Buffalo Bill

Buffalo Bill in 1911, U.S. Library of Congress’s Prints and Photographs division, ID cph.3a21252., Moffett, Chicago

Birth Name: William Frederick Cody

Date of Birth: February 26, 1846

Place of Birth: Le Claire, Iowa Territory, U.S.

Date of Death: January 10, 1917

Place of Death: Denver, Colorado, U.S.

Ethnicity: English, as well as distant French Huguenot, Welsh, and Guernsey/Jersey [Channel Islander]

Buffalo Bill was an American soldier, scout, bison hunter, and showman. He founded Buffalo Bill’s Wild West shows, a circus-like attraction, in 1883, bringing his company on tours throughout the U.S. and Europe.

Buffalo Bill was the son of Mary Ann Bonsell (Laycock) and Isaac Cody. He was married to Louisa Frederici, until his death, with whom he had four children.

Buffalo Bill’s patrilineal line can be traced to Guillaume Lecaudey (1480-1568). Buffalo Bill’s ancestor, Philippe Lecaudey/Lescaude (1668-1743), emigrated from France to Massachusetts, U.S., and changed the surname to Cody, or Le Cody.

Buffalo Bill’s paternal grandfather was Phillip/Philip Cody, Jr. (the son of Phillip/Philip Cody and Abigail Emerson/Emmerson). Buffalo Bill’s grandfather Philip was born in Massachusetts. Buffalo Bill’s great-grandfather Philip was the son of Joseph Cody/LeCody/Le Caudey/Lecaudy and Mary Martin. Abigail was the daughter of James Emerson and Sarah Locke.

Buffalo Bill’s paternal grandmother was Lydia Martin (the daughter of Robert Martin and Elizabeth/Betsey/Betsy Lewis). Lydia was born in Connecticut. Elizabeth was the daughter of George Lewis and Susannah Hall.

Buffalo Bill’s maternal grandfather was Samuel Laycock (the son of Thomas Laycock and Hannah Bunting). Samuel was born in Pennsylvania. Thomas was born in Pennsylvania, the son of English parents, William Laycock, from Glusburn, and Hannah Hedley, from Bellerby. Buffalo Bill’s great-grandmother Hannah Bunting was the daughter of Samuel Bunting, from Matlock, Derbyshire, England, and of Sarah Fearne.

Buffalo Bill’s maternal grandmother was Hannah Taylor (the daughter of Enoch Taylor and Elizabeth Maris). Hannah was born in Pennsylvania. Enoch was the son of Nathan Taylor and Ruth Evans. Elizabeth was the daughter of Joseph Maris and Ann Shipley, who was born in Leicestershire, England.

Sources: Genealogies of Buffalo Bill – http://www.geni.com
http://www.wikitree.com
http://famouskin.com

Buffalo Bill on the 1850 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Information about Buffalo Bill’s paternal grandfather, Phillip/Philip Cody, Jr. – https://eastclevelandtwpcemetery.wordpress.com