The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-19
A CORNER IN ANCESTORS
THE WHITE FAMILY
By FRANCES cowLEs.

Copyright, 1915. by Mcclure Newspaper SyndicateD
 The first of the name, however. in the ] new world was William, Mayflower Pill 1 grim, who died the first winter but he | left sons, Peregrine and Resolved whose descendants may. of course, claim much coveted membership with the Mayfower | society Peregrne was the first white | child born in New England, and his cradle 1 is one of the treasured relics of Pilgrim ] Hall. Plymouth, as well as the Brooches
 Bible, which his father brought with him l to this country, and in which the birth of Peregrine is recorded,
 | On the fly leaves Of the Bible are rude pictures, drawn by some member of the Mayfiower party; one represents an Indian with drawn bow, with the legend, Were | greeted thus when we came in on shore. 1 One of the founders of Hartford, Conn, was Elder John White, who came from
 Essex county, England. He was a man of affairs. and held many important off, fees It is interesting to note that his posterity number 5074, to date, of whom
 2S50 are Whites. Descendants of this
 branch of the family were among the chief founders of the republic and have occupied positions of honor and trust. Elder Johns son, Captain Nathaniel, one of the founders Of Middletown, Conn, was a representative from his town s5 times,
 and it is down in the records that he was past four score when last chosen.
 Another Pilgrim ancestor was Col Thomas White, who came over from
 London, 1720. settling in Maryland He was the father of the first Episcopal Bishop of Pennsylvania-W William White.
 whose fittest epitaph is Wordsworth's line: "Saintly White, patriarch of a wide spreading family Bishop White was to his church what Washington was to his country.
 Whenever there has been call to arms in defense of country and home. the ! Whites have nobly responded. All colo nial wars have had their representatives; the war for independence; the second war
 with Great Britain, and the Mexican war. Among the names given in Revolutionary rosters are those of John. Samuel. Abl- jah. A Sd and Jonathan.
 Chara of the Whites are said to be lofty purity of character, with utter i absence of narrow and self-seeking views; honesty of opinions, with fear lessness in stating them.
 The coat of arms reproduced displays
 chevron between three lions rampant, or. In dexter chief. a hand apaumee. 1 Crest, out of a ducal coronet, argent, a demi-eagle with wings expanded sable. | To l.. T. S., who asks "Is it true that the Stephens family of America is de- scended from an illustrious Norman of which the Enelish branch is extnct?' l Yes. this seems to be the case of one of the Stephens families in America. l It is said that the family came from Normandy to England with William the Conqueror. and settled in Gloucestershire
 where it held high position
 l The family before it became extinct l in England. won great renown. Tn the reign of Henry II Ralph Fitz Stephen,
 baron of Wapley, and his brother Will l lam--later chief Justice of the circuit court of Engiand-were joint sheriffs of 1 the shire of Gloucester.
 1 Tn the days of William the Conqueror the Fitz Stephens were indeed great per scnages. Airard Fitz Stephen. Norman I nobleman. was placed by William in corn- n1and of the Mora. the ship which his wife had given him as a surprise for d gift-a parting gift-when he sailed from
 Normandy to conquer England Matilda
 when she wove the Bayeaux tapestry,