Genealogy of John Ogle, the Kings Soldier
4 generations as of January 24, 2010
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If our match is at 97.73% or 16 generations rather than 12 we would be matching Johns Father or Grandfather.

Come on you Red Coats, you need to get some DNA in here, are you going let the colonial blues beat you --- again?

4 gen 9.86% or 1909

In 1672, John Ogle was called "soldier at New Castle". He said he was "32 years old or thereabouts".  In an affidavit almost certainly signed in 1680 (New York Historical Manuscripts, Delaware Papers: English, p. 362, reads "Sworne the 27th of Agust (sic) 1680," but Francis H. Hibbard stated that the original document did not show the year next to the affidavit, but did show the year 1680 on the obverse).  In 1673 he was addressed as "you, John Ogle, are an Englishman."   In 1684 he was called by his widow, Elizabeth, "my late husband John Ogle" in disposing of the 1000 acres of land he owned at his death, which occurred between 8 December 1683 and 8 February 1683/4 (equates to 1684 using current calendar reckoning).

Colonial records, especially of Pennsylvania, New York, and Delaware, have been searched diligently by genealogists, researchers, professional and lay historians, in efforts to prove, beyond any doubt, John Ogle's date of birth, date of death, parentage, date of marriage, and wife's maiden name.  Numerous theories and suggestions have evolved over the years regarding these important events in John Ogle's life. During the period 1999-2001, the Editorial Board of the Association, along with others, under the direction of O/OFA president at that time, George W. Ogles, reviewed every document and scrap of information known to exist which relate to John Ogle, the immigrant, and to other events in the history of the Ogle family in early Colonial America. This review is a continuing process, and the Editorial Board welcomes information, observations, and analyses from any individual or group concerning the early history of the Ogle family in America.

According to Dr. Simeon S. Todd, Ogle family genealogist of the 19th century, John Ogle married Elizabeth Wollaston, but no proof of this marriage is known to exist. Dr. Todd made his assertion about 1880, and the conclusion stood essentially unchallenged for 100 years.

Noted Ogle family researcher of the mid-twentieth century, Francis H. Hibbard, maintained that the Ogle, Wollaston, and Crawford families arrived together in Delaware and remained close through intermarriages, but he confirmed that no proof was known to exist that John Ogle married Elizabeth Wollaston.   Family historian William J. McIntosh stated at the 1979 Ogle Symposium in Indianapolis: "John Ogle married Elizabeth - Dr. Todd said for sure Wollaston; I put Wollaston with a question mark, chiefly because I've never found proof."  From the time the Ogle/Ogles Family Association was formed in 1979, the organization acknowledged the doubt that existed in the name Wollaston as the maiden name of John Ogle's wife, Elizabeth.  She was shown in O/OFA records as Elizabeth (Wollaston?). In 1989, O/OFA member Virginia L. Olmsted, a certified genealogist and member of the Editorial Board at that time, reiterated that no documentation was known to exist to support the name Wollaston. Thereafter, O/OFA charts and records listed her as Elizabeth ___???___ or (maiden name not known).

Distinguished researcher Dr. Peter Stebbins Craig, who has extensively researched records of the residents along the Delaware during the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, published his theory that John Ogle's wife was Elisabeth Petersdotter, daughter of Peter Jochimson (Yocum). His article "Elisabeth Pettersdotter Yocum, Wife of the English Soldier, John Ogle" was printed in The Ogle Genealogist, Vol. 18, from page 19.

While the Editorial Board was much impressed with the extensive research conducted by Dr. Craig, his theory was not embraced by the board, which held the view that it fell short of establishing substantiated genealogical proof.  At the end of 1999, Dr. Craig presented additional documentation and theorization, which were studied by a panel of eight O/OFA members appointed by the president.  In November 2000, the panel released its unified position regarding issues which had been raised by Dr. Craig.  On some points the panel agreed with Dr. Craig's findings, while on other points the panel rejected his conclusions. The panel determined that some of the data presented by Dr. Craig to support his conclusions was speculative, and some was subject to multiple interpretations, all of which left a certain degree of doubt in the minds of panel members as to the identity of Elizabeth, the wife of John Ogle.

In December 2000, Dr. Craig requested that he be allowed to communicate with each panel member in order to present his evidence and the conclusions he had reached. The Association and the Editorial Board interposed no objection to his request, which he conducted unilaterally.

It should be mentioned that other theories have been advanced regarding the identity of Elizabeth, wife of John Ogle the immigrant. These theories were also conscientiously reviewed.

Ogle family analysts, especially of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, referred to John Ogle, the immigrant to Delaware, as "Sir John Ogle." In Indiana, a branch unit of the D.A.R. was named the "Sir John Ogle Chapter." In various Colonial documents John Ogle was called "Yeoman" or "Esquire," but no contemporary document has ever been found showing him having the title, "Sir." None of the numerous theories of John Ogle's parentage has ever been proved, but at least two of them have become popularly accepted.

Note 4: ANCESTRY OF JOHN³ OGLE

NB: Superscript references on this page refer to numbered generations from John³ Ogle, the immigrant.

In the opinion of the editorial board of the Ogle/Ogles Family Association, original source documentation casts considerable doubt on the ancestry of John Ogle, as determined by Dr. Simeon S. Todd, and as shown in the Ogle ancestral charts printed in The Ogle Genealogist volumes 1 through 10. In an explanatory note preceding the ancestral charts appearing in volume 11 of T.O.G. (p. 114), the argument was set forth, based on a series of Colonial documents, that John³ Ogle was a son of Thomas², rather than a son of John², as perceived by Dr. Todd. The argument was later determined to be inconclusive and ancestral charts printed in T.O.G. were revised accordingly.

