Taft Family Association - DNA Project
Taft Family Association DNA Project - An Interim Report
This study was inaugurated about a year ago. The primary question being addressed was the relationship, or lack of same, between Robert1 Taft of Braintree and Mendon, Massachusetts and Matthew1 Taft of Upton, Massachusetts. Thus far, 15 individuals have been signed up and testing has been completed for twelve. Eight tests of descendants of Robert1 have unambiguously defined his Y-chromosome. Two tests of Matthew1 lines have established that his Y-chromosome is quite distinct. The tests for Robert1 represent lines through four of his five sons. The tests for Matthew1 are through two of his sons. The inescapable conclusion is that Robert1 and Matthew1 were not closely related. Indeed, it is unlikely that they shared a common ancestor after 1000 AD. A single test of a putative descendant of Robert1’s son, Thomas2, has proven “anomalous”, indicating an unrecorded break in the paternal line of descent.
Five of the tests are through Benjamin2 lines - one from Stephen3 (a bit problematic in that the paper trail is uncertain between the 5th and 6th generations), two from Silas3 and a two through Mijamin3 (one of which has proven “anomalous” indicating an unrecorded break in the paternal lineage). The test from the problematic Stephen3 descent reveals a single mutant marker. This could have arisen anywhere between Stephen3 and the present. It will require further testing of Stephen3 descendants to pinpoint, but it could be an important piece of evidence to bolster what is a shaky documentary record.
Although the basic question has been answered, the study should continue. The findings thus far make it reasonable to pose additional questions of at least as much interest to members of the Taft Family. The first of these relates to the origins of Robert1 Taft and Matthew1 Taft. Despite a lot of speculation, nothing is known about their Old World progenitors. Now that their Y-chromosomes have been defined, the possibility of finding matches in England (or Wales or Ireland) are quite realistic. Some preliminary contacts have been made with Tafts in England, but thus far no “targets” have been developed. The fact is that little genealogical activity on the part of English Taft families has been discovered. Very tentatively, a Middlesex family of the late 16th and early 17th centuries and a Shropshire family of the early 18th century are the only promising prospects at this time.
A second interesting question concerns African-American Tafts. Two Taft men are known to have been slave holders. One of these was Arnold Taft (descendant of Joseph2) of North Carolina; the other was Charles Edward Taft (descendant of Matthew1) of Georgia and Mississippi. After emancipation, numerous African-American Tafts appear in the vicinity of these men. It would be interesting to resolve their status - were they former slaves who simply adopted the Taft surname or were they “kitchen” cousins?
A third area of enquiry involves the mutant markers that have been noted in descendants of Robert1 and Matthew1. With further appropriate testing it should be possible to identify the generations in which these mutations arouse and to partition the descendants into recognizable cohorts.
It is hoped that further participants will step forward and join this project. Anyone interested should contact the Taft Family Association c/o (NeilBTodd@cs.com) or 26 Walnut Place, Newtonville, MA 02460-1819 USA.
(Reprinted from the November 2004 issue of "Taft Tree Talk," the newsletter of the Taft Family Association.)
DNA and us:
How many times have we wondered what, if any, connection exists between Robert Taft and Matthew Taft?
Indeed for all the years and all the people searching, we still have no definitive answer at this time as to the birth date or place for either man let alone who their parents were. Tradition says Robert was Scots/Irish, went to England and then came to Braintree and that Matthew was Scots/Irish and came to Hopkinton. Was there a close connection or was it mere coincidence that brought them so close to each other in the new world?
Robert Taft (say 1640-1724/1725) apparently emigrated from England about 1678 and settled at Braintree, MA later becoming an original settler of Mendon when it was set off from Braintree. Robert and Sarah’s children were Thomas (1671-1755 ) of Mendon, Robert (1674-1748) of Uxbridge, Daniel (1677-1761) of Mendon, Joseph (1680-1747) of Uxbridge, and Benjamin (1684-1768) of Mendon. His grandchildren (surname Taft) included Joseph, Sarah, Eleazer, Hannah, Rebecca, Deborah, Rachel, Martha, Isaac, Thomas and Susannah; Elizabeth, Robert, Israel, Mary, Jemima, Elizabeth, Alice, Eunice, John, Jane, Jemima and Gideon; Daniel, Abigail, Josiah, David, Lydia, Daniel, Ephraim, Japhet, and Caleb; Lucy, Moses, Peter, Sarah, Joseph, Elizabeth, Aaron, Margaret and Ebenezer; Lucy?, Samuel, Stephen, Mijamin, Tabereh, Keziah, Silas, Paul and Marcy.
