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Adobe PDF Version The Peach Tree Issue 164 Thomas Jefferson THE Roots of Religious Freedom This is the final name for my latest biographical novel, now in the hands of PEACH the publisher. The book will be over 300 pages (larger than the last), and it will retail for a maximum of $29.95. Please let me know if you want to order a copy. Here’s a sampling of what the book is all TREE about. Celebrating 29 years of bringing the “A new church started in Peach/Peachey heritage into homes Charlottesville, Virginia, and Thomas throughout the world. Jefferson decided to go for a visit. The John H. Peach, Editor people assembled there called themselves the Lewis Mountain Baptist Church. 221 Geronimo Rd., Knoxville, TN 37934 Andrew Tribble was their pastor. When Tom entered their make shift of a Ph: 865-675-5956 building, he was in shock. What a stark difference from the Church of England Email: [email protected] buildings of which he was accustomed. This church didn’t even look like the Taking out the architecture of a church, with not even a sign in front indicating it was a place of Telescope worship. As he entered, he saw no prayer books in the rustic pews, nothing showing I have been writing about Thomas an order of worship and no religious Jefferson, believe it or not, to find out symbols or stain glass windows. more connections to our Peach and What Tom saw seemed to be Peachey families. I was able to find completely spontaneous. There was no precious nuggets of our roots in England rhyme or reason what would happen next. by leaving no stones unturned. I found But he witnessed an excitement and the more I knew about the royal family, enthusiasm in the congregation that was the better I could understand its unique. He could tell the people were connections with the Peche noble filled with exuberant joy when they sang, ancestry. Likewise, to discover the reminding him more of those who would intricate history of colonial America gives sing and dance when he played for them me a clearer understanding of how the on his fiddle. early Peach and Peachey families were The preacher then got up with his related. I hope all my subscribers will join Bible in hand and had a fire in his voice as me on this exciting historical journey. he railed against sin and abomination. Tom hadn’t seen any emotion among the 1 The Peach Tree Issue 164 ministry like that since his old revered At that point neither man knew how school teacher, Reverend James Maury. that little dinner meeting would possibly After their church service ended, they lead to the rights for religious liberty or held their monthly business meeting. for the Declaration of Independence. One Although Tom was not a member, he thing was for sure. All the services decided to find out what it was all about. Thomas Jefferson attended at that little As a vestryman for his church, he knew Baptist church in Charlottesville made an the twelve members of the vestry made indelible impression upon what he was the decisions for his Anglican church. In destined to write. this little Baptist church, every member Since the Baptist church only met had a vote, as well as a voice. He didn’t once a month, Tom began attending hear any women speak because they Sunday meetings at the Albemarle County respected the leadership of their Courthouse. He called it “the common husbands. But no restrictions were held temple”, as there was a different regarding time or subject when it came to denomination represented each week. the men’s deliberations. This introduced Jefferson to many styles Jefferson was so impressed with what and methods of worship. He saw they all he saw that day that he returned again and believed in the same God and the same again. He arranged to meet personally Jesus as did the Church of England. with Pastor Tribble. He learned right During that time, he continued to pursue away the minister didn’t want to be called his struggle against the state church “reverend” or any titles normally concept that came from the British.” associated with the clergy. After a Sunday service, he gladly welcomed Thomas Jefferson to come to his home for dinner. N. Maryland Branch Tom entered a humble home and ate a simple meal with the preacher and his Tom Peach from Calhoun, Georgia, family. No slaves were there to serve found out about me and wrote: “I know them. The preacher’s wife did all the you published a book a few years ago (I cooking and serving, refusing even to sit think it was a follow-up to your original down until all were served. As soon as Peach book), and I would like to purchase something else was needed at the table, up a copy if it is available.” she jumped and quickly retrieved it. Tom told me that he was the son of After dinner and the children were Edmund C. Peach, Sr. of Granite, dismissed, the pastor was interested to Maryland. Therefore, I told him of his find out what Jefferson thought of the ancestry from Rutland, ENGLAND, services. By this time, he knew how which is found in detail in The significant a man was sitting before him. Peach/Peachey Migrations, 1066-1990, which What his guest said in response never he promptly ordered. Our hats our off to escaped the memory of the preacher. Tom. “I am currently retired from sales “Pastor Tribble, as I carefully and marketing,” he writes, “and have observed your business meeting, I believe returned to my first love - teaching. I it would be the best plan of government work at a local high school assisting for the American colonies.” teachers with special education kids.” 2 The Peach Tree Issue 164 Peach/Peachey Migrations and The Peach New York Peaches Heroes. She’s now trying to build the bridge between the proven English Catherine Hopkins writes: “The Peach records and her branch from Minnesota. Migrations book is extremely interesting If anyone can help her with this, please let and enjoyable reading. As far as I know, us know. John H. Peach am not in the direct line of Robert English Peach. Here is what I know now. “Catherine Peach Willis was my great Overseas grandma. Her dad was Robert Peach who died in 1922 at age 84. Catherine Willis Peach/Peacheys signed the death certificate. From his documents John Peach was his father and A lady named “Ann” from Yorkshire, Bridget English was his mother. Matt ENGLAND, recently found out about Peach and another Michaeleen on our Peach Tree Project and ordered The Ancestry....we are trying to find the Peach/Peachey Migrations, 1066-1990. In her connection. What I see from the census first contact with me, she wrote: Catherine had two brothers, John and “I do hope you will not mind me George. Michaeleen on ancestry is in the writing to you, I have been researching my George Peach line. I have ordered family name and I believe that it probably Catherine Peach's birth certificate from started as Peche or something similar, I NY for two different years since there are think you have done a lot of work on this two different dates of birth in the census and would love to hear from you.” records. Also, one census has a Robert, Ann has ordered the book and is George and John and the next census has pursuing her new-found ancestry. Thanks Catherine but no Robert. This suggests to each of you who keep this Peach Tree Robert died at a young age. My brother Project alive for those like Ann. and I have come to the conclusion we Michael Peachey from Sydney, need to go and spend a day in the NY AUSTRALIA wrote to me lately saying, “I Schwartzman Record building and find am interested in your book and the the records. Peachey genealogy and if we are or have “We have a puzzle to solve. Thank descendants from England or America or you again for your project. The benefit is Canada. I am an Indigenous Australian of unending which my family is enjoying.” Aboriginal descent but I remember my Editor: If anyone can help Catherine father saying years ago we have Non- with her quest, please contact yours truly. Indigenous heritage also and he thought it was English. Is your book available in Australia it would be good to have a read. Minnesota Branch Didn’t know there was so many Peachey’s from so many different places as well.” Pat Carlson took a giant step forward Since then, Michael has ordered The when she ordered The Peach/Peachey Peach/Peachey Migrations. It’s great to see Bridges, Vol. I. She already had The his enthusiasm for his noble ancestry. 3 The Peach Tree Issue 164 SC Branch News Sale on Books Recently, my cousin Ronald Peach of The Peach Heroes that sells for Friendsville, TN accompanied me to the $59.95 is what I call my monster book. Trentham Reunion in Gatlinburg, TN. With 740 pages, it is the largest book I (The Trenthams are identical with the have written. For a limited time, I am Tranthams, with just a variant spelling). offering a $20 discount off this book While there, I acquired a framed picture simply because I overstocked it. This is of the Trentham Hall in Staffordshire, only for a LIMITED TIME. This is 740 England.
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