Early Welsh Settlers in America - Part 1

#wales #welsh #welshandproud #welshness #history #welshhistory #welshdescent #americanhistory #welshhistory
The title of this video is: Early Welsh Settlers in America - Part 1.
The first proposed Welsh colony was established in America and it was planted in what is now Newfoundland, Canada.
This first colony failed after a few years, and because of that, very few actually know about it, so we will give some due credit to these brave pioneers today.
The story of this first Welsh “colony” begins with an idea of a Welsh aristocrat named William Vaughan. He was a Welsh lawyer, scholar and poet who was born in Carmarthenshire, Wales… on the family estate called “Golden Grove.” The Vaughn family was descended from an ancient prince of Powys. Powys was an ancient kingdom within eastern Wales that once included some of the Western Midlands region of England. Deeply concerned about poor economic conditions in Wales, he became interested in overseas colonization. He decided to try and plant a colony in Newfoundland because it was accessible, well known and possessed an established fishery.
Vaughn had the desire to establish a Welsh colony where settlers could maintain their own language and culture. In 1616 he bought a grant of land, the southern Avalon Peninsula (from present day Calvert to Placentia Bay) on the island of Newfoundland. He purchased the grant from the London and Bristol Company. In 1617 he sent Welsh colonists to the fishing town of “Renews” to establish a permanent colony, which he called New Cambriol - "a little Wales" in the New World.
This land was earlier settled by migratory fishermen and then by these colonists. The colony was first proposed in 1610 by the London and Bristol Company, which had previously started an English colony at Cuper's Cove, but settlement was delayed by the presence of the English pirate Peter Easton who raided the coastlands. But by 1615, the territory was sold to William Vaughan who initially sent settlers to Aquaforte which is about 6 miles north of Renews. Geography, this is about (52 mi) south of the present-day city of St. John's.
The colonists were ill-equipped to succeed, and without an experienced leader. The winters were long and brutal, and they spent the winter huddled in cabins previously built by migratory fishermen for summer use. In 1618 Vaughan sent out a second batch of settlers under the command of Richard Whitbourne, whom he appointed governor for the life of the colony. He was originally sent to establish law and order in the colony, but found the colonists to be discouraged and unmotivated due to the climate and constant hardship. Unfortunately, he had to deal with a pirate attack on one of his ships by deserters from Sir Walter Raleigh's Guiana [gee-ahn-na] fleet. In the end only six colonists spent the winter of 1619 at Renews and they abandoned the settlement the following year. So, Whitborne was governor only from 1618 until 1620 when Vaughan began to abandon the colony by selling of portions of the land.
By 1619 Vaughan signed over part of his grant to Henry Cary, an English political friend who served in the House of Commons. Vaughan's brother had also convinced him to also to give up a portion of his tract to George Calvert, also known as Lord Baltimore… another English politician. In this location George Calvert established his Colony of Avalon. Vaughan retained the southern portion of his original tract.
After the return of Whitbourne, Vaughan visited his colony in 1622, and returned to England in 1625, bringing with him two written works ready for publication. Vaughan promoted Newfoundland as a settlement in an unusual, whimsical book entitled, The Golden Fleece published in 1626. In 1628 he transferred his interests to the colony of Virginia. He died at his house in Carmarthenshire, in August 1641.
After the failure of the New Cambriol, another Welshman named John Myles, was suffering religious persecution in Wales and he led a group of Welsh Baptists to Massachusetts in 1662. Though at first, this American colony refused to tolerate these Welsh Baptist, eventually Massachusetts granted them land, where they established the town of Swansea and the First Baptist Church, which stands today as the oldest Welsh church in America.
Two decades after Baptists first arrived, Welsh members of the Society of Friends, or Quakers, would establish another… and much larger Welsh… settlement in America. This is such an interesting and fascinating story I will dedicate part 2 to this historic and significant event. It all happens because of a man named William Penn… another aristocrat… believed to be of Welsh descent… who would establish a Welsh colony like no other in the New World. William Penn was a unique man who in writing to a friend named Robert Turner in 1681 stated that his original intension was to call present day Pennsylvania… New Wales. We will find out why he wanted this name, and why it didn’t happen in part 2.

