U.S.A. today. So if before 1800, no official marriage records is found or a birth is marked “base” or “spurious”, it may only mean that the person did not belong to and use the official national church. So far as I know, no official record has been found for the marriage of 2) Thomas Stephens, Jr. perhaps due to the Civil War in England, but we have the affidavit of Jonathan Lincoln in 1768 saying that 2) Thomas and his wife came to Taunton, MA.” and other of ye family” so that is good enough for me. Official records of marriages were few or few are left in N.C. before 1776. None has been found for 12) Thomas Stevens, or his son John but in their wills they name their wives. That should be sufficient, even if only a contract or common law marriage. Many of these people lived on the frontiers far from any justice or clergyman and if they were competent to legally marry, I doubt if anyone has any ethical right to deny that they were married. The majority of U.S. states still (1968) recognize English common law marriage.

  The Stevens (Stephens) family is certainly a “first family” in America. The first recorded Stevens arrived in 1585 long before Jamestown and Plymouth were settled. His name was Thomas Stevens who was a member of the Lost Colony which settled Roanoke Island off the coast of N.C. in that year. Apparently the members of this colony were massacred or carried off by the Indians and perhaps mixed with the Indians and so were lost. I do not know that this man was related to Anthony1 Stephens but the name Thomas Stephens certainly was common in our early history.

  But I think we can claim Capt. Richard Stephens (or Stevens) (b. 1600) immigrant in "the George" to Jamestown Colony in 1623, just three years after the landing from the Mayflower at Plymouth. He arrived with two servants so he evidently was a man of some means. Under his name is the oldest remaining land grant record from the Jamestown Colony. With the possible exception of some which may remain from early Plymouth records, that is doubtless the oldest English land grant in the United States. He was collaterally related to practically all of the Stevens lines listed in this book. He was the father of Samuel Stevens (b. 1629), the second colonial governor of the North Carolina Colony. Capt. Nicholas Stevens (b. 1620), the ancestor of many of us was an officer in the English Civil War under the famous Oliver Cromwell, rated by leading authorities as the best military genius of the 17th century and the greatest ruler of England. On examination, their English constitution called the Instrument of Government, which was established by Cromwell and his officers, shows the source of at least 90 percent of our own U.S. constitution.

....ref. 2. a few of the Stevens clan in the American colonies… Stevens Point, Wisconsin was named after George Stevens, a descendant of 10) Henry Stephens of Stonington, CT and Thaddeus Stevens, M.D. deserved more credit than our historians have given him for helping to free the slaves and helping make laws to establish their civil rights…

  It is not that we should be snobbishly proud, although a reasonable pride is proper in our family as in our nation; but rather that those living should be inspired to greater achievements by these makers of history and that we should cherish, defend and try to better apply the democratic ideals our ancestors labored and suffered to secure for us.

The Stephens Family in England. Note (Jody Gray): the author, Clarence Perry Stevens, "claims" as the immigrant ancestor, for his family, Capt. Richard Stephens. I claim, John Stevens b. 1603, as my families immigrant ancestor to Guilford, CT in 1639. Anthony Stephens b. 1560, is my 14th great-uncle, his son, Capt. Richard b. 1600, is my 2nd cousin 13x removed).

It is rather well proved that the ancestors of the large Stephens family came to England with William the Conqueror in 1066 from Normandy in France. The province was so-called because the Norse Vikings had settled there about 912 A. D. after Charles the Simple had "given" it to Rolf or Rollo, the leader of the Norseman. This was only some 88 years before Norseman Leif Ericson discovered America, so we can't be too sure some of our relatives were not with him when he called here in 1000 A. D., centuries before Columbus was born. Although Fitz Stephen (later the Stephens) family was of Norman (Viking) blood except insofar as a few had intermarried with the French, I conjecture there is little of it left now in their descendants. In case any reader should be interested in so-called royal relationship, I include the following data:

Considering that both Stephen of Blois and Airard Fitz Stephen were Norman noblemen they were evidently collaterally related, i. e. descended from a common Stephen ancestor. They were both named Stephen since "Fitz" only means "son of." This Stephen of Blois married Adela, daughter of William the Conqueror, and their son was Stephen "of Blois", King of England 1135-1154. Therefore any descendant of Airard is probably some little relation to King Stephen and if willing to spend some time and money on research in France might prove the links between Stephen of Blois and Airard and thus his or her links to said king.

