Friday, February 13, 2009

A lord and his lady

The name Shaftesbury might not ring a bell with many people. It's a small town on a hill in the southern English county of Dorset.

In 1973, Shaftesbury's steep street was made famous by a TV ad for a brand of bread named Hovis:


Curiously, the commentator speaks with a North Country rather than a Dorset accent. This publicity was followed by several funny spoofs. Here's one of them:


In my articles written in August 2007 entitled End of English excursion [display] and Dorset ancestral anecdotes [display], I described my genealogical pilgrimage to Blandford, which is not far away from Shaftesbury.

I've often been intrigued by the fact that the names Skeffington and Shaftesbury have almost identical etymologies. Let me explain. The remote ancestors from whom I acquired my Skyvington surname were Normans who sailed across the English Channel with William and usurped a Saxon settlement (tun) in Leicestershire whose patriarch was called Sceaft, meaning shaft. Maybe this Saxon elder had earned this name through his skills in spear-throwing. In any case, this fellow was not an ancestor of the Norman invaders who chased the Saxons away. The Anglicized name of the place where my Norman ancestors settled down, Skeffington, was simply a reminder of the original Saxon name. I have no reason to imagine that any of the original Saxons mated with the Normans invaders, giving rise to offspring with genuine Sceaft genes... because I'm a lousy spear-thrower. In the case of Shaftesbury, too, the Norman invaders appear to have usurped a Saxon stronghold (burg) created by a patriarch called Sceaft.

Apart from that, whenever Shaftesbury and Dorset are mentioned, I think immediately of the beautiful face of Nastassja Kinski in the film Tess [1979] by Roman Polanski. In fact, although the novelist Thomas Hardy [1840-1928] located Tess of the d'Urbervilles in Dorset, Polanski's movie was actually shot in the north of France. Now, I'm letting myself get led astray...







In the 17th century, a Dorset fellow named Anthony Cooper, with no outstanding qualities or world-shaking talents, nevertheless persuaded the king to name him the Earl of Shaftesbury. Later, his descendants left the town with the steep hill and moved to a tiny place in Dorset named Wimborne St Giles, where they erected a red-brick mansion, and transformed themselves into posh aristocrats.


The Shaftesbury earldom still exists. As in all old families, some peers were fine men, whereas others were nincompoops. [Young readers might need to look that word up in an old English dictionary.]

In France today, we're hearing a lot about the 10th Earl of Shaftesbury, Lord Anthony Ashley-Cooper, whose decomposed body was found in April 2005 at the bottom of a rubbish-strewn ravine on the French Riviera. He had been strangled in November 2004 by his brother-in-law, Mohamed M'Barek, now serving a 25-year jail sentence.



Last night, at the end of an appeals trial in the splendid Provençal city of Aix, the late lord's third wife, Jamila [shown in the above photo with her barrister, at her first court appearance, in May 2007], was sentenced to 20 years for complicity in this crime.


Getting back to etymology, we might say that the outcome of the appeals process in Aix-en-Provence confirms that Shaftesbury—as they say in the classics—got shafted. The ingredients of this sordid affair [wealth, sex, cupidity, stupidity, crime... themes that you can look up on the web] form a more dramatic cocktail than anything the Dorset novelist Hardy would have ever imagined. Polanski, on the other hand, would surely be capable of tackling such powerful stuff.

LOOKING BACK UPON THIS BLOG POST [notes written in January 2016] : Back at the time I wrote this post, some seven years ago, I was interested primarily in the name of the village, Shaftesbury, because I had heard that this word had a similar etymology to my own surname, Skyvington. Both names evoke settlements of tribes of ancient people designated by a term that stands for the shaft of a spear or arrow. I used to be intrigued by the fact that Shaftesbury is close to the territory of my Dorset ancestors named Skivington, but I now believe that any Shaftesbury/Skivington similarity is purely a coincidence. While writing the blog post, I became intrigued by the character of the celebrated politician Anthony Ashley Cooper [1801-1885], 7th Earl of Shaftesbury. Then, of course, I was intrigued by the unhappy ending of a recent head of the family, murdered by a brother and sister who are now in prison... no doubt for years to come. But I had no reason to suspect that my humble blog post would lead to so many enthusiastic reactions from individuals, apparently Americans, who seem to look upon themselves as members of the same noble family as Lord Shaftesbury.

