William Pillsbury and his wife Dorothy Crosby of Dorchester and Newbury

 

English Origins

William Pillsbury, name spelled variously, is possibly from Leek, Staffordshire. Two genealogies published in the late 19th/ early 20th centuries on the family offered two wills, one for a Thomas Pillsbury of Leek who died in 1622 and a William of Heaton whose will was probated in 1640. Both of these men had sons named William that were born about 1605. Heaton and Leek are only 5 miles apart and it's possible that the two were related. One nod in William's favor is that he was a husbandman and Thomas a blacksmith. As William the immigrant was also a husbandman seems to fit more closely. 

That being said, neither Mary Lovering Holman, noted genealogist of the Pillsbury Family, nor Robert Charles Anderson, confirm any ancestry for William. There is nothing, other than the rarity of the name, to tie William to either man. 

William's possible mother, is dependent on the father. If William Pilsbury of Heaton was the father then  his mother was Agnes (Stodderd) Pilsbury. If Thomas Pilsburie of Leek was the father his mother was Elizabeth (Unknown) Pilsburie. If the father of this profile is neither William Pilsberie of Heaton nor Thomas Pilsburie of Leek, then his mother is unknown.

William's age is based on a 1676 deposition in which he said he was about 71 years old. 

Coming to America

William's name is first found in the records of New England when he and Dorothy Crosby appeared before the Quarterly Court in Boston on 1 June 1641. Both were bound for their good behavior. He was

'enjoined to work with Goodman Wisswell two days of the week and Goodman one day in the week for five years. Their bond was set at ￡10.00.

They next appeared in court on 29 July 1641, this time a married couple. He was censured to be whipped for defiling his masters house as was she. Clearly, both William and Dorothy were indentured servants, in separate houses, and have gotten themselves into a romantic relationship. Their marriage was not recorded, so where exactly they were living is unknown. Their daughter, Dorothy, was born in Dorchester, so it is possible that that is where they resided at the time. 

Children

Deborah, b. April 16, 1642 in Dorchester, m. _______ Ewens

Job, b. October 16, 1643 in Dorchester, m. April 5, 1677 Katherine Gavett in Newbury d. September 10, 1716 in Newbury

Moses, b. about 1645, m. March 1668 Susanna Worth, d. before November 3, 1701 (probate of will)

Abel, b. 1652 in Newbury, m. about 1675 Mary _______, d. before 1697

Caleb, b. January 28, 1653/4 in Newbury, never married, d. July 4, 1680 in Newbury

William, b. July 27, 1656 in Newbury, m. December 13, 1677 Mary Kenny, d. October 28, 1734 in Salisbury. 

Experience, b. April 10, 1658 in Newbury, d. August 4, 1708 in Newbury

Increase, b. October 10, 1660 in Newbury, d. 1690 (drowned off Cape Breton, N.S. in Sir William Phips' expedition)

Thankful, b. April 22, 1662 in Newbury, living and unmarried in 1686

Life in Massachusetts

It is not know for who or for how long William was indentured, but he seems to have been a free man when next he is mentioned in the Dorchester town records in 1648. In 1651 William purchased the home lot of Edward Rawson of Newbury. From 1653 onward, William's name appears in the Newbury records where he bought and sold land. He was a yeoman/husbandman or planter. In otherwords, he was a farmer.

William became a freeman of the Massachusetts Colony in 1668.

William Pillsbury of Newbury wrote his will on 22 April 1686. He named in his will, wife Dorothy, children: Job, Moses, Abel, William, Increase, married daughter Deborah Ewens, Experience and Thankful. William died on 19 June 1686 and buried the next day. His death was noted by diarist Samuel Sewall. 

Sabbath-day Morn. Goodman Pilsbury was buried just after the ringing of the second Bell. Grave dugg over night. Mr. Richardson Preached from I Cor. 3, 21.22, going something out of 's Order by reason of the occasion, and singling out those Words Or Death.

