Re: Vincent Meigs Not The Son Of Lawrence Meggs
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In reply to:
Vincent Meigs Not The Son Of Lawrence Meggs
Rick Meigs 2/02/02
I appreciate your clarification.Accounts of this unproven connection seem to have flourished.I myself have not seen any evidence of the disputed connection.
In this regard, however, I must raise some questions.
My wife is descended from Peveril Meigs 1, son of Charles Austin Meigs, son of Senator Henry Meigs.
This week I had the pleasure to read the journal of Peveril Meigs during his voyage on the USS Saginaw along the Alaska coast.Portions of said journal figure prominently in the book 'Alaska History No 46, The USS Saginaw in Alaska Waterways 1867-1868' by Robert N. Armond.
While the latter is a good book (with a fine photograph of Peveril), in my opionion, the journal is better. It provides a fascinating insight into an individual, his time, and a historic adventure.
I have always wondered about his name, "Peveril."I wonder, have any qustions regarding this name come up before?
At first I thought perhaps Peveril's father had some insight into genealogical research of his time and might have chosen the name in order to suggest a family connection to the pedigree of the Meggs of Peverill.
The problem is, if you read the words of this man (Peveril I) you sense you are dealing with an honest, forthright person.Our 96 yr old grandmother (who knew the man) insists her grandafther had always been a stickler for personal integrity.
Also, it seems unlikely his own father, in naming his son,would concoct such a connection for personal aggrandizement.Especially in light that his father, Charles Austin Meigs, was National Bank Examiner and son of Senator Henry Meigs (in other words, he didn't need much personal aggrandizement).Also, the Saginaw book indicates Charles Austin was opposed to the alliance of Peveril with Rosamond Weston (Peveril's eventual wife), daughter of Charles A.'s next door neighbor, Richard W. Weston.R.W., as far as I can ascertain from my journey through the local 1860 census, was the richest man in Staten Island at the time.
On top of that, in the journal, Peveril clearly communicates his abhorrence of the English.The Armond book suggests this was a family wayof thinking at the time.Seems unlikely C.A. Meigs would have gone out of his way to establish a connection to the English Meggs of Peverill using a dubious naming scheme.
I am not disagreeing with you as I believe your arguments are sound.My purpose is to offer some compelling questions that are worth consideration.
Any idea from whence Peveril Meigs' given name derives?
Best,
Chris Koreivo
More Replies:
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Re: Vincent Meigs Not The Son Of Lawrence Meggs
Gene Phillips 10/25/03
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Re: Vincent Meigs Not The Son Of Lawrence Meggs
Robert Forbes 9/18/03