17 comments:

  1. Anthony Ashley Cooper is a Ancestor of Mine We have not changed Booze and ladies Is still our weakness E B Ashley Gainesville Fl
    Two early Ashleys were John born 1625 and brother William, born in England. They share a story of love and rejection. They both loved the same woman, Lady Jane Cooper, daughter of Baronet John Cooper and wife Ann, daughter of Sir Anthony Ashley. It was decided between them, whichever she rejected, would migrate to the Colonies. William lost, and came to the Colonies. Scant early records seem to point to William settling in Accomack Co. VA.

    About 1650, John and Jane Cooper Ashley migrated to the Colonies. They had two known sons, Thomas born about 1650, and Isaac born about 1660. Thomas stayed in VA and Isaac moved to Maryland, as those are the states their records are found in. There are many Ashley descendents in the USA that trace their lines back to John Ashley and Lady Jane Cooper and brother William through their children.

    In searching the Virginia archives and records, some records were found for Christopher Ashley, Nansemond Co, 1652, Dennis Ashley, Northumberland Co., 1679, John Ashley, Lancaster Co, 1653, William, Accomack, 1663, Thomas (son of John and Jane) Northumberland, 1677, Joseph, 1689. Peter, 1622, Allis, 1692, Ann, 1699, Charles, New Kent CO. 1704, Esward, Surry CO. 1714, Rachel Spotsylvania Co. 1727. According to the records there are a number of Johns Williams, and Thomas'. That name seems pretty popular among early Ashleys.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your patriarchal Ashley brothers in America, William and John, would have been first cousins of Anthony Ashley-Cooper [1621-1683], the first Earl of Shaftesbury. Their father, William Ashley, was an older brother of Anthony's mother, Anne Ashley [1602-1628]. John Ashley married his cousin, Jane Cooper, the earl's sister. Your anecdote concerning the two brothers, both in love with their cousin, is amusing. According to what you say, Lady Jane was the jackpot, whereas the consolation prize for the loser was a trip to America. Or was it the other way round?

    ReplyDelete
  3. The Ashley Family Pedigree, attained the Peerage of England.
    History uncovered by paper trail and DNA The genetic continuity of this Family continues on to this day. Migrating from England, John Ashley married his cousin lady Jane Cooper moved to the colonies settled on the Eastern Seaboard of Virginia . Some of these Ashley descendents are currently living In Gainesville fl, Eugene B Ashley and family. Members Include, Grandson.
    Britain Mitchell Ashley


    NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Anthony Ashley Cooper Ashley Cooper

    Queen Elizabeth II is descended from this family.
    Anthony Ashley Cooper
    Lord (Earl) Shaftsbury, Anthony Ashley Cooper 1621-1683 was son of daughter of Anthony Ashley (secretary of War for Queen Elizbeth I) (and so the double name but he IS a Cooper) and John Cooper.


    Brit Chancellor of the Exchequer and later Lord Chancellor.


    Famous for running the Brit government during the 1670's and beginning of the 1680's , he passed the first habeas corpus act - beginning due process and ending the practice of jailing someone without a hearing; and he also passed an act to make the judiciary independent, beginning that important practice.


    He was also Lord Proprietor (with 7 others) of the Carolina's - today's US North and South Carolina but extending on the west to the Pacific Ocean. And on the committees running the Virginia and Massachusetts colonies.


    Esp famous too for accumulating wealth, he had at one time 40 men in livery to attend on guests at his parties.


    Falling out with others in mid 1680's , he spent some time in the Tower of London , with false charges, and on release left to live until his death a short time later (1683) in Amsterdam, Holland....


    His family continues prominent in UK today, with each succeeding Earl of Shaftsbury with the same name of Anthony Ashley Cooper. The one in this position in the 1800's was esp successful in passing child labor laws stopping sweat shops using children.


    The family today remains esp involved in philanthropy.


