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We try to publish as many comments as we can but unfortunately, due to the volume of comments we receive every day, we cannot guarantee that all comments submitted will be published
MALDWYN THOMAS CEFN-FFOREST
John Deere, one of the biggest company's in the world was founded by the son of a Welshman, William Deere, and one of John Deere's daughter's married a member of the Yale clan. William came from the Vale of Glamorgan. My g-g-granparent's were John and Mary Deere. The company had Deere connections up to the 1980s.
Fri Oct 17 09:09:47 2008
Alexander Y., Washington D.C.
In reply to Kelly from Chicago. I am Elihu's sixth great nephew. Lets talk.
Mon Jun 9 08:31:01 2008
Kelly from Chicago
I'm researching the family of Elihu Yale. Could anyone who is indeed a family member contact me?
Wed Jun 4 09:06:26 2008
Lynn Bateman, Ponciau
I have little to say on the matter but it is nice to know that so many people are so passionate about one local man. Welsh or American he left his mark in so many places.
Tue Mar 25 12:47:32 2008
Gwyneth Dwyer, Burlington, Ontario.
I have an extensive genealogy on the family and am a direct descendent of Elihu Yale.
Mon Jan 7 10:31:07 2008
Ahmad Sobri, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Fascinating. Yale made his fortune in Madras and Cuddalore, India and ploughed some of this money back to form Yale University which churned out some of America's well known Presidents.
Wed Dec 19 09:09:35 2007
Dawn Ale
It is said in my family that our ancestors came from England but arriving to the U.S. they dropped the y in Yale and now go by the name Ale.
Mon Jul 9 09:46:31 2007
S.P. Jamal, Las Vegas formerly Madras, India
When I used to play tennis in Madras at the central YMCA courts which are located in the High Court compound, the grave of one of Yale's children was located there. It was said that the child had died of cholera. It is said that Yale was a pepper merchant who was governor of Madras also.
Mon May 21 10:31:47 2007
Lee Yale-Helms, Chester (born Penarlag, North East
I am a Welsh "Yale", but Richard Hodgson is correct none of us can claim to be his direct descendants as he did have daughters, and that line of the Yale family name died out. I do know that we are related through his brother. I am told that many Americans adopted the name in the 18th Century so are not actually of a blood relation.
As for those who say "what did he do? or he did nothing" - he was a wealthy Welsh American business man who had interests all over the world, not least India. He gave a reasonably substantial amount of money at a time when the College was struggling financially. Without this contribution many Americans may not have benefited from the world-class education that Yale Unioversity offers to this day.
Mon Dec 4 09:31:17 2006
Katie Upton from Wrexham
With regard to Ethan's comment, Yale would not have it's "valued" name if it hadn't had to beg money from Elihu in the first place. Elihu Yale is as much our son as he is the USA's and we have every right to continue using the name. I feel it is a little small minded to attempt to demand that Yale College, Wrexham, must get rid of its long established and very relevent name. After all, is it not your university that has a replica of our church spire? Is Elihu not interred right here within St Giles Churchyard? Maybe you should pop over and experiance true Welsh hospitality, a few beers and a night on the town might make you less uncomfortable to be connected to our town?
With regard to your comment about the world thinking less about Great Britain if it were not for the USA, I must disagree. Judging by the current world political situation; Great Britain would have been better advised to steer well clear of any USA policies if we wished other world powers to have a positive view of us. It is unfortunate that your press does not seem to keep you as informed of world events and political feeling, as a modern democracy would usually demand.
Fri Sep 15 08:15:10 2006
Clive Cornock from Chester
If that is cheek, Ethan, then please may we have our colonies in the North American continent back? You cannot alter history, it is fact. The late President Eisenhower once said of the British 'If you think they are soft, ask yourself how they came to get the English language spoken in every country on earth'. Sorry pal, you're the one who is behind the times !
Wed Sep 13 14:49:57 2006
Ethan Alvin Hill from NYC, NY
Clive Cornock lives in the past. Great Britain is lesser for its elitism and racism. If not for the USA, I sense the world would think even less of Great Britain. And as a graduate from Yale University, New Haven, CT I agree wholeheartedly with the University's attempt to protect its valued name. Cheek indeed, Clive Cornock from Chester.
