Copyright © 2014 by Karen Cox Gray.

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Contents

Introduction

Saint Helena of the Cross

Llywarch Hen: Poet

Charles Martel: The Hammer

Charlemagne: Holy Roman Emperor

Rhodri Mawr: Great King of Gwynedd

Ragnar Lodbrok: Viking Raider

Alfred the Great: King of Wessex

Lady of the Mercians

High King of Ireland

William of Normandy: Conqueror of England

Honor in Question

Adela: True Daughter of the Conqueror

Traitor or Not?

Lady of the English

Henry and Eleanor

Godgifu of Coventry

Widow of Two Kings

Gwenllian and the Great Revolt

Broken Nose of Gwynedd

Strongbow and Aoife

William Marshal: The Good Knight

Maud Matilda’s Castles

De Bohun of Magna Carta

Countess in Her Own Right

Defender of Home and Hearth

De Bohun of Crecy

His Head for His Country: Richard FitzAlan, Earl of Arundel

In the Abbey: Sir John Claypoole

The Thomans of Bubendorf

Planter of Jamestown

Alexander Rankin: A Life of Turmoil

Valentine Hollingsworth: Quaker Friend

Shipbuilder of Scotland

Defending the Fort

Beside the Susquehanna

In Service to His Country

Gone for Soldiering

Deep in the Canes

Soldier Boy

Black Boys of Cabarrus

Man of Boldness

Lo, I Stand at the Door and Knock

What Happened to Thomas?

Farming the Land from Virginia to Ohio to Illinois

Measuring the Land

The Search for Absalom Craddock

Bound for Illinois Country: James Scott, Settler of Mount Zion Township

Mother Scott

Overcoming Disability

Pioneer Settler: Mary McDowell Martin Davis

The Spelling Bee Championship

The Big Snow Winter

Reverend Nathan Martin Baker: Civil War Chaplain

God Will Provide

She Made Her Own Way

Malisa’s Chair

Beloved Author

Serving in the Abolition War

Reverend John Rankin: Abolitionist

Happy Times in Macon County

Mary Josephine and the Snake

Friend to Animals: Bushrod Cox

Leota Mae Watkins: Grandmother Cox

Clara Martin Baker: Family Historian

I Shall Not Pass This Way Again

Christmas Eve at the Eldorado Schoolhouse

Ruby Ann Scott Wyatt: Jolly Aunt

Under Maple Trees

She Loved Cats

Claude Cox: Collector of Glass

Cradling the Cox Babies

A Gentle Man in War

Mere historic incidents and personal events are frivolous and of no moment, unless they illustrate the ethics of Truth.

—Mary Baker Eddy,

Retrospection and Introspection

Introduction

In the course continuing research into the origins of the Cox-Thoman family, many new stories have emerged. These new tales have been merged with the previous stories of legends, traditions, and beliefs associated with our ancestral heritage. Under scrutiny, some of the narratives have proved to be true or, at the least, contained some elements of truth, the common thread being examples of courage, faith, and perseverance in the face of challenge.

Fictionalized conversations and events have been added to the factual material and oral tradition to provide a narrative of interest to those who share this heritage. The stories here presented are gathered in the expectation that they will be an inspiration to the generations that follow these pioneers.

In the anticipation that the descendants of these strong individuals will carry forth these most admirable qualities, this collection of stories is dedicated to those who went before and, most devotedly, to those who will come after.

Saint Helena of the Cross

A babe was born to an obscure family around the year 250 likely in Drepanum of Bithynia although several legends say that she was born in Britain. Daughter of King Coel of Colchester, this tiny girl was destined to change the world through her own religious conversion and that of her son.

Helena grew up to know the great Roman military commander Constantius Chlorus. Their union produced a son in 270 who would become the Roman emperor Constantine I. It is said that when Helena and Constantius Chlorus met, they were wearing identical silver bracelets, and they believed that they were soul mates.