The inventory of William's estate was taken on July 7, 1686 by his son Job and was appraised at over £317, including £190 in land, £45 in livestock, and £12 for a man servant.

His will was probated on September 10, 1686.

Dorothy Crosby was born about 1622 in England. Nothing is known about her ancestry. Her death, after that of her husband, was not recorded. 

My ancestor is their son William who married Mary Kinne, daughter of Henry and Ann Kinne.

Henry Robie of Castle Donington and Hampton, New Hampshire

English Origins

Henry Robie is believed to the son of Thomas and Mary Coxon Robie of Castle Donington, Leicestershire, England. If so, he was baptized on 12 February 1618. His family ancestry can be reliable traced for several generations and the family name is found in local records for centuries. 

Coming to America

The ship and date of sailing are unknown, but Henry's name is found in the Dorchester records by 1639. He didn't stay long in Massachusetts and by 1640 he was in Exeter, New Hampshire and later by 1650, he removed to Hampton, where he spent the remainder of his life. Like all upstanding citizens, Henry performed his civic duties, he acted as constable for the year 1661 and was chosen to be a selectman in 1656. He served as a justice of the peace for many years as well as that of judge of the court of sessions. 

Exeter was known as a lumber town and while there, Henry joined in the building of a sawmill. Later in life he was an innkeeper. 

Family

Henry married three times. [1] Ruth Moore who died 5 May 1673

                                            [2] Elizabeth (Philbrick)(Chase) Garland who died 11 Feb 1677

                                            [3] Sarah (Unknown) who died 23 Jan 1703 

Children: Mary, b. abt. 1644, m. 1663, Samuel Folsom, named in fathers will

                Thomas b. 1 March 1645/6, d. 1689 Falmouth

                 John b. 2 Feb 1648 my ancestor

                 Judith had an illegitimate child, named in fathers will

                 Ruth b. 3 March 1654, named in father's will

                 Deliverance b. 22 March 1657, m. Nathaniel Haseltine, not in father's will

                 Samuel b. 4 August 1659

                 Icabod b. 26 November 1664

                 Sarah b. 19 April 1679, not named in father's will

Life in Exeter and Hampton

Much of what we know about Henry Roby comes from the records of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County of which Exeter and Hampton were a part. I'm not sure when I last saw a name mentioned quite so many times as our Henry. Beginning in 1643 his name is found year in year out. He took the oath of fidelity in 1648. The following year he was made Clerk of the Market, and in 1650 he was a sworn commissioner for Exeter. 

Henry was sued by his neighbor and sued them in return. He once sued the very contentious Edward Colcord for suing him too much. Henry was also in court representing clients as their attorney. He was the town attorney for Hampton for several years. 

Henry seems to have been something of a hot head and was admonished in court in 1664 for reproaching the minister in reviling speeches concerning the ordinance of baptism. At the time there was huge dissent over the act of baptism, which caused hard feelings on both sides. Henry's wife, Elizabeth was ordered to be sent to jail in Boston for her 'contemptuous carriages' in court. She apologized and avoid prison. 

In 1647 in Exeter, Henry was fined for 'drawing wine and beer without a license'. In 1670 in Hampton he was granted a license, which was renew for many years. The court ruled he could keep an Ordinary but was bound not to let the town's children and servants 'lie tippling in his house'. This order was reinforced in 1679 when the court reminded him that the Ordinary was for travelers only, no townfolk could be served. Henry apparently like to serve himself. He was excommunicated from the church of Hampton by Rev. Moody for being a common drunkard. 

Henry's daughter Judith found her way into the court records when she had a child out of wedlock. The court ordered John Young, the father, to pay maintenance for the child. Apparently the couple never married and the Robys were often in court seeking payment. 

Henry died in 1688. The Reverend Cotton said of him, 'he would not have so honorable a burial as an ass'. This seems to be the case and it is said that 'when dead, his body was taken and thrown in a hole near the great rock in the rear of the old meeting house sometime in the night'. This was to avoid his creditors putting a lien on the body. 

