Royal and Indian Blood

The existence of Royal or Indian/Native American blood in most European-American genealogies is quite sketchy. Often times, these blood connections are put forth without any real proof or evidence of such relationships. In my family tree there are many ancestors (in all branches of my family tree) who have been designated as royal descendants. As far as I know, most of these are unproven and some have been proven false. The only line that I know of that can be said with certainty is descended from royalty is the Reade family from early Virginia (and connected lines such as Warner, Lewis and Taylor). It is of note though that even without proof it is likely that we are descended from British royalty. Here are the possible royal descendants in my family tree:

George Reade (1608-1671)
This line is so far the only royal connection that has been proven. Unlike nearly all of our other immigrant ancestors, George Reade was a wealthy man of influence when he came to the English colonies. His descent from Edward III is well documented.

Edward III King of England (1312-1377) married Philippa of Hainault
their son, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (1340-1399) married Katherine Roet
their daughter, Joan Beaufort (c. 1379-1440) married Ralph Neville, Earl of Westmorland
their daughter, Eleanor Neville (c. 1399-1472) married Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland
their son, Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland (1421-1461) married Eleanor Poynings
their daughter, Margaret Percy (c. 1449-a. 1483) married Sir William Gascoigne
their daughter, Elizabeth Gascoigne (c. 1471-c. 1559) married George Tailboys, Lord of Kyme
their daughter, Anne Tailboys (c. 1508-c. 1566) married Edward Dymoke Lord of Scrivelsby	Anne's brother Gilbert Tailboys was married to Elizabeth Blount, mistress of Henry VIII King of England
their daughter, Frances Dymoke (c. 1536-c. 1611) married Sir Thomas Windebank
their daughter, Mildred Windebanke (1585-1630) married Robert Reade
their son, George Reade (1608-1671) married Elizabeth Martiau
their daughter, Mildred Reade (1643-1694) married Augustine Warner
their daughter, Elizabeth Warner (1672-1720) married John Lewis
their son, Charles Lewis (1696-1771) married Mary Howell
their daughter, Anne Lewis (1733-1811) married Edmund Taylor
their daughter, Mary Taylor (1760-1847) married Dr. John Brodie
their son, David Brodie (1792-1871) married Susan M. Sthreshley
their daughter, Ethalinda E. Brodie (1826-1912) married Thomas A. Jones
their son, Thomas A. Jones (1856-1928) married Lee P. Whitlock
their daughter, Louetha Jones (1894-1963) married Newell B. Brown
their daughter, Bettye B. Brown married Paul C. Wadleigh
their son, David R. Wadleigh married Barbara A. Plymale
Ryan J. Wadleigh

Edward III, King of England (1312-1377) married Philippa of Hainault
their son, Edmund of Langley, Duke of York (1341-1402) married Isabel of Castille
their daughter, Constance of York (c. 1374-1416) married Edmund De Holland
their daughter, Eleanor De Holland, (c. 1405-???) married James Tuchet
* their daughter, Constance Tuchet, (c. 1443-???) married Robert Whitney	not clear if Robert Whitney’s children were by Constance Tuchet or his other wife Elizabeth Vaughn
their son, James Whitney (c. 1465-1500) married Blanche Milbourne
* their son Robert Whitney (c. 1500-1555) married Elizabeth verch Morgan	no proof he was James and Blanche's son
* their son, Thomas Whitney (c. 1550-1637) married Mary Bray	no proof he was Robert and Elizabeth's son
their son, John Whitney (1592-1673) married Elinor
their son, Benjamin Whitney (1643-1723) married Jane	we also descend from Benjamin’s brother John
their daughter, Jane Whitney, (1669-aft. 1711) married Jonathan Morse
their son, Paul Morse (1700-1760) married Sarah Sheffield
their son, Daniel Morse (1735-1808) married Ruth Morse
their daughter, Sarah Morse (1777-1863) married Nathan Brooks
their daughter, Mary M. Brooks (1803-1876) married Reuben H. Thurston
their son, Irvin H. Thurston (1828-1887) married Lydia E. Dunham
their daughter, Julia M. Thurston (1864-1946) married Henry W. Bixby
their son, Neil F. Bixby (1893-1985) married Bertha Hoffman
their daughter, Patricia J. Bixby married Ben T. Plymale
their daughter, Barbara A . Plymale married David R. Wadleigh
their son, Ryan J. Wadleigh

