{"id":167,"date":"2025-05-21T20:03:46","date_gmt":"2025-05-22T02:03:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/francoamericangravy.com\/7777777\/?page_id=167"},"modified":"2025-06-26T14:21:52","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T20:21:52","slug":"peleg-kingsley-of-whitehall-new-york-is-not-the-son-of-peleg-kingsley-of-royalston-massachusetts","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/francoamericangravy.com\/7777777\/peleg-kingsley-of-whitehall-new-york-is-not-the-son-of-peleg-kingsley-of-royalston-massachusetts\/","title":{"rendered":"Peleg Kingsley of Whitehall, New York is not the son of Peleg Kingsley of Royalston, Massachusetts"},"content":{"rendered":"

RESEARCHERS GOT IT WRONG! \u00a92025 by FrancoAmerican Gravy.<\/strong><\/h2>\n
A note to the reader about this Proof Argument<\/strong><\/h6>\n

Although the author attempts to use the confidence levels described by Elizabeth Shown Mills in Evidence Explained Elizabeth Shown Mills. (Evidence Explained. Fourth Edition. <\/em>Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing. 2024) to describe relationships and their conclusions, there may be some discrepancies .<\/p>\n

The confidence levels are:<\/p>\n

Certainly \u2013 no reasonable doubt about the assertions.
\nProbable \u2013 the assertion is more likely than not.
\nLikely \u2013 some evidence supports the assertion.
\nPossibly \u2013 the odds weigh at least slightly in favor of the assertion.
\nApparently \u2013 an impression\u00a0 or presumption is made based on common experience.
\nPerhaps \u2013 the idea is plausible.<\/p>\n

To help the reader keep the identities of the 3 Peleg(s) separated, the terms \u201cSenior\u201d and \u201cJunior\u201d are in Bold <\/strong>letters<\/p>\n

Introduction to the Peleg Kingsley Problem<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Twenty-five years ago, when I began researching a branch of Kingsleys from Washington County, New York, a cousin offered me a 23-page typewritten paper written in the mid-20th<\/sup> century by an anonymous Kingsley researcher. That paper described the ancestry of Peleg Kingsley of Whitehall and claimed his father was Peleg Kingsley Senior<\/strong> of Royalston Massachusetts. It also claimed Peleg of Whitehall was the same as Peleg Kingsley Junior<\/strong> of Royalston Massachusetts and Brattleboro Vermont noting the presence of Peleg Junior in the 1800 US Federal Census in Royalston Massachusetts.<\/p>\n

Although there were no citations or footnotes, the paper was painstakingly researched and there was no reason to question its reconstruction of Peleg\u2019s family of Whitehall, Washington County, New York. Several descendants created artistic family trees and passed them through generations to this day. Online trees in popular genealogy programs also perpetuate \u00a0Unfortunately, the reconstruction is not supported by the evidence.<\/p>\n

During the ensuing years, it became obvious that the paper lacked one piece of evidence that is easily available online in the 21st<\/sup> century. That evidence is the 1800 US Federal Census for Whitehall, Washinton County, New York citing the existence of a man named Peleg Kingsley and his family in the town of Whitehall. The online image of that census negates the paper\u2019s conclusion and began several decades of confusion about the origins of Peleg Kingsley of Whitehall, New York.<\/p>\n

This proof argument tries to set the record straight and firmly establishes the presence of two adult men named Peleg Kingsley in 1800 living one hundred miles apart -one in Whitehall, Washington County, New York and\u00a0 the other in Royalston, Massachusetts. They had different wives, different families, different parents. Descendents of both families who have constructed the parentage and families claim Peleg Kingsley Senior as the father, the wives and children often connected with each other.<\/p>\n

In the aftermath of the American Revolution, descendants of colonial New England families fanned into the northern frontier lands of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York in vast numbers. (2) (3) Three men all named Peleg Kingsley, and all with ties to Swansea, Rhode Island, were among them. Peleg Kingsley Senior\u2019s identity is known; and he is associated with Royalston, Massachusetts firmly established there by 1787.<\/p>\n