Henry left a lengthy will and codicil. The inventory was extensive and include a 'looking glass that was bought in England'. He was evidently a successful businessman, despite his drinking. 

Sources: 

https://www.seacoastonline.com/news/20170119/life-of-early-hampton-settler-henry-roby

http://www.hampton.lib.nh.us/hampton/history/church/congregational/churchmanual/congo_1.htm

Ancestry of Henry Robie of Castle Donington and Hampton, New Hampshire

 

Henry Roby/Robie was an English immigrant who came to New England by the year 1639 making him part of the Great Puritan Migration. It is said that he was the Henry Roby baptized in Castle Donington, Leicestershire on 12 February 1618, the son of Thomas and Mary (Coxen) Robie. His ancestry has been traced back to the 15th century. The name Robie can be found in local records as far back as the 13th century, but there is not enough to trace his lineage that far. 

*John b. about 1455 d. about 1515, wife unknown

        *Thomas b. about 1500, m. Elizabeth Swaine abt. 1530, bur. 5 December 1552

            *Thomas b. 12 April 1536, styled a yeoman, m. 25 Nov. 1569 Joanne Cowley, d/o George Cowley (she d. 10 Oct. 1579), m. (2) 20 Feb 1582/3 Mary Gatley, he d. 12 Sep. 1588

                *Thomas b. 20 April 1576, m. 29 Nov 1606 Mary Coxen b. 20 April 1586 she d. 26 April             1641,  he died 27 March 1653.

Castle Donington is a small market town in the midlands. It was awarded it's market by King Edward I in the 13th century. The parish church is St. Edward King and Marytr, this ancient structure was begun in the 12th century and added to over the years. 

**Photos from Geograph.org 

The house is called the Key Roby house and was built by a Thomas Roby in 1636.

George Corliss: Immigrant to New England

 

english origins

George Corliss is said to hail from Devonshire. There is no proof to confirm his origins, his parents are unknown. He is supposed to have been born about 1617. His arrival in New England cannot be pinpointed. 

haverhill

George is first recorded in Massachusetts in 1639 in the town of Newbury. He gave his age as 22. On 26 October 1645, George Corliss married Joanna Davis, daughter of Thomas and Christian Bellshire Davis of Haverhill. They settled in the West Parish of Haverhill on a farm called Poplar Lawn. He was also made a freeman of the colony in 1645.

Like all men of good standing he did his civic duties. George served as constable in 1650 and as Selectman in 1653, 1657, 1669 and 1679. 

children

Mary 1646, married William Neff

John 1648

Joanna 1650, married Joseph Hutchins

Martha 1652, married Samuel Ladd

Deborah 1655, married Thomas Eastman, Thomas Kingsbury

Ann born 8 November 1657, married John Robie

Huldah 1661, married Samuel Kingsbury

Sarah 1663, married Joseph Ayer

rip

George died in Haverhill on 19 Oct 1686. Joanna died 17 April 1688. George left a substantial estate, and bequeathed land of some sort to most of his children. 

See Thomas Davis and Christian Bellshire

Thomas Davis and Christian Bellshire; Immigrants to New England

English Origins

Thomas Davis is believed on strong circumstantial evidence to be the son of John and Agnes Unknown Davis of Acton Turville, Gloucestershire a parish of Chipping Sodbury. Agnes was not Agnes Chandler. This was a different couple. Thomas and Agnes had the following children, known from his will. Samuel, Thomas, James, and a daughter Sarah. James had two sons, James and John, also named. At the time of its writing, John Davis was married to a Sarah Reede. The date of death of Agnes is unknown. 

Summary of the will of John Davis:

- my son Samuel...

- my son Thomas...

- James and John Davis, sons of my son James...

- Sarah, daughter of my son James...

- Sarah my now wife...

- remainder of estate to son James who is to be excecutor.

