LOTS of NEW PEACH REC0RDS

I am excited to receive letters from several who have a lot of Peach genealogy to share with us that has heretofore been unavailable.

Although I have not received the bulk of this material yet, in this issue I will share what I have so far.

We've got a lot of new input from the Texas, South Carolina, Indiana, Pittsburgh, Marblehead, Delaware, Kentucky and Southern Maryland Branches.

I also got a query from a Peachee in Indiana and a Peachy from Maine.

ANOTHER SO. MARYLAND BOOK?

When I started researching what became known as the Southern Maryland Branch almost 20 years ago, I had no idea all the sub-branches that would be discovered disseminating from the founder, Joseph Peach.

Later, I found the Walnut, Illinois sub-branch connected to Joseph. Also, there was the Upperville, Virginia family that was linked to Joseph. Then, there was the Uniontown, Pennsylvania extension, along with the Hopwoods of Oregon.

When I published my book, THE PEACH TREE HANDBOOK, Vol.II, The Southern Maryland Branch, in 1988, I felt like the project was complete - and it was at that time.

However, since that book was released, we have gone to England to find out exactly where Joseph Peach lived and worshipped, along with his family background on the Isle of Wight.

And then in the past few years, exciting information has been discovered proving that there is a Pittsburgh, PA sub-branch and the Indiana branch that can both be linked to Joseph of Maryland.

Thanks to the constant intensive research Elizabeth, Dolores, and Emily Peach, Skye Driggs and Maureen McGowan-Singer, we now have something that justifies making a more exhaustive, comprehensive Southern Maryland book. Let me know your thoughts on this.

INDIANA Sub-BRANCH

Emily Peach wrote last month saying, "I am also interested in helping you research for this book. I live near enough to Pike and Dubois Counties in Indiana to visit their libraries and courthouses on weekend trips. I also have the connections in Wabash Co., IL and possibly even Knox Co., IN to go through the phone book and ask info. from Peach cousins." This is the kind of enthusiasm and perseverance that is needed to get all the credible information to put in a book.

Emily has already provided some new info. that I didn't have in my files. She descends from William Peach of Pennsylvania, son of William, Jr. who migrated from Maryland to Uniontown, PA prior to 1800. He in turn had a son, James Peach b.1833 Meade Co., KY, who married Rebecca Twitty.

James and Rebecca had a son, John Peach b. 1861 Pike Co., IN who married Amanda Walker. Both died in Knox Co., IN. Emily descends from these.

This is the same family from which Rev. Edward Peach and his Peach Family Band descend. In 1996, when we held our Peach Reunion in Knoxville and they entertained us, we had no knowledge they were in any way connected to the Southern Maryland Branch. This proves how much progress is being made.

Emily says, "John Peach and Amanda Walker and some of his brothers and one cousin moved to Knox Co., IN around 1910."

DELAWARE BRANCH

Charlotte McDowell writes after finding me via the internet, "I'm very interested in the Peach family info. you have compiled. This branch is from my husband Michael Lee McDowell's family. I've found info. at the Delaware Historical Society in Wilmington, DE, on the Peach family that I'd be willing to share with you."

Interestingly, much of the info. she was going to share came from a Rev. Peach who sent copies of his newsletter to the Society. This is where she gleaned her info., and guess who was this Rev. Peach?

However, she gave me some new info. that I will share. On page 264 of PEACH/PEACHEY MIGRATIONS, I show a John Peach III (3rd generation) who married twice, first to Eliza Townsend and second to an unknown wife. Charlotte shows this wife to be Elizabeth Young.

John and Elizabeth (Young) had in turn a daughter, Mary Adelaide Peach b.3/6/1841 and d.8/1/1874. She married 12/4/1861 to James Roberts Hoffecker, Esquire. b.8/19/1837, d.2/16/1915. Mary and James had a daughter: Anna Adelaide Hoffecker b.107/1867, d.1950. She was married to William Arnold McCrone (b.3/8/1858, d.3/10/1943) on 4/2/1891.

Anna and William then had a daughter: Anna Adelaide McCrone b.12/12/1898 New Castle, DE d.9/5/1966. She married Francis Wilson McDowell, Sr. on 3/10/1920 They in turn had a son: Francis W. McDowell, Jr. b.5/18/1922.

SOUTH CAROLINA BRANCH

Frank Davis of South Carolina introduced himself to me this month by writing, "I am the grandson of Annie Elizjane Peach Bowers and the great grandson of Lemuel Peach and great-great grandson of Daniel Peach.

"I have a great deal of info. already in my Family Tree on the Peach side of my family and would like to go back as far as possible with your books. To date Daniel Peach born 1836 is as far as I have been able to complete. Most of my info. came from my mother who is still living at 90. She is the second oldest living child of Annie Elizjane Peach and Lewis Bowers. I have spent a lot of time at Cassett, SC and Providence Baptist Church Cemetery doing my research." I look forward to sharing with Frank and seeing what other new info. he has to reveal to us.

