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We now know DNA studies match kin who lived in Northern England who went by the name Chomley, Cholmley, or Chamley. Our kin might have lived in Ireland or Scotland before England but no DNA matches in those areas yet. Whatever the cultural or historical issues of the day, our ancestors definitely wanted to leave the British Isles and go to America.
Given a timeline of records PERHAPS our ancestors left because of cultural events leading up to the Battle of Culloden. The first verified record is in Bertie County is 1744, then 1757 on a tax list. First of the DNA 1st cousins or brothers was Isaac Chamblee, Hertford Co NC on a tax list in 1779, obviously of legal age. The oral history that 6 came from Ireland or Scotland (or England) would then fit the years surrounding the Battle of Culloden. One can wonder.
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Scottish Immigration to America increased as Scots gained access to America as Indentured Servants Scottish Immigration to America in the 1700's was undertaken by angry Scots following defeat at the hands of the English at the 1746 Battle of Culloden... In 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie, the the Stuart heir, attempted to claim the British throne but was defeated in 1746 at the Battle of Culloden. The defeat at the Battle of Culloden prompted large scale emigration from Scotland to America and the history of Scottish Immigration to America began in earnest, although Scots had first emigrated during the Colonial era of American history. More on this at Scottish Immigration to America.
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Boat and immigration lists and other early American records including indentured servants have not yielded results. We have have done a surname survey of these immigration records, but there is no pattern or conclusion. We looked at the Chambliss, Chumbly, etc. lines for a few years but after DNA studies we now rule that out. No paper trail from Chambless/Chambliss/Cumbly substantiates anything in our ancestry anyway.
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Where did we first find them on record in America? Bertie County, North Carolina--which was later split into Hertford County in December 1759. We think some of the early records ended up in Hertford County, which unfortunately suffered two fires and most early holdings were lost.
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What is more important is where our ancestors migrated in America. Our ancestors needed and desired many acres of land to support their families. As land was advertised or given as military warrants, our ancestors began to migrate.
We now know DNA studies match kin who lived in Northern England who went by the name Chomley, Cholmley, or Chamley. Our kin might have lived in Ireland or Scotland before England but no DNA matches in those areas yet. Whatever the cultural or historical issues of the day, our ancestors definitely wanted to leave the British Isles and go to America.
Given a timeline of records PERHAPS our ancestors left because of cultural events leading up to the Battle of Culloden. The first verified record is in Bertie County is 1744, then 1757 on a tax list. First of the DNA 1st cousins or brothers was Isaac Chamblee, Hertford Co NC on a tax list in 1779, obviously of legal age. The oral history that 6 came from Ireland or Scotland (or England) would then fit the years surrounding the Battle of Culloden. One can wonder.
​
Scottish Immigration to America increased as Scots gained access to America as Indentured Servants Scottish Immigration to America in the 1700's was undertaken by angry Scots following defeat at the hands of the English at the 1746 Battle of Culloden... In 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie, the the Stuart heir, attempted to claim the British throne but was defeated in 1746 at the Battle of Culloden. The defeat at the Battle of Culloden prompted large scale emigration from Scotland to America and the history of Scottish Immigration to America began in earnest, although Scots had first emigrated during the Colonial era of American history. More on this at Scottish Immigration to America.
​
Boat and immigration lists and other early American records including indentured servants have not yielded results. We have have done a surname survey of these immigration records, but there is no pattern or conclusion. We looked at the Chambliss, Chumbly, etc. lines for a few years but after DNA studies we now rule that out. No paper trail from Chambless/Chambliss/Cumbly substantiates anything in our ancestry anyway.
​
Where did we first find them on record in America? Bertie County, North Carolina--which was later split into Hertford County in December 1759. We think some of the early records ended up in Hertford County, which unfortunately suffered two fires and most early holdings were lost.
​
What is more important is where our ancestors migrated in America. Our ancestors needed and desired many acres of land to support their families. As land was advertised or given as military warrants, our ancestors began to migrate.
YEARS AGO A CHAMBLEE COMPILED A BOOK
Years ago a descendant of Rotcher Portland Chamblee (1867-1900) made contact via Cherrye Lane Davis and heard we were deep into Chamblee genealogy. He said he had a book of history and wanted to send it.
The book contains genealogy which must have been worked on for years prior to Rotcher Portland Chamblee's death in 1900. The North Carolina Archives or the North Carolina Historical Commission (NC Archives predecessor) did not exist when R. P. did his book; we can assume he spent at least 10-20 years prior compiling information by traveling in the area interviewing relatives and also by traveling to other states. This is the oldest book of compiled Chamblee information we are aware of. After R. P. Chamblee's death his family entered some notes as well.
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The contents of the book were amazingly accurate. Rotcher Portland's father, William Bryant Chamblee, was the grandson of Robert (Robin) Chamblee of Wake County. His work contained only a few hiccups here and there, therefore, astoundingly accurate. All information in the book has been checked against records.
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We are so grateful to Rotcher Portland Chamblee. Sigma Van Thomas Chamblee, father of Dr. John Sigma Chamblee, Sr., and brother to Rotcher Portland Chamblee probably inherited the book, as a few of Sigma's writings concerning genealogy from the book have surfaced here and there. The book resides with a descendant of Dr. John S. Chamblee's family today.
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Rotcher P. Chamblee named Robert Chamblee of Wake Co "Robin" and claimed Robert had red hair. R.P. called Jarrod Chamblee, son of Robert, "Jordan." Rotcher Portland claimed there was a migration from the British Isles, the same yDNA deems true (northern England near the Scottish border). He mentioned that he met Chamlee line descendants and others whose ancestors had long ago moved away from North Carolina and R.P. reported the oral history passed down in those families, "six brothers [number can vary in various families] coming from Scotland or Ireland or England." This oral history seems generally consistent in all branches of the Chamblee/Chamlee (all spellings) tribe even though they did not particularly have contact with each other.
Representative in pages in book compiled by Rotcher Portland Chamblee concerning son of Robert Chamblee of Wake Co NC, map on right drawn and added by his brother Sigma Van Thomas Chamblee.
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R. P. indicated where some people had migrated which was a real gem to know before digitized census records. Rotcher Portland Chamblee had done his work well and crafted a very important work. Sadly, due to prevailing ill health he ended his life August 13, 1900.
Thank you John Sigma Chamblee, Sr. for keeping a treasure and lending it to help substantiate the database of ancestors.
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