A missing link in the de Courtenay line

I've been working on drawing out an tree chart for the Weeks' side when I realized that I was missing a generation.  I skipped Renauld (Reginald) de Courtenay and Helen du Donjon.  They are the parents of Renauld who married Hawise.  I tried to make father and son the same person.  

I also discovered one more generation on the actual Week's line.  My next post will about this missing generation after I've finished researching him.  

The Weeks' line continued, Geoffrey Plantagenet

Geoffrey Plantagenet was born to Fulk and Ermengarde on August 24, 1113 in Anjou, Isere, France.  He was known as the Handsome or the Fair and Plantagenet.  The nickname of Plantagenet came from the yellow sprig of broom blossom (genet or broom shrub) that he wore in his hat.  It was said that he was red-headed, jovial and a great warrior.
   King Henry I heard many good reports about Geoffrey and began negotiations for a wedding between young Geoffrey and his daughter, Empress Matilda.  Both parties gave their consent and on June 10, 1128, he was knighted in Rouen by King Henry.  Their marriage took place in 1128.  Matilda was eleven years older making her around 26 when she married 15-year-old Geoffrey.  It is said that their marriage was not a very happy one with frequent long separations.
  Geoffrey is best known for assisting his wife in reclaiming the throne of England after her father's death.  It was originally given to her cousin, Stephen, but after many years they were able to take it back for their son, Henry.
  On September 7, 1151 Geoffrey died from a fever.  He was buried at St. Julien's Cathedral in Le Mans, France.


Henry II of England (Plantagenet), was born on March 5, 1133 in Le Mans, France, to Geoffrey Plantagenet and the Empress Matilda.  Henry was also known as Henry Curtmantle, Henry FitzEmpress or Henry Plantagenet.  Henry became actively involved in the attempt to reclaim the throne of England by the age of 14.  He also became the Duke of Normandy at 17.  He inherited Anjou in 1151 and then married Eleanor of Aquitaine.
  Much of Henry's rule consisted of wars and violence because he wanted to reclaim all that should be rightfully his from his grandfather's rule.  He also entered what is known as the "cold war" with King Louis VII of France, which lasted decades.  At the end of his life many of his sons had been in or started revolts to try to ascertain the kingdom for themselves.  His son, John, would eventually triumph, but bring ruin to the empire that Henry had built.

Louisiana Martin, Perry Watson Cate and Francis Elijah Franklin

Louisiana Martin was born on May 4, 1865 in Bradley, Tennessee to John and Caroline Martin ().  She died on November 9, 1945 in Tuscumbia, Alabama, at the age of 80, and was buried in Sheffield, Alabama.   The first record that I can find of Louisiana is the 1870 census.  From it we are able to see that her father is either no longer alive or lives elsewhere.  Her brother, 21-year-old Samuel, is the main male of the household.  In the 1900 census, Louisiana (Lou) is the head of the household.  She has in her care her son, sister, two nieces and a nephew.  We learn that she did attend school and can read and write.  We are also able to see that she rents a house.  In the 1910 census she is married to Francis Franklin.  It appears that they have been married for five years.  From this we are also able to learn that they own their own farm and are mortgage free.  In the 1930 census we find Louisiana in Alabama with her son John and his second wife Annie.  There we discover that they are renting a farm.

(step-father of John Frank Martin)  Francis Elijah Franklin was born in Sep 1856 in Bradley County Tennessee.  He passed away on March 14, 1925 in Clinton, Anderson, Tennessee. 

I was also able to find several documents on him starting in 1860.  In the 1870, census it says that his occupation at 15, was a farmhand.  In the 1910 census it says that he is a self-employed farmer, that he cannot read or write, he owns his home without a mortgage.  It also says that he is already married to Louisiana and that John Frank Martin is his stepson.   In the 1920 census, he can read and write, he is a farmer and he is self-employed.  The next document that I found was his death certificate.  It says that his cause of death was paralysis and that he was buried in Clinton.

(biological father of John Frank Martin)  Dr. Perry Watson Cate

was born on October 12, 1854, in Polk, Tennessee, his father, Andrew, was 40 and his mother, Nancy, was 36. He had one son with Louisiana Martin in 1888. He died on December 10, 1915, in Cleveland, Tennessee, at the age of 61, and was buried in Bradley, Tennessee.  His only wife, Lillian Ross, died December 23, 1882 at the age of 19.  It was previously believed that Louisiana had had an affair with a married doctor with the last name Brown.  However, through dna analysis, it was discovered the Perry Cate was John Frank Martin's biological father and that he was in fact a widower.  In the 1870 census, Perry is 16-years-old.  At this time it says that he is still attending school along with two of his three siblings.  In the 1880 census it says that he is now a physician, his wife is keeping house and that they have a one-year-old daughter named Pearl.  In the 1900 census, we find that he is widowed.  We also discover that he has another daughter, Inez R Cate, and a son-in-law, Benjamin Hornsby.  All of them are able to both read and write.  We are also able to see that they rent a farm.  In 1910 his occupation has changed from physician to farmer.  He now owns his own farm and works for himself.   Perry Cate passed away five years later from cirrhosis of the liver and complications according to his death records.

