9th NATIONAL REUNION
Sat., June 28, 2003

Reservations have been secured at the Holiday Inn of Knoxville, Tennessee for our next annual Peach reunion. This is the same excellent location as our 1996 gathering. The facilities are the best in the area, with its own restaurant, piano bar and indoor swimming pool. I have a reduced group rate for 15 hotel rooms at $89 (a 20% discount I was told). I will also get a listing of other motels in the area and make that available later. The reunion itself will include the banquet facilities with a dinner at noon, which will take $25 per person to cover costs. Children under 9 will be half price. Please send in the enclosed reservation form ASAP to help us properly prepare.

TERROR ENDS IN MARYLAND & VIRGINIA

What a relief it is to have the two men arrested who were charged with shooting 13 people in the D.C. area recently. My thoughts and prayers were with each of you who live in that area or who have relatives who do.

As Prince George’s County, Maryland kept popping up in the news regarding the snipers, it made me keep thinking about a whole branch of Peaches who began there and their descendants who still live in that area.

Many of our other Peach Tree supporters live in northern Virginia, D.C. and other parts of Maryland. Others were affected because of their relatives who live there or who just were traumatized by the fear of what could happen to any of their children wherever they live.

Since I work as a school counselor, I was well aware that many parents were having to decide whether it was safe to send their children to school. And then they had to second-guess themselves as to whether they made the right decision.

Hopefully, the true snipers have been found, and this kind of terror will not be perpetuated. We hope and pray these terrorist acts will come to an end, and we can live in peace and harmony with one another. Each of us has to dig deep into the faith we hold dear, praying for one another, our nation, our president and all those in authority. May this coming Christmas be one of great blessing to you and to yours.

PEACHY LAND GRANT IN KENTUCKY

According to a book about Jefferson Co., Kentucky, there was a William Peachy who had a 1000-acre land grant there in 1774. William served in the French and Indian War. Lynn Renau of Louisville, KY gave me this exciting bit of info. I am interested to find the source book for this. Meanwhile, she is trying to find out more info. about this Peachy fellow. Has anyone heard about him or this land grant?

With this revelation, it shows there were Peach/Peachy descendants in Kentucky before Elizabeth Peach came in 1814 to start what has become known as the KENTUCKY BRANCH of Peaches.

Furthermore, it would predate the first known birth of a Peach/Peachey descendant in Kentucky, who was Benjamin Peachee II in 6/17/1801. (See Peach Tree Migrations, pp. 302-304).

PEACH FARMS IN NEWFOUNDLAND

According to Roger (no last name given), Rev. John S. Peach was the owner of Peach Farms, now a historical sight in Carbonear, Newfoundland. He sent his query over genealogy.com on the internet, wanting to know more about John’s descendants. The Newfoundland Peaches and their descendants can be found on pp. 358, 359 of Peach/Peachey Migrations, but this is the first I have heard of their being a historic "Peach Farms" there.

THE PEACH GENEALOGIES, Vol. I

My latest book is in the hands of the publisher, going through some editing and revision. I have been quite impatient while trying to get this published by Thanksgiving. However, I regret to inform you I don’t think it will happen that soon.

With this manuscript, I am beginning a new series of books called The Peach Genealogies designed to major on genealogy, the "who-begat-who" type of thing. The history has already been written in my previous works. Therefore, there will be little effort to repeat the content of these books. This, like The Peach Tree Handbook, Vol. II, is also about the Southern Maryland Branch.

But since that book was published in 1988, three new sub-branches - the Pittsburgh, the Indiana and the Washington - were discovered and need to be officially added to this significant tree. Furthermore, when the Handbook was written in 1988, nothing was known about the birthplace and family of immigrant ancestor, Joseph Peach. Now, for the first time it will be revealed both his parents and grandparents identity and show his heritage on the Isle of Wight in England.

What gave me the burden for this series is the fact that I am sitting on thousands of pages of genealogical records, many of which never have been published. I am overwhelmed by the thought that these need to go into print as soon as possible. They are your records - not mine - and need to be shared with all those concerned.

Therefore, if this book is a success, then more will follow in the near future. Several new features in this book I hope you will appreciate are found in the back of the book. One is the Relationship Chart, showing how each of you are related to the Southern Maryland Branch as a whole. And then to add to this feature, in the index you will find the relationship of each individual to their immigrant ancestor, Joseph Peach.

I only hope you enjoy this book as much as I did in putting it together. My greatest joy has come in getting to know so many of you as we have shared our research with each other. Each time I have written a book in the past, I feel like it will be my last. However, I complete this book only anxious to write the next one. Thanks so much for all your help and encouragement to those who helped make this a real pleasurable experience.

