WHEN WE WERE A MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE

Occasionally, we who are the Peaches and Peacheys need to stop and reflect on our rich heritage. So many times we take this for granted.

But before we began this "Peach Tree Project" 19 years ago, about all many of us knew was that we came from England. Some thought they knew from what county or city they came. But that was the extent of it.

We had no idea we were a most noble and influential family in England for hundreds of years. We didn't know that we all are related through the Norman knight under William the Conqueror, namely William de Peche I.

Had we not been of noble lineage, we would have been merely "serfs" or "peasants" in England. As such, there would have been no public records made of us and thus no genealogy.

Furthermore, we had no knowledge of being originally French (Norman). And no one knew before that we were Danish Vikings. The only one who has a richer heritage in England would be the royal family, and which one of us would want to be a "blue blood"?

I am dedicating this issue to a reminder of our rich heritage in England and will be referring to English records that heretofore have not been made public. So buckle your hats on and let's take a journey together some 500 years ago in medieval England.

DORSET NOBILITY

We know the Marblehead Branch came from the county of Dorset in England. And we know both a Nova Scotia and a Newfoundland Branch originated in the county of Somerset. But from where did they descend?

On pages 81-83 of The Peach/Peachey Migrations, Peaches were shown to descend from the Keeper of Selwood Forest. Prior to that, they were believed to come from the Wormleighton Branch (see pp.29-32 of Migrations), which would take them back to the twelfth century.

Since their original ancestor, William de Peche I, came to England in the eleventh century, this is taking us back to the beginnings of Peche ancestry. In fact, the Migrations book shows the generations of the Wormleighton Branch all the way back to William.

Here's some brand new history not revealed in the book. This is quoted from the masterful unpublished manuscript of Edwin Peck of 1944.

Sir Bartholomew Peche I was the powerful Sheriff of Dorset and Somerset from 1246 to1250. As the son of Robert Peche I, he was a great soldier in wars on the continent. Therefore, he was used frequently by King Henry III to fight battles outside of England.

As a reward for his service in France, Henry III granted him "all the lands of Baron Helias Gifford in Wilts, North Hants, Gloucester, Dorset, Somerset, Berkshire and Oxford, which were not returned to the Giffard until the later Act of Pacification of England."

King John preceded Henry III who began his reign in 1216. There is a Writ on record from John in 1213 for the Peche to surrender the Castle of Oldham in the county of Lancashire. This is just north of the present metropolis of Manchester, from where the Minnesota Branch of Peaches have their roots. It is uncertain whether this Writ was meant for Bartholomew or his father, Robert, but it was directed to this Peche family.

Sir Aymer Peche, son of Bartholomew, achieved the powerful title of Baron. (That's why he could and should be rightfully called "Sir" and "Lord".) Besides probably inheriting the title of Sheriff of Dorset and Somerset from his father, Lord Aymer Peche held also Tunstall and Loos manors in Suffolk; Pestede and Steeple manors in Essex; Baketon and Heining manors in Norfolk; and Great Bricett in Suffolk, which was his chief seat.

These manors were all in the northeast side of England, while Dorset and Somerset were in the southwest side. This shows how vast and extensive was his power. He had a brother, also a Baron, Sir Hubert Peche II, who was Lord of Coleby in Lincolnshire.

Aymer and his wife, Elizabeth Fitz Brian, had five children: Sir Edmund, Bartholomew II, and three daughters, one of whom married Sir Roger Loveday and was given Great Bricett by her father. Edmund was Lord of Alderton and Peche manors in Suffolk.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PECHE POWER?

With all this rich heritage and powerful nobility of the Peche, why aren't those of us who descend from them also rich and famous?

One reason is that the Peche family ended up on what became the losing side of the Wars of the Roses (1455-1485) (see p. 35 of Migrations).

But another reason was given by Edwin Peck's personal observation:

Down through the ages the marked independence of the Peche led to their own harm and foolishness. They were not noted for tact or diplomacy and were, as a rule, rotten courtiers. The Peche families as a whole seemed to have been stubborn and lacked a sense of family clanship. This has thrown some branches that were in high position and wealth for a hundred years down to families of no real importance.

Peck also claimed that, "Part of the failure of the Peche to become earls during the 12th century was no doubt due to their Peveril connection. This was because the Peveril lost power after William Peveril II fled to mainland Europe to avoid a trial by King Henry II for the murder of the Earl of Chester."

The Baron Hamon Peche I married Alice Peveril, niece of both William Peveril II and the great Baron Pain Peveril (both Standard Bearer of Normandy in the First Crusade and Standard Bearer of England under King Henry I).

SHAKESPEARE'S TIES TO THE PECHE

One of the ancient manors of the Peche was that of Clopton in Suffolk. When it came time for William de Peche III to inherit it, he became known as William de Clopton (of Clopton). Thus, the surname stuck, and as far as we know all the Cloptons today can trace their ancestry back to the Peche. (see p. 75 of Migrations).

Edwin Peck claims that "Shakespeare is said by some to have taken some of his characters from the Clopton family who were in his youth and later were the great lords of Stratford."