Clara and Nettie Matlock

Clara and her daughter Irene

Robert Martin and Clara

William Henry "Cleo" Martin and Sarah Daugherty

I will be back on the Weeks' side as soon as possible.  Until then here is some more of my family tree.  

William Henry "Cleo" Martin was born on March 28, 1911.  The first record that I found for him was the 1920 census.  In it we learn that he is able to both read and write.  In the 1930 census it tells us that he is working at the hosiery mill.   He married Sarah Daugherty on  January 11, 1930 in Campbell, Tennessee.  They had three children during their marriage.  In the 1940 census he is working as a knitter at the hosiery mill.  He works fifty hours a week and makes an income of $1,526.  He died on October 30, 1982 in Clinton, TN.

Sarah Daugherty was born on February 16, 1909 in Anderson, Tennessee.  In the 1920 census her family is living with her aunt and uncle, Daniel  and Emma Scaggs.  In this census we find that she can both read and write.  She married William Henry "Cleo" Martin on January 11, 1930 in Campbell, Tennessee.  They had three children during their marriage.  In the 1940 census we discover that she stays at home where she does the housework.  She died on June 22, 1988 in Clinton, Tennessee.

Clara Ethel Matlock

Clara Ethel Matlock was born on May 13 1890 in Clinton, TN.  The first record that I found with her was the 1900 census.  In it she is ten-years-old.  It says that she can both read and write.  It also says that her father, John, is a farmer and that they own their own farm.  After this I found her marriage license to Herman Madison Yarnell on September 26, 1905. The next record is the 1910 census.  In it she is living with her mother, Martha.  She is 19-years-old, and divorced with one child, Geneva.  A few months later Clara and John Martin marry on June 14, 1910.   The 1920 census tells us that Clara and her four children are living with her mother.  In the 1930 census we find that her sister, Nettie has moved in with them as well after the death of her husband.  I also discovered that out ancestor, Cleo, is working in a hosiery mill.  After her mother's death Clara and Nettie move in with her daughter, Irene, and her husband, Arthur Powell.  It says that as her occupation she does home housework.

My second great-grandfather John Frank Martin

I've been doing more research on my mother's side of the family lately because of the discovery of my 3rd-great-grandfather's true identity.  Because of this I haven't been able to type up more on the Weeks'.  Therefore, in my absence of a post, I'm going to tell you a little about my family until I get the Cate/Martin branch finished up.  I'm going to jump around a bit at times so please bear with me.

John Frank Martin was born on August 10, 1888 in Charleston, Bradley, Tennessee.  He married Clara Ethel Matlock on June 14, 1910.  At some point between 1911-1926 he left Tennessee for Alabama.  There he married Annie Lee Phillips.  He died on March 3, 1954 in Tuscumbia, Alabama.

The first record that I find of him is the 1900 census.  In this we find that John Frank Martin is able to both read and write.  In the 1910 census we discover that he is a laborer in the general farm industry.  It's most likely that he was working on his step-father, Elijah's, farm.  After this I was able to find a two records for his  marriage to Clara.  I was able to go back through records and find the military enlistments from 1798-1914 records.  In that I find that he enlisted in the year 1907.  In this record I learn that John had a ruddy complexion and was 5'5.  He was discharged March 10, 1910.  The next record that I found would be his WWI draft registration card.  In this he has his present trade as an electrician at Western Union Tel. Co.  He is employed by H. Pierce Florida.  It also says that he had three years experience as a trumpeter in the calvary.  I just discovered that this was during what is called the Indian Wars.   I also learned that he was of medium build with blue eyes and brown hair.  The date of registration for this was June 5, 1917.  The next record that I found was the 1930 census.  In this one he and his mother are both living in Alabama.  He is now married to Annie and they have a son and daughter.  It says that they rent their home, that he never attended school, and his occupation is telephone.  In 1940, we find that they are renting a farm, they have four children, that he did go to school until the third grade, he works an average of 45 hours a week for the Bell telephone company, and that his income is $2,080.  I also later discover that the work that he is doing at this time is considered private work.  My final document is the application for his headstone.  We see that it is a flat granite marker without an emblem.  It  says that he was a private in Company C 306th Field Signal Battalion in France during WWI.

Margaret de Bohun part 2/ Fulk King of Jerusalem

When Fulk King of Jerusalem was born on February 19, 1089, in Anjou, Isère, France, his father, Fulk, was 45 and his mother, Bertrade, was 19. He had a son with Ermengarde Countess of Maine in 1113. He died on November 13, 1143, in Hazafon, Israel, at the age of 54.

Fulk V was also known as Fulk the Younger, the Count of Anjou and the King of Jerusalem.   Originally, Fulk was opposed to King Henry I of England and supported King Louis VI of France.  However, sometime between 1118-1119 he changed allegiances.  With this shift his daughter, Matilda would marry Henry's son and heir, William Adelin.   His son Geoffrey of Anjou would then marry Henry's daughter, also named Matilda in 1127 or 1128.