Ed and Maxine Peach of McLean, VA write, "We are always pleased to receive The Peach Tree and again thank you for your efforts and great results. The formation stages of a new Peach book based on Virginia roots is especially of interest to us. I have a lot of this I have collected...and will send a bundle for you to sort out for any new leads." Thanks so much, folks. I will anxiously await "the bundle".

June Peach, wife of the late John H. Peach III of Louisiana, keeps me up-to-date with what’s happening with her family and church. I’m glad she is keeping active after losing her dear husband recently. God bless you, June.

Michael Cardinell of Mississippi informed me of the recent death of Ila Mae Peach Loyd, the daughter of George Mike Peach. Here is her obit.

Delt Democrat Times Monday, Feb. 4, 2002
LOYD INVERNESS - Funeral services for Ila Mae (Peach) Loyd, 89 of Inverness, (Ms.) will be today at 2 p. m. at Beulah Baptist Church, Inverness. She died Feb 2, 2002, at South Sunflower County Hostipal, Indianola. (Ms.) Burial will follow at the Southside Cemetery, Inverness, under the direction of Card Funeral Home, Indianola.

She was a member of Beulah Baptist Church in Inverness. She was the widow of Eldie Loyd. Survivors include two daughters, Bobbie Ruth Loyd Boutwell of Jasper, Ind., and Bonnie Jean Loyd McLendon of Isola, Ms.; Two sons, Eulo Loyd of Hernando, Ms., and Elton Loyd of Inverness, Ms.; one sister, Nellie (Peach) Richardson of Houston, Tx.; and 21 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren

"George Mike was the son of Simon Peach of Pickens Co., Alabama," writes Mike Cardinell. "I also have new info. on the children of George Mike Peach, being in contact with a long lost daughter of his. I will gather that info. and send it to you in a later email. To refresh your memory, George Mike was the son of Simon Peach of Pickens Co., Alabama." Thanks, Michael.

Joan Sutton of Houston, Texas, coincidentally, wrote me earlier about her grandfather, George Mike Peach. She inquired about my Peach Tree Handbook, Vol.I, So.Carolina Branch., saying, "I was getting scared that I would never learn about my grandfather. I only met dead ends."

MARBLEHEAD BRANCH

Joyce Jordan of Oregon sent me an extensive genealogy of a her father, Marblehead descendant, Elwin Russell Tall. I will quote it in part below. He was an eleventh generation from John Peach, Jr., founder of Marblehead.

Elwin Tall
Elwin Russell Tall, 84, a resident of Park Plaza Retirement Residence, died May 28, 2001 in Walla Wall, Washington. He was born on Feb.23, 1917, in Union, OR to William and Margaret VanTress Tall. One of eight brothers and two sisters, he attended school in Union and then high school at Gem State Academy in Caldwell, Idaho. He also briefly attended Walla Walla College.

In 1941, Mr. Tall joined the U.S.Army and served in the European Theatre. On D-Day he made many trips across the English Channel returning wounded soldiers to England. He also participated in the liberation of Paris.

On Christmas Eve 1945 he married Myrtle Egelhoff in Boise, Idaho. They moved to Baker, OR, then to Pendleton and then eventually to College Place, where they retired.

Survivors include his wife, of Walla Walla; a son, Jim Tall of Knoskia, Idaho; a daughter and son-in-law, Joyce and Ray Jordan of Fairview, OR, Gordon Tall of Dryden, WA and Dean Tall of Medford, OR; two stepgrand-daughters and a stepgreat-grandchild.
He was buried at Mt. Hope Cemetary, in College Place, Washington. Our prayers are with his family at this time.

Arden and Ann Peach of Bar Harbor, Maine, recently celebrated their 50th anniversary. Congratulations to both of these fine people, who have hosted me and my father in their home and have been one of my longest and most generous supporters of this Peach Tree Project.

Ann, the formerly Liane H. Nickerson, married Arden Leroy Peach Sept. 7, 1951 in Bar Harbor, where they both were born. They have three children: Cynthia, Daniel and Douglas. May they have many more years together.

Edward T. Peach of Nevada City, California, sends these encouraging remarks, as he often does.

"John, for these many years you have brought untold quantities of joy to so many Peach families! And it’s a wonderful kind of lasting joy - the ties that bind. And very little of this joy would we have experienced if it hadn't been for your keen interest and perseverance!

"I know I speak for my brother Donald (Mayor of Rangely, Colorado) and my son, David (a Gastroenterologist in Anchorage, Alaska). They are your keenest supporters and have absolutely enjoyed your work on the Marblehead Branch."

Gloria Peach of Kentucky says husband is hating his retirement. She's bragging about her new "sweet little granddaughter" now about 5 mos. old. Their son, Danny, is still a pilot who needs a lot of prayers as he faces possible terrorist threats.

