Notes:

Until recently it was believed that all of the American Mallory's came from the same original line back to Richard Mallore who lived between the reigns of King Stephen and King Henry II around 1135-1189. His descendants include many lords and ladies. It is likely that the family first gained lands and recognition when fighting with William the Conqueror, as the surname first appears in English records of the time.

It is DNA evidence however, that has blown a hole in this theory, as it turns out that the early Virginia Mallory's descended from Wiiliam and Ursula Mallory via their son Rev. Thomas Mallory and his son Roger and the early Connecticut Mallory's do NOT have the same DNA.

Upon a study of the Coats of Arms for the surname Mallory from a 1800's book entitled "Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales", almost all of the Mallorys in the 1600s or earlier had coats of arms that included a red lion on a gold background. The Mallory family with the red lion on a gold background specifically included the grandfather of Roger of early Virginia. Between DNA and the family Coat of Arms, Peter is not related to the Roger Mallory of early Virginia Mallories' and does not carry the Coat of Arms that include a red lion on a gold background. Peter's YDNA does match that of a George Mallorie b. bef 1699 in England. Descendants of this George place him as the son of Rev. Thomas Mallory and grandson of William and Ursula Gale Mallory. Again, this does not concur with YDNA evidence. Either Roger Mallory's or our Peter Mallory's tree has been traced incorrectly. That being said, it is possible that historically they are from the same family line, but one of these two males in early America was fathered illegitimately by another non Mallory male previous to Roger or Peter Mallory.

Any theory I use for Peter's ancestry always has me tying back into the same early Mallory family in Yorkshire, England. Another descendant with a YDNA match to a John Mallory is also traced back through Rev. Thomas Mallory, son of William and Ursula Gale Mallory.

We have been hunting for Peter's ancestors for at least the last 2 centuries and no one has yet been able to locate his ancestors. I now believe there are these options left.1) Descendants of Sir Gilbert Mallory, Knight. Mallorey (co. Warwick-central England); confirmed by the Depatles of Camden, Clarenceaux to Robert Mallorey, fifth in descent from Sir Gilbert Mallory, Knt. Visit. Warwick. Erm.(Ermine) A chev.(Chevron) Gu.(Gules/Red) A border engraved. Sa.(Sable/black)? Ermine means it's a white shield with black spots. A chevron means it has the lovely upside down wide lined V that starts from the bottom of the shield and meets at a point near the top of the shield. It's a red chevron. The border is black. The spots are probably in the normal fancy design that looks a bit like a human form wearing a long coat.

This Sir Gilbert would have lived sometime in the 1400's most likely to be 5 generations away from his descendants in the 1600s. 2) Mallory: Wooderson, Co. York (In the Northeast of England) Sable/black background, 3 greyhounds, courant argent/silver, collared gules/red. This means that 3 silver greyhound dogs are running on a black background and they have red collars.(no individual owning this coat of arms is listed)3) Mallory: Gu.(Gules/red) 2 bars ar (silver) in chief 3 mullets pierced of the second. (No place is listed) This is a red shield with 2 silver bars. The top third of the shield is partitioned off. There are 3 mullets which are 5 pointed silver spurs likely in the top third of the shield.4) He was of a Mallory family as yet unfound that had no Coat of Arms. Up to now, this Peter's parents have been traced a multiple of ways, but always in lines that intersect with the Virginia Mallorys.

