KANSAS BRANCH

Linda Peach Hendrickson of Victorville, Calif. wrote recently: "I am so excited about your book. I believe you said I am part of the Kansas branch of the Peach family. I have just begun to research my family tree. It is the most fun I've ever had when dealing with history - never my favorite subject 'til now." Welcome to the Peach Tree Project, Linda. Letters like this keep me happy.

Years ago, in P.T.Issue 103, I submitted this query and got no response.

However, after preparing the Kansas Branch info. for my proposed book, I was able to fit this into this branch - with a few discrepancies.

1st - she shows him born in Trego Co., KS, whereas Donald Ratekin in his detailed research shows Benjamin born in Osborne Co.
2nd - she shows Benjamin's wife as being Elsie J. Austin, whereas Don gives her name as Elizabeth Josephine Austin.
3rd - she has their daughter, Veda, dying in Tulsa, OK, whereas Don has her death in Osborne Co., KS. Hopefully, these discrepancies can be resolved soon.

Christian Bicknell sent a query about his roots, claiming Josephus Moody Peach as his GGGGrandfather. It so happens that he is also in this branch.

MINNESOTA BRANCH

Kathy Parke of Michigan contacted me on the internet recently with this query:

"Does anyone have info. on Richard Peach, Sr. b.1/15/1822 in Yorkshire, England?" She referred to his marriage to Alice De Rome and their migration to the USA, eventually in Minnesota.

She also wrote that, "Richard's parents were William Peach and Elizabeth Watson. Richard and Alice had several children, one of them being Annie Bell Peach." I assume she descended from Annie, with her direct reference to her.

I responded to her query and sent her my PEACH/PEACHEY MIGRATIONS book. Welcome to the Peach Tree Project, Kathy.

Deb Lester also answered her via internet saying, "I am a great, great granddaughter of Richard and Alice Peach (Theresa Hopkins Peach, formerly of Wisconsin, was my great grandmother). I am also interested in more info., as I am a member of the 'Minnesota' Peach family.

O. John Taylor of California has been responsible for putting most of this family's history together. We congratulate him for being named "Citizen of the Year for 2000 by the Fowler, CA Chamber of Commerce.

After serving for years as Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, he retired in 1991. For many years, he published his "Peach Tree" newsletter for this branch. What a fete!

SOUTHERN MARYLAND BRANCH

Ralph E. Peach, Sr. of this branch passed away on Sept. 19, 2001. His great niece Rose Mullins sent the following reflections about him.

"He was born Aug. 12, 1912 in Baltimore, MD. He lived his last 25 years in Zephyhills, FL with his wife, Edna. They had been married 22 years. He leaved behind two sons, Ralph Jr. and Edward. He will be sorely missed."

Phillips Peach of California sent these encouraging words that really lifted me up on a dark, gloomy day.

"Thanks again for all the work you put into getting out the newsletter. I appreciate it." (Some of the most precious times I have spent have been with Phillips and his lovely wife, Corrine. My, how I miss them). He continues,

"My brother, John H. Peach, in Hawaii will soon be 88. He broke his hip recently and is having a tough time." Let's keep him in our prayers.

On a lighter note, Ann Baughman contacted me for the first time last month on the internet asking info. about a Harry E. Peach b.1866. Married Josephine Orrell Makemson. Had children: Joseph, Harwood, John and Elizabeth. Lived in Topeka, KS area.

I was glad to report to her that he was from this So. MD Branch, as shown on pages 131-137 of my book. He was V.P. of the Citizens Natl. Bank of Emporia, KS. Welcome aboard the Peach Tree Project, Ann.

SOUTH CAROLINA BRANCH

Recently on the internet, there was a query sent for a Sarah Peach of Putnam Co., Georgia by a man named Oscar Martinez looking for his family's roots. Here was what I found:

"I show Sarah Peach b.1803 in S.C. On 2/23/1826 she married Jonathan Kendrick in Putnam Co., GA. He was born 11/2228/1798 in GA and died 1859-60. The 1850 census shows Sarah and Jonathan Kendrick living in Heard Co., GA."

According to the response of a Carol Kendrick, "Date born only 1809. Nothing else on her except they were in Henry Co., GA in 1830 and Heard Co. GA in 1840 and 1850. Her husband, Jonathon, died in Arkansas in 1862."

Bobbye Winston adds a lot to this in her well-researched book, The Peach Kith 'N Kin, 2nd edition. "She (Sarah) is believed to have moved to GA to live with or near her brother, James Peach. On Feb.23,1826, Sarah Peach married Jonathan Kendrick in Putnam Co., GA.

"It is not known what happened to Jonathan and Sarah Peach Kendrick after 1859 when they left Heard Co., GA. In that year a large group from Heard Co. went to Columbia Co., Arkansas to a township named Atlanta. At least three of their children went to Arkansas. Sarah Peach Kendrick died sometime after 1860" (pp.14,15).

By comparing the notes of Carol, Bobbye and myself, we've made quite a connection from S.C. to Arkansas.

In rereading my Christmas cards from last year, I came across a lovely one from Clayton and Rosalee Moore. They made the big move from southern California to rural Oregon. These folks have come to many of our National Peach Reunions, as well as our trip to England. They have meant a lot to so many of us. They write of their excitement about the new environment.