The question becomes which of the two younger Peleg Kingsleys, both alive in the 1800 US Federal Census, was his son- the Junior.<\/strong> Was it the Peleg who lived in\u00a0 Royalston, Massachusetts and after 1800 moved to Brattleboro, Vermont? Or was it Peleg living in Whitehall, Washington County, New York? Although written family tradition strongly suggested Peleg Kingsley of Whitehall was the son of Peleg Kingsley Senior<\/strong>, information from the US Census Records, land deeds, probate records, and tax assessments will show Peleg of Royalston\/Brattleboro was the Junior<\/strong> and probable son of Peleg Senior<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This proof argument asserts that Peleg of Royalston 1735-1793 (the Senior<\/strong>) is the father of Peleg (1767-1815) who died in Brattleboro, not Peleg Kingsley (1759-aft.1803) of Whitehall. It will also suggest future research emanating from its conclusions.<\/p>\n

Peleg Kingsley, Senior 1735-1793<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Born in Swansea. Married in Swansea (1st<\/sup>) 9 July 1758, (2nd<\/sup>) 25 Nov 1764. Married in Royalston (3rd<\/sup>) 14 Oct 1787. Died in Royalston, Massachusetts<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Peleg Kingsley Senior<\/strong> (1735-1793), is well-sourced. His father, Oliver Kingsley (1735-1739), died in Swansea with a LW&T (Last Will and Testament) \u00a0naming his minor sons Peleg and Pardon, along with their mother, Freedom Haile, and two sisters, Lidiah and Ann. Additionally, Peleg\u2019s grandfather, Nathaniel Kingsley, left real property in Swansea to Peleg (Senior)<\/strong> and his brother Pardon, in his LW&T. \u00a0Peleg (Senior)<\/strong> was born in Swansey, and his first two marriages were there. (4) He migrated to Royalston, Massachusetts where his third marriage was conducted. He\u00a0 died in Royalston with a LW&T naming his son Peleg Kingsley Junior<\/strong> as executor. His daughters were: Freelove, Sarah, Belinda, Elizabeth, Phebe, and Mercy (Mary). His sons were Peleg Junior<\/strong>, Zephaniah, and Lemuel.<\/p>\n

Peleg Kingsley 1767-1815, proposed “Junior”<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Born in Swansea. Married in Swansea. Lived in Royalston. Died in Brattleboro, Vermont<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

This Peleg Kingsley was born in Swansea on 3 September 1767. He married Anna Talbot Mason on\u00a0 25 March 1789, in Swansea. He died 31 Dec 1815 in Brattleboro, Windham County, Vermont. His children were Elisha Mason (b.1790), Cynthia (b.1792), Polly (b.1794),\u00a0 Mason (b.1796), Philip (b.1799), Plina (b.1801), George Oliver (b. abt 1810), Francis P (b. abt 1812), and John (b. 1813). The six oldest children were born in Royalston, Massachusetts. The youngest three children, George, Francis, and John were born in Brattleboro, Vermont.<\/p>\n

1790 US FEDERAL CENSUS in Royalston, Worcester County, Massachusetts<\/strong><\/h6>\n

In the 1790 US FEDERAL CENSUS of Royalston (5), one Peleg Kingsley is listed as the head of household. Certainly, that was Peleg Kingsley Senior<\/strong>. However, \u00a0the enumeration strongly suggests there are two adult males in a combined household with the families of Peleg Senior<\/strong> and Peleg Junior<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Peleg Kingsley Senior<\/strong>, head of household, \u00a0residing in Royalston, Worcester County, Massachusetts in 1790 has a large family of eleven individuals: 2 males over 16 years, 2 males under 16 and 7 females.\u00a0 The two males over 16 years are likely Peleg Kingsley Senior<\/strong> and Peleg Kingsley Junior<\/strong> with their respective wives with adult and minor children. Two males under 16 would likely \u00a0be Elisha Mason Kingsley, the infant son of Peleg Junior<\/strong>,\u00a0 and Samuel, \u00a0the youngest son of Peleg Senior<\/strong> who would be about 13 years old. The seven females would include the third wife of Peleg Senior<\/strong>, Deborah, and the wife of Peleg Junior<\/strong>, Anna Talbot Mason. Additional females were the unmarried daughters of Peleg Senior<\/strong> who were named in the 1793 LW&T of their father: Phebe, Sarah, Elizabeth, and Mary. This accounts for six of the seven females.<\/p>\n