As he aged, Constantius Chlorus needed a mate more appropriate to his rising status, and he eventually moved on to other partners. Thereafter, Helena and young Constantine were exiled to relative obscurity. Helena never took another companion, and her only son grew in love, respect, and affection for her. It is believed that Helena was converted to Christianity first and then led her son to Christian faith.

Constantius Chlorus renewed contact with his son, schooling him in matters military and in the art of governance. As Constantine grew in power and was proclaimed Augustus of the Roman Empire in 306 by his father’s troops, he heaped honors upon his mother, Helena. She was brought to public acclaim in 312 and was designated Augusta Imperatrix and was granted the right to wear the imperial diadem. Surviving today is a great cameo of 316 with Helena depicted on a chariot with Constantine; Constantine’s wife, Fausta; and Helena’s young grandson, Constantine. A gold coin was struck in Helena’s honor.

Helena was not done with her life. At age seventy-eight, her mission was to locate and restore the relics of the Christian religious tradition in the Holy Land with funding provided by her son, Constantine I. Legend has it that she recovered fragments of the True Cross in 327 and brought the stairs of Pontius Pilate to Rome.

Helena is known throughout the ages for her charity to the poor and her Christian piety. In life she often worshipped in modest clothing with common residents of Rome so as not to be recognized. She is deemed a saint by the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches. Her feast day is August 18 in the East and May 21 in the West.

Helena

Piero della Francesca, 1452-1466

Helena of the Cross and Constantius Chlorus

Constantine I and Minervina

Flavius Julius Crispus and Valeria Maxima

Macsen Wledig and Elen Luyddog ferch Eudaf

Annun ap Macsen Wledig and Unknown

Ednyfed ap Annun and Unknown

Tudwal ap Ednyfed and Unknown

Dingad ap Tudwal and Unknown

Senyllt Hael ap Dingad and Unknown

Neithon ap Senyllt and Unknown

Rhun ap Neithon and Unknown

Tudwal ap Rhun and Unknown

Anllech ap Tudwal and Unknown

Cynin ap Anllech and Unknown

Merfyn Mawr ap Cynin and Unknown

Anarawd Gwalch Crwn ap Merfyn and Unknown

Tudwal ap Anarawd and Unknown

Celeinion verch Tudwal and Sandde ap Alewyn

Prince Elidir ap Sandde of Deheubarth and Unknown

King Gwriad ap Elidir of Manaw and Esyllt verch Cynan

Merfyn Frych ap Gwriad and Nest verch Cadell

King Rhodri Mawr (Roderick the Great) and Angharad verch Meurig

Prince Cadell ap Rhodri and Princess Rheinger of Denmark

King Hwel Dda of Deheubarth and Elen verch Llywarch

King Owain ap Hywel of Deheubarth and Angharad verch Llywelyn

King Maredydd ap Owain of Wales and Unknown

Princess Angharad verch Maredydd and King Llywelyn of Gwynedd

King Gruffydd ap Llywelyn of Gwynedd and Powys and Aldgyth of Mercia

Nesta verch Gruffydd ap Llywelyn and Osbern Scrob FitzRichard

Nesta Annis verch Trahaern Osbern and Baron Bernard de Neufmarche II

Sybil de Neufmarche and Miles FitzWalter de Pitres

Margaret FitzWalter and Sir Humphrey de Bohun III

Humphrey de Bohun, the Young, and Margaret of Huntingdon

Sir Henry de Bohun IV and Maud FitzGeoffrey de Mandeville

Humphrey de Bohun V and Maud d’Eu

Humphrey de Bohun VI, the Younger, and Lady Eleanor de Braose

Humphrey de Bohun VII and Maud Matilda de Fiennes

Humphrey de Bohun VIII and Elizabeth Isbel of England

Sir William de Bohun and Elizabeth de Badlesmere

Elizabeth de Bohun and Sir Richard FitzAlan III

Elizabeth FitzAlan and Sir Robert Goushill

Elizabeth Goushill and Sir Robert Wingfield

Sir Henry Wingfield and Elizabeth Rookes

Robert Wingfield and Margery Quarles

Robert Wingfield and Elizabeth Cecil

Dorothy Wingfield and Adam Claypoole

Sir John Claypoole and Mary Angell

Norton Claypoole and Rachel (unknown surname)

