The Seagraves Family, The California branch: who we are and where we came from.: March 2011

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Even though the name Seagraves has it roots in England (spelled Segrave back then), the Seagraves family in the US has roots in Ireland too.

There's a village named Seagrave which may or may not been given to one of my ancestors.

Either that or I'm a dirt relative.

And with my luck digging around in the family tree that's probably it.

(Dirt relative is someone that has the same name as say the lord or knight, but they got the name from the town not the family.)

Then some of the Segrave line moved to Ireland.

Two Segrave's men moved to the US from Ireland at around 1700 or so. One was a minister, Francis Segrave, who settle in the Isle of Wright with his four kids (his two sons later married had thirteen children each), and the other arrived here in chains.

James Segrave was a bad boy, his father's will reflected that. I'm not sure what James did but he ended up in a penal colony here in the US.

James escaped or finished his time and made his way to New Jersey, where he opened a pub and started brewing beer. And called himself George.

It turns out he was a Master Brewer back in Ireland (a family business). And where James the convict couldn't get a licence to run a pub---George could.

Respectable minster or the convict--Guess which one I'm descended from?

If you have a glass of green beer today to honor St. Paddy make a toast to my ancestor James (George) Seagraves Brewery Master and escaped convict, without whom I wouldn't be here.

Seagraves Family HistSeagraves Coat of Arms / Seagraves Family Crestory

The surname of SEAGRAVES was a locational name 'of Seagrove' a spot in County Leicestershire. Following the crusades in Europe in the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries, a need was felt for a family name to replace the one given at birth, or in addition to it. This was recognized by those of noble birth, and particularly by those who went on the Crusades, as it added prestige and practical advantage to their status. At first the coat of arms was a practical matter which served a function on the battlefield and in tournaments. With his helmet covering his face, and armour encasing the knight from head to foot, the only means of identification for his followers, was the insignia painted on his shield, and embroidered on his surcoat, the draped and flowing garment worn over the armour. Local names usually denoted where a man held his land, and indicated where he actually lived. Early records mention Thomas de Segraua, 1180, County Leicestershire. William Seagrave was documented in County Notttingham in the year 1300. Edward Segrave of Yorkshire, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. The name is also spelt Seagrief, Seagrove and Seagrave. In many parts of central and western Europe, hereditary surnames began to become fixed at around the 12th century, and have developed and changed slowly over the years. As society became more complex, and such matters as the management of tenure, and in particular the collection of taxes were delegated to special functionaries, it became imperative to distinguish a more complex system of nomenclature to differentiate one individual from another. The origin of badges and emblems, are traced to the earliest times, although, Heraldry, in fact, cannot be traced later than the 12th century, or at furthest the 11th century. At first armorial bearings were probably like surnames and assumed by each warrior at his free will and pleasure, his object being to distinguish himself from others. It has long been a matter of doubt when bearing Coats of Arms first became hereditary. It is known that in the reign of Henry V (1413-1422), a proclamation was issued, prohibiting the use of heraldic ensigns to all who could not show an original and valid right, except those 'who had borne arms at Agincourt'. The College of Arms (founded in 1483) is the Royal corporation of heralds who record proved pedigrees and grant armorial bearings.