My roots of father’s family tree stretch back to Violette (Kennington) Fortenberry. Violette was the daughter of John & Martha Kennington and grand daughter of Edward Kennington.
The family may have its origins in Great Britain. Unsourced online family trees indicate England as the home of the family. In 1619 “Ezekaell” Kennington from Essex, England arrived in Virginia aboard the Bona Nova. He was a 20 year old chandler [a dealer in supplies and equipment for ships and boats]. [i] At this time we do not know if he is connected to our family. Reliable records begin with proof of the family in South Carolina in the 1700s.
Edward Kennington, b c 1715, [sometimes seen as Cannington] can be found in South Carolina, beginning with a land record in December 1750. Edward had 150 acres of land on Lick Creek in Craven County. [i] In October 1759 Edward had a grant for 150 more acres in the same county. [ii]
[i] South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Colonial Plat Books; Series S213184, Volume 7, Page 10, Item 2; digital image (scdah.sc.gov: accessed March 2019) Edward Kennington, 1750, Craven Co.
[ii] South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Colonial Land Grants; Series S213019, Volume 9, Page 272; digital image (scdah.sc.gov: accessed March 2019) Edward Kennington, 1759, Craven Co.
[i] McCartney, Martha W. Virginia Immigrants and Adventurers, 1607 – 1635: A Biographical Dictionary (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Company, 2007) 442.
Read More About
- Edward Kennington bc. 1715
- John Kennington bc. 1745
- Violette (Kennington) Fortenberry 1786 – 1858
Selected Sources
- Adrianne Fortenberry Criminger, THE FORTENBERRY FAMILIES OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI; 1677-1984; South Carolina, Southern Historical Press, Inc, 1984.
- G. K. Fortinberry, ABSTRACT HISTORY OF THE FORTINBERRY FAMILY; 1795-1940’s; Family History Center Microfilm #1036152.
Websites
- Find A Grave Many family members’ tombstones are here.