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INTRODUCTION | INTRODUCTION | ||
- | In which the author under the influence of the immortal Cervantes tells | + | In which the author under the influence of the immortal Cervantes tells the |
- | the story of this book, and introduces to the reader a Professor of | + | story of this book, and introduces to the reader a Professor of Greek, a big- |
- | Greek, a big-game hunter, a professional genealogist, | + | game hunter, a professional genealogist, |
- | of Connecticut, | + | Governor of New York, a General in the United States Army, a member of Congress, |
- | States Army, a member of Congress, a well-known feminist, the first | + | a well-known feminist, the first mayor of Hartford, an antiquarian, |
- | mayor of Hartford, an antiquarian, | + | searchers, other interested persons, a parody, a verse of poetry, and a verse of |
- | searchers, other interested persons, a parody, a verse of poetry, and | + | scripture. To many members of the family this will be an unwelcome story. Alas, |
- | a verse of scripture. To many members of the family this will | + | but the author feels that he has no option but to tell it. -- For did not |
- | be an unwelcome story. Alas, but the author feels that he has no | + | Cervantes say, " |
- | option but to tell it.--For did not Cervantes say, " | + | to it." |
- | sacred kind of writing, because truth is essential to it." | + | |
- | The author' | + | The author' |
- | when as a small boy he stood by his maternal grandmother' | + | small boy he stood by his maternal grandmother' |
- | listened, entranced, to stories of her " | + | to stories of her " |
- | background being her grandfather' | + | grandfather' |
- | Newington, and the figures her grandfather and grandmother Wells and | + | grandfather and grandmother Wells and their large household. Born Laura Wells, |
- | their large household. Born Laura Wells, she was doubly descended | + | she was doubly descended from Governor Thomas Welles of Connecticut, |
- | from Governor Thomas Welles of Connecticut, | + | connection |
- | that brought in the Wolcotts and Appletons, of which she was also | + | proud. The author' |
- | proud. The author' | + | loop earrings shown in her portrait, and ultimately he did acquire them, but |
- | acquire the gold loop earrings shown in her portrait, and ultimately | + | only by acquiring the canvas itself, a primitive, if you please, but greatly |
- | he did acquire them, but only by acquiring the canvas itself, a | + | admired by no less a judge than the late John LaFarge. The author also well |
- | primitive, if you please, but greatly admired by no less a judge than | + | remembers a fruitless boyhood search with his own father among the tombstones in |
- | the late John LaFarge. The author also well remembers a fruitless | + | the ancient burying-ground on Town Hill, New Hartford, for some memorial of John |
- | boyhood search with his own father among the tombstones in the | + | Seymour, 3d, one of the first settlers of the town, where he died in 1758, and |
- | ancient burying-ground on Town Hill, New Hartford, for some memorial | + | that search, perhaps, began the taste for tombstones, evidenced in this volume, |
- | of John Seymour, 3d, one of the first settlers of the town, where he | + | that the author has always had. How he came, at the end of life, to be the |
- | died in 1758, and that search, perhaps, began the taste for | + | author of this volume will appear in the course of its Introduction. |
- | tombstones, evidenced in this volume, that the author has always had. | + | |
- | How he came, at the end of life, to be the author of this volume will | + | |
- | appear in the course of its Introduction. | + | |
- | Upwards of a hundred years ago, Nathan Perkins Seymour (1813-1891), | + | Upwards of a hundred years ago, [[237.nathan_perkins|Nathan Perkins Seymour]] |
- | of Hartford, in the line of John Seymour, grandson of | + | (1813-1891), |
- | [[001.Richard|Richard Seymour]], | + | grandson of [[001.Richard|Richard Seymour]], the Colonist, began the collection |
- | the Colonist, began the collection of data for a History of | + | of data for a History of the Seymour Family. About 1870 the work was taken up |
- | the Seymour Family. About 1870 the work was taken up and carried on | + | and carried on by his niece, |
- | by his niece, Miss Mary Kingsbury Talcott (1847-1917), | + | (1847-1917), |
- | genealogist and antiquarian, | + | contributions of data from other members of the family; among them |
- | contributions of data from other members of | + | [[241.origen_storrs|Judge Origen S. Seymour]] of Litchfield, sometime Chief |
- | the family; among them Judge Origen S. Seymour of Litchfield, | + | Justice of Connecticut; |
- | sometime Chief Justice of | + | [[300.truman|General Truman Seymour]], U.S.A.; |
- | Connecticut; | + | Seymour Morris]] of Chicago, mother of Mr. Seymour Morris; and many others, |
- | General Truman Seymour, U. S. A.; Mrs. Clara E. Seymour Morris of Chicago, | + | including the author, another born antiquarian, |
- | mother of Mr. Seymour Morris; and many others, including the author, another | + | |
- | born antiquarian, | + | |
- | Miss Talcott' | + | Miss Talcott' |
- | active years in collecting data about the family seem to have | + | have been from 1880 to 1900. Even before the latter date she was already busy as |
- | been from 1880 to 1900. Even before the latter date she was already | + | professional genealogist and as author of historical articles for books and |
- | busy as professional genealogist and as author of historical articles | + | periodicals, |
- | for books and periodicals, | + | Seymour Family material for publication all failed, and one reason for her thus |
- | her to prepare her Seymour Family material for publication all | + | holding back the compilation of her material is certainly to be found in a story |
- | failed, and one reason for her thus holding back the compilation of | + | which the author has now to relate, not for pleasure, but for the reason that, |
- | her material is certainly to be found in a story which the author has | + | as Cervantes said, "the writing of history is a sort of sacred writing, because |
- | now to relate, not for pleasure, but for the reason that, as | + | truth is essential to it." |
- | Cervantes said, "the writing of history is a sort of sacred | + | reputation as an accurate genealogist, |
- | writing, because truth is essential to it." | + | unwilling to publish any History of the Seymour Family until an alleged family |
- | throughout her lifetime, had a high reputation as an accurate | + | Bible that purported to connect [[001.Richard|Richard Seymour]], the Colonist, |
- | genealogist, | + | with the ducal family of Somerset should be either disproved or confirmed. |
- | publish any History of the Seymour Family until an alleged family | + | |
- | Bible that purported to connect | + | |
- | [[001.Richard|Richard Seymour]], the Colonist, | + | |
- | the ducal family of Somerset should be either disproved or confirmed. | + | |
- | About 1880, a | + | About 1880, a member of the family who was wholly unknown to the Hartford or |
- | member of the family who was wholly unknown to the Hartford or | + | Litchfield or Utica branches of it appeared "out of the blue," as it were, in |
- | Litchfield or Utica branches of it appeared "out of the blue," | + | Hartford, with what purported to be a Bible that had been handed down through |
- | as it were, in Hartford, with what purported to be a Bible that had | + | the generations, |
- | been handed down through the generations, | + | a mutilated copy of the so-called " |
- | [[001.Richard|Richard Seymour]], | + | contained inserts in the form of drawings and written material that, if true, |
- | the Colonist. It was a mutilated copy of the so-called " | + | connected |
- | Bible," | + | the time of its production the Bible was, most unfortunately, |
- | of drawings and written material that, if true, connected | + | even the ordinary rules of evidence as to its history and as to the intrinsic |
- | [[001.Richard|Richard Seymour]] | + | character of its insertions, but it was, also most unfortunately, |
- | with the highest English nobility. At the time of its | + | the family at large throughout the country and was accepted "as Gospel" |
- | production the Bible was, most unfortunately, | + | of them. That even Miss Talcott, indeed, was in a measure responsible for |
- | the ordinary rules of evidence as to its history and as to the | + | circulating the story of the Bible her own correspondence appears to indicate, |
- | intrinsic character of its insertions, but it was, also most | + | and to claim that the present author had wholly escaped the infection or had |