Matthew Taft (say 1700-say 1775) settled in 1728 in the part of Hopkinton which became Upton. Matthew and Anne’s children were Capt Robert (say 1724-1810) of Upton, Mary (1726-1801) of Shelburne, Elizabeth (172?-1749), James (1731-?) of Pelham, Matthew (1733-1812) of Upton, John (1736-1821) of Upton, Anne (1739-?) of Upton and Hopkinton, and Martha (1739-?). His grandchildren (surname Taft) included Ebenezer, Solomon, Hannah, Robert, Elizabeth, Eunice, and Lois; Joseph, Anne, Matthew, Ann, Aaron, Margaret, James, and Ebenezer; David, Joel, Elizabeth, Rebecca, John, Nathaniel, Ephraim, and Aaron.
So what is the connection, if any?
Although the two men are clearly at least one generation removed from each other and probably two, the similarity of given names and the overlapping locations of their families have made it imperative that we study Matthew’s family while researching and clarifying Robert’s family.
Because of the tremendous advances in Y-chromosome DNA research, it is now possible to re-ask that question and actually reach some conclusions. “New England ancestors” by NEHGS has a quarterly column called “Genetics & Genealogy” which has spotlighted exactly the same kind of conumdrums we face. In one recent study they found affirmation that people who had not even considered they were closely related had all 12 markers identical (Mills family). In another case with a more complex set of criteria, the results found definite connection between two lines, less connection with two others but only one DNA that did not match with any other donors (Clough family). The third study found a connection between the two immigrants and is continuing on with other lines to see if they are also related (Slocombe). Earlier studies found answers as well (Cummings, Rockwell) and were very helpful in encouraging us to pursue this line of endeavor.
The Y chromosome is passed to each generation by the male – from father to son- and shows which males are related to other males who carry the same surname. The signature may mutate very slowly over time, but a pattern can be stable over hundreds of years. If there is a match it would not necessarily prove that Matthew was the nephew, for example, of Robert but it would show that the relationship was very close.
So what is the process?
There are a few companies that specialize in DNA comparative analysis. Samples are taken by gently scraping tissue from the inside of the cheek (easily done at home in just a moment’s time) which is then submitted for analysis in containers provided by the company chosen. The analyses are performed and the submitter and the Taft Family Association are advised of the results. Based on the degree of the match they are advised of their having a Most Recent Common Ancestor (MRCA) within a certain number of generations. For example on a 12-marker sample if 12 of 12 markers match there is a 50% probability that the MRCA is within 15 generations and a 90% probability that the MRCA is within 36 generations. Remember at this point in time we are now 12 – 14 generations removed from Robert and Matthew. In a more detailed analysis, the Rockwell study, which used 25 markers, a particular mutation occurred which they would not have found with the 12 marker study.
Thus we need Taft volunteers (males only, sorry – there is a different study along the maternal lines which we will not be undertaking at this time). Ideally we would like to have two or three male descendants from each of Robert Taft’s sons and three or four from Matthew Taft’s sons. As broad a sampling as possible would help in case there is a “nasty surprise in their line – the notorious ‘non-paternity event’ as it’s called” (to quote one of the article writers). All samples are confidential and would only be known by the individuals and the “gatekeeper” in the Taft Family Association. Concern had been expressed by a volunteer in one of the studies that if his data got out it might be used for insurance discrimination; however, “the section of the DNA used for the test has no connection to genes that have any practical manifestation in one’s life, including health conditions.” The actual testing time is a function of taking the sample, sending it in and then receiving results from the labs (a few days); however the actual time needed for the study to be complete would rest with getting all the samples in and then studying the results.
Although the Association has some funds which might be used for sampling, we would hope that individuals could cover the cost of their own test thus saving our monies for the upcoming book project (yes, that is still in the works, and we are beginning to narrow in on the missing information). The cost of sampling is $155 for the 24 marker test.
Who can be part of the project?
You can be. The more participants the better results we will obtain. If you are interested in participating in this program, please email either Pat Allen (pallen@crocker.com) or Neil Todd (neilbtodd@cs.com) with your name, address (email is fine) and phone number. If you know your line of descent, list that. If not, let us know as far back as you do know, and we will see where you fit in. If you have no clue how you are related to either Robert or Matthew, if at all, but are willing to pay for the test, join us – maybe we can find that answer.
Particular thanks to NEHGS, Ken Rockwell, and David Bartlett Cummings for their prompt and helpful information.
(Reprinted from the February 2004 issue of "Taft Tree Talk," the newsletter of the Taft Family Association.)
