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Phelps of Caswell, Albemarle, Baltimore Ctys

Phelps of Caswell, NC;Albemarle Co,VA; Balti. Co,Md; Halifax Co,VA.
  • 41 members
Administrators
  • DOUGLAS Phelps
  • John Phelps
  • Walter Phelps

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About us

This Phelps geographical surname project is for those paternal Phelps whose American origins are thought to go back to Caswell Co. NC; Halifax Co, VA; Albemarle Co VA; or Baltimore Co, MD.  

Paternal ydna for all these lines are consistently haplogroup E-M44.  While E typically points to a historically recent African origin, research has supported that the M44 branched away some 3000 years ago from more central Africa, likely settling in the areas around the Mediterranean area.  M44 descendants in recent history may have resided for a while in the British Isles.  More research on this is available at the E-M44 FTDNA project.

Detailed genealogies with extensive research and analysis, supported by the YDNA testing,  is found at  https://sites.google.com/site/archivedydnaphelpsgenealogies/06-three-phelps-felps-lines-with-relevant-ydna-matches   At that site be sure to click on the subsections for the genealogies to see several major lines  The subgroup web pages conform to the yDNA groupings, beginning with 6.01

Jan 7, 2024:  Of increasing interest is our potential for earlier ancestral connections to the Pintos as can be seen in the yDNA page here.  Click FamilyTreeDNA - Phelps with origins in Caswell, NC; Albemarle, VA; Baltimore County, MD  The following is copied from Pinto article found at click: The Roots of the Pinto Family 1492-1565 — BEIT EL (beitelchai.com)

The Expulsion from Spain 1492

At the end of a long period of time in Spain, which is referred to in history as the Golden Age of Spanish Jewry, years in which Jews were allowed to practice their Torah lifestyle without opposition, the Jewish people began to be assaulted by suffering and evil decrees, in spiritual matters as well as material ones. Their situation became intolerable, and only got worse as time passed. There was not even a ray of light on the distant horizon.

The final blow to the Jews in Spain occurred in 1492 (5252). However, the Spanish kings began to persecute the Jews approximately one hundred years earlier. The Jews were forced to attend the sermons of the Christian priests and wear specific articles of clothing, as well as keep other strange edicts, whose objective was to force them to abandon their religion. Almost all of the Jews withstood the challenges, just as they had done for hundreds of years, and did not alter their beliefs. They bravely clung to their Jewish attire, proudly representing G-d’s people.

Ultimately, in 1492 (5252), the era of Spanish Jewry came to an abrupt end when the royal edict was publicly announced, signed and sealed by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, may their bones rot. They declared: In our best judgment, and according to the opinion of priests, nobles, and other wise people of our courts… we agree to order an expulsion of all Jewish men, women, and children, of every age which they may be, who live and reside and are found in our kingdom and under our rule, including their sons, daughters, maids, servants, and family members who are Jewish, old and young, from whichever age they may be, and they should not dare to return to live in the places in which they once lived, not through immigration, nor in any other manner. If we discover any Jew residing in our kingdom, or should one enter in any manner, he will be punished by death; his possessions will be confiscated and used for the benefit of the kingdom. For the violation of being present in the country, punishment will be meted out without a court hearing, without a judge’s ruling, and without prior warning.


The expulsion from Portugal 1497

Portugal – The Second Expulsion

The refugees who remained in Portugal were accorded cruel and difficult conditions by the king, Juan. Whoever could not afford to pay the heavy taxes was sold as a slave to Portuguese noblemen, and the abduction of women and children became routine. The lives of the Jews turned into an endless nightmare. During the day they wished it was night, and at night they wished it was day.

The Jews of Portugal enjoyed a short respite from their troubles after King Juan died. His heir, King Manuel I, was crowned as king, and he freed all the exiled people from slavery. The Spanish Inquisitors, who constantly attempted to dig their nails into neighboring Portugal, were met with the opposition of the king.

This lasted only until 1497 (5257). At that time, King Manuel unleashed his cruelty against the Jews when he married Princess Isabella of Spain, who, like her mother, the Queen of Spain, wickedly aspired to free Portugal from Jews. King Manuel conceded to her wishes.

At first, he ordered the expulsion of all the Jews. On the thirtieth of Kislev, 1497 (5257), he proclaimed that all the Jews had ten months in which to leave Portugal.