52 Ancestors #9 - Thomas Lewis

Thomas Lewis came from Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England to Saco, Maine (then MA) in 1628. He returned to England for a bit and then is back in Saco by June 28, 1631. The date of birth for Thomas Lewis is estimated as about 1590. The Great Migration says he was born in Shrewsbury to Andrew and Mary (Herring) Lewis. In May 1637, we know he was still living as he was sued by his future son-in-law, Richard Gibson for debt. However, he is called "deceased" in court records from April 28, 1640. 

The Council for the Affairs of New England in America granted a patent to Thomas Lewis, gentleman and Captain Richard Bonython on February 12, 1629. This patent extended along the north side of the Saco River for four miles from the mouth of the river and eight miles inland. In return for the patent, the patentees were required to transport fifty people to their colony in the next seven years and pay a small annual rent tot he Council. Thomas Lewis was a vinter and the owner of a tavern in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England called "The Sextry." This tavern was run by his partner, George Cleeve (another Maine immigrant). The web site "Discovering Shropshire's History" has a great deal of information about the tavern which it calls "one of Shrewsbury's best-known and most prestigious taverns." It says Thomas Lewis is of Welsh origin and his parents were Thomas Lewis, a draper and alderman and the daughter of Robert Ireland, Jr. This is in conflict with the information provided by the Great Migration Begins sketch. 



On August 29, 1618, Thomas Lewis married Elizabeth Marshall at St. Chad's, Shrewsbury. Elizabeth was the daughter of Roger and Katherine (Mytton) Marshall. Her will was executed on October 8, 1640 so she likely died shortly before that date. 

St. Chad's Old Church built in the 7th century - a new church was built in 1792

Children: 

1. Mary Lewis was baptized at St. Chad's on June 28, 1619. She married Rev. Richard Gibson in late 1638. It would seem this was not a love story from the court testimony as follows "which marriage was thought a fit means of closing the differences and settling an order both for religion and government...some troublous spirits...have cast an aspersion upon her...which tends to her utter infamy...I married the maid upon long demures..."
2. Susanna Lewis was baptized at St. Chad's on November 2, 1620 and there are no further records for her. 
3. Margaret Lewis was baptized at St. Chad's on April 22, 1622 and there is no further records for her. 
4. Elizabeth Lewis was baptized at St. Chad's on April 7, 1623 and married Robert Haywood of Barbados before March 29, 1662. 
5. Andrew Lewis was baptized at St. Chad's on February 22, 1624/5 and buried at St. Chad's on November 15, 1625. 
6. Judith Lewis was baptized at St. Chad's on October 23, 1626 and married James Gibbons (Gibbins) before 1648 - based on the birth of their first child. 
7. Andrew Lewis was baptized at St. Chad's on March 25, 1628 and there are no further records for him. 

Thomas Lewis
Judith Lewis
Rachel Gibbons
Thomas Edgecomb
Gibbins Edgecomb
Thomas Edgecomb
Mary Edgecomb
Benjamin Perley Philbrick
Lizzie Philbrick
Ray Everett Cotton
Fern Lyndell Cotton - my grandmother

Ancestry.com. The ancestry of Charity Haley, 1755-1800 : wife of Major Nicholas Davis of Limington, Maine [database on-line]. Provo, UT: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005.

Original data: Davis, Walter Goodwin,. The ancestry of Charity Haley, 1755-1800 : wife of Major Nicholas Davis of Limington, Maine. Boston, Mass.: Stanhope Press, 1916.

Ancestry.com. New England, The Great Migration and The Great Migration Begins, 1620-1635[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013.

Original data: Anderson, Robert Charles. The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633, Volumes 1-3; The Great Migration: Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volumes 1-6. Boston: New England Historical and Genealogical Society, 1996-2011.

