Wren Kin
We’ve had an interesting DNA match in our DNA surname project, with some exciting implications.
Here are the details of the match:
Participant #1: A Wrenn from Tennessee, who says he can trace his line to Albert Walker Wrenn (1813-1889, Spotsylvania, Virginia).
Albert Walker Wrenn may be found on pages 99, 112, and 158 in John Howard Wren’s book, “Wren’s of Virginia.”
Participant #2: A Wren from California, who traces his line to Thomas W. Wren (b. 1836 in Haywood County, Tennessee, d. 1923 in Wood County, Texas).
Thomas W. Wren has been a brick wall in my research, as I’ve been unable to identify his father.
The DNA test resulted in a match of 42 markers out of 43, or a most recent common ancestor (MRCA) within six or seven generations (depending on what DNA charts you read; it could be six, it could be seven).
If the Wrenn from Tennessee is descended from Albert Walker Wrenn, then he is also descended from Nicholas Wren and Margaret Bell of Virginia, Albert’s ancestor…
…and if the Wrenn from Tennessee is descended from Nicholas Wren and Margaret Bell of Virginia, then so is the California Wren!
We can’t depend completely on DNA results to fill out our genealogy charts, but we can use it to point us in the right direction. Most of it still depends on our careful documentation of family connections. There is a chance that the paperwork isn’t complete to prove the above connection, but it doesn’t change the fact that the Tennessee Wrenn and the California Wren are still related.
What we must do at this point:
1. Cite all the paperwork documenting the Tennessee Wrenn’s line
2. Drum up more DNA participants!
The more participants, the more matches we’ll have to W(R)en(n)s from all over the world!
Wouldn’t it be grand if one day we find a documented male W(R)en(n) descendant of a cousin of Sir Christopher Wren — who is interested in joining the DNA project? That will be the day when we may finally put to rest — or hold up high — the long-disputed tradition in so many Wren(n) genealogies: that most American Wren(n)s are descended from Sir Christopher Wren.
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Nicholas Wren-Margaret Bell
William Wren-Elizabeth Steptoe/Howard
John Wren-Hannah Ann Turner
William Wren-Mary Strother
John Henry Wren-Rebecca Spelman
William Thomas Wren-Malinda Mills
Albert Walker Wrenn-Catherine Benson
Beverly Wellford Wrenn-Georgia Roberds Williams
Henry Bradley Plante Wrenn-Caroline Spencer
Purdy
Wellford Goundry Wrenn-Susan March Luck
Harry Luck Wrenn-Catherine Caroline Rankin
I’m Thomas Wellford Wrenn son of Harry and Caroline.
My gg uncle Beverly Wellford Wrenn, Jr. wrote my great-uncle Bradley Wrenn that the descendants of Nicholas Wren were descended from Sir Christopher’s father. That’s all I know.
I’ve seen the letter.
Hey, there, Bubba!
Most older Wren(n) genealogies do mention a link to Sir Christopher Wren, but we have yet to prove (or disprove) it. It’s like the holy grail of Wren(n) genealogy!
Perhaps one day.
A Curate John Carter for Matthew Wren fled England about 1639 . A John Carter Arrived in Virginia about 1639 purchased property from Gookin and a right of way through Nicholos Wren property .
The church is obviously the work of the Astronomer/Architect Christopher Wren. It makes amazing use of the sun all keeping time with Greenwich . It is hard to believe there is not some relationship to Nicholos Wren . The precision in the design would have taken sometime . The original plan about 1666 the final building abt1729. Any thoughts ?
John, are you talking about the Wren Chapel? The “History about the Wren Chapel” page says:
I’m betting they’ve searched high and low for any provable connection to Sir Wren; and I know for a fact they have better opportunity and access to documents regarding its origin than any of us do!
I would very much like the chapel to have been designed by Sir Wren, but I tend to think it was not.
Sorry just quick notes
I have not been impressed with the “experts” of Williamsburg on this subject. We are not looking at documents put the actual Astronomical design of Wrens work. It is literally written into the brickwork, measurements and geometry of structures in America and England .It has been found in structures thought to be or known to be of Wren.
An honest to god discovery with over 20 years of observation and verification from the leading expert on Horology in England, with a specialty in the time period of Wren, and Astronomers.
Wren’s fingerprint has been decoded. The simple use of Phi Pi with his structures oriented to sun angles .The interior display of light might vary but generally strike specific details on Solstice, Equinox, cross quarters April 5 .
On undamaged buildings the exterior light and shadow display the dates and upcoming solar events.
This is a short version of discovered info hope it helps.
It was overheard at a Williamsburg Conference “If Stephen Stewart is correct we will have to re write the History of Williamsburg” Stewart is the one documenting this Wren discovery and he is correct. The information verifies that Wren designed the Chapel.
Thanks for your time
John Walker
Sorry I forgot :
The prior discussion was John Carter’s Christ Church where an easement was made through Nicholas Wren property.
Has anyone heard how John Howard Wren is doing or even if he’s still alive. He was my dad’s sixth cousin
Hey, there, Bubba/Tom!
I just got off the phone with him. He says to tell you he’s still kicking at 88, but not actively involved in genealogy at this point because he’s focusing on other stuff right now.
He says his old email still works and he checks it nearly every day so that’s the best way to reach him. (Email me if you don’t have it and I’ll send it to you.)