    Queen Elizabeth II is descended from this family.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Family Tree DNA - Project Website >
    ==============================================================
    37
    Rb - #91734 – (YSearch: N6BDH) – R1b1b2a1b5
    1 John ASHLEY b: 1625 Bristol, England d: 1671 Lancaster, VA [m. Jane COOPER]
    2 Thomas A ASHLEY Sr. b: ca 1660 Lancaster Co, VA;d: Aft. 1747 Lancaster Co, VA [m. Ann PLOWMAN]
    3 John Plowman ASHLEY b: 1692 Lancaster Co, VA; d: 1768 Anson Co, NC [m. Mary Ann HILL]
    4 Jorden Jurdeen ASHLEY Sr. b: ca Bertie/ Chowan Co, NC; d: 1817 Lancaster Co, SC [m Elizabeth SANDERS]
    5 Jordan A. ASHLEY Jr. b: 1761 Kershaw or Lancaster Co., SC; d: 1830 Jasper Co, MS[m. Sarah SANDERS]
    6 Jocrdon ASHLEY Elder b: ca 1802 Wilkes Co, NC; d: 1864 Wolfe Co, KY [m. Barbara FRANCIS]
    7 Franklin Francis M. ASHLEY b: 1828 Ashe Co, NC [m. Lucinda TOLIVER]
    8 Freland ASHLEY b: 1856 Letcher Co, KY [m. Sally MARTIN]
    9 Alexander ASHLEY b: 1889 Knott Co, KY; d:1965 Perry Co, KY [m. Lucy BREWER]
    10 Harlen ASHLEY b: 16 Oct 1915 Perry Co, KY; d: 1999 [m. Louise M.CANE Chaney]
    11 Curtis Carl ASHLEY Sr. b: 1936 Yolan, WV; d: 1997 Chatham, NC
    12 Donor
    *contact: Curtis C ASHLEY bigkahoona2002@yahoo.com
    ===================================================
    38
    Rb - #16212 – (YSearch.org: YN222) - R1b1b2a1b5
    1 James Jordan ASHLEY Sr b. 1790 Barnwell Co, SC – d. aft 1850 Franklin Co, TN
    2 James Jordan ASHLEY Jr b. 1820 TN – d. aft 1870 Franklin Co, TN
    3 James Marion ASHLEY b. 1851 Franklin Co, TN – d. 1930 Franklin Co, TN
    4 William Henry ASHLEY b. 1875 Franklin Co, TN – d. 1964 Franklin Co, TN
    5 James Roy ASHLEY b. 1904 Franklin Co, TN – d. 1944 Franklin Co, TN
    6 donor
    *contact: < sjs0922@comcast.net >
    =============================================================
    39
    Rb - #22454 – (YSearch.org: HDGND) - R1b1b2a1b5
    1 James Jordan ASHLEY Sr b. 1790 Barnwell Co, SC – d. aft 1850 Franklin Co, TN
    2 James Jordan ASHLEY Jr b. 1820 TN – d. aft 1870 Franklin Co, TN
    3 James Marion ASHLEY b. 1851 Franklin Co, TN – d. 1930 Franklin Co, TN
    4 Levi ASHLEY b. 1882 Franklin Co, TN – d. 1962 Franklin Co, TN