- | unfortunately, | + | always refused to follow leading members of the family in falling for the |
- | country and was accepted "as Gospel" | + | " |
- | Miss Talcott, indeed, was in a measure responsible for circulating | + | recall any time when he did not have misgivings about it all, and from the |
- | the story of the Bible her own correspondence appears to indicate, | + | moment that he learned of certain entries, soon to be described, in the Parish |
- | and to claim that the present author had wholly escaped the infection | + | Records of Sawbridgeworth, |
- | or had always refused to follow leading members of the family in | + | |
- | falling for the " | + | |
- | would be idle. He does not, however, recall any time when he did not | + | |
- | have misgivings about it all, and from the moment that he learned of | + | |
- | certain entries, soon to be described, in the Parish Records of | + | |
- | Sawbridgeworth, | + | |
- | It should here be made clear, perhaps, that in 1880 the science of | + | It should here be made clear, perhaps, that in 1880 the science of genealogy was |
- | genealogy was still in its infancy in this country, that few | + | still in its infancy in this country, that few Americans were then qualified to |
- | Americans were then qualified to pass on claims as to the English | + | pass on claims as to the English connections of American colonists, and that |
- | connections of American colonists, and that Miss Talcott herself | + | Miss Talcott herself was only beginning her career in this field. Later, indeed, |
- | was only beginning her career in this field. Later, indeed, she | + | she felt the need of substantiating the allegations of the Bible through British |
- | felt the need of substantiating the allegations of the Bible through | + | documentary sources, and when in 1914 she went to England, one of the objects of |
- | British documentary sources, and when in 1914 she went to England, | + | her visit was definitely either to confirm or to disaffirm the ancestry set |
- | one of the objects of her visit was definitely either to confirm or | + | forth in the Bible. At the behest of other descendants of [[001.Richard| |
- | to disaffirm the ancestry set forth in the Bible. At the behest of | + | Seymour]], among them the Hon. Henry W. Seymour, M.C., with whom the author |
- | other descendants of [[001.Richard| | + | became acquainted while he too was a resident of Washington, the most exhaustive |
- | Richard | + | researches, over the course of the years, were undertaken abroad by several |
- | M.C., with whom the author became acquainted while he too | + | competent |
- | was a resident of Washington, the most exhaustive researches, over | + | connection alleged in the Bible. On the contrary, half a dozen genealogists of |
- | the course of the years, were undertaken abroad by several | + | repute, including Colonel Vivian, in his day the best-known authority on |
- | genealogists, | + | Devonshire families, and Henry F. Waters, an expert never excelled in the Anglo- |
- | connection alleged in the Bible. On the contrary, half a dozen | + | American field, to whom photographs of the Bible entries were submitted, |
- | genealogists of repute, including Colonel Vivian, in his day the | + | unanimously declined to accept the handwriting as script of the period when |
- | best-known authority on Devonshire families, and Henry F. Waters, an | + | [[001.Richard|Richard Seymour]] and his son [[003.John|John]] flourished. |
- | expert never excelled in the Anglo-American field, to whom | + | |
- | photographs of the Bible entries were submitted, unanimously declined | + | |
- | to accept the handwriting as script of the period when | + | |
- | [[001.Richard|Richard Seymour]] | + | |
- | and his son [[003.John|John]] flourished. | + | |
- | Meanwhile, | + | Meanwhile, the whole matter of the publication of a history of the family lay in |
- | the whole matter of the publication of a history of the family lay in | + | abeyance, and it so happened that in 1914 Mr. J. Gardner Bartlett, an American |
- | abeyance, and it so happened that in 1914 Mr. J. Gardner | + | professional genealogist, |
- | Bartlett, an American professional genealogist, | + | investigate the English ancestry of the celebrated Chauncey family. His search |
- | England, was commissioned to investigate the English ancestry of the | + | took him to Sawbridgeworth, |
- | celebrated Chauncey family. His search took him to Sawbridgeworth, | + | entries regarding one [[001.Richard|Richard Seymour]], his wife Mercy Ruscoe, |
- | County Herts, where he found in the parish records entries regarding | + | and his son [[002.Thomas|Thomas]], |
- | one [[001.Richard|Richard Seymour]], | + | of this [[001.Richard|Richard Seymour]], his wife Mercy, and his son |
- | his wife Mercy Ruscoe, and his son | + | [[002.Thomas|Thomas]], |
- | [[002.Thomas|Thomas]], | + | [[001.Richard|Richard Seymour]] and his wife Mercy and his son |
- | other members of both families. The dates of this | + | [[002.Thomas|Thomas]], |
- | [[001.Richard|Richard Seymour]], | + | other significant facts, left no room for doubt that Mr. Bartlett had found the |
- | his wife Mercy, and his son [[002.Thomas|Thomas]], | + | English |
- | when compared with corresponding | + | Hartford about 1639. |
- | dates of a [[001.Richard|Richard Seymour]] | + | |
- | and his wife Mercy and his son [[002.Thomas|Thomas]], | + | |
- | all as contained in Connecticut records, together with other significant | + | |
- | facts, left no room for doubt that Mr. Bartlett had found the English | + | |
- | home of [[001.Richard|Richard Seymour]], | + | |
- | the Colonist, who appeared in Hartford about | + | |
- | 1639. | + | |
- | Mr. Bartlett forthwith embodied his discoveries in a comprehensive | + | Mr. Bartlett forthwith embodied his discoveries in a comprehensive report, which |
- | report, which for a consideration he offered in turn to two or three | + | for a consideration he offered in turn to two or three branches of the Seymour |
- | branches of the Seymour family in America, but all of them were | + | family in America, but all of them were unwilling to give it any credence or |
- | unwilling to give it any credence or attention, until | + | attention, until at length it was brought to the attention of the present |
- | at length it was brought to the attention of the present | + | author, always a " |
- | author, always a " | + | Bible." |
- | so-called " | + | substance, in the //New England Historical and Genealogical Register// of 1917. |
- | report, and he ultimately published it, in substance, in the //New | + | |
- | England Historical and Genealogical Register// of 1917. | + | |
- | Due, in part at least, to the publication of Mr. Bartlett' | + | Due, in part at least, to the publication of Mr. Bartlett' |
- | late Mr. Seymour Morris of Chicago, who accepted it without question | + | Seymour Morris of Chicago, who accepted it without question and who despaired of |
- | and who despaired of the publication of the material collected by | + | the publication of the material collected by Miss Talcott, went ahead on his own |
- | Miss Talcott, went ahead on his own account, collected data, and | + | account, collected data, and published in the //New England Historical and |
- | published in the //New England Historical and Genealogical | + | Genealogical |
- | Register// in 1918 and 1919 three | + | history of the family. Mr. Morris' |
- | installments of a proposed history of the family. Mr. Morris' | + | his death in 1921. |
- | was unfortunately brought to a close by his death in 1921. | + | |
- | In 1934 the present author, whose active interest in a History of the | + | In 1934 the present author, whose active interest in a History of the Seymour |
- | Seymour Family had begun at least as early as when he went to | + | Family had begun at least as early as when he went to Washington to live in 1878 |
- | Washington to live in 1878 and began corresponding with Miss Talcott, | + | and began corresponding with Miss Talcott, determined to carry Mr. Morris' |
- | determined to carry Mr. Morris' | + | to a conclusion. Mr. Morris' |
- | widow deposited his papers, including his unpublished data, with the | + | unpublished data, with the New England Historic Genealogical Society of Boston, |
- | New England Historic Genealogical Society of Boston, and through the | + | and through the good offices of Mr. Jacobus, editor of the present work, the |
- | good offices of Mr. Jacobus, editor of the present work, the papers | + | papers |
- | were made available by the Society. Mr. Jacobus then at long last | + | to prepare a comprehensive History of the Seymour Family, at first based on Mr. |
