Genealogical research not only reveals our family history, but inevitably draws us into the historical events which shaped the lives of our ancestors, and the destiny of our country. My Patriot Ancestor, Vincent Hudson, served in the Revolutionary War with Washington's Army at Valley Forge and at Yorktown. He again served in the War of 1812 with his two sons. Vincent Hudson's grandson, James Vincent Hudson/Hall, was coxswain on-board the ship-of-the-line U.S.S. Ohio, and played an important role during the decisive battle of Vera Cruz, in the War with Mexico. After the War with Mexico, James Vincent Hudson/Hall became an outfitter in Coloma during the California gold rush of 1849. Vincent Hudson's great-great-grandfather, Edward Hudson lived on the Jamestown plantation during the census of 1623/24. He patented 100-acres of land on the James River in the County of Henricus in 1626. He accompanied Colonel William Claiborne to Kent Island in the Chesapeake Bay as part of the first settlement in Maryland in 1631.