By 1120, Fulk had gone on crusade and had become acquantainted to the Knights Templar (Orderic Vitalis).  By 1127 Fulk was ready to return home when King Baldwin II of Jerusalem sent him word of a possible match to his daughter, Melisende.  Baldwin II did not have a male heir so he had already made it that his daughter would succeed him.  However, Baldwin wanted to make sure that she would be secured in her position and the best way to do that would be to marry her to a powerful man.  Fulk fit the bill in all aspects being that he was a wealthy crusader, experienced military commander, and a widower. 

He did not agree right away because he hoped to become more than the mere consort of the Queen.  Baldwin II knew that Fulk was the best man for the sake of his daughter and kingdom and the terms were changed.  Fulk then gave his title for Anjou and all that came with it to his son, Geoffrey and left for Jerusalem.  He and Melisende married on June 2, 1129.  Baldwin II would later be able to give Melisende more standing by appointing her by the sole guardian of her son by Fulk, Baldwin III.

Upon Baldwin II's death in 1131, Fulk and Melisende became the joint rulers of Jerusalem.  From the very beginning Fulk took control of their government.   He was known to favor his own people, rather than the native nobilty.  Many of the crusader areas north of Jerusalem feared the Fulk would attempt to take control of them as well.  However, the northern territories would then refuse his authority.  Melisende's sister, Alice of Antioch, would then use this chance to take control of Antioch.  She allied with Pons of Tripoli and Joscelin II of Edessa to keep Fulk from trying to invade their lands.  Fulk and Pons fought briefly which then allowed them to make peace again.  Afterwards, Alice was once again exiled. 

Fulk didn't just have to worry about the people of the north lands.  He was resented by the second generation of Jerusalem Christians who had come to adulthood after the First Crusade.  Their loyalties were with Hugh II of Puiset, count of Jaffa, who was Melisende's cousin.  In 1134, Fulk decided to try to discover any proof against Hugh's disloyalty.  In order to do so he accused Hugh of sleeping with Melisende.  Hugh launched a rebellion in protest.  Hugh allied himself with the Muslims of Ascalon.  Eventually, peace was declared and Hugh was given the light sentence of exile for three years.

Not long after, an assassination attempt was made against Hugh.  Although it was believed to be Fulk or his supporters, no proof to support this theory was ever uncovered.  Because of this Melisende and her supporters were able to take control from 1136 onwards.  Fulk and Melisende would reconcile sometime afterwards and their second son was born.

In 1143, Fulk and Melisende went on holiday in Acre.  During their vacation, Fulk decided to go on an hunt.  At some point his horse stumbled, fell, and Fulk's skull was crushed by the saddle.  He was carried back to Acre, where he lay unconscious for three days before he died.  He was buried in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.  

The family of Ann Wake and part 1 of Margaret de Bohun's family

Family of Ann Wake (married Philip de Courtenay)

Sir Thomas Wake was born in 1314 in Blisworth, Northamptonshire, England. He had a daughter with Alice de Pateshulle in 1344. He died in 1383 in Northamptonshire, England, at the age of 69, and was buried in Market Deeping, Lincolnshire, England.

Alice de Pateshulle was born in 1318 in Northamptonshire, England.  She had a daughter with Sir Thomas Wake in 1344.  She died on August 10. 1398, having lived a long life of 80 years. 

When Anne Wake was born in 1344 in Northampton, Northamptonshire, England, her father, Sir, was 30, and her mother, Alice, was 26. She had a daughter with Sir Philip de Courtenay in 1380. She died in 1419 having lived a long life of 75 years.

Family of Margaret de Bohun (married Hugh de Courtenay)

For the following entry I'm going to begin with her mother, Elizabeth Plantagenet's side because I was able to find more information on them than her father, Humphrey De Bohun's.

I'm going to begin 300 years prior to her birth on her father's side.  If you have trouble following please feel free to ask me.  I also plan on drawing up a diagram when I finish her family line to make it easier to follow.

Rotrou, Seigneur de Nogent was born sometime in the late 900's.  I haven't been able to find anything on a spouse or lover, but I did discover that he did have a son named Fulcuich.

Fulcuich (Fulcois) was born, the son of Rotrou. He had two sons with Melsende, Viscountess of Chateaudun. He died before1032.

Hugues du Perche was born, the son of Melsende and Fulcuich. He had two sons with Beatrice de Macon.  Hugues was a 10th century French noble.

Geoffrey II was born, the son of Beatrice and Hugues. He had a son with Ermengarde in 1043. He died in 1043.  Geoffrey was the Count of Gatinais. 

Fulk IV was born on April 30, 1043, in Anjou, Isère, France, the son of Ermengarde and Geoffrey. He married Bertrade de Montlfort in 1089 in his hometown. He died on April 14, 1109, in his hometown at the age of 65, and was buried in Maine-et-Loire, France.

Fulk IV (Foulques IV, le Rechin) was the Count of Anjou from 1068 until his death.  His mother, Emergarde, was the sister of Geoffrey Martel who and been his predecessor as the Count of Anjou.  When he passed away he didn't have any direct heirs so it then fell to his nephew, Geoffrey III, Fulk's older brother.  The brother's fought over which one of them truly deserved to be the Count of Anjou.  Fulk eventually captured his brother in 1067. 

The Church urged Fulk to release Geoffrey III, which he did.  Shortly after the brothers began to fight again.  The following year, Fulk captured his brother again, this time for good. 

