Ancestral brushes with the rich or famous

[dawnwas]

My Grandma nee Mason was connected somehow to John Wesley.I have yet to trace the full connection.

[Jayson]

It's really very enjoyable to read about the ancestral connections that people have with famous historical characters.

My direct ancestor (James Bayley 1718-1779) was the first cousin to Admiral, Sir John Jervis, who was later ennobled as the Earl of St Vincent after his victory - with the brilliant assistance of Horatio Nelson - against the Spanish off Cape St Vincent in 1797.  Nelson was a protege of Jervis and the two were to become great friends, but sadly fell out over prize money.

I also have an ancestor who was mentioned just once by Samuel Pepys in his famous diary.  He was John Swynfen who Pepys referred to as that Parliament Man.  He was one of many members of Parliament booted out by Cromwell during Pride's Purge.

I wonder if there are any rootschatters related to Cromwell?

Jayson

[GordonD]

Nothing remotely rich or famous on any line that I have looked at yet.

Only real brushes are that  my gran went to New Stevenston Primary School, Motherwell with Sir Alexander Gibson and had to help him with his maths. He was a conductor and now has an opera school named after him at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Don't know of any other brushes other than my mum was a couple of years above Elaine C Smith (Scottish comedian) at primary school.

Gordon

[kena]

Hi, apart from my link with King William I also know of another brush with fame in my family, my dad saw the Beatles at the beginning live at the Cavern, how good is that!.

Anna

[davierj]

I once had a wry smile from Harry Secombe when I told him my dad was a fan of his before I was
Dave

[meles]

Great-aunt Emily was a nurse in the household of the Carey Elweses in Lincolnshire, where the composer Percy Grainger wrote much of his music. My only bid for fame in my family tree...

meles

[hettie2000]

One of my husband's lines is Dewhurst. I keep looking for the sausage factory but no luck as yet...

 

[chloed]

charlie chaplin lived next door to my great grandparents in lambeth when he was a little boy, when his mother was incapacitated, charlie and his brother would get a meal from them, cos they felt so sorry for the boys.

[Janny3]

Nothing remotely rich or famous on any line that I have looked at yet.

Only real brushes are that  my gran went to New Stevenston Primary School, Motherwell with Sir Alexander Gibson and had to help him with his maths. He was a conductor and now has an opera school named after him at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Don't know of any other brushes other than my mum was a couple of years above Elaine C Smith (Scottish comedian) at primary school.

Gordon
Gordon, can you ask your Gran if she remembers the Murray family from Nimmo's Rows, in particular John, my father? He was at school along with Alexander Gibson and I would love to find someone who knew him. Thanks
Jan