Note (Jody Gray): followed by “our immigrant ancestor to England, Airard Fitz Stephen… already covered… the “Ballad of the White Ship” by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, which is historically accurate… more notes about “surnames”: it would be rather difficult to trace any farther back than the Fitz-Stephen family in France for want of records and the fact that the Norse had a peculiar (to us) way of naming people, i.e., if a man was named Eric Johnson and had a son Thor, the son’s surname or last name would not be Johnson but Ericson so the surnames of each descendant changed which would seem to make research somewhat more difficult even if a few records could be found… Some of the Norman Stephens Family in England (compiled from official records and books by Dan B. Stephens and C. Ellis Stevens and others)...

*at the end of the page: Child of Airard Fitz-Stephens is: i. Thomas Fitz-Stephen b. Normandy, France, d. 1120, England… “follow the page links across the bottom of each page of this Website: genealogy.com: Genealogy Report: Descendants of Stephens…

xxx

[3] Ancestry.com Tree, Linda Stevens Family Tree *follows a different “bloodline” than mine… *her family tree lead me to my 1st connection of the Helme-Stevens families through the marriage of Thaly Ann Stevens to 5th GGF Woodhull Helme Sr.; father of Eliza Helm m: Selah Murray Stevens, Thaly became Eliza's "step-mother"...

http://person.ancestry.com/tree/77669178/person/82005832550/facts

-she begins with Ralph Fitz Stephens b. 1090 d. 1190 m: Cecily DeBerkeley b. 1130 *I have Ralph b. 1090 d. before 1135 and m: ? *I have another “father-to-son”, Ralph b. 1122 d. 1202 m: ? de Berkeley b. 1126 Fitz Ralph Fitz Stephens b. 1154 d. 1190 m: ? b. 1158 *same John Fitz Stephens b. 1186 d. 1274 m: ? Debradston b. 1189 *b. 1190 Henry Fitz Stephens b. 1218 d. 1327 m: ? b. 1222 *same Henry Fitz Stephens b. 1250 m: ? b. 1254 *same, add, he d. 1327 John Fitz Stephens b. 1282 d. 1374 m: ? b. 1286 *same John Stephens b. 1314 d. 1386 m: ? Spelly b. 1317 *same Richard Stephens b. 1346 d. 1390 m: Audrey de Castell b. 1350 *same John Stephens b. 1378 d. 1417 m: Margaret Didbrok b. 1381 *I have John b. 1374 d. aft. 1425 m: Margaret Didbrok aka Dedroke b. 1381 John Stephens b. 1400 d. 1430 m: Alice ? b. 1400 *I have John “the younger” b. 1400 d. 1442 m: Alice ? b. 1400 Thomas Stephens b. 1420 d. ? m: ? b. 1424 *same John Stephens b. 1463 d. 1490 (dead before his son Henry b. 1497) m: Joan Buckland b. 1463 *I have John b. 1459 d. ? m: Joan aka Johane Buckland b. 1463 Henry Stephens b. 1497 d. 1552 m: Alexandra Lugg b. 1501 *same Edward Stephens b. 1523 d. 1587 m: Jane (Joan) Fowler b. 1529 *same Thomas Stephens b. 1558 d. 1613 m: Elizabeth Stone b. 1562 Edward Stephens b. 1584 d. 1670 m: Anne Crewe b. 1583 *I have Edward b. 1583 d. 1670 m: Anne Crewe b. 1584 Immigrant Ancestor: John Stevens b. 1603 d. 1670 d. 1670, Guilford, CT m: Mary Moulson b. 1602. D. 1639, Guilford, CT *I have, she died in England -she died before John left for America, there are no records of her in America... Thomas Stevens b. 1630 d. 1685, Cincinnati ? m1: Mary Clark Fletcher b. 1633. M2: Mary Green b. 1634 *I don't have Mary Green *I have, he died in Killingworth -records show he married there in 1650; I have her as Mary Fletcher b. 1633 Children: Obadiah b. 1644 *I don't have Obadiah. Benjamin b. 1650 *I don’t have Benjamin. James b. 1651 *I have James b. 1650 (9th GGF). Ephraim b. 1652 *I don't have Ephraim. ? b. 1653 *I don't have anyone b. 1653. Rebecca b. 1655 *same. Mary b. 1656 *same. Sarah b. 1657 *same. John b. 1660 *same (10th great-uncle)… Stevens family in America - "TWIGS" (uncle, cousins, "step-mother") (10th great-uncle) John Stevens b. 1660 d. 1722 m: Abigail Cole b. 1664 (1st cousin 10x removed) Peter Stephens I b. 1685 d. 1783 m: Mercy Cottrill b. 1683 (2nd cousin 9x removed) Gershom Stevens b. 1741 d. 1825 m: Phebe Henry b. 1744 (3rd cousin 8x removed -when she married Woodhull Helme, she became Eliza Helm’s step-mother) Anna (I have Thaly Ann) Stevens b. 1782 d. 1814 m: (5th GGF) Woodhull Helme b. 1777; father of (4th GGM) Eliza Helm m: (4th GGF) Selah Murray Stevens -the Linda Stevens Family Tree only includes Anna Stevens m: Woodhull Helme.

