Karl's grandmother Maria was the daughter of William Chalfonte and Elizabeth Edwards. Elizabeth, in turn was descended from Jonathan Edwards, to whose judgment General George Washington often deferred with the statement, "We must consult Brother Jonathan." Although, as noted later, Karl steadfastly refused to prepare a formal autobiography, he did occasionally jot down casual notes and observations concerning his own history. At one time he wrote of his hereditary background, ". . . it is clear that the intellectual curiosity and drive descended through that maternal line.