Family History

King Edward I, "The Elder", King of the Anglo Saxons and Lord of England, was a member of the House of Wessex. He was born in Wessex in 869.

By the age of 22, Edward was a "sub-king" for his father, Alfred the Great. Edward was leading his fathers army in battles against the Danes in the north and the east to consolidate the gains Alfred made in winning back English lands lost before Alfred's reign.

Edward spent much of his life leading his armies in battle to fight first the Danes and then the Vikings stationed in Ireland. As he gained ground against his foes, Edward would build fortresses to protect his people and the land from foreign invaders. He is credited with being the first king with organizing "the intelligent use of militia".

Edward died leading his army against a northern rebellion on 17 July 924.

Edward was not only a king but a husband and father as well. He was married three times (we are decedants from his second wife) and fathered 14 children. He was very concerned about his childrens education and life at court. Edward prepared his children for life fulfilling their royal duties as well as future responsibilities in the church. Three of his sons became a king and one son and one daughter chose a life dedicated to church service.

Edward's daughter, Edhilda Eadhylde, married the Duke of Paris. Their son was Hugues Capet, King of France. Some of the other names of Edward's descendants that you might recognize include William the Conqueror; William I, the Lion King of Scotland; and, King Alexander Dunkeld of Scotland.

Other family names in our lineage are Hoo; St. Clair; Gage; and Bacon.

In our family journey to the United States, we find that Nathaniel Bacon left Suffolk, England sometime in early 1600. His son, Samuel Bacon was born in Pymouth, MA, on 25 February 1650. The Bacon family moved to New Jersey where Abel Bacon was born in 1687. Abel's granddaughter, Grace Bacon married Daniel Kelsay. Their daughter, Tabitha Kelsay was born in Macoupin County, Illinois. She married Eli Fitz Jarrell. Their daughter, Maria, married John Jackson Skeen from Nashville, TN. They settled in Franklin County, Illinois. Their daughter, Laura, married Hiram Weston. Hiram's son was John Edward Weston; his son was Cedric Corbal Weston; and his son was Edward Eugene "Jiggs" Weston.

King Edward is "Jiggs'" 30th great grandfather!