[4] 1700 Stephens/Stevens Genealogy

http://person.ancestry.com/tree/82841101/person/430005164813/gallery?_phtarg=ctq2106  Ancestry.com, Gallery, Henry Fitz Stephens (1250-1327): Stephens of England Family History. Note (Jody Gray): this is a link to my Ancestry.com Family Tree, Profile Page; the link should work for Ancestry.com members, I’m not sure it will provide access for non-members.

(page header) Family History (no source for this “page” is given; however, the page begins with the author crediting a book by Thomas Stephens, written in 1700 -which contains much of the same information and wording that’s in the 1904 genealogy of C. Ellis Sevens) -much of the wording/sentences are identical -so, C. Ellis must have used this 1700 genealogy -that's why I'm including this 1700 genealogy in my references for the Stephens/Stevens family -however, the author of this genealogy is tracing a different "bloodline" than mine, and, the information on this page (of his genealogy) confuses me and doesn't provide birth dates, making it hard to know which individual he is referring to ...

...history of this family has been written in a curious little book called a Life of William Stephens by his son Thomas Stephens in 1700. William Stephens was first President or Governor of the Colony (now state) of Georgia. About 1650 this family was in close connection with England and became confused with the English branch, so that it has become almost impossible to separate the different personalities.. *duplicate, I already have this information from the 1904 genealogy... I followed his "father to son" lineage, I'm including only the ones where I found an "error" e.g. "missing link"...

  John, *there are two John's: John b. 1374 m: Dedroke and John b. 1400 m: Alice... the heir, had Thomas, a Member of Parliament, with son John, also an M.P. who had several sons; *missing, Henry b. 1497 m: Lugg; Edward, Walter, Richard, William, Robert and John, and daughters, Alice and Ann.

  Several years later there was a descendant of Edward, John of the Middle Temple, who married five times (he married four times, grandson of Edward). *John b. 1585 m3: Anne Moulson

In America *follows a different "bloodline"...

  The names and connections are very evident. Dr. Stevens (the author of this genealogy must have used a genealogy of this Dr. Stevens as a reference -sounds like there is an earlier Stephens/Stevens geneaology) traces directly back to the main line, and I judge very correctly. His book contains many beautiful illustrations of the old English homes. The direct line has died out and the properties gone - through the distaff side - into other hands.

  There were two stems of Stephens families, both from England: one established in Virginia by Richard Stephens (b. 1600) is shown in the chart of page 108, and the other established in Pennsylvania by Alexander Stephens, is shown in the chart on page 109. *the author of this genealogy states he is connected to the Alexander Stephens lineage through marriage to Catharine Baskins, sister to Margaret Basking, his ancestor.

Other References for Fitz Stephen/Stevens genealogy.

