Cheek/Chick DNA Project

Participants

The following list of participants has been divided into groups according to the results of the DNA study.  See the Summary of Results for more information.

• Family Group 1
• Family Group 2
• Family Group 3
• Unique Results

Family Group 1 (Mostly) Descendants of John Cheek of Old Rapp./Essex Co., VA
No.	Well-Documented Ancestor	Lineage	DNA	Tree
1	Robert Cheek (1730) of Orange Co., NC	John Cheek, Sr.> John Cheek, Jr.> Robert Cheek (1730) of Orange Co., NC> Richard Cheek (1780) of Alleghany Co., NC> Chesley Cheek (1810)> Richard "Dixie" Cheek (1834)> Mack M. Cheek (1872) of Alleghany Co., NC.
2	James Cheek (1730) of Laurens Dist., SC	John Cheek, Sr.> Richard Cheek, Sr., of Beaufort Co., NC> James Cheek (1730) of Laurens, SC> William Cheek (1752) of Madison Co., GA> William Cheek (1782)> John V. Cheek (1811)> Rubin W. Cheek (1872) of Gwinnett Co., GA.
4	William B. Cheek (1824) of Buncombe Co., NC	John Cheek, Sr.?>???> William Bishop Cheek (1824) of Buncome Co., NC> Charles F. Cheek (1861)> William F. Cheek (c.1888) of West Virginia.
5	John Cheek (c.1772) of Carroll Co., MS	John Cheek, Sr.?> maybe Richard Cheek, Sr., of Beaufort Co., NC> maybe John Cheek (c.1720's) of Anson Co., NC>?> John Cheek (c.1772) of Carroll Co., MS> Hilliard Cheek (1831)> John L. Cheek (1886) of Sequoyah Co., OK.  See also Participants #20 and #24.
6	Robert Cheek (1730) of Orange Co., NC	John Cheek, Sr.> John Cheek, Jr.> Robert Cheek (1730) of Orange Co., NC> John Cheek (1768)> Major John Cheek (1793)> Robert H. Cheek (1839)> Charlie P. Cheek (1879) of Orange Co., NC.
7	James Chick (1760) of Knox Co., KY	John Cheek, Sr.> John Cheek, Jr.> Richard Cheek (c.1720's) of K&Q Co., VA> James Chick (1760) of Knox Co., KY> Nelson Chick (c.1826)> William R. Cheek (1848) of Clay Co., KY.
8	James Cheek (1730) of Laurens Dist., SC	John Cheek, Sr.> Richard Cheek, Sr., of Beaufort Co., NC> James Cheek (1730) of Laurens, SC> William Cheek (1752) of Madison Co., GA> Ellis Cheek (c.1788)> Samuel P. Cheek (1818)> Robert B. Cheek (1857) of Jackson Co., GA.
12	James Cheek (1730) of Laurens Dist., SC	John Cheek, Sr.> Richard Cheek, Sr., of Beaufort Co., NC> James Cheek (1730) of Laurens, SC> William Cheek (1752) of Madison Co., GA> John V. Cheek (c.1784)> James F. Cheek (1808)> Elisha Cheek (1846)> Burgess Cheek (1886) of Clay Co., NC.  See also Participant #3.
13	Jeremiah Cheek (c.1760) of Bedford Co., TN	John Cheek, Sr.> Richard Cheek, Sr., of Beaufort Co., NC> John Cheek, Sr. (c.1720's) of Anson Co., NC> John Cheek, Jr.? (c.1740)> Jeremiah Cheek (c.1760) of Bedford Co., TN> Benjamin R. Cheek (1812)> John F. Cheek (1857) of Marshall Co., TN.
15	John R. Cheek (c.1818) of AL and TX	John Cheek, Sr.> Richard Cheek, Sr., of Beaufort Co., NC> John Cheek (c.1720's) of Anson Co., NC>?> John Randolph Cheek (1818)> Jasper F. Cheek (Wm. R. Lambert) (1842) of Lousiana.  Note: Jasper F. Cheek changed his name to William R. Lambert.  See also Participant #16.