Theories as to his lineage were: 1) He is a distant descendant of Sir John and his wife Margaret Thwaytes as Peter is a common name in this branch of the Mallories and has not been found outside of this branch otherwise. 2) He is the grandson of Sir John (gr.grandson of John and Margaret Thwaytes) who signed the Virginia Charter through William (or his brothers). Mallory Smith has found multiple familial relationships that Peter would have to his neighbors in the colonies if this were the case. 3) He is the great grandson of Peter, who was the son of William and Ursula Gale born from 1556-1576. 4) He is the grandson of Rafe who had a son named Peter christened on May 24, 1607. Rafe is the supposed but unproven son of Sir William and Ursula Gale (F-528a) Raphe or Ralphe also supposedly had a 2nd son named Peter from 1623-1627, but if so, he is the only one of their children not listed in the christening records. 5) He is the son of Raphe and Grace Neal Mallory, born in 1627 in Shelton, co. Bedford, England. This one has been disproven as it's been well researched by Ian Wallace. Their son Peter married Susan Weedon in 1636. 6) He is a possible gr/grandson of Peter Mallorie and Elizabeth who were living in 1562 in Dukeswick, near Harewood, England. Peter who died in 1562 was a son of Sir John Mallory and Margaret Thwaytes. Peter and Elizabeth had two sons, William and Octus. (F-511)

To my knowlege, all of these theories go back through families with the coat of arms bearing a red lion on a gold background and would NOT be our Peter's family by male lineage. Therefore, my current belief is that we need to hunt for any plausible male branch he might be in that IS NOT related to Roger or other Mallories of Virginia or a female Mallory in any branch. DNA could help us in this matter. If the persons whom are matching Peter Mallory's DNA also are getting cousins with different surnames matching them, particularly at 37 points or more, it would be useful to check to see if persons of this matching surname lived in John Davenport's parish in London, England, northeast England or on the ship he brought a group over to Massachusetts/Connecticut in 1637 called the Hector. This could suggest that Peter's father had a different surname. I think we also need to study any female Mallorys living in these places to consider the possibility that he was born to unmarried parents.

Now let's deal with the current information available on Peter Mallory. His birth date varies greatly in second hand sources. The most common birth dates listed are 1607, 1623 or 1627. The 1627 date is accompanied by the place Shelton, Bedford, England. What we do know is that he signed the New Haven Pact in Aug. of 1644. I've studied the entire list of persons signing the covenant after it's origin in 1638 and found that the youngest men to sign the agreement were at least 19 years of age. Most of them were young men who were signing the agreement. Taking this as a reference point, we can conclude that it is likely that Peter was born before Aug. of 1625. A manuscript by Mary Reumah Mallory (prepared by her with source listings sometime in the late 1800's to the 1930's) says that Peter was about age 14 in 1637 when he came to Boston unaccompanied on "The Hector". I, however, can not find him on any passenger list for "The Hector" to date. He was supposedly a follower of the religious leader, John Davenport who had been a well respected minister for St. Stephen's Church in London, England before proceeding with a group of his followers to the new world. Reverend Davenport was also the religious leader at St. Katherine's Chapel at Hylton Castle from 1615-1619 where I've been told some of Peter's possible neighbors in Connecticut had relatives. The Wessyngton's, seated at Washington Old Hall were related to the Hyltons and lived nearby Hylton Castle. Sir William Mallory obtained Washington Old Hall when he married Dionysia Tempest, widow of Sir William de Wessyngton III sometime around the first quarter of the 15th century.

In any case, Peter took the Oath of Allegiance and signed the "Plantation Covenant" at New Haven, Connecticut on the 5th of Aug., 1644. It was a covenant made between the freemen who established New Haven in 1638. It was signed by additional males in subsequent months and years after it's founding. Mary Rheumah Mallory appears to have based many of her assumptions on the fact that she believed Peter was living in East Haven from it's inception in 1638 and simply turned 21 when he took the Oath of Allegiance in 1644, (the same year that Joseph Aslop who married a sister of Mary Preston took the Oath). He possibly married a first time to Elizabeth Barnes in Feb. 1648. He and his apparently recent wife appeared before the court Feb. 6, 1648/9 where the minutes state "Peeter Mallory and his wife was called before the court and was charged with the sinn of vncleaness or fornication, a sinn wch they was told shutts out the kingdome of heaven, without repentaine and a sinn wch layes them open to shame and punishment in the court. It is that wch the Holy Ghost brands with the name of folly, it is that wherein men show their brutishness, therefore as a whip is for the horse and asse, so a rod is for ye follish backs. They confessed their sinn, and desired the court to show them mercy in respect of their bodies, she being weakely, and for ought is known, with child, and he subject to distraction, haueing sometime bine distempered that way. Wch things the court considereding, thought it most meete to punish by fine and not by corporall punishment,and therefore ordered that they pay 5 pounds as fine to the town, and that they be brought forth to the place of correction that they may be ashamed and that it appeare the corporall punishment is remitted in respect of mercy to their bodies, but with the shame of the sinn as if the correction was laide on." This court record is likely to be for the offense of premarital sex. This type of case was not uncommon in early court records. The wife referred to could be his possible first wife, Elizabeth Barnes, or his wife in most sources who is Mary (Preston?). (F-513)