52 Ancestors #8 - James Gibbons

James Gibbons is my 9th great-grandfather on my father's mother's side. He came from London in 1635 on the Increase and settled at Saco. He later moved to Kittery. He was a yeoman farmer and was made a freeman on July 5, 1653. Based on his listed age of 21 in the ship's passenger list, James Gibbons was born about 1614. He died sometime after July 17, 1690. James Gibbons and Judith Lewis were married about 1648. He was associated with another ancestor, Samuel Andrews. They came on the same ship, both lived in Saco, and both had a notation beside their name that they were "sent away" by Robert Cordell, goldsmith, of Lombard Street. 

Judith Lewis was from a wealthy family and deeds indicate her consent on records regarding the selling lands that James acquired from her inheritance. Since she was the only member of her immediate family to remain in Maine, she inherited all of her father's land in the area. 

Children

1. James Gibbons was born on March 19, 1648/9 in Saco and married Dorcas Seeley (Cilley) in December 1668. 
2. Elizabeth Gibbons was born on April 23, 1652 in Saco and married John Sharp on November 14, 1667 in Saco.
3. Thomas Gibbons was born on November 23, 1654 in Saco and apparently never married. 
4. Rebecca Gibbons was born on January 30, 1656/7 in Saco and died on January 3, 1658/9. 
5. Charity Gibbons was born on January 5, 1658/9 and there are no further records for her. 
6. Rachel Gibbons was born on October 23, 1660 in Saco and married Robert Edgecomb (Edgecome) on May 30, 1682. Robert Edgecomb was the son of Nicholas and Wilmot (Randall) Edgecomb. They lived in Marblehead from 1690 to 1718 after losing a son to Indian attack. However, they returned to Saco after the Second Indian War. Rachel (Gibbons) Edgecomb died on January 13, 1724 and Robert Edgecomb died on June 1, 1730. They are buried in the Rendezvous Point Cemetery, the oldest cemetery in Saco. According to Maine Provincial Court records the couple were presented on May 30, 1682 for "committing fornication." 
   
7. Esther Gibbons was born on August 16, 1664 in Saco and there are no further records for her. 
8. Anthony Gibbons was born on October 14, 1666 in Saco and there are no further records for him. 
9. Hannah Gibbons was born about 1668 and married twice. Her first husband was named ____ Hibbert and her second husband was Robert Mace. She married Robert Mace about 1700. 

James Gibbons
Rachel Gibbons
Thomas Edgecomb
Gibbins Edgecomb
Thomas Edgecomb
Mary Edgecomb
Benjamin Perley Philbrick
Lizzie Philbrick
Ray Everett Cotton
Fern Lyndell Cotton - my grandmother

Ancestry.com. The ancestry of Charity Haley, 1755-1800 : wife of Major Nicholas Davis of Limington, Maine [database on-line]. Provo, UT: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005.

Original data: Davis, Walter Goodwin,. The ancestry of Charity Haley, 1755-1800 : wife of Major Nicholas Davis of Limington, Maine. Boston, Mass.: Stanhope Press, 1916.

Ancestry.com. New England, The Great Migration and The Great Migration Begins, 1620-1635[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013.

Original data: Anderson, Robert Charles. The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633, Volumes 1-3; The Great Migration: Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volumes 1-6. Boston: New England Historical and Genealogical Society, 1996-2011.

52 Ancestors #7 - Samuel Andrews

I have a connection to Samuel Andrews on both my mother's Blake line and my father's Carter line. On both sides, he is my 11th great-grandfather. Samuel Andrews was about 37 years old when he came to Saco, Maine (then part of Massachusetts). He came from London on the Increase in 1635. Records indicate that on April 14, 1635, Samuel, his wife, Jane, a servant, Ellyn Longe, and two daughters, Jane age 3, Elizabeth, age 2,  were examined for passage to New England on the Increase. He was a dyer in England. The Andrews family were part of a larger group coming to Saco on this ship. These included Robert Nanny, age 22, Robert Sankey, age 30, and James Gibbons, age 21. All four of the males have an annotation next to their names "Robert Cordell goldsmith in Limbert [Lombard?] Street sent them away." Samuel Andrews died before August 1, 1638 and his wife Jane remarried about 1641 to Arthur Mackworth of Falmouth (now Portland, ME). The Mackworths lived in Falmouth and Boston. She died in Boston between May and October 1676. 