17	Robert Cheek (1730) of Orange Co., NC	John Cheek, Sr.> John Cheek, Jr.> Robert Cheek (1730) of Orange Co., NC> Mastin Cheek (c.1760's)> Eli Cheek (c.1790)> Wesley Green Cheek (c.1828)> Wiley A. Cheek (1860) of Chatham Co., NC.
18	William Chicke (16th cent.) of Somerset, England	This participant in an Australian descendant of William Chicke who died 1612 in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, England.  He matches the Family Group 1 profile on 23 out of 25 markers, including the rare "20" in the #464 series.  However, he also has 2 extra markers (a double duplication) in the #464 series.  Participant 18 is probably related to Group 1, but our common ancestor must have lived several hundred years ago.  The DNA results are evidence that Group 1's ancestors may have come from southwestern England, possibly Somerset.  See also Participant #34.
19	James Cheek (1730) of Laurens Dist., SC	John Cheek, Sr.> Richard Cheek, Sr., of Beaufort Co., NC> James Cheek (c.1730) of Laurens, SC> Ellis Cheek (1760)> Willis Drayton Cheek (c.1806)> Samuel J. Cheek of Somervell Co., TX.
20	John Cheek (c.1772) of Carroll Co., MS	John Cheek, Sr.?> maybe Richard Cheek, Sr., of Beaufort Co., NC> maybe John Cheek (c.1720's) of Anson Co., NC>?> John Cheek (c.1772) of Carroll Co., MS> George Cheek (c.1836)> George M. Cheek (1871) of San Antonio, TX.  See also Participants #5 and #24.
22	Robert Cheek (1730) of Orange Co., NC	John Cheek, Sr.> John Cheek, Jr.> Robert Cheek (1730) of Orange Co., NC> John Cheek (1768)> Nash Cheek (1823)> John Weldon Cheek (1859)> Kendrick G. Cheek (1896) of Wake Co., NC.
23	Robert Cheek (1730) of Orange Co., NC	John Cheek, Sr.> John Cheek, Jr.> Robert Cheek (1730) of Orange Co., NC> Mastin Cheek (c.1760's)> Eli Cheek (c.1790)> Wesley Green Cheek (c.1828)> Milton W. Cheek (1854) of Chatham Co., NC.
24	John Cheek (c.1772) of Carroll Co., MS	John Cheek, Sr.?> maybe Richard Cheek, Sr., of Beaufort Co., NC> maybe John Cheek (c.1720's) of Anson Co., NC>?> John Cheek (c.1772) of Carroll Co., MS> Hilliard Cheek (c.1831)> John D. Cheek (1861) of Sequoyah Co., OK.  See also Participants #5 and #20.
25	Washington R. Cheek (c.1817) of Red River Co., TX	John Cheek, Sr.> Richard Cheek, Sr., of Beaufort Co., NC> John Cheek (c.1720's) of Anson Co., NC>?> Washington Randolph Cheek (c.1817)> Henry D. Cheek (1862) of Smith Co., TX.  Note: Washington R. Cheek came to Red River Co., TX, with Valentine "Felty" Cheek, who was a son of Randolph Cheek (c.1740-1815) of Lancaster Dist., SC, and Giles Co., TN.  Randolph Cheek is believed to be a son of John Cheek, Sr., of Anson Co., NC.  Washington R. Cheek was probably related to Randolph Cheek; possibly a nephew or cousin.
27	Jesse Cheek (c.1775) of Bedford Co., TN	John Cheek, Sr.> Richard Cheek, Sr., of Beaufort Co., NC> John Cheek, Sr. (c.1720's) of Anson Co., NC> John Cheek, Jr.? (c.1740)> Jesse Cheek (c.1775) of Maury Co., TN> John Lillie Cheek (c.1802)> Nimrod P. Cheek (1857) of Maury Co., TN.  See also Participant #26.
