Famous Cousins

Part of the fun of genealogy is discovering the famous people you're related to
Here is an ever-growing list of famous cousins in my family tree. 

John Bartram (1699-1777) -- Royal Botanist for the Colonies -- Son of John Bartram, chief botanist of the American colonies and founder of the Philadelphia Botanical Garden, John Bartram was the first native American botanist. He documented plants, animals and native peoples of North and South Carolina, Georgia and Florida in a series of writings with charming illustrations. He was responsible, through his correspondence with Peter Collinson, for introducing many American trees to Europe. He was married twice and had nine children. His third son William was to become a famous Orinthologist. In 1728 Bartram established the first botanical garden in America in Kingessing, Pennsylvania on the Schuylkill River in which he raised both native and exotic plant species. He was not only a competent farmer, but rendered assistance to the sick with his knowledge of medicinal plants. ® Alice Mendenhall is a decendent of John Bartram.  

Daniel Boone (1734-1820) -- Frontiersman & Diplomat -- Daniel Boone was born in 1734 near Reading, Berks County, PA. Twice, Boone returned to visit his boyhood home - in 1781 and in 1788 - a hero and legend in his day. Daniel was the sixth child, one of eleven, born to Squire and Sarah. Although little is known of Daniel's Pennsylvania years, he undoubtedly helped his father as farmer, weaver and blacksmith and had the usual experiences of a boy growing up in the back country. His parents were Squire and Sarah Morgan Boone, they were Quakers. ® Idella Dora Maule is a descendent of Daniel Boone.

William Frederick "Wild Bill" Cody (1846 - 1917) -- In 1883, Cody organized Buffalo Bill's Wild West, an outdoor exhibition dramatizing the contemporary western scene. Legend has it Cody drove a Concord stagecoach full speed, revolvers blazing into the show arena. The "Buffalo Bill" coach was a three-quarter scale version of the nine-passenger mail coaches used by Wells Fargo. With attractions like a Pony Express relay race and Custer's Last Fight, the show was an international success, touring throughout Europe. ® descendent of Mary Levis, wife of Joseph Pennock.

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) --16th President of US --- Abraham Lincoln was born Feb. 12, 1809, then in Hardin, now in the more recently formed county of Larue, Kentucky. His father, Thomas, & grand-father, Abraham, were born in Rockingham county Virginia. Their ancestors had come from Berks county Pennsylvania. His lineage has been traced no farther back than this. The family were originally Quakers ® Idella Dora Maule is a descendent of Abraham Lincoln.

George B. McClellen (1827 - 1885) -- U. S. Civil War General-in-Chief, USA --- McClellan was born in Philadelphia, PA in 1827. When the Civil War errupted he became a Major General and was in charge of clearing out southern forces from western Virginia. In the summer of 1861, he became Supreme General of the Union army and formed the Army of the Potomac. Lincoln fired him twice when he was slow in battle and often let southern armies escape. He ran for President in 1864 and lost to Lincoln.

Richard Milhous Nixon (1913 - 1994) -- 37th President of US --- Richard Nixon will be one of the most remembered presidents in United States history. Called a liar, hippocrite, other things by his enemies for his role in the Watergate scandal, Nixon's foreign policy genius keeps him rated "Above Average" by most historians. All people, despite their differing views of Nixon, will certainly agree that he was one of the most influential presidents of all time. 37th president of the United States.Had previously served as Congressman and Vice President. Opened relations with China. Ended U.S. involvement in Vietnam War. Took part in Watergate, the largest political scandal in U.S. history. First U.S. president to resign. ® descendent of Alice Mendenhall.

Herbert "Herb" Pennock (1894 - 1938)-- Baseball Hall-of-Famer -- Every great team has a strong mix of hitting and pitching. The 1927 New York Yankees had "Murderer’s Row" of Ruth, Gehrig, and company to provide offensive explosions. The pitching staff was just as instrumental in the team’s success. The staff was anchored by left-handed journeyman, Herb Pennock. When the Yankees traded for Pennock in 1923, they figured to get a few solid starts out of the ten-year veteran. What they got was an ace that would perform brilliantly for ten more seasons and compile a perfect 5-0 World Series record. When all was said and done and his career ended in 1934, Pennock tallied a 240-162 record and completed an astounding 247 games. In 1948, Herb Pennock joined many of his Yankee teammates in Cooperstown with his election to baseball’s Hall of Fame. ® descendent of William Pennock and Alice Mendenhall.

Isaac Ridgeway Trimble (1802-1888 ) -- Major General CSA wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg. (he was wounded during Picketts charge, lost his leg and was captured by the Union) At sixty one, Isaac Trimble was one of the oldest generals on either side at Gettysburg, yet the huge, scowling, martial mustache that blazed across his face advertised the fact that behind it was one of the most pugnacious commanders on the field. On battlefield after battlefield in 1862 he had driven himself and his brigade past the limits of their comrades, making him a favorite with his legendarily relentless commander, "Stonewall" Jackson. Stoking his inner fire was naked ambition: "Before this war is over," he had told a delighted Jackson, "I intend to be a major general or a corpse." ® descendent of Alice Mendenhall.