The Bolles Family Water Cooler: The Origin of the Bolles Family Association

If you or an ancestor were born with the Surname BOLLES, it is likely that you are related to the 13^th century BOLE / BOLLE/ BOLLES family of Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire, England. Through fifteen Kings of England, we can trace our family line directly back to CERDIC, King of the West Saxons, circa. 519 A.D.

Our male line traces from our immigrant ancestor, JOSEPH BOLLES, 1608-1678 of Worksop, Nottingham and Wells, Maine. He arrived in Wells, circa 1640 and from there his descendants help populate this country. His line is descended from LORD ALAINE BOLE, circa 1216 A.D., of Swineshead, Lincolnshire, England. Through Joseph’s Grandmother, ANNE GOODRICK, our line can easily be traced to Cerdic, circa 519 A.D. and beyond.

The story of our family connects us with over fifteen hundred years of British and American history with many momentous historical events, i.e., the signing of the famous MAGNA Carta, where eight of the Barons at the signing at Runnymede, 15 June 1215, can be traced to our Bolles ancestry, Bolles personalities range from everyday people, some famous and infamous. Some directly related from/to Joseph, include, Ichabod GOODWIN, 4^th great grandson, the 27^th Governor of New Hampshire; Robert FROST, 6^th great grandson, Poet and Playwright; Lucille BALL, 8^th great granddaughter, TV and Movie Actress; Dave COWENS, 9^th great grandson, NBA Hall of Famer; King Edward I, his 11^th great grandfather; Robert De ROS, 12^th great grandfather, Magna Carta Surety; Hugh le BIGOD, 14^th great grandfather, Magna Carta Surety; Sir Saher de QUINCY , 14^th great grandfather, Magna Carta Surety and WILLIAM the Conqueror, 17^th great grandfather, King of England. The family is to say the least, a very interesting and colorful one.

About the Founding of the Bolles Family Association by James E. Bolles

“Upon receiving the Bolles Genealogy, edited and published by George E. Williams, 1970, I became fascinated by the family’s history in England and America. In 1972, my wife, Norma and I decided to go to England and visit as many of the sites listed in the genealogy as we could.”

“We were able to locate numerous remains and monuments to the family. At Scampton, Lincolnshire, a magnificent gate, circa 1608, was found in a lonely field, the only remains of the grand estate owned by an ancestor, Sir John Bolles, Knight. There was evidence that the gate would collapse if something was not done soon. I contacted the owner of the property and offered to assist in the preservation of the gate.”

“After some time, I received a letter from a local Archaeological Society, saying they were starting an appeal to raise funds to save the gate. I then contacted George Williams, who sent me the names and addressed of Bolleses who had ordered his book. I wrote to them all enclosing a picture of the gate and asking for donations for the Gate Appeal. From complete strangers, I received over $1300.00, which I forwarded to the Gate Appeal fund. That was the trigger, they said, that made it possible for them to raise over $20,000 for the appeal, which saved the gate.”

In 1976, I arranged a luncheon at Poor Richard’s Restaurant, New London, Connecticut, for the donors of the appeal. About seventy-five attended for all parts of U.S.A. and thus was founded, the Bolles Family Association.”

What is the Association?

The Bolles Family Association has an international membership of those individuals and groups interest in the research, education and fellowship of our family’s history and various spelling of the Bolles name. It is made up of those direct descendants of Joseph Bolles and allied families. Besides publishing a quarterly newsletter of Bolles related information, both current and historical, the associations has held numerous reunions across the country, usually 3 day events, which have included visits to Bolles sites when possible, interesting speakers and quality time with cousins, both old and new.

These are some of our past reunions, if you have group pictures of those listed, please reach out so they can be published.

Past Reunions Sites

1978 New London, Connecticut

1979 Richfield, Ohio

1980 Estes Park, Colorado

1981 New London, Connecticut

1982 Binghamton, New York

1983 Dallas, Texas

1984 Mattapoisett, Massachusetts

1985 Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri

1986 San Diego, California

1987 Groton, Connecticut

1988 Washington, DC

1989 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

1990 Seattle, Washington

1991 Nashville, Tennessee

1992 Wells, Maine

1993 Jacksonville, Florida

1994 La Mirada, California

1995 Grand Haven/ Spring Lake, Michigan

1996 Mystic, Connecticut 69 attendees, 40 Direct descendants!

1998 Parsippany, NJ 31 Attendees, - 21 Direct Descendants!

1999 Rindge, NH

First Row (on ground): Matthew Bolles, Nathaniel Bolles, Heidi Bolles, Ashley Bolles, Deborah Moyer, Jennifer Mpyer, Kathryn Moyer, Walter Bolles,
Julianna Wyman, Nancy Wyman, David Bolles, David Wyman

Second Row (seated): Hazel Niland, Maureen Bolles, Julia Coleman, Gladys Ward, James Bolles, Louis Booth, Harry Bolles, Hazel Leiner, Gene Bolles,

Third Row (standing): Barbara Bolles, Frances Bolles, Janice Melanson, Constance Matney, Judity Davis, Edwin Bolles, Bruce Wellnitz, Ardith Mon-
telius, Loretta Bolles, Susan Benjamin, Hubert Huston, George Grisham.

Fourth Row (standing): Randall Bolles, Courtney Coleman, Alan Bolles, Steven Bolles, Ben Montelius, Rudolph Wellnitz, Allen Polhemus, Joseph Leiner

2000 Kansas City, MO