28	James Cheek (1730) of Laurens Dist., SC	John Cheek, Sr.> Richard Cheek, Sr., of Beaufort Co., NC> James Cheek (c.1730) of Laurens, SC> Ellis Cheek (1760)> Willis Drayton Cheek (c.1806)> Samuel J. Cheek of Somervell Co., TX.
29	Jeremiah Cheek (c.1760) of Bedford Co., TN	John Cheek, Sr.> Richard Cheek, Sr., of Beaufort Co., NC> John Cheek, Sr. (c.1720's) of Anson Co., NC> John Cheek, Jr.? (c.1740)> Jeremiah Cheek (c.1760) of Bedford Co., TN> Edmund R. Cheek (c.1788)> Edward W. Cheek (1824) of Davies Co., IN.
32	William Chick (c.1750) of Hanover Co., VA	John Cheek, Sr.> John Cheek, Jr.>?> William Chick (c.1750) of Hanover Co., VA> Ambler Chick (1794) of Butler Co., TN> Pettis R. Chick (1811)> Thomas S. Chick (1853)
33	Robert Cheek (1730) of Orange Co., NC	John Cheek, Sr.> John Cheek, Jr.> Robert Cheek (1730) of Orange Co., NC> James Cheek (1762)> Robert Cheek (1799)> Henry A. Cheek (1828)> James M. Cheek (1870) of Alamance Co., NC.
34	William Chicke (16th cent.) of Somerset, England	A descendant of the Cheek/Chick family of Wiveliscombe, Somerset, England, through a family that immigrated to Rhode Island in the 1850's.  Participant 34 has 3 extra markers (a triple duplication) in the #464 series.  He matches the most typical Family Group 1 profile on all remaining markers except one.  If not for the triple duplication in the #464 series, this would be a very close match.  Unfortunately, it is impossible to calculate a probable time to our most recent common ancestor, because of lack of data for such a unique configuration of the #464 series.  I would guess at least 400 or 500 years  See also Participant #18.
38	James Cheek (1730) of Laurens Dist., SC	John Cheek, Sr.> Richard Cheek, Sr., of Beaufort Co., NC> James Cheek (c.1730) of Laurens, SC> Willis Cheek (1771)> Ellis Cheek (1804)> John Cheek (1834)> John Willis Cheek (1858) of Laurens Dist., SC.
39	Robert Cheek (1730) of Orange Co., NC	John Cheek, Sr.> John Cheek, Jr.> Robert Cheek (1730) of Orange Co., NC> Richard Cheek (1780) of Alleghany Co., NC> Henderson Cheek (1804)> William Bryant Cheek (1844)> John Morgan Cheek (1868) of Alleghany Co., NC.
40	James Cheek (1730) of Laurens Dist., SC	John Cheek, Sr.> Richard Cheek, Sr., of Beaufort Co., NC> James Cheek (c.1730) of Laurens, SC> Ellis Cheek (1760)> William Cheek (1784)> William Riley Cheek (1831)> John W. Cheek (1856) of Jasper Co., GA.
44	Robert Cheek (1730) of Orange Co., NC	John Cheek, Sr.> John Cheek, Jr.> Robert Cheek (1730) of Orange Co., NC> Robert "Robin" Cheek (1777)> William Cheek (1803)> Franklin Merritt Cheek (1845)> William F. Cheek (1875) of Orange Co., NC.
Couch	Robert Couch (c.1820) of Murray Co., GA	This individual from the Couch DNA Project exactly matches the most typical Group 1 profile on 36/37 markers (including the "quirk" on #464d).  Mr. Couch's ancestor was Robert COUCH (b. abt. 1820 in SC) who lived in Murray Co., GA, and DeKalb Co., AL.  Robert Couch is believed to be a son of William COUCH (b. abt. 1790) of Spartanburg & Laurens Dists., SC, and Gwinnett Co., GA.  So far, 3 descendants of Robert COUCH and 1 descendant of his brother Richard COUCH (b. abt. 1816) closely match the CHEEK DNA results.  This result suggests there may have been a name change from Cheek to Couch.