Other References for Airard Fitz Stephen. Google Search “Results” for Airard Fitz Stephen https://www.facebook.com/stephensgenealogy/  Facebook: Stephens Genealogy Descendants of Airard Fitz Stephen. Ralph Fitz Stephen b. 1122 https://familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/2862544  Barony of Wapley - Photos and Stories - FamilySearch.org. (information for Ralph Fitz Stephen, 1904 genealogy) http://www.ancestry.com/genealogy/records/airard-fitz-stephen_22861977  Ancestry.com: This Airard Fitz Stephen b. 1012 d. 1049, is not the Airard Fitz Stephen who was the commander of "the Mora" at the Battle of Hastings, 1066 (has his death before the battle); his son, Thomas b. 1062 d. 1180, is not the commander of "the White Ship" drown when the ship sank in 1120 (has his death long after this historic event)... https://plus.google.com/109179564325493455720/posts/asnCLtHZZQw Variations in Records, Descendants of Airard Fitz Stephen (an old Blog of mine) (Jody Gray), I removed this Blog Post - the “result” states: “Sorry, the page you were looking for in this blog does not exist”... *however, the link opens up to my Blog Post: Gray, Adams, Merkley Family & shows “Column” of links to all my Blog Posts… https://www.geni.com/people/Airard-Fitz-Stephen/6000000007622640406?through=6000000007622227709 geni.com Airard b. 1036 d. 1085 (at sea), English Channel (age 49) Tab: Overview, About: Stephens/Stevens, from the files of Stephen M. Lawson… Henry Stevens (b. 1644, Little Sodbury d. 1726, Stonington, CT) and Elizabeth Gallup (b. 1665, Stonington, CT) … Richard Stevens  (b. 1680. Stonington, CT and Sarah Harker b. 1681, Boston, MA)… Note (Jody Gray): mention is made of (“Variations” in records) differences appear on the published compilations of this family. This genealogy is focused on the "Descendants of Anthony Stevens” (b. 1560) and Katherine Broke (b. 1567); son of Edward Stephens (b. 1523) and Jane Fowler (b. 1529). Children of Anthony and Katherine Stephens: 1.Thomas (b. 1585) m: Mary Walle (b. 1585). 2.Richard (b. 1600) m: Elizabeth Piersey.   The principal information source from the pre-America lineage is Stevens-Stephens Genealogy and Family History, compiled by Clarence Perry Stevens, et al. (1968). Note (Jody Gray): I checked the lineage (here) against what I have and it matches: begins with Airard Fitz Stephen b. 1036… “father to son” down to Edward Stephens, Lord of Eastington and Chavenage b. 1523 m: Joan Fowler -Children: Richard, James, Thomas, Anthony, Elizabeth, Anne, Alice. My “blood-lineage” is Thomas Stephens (my 13th GGF) b. 1558 d. 1613 m: Elizabeth Stone. The lineage this family is tracing is Anthony Stevens (my 14th great-uncle) b. 1560 d. 1623 m: Kathrine Broke b. 1562 (I have Catherine b. 1567), daughter of Robert Broke b. 1530; parents of Thomas Stevens (1st cousin 14x removed) b. 1585, Devonshire, England d. 1634, Jamestown, VA m: Mary Walle b. 1585 d. 1639. “Variations” in records, familytreemaker.genealogy, William-Lackey-Stephens genealogy *my ref, [2] http://www.bransoncook.systemaxonline.com/whiteship.htm Branson/Cook Genealogy (Airard Fitz-Stephens -Clara Fowler’s 25th GGF) Wreck of the White Ship -Source: William Lackey Stephens *my ref, [2] http://www.bergergirls.com/showmedia.php?mediaID=5118 Berger Girls.com. Stausstown Roots. Histories. A Manuscript History of the Stevens Family, unpublished. Owner/Source, Roy Stevens, Three Springs, PA. http://www.bergergirls.com/histories/EmoryStevens.pdf A Manuscript History of the Stevens Family, by Emory M. Stevens (1858-1937). Completed in 1933, unpublished. The American Branch. All the English, Welsh and Irish Stevens seem to have descended from Airard Fitz-Stephens and his son Thomas. All authorities are in substantial agreement upon this. John Stephens was the son of Sir Edward Stephens and Annie his wife, sister of First Lord Crewe of Stene. He was named for his uncle John, who was a Member of Parliament. He seems to have been the founder of the American branch, and was a direct descendant of Airard FitzStephens. His house was besieged and captured by the Royalists at Lyplatt Part, Manor of Little Sodbury, Gloucester County, during the difficulty with Charles I. He came over in 1648 with his sons and one daughter and was given a grant of land at Guilford Connecticut, which had been settled in 1639 and was located seventeen miles east of New Haven; an Island not far from his property was named Falcon in Ablusion to Falcon on the coat of Arms. He died in 1670. He spelled his name Stephyns.   Note (Jody Gray), “Variations” in records, I have think this is where all the confusion stems from:  Thomas Stephens, Lord of Little Sodbury and Lypiatt b. 1558 m: Elizabeth Stone -Children: 1.Edward Stephens, Lord of Little Sodbury b. 1583 m: Anne Crewe; their son, John Stevens b. 1603, immigrated to Guilford, CT. -in 1648 *I have 1639, arriving on one of the early ships, he received 14 acre home lot and 35 acres farmland.     