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Post by whitleylad on May 2, 2009 16:22:25 GMT -5
My wife is a descendant to the Rev. John Newton. On the good side he was a British Slave trader who saw the error of his ways, and became an Abolitionist. He was influenced by John Wesley the founder of the Methodist Church. He became a reverend and a positive influence on William Wilberforce. On the downside, he was the sod that wrote 'Amazing Grace'! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Newton |
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Post by Thejebusfire on May 2, 2009 16:24:54 GMT -5
Yes.
He wrote it because his life was saved during a storm.
Or at least, that's what I was told.
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Post by discoberry on May 3, 2009 0:04:52 GMT -5
thats actually a myth. he had quit the slave trade, became a minister ... then decades later became an abolitionist and then another decade or so later wrote the song
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Post by antichrist on May 3, 2009 0:31:15 GMT -5
This guy is my ex's great uncle en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_DeanThe entire family is just like him, they'll cheat and steal, then turn on you as soon as the tide turns. |
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Post by Magnizeal on May 3, 2009 17:31:26 GMT -5
Are we sharing semi-famous ancestors? This guy is my... few times great grandfather. Damned if I remember which wife we're from, though... And whitleylad... I agree. The song is so very annoying... |
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Post by antichrist on May 3, 2009 20:16:01 GMT -5
Oh, and not an ancestor But this guy is related to my husband. My father in laws cousin is married to his great aunt. @ Magnizeal I feel for you. |
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Post by whitleylad on May 4, 2009 18:51:25 GMT -5
Me personally. My ancestors are Pit men, Urban labourers and Seamen.
My Grandad was an amateur boxer during the War, and served in Burma. My other Grandad joined the Royal Navy in the late twenties (no other job.) Was chased up the Yantse on HMS Scarab. (It was a gun boat like the film 'The Sand Pebbles'.) He then served on four ships during the war, doing the Atlantic and Arctic run. Three were sank, he lost alot of freinds and this haunted him till the day he died. Always felt guilty for surviving.
My great grandad served in the RN from about 1870. Served in the Second Boer War. Was called back in 1914. Sent the BEF to France and the Anzacs to Gollipoli. Was machined gunned in the Adriatic, and died from his wounds in about 1931-32.
My other Great Grandad Pegg served in the western front, and was attacked by a young German soldier, in 1917. He bayonetted him and his face stayed with him for the rest of his life. As he grew older the German boy's face didn't.
Still God was on our side! \sad sarcasm.
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