If his wife was Elizabeth in this record, she probably died shortly after. In either case, his wife's name is referred to as Mary after this original record by whom he had all his children starting within the next couple years. He bought a house, orchard and land from Nathaniell Seeley in (1651). His seating arrangement in one particular church meeting, suggests that he was in good standing but not of a particularly high social class. His wife was listed as Goodwife Mallory, meaning that she, too, was considered to be a respected middle class citizen. According to "The Mallory's of Mystic" by James P. Baughman, he was chimney sweep, planter, and speculator in tobacco and land. (F-514) He became a large land owner. Peter's home and most of his land was located near the Milford Town line at what was called West Side Farms, now known as West Haven. (F-627)

He and sons, Peter, Thomas, Daniel and John were all listed as proprietors (land owners?) in a 1685 document listing same for New Haven, Connecticut. He repeatedly gave land to his sons, Thomas, Peter and John: to son Peter on Jan. 2, 1687; to son John on Mar 25, 1687 that was adjoining his son Thomas' land. On July 2, 1684, he gave land to his loving daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Benjamin Bunnell and to his daughter-in-law, Mary Mallory, widow, relict of Thomas Mallory, my son lately deceased "during the nonage of her son Thomas with the proviso that if he die before he is twenty-one, then it shall go to her son Daniel at lawful age, and if he die then to her son, Aaron, and if they three all died then it be and remain unto my said daughter." He appeared in the court records for suing Widow Hodskis for slander. He is listed in the Third Division of New Haven Lands on the 20th of Dec. 1678/9 as having 8 persons in his family with an estate worth $65.00. His son, Peter Jr., had his own house at that time with 2 persons listed. His estate was worth $28.00. (F-131) "On August 30, 1697, he deeded all his estate undisposed of moveable, real or personal to his son Peter, husbandman, and his son John, in consideration of life support -- his wife Mary had been dead then seven years." He died within a couple years after that. (F-635)

Though there is no absolute record that Peter married Mary Preston, circumstantial evidence leads to that conclusion. Peter and John Hunter signed the oath of allegiance together in 1644. This same John Hunter in his will dated May 15, 1648 divided his small estate between Sarah Meeker (d. of William Preston), Mary (wd. of William Preston) and Peter Mallory. It is suggested in the "History of Genealogy of the Families of Old Fairfield" that John Hunter, and Peter Mallory possibly lived with Prestons at that point in time. Some descendants of Peter Mallory had also followed the Prestons from Stratford, CT to Woodbury, CT. (F-435a)

The following information on Peter is forwarded by Mallory Smith. "Primary immigrant Peter Mallory Massachusetts 1635 Permanent entry number 874882 page number 186 Founders of Early American Families Emigrants for Europe 1607-1657 Meredith B Colket Jr; General Court of the Order of Founders and Patriots of America, 1975, p 366. Passengers and Immigration Lists index." There is a record for a Peter Mallory in the 2nd Church of Milford, Connecticut that might apply to this Peter or his son that needs to be located.