- | began to prepare a comprehensive History of the Seymour Family, at | + | Morris' |
- | first based on Mr. Morris' | + | Katherine Seymour Day of Hartford, who had inherited a trunk full of Miss |
- | work was well under way Miss Katherine Seymour Day of Hartford, who | + | Talcott' |
- | had inherited a trunk full of Miss | + | and he then went forward to compile the present work, combining the collections |
- | Talcott' | + | of Miss Talcott with the work of Mr. Morris. No attempt was made to collect any |
- | Jacobus, and he then went forward to compile the present work, | + | large amount of new material, but it was decided to carry all of the descendants |
- | combining the collections of Miss Talcott with the work of Mr. | + | of the Colonist down to the sixth generation, in order that subsequent workers |
- | Morris. No attempt was made to collect any large amount of new | + | in the field should have no difficulty in bringing the lines down to date. |
- | material, but it was decided to carry all of the descendants of the | + | |
- | Colonist down to the sixth generation, in order that subsequent | + | |
- | workers in the field should have no difficulty in bringing the lines | + | |
- | down to date. | + | |
- | From the first, however, the author determined not to go to publication | + | From the first, however, the author determined not to go to publication with any |
- | with any History of the Seymour Family until the authenticity of the | + | History of the Seymour Family until the authenticity of the so-called " |
- | so-called " | + | Bible" had been settled for good or for ill. When, in the " |
- | ill. When, in the " | + | person who had sprung the Bible "out of the blue" in Hartford died in Brookline |
- | sprung the Bible "out of the blue" in Hartford died in | + | (1906) and was " |
- | Brookline (1906) and was " | + | by two members of the Connecticut family, but they too implicitly |
- | Bible was acquired from his widow by two members of the Connecticut | + | its authenticity, |
- | family, but they too implicitly | + | ordinary rules of evidence. Thirty years and more passed and the problem |
- | their hands it was still unavailable for subjection to ordinary rules | + | presented |
- | of evidence. Thirty years and more passed and the problem | + | hands of its present owner, happily cooperative, |
- | by the Bible remained unsolved, until at last the Bible came to the | + | the hands of the Librarian of Yale University, who in turn put it into the hands |
- | hands of its present owner, happily cooperative, | + | of competent experts for examination. The unequivocal report of the experts is |
- | put into the hands of the Librarian of Yale University, who in turn | + | that the Bible entries are forgeries. |
- | put it into the hands of competent experts for examination. The | + | |
- | unequivocal report of the experts is that the Bible entries are | + | |
- | forgeries. | + | |
- | And so we come to the story of the Bible itself, but first it must be | + | And so we come to the story of the Bible itself, but first it must be explained |
- | explained that in June, 1881, the Bible' | + | that in June, 1881, the Bible' |
- | funds, bought a house in Newport, on which the mortgage was | + | Newport, on which the mortgage was foreclosed three years later, in 1884. During |
- | foreclosed three years later, in 1884. During those few years, as is | + | those few years, as is supposed, the owner of the Bible had a die made with the |
- | supposed, the owner of the Bible had a die made with the full ducal | + | full ducal arms, which he used for embossing his own personal stationery; he had |
- | arms, which he used for embossing his own personal stationery; he had | + | a similar seal cut, of which he sent impressions to Mr. Nathan Perkins Seymour, |
- | a similar seal cut, of which he sent impressions to | + | then a professor at Western Reserve College, at Hudson, Ohio; he had a handsome |
- | Mr. Nathan Perkins Seymour, then a professor at Western Reserve College, at | + | book-plate engraved with the full ducal arms; and he had the arms displayed on |
- | Hudson, Ohio; he had a handsome book-plate engraved with the full | + | his Newport house. How much the display of the ducal arms in these several forms |
- | ducal arms; and he had the arms displayed on his Newport house. How | + | contributed to his Newport establishment may easily be surmised. |
- | much the display of the ducal arms in these several forms contributed | + | |
- | to his Newport establishment may easily be surmised. | + | |
- | Also in the summer of 1881, probably in August, | + | Also in the summer of 1881, probably in August, Professor Nathan Perkins Seymour |
- | Professor Nathan Perkins Seymour was visiting in his native Hartford, | + | was visiting in his native Hartford, and the Bible was shown to him and of |
- | and the Bible was shown | + | course excited his great interest and curiosity. He was even allowed to remove |
- | to him and of course excited his great interest and curiosity. He was | + | bits of a. sheet of paper that was pasted over what appeared to be writing on |
- | even allowed to remove bits of a. sheet of paper that was pasted over | + | the inside of the front cover of the book, and had the owner, supposedly |
- | what appeared to be writing on the inside of the front cover of the | + | present, cooperated with him and allowed him to remove all of the paper, the |
- | book, and had the owner, supposedly present, cooperated with him and | + | great delusion about the Bible would have been dispelled then and there, over |
- | allowed him to remove all of the paper, the great delusion about the | + | half a century ago, and Professor Nathan Perkins Seymour would be the hero of |
- | Bible would have been dispelled then and there, over half a century | + | this narrative. The owner, however, seems to have lacked curiosity, or to have |
- | ago, and Professor Nathan Perkins Seymour would be the hero of this | + | begun even then to suspect that he had been "taken in" when (as will shortly |
- | narrative. The owner, however, seems to have lacked curiosity, or to | + | appear) he bought the Bible, and although in a letter to Professor Seymour, |
- | have begun even then to suspect that he had been "taken in" | + | dated at Newport, August 12, 1881, he announced his intention of peeling off all |
- | when (as will shortly appear) he bought the Bible, and although in a | + | the paper, he never did so. His letter to Professor Seymour, embossed with the |
- | letter to Professor Seymour, dated at Newport, August 12, 1881, he | + | full arms of the ducal family of Somerset, contained this paragraph: |
- | announced his intention of peeling off all the paper, he never did | + | |
- | so. His letter to Professor Seymour, embossed with the full arms of | + | |
- | the ducal family of Somerset, contained this paragraph: | + | |
- | <file> | + | <blockquote> |
- | | + | When I have peeled off all the paper and laid bare the writing\\ |
- | | + | upon the cover of the Bible, I will send you a transcript, but from\\ |
- | | + | what you took off, I judge that it is nothing but someone' |
- | | + | scribbling during the present century and of no account whatever. |
- | </file> | + | </blockquote> |
- | When the paper was finally peeled off by an expert employed by the | + | When the paper was finally peeled off by an expert employed by the Librarian of |
- | Librarian of Yale University, the following inscription was | + | Yale University, the following inscription was uncovered: |
- | uncovered: | + | |
- | <file> | + | <blockquote> |
- | | + | George Cole's Book\\ |
- | | + | the Gift of his dear\\ |
- | | + | friend Richard [ ]\\ |
- | | + | the twenty third of the\\ |
- | Eleventh Month | + | Eleventh Month\\ |
- | | + | One thousand Eight Hundred\\ |
- | | + | Twenty One |
- | </file> | + | </blockquote> |
- | On February 2, 1882, about six months after the near-revealing session | + | On February 2, 1882, about six months after the near-revealing session between |
- | between Professor Nathan Perkins Seymour and the owner of the Bible, | + | Professor Nathan Perkins Seymour and the owner of the Bible, the latter |
- | the latter deposited the Bible (and took a receipt for it) in the | + | deposited the Bible (and took a receipt for it) in the vault of a Boston bank, |
- | vault of a Boston bank, and there it remained until after his death | + | and there it remained until after his death in 1906. As far as is known, it was |
- | in 1906. As far as is known, it was seen during all of this period by | + | seen during all of this period by only one member of the family. In the latter |