Jeremiah Claypoole and Sarah Sheperd

Sarah Claypoole and Jacob Gum

Jacob Gum Jr. and Lydia Dever

Jesse Gum and Mary Polly Dills

James T. Gum and Malisa A. Goff

Lucy Jane Gum and William Jehu Scott

Mildred Erma Scott and John Elmer Thoman

Mildred Joan Thoman and Melvin Vinton Cox

Bibliography:

Bradley, Marion Zimmer, and Diana L. Paxton. Priestess of Avalon. New York: Viking, 2000.

Harbus, Antonina. Helena of Britain in Medieval Legend. Cambridge, UK: D. S. Brewer, 2002.

Potter, David. Constantine: The Emperor. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2013.

Stephenson, Paul. Constantine: Roman Emperor, Christian Victor. New York, NY: Overlook Press, 2010.

Waugh, Evelyn. Helena: A Novel. Boston, MA: Little, Brown and Company, 1950.

Llywarch Hen:

Poet

First a warrior then a poet in the oral tradition, Llywarch Hen lived in the sixth century in the kingdom of Rheged, which we know today as Northern England, Wales, and Southern Scotland. This man lived an epic life of adventure and art. His name means old or aged one.

We know little of Llywarch Hen’s life, only that he was a Celtic prince who was driven out of his kingdom by the Saxons of Cumbria. He fled with his large family to Powys in Wales, where he spoke his lamenting verse. All that remains of the work of Llywarch Hen is poetry in three-line stanzas known as englynion and collected as a cycle of poems known as Canu Llywarch Hen, or the Song of Llywarch the Old. The poems contrast the weary life of an aged one to the daring life of youth.

According to legend, Llywarch Hen visited the court of King Arthur of England as a guest. Llywarch Hen was thought to have lived to be nearly one hundred years of age with as many as twenty-four sons and three daughters.

Llywarch Hen ap Elidir and Unknown

Dwig of the Isle of Man and Unknown

Prince Gwyar of the Isle of Man and Anna Margause of the Britains

Prince Tegid of the Isle of Man and Unknown

Prince Algwn of the Isle of Man and Unknown

Prince Sandde ap Alewyn and Celeinion verch Tudwal

Prince Elydyr of Deheubarth and Unknown

King Gwiard of Manaw and Esyllt verch Cynan

Merfyn Frych of Gwynedd and Nest ferch Cadell

King Rhodri Mawr (Roderick the Great) and Angharad verch Meurig

Prince Cadell ap Rhodri Mawr and Princess Rheinger of Denmark

King Hywel Dda of Deheubarth and Elen verch Llywarch

King Owain ap Hywel and Angharad verch Llywelyn

King Maredydd ap Owain of Wales and Unknown

Princess Angharad verch Mareydd and King Llywelyn of Gwynedd

King Gruffydd ap Llywelyn of Gwynedd and Aldgyth of Mercia

Nesta verch Gruffydd ap Llywelyn and Osbern Scrob FitzRichard

Nesta Annis verch Trahaern Osbern and Baron Bernard de Neufmarche II

Sybil de Neufmarche and Miles FitzWalter de Pitres

Margaret FitzWalter and Sir Humphrey de Bohun III

Humphrey de Bohun, the Young, and Margaret of Huntingdon

Sir Henry de Bohun IV and Maud FitzGeoffrey de Mandeville

Humphrey de Bohun V and Maud d’Eu

Humphrey de Bohun VI, the Younger, and Lady Eleanor de Braose

Humphrey de Bohun VII and Maud Matilda de Fiennes

Humphrey de Bohun VIII and Elizabeth Isbel of England

Sir William de Bohun and Elizabeth de Badlesmere

Elizabeth de Bohun and Sir Richard FitzAlan III

Elizabeth FitzAlan and Sir Robert Goushill

Elizabeth Goushill and Sir Robert Wingfield

Sir Henry Wingfield and Elizabeth Rookes

Robert Wingfield and Margery Quarles

Robert Wingfield and Elizabeth Cecil

Dorothy Wingfield and Adam Claypoole

Sir John Claypoole and Mary Angell

Norton Claypoole and Rachel (unknown surname)