Abstract of will of JOHN DAVIS, Acton Turville, 1626:

In the name of God Amen, I, John Davis of Acton Turville in the countye of Glouc., yeoma', sycke in bodye but of good and p'fect memory, do make thys my laste will and Testament in manner and form following. My bodye to be buryed in ye Churchyarde of Acton Turville aforesaide. It' I gyve unto my sonne Samyll in regard of one cowe whych . . . Item I gyve unto my sonne Thomas twelve pence. Item I guve unto . . . sonne twelve pence. Item I geve unto James Davys and John Davis my sonne James his sonness...shillings a peece. I gyve unto Sara my sonne James his daugher (ten shillings?). Item I gyve unto Sara my nowe wyfe on coffer. ffurther my will is that I...which I gyve unto my Sonn Samyll in regard of his...him bymy executor when he have served his apprentis...not then to remayne to my sonne James his children. It'l al the est of my goods moveable and unmoveable andye executorsyeare of my lease...my sonne James Davys whome I make my executor of this my last will and testament. Also I do Intreate and Apoynt will p'formed...Apryll 1626.

The marke of John x Davis. Wytness to this will John Sloper"

James Davis of Haverhill, Massachusetts in a known son of John Davis of Acton Turville. This seems to cement the relationship between Thomas and the Davis' of Acton Turville. 

marriage

Thomas is believed to have been born about 1603 and married Christian Bellshire in Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire, England on 14 November 1622. This would put Thomas at age nineteen, a bit on the young side for marriage but it seems to check out. 

children

Joanna b. about 1625, married Oct. 1645 George Corliss, 4 Oct. 1687 James Ordway

Joseph b. about 1627, d. 15 Nov. 1671, unmarried and childless.

Mary bp. 29 March 1629 Chipping Sodbury, nothing further

coming to new england

Thomas Davies, Sawyer, of Marlborough, sailed on the James in 1635 out of Southampton. He had two children; Joanna and Joseph. He first settled in Newbury before removing to Haverhill where he was known to be by 1641 where he became a freeman on 2 June. He was not only a sawyer but also a mason, and was known as a yeoman. Although he owned books, he made his mark on various documents. 

Like most men of the time, Thomas performed his civic duties, serving on juries, both petit and grand, commission to end small causes and once served as constable. He would have served with thl local militia until he was dismissed in 1662. This was usual for men when they reached about age 60 or so. 

He owned and sold various properties and in 1661 he deeded land to his son Joseph adjoining his in Haverhill. When he died on 27 July 1683, the majority of the value of his estate was in property.

rip

Christian died in Haverhill on 7 April 1668. Thomas lived a good long life and died at about age 80 on 27 July 1683.

see George Corliss

Sources:

Chase, George Wingate, 1826-1867. The History of Haverhill, Massachusetts: From Its First Settlement In 1640 to the Year 1860. Haverhill [Mass.]: Published by the author, 1861.

Great Migration 1634-1635, C-F. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2008.) Originally published as: The Great Migration, Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volume II, C-F, by Robert Charles Anderson, George F. Sanborn, Jr., and Melinde Lutz Sanborn. Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001.

https://www.americanancestors.org/DB115/i/7373/315/22175288

Henry Ambrose of Kersey, Suffolk; Immigrant to New England

English Origins

According to a 1992 article in the New Hampshire Genealogical Record. Henry Ambrose, immigrant to New England hailed from Kersey, Suffolk. Kersey is a scant 10 or so miles from Groton, home of John Winthrop, Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Coincidence? I think not, and it's interesting to note, than another ancestor, John Gage, is likely the boy baptized in Kersey in 1605.

Kersey is a sleepy little village, once famous for its Kersey woollen cloth. Today, its famous for the houses that Henry Ambrose saw on a daily basis. 

Henry was born in 1613, baptized in the ancient church of St Marys.

New England

It is not known when he sailed for America but he was recorded in Hampton, New Hampshire in 1640. A carpenter by trade, Henry went where there was business. At some point, either before or after sailing, he married a woman named Susanna. In 1647 Henry sold his house and house lot to the Reverend Wheelwright, but it is believed he purchased another home as he remained in Hampton until 1649.

