This skin represents my ancestor, John Ogden. He was among the first English colonists in North America, eventually settling in the area of Rippowam (modern day Stamford, Connecticut,) and was known for constructing the first permanent stone church on Manhattan Island, which was a Dutch settlement at the time. Ogden is most well-known among historians for his role as a patentee of the Elizabethtown Purchase in present-day Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he remained until his death. My great-uncle, Jack Harpster, wrote an extensive book about John Ogden which details his life and family tree, and there are many other great Americans who were descendants of this early entrepreneur. For example, the world-famous Thomas Edison was the last child of Samuel Ogden Edison Jr., who himself was the son of Samuel Ogden Edison, son of John Edison and Sarah Ogden -- Sarah Ogden being a direct descendant of my ancestor, John Ogden. Another interesting character related to the Ogden lineage is William B. Ogden, a politician and railroad tycoon from the early 1800s who also served as the first mayor of Chicago.

This skin is an entry for the World Heritage Skin Contest hosted by Lunar_.