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Origins · English Heritage
Two Centuries of Settlement: From Jamestown to Revolution
1580–1794 · 214 Years
Before there were Americans, there were English colonists—settlers who crossed the Atlantic for land, religious freedom, economic opportunity, or simply escape from England’s rigid class system. Fifteen English immigrants in this collection span 214 years of colonial history, from the earliest Jamestown era (1580s births) through the eve of the American Revolution (1794), creating the longest and largest immigration stream in this family’s story.
These weren’t Revolutionary War soldiers—they were the generations who built the colonies that would eventually rebel. Their descendants would fight in 1776, but these English immigrants came as subjects of the Crown, settling Virginia, New England, and the Mid-Atlantic colonies, establishing farms, churches, and communities that became the foundation of American society.
Fourteen of these fifteen English immigrants connect to Lenore Arnett Young’sfamily tree, with one connecting to L.B. “Brad” McMichael. This concentration in Lenore’s line reflects the deep colonial roots that flowed through her ancestors—roots that eventually produced multiple Revolutionary War patriots.
15
Immigrants
Largest group by count
214
Years Span
1580–1794
2
Centuries
Continuous migration
From the Elizabethan era through the early American Republic, English immigrants arrived in steady waves—Puritans seeking religious freedom, younger sons seeking land, indentured servants seeking opportunity, merchants seeking profit.
7 immigrants born in Elizabethan and early Stuart England
These earliest immigrants were born before the Mayflower sailed (1620), before the Massachusetts Bay Colony was founded (1630), even before Jamestown was established (1607). They represent the very first generation of sustained English colonization in America— the pioneers who risked everything to cross a dangerous ocean for uncertain prospects.
Most arrived in Virginia (Jamestown vicinity) or Massachusetts (Plymouth/Boston area) during the critical first decades of English settlement, when survival was uncertain and relations with Native Americans ranged from trade partnerships to violent conflict.
5 immigrants during the English Civil War and Commonwealth period
Born during England’s most turbulent political period—the English Civil War (1642-1651), execution of King Charles I (1649), and Cromwell’s Commonwealth— these immigrants fled political chaos, religious persecution (both Puritan and Anglican), and economic disruption to seek stability in the colonies.
By this period, colonies were established and growing. New England Puritanism was entrenched, Virginia’s tobacco economy was booming, and Maryland offered religious tolerance. Immigration became more organized, with ship captains specializing in transatlantic passenger service.
3 immigrants during Georgian England and Revolutionary/Early Republic America
By the 18th century, the American colonies were mature, prosperous societies. These late immigrants arrived in a very different America than the early colonists—established cities, functioning governments, developed economies, and growing tensions with Britain that would explode into revolution.
Captain Jesse Wilson (1739-1810) lived through the Revolutionary War and witnessed American independence. John Kempster (1794-1869) was born the year after Washington’s presidency began—technically arriving in the United States, not the colonies. John Ross Jr (?-1773) died just two years before the Revolution began.
1580–1684 · England → USA
Born in Elizabethan England, Henry lived an extraordinary 104 years, witnessing the entire establishment of English colonies in America. His longevity meant he saw Jamestown, Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay, and many other colonies founded during his lifetime.
1582–1686 · England → USA
Another centenarian (104 years), Julia’s life paralleled Henry Crissey’s, spanning from Elizabethan England through the Restoration and into the reign of James II. She witnessed two centuries of English and colonial history.
1592–1671 · England → USA
Born during Queen Elizabeth I’s reign, Francis emigrated during the early colonial period. The “Sr.” designation suggests he had a son in America, establishing a Moore family line that continued for generations.
1600–1660 · England → USA
Born the year before Queen Elizabeth I died (1603), Margarey lived through England’s Stuart dynasty and emigrated during the tumultuous Civil War period. She died in 1660, the year the monarchy was restored under Charles II.
1610–1675 · England → USA
Born just three years after Jamestown was founded, Joan represents the second generation of potential emigrants—those who grew up hearing about American colonies and could realistically consider emigration as an option.
1618–1651 · England → United States of America
Born two years before the Mayflower sailed, Henry died young at 33, but his short life was enough to establish the Peck family in America. His early death (1651) suggests the hardships of colonial life.
1619–1677 · United Kingdom → USA
Born one year before Plymouth, Thomas emigrated during the great Puritan migration of the 1630s. His 58-year life in America meant he witnessed the establishment of multiple New England colonies and the growth of colonial society.
Historical Context: These seven immigrants were born before the Massachusetts Bay Colony was founded (1630). Most emigrated during the 1630s-1640s, the peak of the Great Puritan Migration when approximately 20,000 Puritans left England for New England to escape Archbishop Laud’s religious persecution.
