Don't overlook the research links at the bottom of this page
Page revised 5/31/2018, minor formatting/links 10/2021
Contact Mary Galgan Rmgalgan AT aol DOT com for genealogy questions
To view a map of the Phelps locations in early central VA (and Caswell Co, NC,
To view many research documents for this line , likely all by Galgan, see the downloadable files at the end of this page..
Topics on this page
Lineages with tested descendants
V38>M3 Haplogroup discussion
YDNA Analysis
Files of information for download.
Lineages with tested descendants
Also see this link to Phelps YDNA Project Home
The Phelps YDNA project is extremely interested and will likely pay for a ydna test of a descendant of either of two sons of John:
Samuel Phelps d:1790 Cumberland Co., VA; m: Elizabeth Chamberlain
or John Phelps II, b: ca. 1720; d: 1777 in Cumberland Co., VA.
Please contact the Phelps YDNA administrator.
Lineages displayed here were provided by individual ydna kit members, or their representatives, who are solely responsible for providing any ethical or copyright credits..
For information about the Butler County, KY Phelps link to http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~phelps/phelps_roots/index.html
Tested members not yet merged in with those below:.
1. John Phelps b 1683 d 1746
2. William Q. Phelps, Sr. b 1714 d 1755
3. William Q. Phelps, Jr. b 1733 d 1814
4. Julian N. Phelps b 1753d 1848
5. William S. Phelps b 1788 d 1862
6. John Lee Phelps b1817 d 1904
7. William Jasper Phelps b 1849 d 1884
8. Alvin Painter Phelps b 1875 d 1932
9. William E. "Willie" Phelps b 1896 d 1958
Descendant kit 398543 E-V38 > E-M2 (formerly known as E1b1a)
1. John Phelps d. 1747 , Goochland Co, VA
Research underway.
Father uncertain
Kit 655391 E-V38 > E-M2 (formerly known as E1b1a)
This merged list is maintained by Mary Galgan Rmgalgan AT aol DOT com Revised 04/24/2017 integrating Galgan's work with the previous male only descendants
1. John Phelps, d.1747 Goochland Co., VA, m: Margaret See will dated 1747 at death owned at least 1914 acres and 16 Negros. The lands his sons inherited are in present day Powhatan co., per Galgan Also, see 1755 downloadable file below: Indenture to William Phelps from mother Margaret, wife of deceased John. Contact M Galgan the submitter of the entire line,
Galgan: .John of Goochland started (so far) in Henrico Co., VA. His sons lived as far south in VA as 10 miles from the NC boarder (which we know was fluid) across the John H. Kerr Reservoir. And they lived as far west as Amherst Co., VA. See findagrave Photo there is invalid as is his father, according to comments there.
2. John Phelps II, b: ca. 1720; d: 1777 in Cumberland Co., VA
| 3. John Phelps III, b: bef. 1747
| 3. Sarah Phelps, b: bef. 1747
| 3. Mary Phelps, b: bef. 1747
2. Samuel Phelps d:1790 Cumberland Co., VA; m: Elizabeth Chamberlain inherited land M Galgan commented: had daughters only?; his will seen here names only daughters) possibility that Samuel had a son named John. I say that because in his Will dated 5 Aug 1790, Samuel names John Phelps of Charles County (I think he meant City), as Co-Executor of his Estate, w/ his wife, Elizabeth. It could be that this John was his son and had already been given his inheritance. But, no proof of that. I haven't been able to find him in Charles City. 1755-1763 in Lunenburg Co., present day Mecklenburg Co. - Boydton. Wm. & Samuel owned the plot of land that the first Courthouse of Mecklenburg County was built on. 1778 on Samuel remained in Cumberland and died there in 1790.
| 3. Possibly a son named John??
2. William Phelps b. Bef. 1726 in probably Henrico Co., VA; d. Abt. 1810 in Grayson County, Kentucky; m. Sarah Unknown See this findagrave record for information Described at least 3 times in Cumberland co documents as William Phelps, Planter.