In 1650 Henry is recorded as living in Salisbury. In 1654 he was in Boston. 1656 Charlestown and finally back to Boston, where he died in 1658. 

Henry served on the Gran Jury as well as the Jury of Trial at various Quarterly Courts.

Family

Henry and Susanna had a relatively small family with large gaps between some of the children. Were there miscarriages in between?  

Ebenezer b. about 1640 probably in Hampton

Samuel bapt. 25 July 1641 Hampton

Henry b. June 1649

Abigail bp. 28 Dec 1654

Henry died in Boston. His inventory reveals his home to be typical of the time. Two stories with two rooms on each floor, plus a cellar. In the Great Chamber was found a long table with six stools and three chairs, a chest and sideboard and a second small table. The Great Lower Room was filled with a bed, a trundle bed, a table, kettle, cupboard with books and pewter. The Kitchen  had yet another table and chairs plus all the accouterments you'd need to prepare food. The rooms upstairs appear to have been used for storage. All in all his estate was valued at 337£.

Susanna

Susanna remained a widow for several years after Henry's death. She married in Salisbury on 2 October 1663 to John Severence. His wife, Abigail, died in 1658, same year as Henry, giving birth to her eleventh child. John ran several ordinarys (taverns) and was likely in need of a wife and mother for his children. He died in 1682, leaving Susanna a widow for the second time. She was still alive in 1692.

My Ancestry

I am descended from his son Henry who also married a woman, a widow, named Susanna.

Henry Ambrose of Kersey, Suffolk, England

Henry Ambrose, immigrant to New England is the third of that name who can be found in the parish records of a small Suffolk village. His grandfather Henry, b. about 1555 married Johane Hills on 23 May 1580 at his parish church. The church was St. Mary's, the oldest parts date to the 12th century and it was once an important pilgrimage site. He would have walked past if not into The Bell Inn of Kersey, a 14th century Inn. Kersey cloth, a woolen cloth was made in and named for the village. Kersey is only about 11 miles from another Suffolk village, Groton. As you know, Groton was the home of John Winthrop.

Henry and Johane had at least four children:

Mary 1581-1582

Henry 1584-1631

William 1587-?

Edward 1590-1622

Not much is known about the family. Henry died before 4 Oct. 1618 and Johane died by 22 June 1622.

Henry Ambrose .b. 1584 married a woman known only as Mary. The couple had at least four children.

Johane b. 1611

Henry 'the immigrant' baptized in St. Mary's 15 June 1613

Katherine b. 1618

Elizabeth b, 1621

I wonder how many of these houses, Henry would recognize. 

John Smith and Deborah Parkhurst: Great Migration Immigrants to Watertown, Hampton and Martha's Vineyard

Apologies to all the John Smith's in the world, but dang, this is a hard name to research, it's just too common. The English origins of John Smith, who married Deborah Parkhurst are uncertain but noted Great Migration genealogist Robert Charles Anderson wrote an article in 1985 laying out his research and conclusion and difficult to trace without a serious clue. So, here is what I know about John Smith.

The Norcross Connection

On 1 December 1640 the General Court of Massachusetts handed down an order in a case involving one John Smith Jr. and 'his father' Jeremy Norcross. It is clear from their surnames that Norcross must be the step-father and not the biological father of John. Anderson believes that this John Smith is the man who received land in Watertown in 1636, 1637, and 1638. His grants were small indicating that he was single. 

On 14 September 1611 at St. Luke, Chelsea, Middlesex, Jeremy Norcross married Audrie Smithe, widow. They had children baptized at All Hallows, Bread Street, London. This couple and their children immigrated to Massachusetts and lived in Watertown. Anderson believes that she is the mother of immigrant John Smith. If so, he is birth is before the 1611 marriage and would fit with him being a young man in his twenties during the early Watertown grants. If true, then Smith was likely born in London, but his parental ancestry remains unknown as does his mother's maiden name.