Children:

1. James Andrews was born on February 21, 1625/6 and baptized at St. James, Garlickhithe, London on March 5, 1625/6. He married two times. His first marriage was to Dorcas Mitton. On August 6, 1696, intentions were published in Boston for a marriage between James Andrews and Margaret (Phips) Halsey. 
2. Rebecca Andrews was born on April 1, 1628 and baptized at St. Peter's, Paul's Wharf, in London on April 16, 1628. She was buried at St. James, Garlickhithe, London on October 6, 1629. 
3. Jane Andrews was born on February 21, 1630 and baptized at St. James, Garlickhithe, London on March 7, 1629/30. She married Francis Neale. 
4. Elizabeth Andrews was born on May 4, 1632 and baptized at St. James, Garlickhithe, London on May 13, 1632. She was married three times. Her first marriage was to Richard Pike about 1653. Her second was to Thomas Purchase about 1657. Her third marriage was to John Blaney in November 1678 in Lynn, Massachusetts. 
5. Samuel Andrews was baptized at St. James, Garlickhithe, London on August 16, 1634 and buried there on September 16, 1634. 
6. Philippa Andrews was born about 1636 and married three times. Her first marriage was to George Felt, son of Great Migration immigrant, George Felt. They married in Falmouth (now Portland, ME) on November 25, 1662.  Her second marriage was to Samuel Platts on December 19 1682 in Rowley, MA. Her third marriage was to Thomas Nelson on April 9, 1690 in Rowley, MA. 

I was intrigued by the name of the area where most of the baptisms were performed. A little research indicates that the word "hythe" refers to a landing place and in that area on the Thames, garlic was sold in medieval times. The church of St. James, Garlickhithe was destroyed in the 1666 Great Fire of London. It's facade was rebuilt by the famous architect, Christopher Wren. St. Peter's, Paul's Wharf (where Rebecca was baptized) was not rebuilt after the Great Fire. 

Rebuilt facade of St. James, Garlickhithe

Another interesting note is that the James Gibbons who came with Samuel Andrews in the Increase is my 9th great-grandfather on my father's Cotton line.  Another connection to this group of men "sent away" by Robert Cordell. 

Carter Line
Samuel Andrews
James Andrews
Dorcas Andrews
Tabitha Davenport
Tabitha Cox
William Moody - brother of Houchin Moody
Elizabeth Moody
William Ackley
Sarah Ackley
Mary Jane Abbott
Fanny May Capen
Thomas Richard Carter - my grandfather

Blake Line
Samuel Andrews
James Andrews
Dorcas Andrews
Tabitha Davenport
Tabitha Cox
Houchin Moody, brother of William Moody
Josiah Moody
Hezekiah Moody
Dolly Estes Moody
Charles Galen Blake
Harriet May Blake
Clayton Leonard Blake - my grandfather

52 Ancestors - John Dwight #6

John Dwight came from Woolverstone, Suffolk, England to Watertown, Massachusetts in 1635. He moved from Watertown to Dedham in 1638. Based on the date of his first marriage, it is estimated that he was born by 1601 and he died on January 24, 1660/1 in Dedham, Massachusetts. His first wife was named Hannah and she died at Dedham on September 5, 1656. John and Hannah Dwight are my 9th great-grandparents. 

John is described as a yeoman, which means someone who farmed their own land. His brother, Timothy Dwight, was another Great Migration immigrant and in Woolverstone he lived alongside Reverend Timothy Dalton and Richard Evered who also emigrated and settled in Dedham.  Timothy Dalton is my 10th great-uncle and Richard Evered is another of my 10th great-grandfathers. 