- | only one member of the family. In the latter part of 1901 or in 1902 | + | part of 1901 or in 1902 it was shown to Henry W. Seymour of Washington, but only |
- | it was shown to Henry W. Seymour of Washington, but only in the | + | in the ante-room of the vault. Some time about 1891 the author made a special |
- | ante-room of the vault. Some time about 1891 the author made a | + | trip to Boston for the purpose of seeing the Bible with his own eyes, but all he |
- | special trip to Boston for the purpose of seeing the Bible with his | + | saw was its owner, then living in Brookline, apparently in reduced |
- | own eyes, but all he saw was its owner, then living in Brookline, | + | circumstances. The author had, of course, long had photographs of the |
- | apparently in reduced circumstances. The author had, of course, long | + | significant pages of the Bible, secured from a Newport photographer, |
- | had photographs of the significant pages of the Bible, secured from a | + | explained to the owner the object of his visit and his own belief that the Bible |
- | Newport photographer, | + | ought to be submitted to expert examination, |
- | visit and his own belief that the Bible ought to be submitted to | + | Haven without seeing it. The reason seems obvious enough. Had he appeared, not |
- | expert examination, | + | as a " |
- | seeing it. The reason seems obvious enough. Had he appeared, | + | have been in vain. |
- | not as a " | + | |
- | journey to Boston might not have been in vain. | + | |
- | Since the actual examination of the Bible by experts, the author, not | + | Since the actual examination of the Bible by experts, the author, not content |
- | content with that alone, has undertaken further to unravel its | + | with that alone, has undertaken further to unravel its history and has learned |
- | history and has learned from persons close to the family of the | + | from persons close to the family of the owner' |
- | owner' | + | acquire the Bible by descent. He bought it. About the owner himself the author |
- | bought it. About the owner himself the author learned that he had a | + | learned that he had a good record in the Civil War; that he had hunted big game |
- | good record in the Civil War; that he had hunted big game in South | + | in South America; and had hunted a fortune in Java; and none of these |
- | America; and had hunted a fortune in Java; and none of these | + | experiences can have prepared him to pass on the authenticity of the Bible when |
- | experiences can have prepared him to pass on the authenticity of the | + | it was offered to him for purchase. It may be surmised that he was persuaded by |
- | Bible when it was offered to him for purchase. It may be surmised | + | the dealer of the genuineness of the entries in the Bible, and that he therefore |
- | that he was persuaded by the dealer of the genuineness of the entries | + | welcomed the chance, as he viewed it, to bring the ownership of the Bible back |
- | in the Bible, and that he therefore welcomed the chance, as he viewed | + | into the family. |
- | it, to bring the ownership of the Bible back into the family. | + | |
- | That the Bible | + | That the Bible could not have gone to the owner by descent ought, in fact, long |
- | could not have gone to the owner by descent ought, in fact, long | + | since to have been apparent, especially to Miss Talcott. In the trunk containing |
- | since to have been apparent, especially to Miss Talcott. In the trunk | + | her papers, as may now be told, was found a sheet of the Bible owner' |
- | containing her papers, as may now be told, was found a sheet of the | + | correspondence paper, embossed with the ducal arms of Somerset, and on the |
- | Bible owner' | + | paper, in the owner' |
- | Somerset, and on the paper, in the owner' | + | Richard the Colonist, but the schedule is incorrect. It postulates his descent |
- | is a schedule of his claimed descent from Richard the Colonist, but | + | from Thomas< |
- | the schedule is incorrect. It postulates his descent | + | Mayor, rather than from Zachariah< |
- | Thomas< | + | [[003.John|John]]< |
- | Mayor, rather than from Zachariah< | + | the owner' |
- | [[003.John|John]]< | + | improbability that a family Bible of the highest import should have descended |
- | a younger son of the Colonist. In other words, the owner' | + | through younger sons in nearly every generation ought alone, it must be thought, |
- | conception of his place in the family was entirely wrong. The | + | to have been enough to put Miss Talcott, and others in the family who accepted |
- | improbability that a family Bible of the highest import should have | + | the Bible, on their guard. The schedule of the owner' |
- | descended | + | dated and not accompanied by any letter, but presumably, it was submitted to |
- | alone, it must be thought, to have been enough to put Miss Talcott, | + | Miss Talcott at the same time that the Bible itself was first called to her |
- | and others in the family who accepted the Bible, on their guard. The | + | attention, back about 1880 or 1881. |
- | schedule of the owner' | + | |
- | accompanied by any letter, but presumably, it was submitted to Miss | + | |
- | Talcott at the same time that the Bible itself was first called to | + | |
- | her attention, back about 1880 or 1881. | + | |
- | Nor is this the only evidence long available that denies the ancestry set | + | Nor is this the only evidence long available that denies the ancestry set forth |
- | forth in the Bible. On September 2, 1816, Thomas Seymour, the | + | in the Bible. On September 2, 1816, Thomas Seymour, the venerable First Mayor of |
- | venerable First Mayor of Hartford, then in his eighty-first year, | + | Hartford, then in his eighty-first year, entered in a " |
- | entered in a " | + | belonged to his father an attested statement which he called "a summary of the |
- | father an attested statement which he called "a summary of the | + | origin of my ancestors from their very first coming from England and settlement |
- | origin of my ancestors from their very first coming from England and | + | in this Town"; and since 1892, when Dr. Parker' |
- | settlement in this Town"; and since 1892, when Dr. Parker' | + | in Hartford" |
- | " | + | accessible to all. "For more than two hundred years," |
- | the First Mayor' | + | //History, //" |
- | more than two hundred years," | + | membership in this Church or Society which John Seamer helped to found, and for |
- | //" | + | the greater part of that time exercised a commanding influence in its affairs"; |
- | maintained an unbroken continuity of membership in this Church or | + | and he quotes the First Mayor' |
- | Society which John Seamer helped to found, and for the greater part | + | |
- | of that time exercised a commanding influence in its affairs"; | + | |
- | and he quotes the First Mayor' | + | |
- | follows: | + | |
- | <file> | + | <blockquote> |
- | | + | A summary of the origin of my ancestors from their first coming\\ |
- | | + | from England and settlement in this Town, and of the time of\\ |
- | | + | their births and deaths, so far as appears from old Books and\\ |
- | | + | entries found and now in my possession, and the information of old\\ |
- | | + | people now deceased. |
- | //Richard Seymour//, from England, was the first of the name, and | + | //Richard Seymour//, from England, was the first of the name, and\\ |
- | | + | amongst the early settlers of the Town, and from whom the numer-\\ |
- | | + | ous families of that name {it is said} have descended in America,\\ |
- | | + | particularly in this Town and in Connecticut. He had several sons,\\ |
- | | + | one of which was named //John//, my great-grandfather, |
- | | + | this Town. Another of them settled in Norwalk, whose posterity\\ |
- | | + | remain there till this day. //Capt. Thomas Seymour,// the son of John,\\ |
- | | + | died August 30th, 1740, aged 72. His mother' |
- | //Thomas Seymour, Esq.,// my Father, died March, 1767, aged 62. | + | //Thomas Seymour, Esq.,// my Father, died March, 1767, aged 62.\\ |
- | | + | He was a Deacon of the 2d Church, Justice of the Peace, King's\\ |
- | | + | attorney, &c., &c.: married in the year 1730 to Hepzibah Merrel,\\ |
- | | + | Daughter of Deacon Daniel Merrel.((The writer listed here, before attesting, the |
- | and Hephzibah (Merrel) Seymour, including his own. To present the attested statement | + | births of the children of Thomas and Hephzibah (Merrel) Seymour, including his |
- | as nearly as possible in its original form, the author has omitted | + | own. To present the attested statement as nearly as possible in its original |
