Francis Godfrey came to Plymouth Colony by 1637, with his family pretty well established. His wife's name was Elizabeth Hall, and they were married in St Micheal le Belfrey, York, Yorkshire, England. His parents are believed to be Richard and Isabel Ramadaile or Ramsdale Godfrey, but I haven't yet seen proof of this. Let's just think that Francis was probably from somewhere around York, since that's where he was married. The church at York was built, or rebuilt, in 1527 and is near the much more famous York Minster.
Once again not much is known about Francis prior to his 1637 arrival at Plymouth. He is listed as having several children, including Elizabeth, Peter, Richard and George, but has also been said to have had Jane and perhaps Moses. Since he arrived here in 1637 and the marriage was in 1622, most if not all of the children would have come with him. George wasn't born until 1640, so he was born here.
"Here" was by this time Duxburrow (Duxbury), where Francis and family went in 1638. This was the town founded by Myles Standish, and a list of the 1643 men of Duxburrow who were able to bear arms lists several familiar names-William and Jonathan Brewster, Comfort Starr, William Tubbs, Francis Sprague, Captain Standish, and others who are part of our Holbrook (and Allen) families.
Francis was a carpenter and apparently made a fairly good living, because he was able to purchase 25 acres of land in 1644 and another 100 acres in 1648. This second purchase was on the North River, but Francis sold it in 1651. He had also received land as a grant in 1638, as an early settler of Duxbury, and he may have received more through the years. He moved to Marshfield about 1650, and then to Bridgewater, which was more or less part of Duxbury, by 1657. He was made a freeman there in 1657. At some point, he also acquired land at "Providence Plantations" but is not believed to have lived there. He may have made the moves he made because he was following the jobs. As more people came to settle these new towns, they would have needed homes and basic furniture, and not every newcomer to America had the skills, or the tools, to provide for himself.
When Francis wrote his will on February 26, 1666/7 (proved October 29, 1669), he gave much of his estate, including a list of carpentry tools, to his wife Elizabeth. I don't know what he expected her to do with them; it would be interesting to know his thoughts. I wonder if his "servants" also worked with him and he wanted them to be able to continue to bring an income for Elizabeth?) He gave some of his land to his son in law and two cows, two canvas sheets, and his "Great Bible" to his daughter Elizabeth Cary. and tools and clothing to his grandson John Cary. He also left small bequests to two servants. His other children are not mentioned in the will, but they may have received cash earlier. His estate was valued at a little over 117 pounds, apparently including the land.
This is not a lot of information but it at least shows us a picture of a tradesperson in the early days of Plymouth Colony, a little bit different life than our "yeoman" ancestors had. I'd of course like to know more about him and his life. What happened to Elizabeth? Did she go to live with the Cary family or did she stay in the home Francis provided for her, and supervise the servants? There are always more questions than there are answers!
The line of descent is:
Francis Godfrey-Elizabeth Hall
Richard Godfrey-Jane Turner
Alice Godfrey-Peter Holbrook
Mary Holbrook-Joseph Thompson
Alice Thompson-Joseph Rockwood
Levi Rockwood-Deborah Lazell
Susanna Rockwood-Nahum Holbrook
Joseph Rockwood Holbrook-Mary Elizabeth Whittemore
Fremont Holbrook-Phoebe Brown
Loren Holbrook-Etta Stanard
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
And yes, Alice Godfrey and Peter Holbrook are also the ancestors of Nahum Holbrook, so he is his own cousin, I guess.
Friday, March 30, 2018
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Holbrook line: Alexanger Wignall, "Mister", immigrant and not a conformist
We only know a little bit about Alexander Wignall, but it is so tantalizing. A novelist could really make something of his story, I think. There are so many fascinating directions to go with it.
We don't know where he was born, or when, or where or when he died. We don't know when he arrived at Massachusetts Bay Colony (best guess is 1629), or how long he stayed. We don't know who his wife was, or how many children they may have had, or where they married, or what his occupation was, or any of the things I usually write about in my posts.
But we do know that there was something a little bit different about Alexander. There is some confusion because there are early references to both a Jno. Wignall and and Alexander Wignall, both at Charlestown, Massachusetts. Robert Charles Anderson, who is the authority on the people who came over in the Great Migration, believes that these are one and the same person, and I am certainly in no position to argue, discuss, or even question that. So,,,
Jno. Wignall is listed in a 1630 Charlestown list of inhabitants as one of four men who "went and built in the main on the northeast side of the northwest creek of this town. Walter Pope bought his (Jno.Wignall's) house and land later that same year. No more mention of Jno. Wignall is found.
However, in October of 1630 Mr. Alexander Wignall asked for admission as a freeman to the colony, and he was admitted on May 18,1631. It appears that he would have needed to have been a member of the church to be admitted, and also the owner of property, not necessarily land. His good standing would last just a brief period of time, because on August 16, he was fined five marks for drunkenness. Than on September 6, he was "fined 40 shillings, bound to his good behavior, and enjoined to remove his dwelling to some settled plantation before the last of May next, for drunkenness and much misdeameanor by him committed at the plantation where he now dwelleth". It appears that two strikes and you were out, in that time and place.
On July 2, 1633, "Mr. Woolridge and Mr. Gibbons are appointed to join with Mr. Graves and Mr. Geneson (Jennison) to inventory the goods and chattels of Alex: Wignall". There is no "Mr." in front of his name this time, but there also is no mention that he is deceased. This is where the mystery comes.