Jeremiah Claypoole and Sarah Sheperd

Sarah Claypoole and Jacob Gum

Jacob Gum Jr. and Lydia Dever

Jesse Gum and Mary Polly Dills

James T. Gum and Malisa A. Goff

Lucy Jane Gum and William Jehu Scott

Mildred Erma Scott and John Elmer Thoman

Mildred Joan Thoman and Melvin Vinton Cox

Bibliography:

Ford, Patrick K. The Poetry of Llywarch Hen. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1974.

Charles Martel:

The Hammer

Charles was born about 688, the illegitimate son of Pepin II, the king of the Franks who ruled in what is today Western Europe. Charles never adopted the title of king, but through his ruthless power, he conquered invaders from the east and solidified his empire.

Early in his life, Charles overthrew the heir to his father’s kingdom, and as a result of the unrest, he emerged from the chaos as the victor in the civil war. After Charles unified the Franks under his banner, Germanic tribes invaded. Charles defeated them as well in 723.

The climactic battle in the life of Charles was his victory over the invading Saracens at the Battle of Tours in October 732. His defeat of the Muslim forces preserved Western Europe for Christianity and laid the foundation for the Carolingian Empire. It was at Tours that he became known as Charles Martel, martel meaning hammer in the French language, for he mercilessly attacked the Arabs.

Charles Martel cared naught for titles; he assumed political power without legal authority. His son, Pepin the Short, did. Pepin was anointed in 752 as the first king of the Franks of the Carolingian dynasty.

Charles Martel died at Quierzy on the Oise on October 21, 761, as ruler of all he surveyed.

Charles Martel

from http://commons.wikimedia.org

Pepin II d’Heristal and Alpaida

Charles Martel and Rotrou of Treves

Pepin the Short and Duchess Bertha of Laon

Emperor Charlemagne of France and Hildegarde of Swabia

King Pepin of Italy and Bertha of Toulouse

King Bernard of Italy and Cunigunde of Toulouse

Count Pepin de Vermandois and Rothaide de Bobbio

Count Herbert I de Vermandois and Bertha de Morvois

Herbert II de Vermandois and Liegard de Hilderbrante of France

Alix de Vermandois and Count Arnold I of Flanders

Count Baldwin III of Flanders and Matilda of Saxony

Count Arnold II of Flanders and Rosela of Italy

Count Baldwin IV of Flanders and Otgiva of Luxembourg

Count Baldwin V de Lille and Aelis of France

Matilda of Flanders and William the Conqueror King of England

King Henry I of England and Eadgyth Matilda of Scotland

Matilda Adelaide of England and Geoffrey V of Anjou

King Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine

King John of England and Isabelle of Angouleme

King Henry III of England and Eleanor of Provence

King Edward I of England and Eleanor of Castile

Elizabeth Isbel and Humphrey de Bohun VIII

Sir William de Bohun and Elizabeth de Badlesmere

Elizabeth de Bohun and Sir Richard FitzAlan III

Elizabeth FitzAlan and Sir Robert Goushill

Elizabeth Goushill and Sir Robert Wingfield

Sir Henry Wingfield and Elizabeth Rookes

Robert Wingfield and Margery Quarles

Robert Wingfield and Elizabeth Cecil

Dorothy Wingfield and Adam Claypoole

Sir John Claypoole and Mary Angell

Norton Claypoole and Rachel (unknown surname)

Jeremiah Claypoole and Sarah Sheperd

Sarah Claypoole and Jacob Gum

Jacob Gum and Lydia Dever

Jesse Gum and Mary Polly Dills

James T. Gum and Malisa A. Goff

Lucy Jane Gum and William Jehu Scott

Mildred Erma Scott and John Elmer Thoman

Mildred Joan Thoman and Melvin Vinton Cox

Bibliography:

Cawthorne, Nigel. Military Commanders: The 100 Greatest Throughout History. New York, NY: Enchanted Lion Books, 2004.

