About the Joseph Project

Preamble
18 May, 1999

Thousands of people in the United States are descendants of Joseph HEDGES: "Joseph of Monocacy" as he was known during his lifetime and we call him still today. Joseph died at Monocacy Manor in Prince George's Co., Maryland in 1732. He was not the first "Hedges" in the New World, but if you share our ancestry, he was the first of our line confirmed to have been in America. (1)

Unfortunately, the information being circulated about Joseph of Monocacy seems to be as much misinformation as fact. Depending on whom it is you want to believe, his parents could have been any one of three or four pairs; and about as many names have been suggested for his wives. (2)

As one book puts it, "Joseph Hedges was English, but - not withstanding elaborate family claims to the contrary - no substantiated tie has ever been established to a marriage in England or to his antecedents there."(3)

The problem is that his early life is not well recorded. Primary documentation is sparse and secondary documentation is scarcely better. Most of the time neither is cited. Nowhere, to our knowledge, has there been a recognized effort to bring the documentation together in one place where it can be evaluated. In this age of electronic communications we believe it is possible to do better. Cooperative efforts can be mounted to improve the documentation. Even if no further evidence is located, merely bringing the information together so that the preponderance of evidence can be discussed and assessed, offers hope for a consensus about Joseph of Monocacy.

We propose The Joseph Project - A global effort: To share the facts, legends, opinions, and whatever else seems relevant about Joseph of Monocacy. To identify opportunities for improving the factual base. To conduct further research where it seems appropriate. To document what is found. To compile the findings into a single collection. To evaluate and discuss what is found. To reach conclusions and a consensus, if possible, about the facts and the life of Joseph of Monocacy.

Signed:

Larry Hedges
Gale Corson

Footnotes:

1. By one scenario, Joseph was the son of William, and William was the first of the line in America.
2. ￳Known alternatives have been listed for interested readers.
3. "Pioneers of Old Monocacy, the Early settlement of Frederick County, Maryland, 1721-1743" by Grace L. Tracey and John P. Dern, Clearfield Company, Baltimore, 1987.

Updated: Monday, May 22, 2000