Was Alexander the same man as John? If so, the land had been sold in 1630, so where did Alexander live? If not, where did he live? I'm not sure we've found the answer yet. There is no mention of land or dwelling when the inventory was ordered in 1633. Was this a matter of bankruptcy or debt collection? Had Alexander returned to England? As far as I can determine, no one has located records for him there. There are some hints that some of his friends may have been mariners. Perhaps Alexander had gone on a trip, either coastal or to the West Indies or back to England, and been lost at sea. Instead of following orders to remove to some "settled plantation", perhaps Alexander had moved into the wilderness, or gone to live with natives, and had some sort of accidental death, or a fatal sickness, there. We simply don't know.
I really haven't seen speculation about his disappearance or death, other than my own suggestions above. I have seen speculation as to his parents, his wife (Martha or Elizabeth unknown are the two most common guesses), and children. He is thought to have been born about 1578, perhaps. Speculated children are John (possibly because of the explanation above), Judith, and Elizabeth. I would like to know why he is referred to as "Mr.". Usually that connotes respect, and indicates that he held a position of some status, either by education, by family connections, or by occupation (merchant). It shouldn't be so hard to find more information about him. Really, it shouldn't!
The line of descent is:
Alexander Wignall-
Judith Wignall-Reginald Foster
Abraham Foster-Lydia Burbank
Abraham Foster-Mary Robinson
Nathan Foster-Hannah Standish
Nathan Foster-Elizabeth Lansford
Jude Foster-Lydia M
Betsy Foster-Josiah Whittemore
Mary Elizabeth Whittemore-Joseph Holbrook
Fremont Holbrook-Phoebe Brown
Loren Holbrook-Etta Stanard
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
We don't know where he was born, or when, or where or when he died. We don't know when he arrived at Massachusetts Bay Colony (best guess is 1629), or how long he stayed. We don't know who his wife was, or how many children they may have had, or where they married, or what his occupation was, or any of the things I usually write about in my posts.
But we do know that there was something a little bit different about Alexander. There is some confusion because there are early references to both a Jno. Wignall and and Alexander Wignall, both at Charlestown, Massachusetts. Robert Charles Anderson, who is the authority on the people who came over in the Great Migration, believes that these are one and the same person, and I am certainly in no position to argue, discuss, or even question that. So,,,
Jno. Wignall is listed in a 1630 Charlestown list of inhabitants as one of four men who "went and built in the main on the northeast side of the northwest creek of this town. Walter Pope bought his (Jno.Wignall's) house and land later that same year. No more mention of Jno. Wignall is found.
However, in October of 1630 Mr. Alexander Wignall asked for admission as a freeman to the colony, and he was admitted on May 18,1631. It appears that he would have needed to have been a member of the church to be admitted, and also the owner of property, not necessarily land. His good standing would last just a brief period of time, because on August 16, he was fined five marks for drunkenness. Than on September 6, he was "fined 40 shillings, bound to his good behavior, and enjoined to remove his dwelling to some settled plantation before the last of May next, for drunkenness and much misdeameanor by him committed at the plantation where he now dwelleth". It appears that two strikes and you were out, in that time and place.
On July 2, 1633, "Mr. Woolridge and Mr. Gibbons are appointed to join with Mr. Graves and Mr. Geneson (Jennison) to inventory the goods and chattels of Alex: Wignall". There is no "Mr." in front of his name this time, but there also is no mention that he is deceased. This is where the mystery comes.
Was Alexander the same man as John? If so, the land had been sold in 1630, so where did Alexander live? If not, where did he live? I'm not sure we've found the answer yet. There is no mention of land or dwelling when the inventory was ordered in 1633. Was this a matter of bankruptcy or debt collection? Had Alexander returned to England? As far as I can determine, no one has located records for him there. There are some hints that some of his friends may have been mariners. Perhaps Alexander had gone on a trip, either coastal or to the West Indies or back to England, and been lost at sea. Instead of following orders to remove to some "settled plantation", perhaps Alexander had moved into the wilderness, or gone to live with natives, and had some sort of accidental death, or a fatal sickness, there. We simply don't know.
I really haven't seen speculation about his disappearance or death, other than my own suggestions above. I have seen speculation as to his parents, his wife (Martha or Elizabeth unknown are the two most common guesses), and children. He is thought to have been born about 1578, perhaps. Speculated children are John (possibly because of the explanation above), Judith, and Elizabeth. I would like to know why he is referred to as "Mr.". Usually that connotes respect, and indicates that he held a position of some status, either by education, by family connections, or by occupation (merchant). It shouldn't be so hard to find more information about him. Really, it shouldn't!
The line of descent is:
Alexander Wignall-
Judith Wignall-Reginald Foster
Abraham Foster-Lydia Burbank
Abraham Foster-Mary Robinson
Nathan Foster-Hannah Standish
Nathan Foster-Elizabeth Lansford
Jude Foster-Lydia M
Betsy Foster-Josiah Whittemore
Mary Elizabeth Whittemore-Joseph Holbrook
Fremont Holbrook-Phoebe Brown
Loren Holbrook-Etta Stanard
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Friday, March 23, 2018
Holbrook line: George Marsh, Immigrant
Some people claim that George Marsh's origins are in or near Hingham, Norfolk, England, and that claim makes sense since he lived with people from Hingham once he arrived in Massachusetts. The problem seems to be that he can't be documented there, as of yet, or anywhere near there. All we know for sure is that he arrived in America with his wife, Elizabeth, who may or may not have the surname of "Key", and their four children. We know he was here in 1635, when he received a house lot as a first settler of Hingham. The Rev.Peter Hobart had brought 13 families with him when he left Hingham, England for the New World, and there were later family connections with the Hobarts, but what came after may have no connection with what came before. Still, we know he was a church member and that helps us place him in context.
He apparently was respected in his community because he was chosen as selectman in 1645. He was also probably part of whatever military group the town had, as he had two muskets when he died. He acquired land given by the town on several different occasions-a house lot and then a "planting lot" plus salt marsh land and farm land. At least one of the lots was on the Weymouth River, where he could have fished, or/and kept a boat.