All of John's children were with his first wife, Hannah

1.  Hannah was baptized on September 3, 1626 in Woolverstone. She married Nathaniel Whiting on November 4, 1643 in Dedham. 
2. John was baptized on July 16, 1629 in Woolverstone and died on March 24, 1638/9 in Dedham. 
3. Timothy was born about 1631 and died in Dedham on January 31, 1717/8. He married five times - 1) Sarah Pennan (called Sibley in his father's will) on November 11, 1651; 2) Sarah Powell on May 3, 1653 in Dedham; 3) Anna Flint on January 9, 1664/5 in Dedham; and 4) Mary (Poole) Edwards on January 7, 1686/7 in Dedham; and 5) Esther (Hunting) Fisher on July 31, 1690 in Dedham. 
4. Mary was born August 25, 1635 and married Henry Phillips shortly after June 24, 1653. 
5. Sarah was born June 17, 1638 in Dedham and married Nathaniel Reynolds in Boston on December 30, 1657. 

John's second wife was Elizabeth, the widow of Thomas Thaxter and William Ripley. John married her at Dedham on January 20, 1657/8.  She died just a few years later when she "drowned herself." 
"About the 6th month last, there was likewise another woman, well reputed of, drowned herself at Dedham, - one Go[ody] Dwite. Two awful strokes unto all that knew them; and no little scandal, by accident, to religion; and a great brand of infamy upon themselves. This is not the death of the righteous" [Hull 196 (entry dated 24 October 1660)]. - Taken from The Great Migration Sketch of John Dwight. 

John Dwight
Hannah Dwight
John Whiting
Jemima Whiting
Joseph Wight
Abigail Wight
Roxanna Spurr
Mary Frances Stanley
Edward Mellen Carter
Thomas Richard Carter - my grandfather
The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1847-. (Online database:AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001-2013.)

52 Ancestors - Christopher Hussey #5

Christopher Hussey from Dorking, Surrey, England came to Lynn, Massachusetts in 1633. He was baptized in Dorking, Surrey on February 18, 1598/9, son of John and Mary (Wood) Huseey.  He moved to Newbury sometime before 1638 and to Hampton, New Hampshire in 1639. He became a freeman on May 14, 1634. He died in March 1685/6 in Hampton, New Hampshire.

He served a deputy for Hampton to the Massachusetts General Court in 1658, 1659, and 1660.

He was granted the right to perform marriages in Hampton on October 18, 1659. He also was granted the right to settle small causes for Hampton several times over the course of his time there. He was a lieutenant and then captain of the train band at Hampton.

Christopher Hussey was married twice. First to Theodate Bachiler by 1635 and second to Ann (Capon) Mingay on December 9, 1658 in Hampton. Theodate was born about 1610 and was the daughter of Stephen Bachiler. Theodate died in the eighth month of 1649 in Hampton. Ann was the widow of Jeffrey Mingay and Ann outlived Christopher, dying on June 24, 1680 in Hampton.

Christopher’s children with Theodate

1.     John was baptized on February 29, 1635/6 in Lynn; married Rebecca Perkins.

2.     Mary was baptized on April 2, 1638 in Newbury; married Thomas Page.

3.     Theodata was baptized on August 23, 1640 in Hampton and died on October 20, 1649.

4.     Stephen was born about 1643; married Martha Bunker

5.     Hulda was born about 1646; married John Smith

The Hussey family came to New England with Reverend Stephen Bachiler. It is unclear whether Christopher and Theodate married in England or in New England.

Christopher Hussey

Huldah/Hannah Hussey

Mary Smith

Elisha Marston

Mary Marston

Hannah Prescott

Mary Edgecomb

Benjamin Philbrick

Lizzie Philbrick

Ray Everett Cotton

Fern Lyndell Cotton

The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-1633, Volumes I-III. (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2010), (Originally Published as: New England Historic Genealogical Society. Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-1633, Volumes I-III, 3 vols., 1995).

The Importance of Family - A Tribute

This morning I was reminded that even when you're expecting something, it can still surprise you. My uncle, David, passed away. I knew the end was near but it is still that shock of confirmation, of finality. My father, Tom, is the oldest and two years later my Uncle Timmy was born. My dad was nine years old when David was born and eleven when the youngest, Stephen was born. Dad used to tease Uncle David that he owned him because one time when David was a toddler, my grandmother got really frustrated with him and said she would sell him for a nickel. My dad took her seriously and promptly gave his mom the nickel to keep his brother. 

