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Who was Penelope?
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Bronwen Edwards
Sep 10, 2012, 12:28:52 AM9/10/12
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I found my short essay on Penelope (Clark Bolling Massey Ashley-Cooper etc). I quote myself:
"There are numerous references to Penelope, supposed daughter of Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 2nd Baronet and 1st Earl of Shaftesbury, 1621-1683, and his 3rd wife, Margaret Spencer (1627-1698). The official account of his life, however, asserts that Margaret simply raised his son by his 2nd wife but had no children of her own. The only surviving child of record is that son, Anthony, who became the 2nd Earl of Shaftesbury. No Anthony Ashley-Cooper is shown in the usual records as having a daughter named Penelope nor does the name appear among his known descendants. Interestingly, however, the 1st Earl's mother-in-law (Margaret Spencer's mother) was Penelope Wriothesley. The official version of his life may be found in A LIFE OF ANTHONY ASHLEY-COOPER, 1ST EARL OF SHAFTESBURY by William Dougal Christie.
"From where, then, does the idea arise that Penelope Ashley-Cooper existed and was the wife of Peter Massie in colonial America? Evelyn Hepworth Massie says that Penelope was one of three possible wives of Peter Massie (A MASSIE FAMILY HISTORY, 1972). Willa MacDuncan Coulter says that Sarah Massie (daughter of Peter) was a granddaughter of Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper (SOME FAMILIES OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOTS FROM VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND, 1993, p. 704). In MASSEY GENEALOGY ADDENDUM (King & Massie, 1979, p. 207), Frank A. Massey says 'In view of the enhanced status of the [Massie] family, it is probably correct to give credit to the report that Penelope, the wife of Peter of New Kent, was in fact the natural daughter of Anthony Ashley-Cooper' and mentions further that she had a twin sister, Lucretia.
"The name 'Penelope Bolling / Bowling' has also come up for the wife of Peter Massie. Virginia Eliza Hodge said that a 'Virginia Bowlin' is mentioned in that regard, citing the work of genealogist Jane Martin from GLEANINGS OF VIRGINIA HISTORY: JAMES CLARK, MANSFIELD, CHRISTOPHER CLARK, AND ALLIED FAMILIES (1934). In RICHMOND, WILLIAM AND TIMOTHY TERRELL: COLONIAL VIRGINIANS (The Mitchell Co., 1934), Celeste Jane Terrell refers to 'Penelope Bolling, granddaughter of the Earl of Shaftesbury' (p.125) but gives her husband as Christopher Clark. That the same Penelope may have married both Clark and Massie is suggested by Marie Stevens Walker Wood in STEVENS-DAVIS AND ALLIED FAMILIES: A MEMORIAL VOLUME, 1957: '...Penelope Massie or Bolling of Fairfax County, Virginia. She was said to have been the granddaughter of Lord Ashley, Earl of Shaftesbury, England' (p.195) and 'married ca. 1708, Penelope Massie or Bolling, died post 1754' (p.196). Garrett Glenn Clift seems to concur that 'Penelope Massie Bolling who died post 1754, a daughter of William Bolling and granddaughter of Anthony Ashley-Cooper (1621-1683)' (GOVERNORS OF KENTUCKY, 1792-1942, Hobson Press, 1942)."
Since writing that summary I have not looked too closely at the issue but I do remember seeing that an American contacted the modern descendants of the main line of the Ashley-Cooper family and posed the question. His contact within the family firmly denied that any such bastard daughters existed. It was also suggested that if such a birth had occurred, the girls would not bear the surname of Ashley-Cooper but only of Cooper. I also recall that the maid who was said to have been the mother of Penelope and Lucretia was named Massie.
I hope this at least adds to the discussion - even though the original poster might have wanted a simple, clear answer.
My own interest in Penelope is through her possible connection to Cecilia Massie, 1646-1712, purported wife of Robert Anderson, 1640-1712, in New Kent County, Virginia Colony. Bronwen Edwards
"There are numerous references to Penelope, supposed daughter of Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 2nd Baronet and 1st Earl of Shaftesbury, 1621-1683, and his 3rd wife, Margaret Spencer (1627-1698). The official account of his life, however, asserts that Margaret simply raised his son by his 2nd wife but had no children of her own. The only surviving child of record is that son, Anthony, who became the 2nd Earl of Shaftesbury. No Anthony Ashley-Cooper is shown in the usual records as having a daughter named Penelope nor does the name appear among his known descendants. Interestingly, however, the 1st Earl's mother-in-law (Margaret Spencer's mother) was Penelope Wriothesley. The official version of his life may be found in A LIFE OF ANTHONY ASHLEY-COOPER, 1ST EARL OF SHAFTESBURY by William Dougal Christie.
