• General Notes

  Title: "Captain"
  
  Event: Came to America in 1636 on "SPEEDWELL" Ship.
  Occup: Merchant/Land Owner in York Co, VA & Shenandoah Valley, VA.
  ______________________________________________________________________
  Note:
  Was the 1st Recorded Cunningham in America.
  *It is possible that (Captain) William Cunningham might be the son of Archibald Cunningham b. abt. 1554 in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland who was the son of (6th Earl of Glencairn) William Cunningham b. abt. 1524 in Glencairn, Dumfries, Scotland sp. of (Countess) Janet Glengairn Gordon b. abt. 1528, son of (5th Earl of Glencairn) Alexander Cunningham & sp. (Countess) Jean Glencairn Hamilton.
  Cunningham History: The main line of the Cunningham clan originated on the Estate of Kilmaur, in Ayrshire, Scotland. The heads of this Noble family bore the title of Earls of Glencairn. The last Earl died in 1796 and this title died with him. There is an interesting, but unverified legend about how the name of Cunningham originated. Abt. 1020 A.D. in Scotland there lived a kind, peace-loving and loyal farmer named Ham or Hame. Now at this period in history King Macbeth was the ruler of the land. His rule, however, was not a peaceful one and he and his knights underwent many experiences in their constant attempts to quell rebellion throghout the Scottish kingdom. One day King Macbeth crossed Ham's land with a rebel band in hot pursuit of him. King Macbeth, so the legend goes, pleaded with the farmer, Ham for refuge from the rebels. Ham, being loyal to the crown, agreed, hit Macbeth and told the rebel band he had not seen the King. For this act of bravery and servitude a grateful King Macbeth KNIGHTED our Ancestor for his cunning. Thus Ham's name was changed to SIR Cunningham. In 1635 there is a ship named Speedwell that sailed out of London, England. CAPTAIN William Cunningham was the FIRST of his name in America. William ARRIVED in VIRGINIA on the SPEEDWELL in 1636. He was a MERCHANT; his family was in the shipping and building business. Prior to 1635, William had made EXCURSIONS to AMERICA - in 1636 he came and stayed. He brought two sons, Nehemiah and Jonathan. He settled in YOrk Co, Virginia. His other sons were born in Shenandoah Valley. Captain William Cunningham and his sons later sold their headrights in York County, VA for new LANDS farther inland in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
  
  Reference: Pg. 433, The Jopling-Joplin Family with some of their Connections in England & America. Library of Congress #80-116026, Compfiled by Dorothy Jopling-Eason, Sarah Moseley-Fricks, and Lucille Jopling-Adams.
  VOYAGE OF THE MAYFLOWER AND THE SPEEDWELL
  The Leiden Separatists bought the ship Speedwell in Holland, and board
  ed it at Delftshaven. They then sailed to Southampton, England to meet the Mayflower, which had been chartered by the merchant investors. In Southampton they joined with other Separatists and the additional colonists hired by the investors. The two ships began the voyage, but the Speedwell leaked so badly that the expedition had to return to England, first to Dartmouth and then to Plymouth. Finally, the Pilgrims sold the Speedwell and had to set out from Plymouth, England, on board the Mayflower alone.
  COAT-OF-ARMS: CUNNINGHAM
  Arms: Argent, Shakefork, Sable
  Crest: A unicorn's head couped Argent, Framed or Motto: Fork Over Fork Tinctures: The shield is silver. THe shakefork is black, The Crest
  rests on a wreath of black and silver, The ribbon is of silver,
  the motto is lettered in black, the helmet is of steel color, mantle of black lined with silver.
  Meaning of symbols and colors:
  Unicorn: Extreme Courage, Horn, Most Powerful
  Shakefork: An ecclesiastical figure; the shape of a Y
  Helmet: That of an Esquire (a squire) made of steel
  Mantle: The flowing robe that protects the helmet from sun and rain
  Wreath: The silk that holds the mantle in place
  Colors: Silver - Sincereity and Peace
  Black - Prudence and Wisdom
  Gold - Generosity and Greatness of Mind
  Name: William Cunningham
  Year: 1635
  Place: Virginia
  Source Publication Code: 1640.9

Details of Willilam 's family with Bell  UNKNOWN