Next PEACH REUNION
in Knoxville, Tennessee

We have had many requests lately to host another national Peach reunion. After considering all options, we have chosen to invite everyone next summer to the 9th National Peach Reunion to be held here in Knoxville, TN in 2003.

Tentatively, the plans will be made for Saturday, June 28. However, if you want to come, and there is a conflict with that date, please let me know ASAP. I will keep you informed through this newsletter about the particulars. In the next issue of this Peach Tree, I will start taking reservations so we can get an idea about how many will be coming.
Come one - come all - to Knoxville!

LATEST PEACH BOOK NOW COMPLETED

On July 31, 2002, THE PEACH GENEALOGIES, Volume I, went to press. It will be a 283-page hard bound book with the following logo on the cover. This represents the three major coats of arms of the Peach and Peachey families.

The one in the center is the Peche of Bourn - of eastern England, the original arms going back to 1200 A.D. The one on the left is that of the Peche of Wormleighton - of central England. And the third is the Peche of Kent - of southern England (the Peachey lion with forked tail). Sir John Peche III, the most powerful of our ancestors in England, bore all three arms in his lifetime.

This book is the beginning of a brand new series of books I hope to write majoring on the genealogical records of each branch of the Peaches in North America. Volume I will be strictly focused on the Southern Maryland Branch.

However, it will take you back to the Isle of Wight and show you the parents and grandparents of immigrant ancestor, Joseph Peach, as well as his historical background there. Furthermore, it will include for the first time the Pittsburgh, the Indiana and the Washington sub- branches. These have all been found to be part of the Southern Maryland Branch. However, they were not found in The Peach Tree Handbook, Vol. II that I wrote in 1988.

We are hoping the book will be published before Christmas, giving you the opportunity of using them as gifts. I don't know the price yet, but I don't anticipate it being over $49.95.

I am starting a list of those who want to reserve copies of the book. When it comes off the press, you who have ordered them will be the first to know. In fact, our publisher will be printing on demand. This means he will only print as many books as we have ordered.

For instance, if we have 50 books ordered by the time the book is ready to be printed, those people who ordered will receive their books in the first printing. The rest will have to wait for the next printing.

To reserve your copies, just write me or email me, and I will put your name at the top of the list.

Tom Peach of South Carolina now deceased

We regret to inform you that Tom J. Peach of Camden, SC died on March 17, 2002. According to his dear wife, Lois, who sent the notice, "He had been in ill health since his first heart attack in 1997." Lois thanks us for our friendship with him. He was one of our main supporters and will truly be missed. Keep Lois and family in your prayers.

NEW REVELATIONS ABOUT PEACHEYS

Thanks to James L. Goode of Etters, PA we now know the background of another Peche descendant. He sent me a four-page copy of the "History of the Name Peachey for 150 years" written by his great great grandfather, Albert H. Peachey in 1926. According to Albert,

"Benjamin Peachey was born in the state of New York on Feb. 4, 1811. We know some of his people took part in the Revolutionary War. When he grew up, he went to New Jersey. He had one brother, William, who moved to Texas. William was married, and there were five sons in his family. He had one sister, Sarah.

"Benjamin Peachey and Ann H. Walters were married in New Jersey Oct. 1st, 1831. (Ann was born in New Jersey Feb. 28, 1808.) They moved to Philadelphia, Pa. From there they moved to Indiana. Next to Lawrence Co., Illinois. Next to Cass Co., Michigan.

To this union were born six sons and two daughters. The sons: Charles P., William W. and Aaron B. all served with the Union Army in the Civil War. The other sons were: Benjamin F., John H. and Albert Henry. The daughters were Mary A. and Sarah J.

"The family went to Michigan about 1847," says Albert, "It was a new country then. Benjamin senior secured 40 acres of government land....covered with timber....The home was near Macellous, Michigan.

"Albert H., the youngest of the family, was born in Nicholsville. His father was working at a saw mill at this place when he took sick and died. The family all scattered from Marcellous, Mich. - some going to the war, and some to one place and some to another.

"He took up the teaching profession when he was 21 years old....He followed this off and on for 34 years. Four of his children were teachers.... Albert lived in and near Nicholsville, Cass Co., Mich. for 25 years."

Like thousands of others who went west, Albert eventually left Michigan and set up temporary residence across the country until he finally settled down. In 1901 he and his family ventured into Oregon where they moved around for years until they finally settled in Ashland, OR in 1908.