Jordan	Joshua Jordan (1790) of Jennings Co., IN	This individual from the Jordan DNA Project matches the most typical Group 1 profile on 37/37 markers.  Mr. Jordan's ancestor, Joshua JORDAN (1790-1872), was born in Pennsylvania and lived in Butler Co., OH; Clermont Co., OH; and Jennings Co., IN.  Subsequent generations lived in Bartholomew, Decatur, and Jackson Counties, IN. This family has no obvious connection to anyone with the CHEEK surname, although there were some CHEEK families in Indiana. If you can shed light on this mystery, please send an email to <jljs37@myfam.com>.

Family Group 2 Descendants of William "of London" Cheek (1728-c.1802)
No.	Well-Documented Ancestor	Lineage	DNA	Tree
14	John Cheek (c.1781) of Surry Co., NC	William Cheek (1728)> John Cheek (c.1781) of Surry Co., NC> Aaron Wesley Cheek (c.1833)> John Isaac Cheek (c.1867)> John Dewey Cheek (1900) of Greensboro, NC.
21	John Cheek (c.1781) of Surry Co., NC	William Cheek (1728)> John Cheek (c.1781) of Surry Co., NC> William Cheek (c.1815)> William Cheeks, Jr. (1853)> Watt Cheeks (c.1877) of Lawrence Co., OH.
30	Henry Cheek (1767) of Surry Co., NC	William Cheek (1728)> Henry Cheek (1767) of Adair Co., KY> Thomas Cheek (1798)> Samuel B. Cheek (1824)> John A. Cheek (1853) of Boyle Co., KY.
31	Nicholas Cheek (c.1784) of Shelby Co., KY	William Cheek (1728)> Nicholas Cheek (c.1784) of Shelby Co., KY> Granville Cheek> William Cheek > James G. Cheek of Shelby Co., KY.
37	Nicholas Cheek (c.1784) of Shelby Co., KY	William Cheek (1728)> Nicholas Cheek (c.1784) of Shelby Co., KY> Granville Cheek> William Cheek > John S. Cheek of Shelby Co., KY.

Family Group 3
No.	Well-Documented Ancestor	Lineage	DNA	Tree
36	James Cheek (1788) of Decatur Co., IN.	George CHEEK, Sr., of Front Royal, Warren Co., VA>?> James Cheek (1788) of Decatur Co., IN> John Cheek (1816)> James Cheek (1840) of Ellis Co., TX.
43	Austin Cheek (1811) of Culpeper Co., VA	George CHEEK, Sr. (c.1740) of Front Royal, Warren Co., VA>??> Austin Cheek (1811) of Culpeper Co., VA> Peter R. Cheek (1839) of Brooke Co., WV> Charles Henry Cheek (1875).  Austin Cheek may have been a grandson or great-grandson of George Cheek, Sr., of Front Royal, VA.

Unique Results
No.	Well-Documented Ancestor	Lineage	DNA	Tree
3	James Cheek (1730) of Laurens Dist., SC	John Cheek, Sr.> Richard Cheek, Sr., of Beaufort Co., NC> James Cheek (1730) of Laurens, SC> William Cheek (1752) of Madison Co., GA> John V. Cheek (c.1784)> James F. Cheek (1808)> Elisha Cheek (1846)> William M. Cheek (1875) of Placer Co., CA.  Comment: this participant does not match Participant #12 (Family Group 1) who is also a descendant of Elisha Cheek.  Explanation: William M. Cheek's mother had children from a previous marriage when she married Elisha Cheek.  The DNA results suggest that William was actually Elisha's step-son.