"We finally made our long anticipated move to our 10 acre "little plot of heaven on earth." It is so beautiful....50 to 69 ft. trees viewed from every window - long winding driveway - deer eating most of my flowers next to the house - raccoons chomping on everything in sight!" We're so happy for the both of you and pray for your failing health.

Another family that's attended many reunions we miss a lot is that of Ed and Maxine Peach of McLean, Virginia, and their lovely daughter, Mary. Maxine wrote recently,

"Always pleased to receive your Peach Tree. I was especially interested in the new Virginia branch. I keep in mind John Peach (Shropshire) and any Virginia connection."

Of course, she is writing about the founder of this S.C. Branch. Maxine has done so much research on the Peach history of all branches that come from Virginia. Some of my most precious moments have been spent in their spacious beautiful home. How I miss them.

Mary O. Coleman of Texas wrote, "I was so pleased to receive The Peach Tree, Issue #121. There was my Monroe Peach. I thought he was my ancestor but really had no proof.... The article sent to you by Patsy Carpenter Craig gives info. about Monroe Peach and his wife, Mary McGill. I did not know the last name of Monroe's wife."

Mrs. Coleman has been trying to make the connection of her family back to South Carolina for the past 17 years of this Peach Tree project. Alas, we were able to find the missing link that proved she was of the So.Carolina Branch. She says Monroe and Mary Peach had four children, one named Indiana, who was the great grandmother of Mary Coleman.

How grateful she and I both are that we were able to make this connection. This is what the Peach Tree project is all about. Thanks for all those years of patience with us, Mary.

Gene Peach of New Mexico (S.C. Branch) wrote last Christmas, "I'm still photographing the working ranch and rodeo cowboy worlds....The Pro Rodeo Cowboys Assn., the NFL of rodeo, has hired me to shoot one-on-one portraits of their world champions, Hall of Famers and rising stars for various publication covers.

"It's been a true pleasure working with these fine people. But my main focus is photographing working ranch families.... Real cowboys are highly skilled, deeply-rooted agricultural people - not gunslingers or TV heroes." I wonder what Gene is up to this Christmas.

PITTSBURGH BRANCH

Maureen McGowan-Singer writes about her ancestor, John Peach, founder of the Pittsburgh sub-branch of the So. Maryland Branch.

"John Peach was born in 1805 - so too young to have fought in the War of 1812. We know in 1830 he was on the census for Allegheny Co., PA and remained there for decades. He died there, proved by a copy of his will I have filed in Allegheny County.

"But a John Peach in Fayette Co., TN and one born in Fayette Co., PA is a bit of a coincidence." (Editor's note: She's referring to an article I recently published in the Peach Tree re: a land grant for a John Peach in Tennessee).

"By the way, Elizabeth Peach (my cousin in Pittsburgh) found a copy of a land grant for our John Peach in Ohio. Elizabeth said that family oral history related that John had gotten a homestead of land in Ohio and used to ride horseback out there every year to pay the taxes until he finally got tired of doing that and stopped going.

"I guess the land was re-claimed and sold for back taxes. I need to look at the paperwork and see which township/county it was in and compare that to where the Prince George's Co. cousins went in Ohio. It would be a connection if his land was in the same area where the other So. Maryland Peach family settled." Thanks for this valuable input, Maureen. I have fond memories of the time spent with she and her husband, Donald, in Marblehead last year. Best to you both. As I was going through my old mail, I came across an internet query that might add some light on the part of the Southern Maryland Branch that went to Pennsylvania.

Coral Draxten is searching for info. on the following families:

1. Zachariah WOOD b. ca. 1766 mar. 9/2/1790 in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland to Rebecca CHAPLINE b. ca. 1769 in Prince George's Co., MD. They moved to Fayette Co., PA ca. 1798.

2. Charles WOOD ca. 1740-1824 Owned land in Prince Geo. Co., MD 1773-1796. Purchased land in Fayette Co., PA 1797. Died there 1823/24

3. William PEACH married Elisabeth WOODS 12/1/1789 Baltimore. Both the William CHAPLINE family and the William PEACH family moved to Fayette Co., PA ca. 1800. Later, William and Sarah CHAPLINE and Joseph PEACH (son of William and Elisabeth Peach) were close neighbors of Isaac WOOD (eldest son of Zachariah and Rebecca WOOD) in Highland Co., Ohio.

Is this info. any help to anyone out there, and do you have any info. to share about this that would help Coral?

If you want to subscribe to a hard copy of this Peach Tree newsletter, send $12 for 18 mos. (6 issues) to: John H. Peach, 221 Geronimo Rd. Knoxville, TN 37922

The Peach/Peachey Migrations, 1066-1990 book can be yours for $39.95 + $5 shipping. The Peach Tree Hand-book, Vol. II, Southern Maryland Branch is only $29.95 + $5 shipping. Or maybe you want my latest book, The Peach Tree Handbook, Vol.III, Marblehead Branch for $62.95 + $5 shipping.

Sincerely, your captain, -John Harding Peach

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