An interesting fact that I found was that Fulk IV may have been married as many as five times.  The wife that we will be following in this branch of the family tree, Bertrade de Montlfort,  was his final wife.  Supposedly she was "abducted" by King Philip I of France in or around 1092.  She would later marry Philip and become his Queen Consort.

My next post will start with their son, Fulk V, King of Jerusalem.  

The Courtenay line part 2

I apologize for this long post.  I found so much information on the following people that I decided to just use their wikipedia posts instead of consolidating all of their information into my own words.

When Hugh (2nd Earl Devonshire) De Courtenay was born on July 12, 1303, in Okehampton, Devon, England, his father, Hugh, was 26 and his mother, Agnes, was 24. He married Margaret de Bohun, 2nd Countess of Devon on August 11, 1325. He died on May 2, 1377, in Exeter, Devon, England, at the age of 73, and was buried in England.

On January 20, 1327 Hugh was made a knight banneret.  In 1333 both Hugh and his father were at the Battle of Halidon Hill.  In 1339 they were also with the forces which stopped a French invasion at Cornwall.  In 1342, Hugh was part of King Edward III's expedition to Brittany.  In 1350 Hugh was granted permission by Edward III to travel for a year.  During that year the house of the White Friars was built for him in London.   In 1352 he was appointed Joint Warden of Devon and Cornwall, and returned to Devon.  In 1361 he and his wife were legatees in the will of her brother, Humphrey de Bohun, 6th Earl of Hereford, which greatly increased his land holdings. 

Courtenay made an important contribution to the outcome of the Battle of Poitiers in 1356. The Black Prince had sent the baggage train under Courtenay to the rear, which proved to be a wise manoeuvre as the long trail of wagons and carts blocked the narrow bridge and the Frenchmen's escape route. Courtenay played little part in the battle as a result of his defensive role. Courtenay retired with a full pension from the King.  In 1373 he was appointed Chief Warden of the Royal Forests of Devon, the income of which in 1374 was assessed by Parliament at £1500 per annum.  He was one of the least wealthy of the English earls, and did not compare in this respect with his much wealthier fellow warrior lords such as Arundel, Suffolk, and Warwick.  He had nevertheless a retinue of 40 knights, esquires and lawyers in Devon.  He also held property by entail, including five manors in Somerset, two in Cornwall, two in Hampshire, one in Dorset and one in Buckinghamshire.  The earl had stood as patron in the career of John Grandisson, Bishop of Exeter.   He supported the taking-on of debt to build churches in the diocese of Exeter.  He died at Exeter 2 May 1377, and was buried in Exeter Cathedral on the same day.  His left a will dated 28 Jan 1391.

When Sir Philip de Courtenay was born in 1355 in Powderham, Devon, England, his father, Hugh, was 52 and his mother, Margaret, was 44. He had a daughter with Anne Wake in 1380. He died on July 29, 1406, at the age of 51.

Sir Philip Courtenay (c.1355 – 29 July 1406), of Powderham, Devon was the fifth son of Hugh Courtenay, 10th Earl of Devon (1303-1377). He was the founder of the cadet dynasty known as "Courtenay of Powderham", seated at the manor of Powderham, until then a former Bohun manor of little importance, whilst the line descended from his elder brother, the Earls of Devon of the mediaeval era, continued to be seated at Tiverton Castle and Okehampton.

He was known as a rash, angry and temperamental man but was skillful in naval and military affairs. Philip served during the Spanish War. He was with Edward the Black Prince at the famous victory of the Battle of Najera. He was knighted before the battle with his brothers Peter Courtenay, K.G., and Hugh Courtenay, K.G.

On his return Sir Philip was made Adrmiral of the West responsible for defending a coast plagued by pirates. In 1373 he was put in charge of a large supply convoy to Gascony. In August, the expedition took the Castle of Gurry.

Back in England, he launched a petition to parliament protesting against corruption of the Stannaries, which he claimed was preventing protection and patrol of the coastline. That August, Philip was engaged with Peter in a desperate battle against the Spaniards during which they were both captured as supplies failed to get through to Gascony. Two Bristol burgesses paid a large ransom for their release. In return they were granted trading exemptions from customs tax.

In February 1383, he became Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, serving for 10 years under King Richard II. He attended the parliament that met at Salisbury in April 1384, but in July his duties were taken over by the deputies. In 1385 the King gave him powers of administration in Dublin. He did not stay long and returned to London on 6 May. That Christmas the Great Council met to discuss charges of extortion levelled at Courtenay. In January 1386 he was dismissed from his post, arrested by the Crown in March. Sir Robert de Vere was created Marquess of Dublin and Viceroy. By 1387, De Vere was styling himself as duke of Ireland. Courtenay was elected to the Commons in October 1386, and petitioned against the perceived injustice. He received compensation for the loss of Ireland. By the end of 1387, the Lords Appellant had banished de Vere.

Courtenay also served as Steward of Cornwall in the 12th year of the reign of Richard II.  Pope Urban VI challenged the English to join a Crusade in 1383.  John of Gaunt opposed any such venture; whereas the clerical party was supported by Henry le Despencer, Bishop of Norwich and Sir Philip Courtenay. Gaunt made the Priory of Somborne over to the Courtenays. There in Hampshire they attacked and tortured the Carmelites, and when they accused Gaunt of treason, the knights caused the death of the Friar.

