John Ashley, of Lancaster County

• No evidence to support as son of William Ashley, of Shropshire & Elizabeth Mary Ashley
• supposedly a brother of William Ashley, of Accomack County but evidence is sought.

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John Ashley has only two known sons, Thomas and Isaac Ashley both born in Lancaster, Virginia. John came first to Lancaster, Virginia along the coast by the Rappahannock River.

Traditional

Do not take this story as serious genealogy.

From Ashley Familes: USA and Around the World

http://rebelcherokee.labdiva.com/ashley1.html

Two early Ashleys were John born 1625 and brother William, born in England. They share a story of love and rejection. They both loved the same woman, Lady Jane Cooper, daughter of Baronet John Cooper and wife Ann, daughter of Sir Anthony Ashley. It was decided between them, whichever she rejected, would migrate to the Colonies. William lost, and came to the Colonies. Scant early records seem to point to William settling in Accomack Co. VA.

>the Coopers daughter was Philippa (who married Sir Adam Brown and died in 1701). They did not have a child Jane.

About 1650, John and Jane Cooper Ashley also migrated to the Colonies. They had two known sons, Thomas born about 1650, and Isaac born about 1660. Thomas stayed in VA and Isaac moved to Maryland, as those are the states their records are found in. There are many Ashley descendents in the USA that trace their lines back to John Ashley and Lady Jane Cooper and brother William through their children.

Comments

http://skyvington.blogspot.com/2009/02/lord-and-his-lady.html

The primary goal of many Ashley genealogists aim to establish a clear descendant line from Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury. In this endeavor, the legend and lore of John and William Ashley and their love of Lady Jane Cooper is often quoted. However, this is only family legend.

Documentation and DNA studies linking the Ashley family ancestral line in America with the Ashley-Cooper family of Wimborne St Giles are nonexistent.

Keep in mind that the 1st Earl of Shaftesbury additionally stated the names of his siblings in his autobiography. Jane was not listed. Historical records simply do not include her among the members of this family.

The legend of John and William Ashley and their love of Jane Cooper was shared with Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 10th Earl of Shaftesbury, just prior to his death. He found it amusing, nevertheless unlikely.

In order to support the genealogical research of Ashley family members in America, Atty agreed to participate in the DNA study pursued by the Ashley Family Association. Sadly, he died before the research and testing was initiated.

While his heir and son, Nicholas, 12th Earl of Shaftesbury is aware of the claims of Ashley family members in America, he states that the archived records do not support the summation. He has additionally, declined requests to participate in the DNA study required to definitively establish a biological link to the Ashley-Cooper family.

References

• https://www.familytreedna.com/public/ashley?iframe=yresults
  • Isaac ASHLEY, c1669, r. Kent Co, MD Group 03 - All kits in this group probably share a common male ancestor within the genealogical time frame or surname era R-M512
  • Thomas A ASHLEY,Sr 1660 Lancaster Co, VA Group 05 - All kits in this group probably share a common male ancestor within the genealogical time frame. Y DNA Haplogroup R-M269
• https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LDJV-DM8 Shows as son of William Ashley & Elizabeth Mary Schuyler “John Ashley has only two known sons, Thomas and Isaac Ashley both born in Lancaster, Virginia. John came first to Lancaster, Virginia along the coast by the Rappahannock River.”
• https://www.colonial-settlers-md-va.us/getperson.php?personID=I1372... shows wife Jane (unknown) for John Ashley but doesn’t show children.

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Arrival
1657
Virginia

Web Page (Link to the Record)
http://skyvington.blogspot.com/2009/02/lord-and-his-lady.html
Describe The Record (Notes)
About 1650, John and Jane Cooper Ashley migrated to the Colonies. They had two known sons, Thomas born about 1650, and Isaac born about 1660. Thomas stayed in VA and Isaac moved to Maryland, as those are the states their records are found in. There are many Ashley descendents in the USA that trace their lines back to John Ashley and Lady Jane Cooper and brother William through their children.

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/collaborate/LDJV-DM8
Two early Ashleys were John born 1625 and brother William, born in England. They share a story of love and rejection. They both loved the same woman, Lady Jane Cooper, daughter of Baronet John Cooper and wife Ann, daughter of Sir Anthony Ashley. It was decided between them, whichever she rejected, would migrate to the Colonies. William lost, and came to the Colonies. Scant early records seem to point to William settling in Accomack Co. VA.

About 1650, John and Jane Cooper Ashley also migrated to the Colonies. They had two known sons, Thomas born about 1650, and Isaac born about 1660. Thomas stayed in VA and Isaac moved to Maryland, as those are the states their records are found in. There are many Ashley descendents in the USA that trace their lines back to John Ashley and Lady Jane Cooper and brother William through their children.

John Ashley Children
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/sources/LDJV-DM8
John Ashley has only two known sons, Thomas and Isaac Ashley both born in Lancaster, Virginia. John came first to Lancaster, Virginia along the coast by the Rappahannock River.

https://www.runner-genealogy.com/index.php?id=4968
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LDJV-DM8
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/sources/LDJV-DM8
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/collaborate/LDJV-DM8