Roger Kenyon

     Roger was born circa 1660 in Peel Hall, Lancastershire, England. He was the son and heir of Roger Kenyon, Esquire of Peel Hall & Governor of the Isle of Man and M.P. for Clitheroe. Roger, when young, left his home at Peel Hall & emigrated to Barbados where he fell into difficulties and was sold for debt. Not long afterward he left and went to New York and thence to Block Island where he met Mary. Roger married Mary Ray, daughter of Simon Ray III and Mary Thomas, before 1685 in Block Island, Washington County, Rhode Island. After their marriage, they traveled to Peele Hall & "she was the first American lady introduced to the King, and kissed his hand". Roger & Mary went to Ireland.¹ Roger & Mary had a son Roger born at New Shoreham, West Sussex, England 25 January1684/85. He was brought up by his grandfather Simon Ray, and on 11 Mar 1707/08 he obtained depositions regarding his birth and parentage, apparently in preparation for a trip to England to claim the Kenyon estates to which he was clearly entitled. However, he was not successful, and he was obviously the Roger Kenyon, merchant, who was living in Perth Amboy, New Jersey in 1718 and who subsequently moved to New Bern, North Carolina. Roger departed this life before 1687 in Ireland.