    5 donor’s father
    6 donor
    *contact: < sjs0922@comcast.net >
    =============================================================
    40
    Rb - #25513 – (YSearch.org: PJ72T) - R1b1b2a1b5
    1 William ASHLEY b 1874 KY – d. c 1920 Wise Co, VA (m. Rachel BOGGS)
    2 Earnest ASHLEY b 1915 Wise Co, VA – d. c 1985 Wise Co, VA
    3 donor’s father
    4 donor
    *contact: < rainbowfarm@frontiernet.net >
    =============================================================
    41
    Rb - #28716 – (YSearch.org: XADZY) - R1b1ba1b5
    2 William E ASHLEY b. c 1843 Greene Co, TN – d. 1876 Greene Co, TN
    3 John Henry ASHLEY b. 1867 Greene Co, TN – d. 1926 Greene Co, TN
    4 George W ASHLEY b. 1890 Greene Co, TN – d. 1967 Greene Co, TN
    *contact: < chess26442@aol.com >
    ==============================================================
    42
    Rb - #63792 - (Y-Search: 2RNBW ) - R1b1b2a1b5
    1 Robert ASHLEY b. c 1797 SC – d. aft 1860 Greene Co, TN
    2 William E ASHLEY b. c 1843 Greene Co, TN – d. 1876 Greene Co, TN
    3 John Henry ASHLEY b. 1867 Greene Co, TN – d. 1926 Greene Co, TN
    4 George W ASHLEY b. 1890 Greene Co, TN – d. 1967 Greene Co, TN
    *contact: Eugene B ASHLEY < GAshley923@aol.com >
    ===============================================================
    43
    Rb - #109204 – (Y-Search: PJS46)– R1b1b2a1b5
    1 Jordan ASHLEY b ca1801 - m. Barbara
    2 William ASHLEY b ca? Wilks Co, NC - d. 1894 Powell Co, KY (m. Christina PERRY)
    3 Frank ASHLEY b ca 1862 Perry Co, KY - d.1904 Knott Co, KY(m. Nancy SMITH)
    4 John Lee ASHLEY (b. 1894 - d 1971 Knott Co, KY (m. Norma COMBS)
    5 Donor's father
    6 Donor
    *contact: < timashley1@verizon.net >
    44
    Rb - #72529 –(YSearch: RNPYZ) - R1b1b2a1b5
    1 Joseph ASHLEY b c1675 unknown - d. 1760 unknown
    2 Thomas ASHLEY b 1704 Rochester, Mass - d. unknown
    3 William ASHLEY b 1785 Massachusetts - d. c1825 Darke Co, Ohio
    4 Elisha ASHLEY b Herkimer Co, NY - d 1863 Merom, IN
    5 Joel Loami ASHLEY b 1816 Greenville, OH - d 1871 Logan Co, IL
    6 Thomas Wiley ASHLEY b 1848 Darke Co, OH - d 1929 Tazewell Co, IL
    7 Joel Loami ASHLEY b 1902 Logan Co, IL - d 1961 Peoria, IL
    8 donor
    *contact: Richard Byron ASHLEY < rashley1@tampabay.rr.com >