TEXAS PEACHES

I called Tom Peach of Spring, Texas the other day and had a delightful conversation with him. He has sent me info. on his family. He put me in touch with his brother, Rev. John Peach, who pastors the church his father started in 1941 - Gospel Kingdom Church in Mt. Carmel, Illinois. He gave me more info. about the family. Here is what I have gleaned from this.

Tom and John's father was Rev. David Frank Peach who married Willa Waunita Wisehart, who gave him ten children (six girls and four boys). Seven of the children live in the Houston, TX while three others remain in Illinois. Rev. D. Frank, as he was affectionately known, pastored this pentecostal church some 26 years after planting it in 1941. Later, his son, John Franklin, became its pastor and now has served the church for 16 years. John informed me he is the oldest of the ten, being 68 years old. But he's not about to retire. He's really excited about the church and his ministry there.

Tom Peach shares this testimony. "There were four main families in Dad's church. They were Peaches, Banks, Doades and Bloods. Each family had 10 children - totaling 40. The oldest is now about 80 years, and the youngest is about 45. And out of 40 children, only one is gone-dying last March - age 50."

Recently, I received a book order from Ray E. Walls of Sisterdale, Texas. He is a professor of computer science at Schreiner University in Kerrville, TX. How he is related is unknown, but we welcome him into the fold.

SO. CAROLINA BRANCH

The Peach Tree Handbook, Vol. I, South Carolina Branch is now available again. I have only seven copies printed. Please let me know ASAP if you want one. First come - first serve. They are $29.95 + $7 shipping.

We want to welcome Catherine Hobek of Annandale, Virginia as a new member of our Peach Tree Project. She is a descendant of James E. Peach of South Carolina. And she is quite excited that she found the Peach books she needed to help her in her quest.

Rosalee and T. Clayton Moore, (now living in Bandon, Oregon), wrote last month: "Rosalee had two back surgeries in Sept., 2001. Then she had a complete knee replacement on Jan. 11, 2002. No cartilage left - the x-rays looked like jagged coral around the edges! It has been a very long recuperation and very painful. She thanks God for every day and pray He gives her the strength to bear the bad days.

Let's keep her and Clayton in our prayers. They have been to most of the Peach reunions and went with our tour group to England. And they have been so diligent in their search for Peach genealogy. And they are now asking about the next Peach reunion.

Rosalee says, "Your most recent newsletter was so very interesting. This praise comes from an avid history buff!" Editor's note: Thanks for those encouraging words, Rosalee.

My California Trip

In July, I spent a week in sunny California. Most of the time, I was visiting with my father and step-mother and family in the Sacramento area

I also had a great day spent in the Lincoln, CA home of John and Dorothy Asmus, along with Walter and Phillips Peach and Phillips' wife, Corrine. Another day was spent with Ted and Nancy Peach of Nevada City, CA. Thanks to all of you for your gracious hospitality and exciting visits.

WAR OF 1812

Caral Mechling Bennett of Arlington, VA sent me the following records of those Peaches who fought in the War of 1812. Let's try to determine which branch each one represents.

Isaac Peach, another Isaac Peach, Joseph Peach, Joseph of Joseph Peach, and Joseph of Richard Peach and William E. Peach all served in the Maryland Militia - and all were from the So. MD Branch.

Three Marbleheaders in this War were John Peach and Lot Peach, both of whom served in the Massachusetts Militia and Dr. Thomas Peach, who was in the Vermont Miliita - as a surgeon.

The lone representative of the South Carolina Branch who bore the surname "Peach" was James Peach, who served in the Tennessee Militia. The following are unknown to which branch they belong. Can anyone help with these? They were:

Edmond Peach - Rowe's Co., VA Militia
Phillip Peach of the 51 Reg't (Amey's), Maryland Militia
Philip Peach of the Flying Camp (McDowell's), Virginia Militia
Philip Peach of the 4 Reg"t, VA Militia
Philip Peach of the 19 Reg't (Ambler's), Virginia Miliitia
Stephen Peach of the 7th Reg't (Hutter's), Pennsylvania Militia

All were listed as privates except Dr. Thomas Peach. The sources were the War of 1812 Service Records and War of 1812 Pensioners.

MARBLEHEAD BRANCH

Recently, I received a nice letter from Barbara Peach of Marblehead, giving me an update on all the birthdays in her family. She says her grandson, Bill, was married on June 8 and bought a home right in her neighborhood.

We welcome William and Dorothy Boman and Michael Boman, all from Illinois, into our Peach Tree family. They are recently-discovered Marble-headers and said they had a large reunion of Marblehead descendants recently in Illinois. Among other things, they sat around and watched the Peach Heritage Video. Welcome aboard, folks!