- | some explanatory detail which Dr. Parker inserted in square brackets. The full | + | form, the author has omitted some explanatory detail which Dr. Parker inserted |
- | statement will be found at page 134 of the " | + | in square brackets. The full statement will be found at page 134 of the " |
- | Second Church of Christ in Hartford," | + | of the Second Church of Christ in Hartford," |
- | published at Hartford in 1892.)) ......, Attest, Sept. | + | Hartford in 1892.)) ......, Attest, Sept. |
- | 2d, 1816. T. Seymour, aged 81 years, & 6 months, the 17th day of | + | |
- | this month. | + | |
- | </ | + | |
- | As to what purpose the First Mayor had in mind in making this sworn | + | 2d, 1816. T. Seymour, aged 81 years, & 6 months, the 17th day of\\ |
- | statement there is now no evidence, but it is clear that he was very | + | this month. |
- | serious about it, as he specifically says that he consulted "old | + | </ |
- | Books and entries found and now in my possession, and the information | + | |
- | of old people now deceased." | + | As to what purpose the First Mayor had in mind in making this sworn statement |
- | appears to be in every respect correct, and no doubt exists either as | + | there is now no evidence, but it is clear that he was very serious about it, as |
- | to the authenticity of the " | + | he specifically says that he consulted "old Books and entries found and now in |
- | dated 1747, or as to the fact that the First Mayor himself made the | + | my possession, and the information of old people now deceased." |
- | statement quoted from it. At the time the statement was made, the | + | itself, moreover, appears to be in every respect correct, and no doubt exists |
- | First Mayor was the virtual head of the American Seymour Family. He | + | either as to the authenticity of the " |
- | was a college-bred man (Yale, 1755), as was his father before him | + | as to the fact that the First Mayor himself made the statement quoted from it. |
- | (Yale, 1724); he had an enviable position at the bar, as had his | + | At the time the statement was made, the First Mayor was the virtual head of the |
- | father before him; he had been King's Attorney, as had his father | + | American Seymour Family. He was a college-bred man (Yale, 1755), as was his |
- | before him; he had been State' | + | father before him (Yale, 1724); he had an enviable position at the bar, as had |
- | been the First Mayor of Hartford, which position he held for | + | his father before him; he had been King's Attorney, as had his father before |
- | twenty-seven years; he and his family had occupied a first social | + | him; he had been State' |
- | position in the community; and he was great-grandson of | + | Mayor of Hartford, which position he held for twenty-seven years; he and his |
- | [[003.John|John Seymour]], | + | family had occupied a first social position in the community; and he was great- |
- | through whom the so-called " | + | grandson of [[003.John|John Seymour]], through whom the so-called " |
- | have descended to the person who produced it about 1880. Yet in the | + | Bible" purported to have descended to the person who produced it about 1880. Yet |
- | carefully worded and attested statement of this distinguished man | + | in the carefully worded and attested statement of this distinguished man there |
- | there is not the least suggestion (If the existence of any family | + | is not the least suggestion (If the existence of any family Bible or of any |
- | Bible or of any knowledge about Richard the Colonist except the bare | + | knowledge about Richard the Colonist except the bare statement that he came from |
- | statement that he came from England. The First Mayor was grandson of | + | England. The First Mayor was grandson of Richard' |
- | Richard' | + | family had resided continuously in Hartford; and if there had been among the |
- | in Hartford; and if there had been | + | "old people now deceased" |
- | among the "old people now deceased" | + | noble descent or connections, |
- | tradition of a family Bible or of noble descent or connections, | + | referred to it in his statement. The lack of any such reference is almost |
- | inconceivable that he would not have referred to it in his statement. | + | conclusive evidence that no tradition of the kind was known among the older |
- | The lack of any such reference is almost conclusive evidence that no | + | members of the family, even though they were, both in line and descent, close to |
- | tradition of the kind was known among the older members of the | + | |
- | family, even though they were, both in line and descent, close to | + | |
Richard the Colonist. | Richard the Colonist. | ||
- | When the First Mayor' | + | When the First Mayor' |
- | publication of Dr. Parker' | + | publication of Dr. Parker' |
- | 1892, only about a decade after the appearance of the Bible in | + | appearance of the Bible in Hartford, there was every reason for Miss Talcott and |
- | Hartford, there was every reason for Miss Talcott and for all | + | for all believers in the Bible to be on their guard. It may be, indeed, that |
- | believers in the Bible to be on their guard. It may be, indeed, that | + | Miss Talcott was already familiar with the statement, but it is also quite |
- | Miss Talcott was already familiar with the statement, but it is also | + | possible that she never knew of it at all until Dr. Parker' |
- | quite possible that she never knew of it at all until Dr. Parker' | + | in either case it is more than likely that she did not fully appreciate its |
- | book appeared, and in either case it is more than likely that she did | + | significance. In 1916, however, the present author communicated to her the news |
- | not fully appreciate its significance. In 1916, however, the present | + | of the Bartlett report, with the discovery of the entries in the Parish Records |
- | author communicated to her the news of the Bartlett report, with the | + | of Sawbridgeworth, |
- | discovery of the entries in the Parish Records of Sawbridgeworth, | + | known to the family at large, the publication of a family history on her part |
- | she then at once foresaw that when the report was made known to the | + | would be made very difficult. The author is constrained to believe that while |
- | family at large, the publication of a family history on her part | + | her faith in the so-called " |
- | would be made very difficult. The author is constrained to believe | + | blow actually fell, she had never seriously entertained the thought that the |
- | that while her faith in the so-called " | + | Bible was an out-and-out forgery or that it had been bought by the person who |
- | have been shaken long before the blow actually fell, she had never | + | produced it. |
- | seriously entertained the thought that the Bible was an out-and-out | + | |
- | forgery or that it had been bought by the person who produced it. | + | |
- | Other | + | Other members of the family, too, failed to see the significance of the First |
- | members of the family, too, failed to see the significance of the | + | Mayor' |
- | First Mayor' | + | efforts to confirm the forged entries in the Bible were continued. for years |
- | Parker' | + | thereafter, showing, it must be declared, not so much that the believers were |
- | were continued. for years thereafter, showing, it must be declared, | + | gullible as that they were human, eager to exalt their own ancestry, one of the |
- | not so much that the believers were gullible as that they were human, | + | oldest weaknesses of the race. Exalted claims of noble if not royal ancestry |
- | eager to exalt their own ancestry, one of the oldest weaknesses of | + | have been made, at one time or another, for nearly every old American family. |
- | the race. Exalted claims of noble if not royal ancestry have been | + | The // |
- | made, at one time or another, for nearly every old American family. | + | that many " |
- | The // | + | extravagant |
- | of genealogies published in this country that many " | + | dealt with." One after another, these claims have been examined and rejected by |
- | results of laborious research in American records with extravagant | + | the better-informed of our native genealogists, |
- | and unfounded claims concerning the European origin of the families | + | undiminished splendor in the next publication, |
- | dealt with." One after another, these claims have been examined | + | indifference or to stubborn vanity. In passing, we must refer to the sad |
- | and rejected by the better-informed of our native genealogists, | + | demolition, as recently as April 1938 in //The American Genealogist,// |
- | to reappear with undiminished splendor in the next publication, | + | oldest and most cherished of our Connecticut " |