Fri Aug 18 13:55:50 2006
Amy, Wrexham
Hamish, Canberra - his gravestone is still there, I've seen it. It's actually in the picture above.
Tue Jun 20 11:18:16 2006
David Watkin, Leicester, UK
I have been told that David Yale, Fellow of Christ's College, Cambridge, is a descendent of Elihu Yale.
Thu Apr 13 13:18:30 2006
Clive Cornock from Chester
A few years ago (maybe 4 or 5) Yale University tried to stop the Yale College in Wrexham from using the name Yale ! Cheek ! As we have his remains here, what gives one of our former colonies the 'right' to dictate to us ? ! The people at Yale should never forget that there's a 'Great' preceeding Britain ! We have a history going back two thousand years - their's (recordable) is a paltry fivve hundred years ! Cymru Am Byth !
Wed Nov 16 09:25:46 2005
Scott Buckingham Bremerton WA USA
Actually Alasdair, Yale didn't start the college. It was founded as the Connecticut Collegiate School by the Saybrook Congregational Charter at which time was chaired by the Reverand Thomas Buckingham. It began as a seminary of sorts in Saybrook CT for Congregational ministers, since Congregationalism required (and still does) that their ministers have college degrees. Though Yale may have sold books to raise money (and have the school moved to New Haven), a much more interesting story regarding the books tells of those hidden by the townspeople of Saybrook when they found out their beloved school was to be moved. Daniel, son of Thomas Buckingham, was instrumental in having the books hidden throughout the area and the constable couldn't retrieve them all, even at gunpoint. To this day many volumes remaining missing from the school's original collection.
Tue Nov 8 23:51:52 2005
Richard Hodgson, UK
As far as I can see Elihu Yale is the ancestor of no one now living, and certainly no one called Yale. It seems his only son David died as an infant. Two of his three daughters married, but it would seem they did not have any descendants beyond a couple of generations. If anyone knows otherwise, let me know on mail@ancestorsearch.co.uk
Mon Oct 17 20:40:40 2005
Vasco de Sousa from Aberystwyth
Elihu Yale is not my ancestor. Maybe he had a big family, but not THAT big.
I don't see what the big deal is. He doesn't seem to have actually DONE anything.
Hey, give ME lots of money and I'll make a movie named after you.
Sat Oct 15 11:52:19 2005
Lori from Rockford, IL
Sounds like everyone is an ancestor of this man...my grandmother was a Yale...
Sat Oct 8 03:51:34 2005
Bob Juch, New York, USA
Elihu is my 7th great-grand uncle.
Sat Aug 13 18:55:31 2005
Nathan in Iowa, USA
Diane, Elihu is also my ancestor. Yale is a very common family name.
Thu Jul 7 23:17:11 2005
Hamish, Canberra, Australia
I read that Elihu Yale's gravestone was stolen by a secret society. Is this just a myth? Does anyone know?
Mon Jun 6 12:25:43 2005
Carla, Wrexham
My mum used to work in Yale College, Wrexham, and left after another company took over. Since then she seen a ghost in the graveyard in the parish church and did not know who Elihu was until my uncle mentioned something about his tombstone. Now she has realised she seen the ghost of a person wearing a long white gown and a white vale. We think it could be Elihu but are not sure and would like some more information to see if it was.
Thu Jan 27 16:01:08 2005
Diane in Toronto, Canada
Hi, Elihu is my ancestor. My brother's name is "Robert Yale".
Sun Nov 21 21:53:52 2004
Alasdair Thomson Santa Barbara CA USA
Odd that one would start a college of learning by selling the books
Tue Oct 19 17:17:14 2004
This comments form is now closed
Yale gave his name to one of the world's most famous universities in the U.S.
Returning to Britain in 1699, Yale divided his time between Plas Grono and London. It was during this time that he was invited to make a donation to the Connecticut College, New Haven, USA and sent a gift of books. In 1718 he was asked for a further donation, with the college suggesting that if he chose to donate the college would be renamed in his honour. He sent books and other items which were sold to raise funds for the college, which was then duly named after him. 