From M Galgan: William Phelps, and his family were living on the James River in Buckingham Co., VA from 1767 to 1778 when Wm. moved the family to Kentucky probably because his sons were serving there. Two more of William's sons, William, Jr. and Samuel, also served in the Rev. War. William, Jr. & John Phelps in Capt. James Franklin's company of foot belonging to the 10th Virginia Regiment, and Samuel Phelps in the 6th VA Regiment, and served in Kentucky territory. Samuel died around 1790 and William died before 1830s.
To explain John Phelps being born in Cumberland Co., VA.... His grandfather, John Phelps who died in Goochland Co. in 1747 Willed his land to his sons, William & Samuel. That area then became the new county of Cumberland in 1749. William sold his property in Cumberland Co., VA in 1755 and moved to Lunenburg Co., VA, then moved to Amherst Co., VA in 1764, then moved across the James River to Buckingham Co., VA around 1767, then moved to Kentucky in 1778. All of this is proven by land records. Also, see 1755 downloadable file below: Indenture to William Phelps from mother Margaret, wife of deceased John.
3. Nancy
3. Maternal descendancy Kit 123871 MTDNA Paternal test.
3. John Phelps b: 1752 Cumberland Co., VA M Galgan:
3. William Phelps
3. Samuel Phelps b. c 1754 Cumberland Co., VA 1755-1763 in Lunenburg Co., present day Mecklenburg Co. - Boydton. Wm. & Samuel owned the plot of land that the first Courthouse of Mecklenburg County was built on;
3. Julian Phelps b. bet 1760-1767 Amherst Co, VA (see Galgan for detail) ; died 2/18/1848 in Butler Co., KY, m. Nancy Abbott; m. Joanna Jones abt 1777 Charlotte CO, VA see findagrave
| 4. Phillip Foster Phelps, b. 1817 Butler county KY, d. 1869 Butler county KY
| | 5. Julian N Phelps, b.1838 Butler County KY, m. Mallinda Jane Phelps see findagrave
| | 6. George Leroy Phelps, b. 1873 Spencer County Indiana, d. 1943 Butler County KY
| | Descendant Kit 298683 Haplogroup E-V38 > E-M2 (formerly known as E1b1a)
| | 6. U.S, Grant Phelps b 1868 See findagrave m. Charity Waddle Phelps, daughter of Ann Phelps
| 4. Nicholas Phelps, b:1800 in Warren Co., KY & Mary Lucy Pitman, b:1802
| | 5 - Payton Robinson Phelps, b:1824 in Butler Co., KY & Mahala Jane Embry. b:1844
| | 6 - Golson Tolbert Phelps, b:1876 in Butler Co., KY & Nellie P. Phelps, b:1875
| | Descendant Kit 130514 E-V38 > E-M2 (formerly known as E1b1a)
| 4. James Phelps b: Feb 1789 Green Co., KY d: 14 Jul 1862 Butler Co., KY m: Ellender "Nelly" Jones No DNA kit; Click to see contributor J.A.
| 4. William Phelps b. 1788, Kentucky, d. 1860 m. Sarah Logsdon b Kentucky, par. Unknown Logsdon and Rhoda Skaggs
| | 5. Sgt. John Lee Phelps b. Abt 1820, Butler Co., Kentucky, d. 1904, Butler Co., Kentucky m. Paulina Phelps b. Abt 1820, Kentucky,
| | 6. Nicholas "Big Nick" Allen Phelps b. 16 Aug 1851, Butler Co., KY, d. 6 Dec 1931, Butler Co., KY m. Nancy Ann Glen m.Ruth Ann Heath
| | 7. Hershel Porter Phelps b. 1877, d. 9 Feb 1971, Butler Co., KY m. Viola M. Phelps
| | Descendant Kit 128700 E-V38 > E-M2 (formerly known as E1b1a)
| 4. James L. Phelps, b. 5 Feb 1789 Green, KY, d. 14 Jul 1862 Butler Co., KY
| 5. James B. Phelps, b. 1815 Butler Co., KY, d. ??; m. Delilah R. Phelps (daughter of a Thomas Phelps) 8 Nov 1839
| 6. William Kid Phelps, b. 7 Sep. 1849, Butler Co., KY, d. 8 Nov. 1880 Threlkel, Butler Co., KY
| 7. Silas James Phelps, b. 23 Mar 1881 Brooklyn, Butler Co., KY, d. 22 Dec. 1958 Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY
| Descendant k t 160556 Haplogroup E-V38 > E-M2 (formerly known as E1b1a)
3. Nicholas Phelps b: 1759 Lunenburg Co., VA, d: ca. 1840 in Butler Co., KY; m: Mary Biggerstaff on April 07, 1793 in Green Co., KY (MG's line)
4. Samuel Phelps b: 1794 Green Co., KY
4. William Phelps b: 1795 Green Co., KY
4. John B. Phelps b: 1796 Green Co., KY To see the descendants of this branch view the file at the bottom of this page John B. Phelps descendants pg 1 and 2 , Kentucky Traces 1994 vol 17 iss 4.jpg
4. Jesse Phelps, b: 1804 - wife, Nancy Pitman
| 5. Solomon Phelps, b. May 06, 1830 Butler Co, KY, d. April 10, 1906. m., Sarah J. Dewees
| 6. Powell Crittendon Phelps, b. 12/ 29/ 1859 Butler Co, KY, died February 18, 1935.
