While visiting my parents this week, I learned some interesting things about the Weston side of the family. I learned that the Weston family came from a place called Bishops Canning, Wiltshire, England. The genealogical record begins with Anthony Weston who was born in 1641. Anthony was followed by Thomas, who was followed by William, who was followed by John Weston Senior.
It was John Weston Senior (my great, great, great, great grandfather) who migrated to America with his wife Anna and the first five of their ten children. Sailing on board the Greyhound, they departed from the port of Bristol in February 1756 and arrived at the port of Baltimore in April.
Every family has a few skeletons in the closet. I learned about one of ours. His name was John Jr., the oldest son of John Weston Senior. During the Revolutionary period John Jr. was a "Tory" (British sympathizer) and became the leader of the Tories of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. Living on the frontier the Tories had little trust in the "rebel" army led by George Washington. Believing the British Redcoats were better able to protect England's interests in America, they sided with them. It was a fatal mistake for John Weston Jr., who came to be known as Captain John. Leading a band of Tories and Indians in a raid against an American Fort, the Indians thought they had been led into a trap and fired upon the Tories killing Captain John and most of his men.
From John Weston Senior the family line continued through his second oldest son, Joseph. Then came Paul David, followed by Hiram Joseph, followed by Luther, followed by another Paul David who happens to be my father.
Among other things, I learned that more than one of my ancestors were killed by Indians. I discovered the name Paul David appears four times in our family. I also learned that my great grandfather, Hiram Joseph, was seventy-one years old when my grandfather was born. This amazing man who fathered fourteen children had his last child at the age of seventy-three!
Of all the interesting things I learned about my ancestors, there is no indication of Christianity. As far as I know, my Christian heritage began with my grandmother, Lota Weston. She passed it down to my father, who handed it down to me. I have passed it along to my children, and now my grandchildren are being raised to serve the Lord.
Think about it. Generations of family history changed with one person! A heritage is something passed down from your ancestors. It goes from one generation to the next. Regardless of what your genealogical record may reveal, make sure the heritage you hand down to the future generations in your family is one of godliness. Be the person who says, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15).
Pastor Todd Weston
It was John Weston Senior (my great, great, great, great grandfather) who migrated to America with his wife Anna and the first five of their ten children. Sailing on board the Greyhound, they departed from the port of Bristol in February 1756 and arrived at the port of Baltimore in April.
Every family has a few skeletons in the closet. I learned about one of ours. His name was John Jr., the oldest son of John Weston Senior. During the Revolutionary period John Jr. was a "Tory" (British sympathizer) and became the leader of the Tories of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. Living on the frontier the Tories had little trust in the "rebel" army led by George Washington. Believing the British Redcoats were better able to protect England's interests in America, they sided with them. It was a fatal mistake for John Weston Jr., who came to be known as Captain John. Leading a band of Tories and Indians in a raid against an American Fort, the Indians thought they had been led into a trap and fired upon the Tories killing Captain John and most of his men.
From John Weston Senior the family line continued through his second oldest son, Joseph. Then came Paul David, followed by Hiram Joseph, followed by Luther, followed by another Paul David who happens to be my father.
Among other things, I learned that more than one of my ancestors were killed by Indians. I discovered the name Paul David appears four times in our family. I also learned that my great grandfather, Hiram Joseph, was seventy-one years old when my grandfather was born. This amazing man who fathered fourteen children had his last child at the age of seventy-three!
Of all the interesting things I learned about my ancestors, there is no indication of Christianity. As far as I know, my Christian heritage began with my grandmother, Lota Weston. She passed it down to my father, who handed it down to me. I have passed it along to my children, and now my grandchildren are being raised to serve the Lord.
Think about it. Generations of family history changed with one person! A heritage is something passed down from your ancestors. It goes from one generation to the next. Regardless of what your genealogical record may reveal, make sure the heritage you hand down to the future generations in your family is one of godliness. Be the person who says, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15).
Pastor Todd Weston
