Ancestors and Descendants of William Toy Shoemaker and Mabel Warren, Who Were Married in Philadelphia in 1895
This book tells the story of an American family from its origins in Europe to the present time. The family has two major branches: the Shoemakers came to Pennsylvania from Britain and the Rhineland, while the other branch, the Warrens, came to New England from various parts of Britain. In the last generation, before the two main branches joined in marriage, two other limbs appeared on the family tree — a recent arrival from England, and a somewhat earlier one from Germany. This book also tells of eighty other families whose members married into the Shoemakers and Warrens. The details show how history evolved in the lives of individuals and family groups, as they encountered problems and found opportunities, and made crucial decisions that affected the future for themselves and their children. Religion played a vital role in the emigration of the Shoemakers and Warrens and the other families in this book. Many of them were dissidents from the established religions of Europe, and some died for their beliefs. They include Anglican Puritans; Quakers from England, Wales, and Germany; Mennonites; and Baptists. And in New England, after they arrived, they often showed intolerance to different beliefs. Some chose to emigrate for new opportunities: to improve on already established wealth, or to find success that had eluded them in the Old World. A few of the men came as adventurers — mostly as officers, whose leadership was needed in New England — and a few came as prisoners, who worked their way out of indentured servitude. The women in each generation are often unknown, except by their first names. However, in most cases we know that they, too, suffered along with their husbands, or enjoyed the same rewards, although they were femmes covert. Some of the members of this family have played an interesting role in history. Two of the emigrants to America were descended from Charlemagne, and there are many other kings and queens among their ancestors: William the Conqueror; the infamous King John; Saint Margaret, Queen of Scots; Lady Godiva; and nobles and kings of Wales, to mention but a few. The New England branch and the Pennsylvania branch of this family have one thing in common, however: both branches succeeded in business, accumulated some wealth, and stayed near the East coast; and they maintained strong moral principles, which they passed along to their descendants. A wealth of photographs, a full-name index for each volume, and a five-generation Shoemaker-Warren full-name index add to the value of this work.
George J. Hill, M.D., M.A., D. Litt.
2015, 8½x11, paper, index, 2 vol. set, 646 pp.
ISBN: 9780788456114
101-H5611