David, Timmy, Tommy, Stephen (in front)

My four boys grew up with Uncle David's girls being more like first cousins because he had children in his thirties and I had my children in my twenties and he was only 15 years older than me. David and his wife, Anne, started a cross-country ski center and farm stand in Oxford, Maine and later a ski center in Bethel, next to the Carter family farm. We had many family gatherings in the lodges, Christmas parties with the funniest Yankee swaps, cookouts, and gatherings with our Canadian Carter cousins. Uncle David was able to be at the Bethel lodge for the past few weeks and even skied as much as he could this winter with his family. I feel lucky to have grown up with a strong sense of extended family and I hope I've passed that on to my children. I hope that sense of family and a larger connected support network and heritage helps my cousins through this difficult time. Family - you can't choose your family, you may fuss and fight at times, but in the end you've got to stick together because you have unique memories and strengths.

David Carter in 1969

My grandmother, Uncle David, my mom, Aunt Jodi (Timmy's wife)
This was a fashion show and all clothing came from the Carter family ancestors.

Nothing can compare to this blog post by David's daughter, Emily, an incredibly talented photographer but here are a few of my pictures of memorable times together. 

Tommy, Timmy, Stephen, David around Grampa at the Bethel Ski Lodge

My sons, Steve & Josh flank Great-Aunt Becky & Uncle David

52 Ancestors #4 - Thomas Howlett

Thomas Howlett was born about 1606 based on a deposition taken in 1658 but his English origin is unknown. He died in Ipswich between Nov 4, 1677 and Sept 10, 1678 - the dates when his will was written and when it was proved and his inventory taken. He is my 9th great-grandfather through my grandmother, Linona (Yates) Blake. He came to Boston in 1630 and his emigration date can be estimated as late in that year based on his admission to the Boston church as member number 51. In 1633, he moved to Ipswich and became a freeman on March 4, 1633/4. He served on juries in 1645, 1657, and 1665 and on the Essex grand jury in 1650, 1654, 1659, 1666, and 1667. 

Like many, he was primarily a farmer but he seems to have done a considerable amount of surveying as seen by these events.       

-       On a surveying expedition up the Merrimack in June 1639

-       Committee to determine bounds between Salem and Ipswich in 1643

-       Committee to lay out bounds between Haverhill and Salisbury 1650

-       Committee to lay out six hundred acres to Major Daniel Dennison in 1654

-       Committee to settle the line between Rowley and Newbury in 1655

-       Committee to settle the bounds between Hampton and Salisbury in Nov 1656

-       Committee to lay out land for Governor John Endicott in May 1656

-       Committee to consider the claim to Jeffrey’s Creek 1660

-       Committee to determine bounds between Ipswich and Wenham in 1669

Thomas Howlett married Alice French about 1637. She was the daughter of Thomas French and was baptized April 9, 1610 at Assington, Suffok, England. She was the mother of all his children. After her death, he married Rebecca, widow of Thomas Smith. Rebecca outlived him and died Nov 1, 1680 at Newbury.

Children with Alice

1.     Thomas born about 1637; married Lydia Peabody.

2.     Sarah born about 1639; married John Cummings

3.     John born about 1643; married Susanna Hudson.

4.     Mary born about 1645; married John Perley

5.    Samuel born about 1646; married Sarah Clark

6.     William born about 1650; married Mary Perkins

7.     Nathaniel died April 28, 1658.

Thomas Howlett

Samuel Howlett

Mary Howlett

Jacob Wildes

Ephram Wildes

Molly Wildes

Jacob Emmons

Laura Emmons

Estes Gilbert Yates

Linona Alice Yates - my grandmother

The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-1633, Volumes I-III. (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2010), (Originally Published as: New England Historic Genealogical Society. Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-1633, Volumes I-III, 3 vols., 1995).