Shirley and Bob Peach of Cary, North Carolina, said in their Christmas letter, "We now have been in North Carolina eight years, and have been blessed with many new friends at our retirement center, our church, at TransWorld Radio's headquarters, and those with whom Bob works professionally."

Those of us who went on the England tour remember Shirley. She is still going strong. Bob and she celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at our last reunion in Knoxville, TN in 1996. This means they have now been married 58 years. Congratulations!

One of their sons, Rev. Wesley Peach, is a missionary to Quebec, Canada. Recently, they moved to a larger building as the church he pastors continues to grow. PTL Another son, Bill Peach, has been busy teaching English in China. These Marbleheaders sure do cover the globe.

CONTENTS of New Book

To give you a better idea of what my new book, The Peach Genealogies, Vol. I covers, here are the chapters.

1. O, For the Smell of the Dogwoods (begins with Joe Peach in Iowa)
2. My Isle of Wight Roots
3. Maryland, My Maryland
4. Plantation Life in Maryland
5. Pennsylvania Pioneers
6. Indiana Hoosiers
7. Pennsylvania to Illinois
8. Pennsylvania Coal Miners
9. Maryland Homesteads
10. Virginia Peaches
11. The Joseph Peach Saga
12. The Smell of Dogwoods Returns
13. The Later Generations
14. The Dashiells of Washington

In the back of the book first is found the Relationship Chart. This is an exten-sive chart showing how each one in this branch is related to the immigrant ancestor, Joseph Peach, and thus to each other. This will help you determine who are your first and second and third cousins and those first removed, second removed, etc.

Following this is the exhaustive Index which will identify everyone in the book as an individual entry. Here is a sample:

Peach, William Walter
March 07, 1924 (his birth date)
138,147 (page numbers where he's found)
4th great-grandson (he is the great-great-great-great grandson of immigrant ancestor, Joseph Peach)

Walter Peach of San Francisco, CA was one of the two who did the proofreading on my new book. (The other was Nancy Bouvier of Upper Marlboro, Maryland. I really appreciate all the time and effort both of these English scholars put into this project.) Just the following few words from him makes all the time I spent on this book well worthwhile. Walter always says it like it is, even if it hurts. But what he says here soothes my soul,

"John, you pulled me into the story immediately, and I finished the chapter anxious to hear more. Your stuff is fascinating."

Quintin Foster, Jr. is our newest Southern Maryland Branch member to join our Peach Tree Project. He lives in Salt Lake City, Utah and makes this generous offer,

"If you ever need any footwork done in the genealogical library here in SLC, I'll be glad to run errands, do any research you would like, or just be of any help that I can. Since I'm retired, this would be an interesting diversion for me."

What a blessing this is!!! Just to think that 19 years ago, we only had a small mustard seed with which to work. And now, we have significant people in important places willing to do whatever they can to make our Peach family complete. We can't thank you enough for this, Quintin.

Another one of the So. Maryland Branch who is in Utah is Pam Fossum. She lives in Provo and has indicated her willingness to research at the Mormon Library in SLC also. Another blessing to us all. Thanks, Pam.

MYSTERIES?!?

I am really struggling with all the similarities between the Southern Maryland Branch and the beginnings of the Kentucky Branch. Daniel Peach, the founding ancestor of the Kentuckians, was the son of William Peach and Elizabeth Wood (s). A grandson of immigrant ancestor, Joseph Peach, of the So. MD branch, was also William Peach who married an Elizabeth Wood.

However, Daniel was born between 1765-1770, whereas the William and Elizabeth of the So. MD branch were married Dec. 1, 1789. So this is one generation off. Could it be that William's father, William, Sr. could have also married an Elizabeth Wood. If so, then Daniel could have been their son.

My Books and Videos

You will notice the price increase on the Vol. II book. This was the original price for the book and reflects its true value. My inventory on them is running low.

The Peach/Peachey Migrations, 1066-1990 - $39.95 + $5 shipping.

The Peach Tree Handbook, Vol. I, So. Carolina Branch - $29.95 + $7 shipping.

The Peach Tree Handbook, Vol. II, So. MD. Branch - $39.95 + $5 shipping.

The Peach Tree Handbook, Vol.III, Marblehead - $62.95 + $7 shipping.

The Peach Heritage Tour video - $19.95 + $5 shipping.

Sincerely, your captain, -John Harding Peach

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