TEXAS BRANCH

Where is Henderson Peach? That is the question that has been haunting some of us for many years. And now it has recently reappeared with a vengeance. I have heard recently from two of his descendants, Ken Peach and Tennia Peach Cole.

Ken Peach writes, "My sister and I have been researching the Peach family of Texas that descended from Henderson Peach of Tennessee. I have run through cd's, books and sent emails and letters but have nothing.

The story of "Henderson" was that he was "bound" out to a farmer in Tennessee when as a young lad. He never remembered what his parents names were nor if he had brothers or sisters. He ran away when he was a teenager to another part of Tennessee, got married and moved to Texas. I have tried to track anyone named Peach from other states around Tennessee and see if they had a child named "Henderson", but no luck.

Tennia Cole shares about this same forefather, Henderson, writing, "I have so much info. for you about my line that I feel we must meet. I do have large file boxes full of stuff that is not in any of your books that I have seen. Thank you so much for all the immeasurable contributions toward this Peach family.

Let's double our efforts and see if we can help these Peaches in distress. As Ken asks, "What do you think I should do next? I appreciate any assistance I can get."

PENNSYLVANIA-KENTUCKY Connection

Emily Peach is doing her best to make a connection for Peaches between Fayette Co., PA and Meade Co., KY. This will help her build her family tree through the Southern Maryland Branch.

She says, "I need some help proving it all and confirming the connection to William Peach III. The following families are found in both Fayette Co., PA and Meade Co., KY

"I have found Fultons in the 1800 & 1820 Fayette Co., PA census living near William(II)Peach. The families of Fulton, Shacklett, Wimp, Jenkins/Jinkins, and Hayden are found in 1830 Meade Co., KY near William (III) Peach p 280.

"Also, some other families to keep a watchful eye for are Shaver/Shever, Rush, and Simmons/Limmons. There may be some connections between Fayette PA and Meade KY.

"One more twist to this, my grandfather John Peach married my grandmother Dorothy Guard (changed from Gard). If the Fayette PA and Mead KY connection is proven, then this would be rather weird for the Peach and Gard families to be reunited after living as neighbors 200 years ago. Any thoughts? "I'll keep working on Kentucky and Indiana. Would any of you have some more details from Pennsylvania to add about comparing families from Fayette and Meade. Thank you!!! Emily

SOUTHERN MARYLAND BRANCH

Dorothy Asmus is sad to report that her cousin, John Henry Peach, died on July 7, 2001, in Hawaii. He was born 8/15/1913 in Lamont, Oklahoma. He married Marguerite Lee in Honolulu on 4/22/1938, being united for 63 years. Our prayers go out to all their family in the loss of this, their loved one.

"As usual," Dorothy continues, "We read the newsletter cover to cover. My cousin, Mary Claypool, is not well. She is still at home in Seal Beach, CA, where her daughter, Carol, is caring for her." Let's keep them in prayer too.

I was delighted to hear from Fran Moorhouse of North Carolina recently. It's been years since I heard from her. She's so happy that Nancy Bouvier "gave a bunch of us Peach descen-dants a rock from the old home (now Bowie, MD, country club house) built in 1727 by Joseph Peach and Mary Isaac. Each rock has a plaque on it with the name of Mary Isaac, Joseph Peach - date of house, etc.- enough to identify the rock.

"Anyway, a niece and nephew of mine welcomed the rock and happened to mention they do not have the Peach book to really examine our line. Thus, I am getting them for their Christmas presents. Family books are now more important than ever." Thanks, Fran

Lou Falcone is another researcher for his Pittsburgh sub-branch of So.MD branch. "I was astounded to find out how far back in this country my branch of the Peaches goes."

A VIRGINIA PEACHY

Farnham Blair of Maine writes, "My maternal grandmother was Eliza Russell Peachy, born Mt. Jackson, Virginia, 1873. Her family came from Williamsburg, VA, and I have those details if anyone's interested.

"My mother was Anne Meem Peachy Denton, born Oakmont, PA 2/4/1914. I am her only son, Farnham Denton Blair, born Washington D.C., 1/16/1943. One of my daughters is Sarah Peachey Blair Reeves, born Sharon, Connecticut, 11/21/1968."

Farnham has a great abundance of info. to share on his family, and I look forward to receiving it and finding out more about this. Keep in mind, the English Peachy and Peachey origins in America primarily came from Virginia. And especially the most illustrious and notorious of them. One of which is Dr. William Peachy of Saudi Arabia, one of our faithful supporters to this Peach Tree Project.

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

My Books and Videos

The Peach/Peachey Migrations, 1066-1990 - $39.95 + $5 shipping.
The Peach Tree Handbook, Vol. II, Southern Maryland Branch - $29.95 + $5 shipping.
The Peach Tree Handbook, Vol.III, Marblehead Branch - $62.95 + $7 shipping.
The Peach Heritage Tour video - $19.95 + $5 shipping.
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.

Sincerely, your captain, -John Harding Peach

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