(Today is the 325th Anniversary of 8x great grandfather Stephen Greenleaf Jr.
reporting a conversation involving a William Sargent. At the time I wrote this
back in June 2009 I thought it was my 9x great grandfather William Sargent,
but he had died in 1675. I now believe it refers to his son, also named William,
my 8x great granduncle, so the mystery is, I think, solved.))
Stephen Greenleaf, Sr. had come to the Bay Colony with his father Edmund Greenleaf
and settled in Newbury, Essex Co. Ma. On 13Nov 1651 he married Elizabeth Coffin,
daughter of Tristram Coffin and Dionis Stevens and his first son, Stephen Greenleaf,
Jr. was born 15Aug 1652.
Stephen Jr. is most often referred to as Captain Greenleaf in the family genealogy and
is termed a "great Indian fighter." I've found several references to his having had a
prominent role in a battle in 1690 in Wells, Maine but as yet I haven't found any
account of the event anywhere else online. However, I have found several documents
dealing with his military career.
The first of these seems to be a report of a conversation he had or overheard with a man
named William Sargeant(Sargent) of Amesbury. This took place during the campaign in
Maine of 1689:
"Testimony of S. Greenleafe Junr
The testimony of Stephen Greenleaf Jun. That on the 8th of Aprill he heard Wm Sargeant
of Ames bury who came lately from the Indians (among whom he had bin a season) to
affirme these things to be told by the Indians.
That the Gouernour had agreed with three nations of Indians besides the Mowhakes to
come downe vpon the English & on the agree mt had given them some money & some coats,
That
the Penicook Indians had no designe for warre, but they being in
combination with the mowhakes he thought they would be ruled by them,
& do as they did.
That he thought that euery day that it was neglected it was too long, & he was affraid that
there would be bloud shed.
That he had done no hurt agt the English, & he was glad he went no farther then Mr Hinks
his house with the post letters, & mr Hinks stopt him,
Divers other words were spoken, but this as farre as he remembers was the substance of
what was spoken
Taken on oath Aprill 9th 1689. before me Jon Woodbridge J. P".
James Phinney Baxter, History of the State of Maine Maine Historical Society
Portland, Me. 1890 pp472-473
I think the "Gouernor" refers to the French Governor of Quebec.
Now what struck me about this testimony was the name of the person that it concerns:
William Sargeant of Amesbury. One of my ancestors is William Sargent of Amesbury and
now I'm wondering if this is him. And if it is, what was he doing spending a season among
the Indians? Noting the April 8th date, then Sargeant had spent the winter, perhaps
trapping or trading for fur with the tribes .
I've found no answers to this as yet. So now I have a new family mystery to solve!
Showing posts with label Greenleaf Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Greenleaf Family. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 09, 2014
Sunday, March 02, 2014
52 ANCESTORS IN 52 WEEKS #8: EDMUND GREENLEAF PT3
The most interesting part of Edmond Greenleaf's will is that codicil:
"The following paper is also recorded in the "Probate Records," appended to the
will, as, probably, assigning the reason why the name of his second wife, who
appears to have outlived him, was not mentioned:—
"When I married my wife, I kept her grandchild, as I best remember, three years to
schooling, diet and apparel; and William Hill, her son, had a bond of six pounds a year, whereof I received no more than a barrel of pork of £3-0-0 of that £6-0-0 a year he was
to pay me, and sent to her son Ignatius Hill, to the Barbadoes, in mackerel, cider, and
bread and pease, as much as come to twenty pounds, and never received one penny of
it. His aunt gave to the three brothers £50 apiece. I know not whether they received it
or no; but I have not received any part of it.
"Witness my hand. (Signed) Edmund Greenleaf."
"Besides, when I married my wife, she brought me a silver bowl, a silver porringer,
and a silver spoon. She lent or gave them to her son, James Hill, without my consent."
So apparently Edmund felt his stepsons and step grandson were slackers who hadn't
paid the debts they owed him, and that his second wife Sara was what we would
call today an enabler. The silver set incident seems to have particularly angered
Edmund since he makes special mention of it, since it was part of the dowry she
brought him when they married. It seems rather harsh by my modern view (although
not in the same class as my other ancestor William Hedge's dismissal of his wife
Blanche in his will).
I hope the second Sarah's three sons provided for their mother afterwards.
I learned two new things about Edmund Greenleaf working on this series. The first
was that he'd had a second wife. The second thing is a result of two readers generously sharing their research with me. One person is someone who I'll call D.P. since I
don't have permission as yet to use her name here; the other is fellow New England geneablogger Sara Campbell What I learned from what they both sent me is that
Edmund's first wife Sarah was not Sarah Dole, but rather Sarah Moore.
When I first started researching my family tree everything I could find on Edmund Greenleaf said it was Sarah Dole, but most of that research was from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Research in England in the late 20th century discovered documents that showed that my ancestress was actually Sarah Moore. This proves that while the old genealogy books on Google are great sources they are not always accurate and the information in them should be confirmed.
Thanks to D.P. and Sara Campbell for the information, and I am adjusting my database
and family tree to reflect it.
"The following paper is also recorded in the "Probate Records," appended to the
will, as, probably, assigning the reason why the name of his second wife, who
appears to have outlived him, was not mentioned:—
"When I married my wife, I kept her grandchild, as I best remember, three years to
schooling, diet and apparel; and William Hill, her son, had a bond of six pounds a year, whereof I received no more than a barrel of pork of £3-0-0 of that £6-0-0 a year he was
to pay me, and sent to her son Ignatius Hill, to the Barbadoes, in mackerel, cider, and
bread and pease, as much as come to twenty pounds, and never received one penny of
it. His aunt gave to the three brothers £50 apiece. I know not whether they received it
or no; but I have not received any part of it.
"Witness my hand. (Signed) Edmund Greenleaf."
"Besides, when I married my wife, she brought me a silver bowl, a silver porringer,
and a silver spoon. She lent or gave them to her son, James Hill, without my consent."
So apparently Edmund felt his stepsons and step grandson were slackers who hadn't
paid the debts they owed him, and that his second wife Sara was what we would
call today an enabler. The silver set incident seems to have particularly angered
Edmund since he makes special mention of it, since it was part of the dowry she
brought him when they married. It seems rather harsh by my modern view (although
not in the same class as my other ancestor William Hedge's dismissal of his wife
Blanche in his will).
I hope the second Sarah's three sons provided for their mother afterwards.
I learned two new things about Edmund Greenleaf working on this series. The first
was that he'd had a second wife. The second thing is a result of two readers generously sharing their research with me. One person is someone who I'll call D.P. since I
don't have permission as yet to use her name here; the other is fellow New England geneablogger Sara Campbell What I learned from what they both sent me is that
Edmund's first wife Sarah was not Sarah Dole, but rather Sarah Moore.
When I first started researching my family tree everything I could find on Edmund Greenleaf said it was Sarah Dole, but most of that research was from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Research in England in the late 20th century discovered documents that showed that my ancestress was actually Sarah Moore. This proves that while the old genealogy books on Google are great sources they are not always accurate and the information in them should be confirmed.
Thanks to D.P. and Sara Campbell for the information, and I am adjusting my database
and family tree to reflect it.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
52 ANCESTORS IN 52 WEEKS #8: EDMUND GREENLEAF PT2
As I said in the previous post on my ancestor Edmond Greenleaf, his second
marriage was not entirely a happy one. The reason why is in the codicil attached
to his will. It's a rather long document, so I'll comment on it in the next post, as as
discuss a few another matter.
Once again, this is from the Google ebook edition of James Edward Greenleaf's Genealogy of the Greenleaf Family (F. Wood, printer, Boston, Ma. 1896):
In the early part of 1671 Mr. Greenleaf died. His will, a very curious document, written, as is supposed, by himself, was proved Feb. 12, 1671, and is recorded in the "Probate Records" in Boston, in the volume for 1669 to 1674, page 112.
The following is a copy, the orthography being corrected :—
"In the name of God, Amen. The two and twentieth day of December, sixteen hundred and sixty-eight, I, Edmund Greenleaf, being mindful of my own mortality and certainty of death, and uncertainty of the same, and being desirous to settle things in order, being now in good health and perfect memory, do make, appoint and ordain this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following: that is to say— first and principally, I give and bequeath my soul into the hands of my blessed Redeemer, the Lord Jesus, who hath died and gave himself for me, and his blood cleanseth from all sin, and through his righteousness I do only look for justification and salvation; and do commit my mortal body, after this life is ended, into the dust from whence it was taken, there to be preserved by the power and faithfulness of my Redeemer, Jesus Christ, until the resurrection of the just, and then to be raised up by the same power to immortality and life, where I shall see him as he is, and shall ever be with him; and in this faith and hope I desire, through his grace nd assistance, to live and die, and at last to be found of him in peace.