George died in Hingham on July 2, 1647, when his youngest son, Onesiphorus, was about 17. George would have been about 55. Elizabeth married Richard Bowen in November of 1648, so she didn't stay single long. Even though her child rearing days were over, a woman was better off to be married at that time. Single women were regarded with some suspicion.
This is as much as I've been able to learn about George Marsh. I'd sure like to know his origins and whether in fact he was a follower of Rev. Hobart in England. I don't have any real indication as to the extent of his education, if any. I'd like to know more about his life here, and whether he ever regretted making the trip. Such questions are why my genealogy searching will never be done.
The line of descent is:
George Marsh-Elizabeth
Thomas Marsh-Sarah Beal
Thomas Marsh-Sarah Lincoln
Deborah Marsh-Isaac Lazell
Deborah Lazell-Levi Rockwood
Susannah Rockwood-Nahum Holbrook
Joseph Holbrook-Mary Elizabeth Whittemore
Fremont Holbrook-Phoebe Brown
Loren Holbrook-Etta Stanard
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
He apparently was respected in his community because he was chosen as selectman in 1645. He was also probably part of whatever military group the town had, as he had two muskets when he died. He acquired land given by the town on several different occasions-a house lot and then a "planting lot" plus salt marsh land and farm land. At least one of the lots was on the Weymouth River, where he could have fished, or/and kept a boat.
George died in Hingham on July 2, 1647, when his youngest son, Onesiphorus, was about 17. George would have been about 55. Elizabeth married Richard Bowen in November of 1648, so she didn't stay single long. Even though her child rearing days were over, a woman was better off to be married at that time. Single women were regarded with some suspicion.
This is as much as I've been able to learn about George Marsh. I'd sure like to know his origins and whether in fact he was a follower of Rev. Hobart in England. I don't have any real indication as to the extent of his education, if any. I'd like to know more about his life here, and whether he ever regretted making the trip. Such questions are why my genealogy searching will never be done.
The line of descent is:
George Marsh-Elizabeth
Thomas Marsh-Sarah Beal
Thomas Marsh-Sarah Lincoln
Deborah Marsh-Isaac Lazell
Deborah Lazell-Levi Rockwood
Susannah Rockwood-Nahum Holbrook
Joseph Holbrook-Mary Elizabeth Whittemore
Fremont Holbrook-Phoebe Brown
Loren Holbrook-Etta Stanard
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Holbrook line: Johan Jacob Hetrick 1730-1789 Immigrant and patriot
Johan Jacob Hetrick was born in 1736 in Gocklingen, Landau, Germany, which is a village of less than 1000 persons, just a few miles from the border of France. From what little I know of German history, and World War I, and World War II, it is likely that this land has been in contention for centuries. Perhaps even in 1749, when Jacob emigrated to Pennsylvania, it was still recovering from the Thirty Years War of the previous century. Since he was only 19 when he came to America, it may be that he came for economic reasons. His mother, Anna Elizabeth Zimmerman, came either with him or shortly before he came, but died shortly after arriving here. His father, Johan Abraham Hetrick, died in 1743 in Germany, and the whole remaining family may have decided to make a fresh start here. Other Hetricks came to America during the middle years of the 18th century, but I've so far not been able to establish a connection.
Jacob married Anna Elizabeth Nuss, apparently back in Gocklingen although I've not found records for that marriage. If so, he must have gone back to marry a "home town girl" and then brought her back to his home in Pennsylvania. By this time, he may have been settled in Codorus, York County, Pennsylvania, about 1762, where he probably intended to live out an uneventful life. The first challenge to that was his family. He and Elizabeth had at least 9 children. The last six were baptized in Stone's Union (Reformed) Church, Brodbeck, Pa. He became a land owner of 200 acres called "Duck Hill" in 1767, and was constable in 1771 and supervisor for Codorus township in 1774. At about the same time, he obtained a license to sell "beer and cyder." In 1772 he was listed as an innkeeper. This was a family job. Elizabeth would have been the cook and hospitality hostess, and the children would all have been helping from an early age. Jacob is listed on tax records for 1783 and 1787, and when he died he owned land in both Codorus and Manheim townships.
The interesting part of Jacob's story is his involvement, if he was involved, in the Revolutionary War. He was a second lieutenant and then a first lieutenant in the 7th Battalion of the Pennsylvania Militia. This unit was made up mostly of Germans who, for reasons of honor or religion, didn't really want to fight. The reason of honor was that they had sworn an oath to Britain when they got off the ship at Philadelphia, and were hesitant to dishonor that. Also many from Germany frowned on military service, as a matter of principle, and of course, there were the normal family reasons for not wanting to serve. However, when Philadelphia was "captured" by the British and used as their headquarters, enough of the militia were willing to fight that the 7th Battalion may have been engaged in battle. It's also possible that they weren't involved at all, or that they served long only long enough to allow other soldiers to take a furlough, or they may have been used to guard British prisoners. I would love to find the answer to this mystery but the sources I've found seem to contradict each other. Jacob is listed as a soldier under the DAR and the Sons of the American Revolution; I just don't know what his exact service was.
Jacob was an immigrant, a pioneer, a successful farmer and businessman, a patriot soldier, and a father. I am proud to be his descendant.