- | we must suppose to indifference or to stubborn vanity. In passing, we | + | Haynes-Harlakenden descent from the Plantagenets has now been proclaimed a myth! |
- | must refer to the sad demolition, as recently as April 1938 in //The | + | |
- | American Genealogist,// | + | |
- | oldest and most cherished of our Connecticut " | + | |
- | delusion," | + | |
- | has now been proclaimed a myth! | + | |
- | The | + | The author, indeed, opines, though he be put down a cynic for saying so, that |
- | author, indeed, opines, though he be put down a cynic for saying so, | + | there are thousands of Americans of the old stock who would far rather trace |
- | that there are thousands of Americans of the old stock who would far | + | their descent from Edward Seymour, First Duke of Somerset, than from |
- | rather trace their descent from Edward Seymour, First Duke of | + | [[001.Richard|Richard Seymour]] of Sawbridgeworth, |
- | Somerset, than from [[001.Richard|Richard Seymour]] | + | thought to have sired a finer race of men than the former. The author cannot |
- | of Sawbridgeworth, | + | refrain from inserting here a parody that has long amused him and that will be |
- | the latter may be thought to have sired a finer race of men than the | + | readily recognized by all readers of Tennyson. |
- | former. The author cannot refrain from inserting here a parody that | + | |
- | has long amused him and that will be readily recognized by all | + | |
- | readers of Tennyson. | + | |
- | <file> | + | <blockquote> |
- | | + | Of course 'tis noble to be good,\\ |
- | | + | But what are hearts to coronets\\ |
- | | + | And simple faith to Norman blood. |
- | </file> | + | </blockquote> |
- | The task of " | + | The task of " |
- | the brows of the American Seymours is not a grateful one to the | + | American Seymours is not a grateful one to the author and is not commending him |
- | author and is not commending him to many members of his family; but | + | to many members of his family; but then he reflects that, as our own Bryant |
- | then he reflects that, as our own Bryant tells us, | + | tells us, |
- | <file> | + | <blockquote> |
- | | + | Truth crushed to earth shall rise again, ---\\ |
- | | + | The eternal years of God are hers;\\ |
- | | + | But Error, wounded, writhes in pain,\\ |
- | | + | And dies among his worshippers. |
- | </file> | + | </blockquote> |
- | Nor can he forget the words of a still greater writer: "Pride goeth | + | Nor can he forget the words of a still greater writer: "Pride goeth before |
- | before | + | destruction, |
- | (Proverbs 16:18). | + | |
- | The fact is that from the time the author first decided to publish the | + | The fact is that from the time the author first decided to publish the present |
- | present book it has been his intention to discuss the Bible at | + | book it has been his intention to discuss the Bible at length. He has been |
- | length. He has been advised that this is not necessary, that it is | + | advised that this is not necessary, that it is quite sufficient simply to state |
- | quite sufficient simply to state that expert examination has proved | + | that expert examination has proved the Bible a forgery, but since many people. |
- | the Bible a forgery, but since many people. as the author feels sure, | + | as the author feels sure, do not value expert opinion. and since different |
- | do not value expert opinion. and since different experts may, in | + | experts may, in fact, give different opinions, it he seemed necessary to give |
- | fact, give different opinions, it he seemed necessary to give some | + | some history of the Bible, quite apart from what any expert says about it. When |
- | history of the Bible, quite apart from what any expert says about it. | + | Mr. Jacobus had access to Miss Talcott' |
- | When Mr. Jacobus had access to Miss Talcott' | + | body of letters from members of the family, all thrilled at the idea of noble |
- | found a great body of letters from members of the family, all | + | descent, and it is to them and to their offspring that a complete explanation is |
- | thrilled at the idea of noble descent, and it is to them and to their | + | due. |
- | offspring that a complete explanation is due. | + | |
- | To-day | + | To-day the Bible plainly appears to be what it is-a crude forgery that was |
- | the Bible plainly appears to be what it is-a crude forgery that was | + | produced under circumstances so suspicious in themselves that acceptance, even |
- | produced under circumstances so suspicious in themselves that | + | tentatively, |
- | acceptance, even tentatively, | + | copy of the Bishop' |
- | members of the family seems incredible. The particular copy of the | + | period; it lacks some twenty pages, including the title-page; and from what the |
- | Bishop' | + | author can learn, its auction-room value in 1880, as an imperfect copy, can have |
- | period; it lacks some twenty pages, including the title-page; and | + | been only a trifling sum. What the person who first bought it paid for it will, |
- | from what the author can learn, its auction-room value in 1880, as an | + | of course, never be known, but at his death in 1906 his widow sold it to a |
- | imperfect copy, can have been only a trifling sum. What the person | + | believer for a very substantial price. With the forgeries made a part of it, its |
- | who first bought it paid for it will, of course, never be known, but | + | worth proved to be many times what it could have brought merely as a defective |
- | at his death in 1906 his widow sold it to a believer for a very | + | copy of a famous old edition of the Bible. |
- | substantial price. With the forgeries made a part of it, its worth | + | |
- | proved to be many times what it could have brought merely as a | + | |
- | defective copy of a famous old edition of the Bible. | + | |
- | Some years ago the author had a slide made from a photograph of a page of | + | Some years ago the author had a slide made from a photograph of a page of the |
- | the Bible that purported to give an account of some commercial | + | Bible that purported to give an account of some commercial transaction. In what |
- | transaction. In what appeared to be a specimen of genuine seventeenth | + | appeared to be a specimen of genuine seventeenth century handwriting, |
- | century handwriting, | + | account had been written over and so changed as to bring the name " |
- | as to bring the name " | + | it, and when the slide was thrown on the screen, the changed inscription :was |
- | was thrown on the screen, the changed inscription :was palpably the | + | palpably the work of a forger. At about the same time the author employed Mr. |
- | work of a forger. At about the same time the author employed Mr. | + | Jacobus, now the editor of this book, but also well known for his familiarity |
- | Jacobus, now the editor of this book, but also well known for his | + | with old handwriting, |
- | familiarity | + | reported that the entries bore evidence of being faked. This was years before |
- | Bible, and Mr. Jacobus then reported that the entries bore evidence | + | the Bible was submitted to expert examination through the good offices of Mr. |
- | of being faked. This was years before the Bible was submitted to | + | Keogh, the Yale Librarian, and years before the author had gone into the history |
- | expert examination through the good offices of Mr. Keogh, the Yale | + | of the Bible and proved to his own satisfaction that the person who first |
- | Librarian, and years before the author had gone into the history | + | displayed it never inherited it, but actually bought it. |
- | the Bible and proved to his own satisfaction that the person who | + | |
- | first displayed it never inherited it, but actually bought it. | + | |
- | In the old days, or had one better say "in the lost years," | + | In the old days, or had one better say "in the lost years," |
- | Miss Talcott told the author over and over again that she was | + | the author over and over again that she was prepared to enrich her data with |
- | prepared to enrich her data with many stories of the family that she | + | many stories of the family that she had gathered from her elders and kinsfolk in |
- | had gathered from her elders and kinsfolk in Hartford, and the author | + | Hartford, and the author began at an early date to collect illustrations for her |
- | began at an early date to collect illustrations for her use; but she | + | use; but she never got around to making notes of her vast stores of personal |
- | never got around to making notes of her vast stores of personal | + | material, now impossible to recover, and the author, quite naturally, long ago |