    ReplyDelete
  5. Family Tree DNA - Project Website >
    ==============================================================
    37
    Rb - #91734 – (YSearch: N6BDH) – R1b1b2a1b5
    1 John ASHLEY b: 1625 Bristol, England d: 1671 Lancaster, VA [m. Jane COOPER]
    2 Thomas A ASHLEY Sr. b: ca 1660 Lancaster Co, VA;d: Aft. 1747 Lancaster Co, VA [m. Ann PLOWMAN]
    3 John Plowman ASHLEY b: 1692 Lancaster Co, VA; d: 1768 Anson Co, NC [m. Mary Ann HILL]
    4 Jorden Jurdeen ASHLEY Sr. b: ca Bertie/ Chowan Co, NC; d: 1817 Lancaster Co, SC [m Elizabeth SANDERS]
    5 Jordan A. ASHLEY Jr. b: 1761 Kershaw or Lancaster Co., SC; d: 1830 Jasper Co, MS[m. Sarah SANDERS]
    6 Jocrdon ASHLEY Elder b: ca 1802 Wilkes Co, NC; d: 1864 Wolfe Co, KY [m. Barbara FRANCIS]
    7 Franklin Francis M. ASHLEY b: 1828 Ashe Co, NC [m. Lucinda TOLIVER]
    8 Freland ASHLEY b: 1856 Letcher Co, KY [m. Sally MARTIN]
    9 Alexander ASHLEY b: 1889 Knott Co, KY; d:1965 Perry Co, KY [m. Lucy BREWER]
    10 Harlen ASHLEY b: 16 Oct 1915 Perry Co, KY; d: 1999 [m. Louise M.CANE Chaney]
    11 Curtis Carl ASHLEY Sr. b: 1936 Yolan, WV; d: 1997 Chatham, NC
    12 Donor
    *contact: Curtis C ASHLEY bigkahoona2002@yahoo.com
    ===================================================
    38
    Rb - #16212 – (YSearch.org: YN222) - R1b1b2a1b5
    1 James Jordan ASHLEY Sr b. 1790 Barnwell Co, SC – d. aft 1850 Franklin Co, TN
    2 James Jordan ASHLEY Jr b. 1820 TN – d. aft 1870 Franklin Co, TN
    3 James Marion ASHLEY b. 1851 Franklin Co, TN – d. 1930 Franklin Co, TN
    4 William Henry ASHLEY b. 1875 Franklin Co, TN – d. 1964 Franklin Co, TN
    5 James Roy ASHLEY b. 1904 Franklin Co, TN – d. 1944 Franklin Co, TN
    6 donor
    *contact: < sjs0922@comcast.net >
    =============================================================
    39
    Rb - #22454 – (YSearch.org: HDGND) - R1b1b2a1b5
    1 James Jordan ASHLEY Sr b. 1790 Barnwell Co, SC – d. aft 1850 Franklin Co, TN
    2 James Jordan ASHLEY Jr b. 1820 TN – d. aft 1870 Franklin Co, TN
    3 James Marion ASHLEY b. 1851 Franklin Co, TN – d. 1930 Franklin Co, TN
    4 Levi ASHLEY b. 1882 Franklin Co, TN – d. 1962 Franklin Co, TN
    5 donor’s father
    6 donor
    *contact: < sjs0922@comcast.net >
    =============================================================
    40
    Rb - #25513 – (YSearch.org: PJ72T) - R1b1b2a1b5
    1 William ASHLEY b 1874 KY – d. c 1920 Wise Co, VA (m. Rachel BOGGS)
    2 Earnest ASHLEY b 1915 Wise Co, VA – d. c 1985 Wise Co, VA
    3 donor’s father
    4 donor
    *contact: < rainbowfarm@frontiernet.net >
    =============================================================
    41
    Rb - #28716 – (YSearch.org: XADZY) - R1b1ba1b5
    2 William E ASHLEY b. c 1843 Greene Co, TN – d. 1876 Greene Co, TN
    3 John Henry ASHLEY b. 1867 Greene Co, TN – d. 1926 Greene Co, TN
    4 George W ASHLEY b. 1890 Greene Co, TN – d. 1967 Greene Co, TN
    *contact: < chess26442@aol.com >
    ==============================================================
    42
    Rb - #63792 - (Y-Search: 2RNBW ) - R1b1b2a1b5
    1 Robert ASHLEY b. c 1797 SC – d. aft 1860 Greene Co, TN
    2 William E ASHLEY b. c 1843 Greene Co, TN – d. 1876 Greene Co, TN
    3 John Henry ASHLEY b. 1867 Greene Co, TN – d. 1926 Greene Co, TN
    4 George W ASHLEY b. 1890 Greene Co, TN – d. 1967 Greene Co, TN
    *contact: Eugene B ASHLEY < GAshley923@aol.com >
    ===============================================================
    43
    Rb - #109204 – (Y-Search: PJS46)– R1b1b2a1b5
    1 Jordan ASHLEY b ca1801 - m. Barbara
    2 William ASHLEY b ca? Wilks Co, NC - d. 1894 Powell Co, KY (m. Christina PERRY)
    3 Frank ASHLEY b ca 1862 Perry Co, KY - d.1904 Knott Co, KY(m. Nancy SMITH)
    4 John Lee ASHLEY (b. 1894 - d 1971 Knott Co, KY (m. Norma COMBS)
    5 Donor's father
    6 Donor
    *contact: < timashley1@verizon.net >
    44
    Rb - #72529 –(YSearch: RNPYZ) - R1b1b2a1b5
    1 Joseph ASHLEY b c1675 unknown - d. 1760 unknown
    2 Thomas ASHLEY b 1704 Rochester, Mass - d. unknown
    3 William ASHLEY b 1785 Massachusetts - d. c1825 Darke Co, Ohio
    4 Elisha ASHLEY b Herkimer Co, NY - d 1863 Merom, IN
    5 Joel Loami ASHLEY b 1816 Greenville, OH - d 1871 Logan Co, IL
    6 Thomas Wiley ASHLEY b 1848 Darke Co, OH - d 1929 Tazewell Co, IL
    7 Joel Loami ASHLEY b 1902 Logan Co, IL - d 1961 Peoria, IL
    8 donor
    *contact: Richard Byron ASHLEY < rashley1@tampabay.rr.com >