[@Nomad.K]

I am Welsh and really enjoyed the history,very interesting,thank you.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

Thanks and much more to come!

[@jacquievickers4579]

My grandfather who immigrated from Wales to Canada in 1924 could read the Bible that was in the First Nations language in Northern BC.

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

Thanks for your comment. American patriot Francis Lewis claimed that he was taken captive at Fort Oswego in August of 1756 and was among 30 captives given to the native Americans, who were allies of the French. Fortunately, Lewis found the Native Americans’ language like the native language of Wales, and was able to speak with them. Their chief treated Lewis kindly and returned him to Montreal, requesting that he be returned to his family.

[@haroldfarquad6886]

Fascinating. My great uncle spent his retirement tracking down our earliest ancestors, and found the first of our surname came from Wales to Virginia in 1776. Turns out the "p" that starts our surname is a left over from the "ap" prefix that was used for Welsh names.

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

Welcome to the channel. Yes, the Welsh "ap" is similar to the Scottish and Irish Gaelic surname prefix "mac" meaning son.

[@barnabyaprobert5159]

Yes, there are many names like that in which the "ap" (son of) gets united with the rest of the name: Parry (ap Harry), Powell (ap Howell), Price (ap Rhys), Pugh (ap Hugh), Pritchard (ap Richard), etc... My own name remains "split" but it could easily have been "Probert".

[@carlthornton3076]

Very Good!... #75 ✝ {4-11-2024}

[@thattimestampguy]

0:00 Welsh American Channel Title Sequence 0:25 Future video: Madoc ap Owain Gwynedd *Welsh Explorers* 0:57 Fragments of history record early Welsh Explorers 1:13 Rees Jones or Rice Jones was part of the establishment of Jamestown in 1607. 1:37 Howell ap John settled as part of the First Families of Virginia in 1620. 1:56 Thomas ap Evans settled in Massachusetts in 1636. William ap John settled in Maryland in 1638. 2:13 Richard Richards arrived in Massachusetts in 1608 and was a one of the founding settlers of the Popham Colony. *William Vaughn's Newfoundland Settlement* 3:08 William Vaughn, wealthy welsh aristocrat, he tried to plant a colony in Newfoundland. Newfoundland had an established fishery. 5:08 The ill equipped colonists weren't used to The Winter Weather. The Colonists were discouraged, unmotivated. Vaughn eventually abandoned the colony. 6:16 William Vaughn signs over some of his lands to fellow Political Englishmen friends. Henry Cary & George Calvert aka Lord Baltimore 6:46 Vaughn promoted settling Newfoundland with his 1628 published book titled "The Golden Fleece" 7:21 John Miles leads Welsh Baptists to America. They establish Swansee and the oldest Baptist Church in America in 1662. 8:18 William Penn was believed to have Welsh decedents. 9:03 Hwyl am nawr, Bye for now.

[@susanmiles8208]

In the year of John Miles death in Mass, my ancestors left Wales for the Penn tract in 1683. I descend from James Miles who arrived with sons Richard, Samuel (original tract owners) Griffith and Ann. Their land is now Penn State

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

Wow... Thanks for sharing your rich and fascinating personal history! Makes me wonder what James would think now if he and his family could see what became of their land.

[@susanmiles8208]

@@WelshAmericanChannel I certainly am! Dad was last born in Germantown PA, moved to D.C. about 1930. I found our direct line involved with George Washington, the Battle of Bull Run, Think tanks in Philly, construction of the Centre Valley forge, and every war up through the Korea War. One was painted by Gilbert Stuart and buried in a tomb at Arlington national before that practice ended. I'm learning more now about their environment through you, thank you very much and wondered if you are familiar with the Benjamin Lay story. You tube has an 8 video series from a historian on his contribution that is worth viewing and you'd enjoy. I'm glad you're doing this.

