They are Fletcher Christian, who led the mutiny, and George Stewart, a Midshipman who was NOT a mutineer. He gave himself up in Tahiti, was clapped into irons, and drowned when the ship taking him back to England was wrecked. He had a wife in Tahiti, so I probably have cousins there, and I know Fletcher Christian had kids on Pitcairn's Island, so I have cousins there, too.
These people were all descended from a Viking who was William the Conqueror's great-grandfather. (WIlliam the Conqueror was the Norman Duke who invaded England in 1066 and became King of England.)
What makes this especially exciting, though, is that I know a lot about the Bounty--I am completely fascinated by the English navy in the 18th century: Jane Austen's brothers, Nelson, the Bounty, the Patrick O'Brien novels.....I love them all and have even plottted out my own 18th century navy story, Philippa. Maybe I WILL write that next after all!
3 comments:
Well that is pretty cool too!
I am a direct descendent of George Stewart, his wife was "Peggy", they had one child, Charlotte, who at 18, left Tahiti and was married on a ship. She came to Santa Barbara and remarried having 6 children, one being my 4th great grandmother. George and Peggy have no descendents in Tahiti, but Christian does. "Peggy" was also a Tahitian Princess, her father was the Chief of the Tribe that owned most of the Islands.
Hope that helps.
Amy
amysillito@gmail.com
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