Edward was imprisoned during Pride’s Purge, because he was an an MP -he was shortly released and Charles II. knighted him in 1660 for his patriotic position during the English Civil War. 2.John Stephen, Lord of Lypiatt b. 1585 married four times; This is the John whose home (Lypiatt Manor) was besieged in 1645 -the house was later restored.... *1.Edward Stephens b. 1583, brother of 2.John Stephens b. 1585; so, son of 1.Edward b. 1583, John Stevens b. 1603, is the nephew of 2.John b. 1585. Blog Post: The History of Guilford, Connecticut, 1639. http://historicalandmisc.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-history-of-guilford-connecticut-1639.html  John Stevens on the list of Guilford settlers that came to New Haven in the second ship in July 1639. Stevens Family Tree (pg 14) Airard Fitz Stephens.. Thomas Fitz-Stephens… Ralph Fitz-Stephens m: Vesta, daughter of king or overlord of South Wales; land allotment in Gloucester, becoming feudal barons with their seat at Lypiatt Park… (several centuries line through England not worked out)... Edward Stephens m. Annie, sister of 1st Lord Crew of Stene… John, son of Edward, came to America with sons and daughter in 1648 (I have 1639, arrived on one of the early ships, he received 14 acre home lot and 35 acres farmland.); settled in New England; one family apparently married into a Mayflower family; the family scattered south and west… *a different branch is followed, Giles Stevens b. 1729, Baltimore Co, MD. Note (Jody Gray); I found another Stephens-Stevens genealogy, lineage from Henry Stephens, or Stevens of Stonington, CT -several different options to read the digital book: *Plowdon Stevens genealogy. https://archive.org/details/stephensstevens00unkngoog archive.org. Stephens-Stevens genealogy, lineage from Henry Stephens, or Stevens of Stonington, Connecticut, 1668 by Plowdon Stevens, 1688. Published 1909. Note: there are other archived, digital books: John Steevens of Guilford, Connecticut by Claude W. Barlow. *Plowdon Stevens genealogy. http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=14438  search.ancestry.com. Stephens-Stevens genealogy: lineage from Henry Stephens or Stevens of Stonington, Connecticut, 1668. Published 1909. Browse this collection “click-on” a link in the Table of Contents. Includes an Index to surnames in alphabetical order. *Plowdon Stevens genealogy. https://books.google.com/books/about/Stephens_Stevens_Genealogy_Lineage_from.html?id=PjdVAAAAMAAJ books.google.com. Stephens-Stevens genealogy: lineage from Henry Stephens or Stevens of Stonington, Connecticut, 1668. *Selected pages, portraits. *"Full Text" online digital book [1b] Clarence Perry Stevens, 1968 Stevens-Stephens genealogy -digital book. https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/19772?availability=Family%20History%20Library  familysearch.org. Stevens-Stephens genealogy and family history: some lineage from Anthony Stephens, ca. 1560-ca. 1625 of Wiltshire, England and Thomas Stephens the haberdasher, ca. 1585-ca. 1650 of London. By Clarence Perry Stevens and Varaldine Sharpe Benton. Pub. 1968. *download, digital book to PC. Includes Beaman, Brookings, Crouse, Dean, Fullhart, Jonoas, Jones, Leonard, Lincoln, Lewark, McKibben, Martin, Miner, Palmer, Porter, Raiford, Shellenbarger, Smith, Starr, and related families. A record of various Stevens families from England who immigrated to various areas of the United States in the 1600's. Thomas Stephens was born ca. 1585 in London, England. Thomas was probably the brother to Captain Richard Stephens, who immigrated to Jamestown Colony in 1623. Descendants lived Connecticut, Rhode Island, and elsewhere.

(Jody Gray) John Stephens born c 1603 - NOT the son of Edward Stephens Lypiat, Gloucester and Anne Crewe.

*https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/167938/stephens-immigrated-guilford-connecticut-parentage-question John Stephens born c 1603. Immigrated to Guildford, Connecticut 1639. Parentage in question.

   The popular opinion of many on Ancestry, Geni, etc. Claim John is son to Sir Edward Stephens Lypiott park Gloucester, and Anne Crewe is not supported by others who say line is false and the John who was truly Edwards son died in school, Oxford, England. A writer C. Ellis Stevens wrote a family history 1904 and has a lot of convincing arguments that he was the son of Edward.

    The couple cannot have had a John born in 1603 since both of them would only have been about  6 years old at the time.  A John Stephens b in 1603 was brother to Edward and became a Member of Parliament also  with a well documented life.