    ReplyDelete
  6. RootsWeb: DNA-R1B1C7-LFrom: GAshley923@aol.com
    Subject: [R-M222] Ashley's Their ancestors were powerful clan chieftains,
    Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:19:06 EDT
    My paper trail go back to but not beginning with Anthony Ashley / Anthony
    Ashley Cooper.John Ashley Married his cousin lady Jane Cooper and moved to
    Virginia .From England.

    _http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lksstarr/reports/perduecommen.txt_
    (http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lksstarr/reports/perduecommen.txt)
    Quote " Doesn't the sheer number of royal lines in one family seem
    somewhat hard to believe? These families count amongst their ancestors powerful
    clan chieftains, extraordinary political leaders and monarchs and yet in
    Virginia all these powerful genes did not produce progeny "..Unquote. The
    most likely candidates supported by DNA are.more like the Scot Modal than the
    Irish Modal .The powerful clan chieftains are most likely the following
    E B Ashley



    _http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/9004/Duncan.html_
    (http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/9004/Duncan.html#inx)

    Duncan/Dunbar
    Name origin: A powerful chieftain; from the Gaelic Dun, a fortress, and
    ceann, head or chief. Duncean or Duncan, strong-headed.
    * _Duncan, Lay Abbot of Dunkeld_
    (http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/9004/Duncan.html#du4) (920-965)
    * _Duncan, Lord of Mormaer_
    (http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/9004/Duncan.html#du3) (954-1010)
    * _Dunkeld, Crinan Mormaer Abbot_
    (http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/9004/Duncan.html#du2) (980-1045)
    * _Duncan I, King_
    (http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/9004/Duncan.html#du1) (1005-1040)
    * _Maldred FitzCrinan, 1st Earl of Dunbar_
    (http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/9004/Duncan.html#ma2) (1009-1045)
    * _Malcolm III_
    (http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/9004/Duncan.html#mal) (1031-1093)
    * _Donald "Bane" IIII, King of Scotland_
    (http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/9004/Duncan.html#don) (1033-1097)
    * _Gospatric, Earl of Northumbria, Moermarer of Dunbar_
    (http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/9004/Duncan.html#go2) (1040-1074)
    * _Waltheof, Earl of Dunbar_
    (http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/9004/Duncan.html#wal) (1062-1138)
    * _Gospatric, 3rd Earl of Dunbar_
    (http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/9004/Duncan.html#gos) (1073-1138)
    Duncan, Lay Abbot of Dunkeld
    b.920 Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland; parents ukn
    d.abt.965 Battle of Duncrub, Perthshire, Scotland
    CHILDREN included:
    1. _Duncan, Lord of Mormaer_
    (http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/9004/Duncan.html#du3) b.abt.949/954
    Return to _Duncan_
    (http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/9004/Duncan.html#inx) Index

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    [R-M222] Ashley's Their ancestors were powerful clan chieftains, by GAshley923@aol.com


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    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks to everybody for sending in all this Ashley/Cooper genealogical information. My initial post was little more than a news item concerning the tragic end of Lord Shaftesbury, a few years ago, here in the south of France. Besides, as I explained in my post, the Shaftesbury place-name has always attracted my attention because (a) it is etymologically similar to Skyvington, and (b) the town lies near the territory of my Dorset ancestors. Today, I'm pleasantly surprised to discover that the comments attached to this post are starting to constitute a mini-database on the Ashley and Cooper families. If I understand correctly, there's already a DNA dimension to this genealogical research...

    ReplyDelete
  8. Carolinas' colonial history
    We have observed that it was designed to establish a great empire in the region of the Carolinas. It was deemed proper to devise a scheme of government commensurate with that grand idea. To Sir Ashley Cooper, and the philosopher John Locke, was entrusted the task of framing a constitution. Cooper was then about forty-seven years of age, and in the full maturity of his genius and power. He was of an old and wealthy family, and connected with some of the most distinguished members of the English aristocracy. He was now a royalist of the strictest pattern. A few years later (1672), he was elevated to the peerage as Earl of Shaftesbury, and made Lord High Chancellor of England. Locke was much younger-only thirty-four-but was a more profound thinker than Cooper, and was already famous as a philosopher. He was a tutor of Cooper's son. His views of government were consonant with those of his friend, the statesman and courtier. Neither of these men was fitted for the task of framing an acceptable constitution for the government of a free people, and the magnificent scheme which they prepared, with the title of "Fundamental Constitutions," was entirely inconsistent with the condition and circumstances of the American colonists. It was the production chiefly of the brain and hand of Locke, it is believed, and was perfected in 1669. For purposes of settlement, the proposed constitution provided for dividing the vast domain into counties, each to contain four hundred and eighty thousand acres. These lands were to be distributed in five equal parts, one-fifth to remain the inalienable property of the proprietors; another fifth the inalienable property of two orders of nobility, namely, landgraves or earls, and caciques or barons, one of the former and two of the latter belonging to each county; and the remaining three-fifths to belong to "the peoples," that is to say, farmers and lords of manors, the latter having no prescriptive legislative powers, but exercising judicial functions on their respective domains, in baronial courts. The number of the nobility was not to be increased nor diminished, the places of those who should not leave heirs, to be supplied by election. It gave to every freeman of Carolina absolute power over his negro slaves; and tenants, cultivating small quantities of land, were not only to be denied political franchises of any kind, but were serfs of the soil, and under the jurisdiction of their lord, without appeal; and all their children were to endure the same social degradation "to all generations."

    When that elaborate constitution, which provided for titles, and classes, and aristocratic distinctions in America, was submitted to the people of the Carolinas, they rejected it as absurd in its details. They had made judicious laws for their own government, were satisfied with their workings, and resolved to have nothing to do with the scheme of the proprietors. Under their own laws they built up flourishing colonies, inseparable in interests and aims, and so they remained over sixty years, when they were dismembered and formed the separate colonies of North and South Carolina.