I am taking orders for the book prior to publication and will guarantee those who order now will get their books first. This company will only publish as many as we have ordered in the first printing. Those who order later will have to wait for the second printing. Just let me how many copies you want set aside for you, and I will have them have them to you as soon as they come off the press.

SO. MD. PEACHES FINALLY IN D.A.R.

"I just received word I have been accepted into the DAR," writes Maureen McGowan-Singer, "based on the Revolutionary War Record of William Peach, Sr. of Prince George’s Co., MD. This is the first acknowledgement and first membership on this line. I would be happy to provide info. to anyone else on this line who wishes to pursue membership in either the DAR or SAR.

"This is a real victory and recognition for the Western Pennsylvania subset of the So. MD Branch. This, combined with my recent acceptance into the Colonial Dames of the XVII Century, give real validity to our line. Many thanks go out to all who helped me in this huge effort.

"I had help from Elizabeth and Dolores Peach, Lynn Welch and you. There should be lots of descendants who can join these societies if they are so inclined now."

Editor’s Note: My new book will list all the known descendants of this William Peach. This will include all those in the Western Pennsylvania and Indiana Sub-Branches. What an ideal way for each one of these to substantiate their relationship to William Peach, Sr. and become a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution? The publication of the book and the accomplishments of Maureen could not have come at a better time. Maureen’ s daughter is a school teacher in Montgomery Co., MD. We know Maureen and her family have been filled with anxious moments. Hopefully, they can rest easy now.

TENNESSEE MYSTERIES

Has anyone ever heard of an Elisha Peach in early middle Tennessee? Nancy Attey recently sent me Trust Deed from Elisha Peach to Asa Crumpler in 1838 in Bedford Co., TN.

Also, Marlene Hensley has a query about a Louise Peach born 6/6/1912 in Franklin, TN. She and a brother, Russell, were given up for adoption by their mother, Lue or Lou Dorton (or Horton). All the family lived in Franklin, TN. After her marriage to Jesse Pirtle, they moved to Arkansas.

I have tried to link this to James Peach b.1803 in SC. Farmer/laborer in Frank-lin, TN. He married Sarah Williams on 3/23/1825, who gave him 11 children. This included two females and one male born 1825-1830 whom had no names. Perhaps, these were adopted.

There is a Lois Bradshaw Elam on the internet who is also looking for her ancestry in Franklin, TN. She is searching for Sallie E. Peach.

"The only info. I have," says Lois, "is that she died soon after my mother was born 8/23/1907, and my mother had an uncle John we visited in Franklin, TN in the 1940’s. She was married at home, listed in her Bible as Forest Home. She also lists in the Bible Mary F. Peach was 64 years old in 1903, died 2/5/1903. C. G. Peach was also listed as 74 years old, died 11/20/1914."

If you can help with identifying any of these, please let me know.

SISTER MARY IGNATIA PEACH Memorialized

Recently, Kenneth S. Peach of Maryland sent me a clipping from the Catholic Review about the passing of a Nun from the Northern MD Branch.

Born Victorine Monica Peach on April 19, 1902 to James A. and Josephine (Oliver) Peach, she dedicated her life as a Visitation nun of the R. C. Church. This led to her name being changed to Sister Mary Ignatia Peach, V. H. M.

She was raised in the parish of St. Alphonsus in Woodstock, Maryland. According to the Review, she "was inspired as a child by the stained glass windows there, one of which depicted St. Margaret Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus."

Twenty years ago, her close personal friend, Mrs. Marguerite Grabenstein, began to assemble a collection of Sister Ignatia’s poetry. The Review continues,

"Before completing the project, however, Mrs. Grabenstein passed away. Her husband, Mr. J. Sebastian Grabenstein, generously has donated the publication of Sister Ignatia’s poetry in loving memory of his wife. Copies are to be given free to alumnae and other interested individuals. Kindly contact Maria C. Shaefer Nauman, Class of 1986, at 410-744-8498 ext. 140 to inquire."

Editor’s note: I can’t wait to get my free copy and hope that many of you will make the effort to get yours.

MARBLEHEAD PEACH DOLIBER CONNECTION

Who was the first founding father of Marblehead, MA? The Dolibers proudly declare they were the first, but the Peaches are quick to dogmatically say Peach beat Doliber to Marblehead.

"There are some Peaches today, who, with a twinkle in their eye, will say 'we held the boat for the Dolibers to come ashore’," writes Carin M. Gordon in the Marblehead Magazine (Vol.1, No.2), "while still other Peaches insist that their 'forebearers welcomed the Indians when they arrived'."