- | material, now impossible to recover, and the author, quite naturally, | + | abandoned his idea of collecting illustrations for her use. He has, however, |
- | long ago abandoned his idea of collecting illustrations for her use. | + | done what he could to collect material about the First Mayor of Hartford and his |
- | He has, however, done what he could to collect material about the | + | family, and he has been able to pick up several illustrations of the First |
- | First Mayor of Hartford and his family, and he has been able to pick | + | Mayor' |
- | up several illustrations of the First Mayor' | + | was destroyed. As the author is publishing this book entirely at his own |
- | represent him, in away, in lieu of his portrait, which was destroyed. | + | expense, he has naturally chosen such illustrations as suit his own feelings or |
- | As the author is publishing this book entirely at his own expense, he | + | as happen to be at hand. Any compiler of a family history knows how hard it is |
- | has naturally chosen such illustrations as suit his own feelings or | + | to secure data from members of the family. Letters and pictures are withheld, |
- | as happen to be at hand. Any compiler of a family history knows how | + | apparently, for no better reason than indifference. Any member of the family who |
- | hard it is to secure data from members of the family. Letters and | + | is disposed to criticise the work is free to try his own hand at writing and |
- | pictures are withheld, apparently, for no better reason than | + | publishing a history to suit his own taste. |
- | indifference. Any member of the family who is disposed to criticise | + | |
- | the work is free to try his own hand at writing and publishing a | + | |
- | history to suit his own taste. | + | |
- | If the author had begun back in 1880 or thereabouts to collect basic | + | If the author had begun back in 1880 or thereabouts to collect basic material |
- | material | + | for this history, he would have asked in his questionnaire for information |
- | for information regarding the height, size, color of eyes, hair and | + | regarding the height, size, color of eyes, hair and skin, and facial |
- | skin, and facial characteristics. He would also have called for | + | characteristics. He would also have called for portraits and pictures of houses |
- | portraits and pictures of houses and of matters of family tradition. | + | and of matters of family tradition. In this way he might peradventure have |
- | In this way he might peradventure have collected enough material to | + | collected enough material to predicate characteristics of the family as a race. |
- | predicate characteristics of the family as a race. Miss Talcott | + | Miss Talcott reached the conclusion that the spirit was martial and it does |
- | reached the conclusion that the spirit was martial and it does appear | + | appear |
- | that many men were engaged in the different wars notably as officers | + | well as in the ranks. |
- | as well as in the ranks. | + | |
- | As for the | + | As for the inordinate family pride with which the members of the family have |
- | inordinate family pride with which the members of the family have | + | long been charged, it must be admitted as true so far as the Hartford |
- | long been charged, it must be admitted as true so far as the Hartford | + | descended from the first [[003.John|John Seymour]] of Hartford is concerned. |
- | branch | + | This pride long antedates the appearance of the alleged Seymour Bible. The |
- | [[003.John|John Seymour]] of Hartford is | + | author leaves it to the readers of this book to determine the reasons for this |
- | concerned. This pride long antedates the appearance of the alleged | + | pride, but will not add more himself except to say that so far as his experience |
- | Seymour Bible. The author leaves it to the readers of this book to | + | goes the members of the family have not suffered from what is now described as |
- | determine the reasons for this pride, but will not add more himself | + | an " |
- | except to say that so far as his experience goes the members of the | + | condemned than pride of purse. Money getting has never been a family |
- | family have not suffered from what is now described as an | + | characteristic. No more has display on the part of those who had it. Despite the |
- | " | + | high social position occupied for years by groups of the family in Hartford and |
- | blood is less to be condemned than pride of purse. Money getting has | + | Litchfield, Conn., and in Utica and Cazenovia, N.Y., the family has been free |
- | never been a family characteristic. No more has display on the part | + | from anything like ostentation. They built no notably fine estates and in |
- | of those who had it. Despite the high social position occupied for | + | general |
- | years by groups of the family in Hartford and Litchfield, Conn., and | + | their mortuary remains (and the author deplores it) are meagre and |
- | in Utica and Cazenovia, N.Y., the family has been free from anything | + | insignificant, |
- | like ostentation. They built no notably fine estates and in general | + | that regard. No monument of any sort can be found to-day to the First Mayor of |
- | paid little attention to the appanages of wealth and social caste. | + | Hartford, and the stones erected to some members of his family have been allowed |
- | Even their mortuary remains (and the author deplores it) are meagre | + | to fall into decay. |
- | and insignificant, | + | |
- | high-born Wyllyses in that regard. No monument of any sort can be | + | |
- | found to-day to the First Mayor of Hartford, and the stones erected | + | |
- | to some members of his family have been allowed to fall into decay. | + | |
- | In conclusion, it may be said that the records at Sawbridgeworth and | + | In conclusion, it may be said that the records at Sawbridgeworth and elsewhere |
- | elsewhere indicate that Richard the Colonist and his wife Mercy were | + | indicate that Richard the Colonist and his wife Mercy were far removed from the |
- | far removed from the arms-bearing class; but the fact remains that | + | arms-bearing class; but the fact remains that over two and a quarter centuries |
- | over two and a quarter centuries have passed since the day in 1712 | + | have passed since the day in 1712 when [[002.Thomas|Thomas Seymour]] of Norwalk, |
- | when [[002.Thomas|Thomas Seymour]] | + | English-born eldest son of the Colonist, being then very "sicke and weak," |
- | of Norwalk, English-born eldest son of the | + | sealed his will with a small seal (which seal may be seen to-day in the State |
- | Colonist, being then very "sicke and weak," sealed his will | + | Library |
- | with a small seal (which seal may be seen to-day in the State Library | + | Seymours of Penhow. That [[002.Thomas|Thomas Seymour]] used a seal for any other |
- | in Hartford) charged with the wings forming the paternal coat of the | + | purpose than to comply with the common law requirement of a seal of some kind is |
- | Seymours of Penhow. That | + | wholly incredible, and that any contemporary who saw the seal on the document |
- | [[002.Thomas|Thomas Seymour]] | + | had the faintest idea what those wings signified is almost equally so, but it is |
- | used a seal for any other | + | certain that a relatively poor man, living in a pioneer settlement, would not |
- | purpose than to comply with the common law requirement of a seal of | + | have thought of having a seal cut to "exalt his horn" and would have had no |
- | some kind is wholly incredible, and that any contemporary who saw the | + | opportunity for doing so, if he had thought of it. The actual impression on the |
- | seal on the document had the faintest idea what those wings signified | + | will, moreover, shows that it was made from a seal that was already old and |
- | is almost equally so, but it is certain that a relatively poor man, | + | worn. The seal from which it was made must have been brought to this country by |
- | living in a pioneer settlement, would not have thought of having a | + | Richard the Colonist, whose original will no longer exists to show whether it |
- | seal cut to "exalt his horn" and would have had no | + | too was sealed with the same seal. |
- | opportunity for doing so, if he had thought of it. The actual | + | |
- | impression on the will, moreover, shows that it was made from a seal | + | |
- | that was already old and worn. The seal from which it was made must | + | |
- | have been brought to this country by Richard the Colonist, whose | + | |
- | original will no longer exists to show whether it too was sealed with | + | |
- | the same seal. | + | |