It was perhaps as well for his privilege that Sir Philip was elected to parliament in February 1383, for he was not a favourite of Richard II. Edward III had granted him a pension of £100 for life, which was confirmed by Richard II in 1378. The Black Prince had granted him two annuities of £50 each from the Duchy of Cornwall, which were doubled on his marriage in 1393.

Richard II demanded his presence in parliament because he had been given the official post of Keeper of Dartmoor Forest in 1370, and granted substantial estates in Devon from 1380. In March 1388, he received four parks, which he forfeited to the Merciless Parliament. But he was granted the Royal Manor of Haslebury Plucknett  for a period of six years. In 1391, the manor of Dartmoor and manor of Bradninch were granted to him and his wife, for the sum of £39 p/a. All these landholding decisions were confirmed by Henry IV.

In December 1404, the King ordered Philip to grant Dartmoor and Bradninch to Henry, Prince of Wales.

Courtenay was still Steward of the Duchy of Cornwall until 1392. Two years later he was preparing to go on an expedition with the king to Ireland. Philip was in charge of royal household arrangements as the steward. He was to this end commissioned to find fish from Devon and Cornwall for provisions. Whilst in Ireland he soon fell out with Robert de Vere, Duke of Ireland,  the royal favourite, and was removed as royal troops commissioner.

By 1399 Sir Philip was an experienced soldier called upon to suppress the Welsh revolt. He called up the Commissions of Array. He bought transporters of the soldiers and horses for the 1402 expedition to Brittany, and the sailing against the King of Scotland in 1400.

He criticised ships lying idle in the docks, and reported to the Royal Council. They urged Henry IV to bring the experience of the West Country men in provisioning stores against France in 1402. Sir Philip also sat on the Council of 1405. Despite falling into terrible debts governing Ireland, he was exonerated of any crimes and pardoned by the King in 1393. When two men were dispossessed of their property Philip encouraged arbitrators Sir Peter Chudleigh and Sir James Chudleigh MP to decide.  Many men complained of Courtenay's conduct: Sir Thomas Pomeroy was returned some property lost in Exeter in 1402. And Nicholas Potyngton managed to renew his complaint of 1393 for the loss of the manor of Bickleigh. Abbot of Newenham's property was stolen by sixty retainers; Courtenay ignored the summons to appear in Westminster. This he also did when summoned to answer for his conduct in forbidding the Abbot of Beaulieu access to his abbey.

Sir Philip was imprisoned in the Tower in November 1402 for clerical abuses against the Church. On 29 November he was forced to pay a recognizance of £100 by Sir John Arundell, and to Sir John Herle and Sir William Sturmy  a surety of £1000.

Philip had been very fortunate to receive property on the death of relatives. In 1357 he received the reversion of the manor of Moreton on the death of his brother, Thomas. In 1374 he had gained Broadwindsor and Cadleigh on the death of his brother, Sir Peter Courtenay, and the reversion of Honiton and Nuneham Courtenay, and East Coker. The Earl left him 100 marks in his will. In 1377, Sir Philip returned advowsons of Honiton and East Coker to Exeter Cathedral to construct a memorial to his father. His mother also left him seven manors from 1391 as well as her chapel.

Philip was granted Powderham Castle by his mother upon her death in 1391, as well as seven other manors.  He was succeeded by his son, Richard, Lord Chancellor and Bishop of Ireland, upon his death on 29 July 1406.  At that time he held one manor and hamlet in Dorset; three manors and a moiety and three advowsons in Somerset; and seventeen manors and five advowsons in Devon with some smaller properties. He was valued in 1405 to have an income of £140 pa.

From <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Courtenay_(died_1406)>

When Margaret Baroness de Bideford de Courtenay was born in 1380 in Powderham, Devon, England, her father, Sir, was 25, and her mother, Anne, was 36. She married Robert Cary in 1395 in Holway, Devon, England.  She died as a young mother in 1400 at the age of 20.

The de Courtenay line part one

Family of Margaret de Courtenay

Athon was born in 985 in Courtenay, Loiret, France. He had a son in 1034. He died in 1033 at the age of 48.

When Joscelin I was born in 1034 in Courtenay, Loiret, France, his father, Athon, was 49. He married Elizabeth Isabel de Montlhéry in 1065. He died as a young father in 1065 at the age of 31.

When Milon de Courtenay was born in 1070, his father, Joscelin, was 36 and his mother, Elizabeth, was 29. He had a son with Ermengard de Nevers in 1125. He died in 1138 at the age of 68.

When Reginald (Renaud) De Courtenay was born on September 27, 1125, in Courtenay, Loiret, France, his father, Milon, was 55 and his mother, Ermengard, was 55. He had a son with Hawise ( Avice d'Eyncourt) de Curcy in 1183. He died on September 27, 1194, in Devon, England, at the age of 69.