| Descendant DNA Kit107006 25 markers E-V38 > E-M2 (formerly known as E1b1a)
4. Julian R. Phelps b: 1801 Warren Co., KY, d. 3/1856 Butler Co, KY. m: Sarah “Sallie” E. Smith
5. Mark Phelps, b: 1824
5. James Melvin Phelps, b: 1827 Butler Co., KY, m: Mary “Polly” Reeves (Galgan's line)
| 6. Dabna A. Phelps, b: 1853 Butler Co., KY
| 6. Bedford Nail Phelps, b: 1855, d:1896 in Butler Co., KY | | 7. Mack Thomas Phelps, b: September 14, 1885, Butler co., KY
| | Descendant Kit 73764 25 markers Proxy M.G. )Haplogroup E-V38 > E-M2 (formerly known as E1b1a)
| 6. George B. McClellan Phelps, b: 1861 Butler Co., KY
5. Bedford F. Phelps, b: 11/23/1829 Butler Co., KY, d. 4/18/1891 Butler Co., KY, m. Mary E. Ferguson
| 6. Thomas J. Phelps b. 4/23/1862 d. 1/31/1927 Butler Co., KY, m. Lutetis J. Franklin
| Descendant Kit 57192 37 markers Click here to contact Proxy M.G. E-V38 > E-M2 (formerly known as E1b1a)
5. Stanford B. Phelps, b: 1835 Butler Co., KY
From B Renner 2/2017:
. I have been looking this last weekend at the Phelps Pensions records of the four Phelps of Buckingham and curious where the Nicholas and John Phelps fall? The text for John Phelps lived in Buckingham at the beginning of the Rev War when he enlisted for three years. In 1832, John Phelps said he moved KY , then to Indiana and back to Grayson Co, KY. He said he was born in Cumberland Co., VA on 20 Jun 1732. He had a sister Nancy (WEBB) Phelps, who was a years and 5 mos. younger than John. He also states in Nicholas Phelps of Butler and Buckingham Cos. VA (born ca 1756) Pension records, that he is the older brother of Nicholas Phelps.
V38> M2 Haplogroup discussion 4/30/2017
Researchers have found suggestions of likely Sub-Saharan African (or perhaps North Africa, Middle East?) origins in the only traceable son William Phelps (bolded below). The yDNA (father to son) E-V38 > M2 haplogroup of William would support the suggestion (as well as documents found at the end of this page). Please review the files at the end of this page, in particular the court cases about William’s appearance in files 1,2,3,4, and the file Property trail of John of Goochland. (by M. Galgan) A supportive record is found in the Buckinghap Co, VA Surveyor's Plat Book 1762-1858: "William Phelps (mulatto); August 21, 1771; 378 ac.; branches Wreck Island Creek and joining Jeremiah Whitney Gent; new lines, ---- Christian neighbor." Also: 1771 - This is a Platt of 378 acres of Land in Buckingham County on the branches of Wreck Island Creek and joining the lines of Christian WHITNEY and Jeremiah WHITNEY (Gent.). Surveyed for William PHELPS, noted as (mulatto), the 21st August 1771. By Henry Bell, Surveyor. Plat Bk., p20. Copy of Plat in file.