The line of descent is
Johan Jacob Hetrick-Anna Elizabeth Nuss
Isaac Hetrick-Elizabeth Black
Mary Alice Hetrick-Louis Stanard
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Jacob married Anna Elizabeth Nuss, apparently back in Gocklingen although I've not found records for that marriage. If so, he must have gone back to marry a "home town girl" and then brought her back to his home in Pennsylvania. By this time, he may have been settled in Codorus, York County, Pennsylvania, about 1762, where he probably intended to live out an uneventful life. The first challenge to that was his family. He and Elizabeth had at least 9 children. The last six were baptized in Stone's Union (Reformed) Church, Brodbeck, Pa. He became a land owner of 200 acres called "Duck Hill" in 1767, and was constable in 1771 and supervisor for Codorus township in 1774. At about the same time, he obtained a license to sell "beer and cyder." In 1772 he was listed as an innkeeper. This was a family job. Elizabeth would have been the cook and hospitality hostess, and the children would all have been helping from an early age. Jacob is listed on tax records for 1783 and 1787, and when he died he owned land in both Codorus and Manheim townships.
The interesting part of Jacob's story is his involvement, if he was involved, in the Revolutionary War. He was a second lieutenant and then a first lieutenant in the 7th Battalion of the Pennsylvania Militia. This unit was made up mostly of Germans who, for reasons of honor or religion, didn't really want to fight. The reason of honor was that they had sworn an oath to Britain when they got off the ship at Philadelphia, and were hesitant to dishonor that. Also many from Germany frowned on military service, as a matter of principle, and of course, there were the normal family reasons for not wanting to serve. However, when Philadelphia was "captured" by the British and used as their headquarters, enough of the militia were willing to fight that the 7th Battalion may have been engaged in battle. It's also possible that they weren't involved at all, or that they served long only long enough to allow other soldiers to take a furlough, or they may have been used to guard British prisoners. I would love to find the answer to this mystery but the sources I've found seem to contradict each other. Jacob is listed as a soldier under the DAR and the Sons of the American Revolution; I just don't know what his exact service was.
Jacob was an immigrant, a pioneer, a successful farmer and businessman, a patriot soldier, and a father. I am proud to be his descendant.
The line of descent is
Johan Jacob Hetrick-Anna Elizabeth Nuss
Isaac Hetrick-Elizabeth Black
Mary Alice Hetrick-Louis Stanard
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Friday, March 16, 2018
Holbrook line: Edward Morris, Immigrant
It's good to write these blog posts, because I always go back to look at the research I've already done. Almost always, I find more information than when I first started this genealogy quest, and sometimes I find that my original findings were incorrect. This is one of those times, and I'm going to have to delete some names from my tree. But I'll get to add new ones, so the chase, and the fun, continue. First, let me say that the great majority of this blog post comes from an article written by my hero (for a lot of reasons) Douglas Richardson, published in volume 146 of the New England Historical and Genealogical Register.
The one exciting thing I found, which others have also found, was the actual registry in Boston that recorded Edward's marriage. Seeing it handwritten on a page, with a lot of other names beginning with "M" was something special.
Edward Morris was christened at Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, England on January 22, 1631/32, the son of Edward Morris/Morrison and Prudence Heath Morris/Morrison. The family name was Morrison in England and Morris in New England. Great Amwell is a small village about 20 miles north of London. Richard Warren, a passenger on the Mayflower, was married there so one wonders whether this was a hub for Separatists, or whether it's coincidence that Edward Morris also came from the same village. Edward apparently didn't arrive in New England until 1652, when he was about 21 years old.
Our next mention of Edward is his marriage record of November 20, 1655 in Boston . We know that Edward went to Roxbury to live but so far I've not found whether this was pre-marriage or post-marriage. The Morrises stayed in Roxbury for a number of years, and several of the children stayed there even when Edward and Grace moved on to Woodstock, Connecticut. All of their ten children were born in Roxbury. While in Roxbury, Edward took an active role in civic affairs, being a selectman for twelve years (possibly missing one of those years) and as a juror of the Court of Assistants. He was appointed one of three trustees for the High School at Jamaica Plain, and for nine years he was chosen deputy from Roxbury to the General Court.
The family followed the "Apostle" John Eliot, who baptized all their children, and joined with several other families from Roxbury to go to "New Roxbury" later renamed Woodstock, in 1686. The move to Woodstock took place more or less en masse, with thirteen families traveling together to start building a new life together. Edward was the oldest of them, but it seems that he was elected lieutenant of the training band (subject to government approval) shortly before his death. There is a record of his estate in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, but so far I have not been able to locate it. He died without a will on September14, 1689 and his widow Grace died June 16, 1705.
I'd like to research Edward Morris some more. He seems to have been an educated man, to be appointed trustee for a "High School", and to have been elected to office so many times. What was his occupation? Where did he get his education? What were his political beliefs? Did he leave England for political, economic, religious, or family reasons? Every time I write a blog post, I have more questions!
The line of descent is:
Edward Morris-Grace Bett
Samuel Morris-Mehitable Mayo
Abigail Morris-John Perrin
Benjamin Perrin-Mary (who are you?)
Mary or Mercy Perrin-David Fay
Luceba Fay-Libbeus Stanard
Hiram Stanard-Susan Eddy
Louis Stanard-Mary Alice Hetrick
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
The one exciting thing I found, which others have also found, was the actual registry in Boston that recorded Edward's marriage. Seeing it handwritten on a page, with a lot of other names beginning with "M" was something special.
Edward Morris was christened at Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, England on January 22, 1631/32, the son of Edward Morris/Morrison and Prudence Heath Morris/Morrison. The family name was Morrison in England and Morris in New England. Great Amwell is a small village about 20 miles north of London. Richard Warren, a passenger on the Mayflower, was married there so one wonders whether this was a hub for Separatists, or whether it's coincidence that Edward Morris also came from the same village. Edward apparently didn't arrive in New England until 1652, when he was about 21 years old.
Our next mention of Edward is his marriage record of November 20, 1655 in Boston . We know that Edward went to Roxbury to live but so far I've not found whether this was pre-marriage or post-marriage. The Morrises stayed in Roxbury for a number of years, and several of the children stayed there even when Edward and Grace moved on to Woodstock, Connecticut. All of their ten children were born in Roxbury. While in Roxbury, Edward took an active role in civic affairs, being a selectman for twelve years (possibly missing one of those years) and as a juror of the Court of Assistants. He was appointed one of three trustees for the High School at Jamaica Plain, and for nine years he was chosen deputy from Roxbury to the General Court.