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

Thanks. I think your personal history is inspiring. I will check out the videos on Benjamin Lay story. Thanks for watching the channel.@@susanmiles8208

[@darrenenders698]

Maybe we should make that into a holiday special for the Welch people for the American Welch 2

[@frankjoseph4273]

Roger Williams, hi great,great,great,great,great grandpa

[@kzoescott_13]

My 9 X great grandfather was Thomas Maine Lloyd was born in Wales friends with and moved to Pennsylvania with William and became deputy governor

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

I think this is amazing! I get a number of folks on this channel who are distantly related to a historical individual, but there is a lot about Thomas Lloyd on the internet including a Wikipedia article. He made a number of personal sacrifices for his faith. For example, he was a physician with a large practice; but gave it up to move to Pennsylvania in 1683. He knew what it was like to suffer persecution. Congratulations. It appears he was a rather remarkable man in his day.

[@st.davidpipes]

Well done! Subscribing!

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

Thanks for becoming part of the channel!

[@rolandwynjones7310]

This is fantastic thanks for making the videos! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

It's our pleasure. The best is yet to come.

[@rebeccamartin2399]

I am super curious to learn more about the Welsh people. Thanks for this😊

[@sidgriffith1592]

Just found the channel. Thanks!

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

Glad you are enjoying the channel.

[@hawklord100]

Talking about the Welsh (Kymru or Cymru) emigrated from the Levant around 1800BC to the British isles and another main group around 400BC but clearly trading with the Mediteranean over all that time, there is evidence that the connection with the ancient priesthoods of Eygpt as far back as it was possible to go, also check out on youtube 'origin of the zodiac by hugh evans' who has produced very plausable evidence of the Kingdom of Gwent was connected to some very ancient peoples perhaps as long ago as 10,000 years.

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

Thanks for your comments and insight.

[@hawklord100]

@@WelshAmericanChannelkzbin.info/www/bejne/p6LTgaRogJV5d80

[@haydnevans2978]

Diolch am y fidio, arbennig clywed am Gymry fach yn America fawr 😊 o Sir Fon Gogledd Cymru.

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

You are most welcome. I will actually be visiting North Wales in October.

[@haydnevans2978]

@@WelshAmericanChannel Great research, content and presenting/narrating. Will you really, oh marvelous, have you visited Wales before? Few castles for you to see, possibly Bryn Celli Ddu (burial chamber) on Anglesey, its quite small and not much to see, but it's very very old 😊 I'm trying to think if we have any good tour or history guides in North Wales, would love for you to get in touch with other Welsh historians who could show you round and provide you with some information and resources.

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

@@haydnevans2978 Yes, I was in South Wales in 1986. Traveled to the town my grandfather came from, Treorchy... and visited Tenby, Cardiff, Carmarthan and Haverford West. I would love some suggestions on the "best" areas to visit in North Wales. I have about 5 days to visit after attending a convention in Southport, England.

[@alphalunamare]

@@WelshAmericanChannel Try and avoid the premier tourist attraction of LLanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch ie The Scottish Woollen Mill. :-) Beaumaris, also on Sir Môn, is a wonderful castle to visit however :-) The land is underdeveloped but the spirit is strong. Bangor on the mainland is interesting, I once beet the English landlord of a Welsh Speaking Pub there at Chess (2 - 1) much to the local's delight. Being from Cardiff their joy meant a lot to me. :-)

[@stevedavenport1202]

Proud to say I am 50% Welsh...one of Tom Jones' love children. Can't sing like him, sadly.

[@brysonwest93]

True? Either way, that's cool.

[@stevedavenport1202]

@bryson west No, it's a joke...😀

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

On this channel, "It’s Not Unusual" for people to have a sense of humor 😉

[@stevedavenport1202]

@Welsh American Channel [Americanwyr Cymreig] "It happens everyday" 😀

[@hunterluxton5976]

Great video. The problem with finding data on the Welsh is that they either tend to be called " English" or their contribution ignored or air brushed out of history and replaced with Englishmen. This anglocentric approach where anything Welsh is discredited, undermined or mocked still goes on today. I was in the States in 94 and nobody has heard of Wales!

