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Thomas Mapes, born in 1628, settled in Southold, NY about 1650. He married Sarah Purrier about 1651 and raised a large family. A John Mapes and a Joseph Mapes were also in Southold in the latter part of the 17th century. There is no known relationship between these three men. There is much erroneous information published that Thomas' parents were Francis Mapes and Anna Loveday of Norfolk, England. Francis' pedigree, published in the Vistitations of Norfolk 1687 shows no sons but 2 daughters and Francis' will indicates only the 2 daughters as heirs. So Thomas' parents are unknown at this time.
Thomas' descendants migrated to Orange County, NY and NJ then to PA, OH, MI and presently are scattered all over the US. The Mapes Family Association (MFA) maintains a genealogy database that presently has about 36,000 descendants of Thomas and Sarah Purrier Mapes as well as about 10,000 Mapes descendants that are not connected with the lineage of Thomas and Sarah. Many of these "unconnected" Mapes are probably also related to the progenitor Thomas but are missing information that would connect them. There is a yDNA study that is being organized to try and determine if these "unconnected" Mapes are really descended from Thomas Mapes. For more information regarding this project contact Joe Boyle at jboyle3@aol.com.
The MFA holds annual reunions that take place on the second Saturday in August. Recently these reunions have been held in Phillipsport, NY on the property of Otis Mapes. In 2007 the MFA held its 121st Annual Reunion. For further information about the reunion or questions regarding genealogy please contact Joe Boyle at jboyle3@aol.com.
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