After the death of Peleg Kingsley, Senior.<\/strong><\/h6>\n

After the death of Peleg Senior<\/strong> in 1793, Peleg Junior<\/strong> functioned as the executor of his father\u2019s estate \u00a0conducting several land transfers in Worcester County in 1796, 1802, and 1803. In several deeds, Peleg Junior <\/strong>is identified as Peleg Junior<\/u><\/strong> of Royalston, Worcester County, Massachusetts. This is added support that Peleg Junior<\/strong> remained in Royalston after his father\u2019s death, at least, until 1803.<\/p>\n

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1796 Jotham Carpenter to Peleg Kingsley JUNIOR<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The 1800 US FEDERAL CENSUS in Royalston, Worcester County, Massachusetts<\/strong><\/h6>\n

Peleg Kingsley Junior<\/strong> and his family continued to live in Royalston. In the 1800 US Federal Census of Royalston (6), he is enumerated as Deleg (sic) Kingsley. The household includes 2 males <10 years likely sons Mason and Philip, 2 males 16-25 years (unaccounted, possibly employees), 1 male 26-44 years likely Peleg, himself) ; 2 females <10 years likely daughters Cynthia and Polly, 1 female 26-44 years likely wife Ann Talbot Mason, 1 female >45 years likely an unmarried sister of Peleg Junior.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The 1810 US FEDERAL CENSUS In Brattleboro, Windham County, Vermont<\/h6>\n

Sometime between 1803 and 1810, Peleg Kingsley Junior<\/strong> moves his residence from Royalston, Massachusetts to Brattleboro, Vermont. In 1810, there is only one remaining Peleg Kingsley as head of household in New England and New York. That Peleg Kingsley \u00a0is living in Brattleboro, Vermont with 15 members of his household.\u00a0This suggests that Peleg Junior<\/strong> moved to Brattleboro between 1803 and 1810 and the last of his children were born there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Name<\/td>\nPeleg Kingsley<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Residence Date<\/td>\n6 Aug 1810<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Residence Place<\/td>\nBrattleboro, Windham, Vermont, USA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Free White Persons – Males – Under 10<\/td>\n3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Free White Persons – Males – 10 thru 15<\/td>\n2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Free White Persons – Males – 26 thru 44<\/td>\n4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Free White Persons – Females – Under 10<\/td>\n1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Free White Persons – Females – 10 thru 15<\/td>\n1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Free White Persons – Females – 16 thru 25<\/td>\n1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Free White Persons – Females – 26 thru 44<\/td>\n3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Number of Household Members Under 16<\/td>\n7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Number of Household Members Over 25<\/td>\n7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Number of Household Members<\/td>\n15<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

By 1810, Peleg \u00a0Junior<\/strong> is likely the successful builder and contractor who built the church steeple in Northampton and bridges over the Connecticut River. His entrepreneurial \u00a0endeavors made him known in the community and suggests some members of his 1810 household may have been servants or employees and not nuclear family members.<\/p>\n

Probate Records of the late Peleg Kingsley of Brattleboro<\/h6>\n

When Peleg Kingsley Junior<\/strong> of Brattleboro died on 31 December 1815, he was 49 years old, a local militia captain, successful entrepreneur, and likely builder of bridges and municipal buildings. He\u00a0 left a farm and substantial estate as well as a widow and many children.\u00a0The probate records support his connection to his son Mason Kingsley, and\u00a0 daughters Cynthia and Mary Kingsley.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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Gravestone of Peleg Kingsley in Brattleboro Vermont<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Peleg Kingsley (1759-After 1803)<\/span><\/h2>\n