    ReplyDelete
  9. The primary goal of many Ashley genealogists aim to establish a clear descendant line from Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury. In this endeavor, the legend and lore of John and William Ashley and their love of Lady Jane Cooper is often quoted. However, this is only family legend.

    Documentation and DNA studies linking the Ashley family ancestral line in America with the Ashley-Cooper family of Wimborne St Giles are nonexistent.

    Keep in mind that the 1st Earl of Shaftesbury additionally stated the names of his siblings in his autobiography. Jane was not listed. Historical records simply do not include her among the members of this family.

    The legend of John and William Ashley and their love of Jane Cooper was shared with Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 10th Earl of Shaftesbury, just prior to his death. He found it amusing, nevertheless unlikely.

    In order to support the genealogical research of Ashley family members in America, Atty agreed to participate in the DNA study pursued by the Ashley Family Association. Sadly, he died before the research and testing was initiated.

    While his heir and son, Nicholas, 12th Earl of Shaftesbury is aware of the claims of Ashley family members in America, he states that the archived records do not support the summation. He has additionally, declined requests to participate in the DNA study required to definitively establish a biological link to the Ashley-Cooper family.

    Cindy Ashley Nelson

    ReplyDelete
  10. George Ashley Cooper Brother to Anthony Ashley Cooper was exiled to the Colonies His descendent's have been tested .Here are the results.
    Haplogroup: R1b1b2a1b5 (tested)
    Last name: Cooper
    Variant spellings:

    Tested with: Family Tree DNA
    Contact person: Daniel Cooper Contact this user

    Most distant known paternal ancestor on the direct male line
    First Name: Fleet
    Last Name: Cooper
    Year Born: About 1722
    Year Died: About 1795
    Country of Origin: Virginia, USA
    Latitude:
    Longitude:


    Additional information about Paternal Line:

    ReplyDelete
  11. It would be nice if the anonymous commenter were to identify himself more explicitly. If I understand correctly, his name is Daniel Cooper and he's a client of Family Tree DNA. Is there no website that deals with Cooper genealogy? Would concerned people like me to build and manage such a website?

    ReplyDelete
  12. http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/wayne/heritage/cooper.txt

    The Rev. Fleet Cooper, Sr., (1722-1795) was a pioneer Baptist minister in
    Sampson and Duplin Counties and was a prominent political figure during the
    American Revolution. According to a reliable genealogist, the Coopers were
    descended from at least four of the Barons who signed the Magna Carta and
    Fleet Cooper was descended from a brother of Anthony Ashley Cooper (Earl of
    Shaftsbury), who was one of the Lords Proprietors who were granted the
    Carolinas in 1663 by Charles II
    Anthony Ashley coopers biography states he had to settle his brothers estate. author, James Fenimore Cooper. Tradition says that James was a minister and signed a note with some of his parishioners.
    It was a bad crop year, and they were unable to pay, and the creditors looked to him. At that time in England, when onecould not pay a debt, he was put in prison. Out of respect for him, the authorities gave him the choice of coming to America ...
    Fleet Judge Cooper Sr b. 1721 Philadelphia Philadelphia County Pennsylvania d. 1801 Sampson County North Carolina Source: "The Heritage of Sampson County, North Carolina, 1784 - 1984," published by the Sampson County Historical
    Society, pp. 375-376, #564.Lords Proprietors to whom Charles II gave the Carolina Charter in 1663, 'one of the ablest and most prominent statesmen
    of his time.' He left no heirs.
    "His brother, another son of Sir John Cooper and Ann Ashley, was George Ashley Cooper, who was born 22 July 1621
    and died 28 Jan. 1682. He married Elizabeth, daughter of John Oldfield, Alderman of London. (a)
    "Their son James Cooper of Stratford-on-Avon immigrated to America in 1682 and died in Philadelphia 4 Dec. 1732. He
    married first Hester and second Mary. James was a first cousin of Judge Cooper of Burlington, N. J. who was father of the
    author, James Fenimore Cooper. Tradition says that James was a minister and signed a note with some of his parishioners.
    It was a bad crop year, and they were unable to pay, and the creditors looked to him. At that time in England, when one
    could not pay a debt, he was put in prison. Out of respect for him, the authorities gave him the choice of coming to
    America. Tradition further states that he was visiting an old friend, Edward Byllinge, who carried him around and showed
    him several sites, watching to see which one appealed to him most, then gave him the deed to it the next day. Whether that
    story be true or not, we do not know, but the deed, dated 21 Sept. 1682, reads: 'Edward Byllinge to James Cooper 50
    and married 28 Nov. 1720 Elizabeth Kelly. (f) Murphy Rowe Cooper, in his book on the Cooper Family, says: 'Benjamin3
    Acres, consideration ' out of good will and kindness for ye truth's sake he beareth unto you said property.''. (b) In
    December 1684 James patented a lot on Chestnut St. between 4th and 5th Sts. in Philadelphia, across from where the old
    marble customhouse would later be built. (c) He died in 1732 leaving an incomplete undated will which was allowed to
    be probated. In it, he mentions wife Mary, daughters Esther Hussey and Rebecca, and sons Isaac, Samuel, William, and
    Benjamin. (d) Most of their names appear in the records of the Philadelphia Meeting between 1705 and 1729. (e).
    "Benjamin Cooper was born in Philadelphia 1701 (a); bought from his father for 40 pounds 300 acres 18 Jan. 1720 (e);

