Kenyon Family History

Henry James Kenyon

Children

Reminiscences of the Family of Kenyon

By

Henry J Kenyon 1945

As the oldest member of this immediate branch of the Kenyons, I shall endeavor to assemble a few apparent facts which still cling to my memory and some others which I have been able to glean from the more or less ancient records which I have been able to retrieve from the archives of other members of the clan and Bureaus of Research.

From the records of the genealogical research bureau it would appear that the family name of “Kenyon” is of rather ancient origin, dipping back into more or less antiquated period of time. Writers of genealogical wisdom seem to have established the fact that the first family to bear this as a surname were Saxons and entered England as early as 449 a.d., as leaders of a tribe or clan.

The leaders of a tribe or clan, as they then came to be called, were rewarded for their services in the conquest by the grant of a large tract of land in what is now known as Shropshire and Lancashire and called it the settlement or village of ‘Kenyon’. ‘yon’, meaning yonder or nearby. Ken or Kin equals members of the same tribe, clan or later - of the same family, hence yonder brothers, sister, fathers & mothers, other relations as we now all them.

If this history is accepted as authentic, it would seem that one Abraham de Lauton or perhaps Laton was the leading character and in 1154 married to Alice de Winnique, to whom a son Jordan was born and known as de Kenyon or Lord of Kenyons. Hence, as you may see, our family name is of very ancient and honorable origin.

In America a large number served in the Revolutionary War. Many have become teachers, lawyers, judges, mechanics, astisans as well as members of the kings court, etc.

The immediate family of Kenyon seems to start with either John or James Kenyon sons of James and Ester Kenyon. John seems to be the most likely one. By the tracing of the family names and so forth. We know the family, as now known, came from New England.

These brothers seeking adventure, came to the new world, then a land of great promise, to help in the planting of a new civilization and with that liberal minded character, Roger Williams. I see them fighting against the bigotry of Cotton Mather and the intolerance of the English Church and planting great and noble ideals of personal, political and religious freedom which we may now enjoy.

Coming from this early New England ancestry, we find the members of this family to have been, for the most part, rather conservative in their political and religious ideals yet liberal enough to realize that the world advances in that, deed and action, and that what was solemn unquestionable truth of yesterday, and is an absurd fallacy of today. As a family, our actions have been largely based upon and guided by a strong belief and faith in that great divine principle which we of the more civilized peoples are pleased to call God.

As before mentioned, it seems safe to say that the family of Kenyon came through the immigrants John and James, who settled at Westerly Rhode Island. It is grossly evident that our immediate branch of the family came through the immigrant John, by tracing names which I remember being mentioned by my father and uncle.

In tracing through a common letter in America, I find that a Joel and Mary Frost were the parents of a daughter Lois, who was born at Litchfield, Connecticut in December 1772 and was married to John Johnson. To these two were born eleven children of whom Diana was the sixth. She became the wife of Enos Kenyon, a son of Lewis Kenyon, who appears to have been a descendant of the immigrant John, or possibly James Kenyon and Lois Hill. They, Lewis & Lois, later moved to New York and settled and settled in Washington Co. Enos was born July 19, 1797.

To Enos and Diana were born several children – Julia, Mary, George, Susann, Henry, Charles, Harriett and John. They immigrated first to Oswego Co, N.Y. and later to Coldwater, Michigan, then a frontier land of promise and took part in its earlier development. Civic and religious.

Henry and Charles served through the entire civil war, enlisting in one of the first companies from the state. John enlisted later but died in camp. George was rejected owing to poor eyesight.

The other members of this family later scattered from Michigan to California.

George Kenyon married Sarah Sherman. Both were born in Oswego Co. ,New York . He at a small town named Mexico, March 25, 1830. Died at Coldwater, Michigan May 24, 1898. Buried at Quincy. Sarah, his wife, was born in the same county at a little fishing village called Sandy Creek on Lake Ontario. Her father and mother – Zebidle and Almeda Sherman also immigrated to Branch Co. Michigan with an ox team, following Indian trails, and cut timbers for a log house near Quincy – Their just a (settlement) where they raised a large family of children, Sarah being the third.