Edward I, King of England (1239-1307) married Eleanor of Castille
their daughter, Elizabeth of England (1282-1316) married Humphrey De Bohun, Earl of Hereford and Essex
their son, William De Bohun, Earl of Northampton (c. 1312-1360) married Elizabeth Badlesmere
their daughter, Elizabeth De Bohun (c. 1350-1385) married Richard Fitzalan, Earl of Arundel
their daughter, Elizabeth Fitzalan (c. 1366-1425) married Robert Goushill
their daughter, Elizabeth Goushill (c. 1402-bef. 1454) married Sir Robert Wingfield
their son, Sir John Wingfield (c. 1430-1481) married Elizabeth Fitzlewis
their son, Sir John Wingfield (c. 1450-1509) married Anne Tuchet
their son, Sir Anthony Wingfield (c. 1475-1553) married Elizabeth Vere
their daughter, Elizabeth Wingfield (c. 1515-1592) married William Naunton
their daughter, Ursula Naunton (c. 1540-1615) married Robert Gosnold, Esq.
their daughter, Elizabeth Gosnold (c. 1570-aft. 1615) married Thomas Keene
* their son, Thomas Keene (c. 1593-1652) married Mary Thorley	There is no proof of this connection. We know Thomas and Elizabeth (Gosnold) Keene had a son named Thomas of the right age to be our Thomas of Virginia. We also know that they had some nephews who moved to Virginia in the same time period. Other than this, no known connection to the family exists.
their son, William Keene (1642-1684) married Elizabeth Rogers
their son, William Keene (1665-1700) married Ann Therriatt
their daughter, Elizabeth Keene (c. 1701-bef. 1744) married Thomas Lee
their daughter, Elizabeth Lee (c. 1733-1770) married Anthony Dibrell
their daughter, Leanna Dibrell (c. 1759-1830's) married Michael Jones
their son, Anthony D. Jones (1780-1824) married Martha M. Woodson
their son, Thomas A. Jones (1822-1857) married Ethalinda E. Brodie
their son, Thomas A. Jones (1856-1928) married Lee P. Whitlock
their daughter, Louetha Jones (1894-1963) married Newell B. Brown
their daughter, Bettye B. Brown married Paul C. Wadleigh
their son, David R. Wadleigh married Barbara A. Plymale
their son, Ryan J. Wadleigh

Edward I, King of England (1239-1307) married Eleanor of Castile
Elizabeth of England (1282-1316) married Humphrey De Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex
their son, William De Bohun, Earl of Northampton (c. 1312-1360) married Elizabeth Badlesmere
their daughter, Elizabeth De Bohun (c. 1350-1385) married Richard Fitzalan, Earl of Arundel
their daughter, Elizabeth Fitzalan (c. 1366-1425) married Robert Goushill
their daughter, Elizabeth Goushill (c. 1402-bef. 1454) married Sir Robert Wingfield
their daughter, Elizabeth Wingfield (c. 1431-1496) married William Brandon
* their daughter, Miss Brandon (c. 1460-???) married Hugh Manning	One source indicates that Hugh Manning married a daughter of William Brandon. Different researchers have listed her name as Margaret, Eleanor and Elizabeth, yet the daughters of those names were listed as marrying different people. If this connection is correct. Then this Miss Brandon's nephew was Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, husband of Mary Tudor (Henry VIII's sister).
their son, John Manning (c. 1480-1542) married Agnes Petley
their son, George Manning (c. 1520-1582) married Joan Wallis
their daughter, Phebe Manning (c. 1570-c. 1642) married James Waters
their son, Richard Waters (1604-1677) married Rejoice Plaise	We also descend from Richard's sister Elizabeth
their daughter, Sarah Waters (c. 1630-1700) married Joshua Ray
their son, Joshua Ray (1664-1710) married Elizabeth Leach
their daughter, Hannah Ray (1693-1786) married John Humiston
their daughter, Mary Humiston (1718-1806) married Phillip Mattoon
their daughter, Jerusha Mattoon (1742-1827) married Eliasaph Merriman
their son, Amos Merriman (1760-c. 1829) married Abigail
their son, Reuben Merriman (1790-1842) married Betsy Bennett
their son, William H. Merriman (1825-1877) married Artinecia Riddle
their son, George F. Merriman (1855-1915) married Mary E. Murray
their daughter, Vera V. Merriman (1896-1974) married Benjamin H. Plymale
their son, Ben T. Plymale (1926-1981) married Patricia J. Bixby
their daughter, Barbara A. Plymale married David R. Wadleigh
their son, Ryan J. Wadleigh

Leah (Morgan) Scholl (c. 1730-1790's)
The assumption that Leah Morgan descends from royalty relies on two assumptions. First, it relies on the assumption that she is a child or grandchild of James and Elizabeth Morgan who were pioneers of Pennsylvania and also relatives of Daniel Boone. It is also possible, but not proven, that this James Morgan descended from some noble families of England and Wales and it is said that his grandmother was Frances Somerset, who is known to descend from royalty.

Gertrude (Doors) Custer (c. 1645-1707)
This line of royal descent relies on two separate assumptions that appear very doubtful. One, the theory suggests that Gertrude's mother Agnes/Neesgen (of whom we apparently have no evidence of a maiden name of familial origin) was the daughter of Herman Op Den Graeff of Krefeld, Germany. Two, there is postulation that Herman was the illegitimate son of John William Count of Altena, the son of William V Duke of Cleves, and a descendant of many prominent Royals of the time. This theory appears to have been based on some stained glass windows that were in Herman Op Den Graeff's house. Please use extreme caution, this theory is most likely false.