When I wrote my latest book, The Peach Tree Handbook, Vol. III, Marblehead Branch, I knew that the Peaches and Dolibers were believed to be related to each other, but I didn’t have anything to substantiate this. Now, thanks to Jack Lancy, we can now prove this relationship. He has sent me the genealogy of Joseph Doliber, of which part is shown below.

"1. JOSEPH DOLIBER was born Abt. 1602 in Selliettes - Stoke Abbots, Dorsetshire, England, and died in Marblehead. He married MARGERIE/ MARGARET PEACH Bef.1620 in England, daughter of Richard Peach and Mrs. Agnes. She was born Aft. 1602 in Symondsbury, Co. Dorsetshire, England, and died Abt. 1692 in Marblehead. (Source: Thomas E. Gray, The Founding of Marblehead (1984).

This would mean that Margerie Peach was the sister of John Peach, Sr., founder of Marblehead. (see p. 27 of The P. T. Handbook, Vol. III) With her marrying Joseph Doliber, this would make Doliber the brother-in-law of John Peach, Sr. rather than cousin, as has been thought for over 300 years.

Margerie (Peach) left a will dated 1/26/1692 and probated 10/3/1693. She gave Joseph Doliber the following children:

1. Joseph b. abt. 1620
2. John b. abt. 1622
3. Thomas b. abt. 1624
4. Mary b. abt. 1625
5. Hannah b. abt. 1626
6. Rebecca b. abt. 1627
7. Peter b. abt. 1629

All were born in England except the last one, Peter, who was born in Salem, MA. Therefore, the Dolibers brought a bundle of children with them when they came from England to Massachusetts with John Peach, Sr.

Prices for BOOKS and VIDEOS:

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

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

**I just got some new copies that are now available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

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.

HELP!!! Can you identify any of these families?

"According to the 1880 census of Pulaski, Oswego Co., NEW YORK, William Peach, stone mason, age 47, b. England with wife, Fanny J., age 27, b. NY (mother b. England) & children: Frank W., blacksmith, age 19, b. NY & Maggie, box factory worker, age 17, b. NY. Fanny must be second wife, which suggests wife, Mary, is deceased."

This article was sent recently via internet by Cindy Deuel. She also writes, "My grandfather’s cousin (Mildred Campbell Peach) was married to Harold Peach. There is a house in Pulaski, NY (town of Richland) they call the PEACH HOUSE, and Mildred told me once... that it belonged to her husband’s half brother."

I am really excited about this family and hope to get more info. from Cindy in her genealogy files and the Pulaski Historical Society. Let us know if you can help identify this family.

Kathy Peach inquires about her TEXAS roots. "I’m the daughter of Dixie Pea ch," she writes, "and granddaughter of Sonny George Peach, Big Spring, Texas, brother of Bill Peach. I’ve just started researching my genealogy and am interested in any and all info. on the Peach side of the family as far back as anyone can go."

This query is about the South Carolina Branch. "My husband’s great grandmother was Rebecca Peach married to a Gaskins. Their daughter was Cynthia Gaskins, who married David Alexander Lyles. I’m interested in info. on Rebecca’s family." This was sent via the internet. If you can help with this query, please let me know, and I will get the info. to this person.

Dr. Phillip Baker, M.D. writes that he is, "Seeking info. on the Peach family in Leicestershire area of England about the 1820-1850 range. A Sarah Peach married William Pryor on 25 Dec. 1844. They came to Jo Daviess Co., ILLINOIS, with three children in 1851."

Lee Kirkland of Andalusia, Alabama, asked about a George Peach who was living in Pike Co., (now Bullock) ALABAMA in the 1800s. Following my response, he sent this updated info. you might want to add to your records (see p. A7 of The Peach Tree Handbook, Vol. I)

According to Lee, Mary Ann Peach was the daughter of George Washington and Abigail (Hixon) Peach. Being born in 1824 makes her possibly their first child. She married James G. (Joel) Thurston. They had five children as noted on the 1860 census. James died during TWBS (the Civil War). Meanwhile, Mary Ann lived until 1905.

Lee says that Mary Ann’s sister, Sarah R. Peach, was born May 18, 1827. She married Nathan Kirkland on 12/20/1849 at Perote, AL. and died on 6/8/1878. She is buried at Cameron’s Chapel in present day Crenshaw Co., AL. James Thurston was the cousin of Nathan Kirkland, and both of them with their families migrated to Covington (now Crenshaw Co., AL). Their wives’ father, George, died 1/8/1864, and their mother, Abigail (b.1799) died Mar.18.

Sincerely, your captain, -John Harding Peach

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