George and Sarah Kenyon had three children. Eella who was married to Frank Kelly a newsman and died in Montana or Wyoming. Henry James – born in Butler Township, Branch Co., Michigan December 25, 1862.

Eella was also born at the same place, December 20, 1807 – both in a little log house built by their father near Quincy.

His other son Jay was born to them later in life. Said to have had two daughters.

Henry James Kenyon married Grace Louise Stephinson who was born Sept 1, 1870. To them were born four children – Juanitae who was born in Calumet Michigan, May 29, 1890. She passed into spirit life at Gilead Michigan at the age of 12 years 9 months.

Homer David, born at Kinderhook, Michigan. March 23, 1892
Elwood Lyndon born in twp of Bethel, Branch Co. Michigan April 23,1898
Eva Lucile was also born in Bethel, Branch Co. Michigan Sept 11,1901

Homer D Kenyon married Hazel B Sharpe, March 22, 1913 at Cadillac, Michigan.
To them were born:
Janetha Elouise born April 17, 1914 at Hoxeyville, Michigan.
Alice Zoleen born July 7, 1915 Cherry Grove Twp, Wexford Co., Michigan
Homer D. Kenyon Jr. Sept 28, 1917
Carlton Wayne Kenyon – July 9, 1919 Gratiot Co.
Keith born April 9, 1921 Breckenridge Michigan
Ward Nagel – born Sept 9, 1922 at Breckenridge Michigan
Don Richard – Sept 8, 1929 Clio Michigan – Genesee Co.

Janetha Elouise married Donald L. Brock – Jan 17, 193_. To this union was born
Patricia Jean Brock – November 26, 1935 – married Graham Main
Pamela Jeanne Borck 1947-1964
Donald Langdon Brock 1951
David Jon Brokc 1956

Alice D. married James Shamel of Davison, Mich. Oct 8, 1939
Judith Diane born May 2, 1940
Ronald James born June 10, 1942
Jane Ann Shamel 1942
Jill Susanne Shamel 1949
Mark Jon Shamel 1952
David Jack Shamel 1954
Susan Jo Shamel 1955

Homer Dewayne Kenyon married Winifred Gamble of Mt. Morris – Jan 20, 1940. To them were born:
Rebecca Lee Kenyon – May 28, 1941
Margaret Alice Kenyon – Nov 19, 1943
Homer David Kenyon Sept 4, 1947
Jeanne Louise Kenyon – Dec 14, 1949

Carlton Wayne born July 9, 1919 married Virginia Lee Williams – Aug 31, 1941 To them were born:
Richard David Kenyon born on May 10, 1947

Addison Keith – born April 9, 1921 – died Dec 22, 1921

Ward Nagel married Carrie Louise Carroll – Dec 27, 1946
Janet Louise Kenyon – Aug 8, 1959
David Ward Kenyon – Nov 7, 1961

Don Richard Kenyon – married Frances Louise Nadorozny
Deborah Kenyon
Don Kenyon
Kimberly Kenyon
Kurt Kenyon
Candice Kenyon
Jeff Kenyon

Service Record – World War No2

Carlton Wayne July 1942 entered army – sent over seas June 1944

Ward Nagel – enlisted Navy in Jan 1942

Homer D. Jr – entered June 1945

Eva Lucile Kenyon was married to Archie Y. Bond – Nov 9, 1917 at Flint, Mich. To them were born:
Helen Pauline on June 27, 1920
Norman Bond on Nov 4, 1921 – died Nov 7, 1921
Robert Bernard Bond on Feb 7, 1923

Helen Pauline was married to William Schaap they have two sons
Gerald Norman born May 2, 1942
Thomas Gordon born Nov 8, 1944

Robert Bernard Bond married Hazel on Aug ___, 1943 at Grand Rapids, Mich.
They have one son born Dec 20, 1944 – Randall Bernard.

Reunion #1
August 1940

The first reunion of the Kenyon family was held at Townsend Park, Grand Rapids, on the last Sunday in August 1940.

