THE KILLEBREW FAMILY We will start off with the history of the Killebrew name. The Ancient History of the Distinguished Surname **KILLIGREW** Cornwall, with its rugged cliffs and bleak wind-swept moors is home to the distinguished surname Killigrew and its history is richly interwoven into the rich fabric of the ancient chronicles of that county, famous not only for its tin mines but for being one of the earliest trading partners of the Biblical Phoenicians about the time of Christ. Cornwall emerged about 300-400 A.D., as the nation of Damnovia, or Dumnonia, the land of the southern Welsh. Included within the Cornish perimeter were parts of Devon and Somerset, even Wiltshire, a nation forced into the south-western most peninsula of England by the Saxons. But the indomitable Cornish people resisted. It was not until 926 A.D., almost 600 years later, that they were defeated by the Saxons. The first record of the name Killigrew was found in Cornwall where they were seated from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D. Many spelling variations of the name were found in the archives researched. Although your name, Killigrew, occurred in many references, from time to time the surname was spelt Killigrew, Kiligrew, Killigroue, Killegrew, Killigrave, and these changes in spelling frequently occurred, even between father and son. Scribes and church officials spelt the name as they thought appropriate. It was not uncommon for a person to be born with one spelling, married with another, and yet another appeared on his headstone. The surname Killigrew emerged as a notable English family name in the county of Cornwall where they were recorded as a family of great antiquity seated with manor and estates in that shire. They were first recorded as being Lords of the manor of Cheligrevus in the parish of St. Erme in Cornwall about the 12th century. By 1350 they had also branched to Arwennick in the same county. For the next two or three centuries the surname Killigrew flourished locally in Cornwall. During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries England was ravaged by religious conflict. The newly found passionate fervour of Cromwellianism, and the Church rejected all nonbelievers. And the Roman Church still fought to retain its status. Cornwall was strongly Methodist and fervently loyal to the crown of England. Cornish and Devon people along with settlers from the Channel Islands formed much of the population of Newfoundland on Canada's east coast. Newfoundland was a like climate, and the almost exclusive livelihood was from fishing. The surname Killigrew was amongst the many who were freely "encouraged" to migrate to Ireland, or to the "colonies." In Ireland they became known as the "Adventurers for land in Ireland." Essentially, they contracted to keep the Protestant faith, being granted lands for next to nothing, lands which had been previously owned by the Catholic Irish, so long as they "Undertook" to stay Protestant, and to ensure their employees did likewise. In Ireland they settled in county Connacht, adopting the name Kilgrove, Killegrew, and Kilgrave. During our review, researchers took the opportunity of determining the most ancient grant of a Coat of Arms to this distinguished surname. However, this does not preclude other branch Arms being appropriate to the name. The most ancient grant of a Coat of Arms found was: Silver with a black eagle with a border of gold discs. The Crest was: A black lion. 1 William Killebrew born about 1690 in Cornwall, England died before April 1740 in Isle of Wight Co., VA Married Sarah Wiggins. She was born about 1700 in Surry Co. Virginia, and was married about 1720 in Surry County Virginia. Sarah was the youngest daughter of Thomas Wiggins (Sr.), dec'd, and our William likely married her in about 1720. They probably remained on the Wiggins' plantation until the birth of their last child, Wiggins, and Sarah's death, after 1732 ....... 2 Wiggins Killebrew Born 1732 in Tidewater Section, Isle of Wright Virginia died October 1803 in Warren Co., Georgia. Married Hannah Alsobrook born 1738 in Tidewater, Surry Co, Virginia died before 1821 in Warren County Georgia. Married May 13, 1756 in Southampton County, North Carolina. Her father and mother were Samuel Alsobrook, Jr. and Joan Howell ................3 Kitchen Killebrew born 1757 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina died 1839 in Weakley Co., Tennessee. Married Caroline Haynes married before 1774 ........................4. James Killebrew born 1777 in North Carolina died: 1850 in Weakley Co., TN married Nancy Frizell born 1781 in South Carolina She died after 1850 in Weakley Co. TN. Married 1805 Father: Gail Frizell 5. James Dawson Killebrew born 1811 in Lancaster, South Carolina died March 14, 1905 in Weakley Co., TN Married Mary Jane Henderson born October 18, 1819 in Tennessee died June 12, 1890 in Weakley Co., TN. Married December 26, 1844 in Weakley Co., TN Father: Ezekiel Henderson Mother: Leah Goodwin 6. Alonzo Jefferson Killebrew born October 21, 1845 in Henry Co., TN. died July 09, 1899 in Ralston, Weakley Co. TN. Married Emma Frances Blakemore born November 10, 1856 in Ralston, Weakley Co, TN. died April 09, 1942 in Martin, Weakley Co, TN. m: October 31, 1878 in Weakley Co., TN Father: James Harvey Blakemore Mother: Mary Drusilla Adams 7. Walter Marion Killebrew born May 07, 1882 in Ralston, Weakley Co., Tennessee. Died September 08, 1961 in Union City, Obion Co., Tennessee. Married Mildred Jones born July 03, 1889 in McConnell, Obion Co., TN. died August 14, 1977 in Fulton, Fulton, County, Kentucky (Nursing home) Married May 10, 1908 in Weakley County Tennessee. Father: Adolphus Dow Jones Mother: Mary Amanda Fowler Underwood 8. Ralph Lee Killebrew born July 11, 1909 in Martin, Weakley Co., Tennessee. Died June 11, 1985 in Taylor, Wayne County Michigan. Married Gladys Gaynell Green born October 08, 1908 in Obion Co., Tennessee. Died February 12, 1970 in Taylor, Wayne Co., MI. married June 30, 1927 in Troy, Obion Co., Tennessee. Father: Joseph Robert Green Mother: Chessie Bell Killion 9. Bobby L Killebrew was born December 27, 1928 in Union City, Obion Co., TN. He married Janet Marie Sinclair May 17, 1952 in Grosse Ile, MI, daughter of Paul Sinclair and Mildred Killmeyer. She was born September 26, 1932 in Ecorse, MI. I have information on each of these Killebrew's should anyone wish to have it just write. Bob Killebrew 153 Sand Dr. Naples Fl. 34104 239-643-2981 Bkiller8224@wmconnect.com </HTML>