Joyce Vander Bogart

Yeah, I took a second look, having the Cogan part in my records ages ago. It's been debunked. She is Elizabeth Unknown who was married to Samuel Holley (proof of this) who then married John Kendall after Samuel died (proof of this) and she had a son John Holly (proof of this) and she died between 1645 and 1651. The "hanged for being a witch" is a story from the 1702 book, which as the profile Unknown-545972 points out may be just a story. No records of a trial. Mrs. Kendall is on the Historical Tour of Cambridge and is listed by The Associated Daughters of Early American Witches organization. So it is a good story. Probably what helped the story develop was the fact that in Stamford Holly grandchildren, Increase Holly and Hannah (Holly) Hait , signed a letter 4 June 1692 attesting to the good character of a woman accused of being a witch and she was released. The feeling being they knew their grandmother's story so they cared. But maybe they were just caring people. My opinion now is there probably was an accusation but trial and execution, no proof of that.

Hi Joyce. First I agree, our connections to jam and Cohoes far more fun than the fact of being distant cousins. That said, they (on FamilySearch) are still using the wrong Ebenezer Holly. But that only matters to me. It doesn't make any difference in the direct line from Capt. John Galen Holly and Mary Waitsill. My Ebenezer was their direct descendant, same amount of generations so it makes me your Mom's 8th cousin. By the way, did you know Captain Holly's mother was executed because they thought she was a witch? Elizabeth Cogan Kendall 1647 Cambridge. Samuel Holly was 1st husband, Kendall 2nd. It's a heart breaking story.

Joyce,

Thanks for your comment on G2G! I do have a question, though. What information was shown that could not be resolved by a change in your profile's privacy settings? I just upped mine to a red padlock.

Joyce, I got excited by this "Relationship to me" feature on FamilySearch but when you thought we were 8th cousins I decided to see how we were related and the line they've given me to your Mom, Elizabeth Auger has a mistake. Wrong Ebenezer Holly. I'm descended from Ebenezer son of Eliphalet Holly and Mercy Pennoyer. They have the Ebenezer from John Holly and Mary Crissey. The men were second cousins and often confused with each other. On your side I found John Jenkins born 1626 listed as the SON of Edward Jenkins born 1683! The secure line I could find on my side was Elizabeth Kittle, your great grandmother. She was my 6th cousin (4x), or the 6th cousin of James Holly Bartlett, my 2nd great grandfather. On my side it's correct, going through Mercy Pennoyer. We both start with the Westcott family. Then you are Westcott to Straight to Green to Kettle to Kittle. Is your side secure? There may be other connections as we both come from this early New York- Massachusetts area. The Relationship to me feature is interesting but look at it with a critical eye. That said, you are right that we are related.

thankyou for your lovely comment when i was feeling down

Hi Joyce for your sweet mail, you certainly deserve the badge, and I love your photos and the story you put with them,

I think everyone on wikitree love photos I certainly do. Wish you a wonderful day and stay safe