Free: The Descendants of Meredith Edwards of Westmoreland County, Virginia. Download the full manuscript.
In the intricate world of genealogical research, uncovering the truth about one’s ancestry can often feel like navigating through a labyrinth of historical records, myths, and, occasionally, outright fabrications. Jason M. Farrell’s work, The Descendants of Meredith Edwards of Westmoreland County, Virginia, published digitally in 2020, stands as a beacon of rigorous investigation amid a sea of misinformation. This self-published digital tome embarks on a meticulous exploration of the Edwards family’s lineage from Meredith Edwards (c.1655-1712) across several Virginia counties including Westmoreland, King George, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Prince William, Loudoun, and Fauquier, extending from 1665 to 1800.
Farrell’s book is not just a dry recounting of births, marriages, and deaths. It is a detective story, where the author pits himself against centuries of genealogical errors and a particularly damaging fraud from the 19th century. Farrell dissects previous research with a critical eye, aiming to correct the record and provide a reliable account of the Edwards family’s true heritage. This narrative is further enriched with two critical essays that delve into past inaccuracies and the so-called Edwards Heirs debacle, alongside compiled biographies of notable family members who left significant marks on American history, such as Senator John Edwards of Kentucky and his sons Haden and Benjamin Edwards, key figures in the Fredonia Rebellion.
At the heart of Farrell’s critique is the challenge of distinguishing fact from fiction in genealogical research, particularly for a family as widely dispersed and as frequently misrepresented as the Edwards. Previous theories, including those suggesting a lineage from a Welsh clergyman or a Surry County immigrant, are systematically debunked through diligent research and the presentation of verifiable evidence. Farrell brings to light the real story of Meredith Edwards, an indentured servant who carved out a legacy in Virginia, which became obscured by generations of mistaken or fraudulent genealogical claims.
The book is structured to guide the reader through the complex Edwards family tree, starting from Meredith Edwards and branching out through his descendants who spread across Virginia and beyond. Each section not only details the lives and migrations of family members but also paints a vivid picture of colonial Virginia, its society, and the challenges of ancestral research. Through a combination of narrative history, genealogical records, and critical essays, Farrell not only reconstructs the Edwards family lineage but also offers insight into the broader context of genealogical research within American history.
“The Descendants of Meredith Edwards of Westmoreland County, Virginia” not only corrects the historical record but also serves as a testament to the importance of diligent and skeptical genealogical research. Jason M. Farrell, leveraging his expertise as an amateur genealogist, offers a compelling narrative that is as informative as it is corrective, providing a valuable resource for both descendants of the Edwards family and enthusiasts of American colonial history.
Source
Farrell, Jason M., The Descendants of Meredith Edwards of Westmoreland County, Virginia, self publshed digitally, 2020.