1629–1693 · United Kingdom → USA
Born the year before the Massachusetts Bay Colony was chartered, Elizabeth emigrated during England’s Civil War period (1642-1651). Her 64-year life in America meant she witnessed the colony’s transformation from frontier settlement to established society.
1630–1684 · England → United States
Likely related to Henry A. Crissey (1580-1684), William may have been part of a family chain migration. Both Crisseys died in 1684, suggesting they may have been father and son or uncle and nephew.
1630–1703 · United Kingdom → USA
Joseph lived into the 18th century (73 years), witnessing the end of Puritan dominance in New England and the beginning of a more diverse, commercial colonial society. His longevity meant he saw three generations born in America.
1645–1730 · England → USA
The “Deacon” title indicates Richard held religious office in his colonial church, likely Congregationalist (Puritan) in New England. His 85-year life spanned from Cromwell’s Commonwealth to the eve of the Great Awakening.
1659–1707 · England → USA
Born during Oliver Cromwell’s Protectorate, Sarah emigrated after the Restoration of the monarchy (1660). Her emigration during the Restoration period suggests economic rather than religious motivations—most Puritan religious refugees had already left.
Historical Context: The English Civil War (1642-1651) disrupted emigration temporarily, but the Commonwealth period (1649-1660) and Restoration (1660) brought new waves of emigrants. Some fled political persecution, others sought economic opportunity in colonies that were now well-established and less dangerous than the early frontier.
1739–1810 · Great Britain → USA
The “Captain” title suggests military service—quite possibly in the Revolutionary War (1775-1783). Jesse lived through the entire Revolutionary period, witnessing American independence and living into Thomas Jefferson’s presidency.
His 71-year life meant he experienced both colonial British America and the new United States. He connects to Lenore Arnett Young’s line and represents the transition generation—born British, died American.
1794–1869 · England → USA
Born in 1794—the year after George Washington’s presidency began—John technically immigrated to the United States, not the British colonies. He represents a new type of English immigrant: those coming to an independent nation rather than a colonial possession.
John’s 75-year life (1794-1869) spanned from the early Republic through the Civil War. He connects to Lenore Arnett Young’s line and represents the continuity of English immigration into the 19th century.
?–1773 · England → USA
John’s birth year is not recorded, but he died in 1773—just two years before the Revolutionary War began at Lexington and Concord. The “Jr” designation suggests his father (John Ross Sr) was also in America, indicating chain migration or a family established over multiple generations.
John connects to L.B. “Brad” McMichael’s line—the only English colonial immigrant in Brad’s ancestry, suggesting Brad’s other lines were predominantly Celtic, German, or Norwegian.
Historical Context: By the 18th century, American colonies were mature societies with established economies, functioning governments, and growing populations. Immigration shifted from survival-focused pioneers to skilled workers, merchants, and those seeking economic opportunity in a prosperous colonial economy. The Revolution (1775-1783) disrupted but didn’t stop English immigration—it simply changed the destination from British colonies to an independent nation.
These fifteen English immigrants didn’t know they were founding a new nation—they thought they were extending England into the New World. But their descendants, born in America, developed a different identity. By 1776, the great-great-grandchildren of these 1600s immigrants thought of themselves as Americans, not Englishmen.
Lenore Arnett Young’s line—which includes 14 of these 15 English immigrants—also includes nine Revolutionary War patriots. This isn’t coincidence: the deep colonial roots created by English immigration produced families with everything to lose if the Revolution failed. They owned land, operated businesses, held political office—and they fought to keep it from British taxation and control.
The transformation from English colonist to American patriot took roughly five generations (approximately 1630-1775). These fifteen immigrants were the first generation; their great-great-grandchildren were the fifth—the generation that fought at Lexington, Bunker Hill, Yorktown, and hundreds of battles in between.
This narrative includes only the 15 English immigrants that trace to the four valid grandparents (Lenore, James, Norrine, Brad). Five additional English immigrants in the database were excluded because they trace to the wife’s family line (Gary Michael Morgan’s side) and are not part of the Noel McMichael Collection ancestry.
Specific immigration dates, ports of entry, and ship names are not documented for most of these immigrants. Colonial-era immigration records are incomplete, with many passengers arriving without formal documentation. Most English immigrants arrived through Boston, Plymouth, or Virginia ports (Jamestown vicinity).
While specific settlement locations aren’t documented for all immigrants, the pattern suggests most settled in New England (Massachusetts, Connecticut) or Virginia. These were the two largest English colonial regions, with distinct cultures: Puritan New England emphasized religion and community, while Virginia emphasized tobacco plantation economy and Anglican establishment.
Several immigrants lived extraordinarily long lives for the era: Henry A. Crissey (104 years), Julia Julian Segarde (104 years), and Richard Hall (85 years). This suggests successful adaptation to colonial life and possibly better nutrition/health in America than in England. However, others died young (Henry Peck at 33), reflecting the dangers and hardships of colonial settlement.