Renaud/Reginald was a French nobleman  who traveled to England and founded the English line of the Courtenay family.  He fought in the Second Crusade, with King Louis VII of France.  At some point he was involved in an argument with the king and in return he lost his French possessions as well as his daughter Elizabeth.  She was given to Louis' younger brother Pierre/Peter.

When Robert "Baron of Okehampton" De Courtenay was born in 1183 in Okehampton, Devon, England, his father, Reginald, was 58 and his mother, Hawise, was 48. He married Mary de Vernon in 1213. He died on June 26, 1242, in Devon, England, at the age of 59, and was buried there.

John de Courtenay was born in 1218 in Okehampton, Devon, England. He had his son, Hugh, with Isabel de Vere in 1251. He died on May 3, 1274, in Devon, England, at the age of 56.

John was a feudal baron of Okehampton. 

When Hugh De Courtenay was born on March 25, 1251, in Okehampton, Devon, England, his father, John, was 33 and his mother, Isabel, was 29. He married Eleanor le Despenser in 1274. He died on February 28, 1292, in Colcombe, Devon, England, at the age of 40.  He was buried in Cowick Pirory, near Exeter.

On several occasions Hugh de Courtenay opted to pay a fine to the crown instead of military service.

When Hugh "Earl of Devon" De Courtenay was born on September 14, 1276, in Okehampton, Devon, England, his father, Hugh, was 25 and his mother, Eleanor, was 14. He married Agnes de Saint John in 1292. He died on December 23, 1340, in Exeter, Devon, England, at the age of 64, and was buried in Devon, England.

Hugh fought and earned military acknowledgement during the English's campaign against Scotland.  At this point in time they were fighting against such characters as William Wallace and Robert Bruce.  He also served as a Lord in Parliament throughout the reign of Edward II and into the Mortimer Regency for Edward's son.  In 1306, he was knighted by the Prince of Wales, possibly for his efforts against the Scots.   In 1308, he was appointed as a knight banneret, one of the King's elite household.  In the reign of Edward II he became a Lord Ordainer, or one of the ruling council in the Lords.  He was appointed to the King's Council on August 9, 1318.  He was then appointed as the Warden of the coast of Devon and Cornwall in 1324 and in 1336.  On February 22, 1335 he was elevated to the Earldom of Devon and restored to his ancestral line.

The de Brian's and Holleway line 1349-1395

Update: The cabin that I mentioned in an earlier post is not the Week's family cabin.  I have discovered that it was a neighbors cabin.  It would still be interesting to check out for those of you that would like to see an example of an early settlement home.

Family of Jane de Brian

Sir Guy de Brian was born in Castle Walwyns, Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales. He had a daughter with Anne Barones De Hogan. He died in 1349

Anne de Hogan was also born in Wales.  Nothing more is known about her at this time.

Jane de Brian was born in Holway, Devon, England, the daughter of Anne and Guy de Brian. She had a with Sir/Knight John Cary in 1346.

Family of Margaret Holleway

Margaret Holleway was born in 1346, the daughter of Robert Holleway. She married Sir John Cary in 1376. She died in 1395 at the age of 49.

Family of Christian Cary

Sir/Knight John Cary was born in 1325 in England.  He had a son, Sir John Cary, by his second wife Jane de Brian, a daughter and co-heiress of Sir Guy de Brian.

Sir John Cary was born in 1346 in Holway, Devon, England, the son of Jane de Brian and John Cary. He married Margaret Holleway in 1376.  Their son Robert Cary was born in 1375, in Holway, Devon, England.  He died in 1395 in Waterford, Waterford, Ireland, at the age of 49.

John Cary served as a member of Parliament for Devon twice alongside his brother Sir William Cary.  In November 1386 he was appointed as Chief Baron of the Exchequer. 

He strongly support King Richard II and was condemned by the Merciless Parliament in 1388 because of his loyalties.  At first, he was sentenced to death, but this was changed to banishment to Ireland and his lands and goods were forfeited to the Crown.  He died in exile at Waterford in Ireland on the Friday before the feast of Pentecost in 1395.

When Robert Cary was born in 1375 in Holway, Devon, England, his father, John, was 29 and his mother, Margaret, was 29. He married Margaret Baroness de Bideford de Courtenay in 1395 in his hometown. He died in 1435 at the age of 60.

Robert was also a support of King Richard II.  In 1391 he became an esquire in Richards royal household and a year later he was also an esquire in John Holland's, Richard's half-brother, household.  In 1399, during the rule of King Henry IV, Robert's father's former estates were given to Sir Robert Chalons.  Robert decided to rebel and supported the Epiphany Rising in an attempt to get back his family lands.  The revolt was intended to assassinate King Henry and his sons, and to return Richard to throne.  When the revolt failed Robert was declared guilty, but somehow was able to go unpunished.  He was able to return to royal favor because of his first marriage in about 1402 with the influence of his brother-in-law Richard Courtenay. 

In 1413, King Henry V came into rule and Robert was fully returned to royal favor.  This came about partially because of Richard Courtenay and partially because of his triumph in a feat of arms against a knight errant of Aragon.

When Philip Cary was born in 1400 in Cockington, Devon, England, his father, Robert, was 25 and his mother, Margaret, was 20. He married Christian Orchard in 1422 in Devon, England. He on Sunday, the feast of St. Tecla the Virgin in 1437 at the age of 37.  Below is a picture of Philip.