"Nextly, my will is, being according to God's will revealed in his word, that we must pay what we owe and live of the rest, unto whose rule the sons of men ought to frame their wills and actions; therefore, my mind and will is, that my debts shall be truly and justly paid to every man to whom I shall be indebted, by my executors hereafter named.
"And first I do revoke, renounce, frustrate and make void all wills by me formerly made; and I declare and appoint this to be my last will and testament.
"Imprimis—I give unto my son Stephen Greenleaf, and to my daughter Browne, widow, and to my daughter Coffin, to each of them twenty shillings apiece. Item—I give unto my grandchild Elizabeth Hilton, ten pounds. Item—I give unto my grandchild Enoch Greenleaf, five pounds. Item—I give unto my grandchild Sarah Winslow, five pounds, if her father pay me the four pounds he oweth me. Item—I give unto my eldest son's son, James Greenleaf, twenty shillings; and after my funeral expenses, debts and legacies are discharged, I give and bequeath the rest of my estate unto my son Stephen Greenleaf, and to my daughter Elizabeth Browne, and to my daughter Judith Coffin, equally to be divided amongst them and their children. And, further, I desire and appoint my son, Stephen Greenleaf, and Tristram Coffin the executors of this my will, to see it executed and affirmed as near as they can; and I further entreat my cousin, Thomas Moon, mariner, to see to the performance of this my will.
"In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this twenty-fifth day of December, 1668.
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"Signed, sealed, published, and declared to be my last will in the presence of us,
"George Ruggell,
"john Furniside."
The inventory of Mr. Greenleaf's estate, which was appended to the will, amounted to £131-5-9.
The following paper is also recorded in the "Probate Records," appended to the will, as, probably, assigning the reason why the name of his second wife, who appears to have outlived him, was not mentioned:—
"When I married my wife, I kept her grandchild, as I best remember, three years to schooling, diet and apparel; and William Hill, her son, had a bond of six pounds a year, whereof I received no more than a barrel of pork of £3-0-0 of that £6-0-0 a year he was to pay me, and sent to her son Ignatius Hill, to the Barbadoes, in mackerel, cider, and bread and pease, as much as come to twenty pounds, and never received one penny of it. His aunt gave to the three brothers £50 apiece. I know not whether they received it or no; but I have not received any part of it.
"Witness my hand. (Signed) Edmund Greenleaf."
"Besides, when I married my wife, she brought me a silver bowl, a silver porringer, and a silver spoon. She lent or gave them to her son, James Hill, without my consent."
To be continued,
marriage was not entirely a happy one. The reason why is in the codicil attached
to his will. It's a rather long document, so I'll comment on it in the next post, as as
discuss a few another matter.
Once again, this is from the Google ebook edition of James Edward Greenleaf's Genealogy of the Greenleaf Family (F. Wood, printer, Boston, Ma. 1896):
In the early part of 1671 Mr. Greenleaf died. His will, a very curious document, written, as is supposed, by himself, was proved Feb. 12, 1671, and is recorded in the "Probate Records" in Boston, in the volume for 1669 to 1674, page 112.
The following is a copy, the orthography being corrected :—
"In the name of God, Amen. The two and twentieth day of December, sixteen hundred and sixty-eight, I, Edmund Greenleaf, being mindful of my own mortality and certainty of death, and uncertainty of the same, and being desirous to settle things in order, being now in good health and perfect memory, do make, appoint and ordain this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following: that is to say— first and principally, I give and bequeath my soul into the hands of my blessed Redeemer, the Lord Jesus, who hath died and gave himself for me, and his blood cleanseth from all sin, and through his righteousness I do only look for justification and salvation; and do commit my mortal body, after this life is ended, into the dust from whence it was taken, there to be preserved by the power and faithfulness of my Redeemer, Jesus Christ, until the resurrection of the just, and then to be raised up by the same power to immortality and life, where I shall see him as he is, and shall ever be with him; and in this faith and hope I desire, through his grace nd assistance, to live and die, and at last to be found of him in peace.
"Nextly, my will is, being according to God's will revealed in his word, that we must pay what we owe and live of the rest, unto whose rule the sons of men ought to frame their wills and actions; therefore, my mind and will is, that my debts shall be truly and justly paid to every man to whom I shall be indebted, by my executors hereafter named.
"And first I do revoke, renounce, frustrate and make void all wills by me formerly made; and I declare and appoint this to be my last will and testament.
"Imprimis—I give unto my son Stephen Greenleaf, and to my daughter Browne, widow, and to my daughter Coffin, to each of them twenty shillings apiece. Item—I give unto my grandchild Elizabeth Hilton, ten pounds. Item—I give unto my grandchild Enoch Greenleaf, five pounds. Item—I give unto my grandchild Sarah Winslow, five pounds, if her father pay me the four pounds he oweth me. Item—I give unto my eldest son's son, James Greenleaf, twenty shillings; and after my funeral expenses, debts and legacies are discharged, I give and bequeath the rest of my estate unto my son Stephen Greenleaf, and to my daughter Elizabeth Browne, and to my daughter Judith Coffin, equally to be divided amongst them and their children. And, further, I desire and appoint my son, Stephen Greenleaf, and Tristram Coffin the executors of this my will, to see it executed and affirmed as near as they can; and I further entreat my cousin, Thomas Moon, mariner, to see to the performance of this my will.
"In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this twenty-fifth day of December, 1668.
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"Signed, sealed, published, and declared to be my last will in the presence of us,
"George Ruggell,
"john Furniside."
The inventory of Mr. Greenleaf's estate, which was appended to the will, amounted to £131-5-9.
The following paper is also recorded in the "Probate Records," appended to the will, as, probably, assigning the reason why the name of his second wife, who appears to have outlived him, was not mentioned:—
"When I married my wife, I kept her grandchild, as I best remember, three years to schooling, diet and apparel; and William Hill, her son, had a bond of six pounds a year, whereof I received no more than a barrel of pork of £3-0-0 of that £6-0-0 a year he was to pay me, and sent to her son Ignatius Hill, to the Barbadoes, in mackerel, cider, and bread and pease, as much as come to twenty pounds, and never received one penny of it. His aunt gave to the three brothers £50 apiece. I know not whether they received it or no; but I have not received any part of it.
"Witness my hand. (Signed) Edmund Greenleaf."
"Besides, when I married my wife, she brought me a silver bowl, a silver porringer, and a silver spoon. She lent or gave them to her son, James Hill, without my consent."
To be continued,
Monday, February 24, 2014
52 ANCESTORS IN 52 WEEKS #8: EDMUND GREENLEAF
Fellow geneablogger Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small has issued the 52
Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge. Basically, we have to post something every week
on a different ancestor, whether a story, picture, or research problem. This week my
subject is 10x great grandfather Edmund Greenleaf.
I found the following in the Google ebook edition of James Edward Greenleaf's Genealogy of the Greenleaf Family (F. Wood, printer, Boston, Ma. 1896).
There's an interesting bit of information at the end of the excerpt:
On the parish records of St. Mary's la Tour in Ipswich, County Suffolk, England, is recorded: "Edmund Greenleaf, son of John and Margaret, was baptized Jan. 2, 1574."
Among the family relics still preserved is the cane brought to this country by Edmund Greenleaf; it bears the initials "J. G." on a silver band near the handle.
Edmund Greenleaf married Sarah Dole, and by her had nine children, whose names appear on the records of the parish of St. Mary's la Tour above mentioned. It is supposed there were two others,—John, born about 1632, and who died in Boston, Dec. 16, 1712; and Mary,— referred to in "Savage's Dictionary," Vol. IV. p. 476: "John Wells, of Newbury, took the oath of allegiance, May, 1669, and was made a freeman the same month, a carpenter, married March 5, 1669, Mary, probably daughter of Edmund Greenleaf, and had, December 16th, Mary, who died the year following. Mary, again, born Feb. 16, 1673. William, born Jan. IS. 1675."
All of the nine children named in the chart, and whose baptismal records and deaths appear on the parish records of St. Mary's before mentioned, were born in England. Mr. Greenleaf lived near the old town bridge in Newbury, where for some years he kept a tavern. He was admitted a freeman on March 13, 1639,* and on May 22d of the same year was "permitted to keep a house of entertainment."
The name of Edmund Greenleaf appears :—
June 1, 1642.—" On a commission of Newbury."
Sept. 8, 1642.—" Ordered to send home an Indian woman."
Sept. 27, 1642.—" On a committee to take charge of certain orders by the council."
Nov. 11, 1647.—Requests his " discharge from military service."
May 2, 1649.—On appraisement of real estate. (" Massachusetts Bay Records," Vol. I. page 258; Vol. II. pages 16, 23, 30, 215, and 276).