The family followed the "Apostle" John Eliot, who baptized all their children, and joined with several other families from Roxbury to go to "New Roxbury" later renamed Woodstock, in 1686. The move to Woodstock took place more or less en masse, with thirteen families traveling together to start building a new life together. Edward was the oldest of them, but it seems that he was elected lieutenant of the training band (subject to government approval) shortly before his death. There is a record of his estate in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, but so far I have not been able to locate it. He died without a will on September14, 1689 and his widow Grace died June 16, 1705.
I'd like to research Edward Morris some more. He seems to have been an educated man, to be appointed trustee for a "High School", and to have been elected to office so many times. What was his occupation? Where did he get his education? What were his political beliefs? Did he leave England for political, economic, religious, or family reasons? Every time I write a blog post, I have more questions!
The line of descent is:
Edward Morris-Grace Bett
Samuel Morris-Mehitable Mayo
Abigail Morris-John Perrin
Benjamin Perrin-Mary (who are you?)
Mary or Mercy Perrin-David Fay
Luceba Fay-Libbeus Stanard
Hiram Stanard-Susan Eddy
Louis Stanard-Mary Alice Hetrick
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
Allen line: John Campbell of Madison County, Kentucky inventory
As far as I know, my ancestor John Campbell died in Madison County, Kentucky in 1806. I believe he was dead before Lemuel Dunn married Sarah (Sally) Campbell in 1809 because Jane Garvin Campbell, John's widow, gave written permission for Sarah to be married then, even though Sarah was about 20 years old at the time. I had found this document on FamilySearch but it was a real thrill to actually hold the original handwritten note in my hands this past week. (Incidentally, the ink was as clear and the handwriting as legible as if it had been written 9 years ago, not 209 years ago). I have always been puzzled as to why no will for John Campbell can be found. I still don't know the answer to that question, but on a brief trip to Richmond, Kentucky this past week I found an inventory for him. It answers some questions and poses a whole set of new questions, and unless I get to go back to Richmond (not likely) I don't know how many answers I will find.
The first part to the inventory is an actual listing of John Campbell's inventory. No land is listed and I have never found a record that he owned land, so I am going with the idea that he was either a tenant farmer or had some kind of trade, or both. I've found several John Campbell's in early tax records but can't say which is ours for certain. At any rate, the farm animals he had would be considered the minimum to farm. Most of what he had was farm implements, household guns, a rifle, and a few things that may indicate he had more than the usual amount of nuts, bolts, gudgeons, and other metal items. He had 20 kegs, listed after the rifle, and they were valued at $17.00. Were these kegs of whiskey, or were they empty kegs that he hoped to sell, or what? I don't yet know. The last three items on the inventory may be revealing. He had a bond "on" Joseph Barnett for $50, cash in hand of $135, and one bond on "Ken Hutchison in Virginia" of $52.
Purchasing items at the sale were Schuyler Barnett, David McWilliams, Ralph Allen (several items), Jane Campbell (who purchased several items including a bed and other items necessary for housekeeping), Samuel Glasgow, James McCormack, Thomas Reid (several items), John Campbell (possibly a son), Samuel Ervine, Hugh Kilpatrick, Wiley Wood, David McAlexander, Lemuel Dunn (son-in-law) and William Brok (?). There is no mention of what happened to the cash or the bonds.
The inventory was signed by Jane Campbell as administratrix, and ordered recorded on the 5th day of November, 1810.
I have several questions. Besides the question of land ownership, or at least where John lived, I would like to understand why the inventory wasn't filed until four and a half years after John died. There were children born in 1797 and 1799, who would have been too young to have been considered an adult in 1810. (I haven't located guardianship papers and they may, if found, hold some answers to this question). Was Jane perhaps preparing to move to Mercer County, Ky with Lemuel and Sarah Dunn and perhaps others of her family? I would like to understand why there were at least four "bands" that were sold separately, and what the kegs represented, and whether gudgeons would have played into this in any way. I would like to know what some of the words are in the inventory that I am not sure I am reading correctly. I'd still like to know where John is buried, but perhaps if the FAN club (names listed above) helps me locate some of these people, I'll have a better idea of that.
I love to research at courthouses and I am truly grateful for the unexpected time I was able to spend there. I have been at a dead end in researching John for quite some time and now I have clues to follow, and more thoughts to think. I'll be working on these questions for a while yet and will update or write another blog post if I make any more breakthroughs!
The line of descent is:
John Campbell-Jane Garvin
Sarah Campbell-Lemuel Dunn
Margaret J Dunn-Archibald Allen
George R Allen-Nancy McCoy
Edward Allen-Edith Knott
Richard Allen-Gladys Holbrook
Their descendants
The first part to the inventory is an actual listing of John Campbell's inventory. No land is listed and I have never found a record that he owned land, so I am going with the idea that he was either a tenant farmer or had some kind of trade, or both. I've found several John Campbell's in early tax records but can't say which is ours for certain. At any rate, the farm animals he had would be considered the minimum to farm. Most of what he had was farm implements, household guns, a rifle, and a few things that may indicate he had more than the usual amount of nuts, bolts, gudgeons, and other metal items. He had 20 kegs, listed after the rifle, and they were valued at $17.00. Were these kegs of whiskey, or were they empty kegs that he hoped to sell, or what? I don't yet know. The last three items on the inventory may be revealing. He had a bond "on" Joseph Barnett for $50, cash in hand of $135, and one bond on "Ken Hutchison in Virginia" of $52.