"From where, then, does the idea arise that Penelope Ashley-Cooper existed and was the wife of Peter Massie in colonial America? Evelyn Hepworth Massie says that Penelope was one of three possible wives of Peter Massie (A MASSIE FAMILY HISTORY, 1972). Willa MacDuncan Coulter says that Sarah Massie (daughter of Peter) was a granddaughter of Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper (SOME FAMILIES OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOTS FROM VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND, 1993, p. 704). In MASSEY GENEALOGY ADDENDUM (King & Massie, 1979, p. 207), Frank A. Massey says 'In view of the enhanced status of the [Massie] family, it is probably correct to give credit to the report that Penelope, the wife of Peter of New Kent, was in fact the natural daughter of Anthony Ashley-Cooper' and mentions further that she had a twin sister, Lucretia.
"The name 'Penelope Bolling / Bowling' has also come up for the wife of Peter Massie. Virginia Eliza Hodge said that a 'Virginia Bowlin' is mentioned in that regard, citing the work of genealogist Jane Martin from GLEANINGS OF VIRGINIA HISTORY: JAMES CLARK, MANSFIELD, CHRISTOPHER CLARK, AND ALLIED FAMILIES (1934). In RICHMOND, WILLIAM AND TIMOTHY TERRELL: COLONIAL VIRGINIANS (The Mitchell Co., 1934), Celeste Jane Terrell refers to 'Penelope Bolling, granddaughter of the Earl of Shaftesbury' (p.125) but gives her husband as Christopher Clark. That the same Penelope may have married both Clark and Massie is suggested by Marie Stevens Walker Wood in STEVENS-DAVIS AND ALLIED FAMILIES: A MEMORIAL VOLUME, 1957: '...Penelope Massie or Bolling of Fairfax County, Virginia. She was said to have been the granddaughter of Lord Ashley, Earl of Shaftesbury, England' (p.195) and 'married ca. 1708, Penelope Massie or Bolling, died post 1754' (p.196). Garrett Glenn Clift seems to concur that 'Penelope Massie Bolling who died post 1754, a daughter of William Bolling and granddaughter of Anthony Ashley-Cooper (1621-1683)' (GOVERNORS OF KENTUCKY, 1792-1942, Hobson Press, 1942)."
Since writing that summary I have not looked too closely at the issue but I do remember seeing that an American contacted the modern descendants of the main line of the Ashley-Cooper family and posed the question. His contact within the family firmly denied that any such bastard daughters existed. It was also suggested that if such a birth had occurred, the girls would not bear the surname of Ashley-Cooper but only of Cooper. I also recall that the maid who was said to have been the mother of Penelope and Lucretia was named Massie.
I hope this at least adds to the discussion - even though the original poster might have wanted a simple, clear answer.
My own interest in Penelope is through her possible connection to Cecilia Massie, 1646-1712, purported wife of Robert Anderson, 1640-1712, in New Kent County, Virginia Colony. Bronwen Edwards
David Teague
Sep 10, 2012, 7:26:32 PM9/10/12
to lostc...@yahoo.com, gen-me...@rootsweb.com
Thank you, Bronwen! As I recall, the details of the alleged connection between Peter Massie of New Kent Co. and the 1st Earl of Shaftesbury always were vague, contradictory, and somewhat confusing.�
My own interest is in Peter Massie's daughter, whom the tradition usually calls Lucretia (but who seems in fact to have been named Elizabeth), the wife of the Quaker John Johns(t)on. Through her, Peter Massie and his wife (whoever she was) are my 9th great grandparents.
David Teague
> Date: Sun, 9 Sep 2012 21:28:52 -0700
> Subject: Who was Penelope?
> From: lostc...@yahoo.com
> To: gen-me...@rootsweb.com
>
> I found my short essay on Penelope (Clark Bolling Massey Ashley-Cooper etc). I quote myself:
>
> "There are numerous references to Penelope, supposed daughter of Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 2nd Baronet and 1st Earl of Shaftesbury, 1621-1683, and his 3rd wife, Margaret Spencer (1627-1698). The official account of his life, however, asserts that Margaret simply raised his son by his 2nd wife but had no children of her own. The only surviving child of record is that son, Anthony, who became the 2nd Earl of Shaftesbury. No Anthony Ashley-Cooper is shown in the usual records as having a daughter named Penelope nor does the name appear among his known descendants. Interestingly, however, the 1st Earl's mother-in-law (Margaret Spencer's mother) was Penelope Wriothesley. The official version of his life may be found in A LIFE OF ANTHONY ASHLEY-COOPER, 1ST EARL OF SHAFTESBURY by William Dougal Christie.
>
> "From where, then, does the idea arise that Penelope Ashley-Cooper existed and was the wife of Peter Massie in colonial America? Evelyn Hepworth Massie says that Penelope was one of three possible wives of Peter Massie (A MASSIE FAMILY HISTORY, 1972). Willa MacDuncan Coulter says that Sarah Massie (daughter of Peter) was a granddaughter of Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper (SOME FAMILIES OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOTS FROM VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND, 1993, p. 704). In MASSEY GENEALOGY ADDENDUM (King & Massie, 1979, p. 207), Frank A. Massey says 'In view of the enhanced status of the [Massie] family, it is probably correct to give credit to the report that Penelope, the wife of Peter of New Kent, was in fact the natural daughter of Anthony Ashley-Cooper' and mentions further that she had a twin sister, Lucretia.
