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
His Nephew Nicholas Jackson was a first settler in rowley,ma. His aunt prudence marche was from Devonshire. I hope this helps.
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