Purchasing items at the sale were Schuyler Barnett, David McWilliams, Ralph Allen (several items), Jane Campbell (who purchased several items including a bed and other items necessary for housekeeping), Samuel Glasgow, James McCormack, Thomas Reid (several items), John Campbell (possibly a son), Samuel Ervine, Hugh Kilpatrick, Wiley Wood, David McAlexander, Lemuel Dunn (son-in-law) and William Brok (?). There is no mention of what happened to the cash or the bonds.
The inventory was signed by Jane Campbell as administratrix, and ordered recorded on the 5th day of November, 1810.
I have several questions. Besides the question of land ownership, or at least where John lived, I would like to understand why the inventory wasn't filed until four and a half years after John died. There were children born in 1797 and 1799, who would have been too young to have been considered an adult in 1810. (I haven't located guardianship papers and they may, if found, hold some answers to this question). Was Jane perhaps preparing to move to Mercer County, Ky with Lemuel and Sarah Dunn and perhaps others of her family? I would like to understand why there were at least four "bands" that were sold separately, and what the kegs represented, and whether gudgeons would have played into this in any way. I would like to know what some of the words are in the inventory that I am not sure I am reading correctly. I'd still like to know where John is buried, but perhaps if the FAN club (names listed above) helps me locate some of these people, I'll have a better idea of that.
I love to research at courthouses and I am truly grateful for the unexpected time I was able to spend there. I have been at a dead end in researching John for quite some time and now I have clues to follow, and more thoughts to think. I'll be working on these questions for a while yet and will update or write another blog post if I make any more breakthroughs!
The line of descent is:
John Campbell-Jane Garvin
Sarah Campbell-Lemuel Dunn
Margaret J Dunn-Archibald Allen
George R Allen-Nancy McCoy
Edward Allen-Edith Knott
Richard Allen-Gladys Holbrook
Their descendants
Friday, March 9, 2018
Holbrook line: Joshua WInsor, immigrant
It seems strange that Joshua Winsor has not been researched more extensively than he has been, because, after all, he was the father in law of Roger William's daughter. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that records haven't been found, which could be for any number of reasons, including the sad fact that many records from that time period are not in existence any longer. The most popular idea seems to be that he was from Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire, England. There were Winsors there from the 1450's and I have the names of Joshua's purported father, grandfather, great grandfather and great great grandfather, if this is correct. But I don't have a birth date or other documentation, so the jury is still out as to when and where he was born, and what he did with his early life.
Just so we have a beginning framework, let's say, for the purpose of this blog post only, that he was born about 1610. It could have been earlier, and it may have been a little later. The first thing we really know is that he was in Massachusetts Bay Colony as an indentured servant of governor John Winthrop. Joshua, whether because of temperament or beliefs, did not fit in well with the Puritans of Boston and would likely have been branded a trouble maker, or worse, had not Roger Williams come to his rescue.
Roger, from his newly established home at Providence Plantation, wrote a letter to Gov. Winthrop asking to buy out the rest of Joshua's indentureship, and have Joshua come to Rhode Island. The governor agreed, and Joshua arrived in Rhode Island in 1638. By 1640 he was free of the indentured servant status and was a freeman, signing his name to the compact of 1640. He was granted house lot number 35, on what became South Main Street, in Providence and also acquired six acres of meadowland
Joshua married sometime before 1644, when his only son was born, but his wife's name has never been determined. After son Samuel was born, the couple had four more children, all daughters. Mrs. Winsor died in 1655 and we have no record that Joshua remarried. He died in 1679, which means he would have been affected and probably lost his home and all that was in it, during King Philip's War in 1675-1676. There is no record of church membership or attendance for Joshua. It is believed that he was buried on his own home lot, which means he returned to Providence and rebuilt his home.
I haven't found a copy of Joshua's will or estate, and we know nothing of his religious beliefs. We know he could sign his name, but we don't know how far his education extended. Did Roger Williams or his wife Mary Barnard tutor him informally? We don't know. Joshua's son, Samuel became a Baptist pastor so there was some indication that education was valued in the family. I'd love to have been a fly on the wall, as Joshua worked for Roger Williams. Did their conversations extend to religious beliefs and knowledge? As I said, I'd love to know!
The line of descent is:
Joshua Winsor-wife
Samuel Winsor-Mercy Williams
Samuel Winsor-Mercy Harding
Joseph Winsor-Deborah Mathewson
Lillis Winsor-Nathan Paine
Deborah Paine-Enos Eddy
Joseph Eddy-Susan Lamphire
Susan Eddy-Hiram Stanard
Louis Stanard-Mary Alice Hetrick
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Just so we have a beginning framework, let's say, for the purpose of this blog post only, that he was born about 1610. It could have been earlier, and it may have been a little later. The first thing we really know is that he was in Massachusetts Bay Colony as an indentured servant of governor John Winthrop. Joshua, whether because of temperament or beliefs, did not fit in well with the Puritans of Boston and would likely have been branded a trouble maker, or worse, had not Roger Williams come to his rescue.
Roger, from his newly established home at Providence Plantation, wrote a letter to Gov. Winthrop asking to buy out the rest of Joshua's indentureship, and have Joshua come to Rhode Island. The governor agreed, and Joshua arrived in Rhode Island in 1638. By 1640 he was free of the indentured servant status and was a freeman, signing his name to the compact of 1640. He was granted house lot number 35, on what became South Main Street, in Providence and also acquired six acres of meadowland
Joshua married sometime before 1644, when his only son was born, but his wife's name has never been determined. After son Samuel was born, the couple had four more children, all daughters. Mrs. Winsor died in 1655 and we have no record that Joshua remarried. He died in 1679, which means he would have been affected and probably lost his home and all that was in it, during King Philip's War in 1675-1676. There is no record of church membership or attendance for Joshua. It is believed that he was buried on his own home lot, which means he returned to Providence and rebuilt his home.