Capt. Edmund Greenleaf moved to Boston with his wife Sarah about 1650 (New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. VI. page 102), where he buried his wife, and afterwards married Mrs. Sarah Hill, widow of Wilson, 2d, of William Hill, of Fairfield, Conn., who had several children by her former marriage. This marriage was rather an unhappy one.
-pp71-72
The answer as to why the second marriage was unhappy lies in Edmund Greenleaf's
will and I'll discuss that in Part 2.
To be continued.
Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge. Basically, we have to post something every week
on a different ancestor, whether a story, picture, or research problem. This week my
subject is 10x great grandfather Edmund Greenleaf.
I found the following in the Google ebook edition of James Edward Greenleaf's Genealogy of the Greenleaf Family (F. Wood, printer, Boston, Ma. 1896).
There's an interesting bit of information at the end of the excerpt:
On the parish records of St. Mary's la Tour in Ipswich, County Suffolk, England, is recorded: "Edmund Greenleaf, son of John and Margaret, was baptized Jan. 2, 1574."
Among the family relics still preserved is the cane brought to this country by Edmund Greenleaf; it bears the initials "J. G." on a silver band near the handle.
Edmund Greenleaf married Sarah Dole, and by her had nine children, whose names appear on the records of the parish of St. Mary's la Tour above mentioned. It is supposed there were two others,—John, born about 1632, and who died in Boston, Dec. 16, 1712; and Mary,— referred to in "Savage's Dictionary," Vol. IV. p. 476: "John Wells, of Newbury, took the oath of allegiance, May, 1669, and was made a freeman the same month, a carpenter, married March 5, 1669, Mary, probably daughter of Edmund Greenleaf, and had, December 16th, Mary, who died the year following. Mary, again, born Feb. 16, 1673. William, born Jan. IS. 1675."
All of the nine children named in the chart, and whose baptismal records and deaths appear on the parish records of St. Mary's before mentioned, were born in England. Mr. Greenleaf lived near the old town bridge in Newbury, where for some years he kept a tavern. He was admitted a freeman on March 13, 1639,* and on May 22d of the same year was "permitted to keep a house of entertainment."
The name of Edmund Greenleaf appears :—
June 1, 1642.—" On a commission of Newbury."
Sept. 8, 1642.—" Ordered to send home an Indian woman."
Sept. 27, 1642.—" On a committee to take charge of certain orders by the council."
Nov. 11, 1647.—Requests his " discharge from military service."
May 2, 1649.—On appraisement of real estate. (" Massachusetts Bay Records," Vol. I. page 258; Vol. II. pages 16, 23, 30, 215, and 276).
Capt. Edmund Greenleaf moved to Boston with his wife Sarah about 1650 (New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. VI. page 102), where he buried his wife, and afterwards married Mrs. Sarah Hill, widow of Wilson, 2d, of William Hill, of Fairfield, Conn., who had several children by her former marriage. This marriage was rather an unhappy one.
-pp71-72
The answer as to why the second marriage was unhappy lies in Edmund Greenleaf's
will and I'll discuss that in Part 2.
To be continued.
Friday, August 09, 2013
TROUBLE IN PARADISE PT1
If you have Pilgrim or Puritan ancestors, you need to know how religion
affected their lives.
Religion was an integral part of life in early colonial Massachusetts. This is no
great surprise, considering it was founded by two religious groups. But I don't think
many of us understand how entwined it was with the colonial government. Awhile
back when I was doing a series on my ancestor William Gerrish, I came across two
stories that about religious disputes in the town of Newbury, Massachusetts. They
involved Gerrish and several other ancestors on both sides of the arguments. My
interest was caught by the fact that many of the men had known each other for years
and had served together as town officials peaceably (well, except for Gerrish). But these
two incidents divided Newbury, the first slightly and the second on a wider scale. One
was started by the government, the other by a congregation and soon involved the
General Court and several neighboring towns as well.
I have to admit here that as a Catholic (and wouldn't my Puritan ancestors be horrified
by that) I don't know much about the finer theological points of Congregationalist
church in 17th century New England, so my focus is more on the social and political
aspects of what took place in Newbury. The first incident took place in 1653, and involved a man named Robert Pike. This is from John James Currier's book History
of Newbury, Mass., 1635-1902 , Volume 1 pp.162-163:
PETITION FOR THE RELEASE OF ROBERT PIKE.
The General Court passed an order, May 18, 1653, declaring it to be unlawful for any
person to preach in any town in the colony without the consent of the elders of four neighboring churches or by the approval of the county court. Robert Pike, of Salisbury,
boldly denounced this act as an unjustifiable interference with the personal rights and privileges of freemen, and farther said "several churches had called theire members to accompt which did act in that lawe making, and that some places were about to show
theire minds to the Generall Court about it." *
August 30, 1653, Lieut. Pike was ordered to appear at the General Court and answer for his intemperate zeal and seditious speech. He was disfranchised September 7, 1653) and prohibited from holding public office in the town or in the colony. A fine of twenty marks, equal to thirteen pounds, six shillings, and cightpence, was imposed as an additional penalty; and he was required to give bonds for his good behavior during the court's pleasure.*
The prompt and vigorous measures adopted by the General Court to assert its rights and protect its members from criticism and censure aroused a strong feeling of indignation among the inhabitants of Newbury, Haverhill, Andover, Hampton, and Salisbury. Petitions were prepared and circulated in these towns asking that the fine and punishment imposed upon "Lieutenant Robert Pike" be remitted. Several of these petitions are on file at the State House in Boston, but many of the signatures can hardly be deciphered and some are illegible. The petition from Newbury reads as follows : f—
The humble petition of the inhabitants of Newbury, to the honored General Court now assembled at Boston, showeth:
That whereas our loving friend, Lieutenant Robert Pike, of Salisbury, hath by occasion, as it is witnessed against him, let fall some words for which the honored Court hath been pleased [to censure him] we having had experience that he hath been a peaceable man and a useful instrument ... do therefore humbly desire this honored Court that the said sentence may be [revoked] and that the said Lieutenant Pike be . . restored to his former liberty. So . . . pray &c
* Massachusetts Colony Records, vol. hr., part I., p. 156.
t Massachusetts Archives, vol. B., leaf 209. See also " The New Puritan,** pp. 44 and 45.
There followed a list of the men from Newbury who signed the petition. In the
book the names are in three columns. I've used red to mark the names of those who
are my ancestors:
Richd. Kent, Jun.
Wm Moody
Daniel Peirce
Geo. Little
Saml Moody
Richd. Dole
John Poore
Dan Thurston
Joseph Plummer
Richd Thurly
John Wolcot
John Hull
Rob. Adams
Wm Chandler
John Tillotson
John Baily
John Wheeler
Rob. Cooper
Richd. Kent, Sen.
Wm Titcombe
John Bartlett
Tho. Browne
Richd. Bartlett
Gyles Cromlome
Aquilla Chase
Edw. Richardson
Wm Richardson
John Bishop
Sam Poore
John Hutchins
Wm Sawyer
Richd. Fitts
John Bond
Chris Bartlett
James Ordway
Edwd. Woodman
Stephen Swett
Wm Ilsly
Tho Smith.
Benj Swett
Joseph Swett
Steph. Greenleaf
Anthony Morse
Henry Lunt
Solomon Kyes
Tristram Coffin
Francis Plummer
Sam. Plummer
Dan Thurston
Wm Cottle
John Rolfe
John Muslewhite
John Emery, Sen.
John Emery, Jun.
Sam Moore
Nich. Batt
John Cheney Jr
Daniel Cheney
This petition, along with several others from other towns. would prompt a reaction
from the General Court, and a curt conversation between two of my ancestors.
To be continued..
affected their lives.
Religion was an integral part of life in early colonial Massachusetts. This is no
great surprise, considering it was founded by two religious groups. But I don't think
many of us understand how entwined it was with the colonial government. Awhile
back when I was doing a series on my ancestor William Gerrish, I came across two
stories that about religious disputes in the town of Newbury, Massachusetts. They
involved Gerrish and several other ancestors on both sides of the arguments. My
interest was caught by the fact that many of the men had known each other for years
and had served together as town officials peaceably (well, except for Gerrish). But these
two incidents divided Newbury, the first slightly and the second on a wider scale. One
was started by the government, the other by a congregation and soon involved the
General Court and several neighboring towns as well.
I have to admit here that as a Catholic (and wouldn't my Puritan ancestors be horrified
by that) I don't know much about the finer theological points of Congregationalist
church in 17th century New England, so my focus is more on the social and political
aspects of what took place in Newbury. The first incident took place in 1653, and involved a man named Robert Pike. This is from John James Currier's book History
of Newbury, Mass., 1635-1902 , Volume 1 pp.162-163:
PETITION FOR THE RELEASE OF ROBERT PIKE.