>
> "The name 'Penelope Bolling / Bowling' has also come up for the wife of Peter Massie. Virginia Eliza Hodge said that a 'Virginia Bowlin' is mentioned in that regard, citing the work of genealogist Jane Martin from GLEANINGS OF VIRGINIA HISTORY: JAMES CLARK, MANSFIELD, CHRISTOPHER CLARK, AND ALLIED FAMILIES (1934). In RICHMOND, WILLIAM AND TIMOTHY TERRELL: COLONIAL VIRGINIANS (The Mitchell Co., 1934), Celeste Jane Terrell refers to 'Penelope Bolling, granddaughter of the Earl of Shaftesbury' (p.125) but gives her husband as Christopher Clark. That the same Penelope may have married both Clark and Massie is suggested by Marie Stevens Walker Wood in STEVENS-DAVIS AND ALLIED FAMILIES: A MEMORIAL VOLUME, 1957: '...Penelope Massie or Bolling of Fairfax County, Virginia. She was said to have been the granddaughter of Lord Ashley, Earl of Shaftesbury, England' (p.195) and 'married ca. 1708, Penelope Massie or Bolling, died post 1754' (p.196). Garrett Glenn Clift seems to concur that!
> I found my short essay on Penelope (Clark Bolling Massey Ashley-Cooper etc). I quote myself:
>
> "There are numerous references to Penelope, supposed daughter of Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 2nd Baronet and 1st Earl of Shaftesbury, 1621-1683, and his 3rd wife, Margaret Spencer (1627-1698). The official account of his life, however, asserts that Margaret simply raised his son by his 2nd wife but had no children of her own. The only surviving child of record is that son, Anthony, who became the 2nd Earl of Shaftesbury. No Anthony Ashley-Cooper is shown in the usual records as having a daughter named Penelope nor does the name appear among his known descendants. Interestingly, however, the 1st Earl's mother-in-law (Margaret Spencer's mother) was Penelope Wriothesley. The official version of his life may be found in A LIFE OF ANTHONY ASHLEY-COOPER, 1ST EARL OF SHAFTESBURY by William Dougal Christie.
>
> "From where, then, does the idea arise that Penelope Ashley-Cooper existed and was the wife of Peter Massie in colonial America? Evelyn Hepworth Massie says that Penelope was one of three possible wives of Peter Massie (A MASSIE FAMILY HISTORY, 1972). Willa MacDuncan Coulter says that Sarah Massie (daughter of Peter) was a granddaughter of Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper (SOME FAMILIES OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOTS FROM VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND, 1993, p. 704). In MASSEY GENEALOGY ADDENDUM (King & Massie, 1979, p. 207), Frank A. Massey says 'In view of the enhanced status of the [Massie] family, it is probably correct to give credit to the report that Penelope, the wife of Peter of New Kent, was in fact the natural daughter of Anthony Ashley-Cooper' and mentions further that she had a twin sister, Lucretia.
>
> 'Penelope Massie Bolling who died post 1754, a daughter of William Bolling and granddaughter of Anthony Ashley-Cooper (1621-1683)' (GOVERNORS OF KENTUCKY, 1792-1942, Hobson Press, 1942)."
>
> Since writing that summary I have not looked too closely at the issue but I do remember seeing that an American contacted the modern descendants of the main line of the Ashley-Cooper family and posed the question. His contact within the family firmly denied that any such bastard daughters existed. It was also suggested that if such a birth had occurred, the girls would not bear the surname of Ashley-Cooper but only of Cooper. I also recall that the maid who was said to have been the mother of Penelope and Lucretia was named Massie.
> I hope this at least adds to the discussion - even though the original poster might have wanted a simple, clear answer.
>
> My own interest in Penelope is through her possible connection to Cecilia Massie, 1646-1712, purported wife of Robert Anderson, 1640-1712, in New Kent County, Virginia Colony. Bronwen Edwards
>
> -------------------------------
>
> Since writing that summary I have not looked too closely at the issue but I do remember seeing that an American contacted the modern descendants of the main line of the Ashley-Cooper family and posed the question. His contact within the family firmly denied that any such bastard daughters existed. It was also suggested that if such a birth had occurred, the girls would not bear the surname of Ashley-Cooper but only of Cooper. I also recall that the maid who was said to have been the mother of Penelope and Lucretia was named Massie.
> I hope this at least adds to the discussion - even though the original poster might have wanted a simple, clear answer.
>
> My own interest in Penelope is through her possible connection to Cecilia Massie, 1646-1712, purported wife of Robert Anderson, 1640-1712, in New Kent County, Virginia Colony. Bronwen Edwards
>
> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to GEN-MEDIEV...@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message
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