When Christian Carey was born in 1438 in Clovelly, Devon, England, her father, Philip, was 38, and her mother, Christian, was 34. She married Richard Weekes in 1463 in Honeychurch, Devon, England. She died as a young mother in 1468 in Honeychurch, Devon, England, at the age of 30.

Elizabeth Avenell's family 1384-1488

John Avenell was born in 1384. He married Margaret Elizabeth (Joan) Avenell in 1404 in North Molton, Devon, England. He died in 1460 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, having lived a long life of 76 years.

Margaret Elizabeth (Joan) Avenell was born in 1384 in North Molton, Devon, England. She married John Avenell in 1404 in her hometown. She died in 1444 in England at the age of 60.

When Elizabeth Avenell was born in 1407 in Bispham, Lancashire, England, her father, John, was 23, and her mother, Margaret, was 23. She married Richard Wykes' in Axminster, Devon, England. She died in 1488 in England having lived a long life of 81 years.

Weeks pictures and documents

The plaque for Theophilus says the following:

Front: THEOPHILUS WEEKS / BORN AT FALMOUTH, MASS., IN 1708 / DIED AT SWANSBORO, N.C., IN 1772 / FOUNDER OF THE TOWN OF SWANSBORO / INSPECTOR OF EXPORTS FOR BOGUE INLET. / 1757 - 1772 / SERGEANT IN THE / ONSLOW REGIMENT OF MILITIA, 1754 / PLANTER AND INNKEEPER / BUILDER / DOUGLAS C. PARKER / SPONSORED BY / THE WEEKS DESCENDANTS AND / SWANSBORO'S 200TH ANNIVERSARY / CELEBRATION COMMITTEE / JULY 4TH, 1983

Stories of the Weeks men 1620-1816

    I discovered some interesting tidbits about some of the men discussed in my previous post.  I would like to share these with anyone that may be interested in this branch of the Weeks line.  

    William Weeks (1620-1689)

I discovered just yesterday that William Weeks became a tavern owner some point after settling in America.  He was a bit of a trouble maker from what I've been able to gather.  For the most part I wasn't able to find what the charges being brought up against him were.  I was able to discover that in January of 1666 he had been accused of selling "strong liquor" and had been made to promise that neither he or any of his family would sell said strong liquor again.

In 1667, William and his son also named William (1645-1715), were documented as travelling on the vessel Fifteen Toones on a trading trip from Martha's Vineyard when the vessel wrecked at Quick's Hole.  The vessel containing mostly food and household items was seized and looted by the Indians of Elizabeth Island.

    Benjamin Weeks (1685-1744)

I learned that Benjamin operated a ferry that was given to him by his father-in-law during the time that he lived in Falmouth, Massachusetts.  He and his family then moved to the White Oak area of eastern North Carolina where he and his wife, Mercy set up housekeeping.  I also learned that he was buried in the Weeks family cemetery in that area.

    Theophilus Weeks (1708-1772)

Theophilus was hugely important in establishing the town of Swansboro, North Carolina.  He was also their port inspector, which they originally named after him.  It was known as Week's Landing, Week's Whard, Weeks pint and several other names.  His home was close to the wharf so that he would be able to see the ships upon arrival.  He was known to be a man of honesty, which helped in his appointment of the town's custom's inspector.  Theophilus even had a wharf constructed at his plantation and later on a tavern.  Eventually, he would decide to subdivide his plantation into town lots and then sell these lots to his neighbors.  There is a plaque in Swansboro Park that honors him for his important role in founding their town.

   Silas Weeks (1737-1757)

Silas was a soldier during the American Revolution and reportedly died in service on May 22, 1778. A military land warrant was discovered in his name that was sold by his heirs on February 22 1785.

    James Weeks (1758-1816)

Sometime around 1794, this branch of the Weeks clan moved to the Sumter-Clarendon area of South Carolina.  There they were able to buy 150 acres from a man named Joseph Corbett.  James' settle house is currently on display at the Sumter County Museum in their early settlement display.  It was moved from its original tract of land near Pinewood.

Richard Weeks was born in Staines, Middlesex, England in 1545 to Robert and Margaret Weeks.  He married Florence Bicknell in 1570 in Middlesex, England.  Their son Robert Weeks was born in 1590 in Staines, Middlesex, England.  Florence would pass away in 1591 in Staines, Spelthorne Hundred, Middlesex, England.  She was followed by her mother-in-law Margaret in 1592.  Richard passed away in November of 1592 in St. Andrew, London, England.

When Robert Weeks was born in 1590 in Staines, Middlesex, England, his father, Richard, was 45 and his mother, Florence, was 41. He married Sarah Enderley in Middlesex, England. He died in 1638 in Middlesex, England, at the age of 48.

When William Weeks was born in 1620 in Staines, Middlesex, England, his father, Robert, was 30 and his mother, Sarah, was 35. He married Mary Lynde in 1645 in Edgartown, Massachusetts. He died on August 3, 1689, in Edgartown, Massachusetts, at the age of 69.