The General Court passed an order, May 18, 1653, declaring it to be unlawful for any
person to preach in any town in the colony without the consent of the elders of four neighboring churches or by the approval of the county court. Robert Pike, of Salisbury,
boldly denounced this act as an unjustifiable interference with the personal rights and privileges of freemen, and farther said "several churches had called theire members to accompt which did act in that lawe making, and that some places were about to show
theire minds to the Generall Court about it." *
August 30, 1653, Lieut. Pike was ordered to appear at the General Court and answer for his intemperate zeal and seditious speech. He was disfranchised September 7, 1653) and prohibited from holding public office in the town or in the colony. A fine of twenty marks, equal to thirteen pounds, six shillings, and cightpence, was imposed as an additional penalty; and he was required to give bonds for his good behavior during the court's pleasure.*
The prompt and vigorous measures adopted by the General Court to assert its rights and protect its members from criticism and censure aroused a strong feeling of indignation among the inhabitants of Newbury, Haverhill, Andover, Hampton, and Salisbury. Petitions were prepared and circulated in these towns asking that the fine and punishment imposed upon "Lieutenant Robert Pike" be remitted. Several of these petitions are on file at the State House in Boston, but many of the signatures can hardly be deciphered and some are illegible. The petition from Newbury reads as follows : f—
The humble petition of the inhabitants of Newbury, to the honored General Court now assembled at Boston, showeth:
That whereas our loving friend, Lieutenant Robert Pike, of Salisbury, hath by occasion, as it is witnessed against him, let fall some words for which the honored Court hath been pleased [to censure him] we having had experience that he hath been a peaceable man and a useful instrument ... do therefore humbly desire this honored Court that the said sentence may be [revoked] and that the said Lieutenant Pike be . . restored to his former liberty. So . . . pray &c
* Massachusetts Colony Records, vol. hr., part I., p. 156.
t Massachusetts Archives, vol. B., leaf 209. See also " The New Puritan,** pp. 44 and 45.
There followed a list of the men from Newbury who signed the petition. In the
book the names are in three columns. I've used red to mark the names of those who
are my ancestors:
Richd. Kent, Jun.
Wm Moody
Daniel Peirce
Geo. Little
Saml Moody
Richd. Dole
John Poore
Dan Thurston
Joseph Plummer
Richd Thurly
John Wolcot
John Hull
Rob. Adams
Wm Chandler
John Tillotson
John Baily
John Wheeler
Rob. Cooper
Richd. Kent, Sen.
Wm Titcombe
John Bartlett
Tho. Browne
Richd. Bartlett
Gyles Cromlome
Aquilla Chase
Edw. Richardson
Wm Richardson
John Bishop
Sam Poore
John Hutchins
Wm Sawyer
Richd. Fitts
John Bond
Chris Bartlett
James Ordway
Edwd. Woodman
Stephen Swett
Wm Ilsly
Tho Smith.
Benj Swett
Joseph Swett
Steph. Greenleaf
Anthony Morse
Henry Lunt
Solomon Kyes
Tristram Coffin
Francis Plummer
Sam. Plummer
Dan Thurston
Wm Cottle
John Rolfe
John Muslewhite
John Emery, Sen.
John Emery, Jun.
Sam Moore
Nich. Batt
John Cheney Jr
Daniel Cheney
This petition, along with several others from other towns. would prompt a reaction
from the General Court, and a curt conversation between two of my ancestors.
To be continued..
Saturday, September 17, 2011
THE LAUGHTONS OF NORRIDGEWOCK
More treasures from the cds cousin Lewis Wuori sent me last month: images of
vital records from the town of Norridgewock Maine where my Laughton and
Greenleaf ancestors lived, The two John Laughtons were the fourth and fifth of
that name in the line. It's through the first John Laughton's marriage to Sarah
Swain that I am related to Jeremiah Swain.
John Laughton Jr married Amata Greenleaf (which is how our family is related to
the the New England poet John Greenleaf Whittier) and the maiden name of his
mother is believed to have been McGraugh but I've yet to find a record of it.
My 2x greatgrandmother Louisa Richardson was given the middle name Amata
in honor of her grandmother.
vital records from the town of Norridgewock Maine where my Laughton and
Greenleaf ancestors lived, The two John Laughtons were the fourth and fifth of
that name in the line. It's through the first John Laughton's marriage to Sarah
Swain that I am related to Jeremiah Swain.
John Laughton Jr married Amata Greenleaf (which is how our family is related to
the the New England poet John Greenleaf Whittier) and the maiden name of his
mother is believed to have been McGraugh but I've yet to find a record of it.
My 2x greatgrandmother Louisa Richardson was given the middle name Amata
in honor of her grandmother.
 |
| The Marriage Intentions for my 4x greatgrandparents John Laughton Jr and Amata Greenleaf. |
 |
| The family record of 5x greatgrandparents Joshua Greenleaf and Hannah Williamson |
 |
| The Family of 5x greatgrandparents John Laughton and Lydia (Mcgraugh?) |
 |
| Birth records of Norridgewock including the Laughton Family |
 |
| Norridgewock Death Records for 1842 with John Laughton Sr's Death |
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
SYNCHRONICITY AND STEPHEN GREENLEAF, JR
Ah, synchronicity!
I was searching online for any material about my probable ancestor Gershom Flagg's
death at the Battle of Wheelwright Pond and found Daniel Neal's "History of
New-England Vol 2" on Google Books. Once I had found that, I searched the rest
of the text for some other names, such as Simon Willard or Jeremiah Swain. Then I tried
Greenleaf, and found this from the summer of 1690 shortly after the town of Casco, Maine
had been burned by Indians:
"The Fate of Casco made the smaller Garrisons of Papoodack, Spurwink, Black-Point
and Blue- Point, draw off immediately, without Orders, to Saco which was 20 Miles within Casco; and a few Days after they retired 20 Miles farther to Wells, and frightned that
Garrison so much, that half of them deserted, and fled as far as Lieutenant Storer's.
Hopebood, the Captain of the Hurons, pursued them, and destroyed all the open Country;
he burnt several Houses at Berwick, killed 13 or 14 Men at Fox Point, and carried off six Prisoners ; but meeting with Captain Floyd and Captain Green-leaf they routed his Party, wounded Hopewood himself, and made him retire to a greater Distance. After this he
marched with his Party Westward, with a Design to draw the Aquadoeta Indians to join
him; but a Party of French Indians meeting him by the Way, fell upon him by Mistake,
and in their blind Fury killed him and almost all his Company." (page 95).
(The text lists the Indian leader's name as both Hopebood and Hopewood.)
Now I mentioned in my series on Captain Stephen Greenleaf Jr. that there were references
to his command at a victory over the Indians at Wells, Maine in 1690 but that I'd not been
able to find any record of it.
But now I believe I've found it!
I was searching online for any material about my probable ancestor Gershom Flagg's
death at the Battle of Wheelwright Pond and found Daniel Neal's "History of
New-England Vol 2" on Google Books. Once I had found that, I searched the rest
of the text for some other names, such as Simon Willard or Jeremiah Swain. Then I tried
Greenleaf, and found this from the summer of 1690 shortly after the town of Casco, Maine
had been burned by Indians:
"The Fate of Casco made the smaller Garrisons of Papoodack, Spurwink, Black-Point
and Blue- Point, draw off immediately, without Orders, to Saco which was 20 Miles within Casco; and a few Days after they retired 20 Miles farther to Wells, and frightned that
Garrison so much, that half of them deserted, and fled as far as Lieutenant Storer's.
Hopebood, the Captain of the Hurons, pursued them, and destroyed all the open Country;
he burnt several Houses at Berwick, killed 13 or 14 Men at Fox Point, and carried off six Prisoners ; but meeting with Captain Floyd and Captain Green-leaf they routed his Party, wounded Hopewood himself, and made him retire to a greater Distance. After this he
marched with his Party Westward, with a Design to draw the Aquadoeta Indians to join
him; but a Party of French Indians meeting him by the Way, fell upon him by Mistake,
and in their blind Fury killed him and almost all his Company." (page 95).
(The text lists the Indian leader's name as both Hopebood and Hopewood.)
Now I mentioned in my series on Captain Stephen Greenleaf Jr. that there were references
to his command at a victory over the Indians at Wells, Maine in 1690 but that I'd not been
able to find any record of it.
But now I believe I've found it!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
WILLIAM GERRISH CONCLUSION
Captain William Gerrish seems to have taken a lesser role in Newbury after the
"figures changing" incident. I've found no further mention of him commanding
the Newbury militia, either mounted or infantry after 1677 and believe he was
replaced. It mildly surprised me that he didn't argue or lodge an appeal. I've
come to think of him as "Wild Bill" Gerrish because of all the arguments and
lawsuits he was involved in. It seemed, at first, out of character for him to
give up without a fight.