9	James Cheek (1730) of Laurens Dist., SC	John Cheek, Sr.> Richard Cheek, Sr., of Beaufort Co., NC> James Cheek (c.1730) of Laurens, SC> Ellis Cheek (1760)> William Cheek (1784)> Brittain L. Cheek (1841)> Thaddeus Cheek (1858) of Jasper Co., GA.  Comment: this participant does not match Participants #19 and #40 (Family Group 1) who are also descendants of Ellis Cheek (1760).  Explanation: probably a "non-paternity event" somewhere in Participant #9's lineage after William (1784).
10	James Cheek (1730) of Laurens Dist., SC	John Cheek, Sr.> Richard Cheek, Sr., of Beaufort Co., NC> James Cheek (1730) of Laurens, SC> William Cheek (1752) of Madison Co., GA> Freeman Cheek (c.1802)>?> Thomas Rube Cheek (1865) of Franklin Co., GA.  Comment: Thomas Rube Cheek's parents are unknown but he was raised as Freeman Cheek's grandson.  Several other descendants of William Cheek (1752) have been tested and match Family Group 1.  Explanation: Thomas Rube Cheek was probably adopted.  It's possible he was an illegitimate son of one of Freeman Cheek's daughters.  This is a classic "non-paternity event" that causes anomolous DNA results.
11	Henderson Cheek (c.1805) of Wilkes Co., NC	Henderson Cheek (c.1805)> Aaron Wesley Cheek (c.1831)> Aaron Cheek (1857).  Comment: the DNA results suggest that Henderson Cheek (c.1805), who has always been a bit of a mystery, was not related to the other Cheek families in Wilkes, Surry, and Alleghany Counties, NC.
16	John R. Cheek (c.1818) of AL and TX	John Cheek, Sr.> Richard Cheek, Sr., of Beaufort Co., NC> John Cheek (c.1720's) of Anson Co., NC>?> John Randolph Cheek (1818)> John Robert Cheek (1864) of Somervell Co., TX.  Comment: this participant does not match Participant #15 who is also a descendant of John Randolph Cheek.  However, census records indicate that John Robert Cheek would have been born when his mother was in her late 40's.  He may have been an illegitimate grandson raised as a son: a classic "non-paternity event."
26	Jesse Cheek (c.1775) of Bedford Co., TN	John Cheek, Sr.> Richard Cheek, Sr., of Beaufort Co., NC> John Cheek, Sr. (c.1720's) of Anson Co., NC> John Cheek, Jr.? (c.1740)> Jesse Cheek (c.1775) of Maury Co., TN> John Lillie Cheek (c.1802)> Oran P. Cheek (1831) of Maury Co., TN.  Comment: this participant does not match Participant #27 who is also a descendant of Jesse Cheek of Maury Co., TN.  Explanation: probably a "non-paternity" event somewhere in this participant's lineage after Jesse Cheek.
35	William Cheek (c.1790's) of Surry Co., NC	William Cheek (1728)> William Cheek (c.1790's) of Surry Co., NC> Martha Cheek (c.1838)> William M. Cheek (1861) > William S. Cheek (1905) of Forsyth Co., NC.  Comment: William M. Cheek (1861) was born out of wedlock and took his mother's surname.
41	John Wilbur Cheeks (1882) of Smyth Co., VA	Henderson Cheek (c.1805)> Aaron Wesley Cheek (c.1831)> John Wilbur Cheeks (1882) of Smyth Co., VA.  Comment: John Wilbur Cheeks was the illegitimate son of Aaron Wesley Cheek and Jenny Burchett of Wilkes Co., NC.  However, Participant #41's DNA does not match Participant #11, who is also a descendant of Aaron Wesley Cheek.  We need to test more of Henderson's descendants before we can draw any conclusions about this family group.
42	William P. Cheek (c.1798) of Bedford Co., VA	A descendant of William P. Cheek (c.1798-1881) of Bedford Co., VA.  William P. Cheek was a son of Thomas Cheek of Bedford Co., VA, who may or may not be the Thomas Cheek who was a son of William Cheek (1728) of Bedford Co., VA, and Surry Co., NC.  However, the DNA results do not show a connection to William Cheek (1728).  Another descendant needs to be tested to rule out a "non-paternity event."