Family Tree - maternal grandmother (5 generations)

This is part of the family tree that has been the most work.  There are still some unverified links here... the DNA tests have both helped and confused things.

Proving that my grandmother Teresa was actually born as Ethelyn Allen was the primary aim of the DNA test, and I believe that was a success:

1) DNA indicates a connection to the Allens of New Kent County, Virginia.  

2) Augustus Dozier Allen's father is from Virginia according to census documents.  

3) Dozier is a family name linked to my tree, further proof that Augustus Dozier Allen in my great grandfather.  

4) Augustus Allen's only daughter was named Ethelyn; therefore, she has to be my grandmother.

There is some question still about who Eliza Ann Applegate's parents are.  There are an unbelievable number of Eliza Applegates from Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois! She is definitely listed on a U. S. Census document in the household of "Tabitha" Applegate; however, there is another Eliza Applegate who is the daughter of Samuel and Cassandra Newkirk. This would not seem to be the correct Eliza, except that the Newkirks have shown up in my DNA test results.  I am still scratching my head over that one.

Interesting to note here that my grandmother was born in Illinois, grew up in Wichita, and lived in an orphanage in Texas.  But both her mother and father's families originated in Virginia.  

Found the Holy Grail!

The genealogical Holy Grail for any Caucasian in America is to prove a claim as a Mayflower descendant.  I've been burned once - I thought I'd found a connection but had to delete it because I was unable to verify the facts with 100% certainty.  But with so many of our ancestors living in prominent colonial settlements, I was sure that we must have a Mayflower ancestor somewhere!  I have been very careful about my sources this time.  Finally, I've discovered a connection in my mother's maternal line to several Mayflower passengers!

John Howland m. Elizabeth Tilley (both Mayflower passengers) > Ichabod Bosworth > Benjamin Bosworth > Benajah Bosworth > Joseph Bucklin Bosworth > Orlando M. Bosworth > Eva L. Bosworth > Teresa/Ethelyn Allen > Virginia M. Crofford > Teresa Zaun Austin

John Howland

I traced our line back through the Bosworths and found John Howland, who is my 8th great grandfather and an original signer of the Mayflower Compact.  He came over as a manservant to Governor John Carver.  We are descended from John through his daughter Hannah.

The official history can be found here:  http://mayflowerhistory.com/howland/

"Howland Overboard," a painting by maritime artist Mike Haywood.  

A painting called Howland Overboard depicts a famous event in which John fell overboard and clung to a halyard until the sailors were able to rescue him with a boat-hook.

The presidents Bush and Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt are also descended from John Howland.



The Tilley Family

John Howland was married to Elizabeth "Bridget" Tilley, who was about twelve when she came over on the Mayflower with her parents, John Tilley and Joan Hurst Tilley.  John, also a signer of the Mayflower Compact, and Joan Tilley both died in their first winter in Plymouth, leaving Elizabeth an orphan.  She is buried in Ancient Little Neck Cemetery in Providence, R.I.  The Hursts were originally from Holland... yet another line of descent from the Netherlands for my mother's line.