Extensive discussions of these family relationships were conducted at each of the Ogle Family Conventions (Wilmington 1991, Annapolis 1994, Salt Lake City 1997, Gatlinburg 2000, and Las Vegas 2003), and the subject has been held under constant review.

The Editorial Board has taken into account all known documentation concerning John³ Ogle, and has given special attention to these documents: property records which indicate that John³ acquired property through his mother, Mary Crawford, who inherited it from her father, James Crawford (various New Castle, Del., deeds, court records, and wills); records which appear to indicate that John² Ogle died without issue (New Castle, Del., Court Record Book A, Vol. 1, p. 197, and New Castle Deeds, I-1, pp. 412-413); New Castle Co. Indenture 28 Oct. 1721, proving that Thomas² Ogle had a son named John; and court records which identify Elizabeth and Lucretia Ogle as daughters of John Ogle and nieces of Thomas Ogle (New Castle Orphan Court Records, Vol. C, pp. 29-30). After studying these and other documents, the Editorial Board has determined that it is clear, beyond reasonable doubt, that John³ Ogle was a son of Thomas² rather than a son of John², as previously recorded. The Board recognizes that there are some who believe the documentation is inconclusive, and that they hold that John³ Ogle may have been a son of John².

Based on the foregoing, the Editorial Board of the Ogle/Ogles Family Association has determined that relevant Ogle ancestral charts which appear in The Ogle Genealogist, will show that John³ Ogle (ca. 1690/97-1741) was a son of Thomas² Ogle (ca. 1666/72-1734).


Note 5: MAIDEN NAME OF ELIZABETH, WIFE OF THOMAS OGLE, (1721-1802/03)

The marriage record of Thomas Ogle (1721-1802/03), found in Old Swede's Church (Holy Trinity Church), Wilmington, Delaware, lists the bride's name as Elizabeth Robeson. The marriage occurred in Mar. 1748 (later amended by hand to read 17 Mar. 1748). Dr. Peter S. Craig has stated that Elizabeth was a member of the Robinson family, there being no family named Robeson living at the time in New Castle Co., Del.

During the 18th century, there were no recognized standards for the spelling of family names. As a consequence, nearly every family name shown in official records of that period included a variety of spellings.  Pending resolution of the question of her identity, relevant ancestral charts appearing in The Ogle Genealogist will list Elizabeth's name as shown on the marriage record, while also acknowledging the possibility that she was a member of a family whose name was usually spelled differently.

Note 6: THE IDENTITY OF ELIZABETH, WIFE OF JOHN OGLE (1690/97-1741)

Unsupported O/OFA records list the wife of John Ogle (1690/97-1741) as Elizabeth Robinson, as determined by Dr. Simeon S. Todd. Dr. Peter S. Craig has asserted that her maiden name was Ball.

O/OFA member Oren O. Ogle reported that certified genealogist Virginia L. Olmsted stated in October 1988 that she had proof that Elizabeth's maiden name was Robinson. Mrs. Olmsted died in May 1989 without having submitted her proof to the Association. Since no documentation has been found to establish with certainty the maiden name of John's wife, Elizabeth, the Editorial Board has determined that the records of O/OFA shall reflect both Robinson and Ball as possible maiden names, at the same time recognizing that neither may be correct.


Note 7: THE IDENTITIES OF THE WIVES OF THOMAS OGLE (1705-1771)

Ogle family historians have struggled for many years over the identification of the wives of Thomas Ogle (1705-1771). Dr. Simeon S. Todd listed three marriages of Thomas Ogle: (1) Martha, who abandoned him and their children about 1751, (2) Mary Livingston, and (3) Mrs. Mary Williamson. William J. McIntosh listed these three marriages on a chart he produced before 1959. At some point before 1979, McIntosh discovered what he believed was a fourth marriage, that of Thomas Ogle to Catherine (Howard'). Before his death in 1985, McIntosh had determined (rightly or wrongly) that Mary Livingston and Mrs. Mary Williamson were the same person.

In the meantime, Francis H. Hibbard had determined (undated paper) that Thomas' three wives were Martha, Mary Livingston, and the widow Catherine (Howard) Williamson, whom Thomas married in 1756. Hibbard stated, "The last marriage was not entered into lightly; a marriage contract was carefully drawn, for the protection of the interests of his children by previous marriage." There is no indication that McIntosh or Hibbard communicated their conclusions to the other. The marriage contract referred to by Hibbard has not been found.

In 1999 Dr. Craig asserted that Thomas was married but twice, first to Martha, and second to Catherine. He stated there is no evidence to support Catherine's family name as being Howard. In the absence of documentation, it is possible that Dr. Craig is correct in his analysis. However, what little evidence exists suggests that there were three marriages.

Based on the foregoing, the Editorial Board has concluded that it is not possible at this time to list with absolute certainty the wives of Thomas Ogle. Ancestral charts appearing in The Ogle Genealogist will include appropriate remarks regarding his marriages.

Note 8:

Note 9  Not yet proven but thought to be the parents of  Jehu Ogle and his wife, Isabella who we believe to be the parents of Mordecai Ogle. Mordecai was enumerated on the 1820 and 1830 censuses in Columbiana Co., OH. he married Elizabeth (Warrents or Wanento [there are variable spelling for Warrents found]).   In 1815 Jehu and Isabelle Ogle deeded land in Harrison Co., OH, (T13, R5, Sec. 35) to Mordecai.