In presenting the History and Genealogy of the Outten family, the writer observes that like ancient history introduces nationalities, beginning with myth and fable, so our early records are obscured by vapor and tradition. There are now extant at least three distinctive traditions, that are diametrically opposite in as many different branches of the family, concerning our origin, and the nationality to which we originally belonged.
The tradition has always been familiar to the writer's immediate ancestors, and it was established by frequent repetition that the family is of Scottish extraction, and that just one man bearing our surname came to the Eastern Shore directly from Scotland in the early days of American settlement.
It seems quite evident to the writer that Scotland was at one time the adopted home of our ancestors. A striking similarity of Christian names, and also of physical form and features, such as characterizes the native Scotchman in all parts of the world, have obtained in every branch of the Outten family causing its members to be recognized everywhere as being Scottish descent. While the authenticity of relationship cannot always be established by historical records, nor by comparative stature and avoirdupois, nor even by physiognomy and family resemblance, nevertheless we all know of certain peculiar characteristics that have obtained in every generation, and these are to us unquestionable evidences of a single origin.
Several times during the last generation, word has reached members of our family that there were Outtens in Scotland, but being unable to obtain any address, the writer has failed to communicate with any of them. The reader will of course excuse a personal illustration just here. Some years ago, while at a session of the Wilmington Conference, it was my privilege to come in contact with a native of Scotland, who was a minister of the Gospel in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he came into my class to be ordained. His physical appearance immediately betrayed by origin, and his peculiar dialect instantly portrayed his genuine vernacular. He did not wait for a formal introduction, but as soon as he saw me, he took my hand and the following conversation ensued, "The last time I saw you, we were in Scotland." "No, you are mistaken, for I have never been in Scotland." "But I know a preacher in Scotland who looks like you, and I thought you were the same man." "My name is Outten, and I have always lived in Delaware and on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia." "Well, my friend in Scotland is named Outten, but it is pronounced there as if it began with an "H". They spell is Outten and pronounce it Houtten."
The writer never saw the Scotchman any more, but he has always regretted that he did not make further inquiry about the Outtens in Scotland, and his only comment is, if he looked enough like a Scotchman to fool a Scotchman, without trying to impersonate them, some of his ancestors must have been in Scotland sometime. The incident recorded above may not be regarded as a proof of relationship but the fact remains vivid that both in name and appearance the individuals are strikingly similar.
The reader of these pages should remember that all our early history is based upon tradition and rumor, and the same may be said of all other Huguenots families who came to America. But our traditions must conform to historical facts if they are to be accepted as genuine. Of course not exact dates can be given, but judging from our oldest traditions, it seems probable that those who bore our family name left the Netherlands in disguise and incognito about the year 1560, after a residence there of about ten years.
But the conditions prevailing in Scotland at that time were similar to those that obtained in France and Holland. For the corruptions of Catholicism were almost as great as they were in any other European country. In 1559 John Knox became the pastor of the Protestant church in Edinburgh, and he preached the same Calvinistic doctrines that he had preached at Geneva. These doctrines included predestination, election, total depravity, original sin, and the final perseverance of the saints. It was a Presbyterian church, and the Presbyterian church has always held to those doctrines. but they were exceedingly offensive to the Catholic element, and he therefore endured great persecution. However, he remained at Edinburgh until he heard of the horrible tragedy of St. Bartholomew's Day in 1572, and he was so greatly shocked that he died the same year.
Our forefathers went to Scotland in order to obtain religious liberty, and they resided there for a century. There our Great Ancestor was born, but the motive that prompted him to come to America can scarcely be imagined unless he was actuated by the hope of discovery as the emolument of fortune. John Outten probably came with the colony that arrived on the Eastern Shore in 1666, and his name is on the first deed records both in Delaware and Maryland that were ever recorded. He was an owner of real estate in 1681, and a resident of the Eastern Shore.