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.