    was a visionary man to whom success was always just around the corner. He was on the move seeking greener pastures.
    In 1725 he moved to Isle of Wight County, Va. Later he moved to Loudoun County NC

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  13. I have traced my Ashley family to John and lady Jane Ashley-Cooper. Why I ask does Nick Ashley-Cooper denie his American connection to the Ashley's? I have no problem with DNA testing. Anyway my name is Ronnie Ashley. I live in Abingdon, Virginia. I was raised in Whitetop, Va. on the north Carolina, Tennessee, and Va border. One Ashley that was from Johnson County Tennessee by the mame of Clarence "Tom" Ashley was a banjo/guitar player and singer. Look him up on the net. Oh, and the story of two brothers in love with the same woman and that if it happened once it would surely happen again? Well I'll be damned it happened again!!! Except she is not a cousin. My father was Wilton Henry Ashley, then it goes to Joseph Ashley, David Ashley, Enoch Ashley, and on down the line to lady Jane and John's son Thomas.

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  14. Family Tree DNA - My FamilyTreeDNA Project Website Title
    4595, Cooper, John Adam Cooper- b ca 1736 unk-1778 Berkeley WV, G .... 17438, Cooper, Ashley Cooper, d. ... 46802, Cooper, Fleet Cooper, R1b1a2, R- M269 ...
    www.familytreedna.com/public/Cooper/default.aspx?section=ysnp - Similar

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  15. Family Tree DNA - My FamilyTreeDNA Project Website Title
    4595, Cooper, John Adam Cooper- b ca 1736 unk-1778 Berkeley WV, G .... 17438, Cooper, Ashley Cooper, d. ... 46802, Cooper, Fleet Cooper, R1b1a2, R- M269 ...
    www.familytreedna.com/public/Cooper/default.aspx?section=ysnp - Similar

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  16. The Reverend Fleet Cooper, Sr. - USGenWeb Archives
    According to a reliable genealogist, the Coopers were descended from at least ... and Fleet Cooper was descended from a brother of Anthony Ashley Cooper (Earl ... of the Lords Proprietors who were granted the Carolinas in 1663 by Charles II. ... Benjamin Cooper (1701-1776) was married in 1720 to Elizabeth Kelly and in ...
    files.usgwarchives.net/nc/wayne/heritage/cooper.txt - Similarto The Reverend Fleet Cooper, Sr. - USGenWeb Archives

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  17. Nicholas Ashley-Cooper, 12th Earl of Shaftesbury - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    Nicholas Edmund Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 12th Earl of Shaftesbury, (born 3 June 1979) also known as Nick Ashley-Cooper, succeeded his brother as Earl of Shaftesbury. The 12th Earl of Shaftesbury is the godson of Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster; and Simon Elliot, husband of Annabel Shand, sister of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
    Shaftesbury's father, Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 10th Earl of Shaftesbury, had been murdered in November 2004 by the brother of his third wife, Jamila M'Barek, but his body was not discovered until April 2005.[1] A month later, on 15 May 2005, Shaftesbury's brother, Anthony, the 11th Earl, died of a heart attack and the peerage devolved upon Nicholas. Following his brother's death, Shaftesbury relocated to his family home from New York City and assumed the responsibilities of the earldom. He also holds the subsidiary titles Baron Ashley and Baron Cooper.

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