Peter married Mary PRESTON on 12 Mar 1648 in Fairfield, Fairfield, CT. Mary (daughter of William PRESTON and Elizabeth SALE) was born before 13 Dec 1629 in Chesham, Bucks, ENG; was christened on 13 Dec 1629 in Chesham, Bucks, ENG; died in Dec 1690 in New Haven, New Haven, CT, USA; was buried in New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut, United States of America. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mary Preston is believed to be the wife of Peter Mallory for the following reasons. 1) He was married to a Mary when he came before the courts on Feb. 6, 1648/1649. 2) John Hunter signed the Oath of Allegiance immediately under Peter Mallory in 1644.

In John Hunters will dated May 15, 1648, he bequeathed his small estate to 1) Sarah Meeker, wife of William Meeker, 2) Mary, wife of Peter Mallory and 3) Mary, widow of William Preston. Sarah is a daughter of William Preston. Mary is likely to be also. He had a daughter Mary, who no other marriage has been found for. It is believed that John Hunter and Peter Mallory lived with the Prestons before Peter got married.

Notes:

An individual record in the Family Search Pedigree Resource File lists him as the son of William and Ursula Gale. Other more respected sources do not include him. (F-640)

There is a Rafe Mallory baptized as the son of a Peter Mallory in Cambridgeshire, England in 1583 that could be him also. It is conjecture that he is the son of the Peter Mallory that is listed.

Gentleman married Grace NEALE on 31 Jul 1606 in Dean, Bedford, England. Grace was born in 1582; died in 1691. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Bits and pieces of information are available for William Preston. He was a churchwarden in Chesham, England in 1617. He was a solicitor and therefore likely a man of education and superior station in life. Two of his sons preceded him to America. In his will, he mentions the aid his second wife was to him on the journey over. In many places, it states that William's second wife, Mary, was the daughter of Robert Seabrook including the "Dictionary of New England Settlers". This information was interpreted from a deed given to Mary by her son Jehiel Preston. Jehiel mentioned that it came from his grandfather, Robert Seabrook. It turns out that Jehiels wife's grandfather was Robert Seabrook, not Mary's father. Mary's surname is still therefore, unknown.

The family first came to Dorchester, Mass. in the "True Love" in Sept. 1635 along with their children Elizabeth, Sarah, Marie and John. Only son, Daniel, remained behind. In "The Complete Book of Emigrants 1607-1660" by Peter Wilson Coldham gives their ages at this departure as "William Preston 44; Marie Preston 34; Elizabeth Preston 11; Sara Preston 8; Marie Preston 6; John Preston 3." Shortly after, the rest of the Prestons settled in New Haven, Connecticut. William signed the fundamental agreement June 4, 1639. In a Land List dated approximately 1640, it states that there are a family of 10 persons living on an estate worth $40.00. William was admitted as a member of the Court on July 6, 1643. He took the oath of fidelity on July 1, 1644. In 1645 he was given the responsibility for the town pound. In 1646, he was temporarily cast out of the church for lying, and was reassigned a seat in March of 1646/7.

He probably died quickly as his will was made 9 July, 1647 and probated on Sept. 7, 1647. In his will, he felt he was on his death bed. He gave small shares to his children, Joseph Alsop's wife, Edward, Daniel, John (under 20), Mary (under 19) and William Meeker's wife. The bulk of the estate went to his second wife. He also left 3/4's of his estate in Gigleswick, England to his children by his first marriage and a quarter to his second wife. (F-131)

As to William's parentage, a varying theory is published in a book called "Genealogical and Family History of the State of Connecticut". It states his father was John Preston, who was a different son of George (d.23 Apr.1685) and Anna Saunders. (George is the same grandfather in both lineages found for William.) George (or his father George?) of Valley Field was given the title of Baronet of Nova Scotia in 1637. (F-436c)