When William Weeks was born in 1645 in Falmouth, Massachusetts, his father, William, was 25 and his mother, Mary, was 15. He married Mercy Robinson on March 16, 1669, in his hometown. He died on February 16, 1715, in his hometown at the age of 70.

When Benjamin Weeks was born on April 4, 1685, in Falmouth, Massachusetts, his father, William, was 40 and his mother, Mercy, was 37. He married Mary Chase on January 14, 1704, in Tisbury, Massachusetts. He died on November 9, 1744, in Carteret, North Carolina, at the age of 59.

When Theophilus Weeks was born in 1708 in Falmouth, Massachusetts, his father, Benjamin, was 23 and his mother, Mary, was 21. He married Grace Judd Green in North Carolina.  He died on January 1, 1772, in Swansboro, North Carolina, at the age of 64.

When Silas Weeks was born on May 22, 1737, his father, Theophilus, was 29 and his mother, Grace, was 22. He married Zillar Hunter in 1757 in Carteret, North Carolina. He died on May 22, 1778, at the age of 41.

When James Weeks was born in 1758, his father, Silas, was 21 and his mother, Zillar, was 21. He married Rebecca OSteen Regin in 1779 in Carteret, North Carolina. He died in 1816 in Sumter, South Carolina, at the age of 58.

When James Weeks was born on October 20, 1782, in Sumter, South Carolina, his father, James, was 24 and his mother, Rebecca, was 23. He had a son with Rebecca O'steen in 1800.  He died in 1846 in Pinewood, South Carolina, at the age of 64.

James Benjamin Weeks was born in 1800 in South Carolina, the son of Rebecca and James. He married Sarah Webb in 1821. He died in April 1880 in Jefferson City, Tennessee, having lived a long life of 80 years.

 When William R. Weeks was born in 1842 in South Carolina, his father, James, was 42 and his mother, Sarah, was 39. He married Martha Nancy Hurst on April 17, 1863, in Sevier, Tennessee. Records indicate that he was a private for the Union during the Civil War.  He died in 1880 in Sevier, Tennessee, at the age of 38.

When James Weeks was born in March 1865 in Sevier, Tennessee, his father, William, was 23 and his mother, Martha, was 27. He married Edna Keeler in 1887.  He died on June 16, 1935, in Louisville, Tennessee, at the age of 70, and was buried in Maryville, Tennessee.  He is buried in Zion Chapel Cemetery in Louisville, TN.

When Jackson Weeks was born on July 15, 1899, in Sevier, Tennessee, his father, James, was 34 and his mother, Edna, was 29. He married Grace Breadon on October 9, 1924, in his hometown. He died on May 3, 1974, in Louisville, Tennessee, at the age of 74, and was buried in Maryville, Tennessee.  He also lived during the above mention World War I and the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927.

When Raymond Lonzo Weeks was born on July 15, 1929, in Blount, Tennessee, his father, Jackson, was 30 and his mother, Grace, was 22.  Military records show that Raymond was serving in the military as of November 1,1952.  He had a son with Lola Vivian Lemons in 1964. He died on August 19, 1982, in Louisville, Tennessee, at the age of 53, and was buried in his hometown.

I have been doing research on both my husband's and my own family tree.  I decided to start posting my findings online starting with my husbands family.  I hope that my information and stories are able to help any fellow researchers.

Weeks Family Tree

Richard Wykes was born in Axminster, Devon, England in 1397.  He married Elizabeth Avenell in 1433.  Their son Richard Weekes was born in 1433 in Honeychurch, Devon, England. Richard died in his hometown in the year 1476.

Richard Weekes was born in Honeychurch, Devon, England in 1433 to Richard and Elizabeth Wykes.  He married Christian Carey in his hometown in 1463.  Their son Richard Weekes was born the following year in Honeychurch.  Richard survived the deaths of his wife in 1468 and his father in 1476.  Richard Jr passed away on September 6, 1483 in Honeychurch.

Richard Weekes was born in Honeychurch, Devon, England in 1464 to Richard and Christian Wykes.  His mother passed away in 1468 and his father on September 6, 1483.  He would marry Lady Elizabeth Pilford in 1490 in Honeychurch, Devon, England and their son would be born five years later in the same town.  He passed away in Milton, Devon, England in 1500.

Richard Weeks was born in Honeychurch, Devon, England in 1495 to  Richard and Elizabeth Weekes.  His father would pass away 15 years later in Milton, Devon, England.  In 1515 he married Alice Kelly in Honeychurch.  Their son Robert (Atweecke) Weeks was born in 1519 in Henley Upon Thames, Oxfordshire, England.  He would pass way in either Honeychurch or Milton in 1524.

Robert (Atweecke) Weeks was born in Henley Upon Thames, Oxfordshire, England in 1519 to Richard and Alice Weeks.  His father would pass away five years later in Honeychurch, Devon, England.  On August 4, 1540 he married Margaret Smythe.  Their son Richard Weeks was born in 1545 in Staines, Middlesex, England.  Richard and his mother would both pass away in 1592.  Robert wouldn't pass away until 1610 in his home town.

I will have more posted in the next few days.  Currently I'll just be posting the people that we are directly descended from, but will eventually begin adding all of their brothers and sisters as well as the people that they married.