Hampton

In 1642 Watertown audited all the grant lands to ascertain who remained in town and held their original land. John Smith Jr. is not on the list. He had removed to Hampton, New Hampshire. A list of first-comers, includes a Goodman Smith how arrived in the second summer (1639). He and his wife, Goodwife Smith, were assigned seats in the meetinghouse in 1650. Sadly, no first names were recorded. 

Goody Smith was Deborah Parkhurst, daughter of George and Phebe Leete Parkhurst of Watertown. Her mother died in Watertown in about 1644 and her father returned to England in 1655. 

Martha's Vineyard

In 1653 a John Smith is found in the records of Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard. He appears in the records for doing various civic duties such as Magistrate Assistant and for land grants. In 1659 he became one of the 10 associate proprietors of Nantucket. In 1662 he was part of the train band for Martha's Vineyard. This would indicate that he was not yet above 60 years old, when most men were relieved of duty. He is last recorded in Martha's Vineyard in 1664. 

Nantucket

In 1670, John Smith, of sound body and mind, wrote his will on the island of Nantucket. He says he was in perfect health. In his will he names his wife Deborah and children Phillip, John, Samuel, Deborah and Abigail. John and Samuel split the Nantucket property and Phillip got Martha's Vineyard.

It is not know when John died, but his son John sold the Nantucket land in 1674 and moved to Hampton, New Hampshire. So his father was dead prior to 1674. His mother may have died about 1686 when Phillip sold the family homestead to his brother Samuel. 

Quakers

Many of the early settlers of Nantucket were Quakers and quiet a few folk left Hampton when they were being persecuted. I wonder if John was a Quaker? 

Deborah Smith Batchelder

I descend from daughter Deborah. She was born about 1640, probably in Hampton. She married Nathaniel Batchelder, grandson of the Reverend Stephen Batchelder. She died quite young in 1676 in Hampton. 

Sources:

[1]The American Genealogist. New Haven, CT: D. L. Jacobus, 1937-. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2009 - .)

https://www.americanancestors.org/DB283/i/12790/23/0

[2]http://history.vineyard.net/jsmith.htm (Early settlers of Edgartown - online)

John Pike and Dorothy Daye of Landford, Wiltshire, England: 1635 Immigrant to New England

Landford, Wiltshire, England creative commons license

english origins

John Pike, 1635 immigrant to New England was recorded on the passenger list for the James on 5 April 1635, as a laborer of Langford, Wiltshire, England. There's not much in Landford, the parish church was built in 1858, the Landford Manor house dates from the 17th century, after John had sailed away. Landford is about 10 miles south of the large town of Salisbury. John's ancestry is not known.

John of Landford married Dorothy Daye of Boscombe, Wiltshire on 17 January 1612/13 in a neighboring parish, Whiteparish, about 3 miles away. The baptisms for two of his children are recorded at Landford, whose parish records from this time no longer exist; Israel in 1623 and their second son John in 1628. The remainder of the children are presumed to have been baptised there as well. 

Dorothy Day, b. about 1592, was the daughter of Thomas and Joan (Morris) Day of Boscombe, Wiltshire. Boscombe is to the north of Salisbury, about 18 miles from Landford. Thomas and Joan were married in Whiteparish on 12 June 1589. It is suggested that there might be a Morris connection to that place.

I found a reference to a court case which involved Thomas Day of Boscombe in 1602, which seems to cement this as his place of residence. 

Thomas wrote his will in June of 1631. He names his daughter, Dorothy Pike and her husband John. Thomas leaves her and her children 2 shillings apiece. His unmarried daughters get a sum of money either £100 or £20, a lot of money in those days. He also mentions his living at Newton which is nearby. It would seem that Thomas was fairly well off. 