By now William was around 60 years of age and perhaps it didn't seem worth
it to him to continue on as he had in Newbury. After his wife Joanna died in 1677
he seems to have concentrated his business pursuits in Boston where he was the
owner of Number 3 Long Wharf. He was such a prominent citizen there by 1686
that when the city celebrated its 50th birthday that year he gave the opening and
closing prayer at the commemorative ceremonies. He fell ill the following year
and visited his son Benjamin in Salem, where he died 9Aug 1687.
Another possible reason might have been family ties. William's daughter Elizabeth
married Stephen Greenleaf Junior on 23Oct 1676. William was now related by
marriage to the Greenleafs and the Coffins, families who'd been on the opposite
side in the decades long Newbury church fight. Did William Gerrish put aside
his long-running differences with the members of the Woodman faction for the
sake of his daughter's happiness?
That church dispute between the supporters of Rev. Parker and those of Edward
Woodman is fascinating because of how it seems to have affected the daily life
in Newbury. In the suits and counter-suits between William Gerrish and Thomas
Woodbridge, many of the witness were people who were also involved in the
church infighting. I could probably go on for several more posts just on that
alone. Perhaps some time in the future I will, but now it's time to move on to
new subjects.
This concludes my series of posts on Capt. William Gerrish of Newbury, Ma., my
9x great grandfather.
"figures changing" incident. I've found no further mention of him commanding
the Newbury militia, either mounted or infantry after 1677 and believe he was
replaced. It mildly surprised me that he didn't argue or lodge an appeal. I've
come to think of him as "Wild Bill" Gerrish because of all the arguments and
lawsuits he was involved in. It seemed, at first, out of character for him to
give up without a fight.
By now William was around 60 years of age and perhaps it didn't seem worth
it to him to continue on as he had in Newbury. After his wife Joanna died in 1677
he seems to have concentrated his business pursuits in Boston where he was the
owner of Number 3 Long Wharf. He was such a prominent citizen there by 1686
that when the city celebrated its 50th birthday that year he gave the opening and
closing prayer at the commemorative ceremonies. He fell ill the following year
and visited his son Benjamin in Salem, where he died 9Aug 1687.
Another possible reason might have been family ties. William's daughter Elizabeth
married Stephen Greenleaf Junior on 23Oct 1676. William was now related by
marriage to the Greenleafs and the Coffins, families who'd been on the opposite
side in the decades long Newbury church fight. Did William Gerrish put aside
his long-running differences with the members of the Woodman faction for the
sake of his daughter's happiness?
That church dispute between the supporters of Rev. Parker and those of Edward
Woodman is fascinating because of how it seems to have affected the daily life
in Newbury. In the suits and counter-suits between William Gerrish and Thomas
Woodbridge, many of the witness were people who were also involved in the
church infighting. I could probably go on for several more posts just on that
alone. Perhaps some time in the future I will, but now it's time to move on to
new subjects.
This concludes my series of posts on Capt. William Gerrish of Newbury, Ma., my
9x great grandfather.
Friday, June 26, 2009
WILLIAM GERRISH VERSUS CONSTABLE JOSEPH PIKE
As the previous posts about Willam Gerrish have shown, he appears to have been a
man who cut a wide swath through life and not the type to back down in an argument.
He even found himself embroiled in a long running dispute in the Newbury church
during which some of my ancestors were on opposing sides: Captain Gerrish and
Tristram Coffin were supporters of the Reverend Parker while Stephen Greenleaf and
John Emery were part of a faction headed by Edward Woodman. I won't go into
details here because the controversy raged for twenty-six years from 1646 until
1672, but I mention it as another example of William Gerrish's pugnacity.
But such a combative nature was bound to create some enmity against Gerrish and the
first example of this might very well not be his clashes with Thomas Woodbridge,
but rather a petition from the townsfolk of Newbury. Now Gerrish had been elected
to a post of leadership in the militia in 1649, but problems soon arose:
"Mr. William Gerrish, having been elected " lieutenant of the Troop of horse for Essex,"
was confirmed in that office by the county court held at Ipswich, March 27, 1649. Some
question having arisen in regard to the validity of the election, the subject was brought to
the attention of the General Court May 26, 1658."
`In ansr to the petition of the inhabitants of Newbury &c humbly craving that they might
haue the bennefitt of the law that no man should haue comand of the horse & ffoote both,
that Capt Gerrish may be required to desert the horse & wholly attend the ffoote, or
attend the horse & medle no more wth the ffoote, that so they may be excer by him vpon
whom they must depend in time of neede, i.e. theire leftnnt allowed & approved of by the
Court. The Courte Judgeth it meete to graunt their request.'
On the same day, John Emery, John Webster, and several other inhabitants of Newbury
were ordered "to appeare before the General Court in October next, to answer wt is laid
agt them"; and Henry Short, Richard Kent, Richard Knight, Nicholas Noyes, and Anthony
Somerby were ordered to attend as witnesses.
`October 19, 1658 the Court having heard the case relating to the military company
peticon of Newbury. preferred by Jno Emory, Senr who, wth his sonnes, John Emery,
Junr & Jno Webster & Solomon Keyes, haue binn so busy & forward to disturbe the peace
of the place by their actings in seuerall respects & occationed much trouble to this court
in refference thereto, Judg it meete to order that the said John Emory, Senr, Jno Emery,
Junr, Jno Webster & Solomon Keyes be seuerally admonished to beware of the like
sinfull practizes for time to come, wch this court will not beare: and that they pay the
seuerall chardges of theire neighbors at the last Court and this, in coming for releife
from such under courses. Costs allowed in all, was fower pounds, eight shillings & ffees '-
Currier, John J., History of Newbury, Mass. 1635-1902 Damrell & Upham, Boston, Ma
1905 (pp495-496)
Both the Emerys and John Webster were supporters of Edward Woodman, and Mr.
Currier points to the incident as evidence of the far-reaching divisive effects of
the Newbury church argument.
But did it play a part in the events of 1675-1676. when Captain Gerrish found himself
once more in the center of controversy?
To be continued....
man who cut a wide swath through life and not the type to back down in an argument.
He even found himself embroiled in a long running dispute in the Newbury church
during which some of my ancestors were on opposing sides: Captain Gerrish and
Tristram Coffin were supporters of the Reverend Parker while Stephen Greenleaf and
John Emery were part of a faction headed by Edward Woodman. I won't go into
details here because the controversy raged for twenty-six years from 1646 until
1672, but I mention it as another example of William Gerrish's pugnacity.
But such a combative nature was bound to create some enmity against Gerrish and the
first example of this might very well not be his clashes with Thomas Woodbridge,
but rather a petition from the townsfolk of Newbury. Now Gerrish had been elected
to a post of leadership in the militia in 1649, but problems soon arose:
"Mr. William Gerrish, having been elected " lieutenant of the Troop of horse for Essex,"
was confirmed in that office by the county court held at Ipswich, March 27, 1649. Some
question having arisen in regard to the validity of the election, the subject was brought to
the attention of the General Court May 26, 1658."
`In ansr to the petition of the inhabitants of Newbury &c humbly craving that they might
haue the bennefitt of the law that no man should haue comand of the horse & ffoote both,
that Capt Gerrish may be required to desert the horse & wholly attend the ffoote, or
attend the horse & medle no more wth the ffoote, that so they may be excer by him vpon
whom they must depend in time of neede, i.e. theire leftnnt allowed & approved of by the
Court. The Courte Judgeth it meete to graunt their request.'
On the same day, John Emery, John Webster, and several other inhabitants of Newbury
were ordered "to appeare before the General Court in October next, to answer wt is laid
agt them"; and Henry Short, Richard Kent, Richard Knight, Nicholas Noyes, and Anthony
Somerby were ordered to attend as witnesses.
`October 19, 1658 the Court having heard the case relating to the military company
peticon of Newbury. preferred by Jno Emory, Senr who, wth his sonnes, John Emery,
Junr & Jno Webster & Solomon Keyes, haue binn so busy & forward to disturbe the peace
of the place by their actings in seuerall respects & occationed much trouble to this court
in refference thereto, Judg it meete to order that the said John Emory, Senr, Jno Emery,
Junr, Jno Webster & Solomon Keyes be seuerally admonished to beware of the like
sinfull practizes for time to come, wch this court will not beare: and that they pay the
seuerall chardges of theire neighbors at the last Court and this, in coming for releife
from such under courses. Costs allowed in all, was fower pounds, eight shillings & ffees '-
Currier, John J., History of Newbury, Mass. 1635-1902 Damrell & Upham, Boston, Ma
1905 (pp495-496)
Both the Emerys and John Webster were supporters of Edward Woodman, and Mr.
