By Phyllis Long - Part 1 Connie Mae Long is my daughter and she is a Mayflower descendant on her father's side according to the "Kettenring family in America" [database on-line]. Provo, UT: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005. Original data: Catron, Henry Hardy,. Kettenring family in America. Mount Pulaski, Ill.: H.J. Wible Print. Co., 1956. John Alden 1599- Priscilla Mulliens Pilgrim born in England. He was a cooper aboard the Mayflower and signed the Mayflower Compact. Although he married Priscilla Mulliens, there is no basis for the story told in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's "The Courtship of Miles Standish". He moved from Plymouth to Duxbury Colony about 1627 and had several Important posts in Duxbury Colony. Among the descendants of John and Priscilla Alden are Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, William Cullen Bryant and President John Quincy Adams. William Peabodie 1620-1707 Elizabeth Alden 1624-1717 Benjamin Bartlett Jr. 1658-1720 Ruth Peabodie John Murdock Jr. 1691-1756 Ruth Bartlett The will of John Murdock, Jr. (Plymouth Probate Record, Vol. 14, Page 316): I give my grandson, William Tilson (son of Stephen Tilson) the whole farm, with the dwelling house and all other buildings thereon, Standing in the town of Plympton, in the county afs'd, and is the same now in the improvement of Noah Pratt. I give unto my son-in-law, John Wall, the sum of forth pounds; also a bond for thirteen pounds, six shillings, Eight pence, which I have on him. I give to my wife, Ruth, improvement of all remaining part of my estate, Both real and personal, during her natural live. After that to be equally divided to my sons, James and Bartlett Murdock. I hereby appoint my sons, James and Bartlett Murdock, execrs. Will made 16 Sept. 1756. Janet Murdock 1711- Stephen Tilson William Tilson Sr. 1741-1825 Mary Ransom William Tilson served in the French and Indian War in Nova Scotia for a considerable amount of time. William received a land grant for his services during the Seven Years War (better known as the French and Indian War). William and Mary settled on their land grant located in St. Clair Bottoms on the middle fork of The Holston in Southwest Virginia in 1763. The land grant consisted of 282 acres and is near the present Chilhowie, Virginia. He then moved to be near his three sons on the Nolichucky River, four miles from Erwin, Tennessee. His wife died there and was buried on the farm. He soon returned to his former home near Holstein Mills, Virginia. He died at his son-in-law's, Joseph Cole's, place about 1825. William Tilson Jr. 1763-1824 Ruth Reynolds William Tilson moved from Virginia in 1803 and settled near Erwin, Unicoi County, Tennessee, on the Nolichucky River. He was drowned on September 15, 1824 during a flood of the Nolichucky River near Erwin, Tennessee. It is believed that his family had taken refuge in the attic of the log cabin; but as he was Following up the ladder to join them, a huge floating log struck the cabin and carried away the section of the Cabin where the ladder was located. His description is described as fair, with bright red hair. Samuel Alexander Erwin Jr. 1797-1834 Mercy Tilson 1798-1868 LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF SAMUEL: I, Samuel A. Erwin,----and State of Tennessee, being weak and low in body but of sound mind and perfect Judgment (thank God for the same) do make and publish this to be my last Will and Testament in manner And form following (viz, that after my funeral expenses, and all just debts are paid,) my will is that my Beloved wife Mercy Tilson do try and keep the balance together so as to raise the children in as good a Manner as the nature of the case will admit of. Also all the debts that are due me when collected to remain For the benefit of my wife and children so long as she shall remain a widow, to be applied as she may think Best and lastly I do appoint my brother William S. Erwin to be Executor together with my wife an Executrix To execute this my last will and testament in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 10th day of April, 1834.