ISOGG offers more for the E Haplogroup: Y-DNA haplogroup E would appear to have arisen in northern hemisphere of Africa based on the concentration and variety of E subclades in that area today. E1b1 is by far the lineage of greatest geographical distribution. It has two major sub-lineages, E1b1a [shown for men at FTDNA as M2 for the Goochland Phelps] and E1b1b [shown for men at FTDNA as M78/V22/M35]. E1b1a is a lineage that originated and expanded from West or Central Africa to Eastern Africa and Southern Africa. E1b1b probably evolved either in Northeast Africa or the Near East and then expanded to the west--both north and south of the Mediterranean Sea. E1b1b1 clusters are seen today in Western Europe, Southeast Europe, the Near East, Northeast Africa and Northwest Africa. E2 is possibly of Central African origin and is spread in low frequencies across the continent. The Cruciani articles (references and links below) are indispensable resources for understanding the structure of this complicated haplogroup, but note that the Cruciani haplogroup labels are now superseded because of the recently discovered new SNPS that lie closer to the root of the E branch of the Y-haplogroup Tree.
Added 3/31/2017 A further clarification of this line's haplogroup.
By 2015, FTDNA changed the haplogroup origins for three different and historically unrelated Phelps lines - all having the major Haplogroup of E. The unrelated are the New England line of George b ca 1606 Eng d. MA; another of Goochland, another of 3 closely related lines of Caswell Co, NC, Albemarle Co VA, and Baltimore Co, Ms descendants. FTDNA reports to yDNA tested members: Haplogroup E is an African lineage. It is currently believed that this haplogroup dispersed south from northern Africa with the Bantu agricultural expansion. E is also the most common lineage among African Americans. It is a diverse haplogroup with many branches and is found distributed throughout Africa today. It is also found at a very low frequency in North Africa and the Middle East.
This line's haplogroup at FTDNA haplogroup is shown currently as either presumed or confirmed M2. The E haplogroups found in the VA, NC, and NC descendants of Baltimore Co, Md. are very different: The Goochland are E1b1a (now called E-V38 > M2) and the others are E1a1a (now called E-M44 ). Some breakouts of E1a1 M44 haplogroup will be African American, some include Ashkenazi Jews, even Druze of Lebanon, some not well identified. Phelps who wish to research this further are encouraged to join one of several of FTDNA's E haplogroup projects , and order the Big Y test at FTDNA Additionally insight may be found by yDNA tested men by viewing their MyOrigins as part of their Family Finder testing if so tested.
The following was revised by D Phelps 12/2017
As seen below the common ancestor of those lines is tens of 1000s of years ago. BUT HOW DID THEY APPEAR IN COLONIAL AMERICA AT THE SAME TIME, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA OF THE 1700S?
By observing the three E trees at a member's FTDNA haplogroup report, Yfull.com and ISOGG, we can get a composite which should give better understanding . John of Goochland is based only on the tested descendants of the son William of John d. 1747.
The below tree has undergone changes at ftdna and at Yfull.com but it still illustrates the same thing.
E-M96
E-P147 The common ancestor of the below, calculated by Yfull.com to be 49600 years ago
E-M132 (formerly known as E1a 19500 years ago
| E-M44 (Formerly known as E1a1) This is the haplogroup found in the related Phelps originating in Albemarle Co, NC, Caswell Co, NC, and Baltimore Co, Md. Yfull.com and ISOGG show tested men's origin to be Sardinian Italy, central Africa (Mandenkas), British Isles, Germany, Lebanon (Druze), n.e. Europe (Ashkenazi Jews)
| L499 (equivalent to P177) (Formerly known as E1b)
E-P2
E-V38 (formerly known as E1b1a)
E-M2 For the Goochland line, view the V38 haplgroup tree at Yfull.com to see where others are from.
10/15/2014: To view many research documents for this line , likely all by Galgan, See the below down loadable files.