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

Thanks for your comments. I totally agree. Someone told me... and I haven't been able to verify this yet... that in the 1897 edition of the Encylopedia Britannica when you looked up "Wales" it stated: See England. This channel is striving to give the Welsh and their descendants the credit they deserve!

[@OligosFew]

In the late 80s my grandmother when asked if we were English pinched up her wrinkled old face as if she was asked if we came from a sows azz, she blurted out in the most indignant tone 'NO we are Welsh!"

[@pegs1659]

Rice Jones must have know my great something grandfather Edward Ellis. That's where he immigrated to..Jamestown, VA in (I think) 1638

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

Congratulation! Most Americans can't go back in ther lineage any further than their great-grandparents (maybe?) It always amazes me how short-terms of time we think in.

[@frankjoseph4273]

We're farmers and ranchers. Look at all the Welsh last names in the US south

[@jonathandavies6839]

You should include the Welsh colonies established in South America as well .. eg In Argentina

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

You are right! Part 1 ended about the year 1700 and the Y Wladfa was established around 1865. I promise a full video or two when we get to that point in history. Thanks for being a part of the channel.

[@RedArrow73]

Numerous Philadelphia suburbs bear Welsh names (Bryn Mawr, Llanerch, Narberth, plus North Wales).

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

Yes, here is an extended list in the USA. Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania named after Bala, Gwynedd Berwyn Township, Custer County, Nebraska named after Berwyn Berwyn Heights, Maryland Berwyn, Illinois Berwyn, Nebraska Berwyn, Pennsylvania Bangor, Maine named after Bangor, Gwynedd Bryn Mawr, California named after Brynmawr Bryn Mawr, Chicago, Illinois Bryn Mawr, Minneapolis Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania Bryn Mawr-Skyway, Washington Caernarvon Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania named after Caernarfon Caernarvon, Louisiana Dillwyn, Virginia Havertown, Pennsylvania named after Haverfordwest Cardiff, New York named after Cardiff Flint, Michigan named after Fflint Lampeter, Pennsylvania named after Lampeter Lower Gwynedd Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania named after Gwynedd Montgomery, Illinois Montgomery, Iowa Montgomery, Kentucky Montgomery, Louisiana Montgomery, Massachusetts Montgomery, Michigan Montgomery, Minnesota Montgomery, New York Montgomery County, New York Montgomery, Ohio Montgomery, Pennsylvania Montgomery, Tennessee Montgomery, Texas Montgomery, Vermont Montgomery, West Virginia Montgomery City, Missouri Montgomery Creek, California Montgomery Village, Maryland Pembrey, Delaware named after Pembrey Pembroke, Massachusetts, named after Pembroke, Wales Radnor, Indiana named after Radnorshire Radnor, Pennsylvania Radnor Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania Radnor, Ohio Swansea, Massachusetts named after Swansea Upper Gwynedd Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Wales, Massachusetts Wales, Utah

[@muddgeeser]

Madoc was a Powell check The Powells of Madoc Castle

[@eric8381]

What's your opinion on Welsh families that descended from the Norman's? One Welsh/Norman family that emigrated to Hampton Falls present day New Hampshire in 1634 were the Blake's. With there being many notable Blake's in history, I'm curious if they are considered Welsh, or English?

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

Hi Eric: Great question. The surname Blake is considered to be "Old English" from "blac", a nickname for someone who had dark hair or skin, or from "blaac", a nickname for someone with pale hair or skin. However, there may indeed be a Welsh connection with them. The Normans invaded Wales after they conquered England. They had a difficult time invading and controlling the "pesky" Welsh because of our independent spirit and love of freedom. Some became known as Cambro-Normans. They were Normans who settled in southern Wales and the Welsh Marches after the Norman invasion of Wales. So, the Blake's may have lived there for many generations and considered themselves Welsh! They may have married into Welsh families and that is OK.

[@alphalunamare]

Norman's were Norman's the victors they'd not easily give up on that accolade. As a matter of interest Whittbourne is almost certainly a Norman name. Instinct says that Blake is more English than Welsh whilst The Norman's are French of Vikin descent.

