I have quite a bit of information available on both of these families. Edward and Samuel Kemp are believed to have been related - possibly uncle/nephew. In 1658, both men signed a petition to the General Court for permission to trade with the Indians. In Edward Kemp's will, he referred to Samuel as "Kinsman". The existence of Rabert Kemp, however, has been recently called into question. Many who accept the uncle/nephew relationship between Edward and Samuel further consider Robert Kemp to have probably been the brother of Edward. There is a listing in the church records of Dedham, Mass., stating that "Robert Kemp and wife" were admitted to the church. In the "Great Migration Newsletter", published by NEHGS, Volume 4, No. 1, page 5, the editor makes note that it was most likely Edward Kemp being admitted to the church in Dedham, with the "error" being attributed to the Rev. John Allin, pastor of the church at that time. It is appearing more likely that Robert Kemp never existed, and that Samuel Kemp most likely arrived from England sometime in the 1656-1658 time frame. Yet another area that has been being explored is the relationship of the Foster's - i.e. of Samuel Foster, who married Edward Kemp's daughter, Esther, and of Sarah Foster, who married Samuel Kemp. The father of Sarah Foster, Andrew Foster, is known to have died in Andover 7 May 1685, at the ripe age of 106 years (Andover VR's). Sarah Foster is supposed to have been born in 1642 (according to the Foster Genealogy), which means that Andrew was 59 years old. It is believed, but not yet proven, that Samuel Foster was Andrew's son by a first marriage, and accompanied his father to New England. Both men appear in records at about the same time, and the close affinity of the Kemp's and Foster's lends more credibility to the issue. Lastly, there has never been found anything to prove the last name of Ann Foster, Sarah's mother. At various times, she has been given the name "Roach" or "Alcock", but proof is lacking. Also, there are a number of genealogies out there (especially with WFT) that still show Sarah Foster as the daughter of Sgt. Thomas Foster of Billerica. This has been provenn false, conclusively, but because it appears in the 1904 "Kemp's of New England", it continues to surface. Bob Young, Secretary Kemp Family Association [email protected]