I haven't found a copy of Joshua's will or estate, and we know nothing of his religious beliefs. We know he could sign his name, but we don't know how far his education extended. Did Roger Williams or his wife Mary Barnard tutor him informally? We don't know. Joshua's son, Samuel became a Baptist pastor so there was some indication that education was valued in the family. I'd love to have been a fly on the wall, as Joshua worked for Roger Williams. Did their conversations extend to religious beliefs and knowledge? As I said, I'd love to know!
The line of descent is:
Joshua Winsor-wife
Samuel Winsor-Mercy Williams
Samuel Winsor-Mercy Harding
Joseph Winsor-Deborah Mathewson
Lillis Winsor-Nathan Paine
Deborah Paine-Enos Eddy
Joseph Eddy-Susan Lamphire
Susan Eddy-Hiram Stanard
Louis Stanard-Mary Alice Hetrick
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
Holbrook line: George Hayward, Immigrant died 1671
George Hayward is yet another immigrant with a somewhat mysterious past. There were dozens of George Haywards born in England in the time frame 1610-1625, which is the approximate range of birth dates I've seen. Many of these were in Kent, England, but in many different parishes. Perhaps one of these is our George but at this point I'm not picking a favorite. Whoever he was and wherever he came from, he must have had some education in a practical trade or trades, because he was the owner of several different businesses in Concord, Massachusetts.
Yes, Concord is his home town once he arrived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Unfortunately, many of the earliest records of Concord have been lost. However, he was listed as a freeman in Concord in 1636. We don't know for sure when George arrived in America. Competing sources say he came with his wife and one daughter in 1635, and that he married here prior to 1640. Of course, it could be that he came to America with his first wife, she passed away, and he married Mary soon after. Rev. Peter Bulkeley (an Allen ancestor) brought twelve families with him when he came in 1635, and there is mention of a man by the name of Heywood, who seems to be our George Hayward. .
So, he was one of the founders of Concord and as such received a house lot in the first division of lands that faced on the Commons. He received additional land later, but I'm not finding specific mention of how much and when. He built the first saw mill and the first corn mill in Concord, both of which would have been badly needed as Concord was then about 20 miles from Boston. There is also reference to "his iron works", which is intriguing. Is there nothing the man could not do?
We find his name in several Essex County court documents, but not as a defendant. Generally he was testifying to some fact or in one case, on behalf of one of his daughters. He seems to have stayed out of trouble and was respected enough that at one time he was appointed to a committee to help settle a land dispute.
George and Mary had seven children, John, Joseph, Simeon, George, Elizabeth, Sarah and Hannah. They were all mentioned in his estate. There doesn't seem to be a will, because George died in an accident. While he was returning from taking William Frizzell across the river (presumably the Concord River), his canoe capsized and he was drowned. (One researcher says he was 67 years old when he died, which would put his birth date earlier than most others are showing.) He is likely buried in the town's "Old Burying Ground" but there is no stone. Mary lived for another 22 years, dying in 1693.
George's estate was large for the time, valued at just over 500 pounds. The inventory is hard to read, but I believe it includes books at a value of over three pounds, which would have been significant. I'd sure like to know what he read, and whether his children attended any kind of school. If they did, was it just the boys, or were the girls allowed to learn, also?
Concord is a town with a lot of history. Just over 100 years after George died, the town participated in the battles of April 19, 1775, when the British were routed at the start of the Revolutionary War. Later, this is the hometown of Louisa May Alcott (a distant Allen cousin), Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry Thoreau. There are a lot of good reasons to visit Concord, and walking in the footprints of George Hayward would be one of those reasons
The line of descent is
George Hayward-Mary
Joseph Hayward-Elizabeth Treadway
Lydia Hayward-John Hanchett
Hannah Hanchett-John Stannard
Libbeus Stanard-Eunice Pomeroy
Libbeus Stannard-Luceba Fay
Hiram Stanard-Susan Eddy
Louis Stanard-Mary Alice Hetrick
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Yes, Concord is his home town once he arrived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Unfortunately, many of the earliest records of Concord have been lost. However, he was listed as a freeman in Concord in 1636. We don't know for sure when George arrived in America. Competing sources say he came with his wife and one daughter in 1635, and that he married here prior to 1640. Of course, it could be that he came to America with his first wife, she passed away, and he married Mary soon after. Rev. Peter Bulkeley (an Allen ancestor) brought twelve families with him when he came in 1635, and there is mention of a man by the name of Heywood, who seems to be our George Hayward. .
So, he was one of the founders of Concord and as such received a house lot in the first division of lands that faced on the Commons. He received additional land later, but I'm not finding specific mention of how much and when. He built the first saw mill and the first corn mill in Concord, both of which would have been badly needed as Concord was then about 20 miles from Boston. There is also reference to "his iron works", which is intriguing. Is there nothing the man could not do?
We find his name in several Essex County court documents, but not as a defendant. Generally he was testifying to some fact or in one case, on behalf of one of his daughters. He seems to have stayed out of trouble and was respected enough that at one time he was appointed to a committee to help settle a land dispute.
George and Mary had seven children, John, Joseph, Simeon, George, Elizabeth, Sarah and Hannah. They were all mentioned in his estate. There doesn't seem to be a will, because George died in an accident. While he was returning from taking William Frizzell across the river (presumably the Concord River), his canoe capsized and he was drowned. (One researcher says he was 67 years old when he died, which would put his birth date earlier than most others are showing.) He is likely buried in the town's "Old Burying Ground" but there is no stone. Mary lived for another 22 years, dying in 1693.