Currier points to the incident as evidence of the far-reaching divisive effects of
the Newbury church argument.
But did it play a part in the events of 1675-1676. when Captain Gerrish found himself
once more in the center of controversy?
To be continued....
Sunday, June 21, 2009
STEPHEN GREENLEAF Jr., AT NEWBURY, MA. 7OCT 1695
Some four years after the last documented evidence I have of Stephen Greenleaf Jr.'s
military presence in Maine, he was involved in Massachusetts and much closer to
home.
Although many of the defeated Indian warriors of the King Philip's War had moved
north into Maine and Canada, there were still occasional raids back into Massachusetts.
It was during one of them that Captain Greenleaf received a serious wound. I found
the sequence of events at Googlebooks in "A Sketch of the History of Newbury,
Newburyport and West Newbury":
"1695
October 7th. On the afternoon of this day, five Indians attacked and plundered the house of
John Brown, who lived on the westerly side of Turkey hill, and captivated nine persons;
one only of the family escaped to tell the tale. On the same day, colonel Daniel Pierce sent
the following letter to colonel Appleton and colonel Wade, of Ipswich.
' Sir, this afternoon there came the enemy to a house in our town and went in and took and
carried away nine persons and plundered the house, and as near as we can gather, they
went southwestwardly between Boxford and Bradford. We can not gather that there
were above five of the enemy, but night came on So that we could not pursue them, but
we have lined Merrimac river with about fourscore men to watch lest they should carry
the captives over the river, and do design in the morning to pursue them and range the
woods with all the force we can make, and think it advisable that you range the woods towards Andover, and that Rowley towards Bradford, for if they escape us it will be an encouragement to them. Sir, I do think the case requires our utmost industry who am
your friend and servant,
D. Pierce.
October 7th, 1695.'
To this letter was appended the following.
' Colonel Gedney,
Honored sir, it is thought advisable on the consideration abovesaid yt it may be beneficial
for the several companies in the several townes to range ye woods with all possible speed towards Bradford and Andover and so towards Merrimack river, so that if it might be ye enemy may be found and destroyed, which spoyle our people.
Ipswich, October eighth, at five in the morning.
Your servant,
Samuel Appleton.'
Three hours after this, colonel Thomas Wade thus writes from Ipswich.
'Honored sir,
Just now captain Wicom brings information that the last night captain Greenleaf with a
party of men met with the enemy by the river side, have redeemed all the captives but one, which they doubt is killed. Three of the Indians got into a canoe and made escape, and the other two ran into the woods. Captain Greenleaf is wounded in the side and arm, how
much we know not, which is all at present from your servant,
Thomas Wade.'
Judge Sewall, in his journal, says, ' all the captives were brought back, save one boy,
that was killed. The Indians knocked the rest on the head, save one infant.'
Reverend John Pike, in his journal, states, that' the captives were all retaken but some
died of their wounds.'
On the fifth of March, 1696, captain Greenleaf addressed the following petition to the
general court.
' The petition of captain Stephen Greenleaf of Newbury, ' Humbly sheweth,
' That upon the seventh of October last about three o'clock in the afternoon a party of
Indians surprised a family at Turkey hill in said town captivated nine persons, women and children, rifled the house, carrying away bedding and other goods. Only one person
escaped and gave notice to the next family and they, the town. Upon the alarm your
petitioner with a party of men pursued after the enemy, endeavouring to line the river Merrimack to prevent their passage, by which means the captives were recovered and brought back.
' The enemy lay in a gully hard by the highway and about nine at night made a shot at
your petitioner and shot him through the wrist between the bones, and also made a large wound in his side, which wounds have been very painful and costly to your petitioner in
the cure of them and have in a great measure utterly taken away the use of his left hand
and wholly taken him off from his employment this winter.
' Your petitioner therefore humbly prays this honored court that they would make him
such compensation as shall seem fit, which he shall thankfully acknowledge and doubts
not but will be an encouragement to others speedily to relieve their neighbours when assaulted by so barbarous an enemy, And your petitioner shall ever pray,
Stephen Greenleaf.
'March 6th. Read and voted that there be paid out of the province treasury to the
petitioner the sum of forty pounds.'
From one of John Brown's descendants, William G. White, I learn the following particulars
as a family tradition. The Indians had secreted themselves for some time near the house, waiting for the absence of the male members of the family, who, about three o'clock,
departed with a load of turnips. The Indians then rushed from their concealment, tomahawked a girl, who was standing at the front door. Another girl, who had concealed herself as long as the Indians remained, immediately after their departure gave the alarm, which resulted as before related. The coat, which captain Greenleaf wore in his pursuit of
the Indians, is still preserved by his descendants, together with the bullet, which was extracted from his wound. This, I believe, is the only instance, in which the Indians either attacked, captivated, or killed, any of the inhabitants of Newbury."
Joshua Coffin and Joseph Barlett. "A Sketch of the History of Newbury, Newburyport and
West Newbury" Samuel Drake, Publisher, Boston, Ma. 1845 (pp161-163)
From the description of the incident and the fact that there was only one bullet recovered,
I'm guessing that Greenleaf was shot through the left wrist and the bullet continued on into
his side. Maybe it was the hand holding his horse's reins, if he was mounted?
Despite his wounds, Stephen Greenleaf Jr went on to a successful career as a merchant and
shipbuilder, and among his many descendants are Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and John
Greenleaf Whittier.
military presence in Maine, he was involved in Massachusetts and much closer to
home.
Although many of the defeated Indian warriors of the King Philip's War had moved
north into Maine and Canada, there were still occasional raids back into Massachusetts.
It was during one of them that Captain Greenleaf received a serious wound. I found
the sequence of events at Googlebooks in "A Sketch of the History of Newbury,
Newburyport and West Newbury":
"1695
October 7th. On the afternoon of this day, five Indians attacked and plundered the house of
John Brown, who lived on the westerly side of Turkey hill, and captivated nine persons;
one only of the family escaped to tell the tale. On the same day, colonel Daniel Pierce sent
the following letter to colonel Appleton and colonel Wade, of Ipswich.
' Sir, this afternoon there came the enemy to a house in our town and went in and took and
carried away nine persons and plundered the house, and as near as we can gather, they
went southwestwardly between Boxford and Bradford. We can not gather that there
were above five of the enemy, but night came on So that we could not pursue them, but
we have lined Merrimac river with about fourscore men to watch lest they should carry
the captives over the river, and do design in the morning to pursue them and range the
woods with all the force we can make, and think it advisable that you range the woods towards Andover, and that Rowley towards Bradford, for if they escape us it will be an encouragement to them. Sir, I do think the case requires our utmost industry who am
your friend and servant,
D. Pierce.
October 7th, 1695.'
To this letter was appended the following.
' Colonel Gedney,
Honored sir, it is thought advisable on the consideration abovesaid yt it may be beneficial
for the several companies in the several townes to range ye woods with all possible speed towards Bradford and Andover and so towards Merrimack river, so that if it might be ye enemy may be found and destroyed, which spoyle our people.
Ipswich, October eighth, at five in the morning.
Your servant,
Samuel Appleton.'
Three hours after this, colonel Thomas Wade thus writes from Ipswich.
'Honored sir,
Just now captain Wicom brings information that the last night captain Greenleaf with a
party of men met with the enemy by the river side, have redeemed all the captives but one, which they doubt is killed. Three of the Indians got into a canoe and made escape, and the other two ran into the woods. Captain Greenleaf is wounded in the side and arm, how
much we know not, which is all at present from your servant,
Thomas Wade.'
Judge Sewall, in his journal, says, ' all the captives were brought back, save one boy,
that was killed. The Indians knocked the rest on the head, save one infant.'
Reverend John Pike, in his journal, states, that' the captives were all retaken but some
died of their wounds.'
On the fifth of March, 1696, captain Greenleaf addressed the following petition to the
general court.
' The petition of captain Stephen Greenleaf of Newbury, ' Humbly sheweth,
' That upon the seventh of October last about three o'clock in the afternoon a party of
Indians surprised a family at Turkey hill in said town captivated nine persons, women and children, rifled the house, carrying away bedding and other goods. Only one person
escaped and gave notice to the next family and they, the town. Upon the alarm your
petitioner with a party of men pursued after the enemy, endeavouring to line the river Merrimack to prevent their passage, by which means the captives were recovered and brought back.
' The enemy lay in a gully hard by the highway and about nine at night made a shot at
your petitioner and shot him through the wrist between the bones, and also made a large wound in his side, which wounds have been very painful and costly to your petitioner in
the cure of them and have in a great measure utterly taken away the use of his left hand
and wholly taken him off from his employment this winter.
