Newell DNA Report
We now have several matching participants in one of the Newell "clans." One group of us track back to James c1795 NC, Ala c1827 NC, Thomas c1817 NC, or John c1830 NC. All of these, matching 37/37 markers, imply a common ancestor approximately 300 years ago, or about 1650 AD. The other group, matching 36/37 markers, and tracking back to Joshua c1790 NC, imply a common ancestor approximately 480 years ago, or about 1500 AD. Of course, the paper work will be next to impossible to find unless there is some hidden relative out there who may have a family Bible or other record we don’t know about. The majority of our “oldest known ancestors” appear to have resided in Mecklenburg Co., NC at one time. Following is a synopsis of what I can infer from the known data:
James Newell c1795 NC m/Sarah Boyd. With the perfect DNA match of the James and Thomas descendants, it might not be a stretch to infer that James was a son of one of Peter’s older children by his first marriage. These were named in his will as “…five of my eldest children…” to include Catherine, Joshua, Anny, John C., and William. There is no current info to indicate that Peter’s Joshua is connected to the Joshua c1790 NC.
Thomas Newell c1817 NC m/Frances W. Lanier. There is strong evidence that Thomas is one of the “...rest of my children & wife…” stated in the will of Peter Newell who died in Mecklenburg Co., NC c1817. Peter had married Polly Simpson Sep 11, 1801 in Mecklenburg Co., NC. Peter and Polly had children named Simpson, James, Betsey, Robert, George Washington, and Thomas. Many researchers have tried to equate James c1795 NC with the James s/o Peter and Polly, but the time line just doesn’t work.
Ala Newell c1827 NC m/Nancy Whitaker. Ala was on the 1850 Tuscaloosa Co., AL census and seems to be the unidentified male on the 1840 Tuscaloosa Co., AL census in the family of James Newell c1795 NC. DNA evidence infers that he is closely related, but since all of Robert Boyd’s grandchildren by James and Sarah (Boyd) Newell were identified in Robert’s family Bible, he cannot be a son of James. This would imply that he is a younger brother, nephew, or cousin based on the DNA match. We have no paper evidence to clarify.
John N. Newell c1830 NC m/Nancy (?). John was born in Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC. His parents have been identified as John and Mary “Polly” (Secrest) Newell. The elder John died c1850 and there is no further evidence about him yet. The participating descendant from John’s line represent families who remained in NC/SC most of their lives.
Joshua Newell c1790NC. The descendants of Joshua represent the group that match 36/37 markers with all the aforementioned folks. It isn’t know for sure who the parents of Joshua are, but one candidate would be Joahua c1770 NC of Bladen Co., NC. He might also be connected to the Joshua s/o Peter. We just don’t have enough info to draw any better conclusions at this time.