George's estate was large for the time, valued at just over 500 pounds. The inventory is hard to read, but I believe it includes books at a value of over three pounds, which would have been significant. I'd sure like to know what he read, and whether his children attended any kind of school. If they did, was it just the boys, or were the girls allowed to learn, also?
Concord is a town with a lot of history. Just over 100 years after George died, the town participated in the battles of April 19, 1775, when the British were routed at the start of the Revolutionary War. Later, this is the hometown of Louisa May Alcott (a distant Allen cousin), Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry Thoreau. There are a lot of good reasons to visit Concord, and walking in the footprints of George Hayward would be one of those reasons
The line of descent is
George Hayward-Mary
Joseph Hayward-Elizabeth Treadway
Lydia Hayward-John Hanchett
Hannah Hanchett-John Stannard
Libbeus Stanard-Eunice Pomeroy
Libbeus Stannard-Luceba Fay
Hiram Stanard-Susan Eddy
Louis Stanard-Mary Alice Hetrick
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Friday, March 2, 2018
Holbrook line: Nicholas Haile, Immigrant
I don't know if I've ever written about an ancestor who had so many purported fathers. I'd love to agree with the family historians who say his father was George Haile, that George was the immigrant, and that Nicholas was in fact born in 1628 in Elizabeth City, Virginia. George arrived in Virginia in 1620 on the "Supply" and was a drummer. Or maybe his father was also Nicholas, and maybe our Nicholas didn't arrive at Elizabeth City until 1645. Possibly, just possibly, his father was Thomas Haile, with no speculation at all as to how Nicholas arrived in Virginia, or when. So take your pick, I guess. If I were working on a hunch, and putting out money to research one or another, I'd start with George,but that is certainly not saying George has been proven. George needs to be proved or disproved. Even if he is not Nicholas's father, he may provide a clue, as someone else in that family may be the father.
So what we know of Nicholas starts in Elizabeth City, Virginia. He has records in both Lancaster and York counties,starting from May 1654, including land on the Corrotoman River. Nicholas was able to purchase several large parcels of land and also was granted head rights in May of 1666 and again in 1669, meaning he earned land because he paid for the passage of several people from England to Virginia. Some of these people would likely have also become his indentured servants, for they were expected to repay whomever paid for their passage. The dates that he acquired new land indicate that his main crop may have been tobacco, because that crop depleted soils quickly and new land was always needed.
I have seen one reference that he was a burgess, but this honor belongs to Nicholas Hill, who doesn't seem to have any connection to this family Our Nicholas owned enough land to be respectable,(and probably also owned slaves) but he doesn't seem to have had a high enough social status to be chosen as burgess.
Nicholas married Mary, who was evidently not the daughter of Raleigh Travers, although many trees have her listed as his daughter. They had at least three children together, George, Mary and Nicholas, who were all listed in his will. Nicholas died September 8, 1669 and Mary, his widow, died in 1672. (It has been suggested that Mary's maiden name was Pollard, but I don't know if there is any documentation to support that idea. The Hailes did have transactions with the Pollard family, but that isn't conclusive proof.)
If Nicholas was born in 1628, he lived a short life. Virginia at that time was not an easy place to live. It was hard work to clear land, supervise plantings, help with early crops, and take care of the livestock. In addition, there was the threat of native uprisings, and diseases (unspecified fevers, malaria, tuberculosis, for starters) were a huge problem. But Nicholas lived long enough to give his children a good start in life, and to help the colony get better established. Hats off to Nicholas Haile!
The line of descent is
Nicholas Haile-Mary possibly Pollard
Mary Haile-Charles Merryman
John Merryman-Maartha Bowen
Martha Merryman-Alexis Lemmon
Alexis Lemmon-Rachel Stansbury
Sarah Lemmon-Abraham Hetrick
Isaac Hetrick-Elizabeth Black
Mary Alice Hetrick-Louis Stanard
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
So what we know of Nicholas starts in Elizabeth City, Virginia. He has records in both Lancaster and York counties,starting from May 1654, including land on the Corrotoman River. Nicholas was able to purchase several large parcels of land and also was granted head rights in May of 1666 and again in 1669, meaning he earned land because he paid for the passage of several people from England to Virginia. Some of these people would likely have also become his indentured servants, for they were expected to repay whomever paid for their passage. The dates that he acquired new land indicate that his main crop may have been tobacco, because that crop depleted soils quickly and new land was always needed.
I have seen one reference that he was a burgess, but this honor belongs to Nicholas Hill, who doesn't seem to have any connection to this family Our Nicholas owned enough land to be respectable,(and probably also owned slaves) but he doesn't seem to have had a high enough social status to be chosen as burgess.
Nicholas married Mary, who was evidently not the daughter of Raleigh Travers, although many trees have her listed as his daughter. They had at least three children together, George, Mary and Nicholas, who were all listed in his will. Nicholas died September 8, 1669 and Mary, his widow, died in 1672. (It has been suggested that Mary's maiden name was Pollard, but I don't know if there is any documentation to support that idea. The Hailes did have transactions with the Pollard family, but that isn't conclusive proof.)
If Nicholas was born in 1628, he lived a short life. Virginia at that time was not an easy place to live. It was hard work to clear land, supervise plantings, help with early crops, and take care of the livestock. In addition, there was the threat of native uprisings, and diseases (unspecified fevers, malaria, tuberculosis, for starters) were a huge problem. But Nicholas lived long enough to give his children a good start in life, and to help the colony get better established. Hats off to Nicholas Haile!
The line of descent is
Nicholas Haile-Mary possibly Pollard
Mary Haile-Charles Merryman
John Merryman-Maartha Bowen
Martha Merryman-Alexis Lemmon
Alexis Lemmon-Rachel Stansbury
Sarah Lemmon-Abraham Hetrick
Isaac Hetrick-Elizabeth Black
Mary Alice Hetrick-Louis Stanard
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
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