About us
Project Background
This project is dedicated to exploring and understanding genetic relationships among the descendants of Martha “Patsey” Philips. A secondary goal is to promote the exchange and discussion of historic information that will provide an understanding of her life and times and clues to her origins and her descendant lines.
Genetic Relationships
This is a complete DNA project in that we will look at Family Finder autosomal and X Chromosome results, along with mtDNA and Y-DNAresults.
Family Tree DNA recommends that each Family Finder project identify ancestral focus couples that lived between four and seven generation in the past. This limit is imposed by the rate at which our autosomal DNA recombines. An individual inherits approximately 50% of his or her autosomal DNA from each parent. At four generations a person will have sixteen 2nd great grandparents, inheriting approximately 6.25% of their autosomal DNA from each. This time frame is compatible as many of Martha’s living relatives are five to seven generations removed.
Focus couples will include Martha Philips & Tom Wilson (remembered as Jane Phillips’ father); Martha Philips & Eldridge Deyton (Samuel C. Phillips’ father); Jane Phillips & Zephaniah McCourry; Samuel C.Phillips & Matilda Gregory; Axie Phillips & William Crisenberry English. As new members join this list will grow.
All members are encouraged to share their pedigree leading to Martha or their Phillips ancestor. Member pedigrees will be organized by D’Aboville numbers and listed with the member’s FTDNA kit number or anonymously as per each member. A five-generation family tree with D’Aboville numbers will be developed and posted. Member pedigrees are indispensible to the identification of ancestral focus couples.
Family Finder members who are X Chromosome matches will have additional tools available to determine their shared ancestors. Project admins can assist in this area.
mtDNA results of Martha’s direct female line descendants will be a very valuable component of the project. This can potentially determine Martha’s mtDNA haplogroup.
Similarly, matching Y-DNA among project members has the potential to prove that their lines share the same paternal ancestor.
Historic Information
There are a number of historic documents related to Martha Philips that provide a large amount of information. These include US Census records, certain North Carolina land records, court documents, and a folk history written by Martha’s 2nd great granddaughter Delia Tipton Brittain. Members are encouraged to share information about available historic documents as well as private documents such as letter, family bible records and family histories. There are plans to document and provide a discussion of various documents.
Discussion
United States Federal Census Records:
· 1850 United States Federal Census for Yancey County, North Carolina
o On 7 September, 1850 Martha Phillips is enumerated in the Yancey County, North Carolina US Census by George D. Poteet, Asst. Marshall. She is living in the household of Samuel Phillips (age 22), dwelling 568, family 597. She is listed as age 62, female, white. Place of birth is shown as North Carolina. It is indicated that Martha cannot read or write.
o Living next door is the family of William Phillips (age 29), dwelling 567, family 596. Among William’s children is his two year old daughter Martha M.
o Living nearby is the family of Lazarus H. Phillips (age 44).
· 1840 United States Federal Census for Yancey County, North Carolina
o In 1840 Patsey Philips is enumerated in the Yancey County, North Carolina US Census by James A. Wilson. There is no date of enumeration listed. Patsey Philips is named as the head of family. Family members include one male child age 10-15 (her son Samuel would have been 12 years old), one female child age 5-10 (her daughter Axie would have been 10 years old), one female age 50-60 (Martha would have been 52 years old), and one female age 70-80 (this is almost certainly Winnefred Philips.)
o Living nearby is Carson Philips, a single male age 20-30.
o Living nearby is the family of William Philips. Family members include one male child under age 5, one male child age 5-10, one male age 20-30, 2 female children under age 5, one female child age 5-10, and one female age 30-40.
· 1830 United States Federal Census for Buncombe County, North Carolina
o In 1840 Martha Phillips is enumerated in the Buncombe County, North Carolina US Census. She is listed as the head of family. Family members include one male child under 5 years of age (her son Samuel would have been 2 years old), two male children between 10 and 15 years of age (William and Carson) one female child under age 5 (her daughter Axie would have been an infant), one female age 40-50 (Martha would have been 42 years old).
o Living next door is the family of William Phillips. Family members include one male age 15-20, on male age 20-30, one male age 40-50, two females age 5-10, one female age 10-15 and one female age 30-40. This William may have been a sibling of Martha's.