Born in Swansea. Married in Warren, Rhode Island. Died in Whitehall, New York.<\/span><\/h3>\n

This Peleg Kingsley was also born in Swansea in 1759 and probably died in the town of Whitehall, Washington County, New York between 1803 and 1810. He married Molly Cole in Warren, Rhode Island in June 1780. His children were Sarah, Supply, William, James, Olive, and Luther.<\/p>\n

The 1790 US FEDERAL CENSUS in Swansea, Rhode Island<\/h6>\n

IN the 1790 US Federal Census, the family of Peleg Kingsley living in Swansea, Rhode Island [1]<\/a>in 1790 is a small family: 1 male over 16 years, 3 males under 16 years and 1 female. Total household members were 5. These individuals included Peleg Kingsley and Molly Cole and their three sons born before 1790: Supply (1783), William (1785), and James (1788). Daughter Sarah, born in 1780, is not accounted for.<\/p>\n

The 1800 US FEDERAL CENSUS in Whitehall, Washington County, New York<\/h6>\n

Peleg was living in Whitehall, Washington County, New York in the 1800 US Federal Census.[2]<\/a> Peleg is 25-46 years old listed as having 3 males 0 to 10 years, 1 male 16 to 26 and 1 male 26 to 45. Also 1 female 10 to 16, 1 female16 to 26 and 1 female 26 to 45 years. The three males under 10 were probably son Luther and unaccounted others, 1 male 16 to 26 may be James, 1 male 26 to 45 was Peleg himself. One female 10 to 16 was daughter Olive and 1 female 26 to 45 was Peleg\u2019s wife Molly Cole. It is consistent with what is known about\u00a0 Peleg Kingsley in Whitehall.<\/a><\/p>\n

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Peleg Kingsley in 1800 US Federal Census in Town of Whitehall, Washington County, New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Absence of Birth, Marriage, and Death records<\/h6>\n

In the late 18th<\/sup> and early 19th<\/sup> centuries, the towns in Washington County, New York, including Whitehall and Westfield (later Fort Ann) did not record births, marriages, and deaths. There is no direct evidence.<\/p>\n

Land Transfers<\/h6>\n

Indentures and transfers in 1834 and 1855 in Washington County\u00a0 among the children of Peleg Kingsley refer to lands acquired by Peleg Kingsley of Whitehall from Dr. John William and Edw Savage of Salem, New York as \u201ccontained in a deed given to Peleg Kingsley, the father of the above partys, by John Williams of Salem\u201d. \u00a0Washington County land records from 1787 to 1800 exist, however, no<\/strong> land deed\u00a0 recording a land purchase by Peleg Kingsley from Dr. John Williams and Edw Savage of Salem were found after an exhaustive search. (Interestingly, Dr. John Williams of Salem was awarded a military land grant of thousands of acres in Washington County for his service in the American Revolution. Before he died in 1806, he benefited from selling thousands of those acres to men immigrating from New England after the American Revolution including several Kingsleys: Zephaniah Kingsley of Fort Ann, Jeremiah Kingsley, and\u00a0 John Kingsley.)<\/p>\n

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An 1834 Transfer of Land previously owned by Peleg Kingsley of Whitehall by his children in Town of Whitehall. There are additional land deeds from the town of Whitehall in Washington County\u00a0with \u00a0Metes and Bounds descriptions such as \u00a0\u201c\u2026the west line of Peleg Kingsleys land.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tax Assessments<\/h6>\n

Peleg Kingsley appears in the 1799, 1802, and 1803 Whitehall tax assessment rolls of real and personal estates..\u00a0 He can no longer be found in the records after the 1803 Tax assessment of Whitehall.<\/p>\n

Conclusion – The Evidence Speaks<\/span><\/h2>\n