[@frankjoseph4273]

Look up Blake's lottaburger in NM. There's about 60 outlets

[@jasonrandall5148]

Alan Wilson says Madoc sailed to America in the 5th century AD not the 11th century.

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

Thanks.... I have seen Alan's videos and I am doing more research before publishing a video on the topic. Appreciate the comment.

[@drychaf]

@@WelshAmericanChannel It's just a story, with no evidence, alas. It was used by the English to somehow further their crown's 'right' to North America. Politically, Wales was swallowed up by England for a while. Culturally, we remained very different. People love the idea of Madog so much that they often spread disinformation about it. I love the idea too, being Welsh, but disinformation is something to be avoided in life. Hope you enjoyed North Wales.

[@muddgeeser]

Madoc was a Powell, like his brothers, There is a sign that says, the Verginia Powells of Castle Madoc

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

Thanks! Where is the sign located? I would like to add it to my research.

[@jimmymorrison8314]

Very interesting. Diolch yn fawr. ,🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

Croeso! Thanks for watching

[@martinarndell8385]

Really enjoyed I’m a descendent of Ann Arundell who married Cecil Calvert

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

Wonderful.... so few Americans know their own history going back that far. Appreciate the comments..

[@barbaraallen435]

My great uncle emigrated to America but where i don't know

[@carllodge2043]

I love had the Welsh history is in America for I am Welsh born in tredegar South South Wales I have family in America and Canada I would love to know where they are the Joneses the Philips is the hiccups is and the lodges where they would be I would love to find out who they are where they are I live in Australia and I have family that went from here to South Africa and I would just love to know

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

Thanks for your comments. It can be difficult to find relatives because of a Welsh diaspora. According to a project undertaken for the Welsh Assembly, 34.9% of people in Wales bear a Welsh family name. This compares with an average of 5.44% in England and only 1.64% in Scotland. In the United States 3.77% of the population bear a Welsh family name. Australia contains a slightly higher proportion of people with a Welsh family name, 4.12%. In New Zealand the proportion of people with a Welsh name is slightly higher still, at 4.75%. As you can see... we proud descendants of Wales are pretty much scattered all over the world.

[@christianusacross5084]

People with welsh ancestry in the United States Please celebrate Saint David's Day in the United States

[@plj471]

You say that Vaughan returned to England. Do you mean England or have you fallen into the trap that all the UK is England. His family home was in Wales, I was there recently with my wife It is called Gelli Aur .....lit. golden grove. As you are talking about historial things which, by the way, is very interesting, I thought it would be good to clarify...

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

Thanks for your question it is a good one. Vaughan returned to England, bringing with him two works written in English ready for publication. The first one was a Latin poem, written under the pseudonym of 'Orpheus Junior,' in celebration of the marriage of Charles I. The 2nd was the Golden Fleece published later. Specifically, he went to London as that is where his publisher was located, and arrangements were made for publication. Even though Vaughan was indeed Welsh, he was still an aristocrat educated at Oxford with many English associates and political connections in London, England. Thanks for your interest in the channel!

[@janvrtielka9572]

Mandans

[@Banterlion-vw4mx]

Most common Welsh last name is Williams

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

Thanks for watching. You are right. Both the 1990 and 2000 censuses record more than 1.5 million people named Williams in the US, surpassed only by the Smiths and the Johnsons.

[@dougjones4007]

Google! The Filson Society! Louisville Ky

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

Thanks for the comment. Is there a specific area of Welsh American history I should focus on?

[@nicnam117]

As a Welshman I would like to say, your channel is named awkwardly, as Cymreig is often the word used for the people, as in to say "yr Cymreig wyt ddim hapus" "The (Welsh) people are not happy"

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

Thanks for your comment. I got the term from an article on Wikipedia which has Welsh reviewers/editors.. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_Americans

[@nicnam117]

@@WelshAmericanChannel it's just that Cymraeg is what most people would use, as Cymreig is the one people use, for example if talking about a crowd of Welshmen