Ann (Blount) Berwick (c. 1597-1694)
Ann Blount who married Thomas Berwick was apparently a direct descendent of the Blount noble family which can be traced to early Medieval nobility and royalty.

Thomas Bradbury (1611-1695)
I do not know exactly the connection but I believe there is circumstantial evidence that may put Thomas' family in line with many older noble families that can be traced back to royalty in the early middle ages.

Beatea Salina (c. 1634-c. 1693)
Beatea Salina is said to have been of the upper or noble class of Sweden. She was the royal housekeeper (positions like this were usually filled by nobles) for the Queen Hedwig Eleanora of Sweden.

Edmund Rice (c. 1594-1663)
I believe that this theory has since been completely disproven but I will put it here anyway. As far as I know, there is not definite proof as to Edmund's parentage. Some sources indicate that he had an ancestor named Catherine Howard, a member of the noble Howard family, which was in direct descent from King Edward I of England.

Richard Lyman (1580-1640)
Richard Lyman seems to come from a well-established English family, the Lymans. His great-great-grandmother was apparently Elizabeth Lambert. Elizabeth descended from the De Umfreville family which is proven to descend directly from many early kings of Europe including those of England, Scotland, and France.

Elizabeth (Stewart) Southerton (c. 1527-1547)
Elizabeth Stewart's identity is in question. Genealogy sources list two different scenarios for her parentage. One source indicates that she was the illegitimate daughter of James Stewart Earl of Moray who was in turn the illegitimate son of James IV King of Scotland. The Earl of Moray did have a daughter named Elizabeth who married a distant cousin, John Stewart, and they were divorced in 1546. It is possible that she could have remarried to Thomas Southerton, a commoner, since she was illegitimate and a divorcee she would probably have had to marry beneath her. The other option is that she was the daughter of Augustine Stewart, who as I understand it was the Mayor of Norwich(???). The latter option is probably correct simply because it is more realistic, but I know of no research satisfying either claim.

Indian and "non-white" Blood:

Jane (---) Flanders (c. 1622 - 1683)
Jane lived in what is now Maine and Massachusetts and there are no records or clues to her family origins before her marriage to Steven Flanders. Although most researchers seem to discount the possibility that she was an Indian, I will post the idea here anyway. Some questionable sources indicate that Jane's surname was Sandusky and that she was a Christianized member of the Sandusky Indian Tribe. Unfortunately, this theory relies on no proof that anybody has been able to find. Aside from this, there were no Sandusky Indians in Maine or Massachusetts and there is no reference to Jane being an Indian in contemporary records. Jane actually had good command of the English language, but there is frequent record of her getting in trouble with town authorities for her "tongue." One theory is that Jane may have actually been of French origin and Sandusky may be a butchered rendition of some French surname.

Suster (Bouts) Viele (c. 1650 - a. 1700)
Suster lived at Schenectady, New York. Sources have often indicated that Suster was a member of the Mohawk tribe. Much of this assumption probably lies with the fact that her husband, Cornelis Viele, was an Indian interpreter and trader and was often on friendly terms with the Mohawk people. Newer sources seem to confirm that Suster was actually the daughter of Dutchman named Hendrick Lambertse Bout. There is still no definitive proof that Hendrick was Suster's father, but even if he was there is still the possibility that her mother or maybe a grandparent was a Mohawk. The Bout family has not been studied enough to rule out the possibility. Much of this discourse also concerns the fact that her given name was "Suster." As far as I know, this name occurred in no other Dutch-American family. It seems to be translated as "sister" or something to that effect.

Martin - Crobarger family of Oregon
Some Martin family descendants claim that it is part of their family history that Frances Martin Roberts Miller was either full Indian or had Indian blood. Unfortunately, no proof or corroboration of this theory exists. Photographs of family members (including the twin sister of Fanny and their father) exist which show white people with possible Indian facial attributes. All of the Martins (and connected Browns and Crobargers) indicated in records that they were White. Also, Fanny's father Col. William J. Martin was a racist Indian fighter who fought against them in three different wars. Of course this does not really prove anything. The Martin family's classification as white people and their apparent hatred of Indians may simply have been a result of their resentment of their own scant Indian blood. If this connection is true, an Indian may have been the as of yet unknown wife of Zaddock Martin Sr. whom he probably married in North Carolina in the 1770's. An Indian could also have been the ancestor of Susannah Brown or of Harriet Crobarger. There is hardly anything known about the ancestry of these people.

Anthony Jansen Van Salee, (c. 1607-1676)
According to family record that appears to be based in truth, Anthony's father was Dutch and his mother was a Moor (Islamic people living in north Africa). He later moved to New Amsterdam and there is record of him "being brown." It is apparent that Anthony never converted to Christianity and appears to be one of the first Muslims to live in the New World. It is not known if he is an ancestor of this line. His great-great-granddaughter Jannetje Barentsen may have been Jannetje wife of Jacques Barkelow.