JOHN KENYON:
John Kenyon was the son of John Kenyon and an unknown mother, who married in Kings Town, Rhode Island.
John Kenyon stated that he was born circa 1647 in Rhode Island, based on his testimony, on 8 Aug. 1717, calling himself 'aged 70 or thereabouts' ("American Kenyons" 54). [1]
He married his first wife in Kings Town, Rhode Island, per Torrey Records. He married 2nd wife, Anna in 1682, in Kings Town, Rhode Island. [2]
This information runs counter to information provided in the book, "American Kenyons," by Howard N. Kenyon, which was subsequently proved wrong. [3}
An article in the July 2004 issue of The American Genealogist, by Michael J. Wood, a professional British Genealogist, provided evidence John and James whose baptism records were found in the Oldham Parish Church records were not the same John and James who was in Rhode Island. Later Oldham records show the burials of John and James in England. [4}
Michael J. Wood's conclusion, "John Kenyon of Glodwick, weaver, was not identical to his contemporary namesake in Rhode Island, and the origin for the family proposed by Capt. Kenyon must be rejected." Additionally, he noted, "John 'Kinyon' called himself a yeoman rather than a weaver."
John testified that he started living on the land of Mr. Killum in 1683. (American Kenyons, page 53) Previously, this was interpreted as the date of his arrival in America. Now it appears it simply meant a move within the colony.
On 6 September 1687, John was taxed in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. (American Kenyons, page 53)
On 16 Oct 1712, John deeded his son, John Kenyon, 170 acres of land in South Kingstown bounded on one side by land of Peleg Mumford, brother-in-law of John Kenyon. (American Kenyons, page 53)
On 8 August 1717, John Kenyon testified, "calling himself aged 70 or thereabouts," he went to live on the farm in that year 1683 or thereabouts in Kingstown, Rhode Island. (American Kenyons, page 54)
John Kenyon deeded land to his son-in-law, John Webster in 1716. In 1719, in Westerly, he deeded land to his sons, James and Samuel. In 1721, he deeded land to his son Enoch. In 1724, he deeded land to his sons Jonathan and David, in Westerly. (American Kenyons, page 54)
His will was proved on 12 June 1732, in Westerly, Rhode Island. His son Jonathan was named executor; sons John, James, Enoch, Joseph, and David were mentioned in the will. (American Kenyons, page 54)
Sons of John Kenyon & 2nd wife Anna:
- John Kenyon, about 1682, Rhode Island, died, in 1735 Westerly, Rhode Island m Elizabeth Remington.
- James Kenyon, b. 1684-5, d. 23 Sept 1774, m 1st Mary Place; m 2nd Sarah Gardiner.
- Enoch Kenyon, died 1781, m 1st Sarah Eldred; m 2nd Ann Auckmudy.
- Joseph Kenyon, died 1766, m Marcy G. Hazeltown, 27 December 1724.
- Samuel Kenyon, died in 1724, with no evidence of family.
- David Kenyon, b. 1693, d. 1772, m Mary.
- Jonathan Kenyon, b 1695, d 1766, m 1st Sarah Rogers of Westerly; m 2nd Mary Gardiner.
There were also daughters Sarah who married Ebenezer Niles, Mary who married Enoch Lewis, Elizabeth who married Stephen Hoxie, and Abigail who remained unmarried.
BURIAL INFORMATION:
Per the American Kenyons, page 54:
"Mrs. John L. Kenyon (16243b) of Wyoming, Rhode Island, believed John Kenyon settled on the Wells place about three miles south of Wyoming, then in 1905, known as 'Clear Water Trout Farm,' owned by the American Fish Company. She thought he was buried in this place.
COMMENTARY/ANALYSIS:
The parents, of John Kenyon and his presumed brother, James, have not been definitively identified. Per an email dated November 26, 2015, from Richard R. Kenyon, PhD.,
"As most American Kenyon researchers now believe, the 'English Connections' in the book (American Kenyons) no longer seem credible and the parents he claimed for John and James Kenyon were incorrect. The author only had parish records searched, paying so many pence per year per parish as in the 1920s and 30s, very few records had been published, such as those of the Manchester Cathedral. As a young U.S. Marine officer, he could not afford to have many records searched. (And as I found out much later, the old man he hired missed some entries even in the ones he searched)."
Where does this leave Kenyon family researchers today?
There is an ongoing effort by several Kenyon researchers to try to solve this question through a combination of records and DNA testing. The effort involves locating Kenyon males living in England today willing to have their DNA tested and provide some lineage information in return.
Anyone interested in this research is encouraged to contact the manager of this memorial page.
Two particular SNP markers in the Rhode Island Branch include R-A6342 and FGC39302. There is debate about when these SNPs occurred. Both were before John Kenyon immigrating to America in the 1600s. The average year per SNP is estimated as 83 years, suggesting that A6342 may have been in England for several generations.
SOURCES:
- Kenyon, Howard N., American Kenyons, 1935
- ("New England Marriages Before 1700," page 434.)
- Colket, Meredith, American Genealogist, July 1936, Vol. 13, pp. 53-55 (discussion of John Kenyon's wife, Anna.)