' Your petitioner therefore humbly prays this honored court that they would make him
such compensation as shall seem fit, which he shall thankfully acknowledge and doubts
not but will be an encouragement to others speedily to relieve their neighbours when assaulted by so barbarous an enemy, And your petitioner shall ever pray,
Stephen Greenleaf.
'March 6th. Read and voted that there be paid out of the province treasury to the
petitioner the sum of forty pounds.'
From one of John Brown's descendants, William G. White, I learn the following particulars
as a family tradition. The Indians had secreted themselves for some time near the house, waiting for the absence of the male members of the family, who, about three o'clock,
departed with a load of turnips. The Indians then rushed from their concealment, tomahawked a girl, who was standing at the front door. Another girl, who had concealed herself as long as the Indians remained, immediately after their departure gave the alarm, which resulted as before related. The coat, which captain Greenleaf wore in his pursuit of
the Indians, is still preserved by his descendants, together with the bullet, which was extracted from his wound. This, I believe, is the only instance, in which the Indians either attacked, captivated, or killed, any of the inhabitants of Newbury."
Joshua Coffin and Joseph Barlett. "A Sketch of the History of Newbury, Newburyport and
West Newbury" Samuel Drake, Publisher, Boston, Ma. 1845 (pp161-163)
From the description of the incident and the fact that there was only one bullet recovered,
I'm guessing that Greenleaf was shot through the left wrist and the bullet continued on into
his side. Maybe it was the hand holding his horse's reins, if he was mounted?
Despite his wounds, Stephen Greenleaf Jr went on to a successful career as a merchant and
shipbuilder, and among his many descendants are Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and John
Greenleaf Whittier.
STEPHEN GREENLEAF Jr., IN MAINE
The next set of documents concern the campaign of 1689-1690 in Maine
during which Stephen Greenleaf Junior is supposed to have taken a major role
at a battle near Wells, Maine. But still, as these instructions show, he was seems to
have been in the ranks of junior officers in command. Once more, these
are from "A History of the State of Maine" from the Maine Historical Society.
"Instructions for Capt. Stephen Greenleaf.
Boston May 27° 1690./.
Captn Stephen Greenlefe,
You are Ordered forthwith to Advance with the Souldiers now put under yor Comand,
into the Eastern parts in and about Piscataqua or where else you may be advised when
you come upon the place, that you may do most Service for the defence of their Majties
Subjects and destruction of the Comon Enemy, untill you receive farther Orders.
Keep good order and Government over yor Souldiers, take the advice of the Comission
Military Officers and other Gentlemen of the place where you may come as to yor
proceeding, and all Opportunitys to advise the Governor and Council of yor motions,
Major Frost and Major Vaughan wilbe necessarily consulted by you And when the Forces
sent from this Colony are together Captn Edward Wyllys is to be owned as the first in
dignity./"
The One hundred Soldiers to be detached by their respective proportions.
"Ordered that ye Major Generall forthwith grant out his warrants to the Majors of the
severall Regiments of Militia hereafter mentioned for detaching their respective
proportions of Souldiers well appointed with armes and ammunition for their Majties
Service, as followeth to make up One hundred men Ordered for the strengthning of the
Forees Eastward (that is to say) Midd1 lower Regiment Seventeen, Upper Regiment
Twelve, Boston Regiment Sixteen, Suf- folke South Regiment Twenty, Essex South
Regiment ffifteen Middle Regiment ffiftcen, North Regiment ffive, to Randezvouz upon
Tuesday next the two and twentyeth of this instant where Each Major shall appoint who
is forthwith to send away his number under some suitable person unto Newbury and
deliver them to Captn Stephen Greenlefe junr to be by him conducted or sent unto
Piscataqua to be disposed of by Major Pike Comander in Chiefs for the filling up the
severall Companys there under his Comand not to be posted in Garrisons.
Voted & Consented to by ye deputies
Past in the affirmative by the Govr and Magistrates 17 : July, 1690. Isc Addington Secry"
Letter from Capt Greenleaf & Capt Wicom to Major Gen. Winthrop
"To the Worshipfull major Generall Waitt Winthop esqire.
These are to inform you that whereas by order from your selfe we prest severall of our
troopers to gard the commissioners that went to Wels to treate with the Indians the first
of may instant, that order may be given that those troopers may be paid for said servis
which will oblige your most humble servants
Stephen Greenlef Capt
May : 21 : 1691: Daniell Wicom Capt"
One of the things I find most fascinating about this group is the number of regiments
listed. Remember, the Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay Colonies were barely 70 years
in the New World and there were now enough men to form the 7 regiments listed and
more!
As for Stephen Greenleaf Jr, while I've found no account as yet of his action at Wells,
Maine, I have found a record of his bravery in action closer to home in Massachusetts,
and I'll discuss it in my next post.
during which Stephen Greenleaf Junior is supposed to have taken a major role
at a battle near Wells, Maine. But still, as these instructions show, he was seems to
have been in the ranks of junior officers in command. Once more, these
are from "A History of the State of Maine" from the Maine Historical Society.
"Instructions for Capt. Stephen Greenleaf.
Boston May 27° 1690./.
Captn Stephen Greenlefe,
You are Ordered forthwith to Advance with the Souldiers now put under yor Comand,
into the Eastern parts in and about Piscataqua or where else you may be advised when
you come upon the place, that you may do most Service for the defence of their Majties
Subjects and destruction of the Comon Enemy, untill you receive farther Orders.
Keep good order and Government over yor Souldiers, take the advice of the Comission
Military Officers and other Gentlemen of the place where you may come as to yor
proceeding, and all Opportunitys to advise the Governor and Council of yor motions,
Major Frost and Major Vaughan wilbe necessarily consulted by you And when the Forces
sent from this Colony are together Captn Edward Wyllys is to be owned as the first in
dignity./"
The One hundred Soldiers to be detached by their respective proportions.
"Ordered that ye Major Generall forthwith grant out his warrants to the Majors of the
severall Regiments of Militia hereafter mentioned for detaching their respective
proportions of Souldiers well appointed with armes and ammunition for their Majties
Service, as followeth to make up One hundred men Ordered for the strengthning of the
Forees Eastward (that is to say) Midd1 lower Regiment Seventeen, Upper Regiment
Twelve, Boston Regiment Sixteen, Suf- folke South Regiment Twenty, Essex South
Regiment ffifteen Middle Regiment ffiftcen, North Regiment ffive, to Randezvouz upon
Tuesday next the two and twentyeth of this instant where Each Major shall appoint who
is forthwith to send away his number under some suitable person unto Newbury and
deliver them to Captn Stephen Greenlefe junr to be by him conducted or sent unto
Piscataqua to be disposed of by Major Pike Comander in Chiefs for the filling up the
severall Companys there under his Comand not to be posted in Garrisons.
Voted & Consented to by ye deputies
Past in the affirmative by the Govr and Magistrates 17 : July, 1690. Isc Addington Secry"
Letter from Capt Greenleaf & Capt Wicom to Major Gen. Winthrop
"To the Worshipfull major Generall Waitt Winthop esqire.
These are to inform you that whereas by order from your selfe we prest severall of our
troopers to gard the commissioners that went to Wels to treate with the Indians the first
of may instant, that order may be given that those troopers may be paid for said servis
which will oblige your most humble servants
Stephen Greenlef Capt
May : 21 : 1691: Daniell Wicom Capt"
One of the things I find most fascinating about this group is the number of regiments
listed. Remember, the Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay Colonies were barely 70 years
in the New World and there were now enough men to form the 7 regiments listed and
more!
As for Stephen Greenleaf Jr, while I've found no account as yet of his action at Wells,
Maine, I have found a record of his bravery in action closer to home in Massachusetts,
and I'll discuss it in my next post.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
STEPHEN GREENLEAF Jr., 9APR 1689 AND A NEW FAMILY MYSTERY
Stephen Greenleaf, Sr. had come to the Bay Colony with his father Edmund Greenleaf
and settled in Newbury, Essex Co. Ma. On 13Nov 1651 he married Elizabeth Coffin,
daughter of Tristram Coffin and Dionis Stevens and his first son, Stephen Greenleaf,
Jr. was born 15Aug 1652.
Stephen Jr. is most often referred to as Captain Greenleaf in the family genealogy and
is termed a "great Indian fighter." I've found several references to his having had a
prominent role in a battle in 1690 in Wells, Maine but as yet I haven't found any
account of the event anywhere else online. However, I have found several documents
dealing with his military career.
The first of these seems to be a report of a conversation he had or overheard with a man
named William Sargeant(Sargent) of Amesbury. This took place during the campaign in
Maine of 1689:
"Testimony of S. Greenleafe Junr
The testimony of Stephen Greenleaf Jun. That on the 8th of Aprill he heard Wm Sargeant
of Ames bury who came lately from the Indians (among whom he had bin a season) to
affirme these things to be told by the Indians.