Peck also records that "William Shakespeare bought all of his lands and his house in Stratford from the Clopton....The Grete House in Stratford was built by Sir Hugh Clopton, Lord Mayor of London" in 1492 (the year Columbus discovered America).

He was a great benefactor to Stratford-upon-Avon and built the Clopton Bridge over the Avon River. Peck says, He "also built the New Place in Stratford where Shakespeare bought his town house"

In the Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare was baptized and buried is the Clopton Chapel. This is a separate room inside the church on the left side dedicated to the memory of Sir Hugh Clopton. This was the burial ground for a number of Cloptons for many years.

SO. MARYLAND ROOTS

Recently, my wife and I had the privilege of spending an evening with Don and Maureen McGowan Singer in Flat Rock, North Carolina. They have been doing extensive traveling and research on Maureen's Southern Maryland heritage, and she shared this with me by sending copies of her valuable records. I will share some of this as follows.

First and foremost, Maureen is trying to establish the evidence to prove that the So. Maryland Branch should be in the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.). This is by virtue of the fact that William Peach, son of immigrant ancestor, Joseph, was a Sergeant in our war for independence.

However, to do this she needs to find one more missing link. She must be able to prove that William Peach married Elizabeth Gaither. Can anyone help her with this? If you have anything that would substantiate this marriage, please send it to me. And I will make sure she gets it.

One of the contacts Maureen has made is that with David Peach of Plymouth, England, whose roots go back to the Isle of Wight. He wrote to her recently, part of which is shared below.

"Unfortunately, I have made no progress in finding out more about Jonathan Peach and Doraty (parents of Joseph, immigrant ancestor of So.MD Branch). Indeed, there is a distinct lack of records for late 17th and 18th centuries for Cowes/Northwood (from where Joseph Peach and his family resided). I am told that the incumbent priest left for pastures new and, having no replacement, took the parish registers with him!!!

"I suggest you make contact with Diana Harding on di.harding@virgin.net She is a mine of info., who not only has a lot of unusual info. such as leases, rents, taxes, etc. but is researching the history of Cowes and has some interest in Jonathan Peach, Merchant of Cowes.

"I continue with my research into the Isle of Wight Peach families and have now quite a large database on them. They, in the main, all seem to be related. According to the Electoral Roll 2000, there are 105 Peach's alive and well on the Isle of Wight. Many of them must be my cousins.

"Another very helpful lady is Ann Barrett who is a volunteer `look- up' researcher for the Isle of Wight FHS. She knows the IOW Record Office like the back of her hand. Her address is ABarrett4@compuserve.com"

"Incidentally, the Isle of Wight Record Office has an email address: record.office@iow.gov.uk I suggest you mail them saying when you will be visiting and which records you wish to view. This may save a little time and possibly allow them to do some forward searching for you. It is advisable to book a fiche/film viewer in advance, as it is a very small place with commensurate facilities."

These are some real valuable resources. Thanks to David Peach who can be contacted by internet at davepeach@dlpeach.fsnet.co.uk

GAITHER or WOOD?

"One question that needs answering," writes Maureen McGowan- Singer. "In 1794 (I think) Elizabeth Peach signed away her dower rights to some land that William Peach, Jr. was selling. Was this Elizabeth Wood or Elizabeth Gaither? I always thought `dower' referred to a widow's rights, and the dictionary backs this up.

"So Elizabeth Wood Peach's husband, William Peach, Jr. was still alive, but William Peach, Sr. had died. If this is Elizabeth Gaither Peach, this gives us some evidence that William Peach, Sr.'s wife was indeed an `Elizabeth' and that she was still alive. Since there is no mention of her anywhere else, this is an interesting document.

"She may have been the half-sister of Benjamin Gaither, a wealthy bachelor who was the Sheriff of Anne Arundel County and a large plantation owner. There is a possibility she went to live with Benjamin to serve as his hostess, housekeeper, etc.

"The only reason I raise this possibility is that her name is not mentioned in William, Sr.'s will, and he acknowledged the mulatto girl, Sarah, as his daughter (by giving her half of his holdings). Somehow, we need to sort out who could give a release to dower rights."

Editor's Note: We have so many excellent Southern Maryland Peach genealogists who receive this newsletter. Hopefully, there's someone who can shed the light on this intriguing and most significant question. Inquiring minds really want to know!

If you want to subscribe to a printed hard-copy of the Peach Tree newsletter, send $12 for 18 mos. (6 issues) to: John H. Peach, 221 Geronimo Rd. Knoxville, TN 37922. This will assure you that you get the news hot off the press. For instance, the material in this newsletter was sent to my subscribers of the mail-out version six months ago. They are six months ahead of those who receive this electronic version. This can be quite significant when we have deadlines to meet, such as our next Peach reunion. You will get the latest update long before it happens. But I am happy to send you this electronic version only if you so desire. Many are getting it both ways.

My Books and Videos

The Peach/Peachey Migrations, 1066-1990 - $39.95 + $5 shipping.
The Peach Tree Handbook, Vol. I, So. Carolina Branch - $29.95 + $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.

Sincerely, your captain, -John Harding Peach

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