The story of Madoc, a prince of Wales who, in the twelfth century, discovered America. This is not a story that most Americans have ever heard. We are told all about how Columbus discovered America in 1492, when in reality he never set foot in America. So the story of Prince Madoc (Madog) is never taught to our school children. If your one of those people who have never heard the story it goes like this. Prince Madoc, son of Owain Gwynedd, left Wales around 1169 due to the turmoil between his siblings after his father died. All fighting for their fathers possessions, lands, etc. It was not a nice place to live during this time. So in searchof land where he, his brother, Rhird, and many others could live in peace they departed Wales. A few yearslater he returned with tales of a land uninhabited and rich for farming convincing hundreds of others to return with him to this New World. It is said he departed the 2nd time with approximately 10 ships filled with people and supplies returning back to this new found land. It is believed he landed in Mobile Bay due to whathe had told during his return visit and fortifications found in Bon Secour which is near Mobile Bay.Some Welsh scholars have long been skeptical, especially since the Madoc story was promoted in the 19th century by the bar Iolo Morganwg, someone not renowned for his devotion to accuracy in the sphere of history. For many Welshmen, however, the story has long had a certain resonance. Below I will provide information easily accessible regarding Prince Madoc. I hope you enjoy it!

A Welsh Monk, St. Caradoc of Llan Cargren, Wales first wrote of Madoc's voyages in the 12th Century. Monkswere keepers of records centuries ago. On 3rd of October, 1580, Dr. John Dee made an oral presentation tothe English Council at Court where he summarized the Welsh Monks records: "The Lord Madoc, son of OwenGwynedd, Prince of North Wales lead a colony and uninhabited in Terra Florida or thereabouts."The story was first published in A True Reporte of the late Discoveries of the Newfound Landes, written by Sir George Peckham in 1583. This document supported the first Queen Elizabeth's claim to the New World. It was repeated in Humphrey Llwyd's, Historie of Cambria the next year. In 1600 Richard Hakluyt wrote"Principall Navigations, Voyages and Discoveries of the English Nation" which included the story of Prince Madoc.

Professor Hartmann tells us that "On January 13th 1804, an American President of Welsh ancestry, Thomas Jefferson, dispatched a letter to another Welsh-American, Meriwether Lewis, containing a map of the upper Missouri Valley. The map had been prepared by a third Welsh-American, John Evans.John Evans left his home in rural North Wales in 1792. He travelled to London and then across to remote parts of the USA.