The Kessler Family History

Crown. The practice of awarding baronetcies was originally introduced in England in the 1300s and was used by King James I of England on 22 May 1611, for the settlement of Ireland. A baronetcy is the only hereditary honor, which is not a peerage. A baronet is styled "Sir" like a knight, but ranks above all knighthoods and damehoods except for the Order of the Garter and, in Scotland, the Order of the Thistle. However, the baronetages, as a class, are considered members of the gentry and rank above the knightage. A baronetcy is not a noble title or knighthood and the recipient do not receive an accolade.

Sir Moyle Finch married Elizabeth Heneage, only daughter of Sir Thomas Heneage (1533–1595), Vice-Chamberlain of the Household to Queen Elizabeth I. After Sir Moyle's death in 1614 Elizabeth and her sons made considerable efforts to have the family's status elevated. On 8 July 1623 Elizabeth was raised to the Peerage of England as Viscountess Maidstone, and on 12 July 1628 she was further honored when she was made Countess of Winchilsea. On her death in 1634, her titles passed to her eldest surviving son, Sir Thomas (who had already inherited his elder brother's baronetcy in 1619). Lady Winchilsea and Sir Moyle Finch's youngest son the Hon. Sir Heneage Finch served as Speaker of the House of Commons and was the father of Heneage Finch, who was created Earl of Nottingham in 1681. Elizabeth and Sir Moyle are depicted in repose in a monument commemorating members of the Finch family, sculpted by Nicolas Stone c. 1630. The piece was created after Sir Moyle's death during Elizabeth's lifetime, and is now displayed at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

So how do we get from this noble English and Welsh blood to Native American? By traveling with John Finch aboard a vessel of the Winthrop Fleet arriving in Salem, Massachusetts in June/July 1630. Traveling with John Finch was his father, Abraham Sr. (a descendent of Sir Moyle), and brothers, Abraham Jr. and Daniel.  In 1630, this Finch family group settled in Watertown, Massachusetts where, (per Governor Winthrop), Abraham Sr.'s wigwam and worldly goods were destroyed by fire in September of that year. 

By 1634, having taken the oath and become "Freemen", Abraham Finch Sr., Abraham Jr. and Daniel Finch relocated to Wethersfield, Connecticut, where each took up residence on the east side of Broad Street.  It is unclear whether John Finch ever owned property in Wethersfield, CT., though he certainly did in Stamford, which was then considered a colony of Wethersfield.  Abraham Sr., commonly known as "Ould Finch", took up residence just south of Thomas Olcott, of Hartford, CT.  Near Abraham Sr.'s homestead was that of son, Daniel Finch who was appointed Wethersfield's first constable in 1631.  Just north of Daniel's residence, was the home of Abraham Jr.

We can trace John Finch’s decedents all the way down to Benjamin Simpson Finch.  Benjamin Finch was married several times and our lineage comes from his last wife Nancy Copeland. Nancy was a Cherokee Indian who identified herself as white in census records.  Benjamin fought in the Civil War and was at Appomattox when General Lee surrendered.  Benjamin, however, had been captured a month earlier and was in transit to Point Lookout prisoner of war camp in Maryland.  Benjamin and Nancy each married at least four times. Benjamin was the grandfather of Lucille Finch who is my grandmother.