Hi all, I am always fascinated with stories of notoriety. While browsing recently I saw this report from "Immigration, its evils and consequences", by Samuel C. Busey, Published by DeWitt & Davenport, NY, (1856). "U.S. Consulate, Switzerland, March 27, 1856. "Sir: . . . Four authorities and cantonial goverments have been in the habit of sending their paupers to the United States, merely securing their passage to New York." During the 2d Session of the 28th Congress, Mr. Berrien made a report in relation to the shipment of paupers and criminals to this country, accompanied with the testimony from which the following is extracted. Henry Lampaiter, jun., testified that he knew of "The instances of two persons--one named Christopher Brown, and one named HENRY KNAPP (EMPHASIS ADDED)." And that he had "learned from a woman who accompanied them, that they both had been sent to this country from a house of correction in Brunswick." (There is more testimony about Europeans being sent to America from almshouses and prisons.) Query: Does anyone claim descent from Henry Knapp, the criminal? Note: My family has tossed about a "tale" of my Emery family coming to America from England to avoid a prison term for horse thievery. I have been told that this did not occur - that the story could not be true. While I haven't uncovered any truth to the tale, I have seen the above mention practice discussed in several books. -Stephen ***************************************************************************** Stephen Emery Researching my ancestors University of Louisville Family names: Emery, Garris, Hektor, Louis D. Brandeis School of Law Hill, Horton, Knapp, Kubik, Kundrata, Louisville, KY Lee, Leport, Pipher, Warner, Woolsey "Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated." - Mark Twain