George's death date is listed 100 years too late in this document which is also quoted next by Sharon Metcalf: "PRESTON The name Preston is of great antiquity in North Britain and was assumed by the family from territorial possessions in Midlothian in the time of Malcolm, King of Scots. Leolphus De Preston of the time of William the Lion in 1040 was grandfather of Sir William De Preston, one of the Scotch noblemen summoned to Berwick by Edward I. in the competition for the Crown of Scotland between Bruce and Baliol, the decision having been referred to Edward, After the death of Alexander III. in 1291, this Sir William De Preston was succeeded by his son. Nicol de Preston, one of the Scottish barons who swore fealty to King Edward I. He died in the beginning of the reign of David II. of Scotland, son of Robert Bruce, and was succeeded by his son, Sir Lawrence De Preston, who. in turn, was succeeded by Richard De Preston, who was seated at Preston Richard in Westmoreland in the time of Henry II. Sir Richard De Preston, fifth in descent from the above, Richard of Preston Richard, represented the county of Westmoreland in parliament in the seventeenth year of Edward III. His son, Sir Richard De Preston, had likewise the honor of being Knight of the Shire for Westmoreland in the same reign. twenty-seventh, Edward III., and in the same year, 1368, obtained license to empark five hundred acres. His successor was Sir John De Preston, of Preston Richard and Preston Patrick, and was member of parliament for Westmoreland in the thirty-sixth, thirty-ninth and forty-sixth years of Edward III. His son Richard had no male issue; his son John was judge of the court of common pleas in the reigns of Henry IV. and VI. and retired from the bench in consequence of great age in 1427. Children of Judge John Rev. John; Richard, his heir; and a daughter.(I) The American line is undoubtedly of this family and is traced to George Preston, of Valley Field, who was created a baronet of Nova Scotia in 1637. Children George, had a son Major William, who died in 1637; William, mentioned below.(II) William, son of George Preston, married Anna Saunders and lived in England in the reigns of Charles I. and Charles II., dying April 23, 1685. Children William, left no male issue Richard, took the title; had a son William who inherited it; Ellen; Alice; John, mentioned below.(III) John, son of William Preston, had two sons William, mentioned below; John, had a son William, who died without issue in 1729; was Lord Bishop of Fernsborough; Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge.(IV) William (2), son of John Preston, came to this country from Yorkshire in 1635 with wife Mary and six children and settled at New Haven, Connecticut. The settlement of his estate, January 4, 1639, shows that he owned real estate in Yorkshire, England. Children Edward Daniel; Eliasaph; Sarah; Mary; John, of New Haven; Jeheil, born 1640, lived at Stratfield; Joseph, born 1646; Hackaliah. mentioned below; Eliasaph, twin of Hackaliah, 1650."

William married Elizabeth SALE on 11 Oct 1613 in Chesham, Bucks, ENG. Elizabeth (daughter of Edward (Searles) SALE and Elizabeth GIFFORD) was born before 8 Jun 1590 in Chesham, Bucks, ENG; was christened on 8 Jun 1590 in Chesham, Bucks, ENG; died on 22 Feb 1634 in Chesham, Bucks, ENG; was buried on 22 Feb 1634 in Chesham, Bucks, ENG. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Peter married Frances ASTREY\ESTREY. Frances was born in 1556 in Woodend, Bedfordshire, England; died in in England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Information on Adam and Isabel can be found in Jacobus.

Adam married Isabel BRAITHWAIT on 2 Jun 1582 in Of Giggleswick, York, ENG. Isabel was born in 1560 in Of Giggleswick, York, ENG; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Edward was a "Mercer" by trade, which in context of a court case about unpaid debts after his decease, sounds like he was a merchant. His wife filed the complaint, because he had paid his debts to a trusted friend and haberdasher without getting a receipt. This "friend", Wetwood, after his decease said he hadn't paid. (F-97)

Edward married Elizabeth GIFFORD on 20 Oct 1589 in Chesham, Bucks, ENG. Elizabeth (daughter of John GIFFORD and Joane UNKNOWN) was born about 1567 in , , , England; died in Aug 1634 in Chesham, Bucks, ENG; was buried on 14 Aug 1634 in Chesham, Bucks, ENG. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]