Descendants of Edward Fuller

A Mayflower Family 

The Mayflower Compact, signed by 41 English colonists on the ship Mayflower on November 11, 1620, was the first written framework of government established in what is now the United States.

The Fuller Family's Arrival in the USA

If the work my late aunt (PDF), Grace 'Darlene' (Merrick) West collaborated on with Mary Jane Holtzleiter is correct, we are Mayflower descendants. Our ancestor Edward Fuller, and his brother, Samuel Fuller, were among forty-one signers of the Mayflower Compact. They landed at the second successful English settlement in the "new world"; the Plymouth Bay Colony in 1620.

Who were they?

According to Wikipedia, the Mayflower Pilgrims were, 

"...separatist Congregationalists who called themselves "Saints". Later they were referred to as Pilgrims or Pilgrim Fathers. They were fleeing from religious persecution by King James of England."

Wycliffe speaking to Lollard preachers

(It was under this monarch's authority in 1611 the King James' version of the Bible was translated.)

Congregationalist described Christians who believed "each distinct congregation fully constitutes the visible Body of the church"; an idea that originated with John Wycliffe and the Lollard movement.

Who are we?

(photo courtesy of  Barbara
 /Merrick Bidlack/ Murtha)

Our grandmother (pictured above), Anna Grace (Merrick) Fuller is reportedly an eleventh generation descendant of Edward Fuller, one of the Mayflower Compact signers.

11  Edward Fuller (1575-1620) - (unknown)
10  Samuel Fuller (1608-1683)- (unknown)
09  Samuel Fuller II (1637-1691 )- Jane Lothrop
08  Matthew Fuller (1662-1734)  - Patience Young
07  Cornelius Fuller (1710-1790) - Patience Chappel
06  Cornelius Fuller II (1746-1790) - (unknown)
05  Johiel Fuller (1778-1849) - Martha Rundle
04  Allen Fuller (1822-1875) - Rachel Kimble
03  Price London Fuller - (1849-1924) - Harriett Fry
02  Lemuel Orange Fuller (1878-1930)- Mary Gilland
01  Anna Grace Fuller (1919-1994) - Leon Merrick

This family researcher cannot duplicate their research; i.e., can neither confirm nor deny the connection past Allen Fuller solidly, maybe through Johiel Fuller. 

(UPDATED here)

Who's our kin?

Official portrait 
Barak Obama

If we are descendants of this Pilgrim, we're distantly related to some well-known people. Famous descendants of Edward Fuller include former Supreme Court Justices Melville Weston Fuller and David Souter,  Mormon Church founder Joseph Smith Jr., painter Georgia O'Keeffe, and United States' President Barack Obama.

We can discover if we're related through y-DNA testing.  y-DNA passes, virtually unchanged, from father to son for centuries. Because of this stability, y-DNA is a perfect way to trace our ancestors.

Who can test? 

Fuller siblings/back row starting left:
Melvin, Cleo, Leona, Inez
front row:
 Anna 'Grace' Fuller and Mary Helen

Only a male descendant through a straight male line can test. Although anyone male from an all-male line can be tested, someone from the oldest generation available is the best candidate.

Grandma Merrick descended through such a line, keeping the Fuller surname until she married our grandfather. She was one of six children; five females and one male. Of the siblings, only Melvin Fuller (pictured at left) or one of his male descendants can test from our immediate family for the Fuller surname.

The Challenge

We are seeking a direct male to male Fuller candidate willing to test. Do you know anyone who might? This is a genealogical test; useless for medical information. It can only be used to compare one-on-one results with other Fuller donors.

The y-DNA test easy to take. You receive your package in the mail, swab the inside of your cheek, seal it and return it in the packaging provided. Best of all, we'll pay the cost for the right candidate.

We've set up this Facebook page to share DNA results as well as family pictures and stories. We don't do politics, religion, or anything there except research our family. Join us there and share your family.

(updated 3/12/2019 here)

 What is Y-DNA? 

Genetic Genealogy Tests Explained