The day was unpleasant, rainy, and cold, however 23 members were present and a picnic dinner was served.

Among those present were representatives of four generations. The oldest member, Henry J. Kenyon and his wife, Grace Louise, age 78 and 70 respectively. The youngest, Judith Diane, age 15 weeks, infant daughter of Alice (Kenyon) and James Shamel. One guest was also present. Mrs Leua Burke of Cadillac, Michigan. Ice cream was served and a collection taken to defray expenses.

Collected $3.75
Ice cream 2.65
Balance $1.10

It was suggested that we make the gathering an annual event and the following officers chosen.

Homer D. Kenyon – President
Eva L. Boud – Sec & Tres.

Reunion #2
August 24, 1941

The second reunion of the Kenyon family was held at the home of Archie and Eva Bond
on Grand Rapids Drive, Grand Rapids.
The day was bright and warm and a picnic lunch was served under the trees. Motion pictures was shown in the basement of the first reunion. Janetha and Don Brock sang “God Has Promised” and Don also offered prayer.
The youngest member was Rebecca Lee Kenyon, age 12 weeks.
Infant daughter of Homer D. Jr. and Winnifred Gamble.
It was moved and supported that Homer Sr. try and get the record of ancestors.
It was also moved and seconded to hold the reunion the same date at Cadillac next year.

Collected $4.75
Homer for book 2.00
Ice cream 1.94
Misc: .81
Bal. Left over 1.10
Total $ 1.91

Note: Due to the World War II the reunion was cancelled until 1945.

Reunion #3
July 29, 1945

The third reunion was held at Mt. Morris, Michigan at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Homer D. Kenyon
Business meeting called together by Homer D. Kenyon and minutes of the first reunion read by same in absence of sec as minutes of the second meeting were available. Discussion followed on subject of electing new officers each year. Also suggested that the next meeting be held at the lakes near Cadillac, note taken,
everyone present able to attend at Cadillac.

Elwood Kenyon elected Pres.
Hazel Bond elected Sec & Treas

Suggested that we have a program committee. Plan carried that each family furnish a portion of the program also suggested where ever reunion held, the party have the coffee and possibly one hot dish. Planned if all boys home from service special effort be made to have everyone present.
A reading by H.D.Kenyon on the History of the Kenyons down to H.J.Kenyon. Suggested that the record be kept and continue after being brought up to date. Talk given by Grandpa (Henry J.) Kenyon on the subject of family trees. Vote of thanks given him for his efforts in complying the historical data read at this meeting.
History dated back as far as 444.
Voted to set reunions date for last Sunday in July.
Song “I’m in the Lords Army” sang by Patty Brock and Judy Shamel
also a poem “Let It Shine” by Patty Jean Brock.

Reunion #4
July 28, 1946

The fourth meeting of the Kenyon reunion was held at the home of Robert and Hazel Bond at Lake Mitchell.
Lunch was served in the State Park after which we all returned to the Bond residence for the program. Guests were given rides in a speed boat belonging to Don Brock.
The meeting was called to order by Elwood Kenyon, pres.
Minutes were read of the last meeting by the Sec. Hazel Bond.
A motion made and carried that we put in more than enough money for present expenses in order
to have a reserve for the following year. A collection of $8.45 was taken.
It was suggested that the place of the reunion alternate and be held wherever the present officers live.
Helen Scharp was elected pres. And Eva Bond Sec & Treas. It was decided the reunion be held near Grand Rapids in a place decided by the officers.
There were 31 members present and one guest, Louise Carrol.
Patty Brock and Judy Shammel, Grandpa (Henry) and Grandma (Grace) Kenyon and a trio consisting of Janetha Brock, Alic Shammel and Louise Carrol offered vocal selections. Hazel Kenyon gave two readings and James Kenyon played several selections on his clarinet.
The meeting was closed with the singing of “Praise God from Whom all Blessing Flow”
and a prayer led by Hazel Kenyon.

Balance 1.91
Collection 8.45
Expenses 4.45
Balance 5.91