- | Since the above was written, Stewart Mitchell' | + | Since the above was written, Stewart Mitchell' |
- | " | + | New York" has been issued (1938) by the Harvard University Press. Dr. Mitchell |
- | University Press. Dr. Mitchell comments (page 4) on the will of | + | comments (page 4) on the will of [[002.Thomas|Thomas Seymour]] in 1712, " |
- | [[002.Thomas|Thomas Seymour]] | + | which he affixed a seal with wings that recalled //[sic]// those of the arms of |
- | in 1712, "to which he affixed a seal with wings | + | the great house of Seymour of Penhow," |
- | that recalled //[sic]// those | + | that he "had probably used the first seal which came to hand, with never a |
- | of the arms of the great house of Seymour of Penhow," | + | thought of its significance or any knowledge of what it might resemble." |
- | reaches the astonishing conclusion that he "had probably used | + | explanation will hardly satisfy students of heraldry, |
- | the first seal which came to hand, with never a thought of its | + | that, should it satisfy students of history. The wings on the seal do not |
- | significance or any knowledge of what it might resemble." | + | //recall// or // |
- | an explanation will hardly satisfy students of heraldry, | + | Penhow; beyond question they //are// the "two wings conjoined in lure" of the |
- | matter of that, should it satisfy students of history. The wings on | + | Penhow family. To suppose that [[002.Thomas|Thomas Seymour]] reached for " |
- | the seal do not //recall// or // | + | first seal which came to hand," and inadvertently, |
- | use his own terms, the wings of the Seymours of Penhow; beyond | + | hamlet, picked up the actual seal of the historic Seymour family, is to ask us |
- | question they //are// the | + | to believe in miracles. Heraldic symbols were exceedingly rare in that time and |
- | "two wings conjoined in lure" of the Penhow family. To | + | place, and when one was used it was not by chance. The author has examined |
- | suppose that [[002.Thomas|Thomas Seymour]] | + | dozens of wills of Fairfield County residents in the period between 1700 and |
- | reached for "the first seal which | + | 1720, and saw only one other which was sealed with an unmistakable heraldic |
- | came to hand," and inadvertently, | + | device, most of the wills being sealed with red wax bearing no impression or |
- | that primitive colonial hamlet, picked up the actual seal of the | + | with seals of conventional. non-heraldic designs. |
- | historic Seymour family, is to ask us to believe in miracles. | + | |
- | Heraldic symbols were exceedingly rare in that time and place, and | + | |
- | when one was used it was not by chance. The author has examined | + | |
- | dozens of wills of Fairfield County residents in the period between | + | |
- | 1700 and 1720, and saw only one other which was sealed with an | + | |
- | unmistakable heraldic device, most of the wills being sealed with red | + | |
- | wax bearing no impression or with seals of conventional. non-heraldic | + | |
- | designs. | + | |
- | If [[002.Thomas|Thomas Seymour]] | + | If [[002.Thomas|Thomas Seymour]] of Norwalk "used the first seal which came to |
- | of Norwalk "used the first seal which came to hand," and | + | hand," and the author concedes that as likely, then we are constrained to |
- | the author concedes that as likely, then we are constrained to | + | believe that he used his own seal ring, and that it was an heirloom which, |
- | believe that he used his own seal ring, and that it was an heirloom | + | although his generation may not have been aware of it, pointed to a remote |
- | which, although his generation may not have been aware of it, pointed | + | connection with the Seymours of Penhow, though possibly the connection may have |
- | to a remote connection with the Seymours of Penhow, though possibly | + | been derived through the Seymers of Dorsetshire((See [[Popham_Colony|" |
- | the connection may have been derived through the Seymers of | + | Seymer of the Popham Colony," |
- | Dorsetshire((See [[Ap4.PophamColony|" | + | later the ducal, branch of the ancient family, both of which used the "two wings |
- | branch of the ancient family, both of which used the "two wings | + | |
conjoined in lure," as on the seal of Thomas. | conjoined in lure," as on the seal of Thomas. | ||
- | Moreover, Thomas Seymour, Esq. (1705-1767), | + | Moreover, Thomas Seymour, Esq. (1705-1767), |
- | Thomas | + | of Norwalk, sealed his will with a seal bearing the same wings, and his son, the |
- | of Norwalk, sealed his will with a seal bearing the same wings, and | + | First Mayor of Hartford, did the same. This shows that both the First Mayor and |
- | his son, the First Mayor of Hartford, did the same. This shows that | + | his father had an appreciation of the value of arms-bearing ancestry and that a |
- | both the First Mayor and his father had an appreciation of the value | + | knowledge or tradition of the right to display the Seymour wings had surely been |
- | of arms-bearing ancestry and that a knowledge or tradition of the | + | transmitted to them. This fact makes it all the more likely, however, that if |
- | right to display the Seymour wings had surely been transmitted to | + | the First Mayor had had any specific knowledge of noble ancestry, he would have |
- | them. This fact makes it all the more likely, however, that if the | + | embodied the tradition in the attested statement, already quoted, that he made |
- | First Mayor had had any specific knowledge of noble ancestry, he | + | on September 2, 1816. |
- | would have embodied the tradition in the attested statement, already | + | |
- | quoted, that he made on September 2, 1816. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Whether any attempt to trace the family in England further back than | + | |
- | John Seymour, grandfather of | + | |
- | [[001.Richard|Richard the Colonist]], | + | |
- | can be anything but | + | |
- | futile, is extremely doubtful. Mr. Bartlett tried to do so, but | + | |
- | without success, for the simple reason that the search took him into | + | |
- | a period when parish records were not compulsory. The author also | + | |
- | employed Mr. Bartlett to make further investigations along the line | + | |
- | of the Colonist' | + | |
- | Bartlett' | + | |
- | different locality. The author subsequently employed Mr. Jacobus too, | + | |
- | through his English correspondents, | + | |
- | again without success. F or his own part, the author feels that the | + | |
- | record of the family in this country is sufficient in itself. The | + | |
- | American Seymours have been men and women of character, high | + | |
- | breeding, integrity, and devotion to public service, and until the | + | |
- | unfortunate appearance of the so-called " | + | |
- | they were without any pretense to noble ancestry. The ghost of the | + | |
- | Bible has now been laid. It was General Truman Seymour who said:((In a letter, 28 May 1881.)) | + | |
- | + | ||
- | < | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | have nothing to ask, in dignity, from any relationship. | + | |
- | G.D.S. | + | |
- | </ | + | |
+ | Whether any attempt to trace the family in England further back than John | ||
+ | Seymour, grandfather of [[001.Richard|Richard the Colonist]], can be anything | ||
+ | but futile, is extremely doubtful. Mr. Bartlett tried to do so, but without | ||
+ | success, for the simple reason that the search took him into a period when | ||
+ | parish records were not compulsory. The author also employed Mr. Bartlett to | ||
+ | make further investigations along the line of the Colonist' | ||
+ | without finding any clue. Mr. Bartlett' | ||
+ | had come from a different locality. The author subsequently employed Mr. Jacobus | ||
+ | too, through his English correspondents, | ||
+ | without success. F or his own part, the author feels that the record of the | ||
+ | family in this country is sufficient in itself. The American Seymours have been | ||
+ | men and women of character, high breeding, integrity, and devotion to public | ||
+ | service, and until the unfortunate appearance of the so-called " | ||
+ | they were without any pretense to noble ancestry. The ghost of the Bible has now | ||
+ | been laid. It was General Truman Seymour who said:((In a letter, 28 May 1881.)) | ||
- | \\ | + | < |
- | [[contents|(< | + | Except as a motive of curiosity there is little to be gained by\\ |
+ | settling the question | ||
+ | American Seymours are quite as respectable as the English | ||
+ | have nothing to ask, in dignity, from any relationship.\\ | ||
+ | < | ||
+ | </ | ||
+ | \\ [[contents|(< | ||
book/introduction.txt · Last modified: 2014/10/03 17:42 by jims