Dorothy's mother wrote her will on 28 March 1632. Joan made a bequeath to her son-in-law John Pike and his children with no mention of Dorothy. It is believed that she died between her father's will and her mothers. 

children

1. John, bp Whiteparish, 8 November 1613

2. Roberts, b. abt. 1617

3. Dorothy b. abt. 1619

4. Anne b. abt. 1621

5. Israel bp. 20 April 1623, Landford

6. John bp. 18 May 1628, Landford buried there on 18 August 1628.

coming to america

At the age of 48, John Pike made the momentous decision to leave England and take his five children to New England. The sailed aboard the James from the port at Southampton, only 14 miles from their home. They arrived in Boston on 3 June 1635. The fledging colony was only five years old. Israel, the youngest child, was twelve, her oldest brother John was 22. What must they have thought?

Ipswich and Newbury

The family made a brief stop in the town of Ipswich before settling in Newbury on the banks of the Parker River. John remained here until shortly before his death. 

Puritan men, of good social standing were expected to serve their town and colony in civic duties, such as serving on juries. John also acted as an attorney in a couple of court cases. Clearly, he not just a laborer. In a case dated 1647, John was fined 32 shillings for 'taking the coat of Thomas Blomefield, detaining it after it was cried three times and cutting it too pieces'. I'm sure there is a good story there. The last case in which I found his name was in 1654 when he represented the town of Newbury in court. He must have moved to Salisbury thereafter. Perhaps his health was failing and he needed the care of his family.

Although Charles Banks includes a Mrs. Pike in his list of Pike family members aboard the James, there is no record of a second marriage for John. It is possible, women were of little note in those days, unless they did something bad or left a will. So, for now, I will assume that his only marriage was to Dorothy. 

death

John Pike's will was written on 24 May 1654. He died on 26 May, two days later. He was 67. He made bequeaths to two grandsons named John Pike, one the son of John, the other of Robert. He named his daughters, Dorothy, Anne and Israel as well as his daughter-in-laws. His inventory included a house and land in Newbury and land in Salisbury, each valued at 60£. Every item he owned was inventoried down to his mittens. Cattle was very valuable, he sole cow was worth 39£.

sources:

*The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1847-. (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001-2018.)

https://www.americanancestors.org/DB202/i/11657/319/0

*THE WILTSHIRE Archeological and Natural History MAGAZINE

By SOCIETY FORMED IN THAT COUNTY · 1885 Volume 22 (Thomas Day of Boscombe)

*The American Genealogist. New Haven, CT: D. L. Jacobus, 1937-. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2009 - .)

https://www.americanancestors.org/DB283/i/13133/256/24764501

George Parkhurst (1588-1675): England to New England and back again

Not everyone who immigrated to the new world made a success of it. Some didn't like it, some couldn't hack it, some were homesick. Sometimes they took one look at the Massachusetts Bay Colony from the ship and booked their return passage home on the spot. My ancestor George Parkhurst was one of those, for whatever reason, eventually returned to England for good. Here is what I know about him.

english origins

George Parkhurst was born about 1588, based on a court record. It is likely that he was born in or around the town of Ipswich in Suffolk. His family origins can be traced to Guildford in Surrey. In 1561 his Grandfather, Christopher Parkhurst moved his family to Ipswich. I will cover these older ancestors in a separate article as they are very interesting. See Ancestors of George Parkhurst here.

George married a woman named Phebe Leete, who also comes from a traceable family and will also be a future article. Phebe was the daughter of Robert and Alice (Grundy) Leete of Little Eversden in Cambridgeshire. She was baptized on 20 December 1585. Their marriage is not recorded but based on the 1612 birth of their daughter Phebe, they were married no later than very early 1612 if not 1611.

The house pictured below is  called The Five Gables, and is located in Little Eversden, the home of Phebe Leete. Phebe would have been familiar with this house. The oldest part, the hall dates from the medieval times, the newest bits are 17th century, and may have been added before  she died. 

17George and Phebe lived in Ipswich where they baptized their nine children:

1. Phebe, bapt. 29 Nov 1612 at St.Stephens; m. 1st at Wolverstone, Suffolk home of her aunt Ruth Dalton 27 March 1635 Daniel Dan. m. 2nd widower Thomas Arnold, they lived in Watertown and Providence, RI.