- Michael J. Wood, The American Genealogist, July 2004, pp. 207-8 (continued from Vol. 778, p. 227)
JOHN KENYON:
John Kenyon was the son of John Kenyon and an unknown mother, who married in Kings Town, Rhode Island.
John Kenyon stated that he was born circa 1647 in Rhode Island, based on his testimony, on 8 Aug. 1717, calling himself 'aged 70 or thereabouts' ("American Kenyons" 54). [1]
He married his first wife in Kings Town, Rhode Island, per Torrey Records. He married 2nd wife, Anna in 1682, in Kings Town, Rhode Island. [2]
This information runs counter to information provided in the book, "American Kenyons," by Howard N. Kenyon, which was subsequently proved wrong. [3}
An article in the July 2004 issue of The American Genealogist, by Michael J. Wood, a professional British Genealogist, provided evidence John and James whose baptism records were found in the Oldham Parish Church records were not the same John and James who was in Rhode Island. Later Oldham records show the burials of John and James in England. [4}
Michael J. Wood's conclusion, "John Kenyon of Glodwick, weaver, was not identical to his contemporary namesake in Rhode Island, and the origin for the family proposed by Capt. Kenyon must be rejected." Additionally, he noted, "John 'Kinyon' called himself a yeoman rather than a weaver."
John testified that he started living on the land of Mr. Killum in 1683. (American Kenyons, page 53) Previously, this was interpreted as the date of his arrival in America. Now it appears it simply meant a move within the colony.
On 6 September 1687, John was taxed in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. (American Kenyons, page 53)
On 16 Oct 1712, John deeded his son, John Kenyon, 170 acres of land in South Kingstown bounded on one side by land of Peleg Mumford, brother-in-law of John Kenyon. (American Kenyons, page 53)
On 8 August 1717, John Kenyon testified, "calling himself aged 70 or thereabouts," he went to live on the farm in that year 1683 or thereabouts in Kingstown, Rhode Island. (American Kenyons, page 54)
John Kenyon deeded land to his son-in-law, John Webster in 1716. In 1719, in Westerly, he deeded land to his sons, James and Samuel. In 1721, he deeded land to his son Enoch. In 1724, he deeded land to his sons Jonathan and David, in Westerly. (American Kenyons, page 54)
His will was proved on 12 June 1732, in Westerly, Rhode Island. His son Jonathan was named executor; sons John, James, Enoch, Joseph, and David were mentioned in the will. (American Kenyons, page 54)
Sons of John Kenyon & 2nd wife Anna:
- John Kenyon, about 1682, Rhode Island, died, in 1735 Westerly, Rhode Island m Elizabeth Remington.
- James Kenyon, b. 1684-5, d. 23 Sept 1774, m 1st Mary Place; m 2nd Sarah Gardiner.
- Enoch Kenyon, died 1781, m 1st Sarah Eldred; m 2nd Ann Auckmudy.
- Joseph Kenyon, died 1766, m Marcy G. Hazeltown, 27 December 1724.
- Samuel Kenyon, died in 1724, with no evidence of family.
- David Kenyon, b. 1693, d. 1772, m Mary.
- Jonathan Kenyon, b 1695, d 1766, m 1st Sarah Rogers of Westerly; m 2nd Mary Gardiner.
There were also daughters Sarah who married Ebenezer Niles, Mary who married Enoch Lewis, Elizabeth who married Stephen Hoxie, and Abigail who remained unmarried.
BURIAL INFORMATION:
Per the American Kenyons, page 54:
"Mrs. John L. Kenyon (16243b) of Wyoming, Rhode Island, believed John Kenyon settled on the Wells place about three miles south of Wyoming, then in 1905, known as 'Clear Water Trout Farm,' owned by the American Fish Company. She thought he was buried in this place.
COMMENTARY/ANALYSIS:
The parents, of John Kenyon and his presumed brother, James, have not been definitively identified. Per an email dated November 26, 2015, from Richard R. Kenyon, PhD.,
"As most American Kenyon researchers now believe, the 'English Connections' in the book (American Kenyons) no longer seem credible and the parents he claimed for John and James Kenyon were incorrect. The author only had parish records searched, paying so many pence per year per parish as in the 1920s and 30s, very few records had been published, such as those of the Manchester Cathedral. As a young U.S. Marine officer, he could not afford to have many records searched. (And as I found out much later, the old man he hired missed some entries even in the ones he searched)."
Where does this leave Kenyon family researchers today?
There is an ongoing effort by several Kenyon researchers to try to solve this question through a combination of records and DNA testing. The effort involves locating Kenyon males living in England today willing to have their DNA tested and provide some lineage information in return.
Anyone interested in this research is encouraged to contact the manager of this memorial page.
Two particular SNP markers in the Rhode Island Branch include R-A6342 and FGC39302. There is debate about when these SNPs occurred. Both were before John Kenyon immigrating to America in the 1600s. The average year per SNP is estimated as 83 years, suggesting that A6342 may have been in England for several generations.
SOURCES:
- Kenyon, Howard N., American Kenyons, 1935
- ("New England Marriages Before 1700," page 434.)
- Colket, Meredith, American Genealogist, July 1936, Vol. 13, pp. 53-55 (discussion of John Kenyon's wife, Anna.)
- Michael J. Wood, The American Genealogist, July 2004, pp. 207-8 (continued from Vol. 778, p. 227)