That the Gouernour had agreed with three nations of Indians besides the Mowhakes to
come downe vpon the English & on the agree mt had given them some money & some coats,
That the Penicook Indians had no designe for warre, but they being in combination with the mowhakes he thought they would be ruled by them, & do as they did.
That he thought that euery day that it was neglected it was too long, & he was affraid that
there would be bloud shed.
That he had done no hurt agt the English, & he was glad he went no farther then Mr Hinks
his house with the post letters, & mr Hinks stopt him,
Divers other words were spoken, but this as farre as he remembers was the substance of
what was spoken
Taken on oath Aprill 9th 1689. before me Jon Woodbridge J. P".
James Phinney Baxter, History of the State of Maine Maine Historical Society
Portland, Me. 1890 pp472-473
I think the "Gouernor" refers to the French Governor of Quebec.
Now what struck me about this testimony was the name of the person that it concerns:
William Sargeant of Amesbury. One of my ancestors is William Sargent of Amesbury and
now I'm wondering if this is him. And if it is, what was he doing spending a season among
the Indians? Noting the April 8th date, then Sargeant had spent the winter, perhaps
trapping or trading for fur with the tribes .
I've found no answers to this as yet. So now I have a new family mystery to solve!
and settled in Newbury, Essex Co. Ma. On 13Nov 1651 he married Elizabeth Coffin,
daughter of Tristram Coffin and Dionis Stevens and his first son, Stephen Greenleaf,
Jr. was born 15Aug 1652.
Stephen Jr. is most often referred to as Captain Greenleaf in the family genealogy and
is termed a "great Indian fighter." I've found several references to his having had a
prominent role in a battle in 1690 in Wells, Maine but as yet I haven't found any
account of the event anywhere else online. However, I have found several documents
dealing with his military career.
The first of these seems to be a report of a conversation he had or overheard with a man
named William Sargeant(Sargent) of Amesbury. This took place during the campaign in
Maine of 1689:
"Testimony of S. Greenleafe Junr
The testimony of Stephen Greenleaf Jun. That on the 8th of Aprill he heard Wm Sargeant
of Ames bury who came lately from the Indians (among whom he had bin a season) to
affirme these things to be told by the Indians.
That the Gouernour had agreed with three nations of Indians besides the Mowhakes to
come downe vpon the English & on the agree mt had given them some money & some coats,
That the Penicook Indians had no designe for warre, but they being in combination with the mowhakes he thought they would be ruled by them, & do as they did.
That he thought that euery day that it was neglected it was too long, & he was affraid that
there would be bloud shed.
That he had done no hurt agt the English, & he was glad he went no farther then Mr Hinks
his house with the post letters, & mr Hinks stopt him,
Divers other words were spoken, but this as farre as he remembers was the substance of
what was spoken
Taken on oath Aprill 9th 1689. before me Jon Woodbridge J. P".
James Phinney Baxter, History of the State of Maine Maine Historical Society
Portland, Me. 1890 pp472-473
I think the "Gouernor" refers to the French Governor of Quebec.
Now what struck me about this testimony was the name of the person that it concerns:
William Sargeant of Amesbury. One of my ancestors is William Sargent of Amesbury and
now I'm wondering if this is him. And if it is, what was he doing spending a season among
the Indians? Noting the April 8th date, then Sargeant had spent the winter, perhaps
trapping or trading for fur with the tribes .
I've found no answers to this as yet. So now I have a new family mystery to solve!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
STEPHEN GREENLEAF SR. & THE PHIPS EXPEDITION
The recall of Jeremiah Swain and his men from Maine in the autumn of 1689 possibly
was related to a change in strategy on the part of the Massachusetts colony with the
decision to carry the war to the French in Canada. An naval expedition was planned
with Sir William Phips in command.
Phips is an interesting man. Born in Maine, he'd been a shephard as a boy until he
got a job as a shipyard carpenter's apprentice. He then moved to Boston where he
appears to have gotten an education and married well, which allowed him to build a
shipyard back in Maine. When Indians burned him out, Phips took an amazing gamble:
he decided to salvage a sunken Spanish treasure ship in the Bahamas! He went to
England, found some investors among the nobility, and after one failure, succeeded
in salvaging some of the treasure and was knighted by the King. Remember, this was
1687 and he didn't have the technology and equipment used by modern day treasure
hunters!
Phips returned to Massachusetts in 1689. I haven't as yet found out whether the
expedition against French Canada was already in the works or whether it was
proposed by Phips himself, but either way, he was appointed its Commander. He set
sail for Canada in April 1690.
Among Phip's officers was my 9x great-grandfather Stephen Greenleaf Sr. who was 61
years old and from a family of citizen-soldiers. His father Edmund Greenleaf had served
in the militia against the Indians as far back as 1637, and his son, Stephen Greenleaf Jr.
was an officer in the fighting on land in Maine even as the Phips fleet sailed north.
Phips attacked and captured the town of Port Royal in Arcadia (now Annapolis Royal,
Nova Scotia) on 11May,1690 and then returned to Boston, where he was put in charge
of an attack on the city of Quebec. The fleet left Boston in 9August,1690 which was
close to the onset of the rougher autumn weather. Ironically, it was not storms but
becalmed winds that slowed the fleet, and Phips and his ships didn't arrive at Quebec
until October. Despite his fleet and a force of over 2,000 men, Phips was unable to
overcome the city and after 6 days gave up and started the return journey to Boston.
Now this is where I have some confusion over Stephen Greenleaf Sr. I've found many
sources online that say he was part of a "disastrous Phips expedition against Port Royal"
in October 1690 during which he drowned off Cape Breton in December 1690. As I've
already noted, Phips had captured Port Royal back in May; it was the attack on Quebec in October that had failed. Also, various sources state that some of Phips' ships stopped for
repairs during the return voyage to Boston. By that time the storm season would have set
in and the trip would have taken much longer.
So I believe that when Stephen Greenleaf and 9 others drowned of Cape Breton on 1Dec,
1690, it was as part of the Quebec expedition,
Meanwhile, Stephen Greenleaf, Jr. was fighting in battles on land in Maine, We'll
discuss those next.
was related to a change in strategy on the part of the Massachusetts colony with the
decision to carry the war to the French in Canada. An naval expedition was planned
with Sir William Phips in command.
Phips is an interesting man. Born in Maine, he'd been a shephard as a boy until he
got a job as a shipyard carpenter's apprentice. He then moved to Boston where he
appears to have gotten an education and married well, which allowed him to build a
shipyard back in Maine. When Indians burned him out, Phips took an amazing gamble:
he decided to salvage a sunken Spanish treasure ship in the Bahamas! He went to
England, found some investors among the nobility, and after one failure, succeeded
in salvaging some of the treasure and was knighted by the King. Remember, this was
1687 and he didn't have the technology and equipment used by modern day treasure
hunters!
Phips returned to Massachusetts in 1689. I haven't as yet found out whether the
expedition against French Canada was already in the works or whether it was
proposed by Phips himself, but either way, he was appointed its Commander. He set
sail for Canada in April 1690.
Among Phip's officers was my 9x great-grandfather Stephen Greenleaf Sr. who was 61
years old and from a family of citizen-soldiers. His father Edmund Greenleaf had served
in the militia against the Indians as far back as 1637, and his son, Stephen Greenleaf Jr.
was an officer in the fighting on land in Maine even as the Phips fleet sailed north.
Phips attacked and captured the town of Port Royal in Arcadia (now Annapolis Royal,
Nova Scotia) on 11May,1690 and then returned to Boston, where he was put in charge
of an attack on the city of Quebec. The fleet left Boston in 9August,1690 which was
close to the onset of the rougher autumn weather. Ironically, it was not storms but
becalmed winds that slowed the fleet, and Phips and his ships didn't arrive at Quebec
until October. Despite his fleet and a force of over 2,000 men, Phips was unable to
overcome the city and after 6 days gave up and started the return journey to Boston.
Now this is where I have some confusion over Stephen Greenleaf Sr. I've found many
sources online that say he was part of a "disastrous Phips expedition against Port Royal"
in October 1690 during which he drowned off Cape Breton in December 1690. As I've
already noted, Phips had captured Port Royal back in May; it was the attack on Quebec in October that had failed. Also, various sources state that some of Phips' ships stopped for
repairs during the return voyage to Boston. By that time the storm season would have set
in and the trip would have taken much longer.
So I believe that when Stephen Greenleaf and 9 others drowned of Cape Breton on 1Dec,
1690, it was as part of the Quebec expedition,
Meanwhile, Stephen Greenleaf, Jr. was fighting in battles on land in Maine, We'll
discuss those next.
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