2. Mary bapt. 28 August 1614 at St. Lawrence, parish of St. Mary-at-the-Quay, 1638, the Reverend Thomas Carter, first minister of Woburn, MA, she died in 1687, 8 children.

3. Samuel bapt. 2 Feb 1616/17 at St. Margarets, no further information, likely died young

4. Deborah bapt. 1 Aug 1619 St. Margarets, m. 1st John Smith of Watertown, moved to Hampton, NH. and Edgartown by 1653. had 5 children.

5. George bapt. 5 June 1621 St. Margarets, m. 1st Sarah d/o Abraham Brown on 16 Dec 1643, m. 2nd 24 September 1650 in Watertown, widow Mary Veazie. d. 16 March 1698/9 age 81.

6. John bapt. 19 Oct. 1623. likely died young.

7. Abigail bapt. 1 Jan 1625/6 at St. Margaret. died young

8. Elizabeth b. in the parish of St. Mary-le-Tower. m. 1st Emmanuel Hilliard  how was lost on a boat on 20 October 1659, m. 2nd widower Joseph Merry, moved with her father to Edgartown in 1678. 

9. Joseph bapt. 21 Dec. 1629 at St. Margarets, m. Concord 26 June 1656 Rebecca Reed d/o Esdras Reed, lived in Chelmsford. 

Now businesses, these 15th century houses would have been very familiar to George Parkhurst and his family. They are located in Ipswich. It is possible he may have been inside one or two!

coming to america

It is not known exactly when the Parkhurst family left Ipswich for the Massachusetts Bay Colony. We also do not know if Phebe was still alive and made the trans-atlantic crossing. Perhaps she was buried alongside her three young children. In any case, George is first found in the town of Watertown in 1642 when the town ordered that a road be built to his house. According to Bond, George had a homestall of 12 acres and five other lots of land. 

remarriage

In 1644 George married Susanna Simson, the widow of John Simpson who was buried in Watertown on 10 June 1643. She had five children by him (Simon). Through this marriage George acquired most of John Simpson's land. Soon after the marriage, the combined family moved to Boston. He was approximately 56 years old, his youngest child was the fifteen-year-old Joseph. 

boston

Soon after this second marriage, George and Susanna moved to Boston. We don't know why. He sold his land in Watertown and in 1655 he sold the last parcel of John Simpson's Watertown land. He had to petition the General Court to enable the sale of the land and in his petition he states he is near 67 years old and his wife is near destitute. He tells the court she has gone to London with six of her ten children and that she found her mother, brothers, and sisters unable to do what she had expected. What this was we do not know, but my best guess is to support her and the children financially. George, he explained, needed to leave Massachusetts and go to London to help her. The deed of sale was recorded on 13 June 1655 and that's the last of George in the American record. 

What became of the family in England, we do not know. 

George and Susanna had the following children:

10. Benjamin b.Watertown or Boston, about 1645, if he was taken back to England he returned later and settled in Woodbridge, NJ about 1670. 

11. Unknown son, prob. b. Watertown or Boston, returned to England

12. Daniel, bapt. Boston 1st Church on 10 June 1649. 

13. Joshua bapt. Boston, 1st Church on 7 March 1651/2

14. Caleb bapt. Boston, 1st Church on 26 Feb 1653/4 

rip

It is possible that George is the 'Old George Parkhurst' who was buried on 18 June 1675, at St. Lawrence, Ipswich, England. If so, then George ended up back at the start. 

Below, is a rather gloomy St. Lawrence in Ipswich. Any Churchyard used for burials is all paved over. 

Most of my information comes from the brilliant book; Fifty Great Migration Colonists by Genealogist John Brooks Threlfall. It's expensive but worth the cost. (at least it was for me!) Click on the cover and the link will take you to the Amazon page where you can check it out.