Charlemagne:

Holy Roman Emperor

Charlemagne is considered to be the greatest of the medieval kings. His enlightened views for his time assured him an irrefutable place in history.

Charlemagne was born on April 7, 742, in what today is Belgium. At his death, Charlemagne’s father split his kingdom between his two sons, Carloman and the younger, Charlemagne. At his brother’s death, Charlemagne resisted the claims of Carloman’s sons and reunited the Frankish kingdom in his own name.

Charlemagne began a series of military campaigns with the aim of expanding his kingdom. He defeated the citizens of Bavaria and Saxony and threw out the invading Saracens and Moors.

On Christmas Day 800, Charlemagne was crowned by Pope Leo III as emperor of the restored Holy Roman Empire, a triumph for Charlemagne and his supremacy.

A contemporary of Charlemagne describes his appearance in later life:

He was heavily built, sturdy, and of considerable stature, although not exceptionally so, since his height was seven times the length of his own foot. He had a round head, large and lively eyes, a slightly larger nose than usual, white but still attractive hair, a bright and cheerful expression, a short and fat neck, and he enjoyed good health, except for the fevers that affected him in the last few years of his life. Toward the end, he dragged one leg. Even then, he stubbornly did what he wanted and refused to listen to doctors, indeed he detested them, because they wanted to persuade him to stop eating roast meat, as was his wont, and to be content with boiled meat…

He used to wear the national, that is to say, the Frank, dress-next his skin a linen shirt and linen breeches, and above these a tunic fringed with silk; while hose fastened by bands covered his lower limbs, and shoes his feet, and he protected his shoulders and chest in winter by a close-fitting coat of otter or marten skins…

He despised foreign costumes, however handsome, and never allowed himself to be robed in them, except twice in Rome, when he donned the Roman tunic, chiamys, and shoes, the first time at the request of Pope Hadrian, the second to gratify Leo, Hadrian’s successor.

Charlemagne’s true genius may have been in administration of his ever-expanding lands. His powerful personal qualities of bravery, strength, and ruthlessness allowed him to govern military outposts, compromise with assemblies of men, placate the nobility, and dominate the clergy. Charlemagne divided his empire into countries, each governed by a bishop and a secular official. Charlemagne sent emissaries to convey his orders to local officials. He reformed agriculture, industry, literacy, and religion.

Charlemagne died on January 28, 814. His legacy was the unification of German, Roman, and Christian cultures, the foundation of European civilization.

Charlemagne

From http://commons.wikimedia.org

Emperor Charlemagne of France and Hildegarde of Swabia

Emperor Louis of France and Judith of Bavaria

Emperor Charles II of France and Ermentrude of Orleans

Judith of France and Count Baldwin I of Flanders

Count Baldwin II of Flanders and Aelfryth of Wessex

Herbert II de Vermandois and Liegard de Hilderbrante of France

Count Arnold I of Flanders and Alix de Vermandois

Count Baldwin III of Flanders and Matilda of Saxony

Count Arnold II of Flanders and Rosela of Italy

Count Baldwin IV of Flanders and Otgiva of Luxembourg

Count Baldwin V de Lille and Aelis of France

Matilda of Flanders and William the Conqueror King of England

King Henry I of England and Eadgyth Matilda of Scotland

Matilda Adelaide of England and Geoffrey V of Anjou

King Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine

King John of England and Isabelle of Angouleme

King Henry III of England and Eleanor of Provence

King Edward I of England and Eleanor of Castile

Elizabeth Isbel and Humphrey