The Tale of Sarah Dawes

Oliver Cromwell,
the villain of this tale (10)

Sarah's story took place centuries ago, and not everyone agrees on all the details. This is my version.

In 1650 the Scots sided with the monarchy in the English Civil War, and fought against the Puritans...  Thousands [of Scots] were captured as prisoners of war, and forced to march to London.  Oliver Cromwell sent these undesirables to the New World to be sold into forced servitude.  They died at a rate of about 30 a day until the ships left London, when the first ship “Unity” left with 150 prisoners.  The second ship was the “John and Sara” and it carried 272 men to Boston. (1)

One of the men on board the "John and Sara" was John Cragin (also spelled Craigon, Craggen, etc.). The story goes that although only men's names were on the passenger list, there were women on board as well. When smallpox broke out on the ship, John Cragin was taken ill--so ill that he was about to be thrown overboard with the dead when a young Englishwoman, Sarah Dawes, begged to save him, promising to nurse him back to health.

Some say that Sarah was not on the ship and this part of the story is pure romantic fabrication. At this distance, who really knows?

When the ship arrived in Boston, John and Sarah were sent on their separate ways: John to be an indentured servant for the usual period of six to eight years, and Sarah to be a servant in the household of John Wyman of Woburn, Massachusetts. (2)

Also working in the Wyman household was another servant, Daniel Mechrist. He and Sarah became close, had a child together, and Sarah was sentenced in 1657 to be whipped (12 stripes) for the sin of fornication. Someone paid her fine and she was let off. Then she became pregnant again, and both she and Daniel were sentenced to be whipped in public--this time twenty stripes apiece. (6)

They had told the court that they were, indeed, guilty, but couldn't marry because Daniel had a wife and children back in Scotland. I wonder if he had been transported against his will, just like John Cragin.

Then the story takes another romantic turn. John Cragin, having worked off his indenture, stepped in and married Sarah, saving her from further judgement. (7)

The names that Sarah's first two children went by were Benoni Macrease (1657-1690) and Mary Mechrist or Micrist (1659- ).

One of the descendants of her eight children with John Cragin was a patriot in Temple, New Hampshire, having signed the Association Test of 1776. (8)

Of interest to my own immediate family is the fact that another descendant of Sarah and John, Daniel Cragin, began Frye's Measure Mill in 1858 in Wilton, New Hampshire. It was one of our favorite places to visit when we lived in the area, although we didn't know about the connection to our family at the time. (11)

Let's go back to Sarah's first child, Benoni. The old Biblical name means "son of my sorrow," or "son of my pain" (9). Given the circumstances of his birth and the inability of his parents to marry, his mother chose his name well.

However, Benoni went on to marry well (I may be prejudiced here). He and his wife Lydia Fifield were my 8th great grandparents. Benoni and Lydia's daughter married into the Perkins family of Hampton, New Hampshire, good folks we've met elsewhere on this blog in:
Abraham Perkins of Hampton, New Hampshire,(3) 
Abraham Perkins' Will (4), and
My 8th Great Grandfather, "Slain By ye Indians." (5)

*****

Sources and Notes

1. Passengers of the Ship “John and Sara”: Scots Prisoners of War, 1651: https://www.geni.com/projects/Passengers-of-the-ship-John-and-Sara-Scots-Prisoners-of-War-1651/12051

2. John Cragin, Scots Prisoner of War 1651 in Woburn, Massachusetts. Nutfield Genealogy: https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2011/01/john-cragin-scots-prisoner-of-war-1651.html

3. Abraham Perkins of Hampton, New Hampshire: http://clairz-remember.blogspot.com/2017/07/abraham-perkins-of-hampton-new-hampshire.html

4. Abraham Perkins' Will: Ye Apples in ye Orchard: http://clairz-remember.blogspot.com/2017/07/abraham-perkins-will-ye-apples-in-ye.html

5. My 8th Great Grandfather: "Slayn By ye Indians:" http://clairz-remember.blogspot.com/2017/07/my-8th-great-grandfather-slayne-by-ye.html

6. The Craggin Family. http://www.oocities.org/gingercleo/JohnandSarah2.html

7. Massachusetts, Compiled Marriages, 1633-1850. Ancestry.com

8. New Hampshire Revolutionary War Association Test, Town of Temple: http://www.newhorizonsgenealogicalservices.com/new-hampshire-genealogy/association-test/temple.htm

9. Ben-oni Meaning: http://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/BenOni.html#.WYDavdMrKCQ 

10. Painting of Oliver Cromwell by Peter Lely, circa 1660. National Museum of Wales. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oliver_Cromwell1599-1658_by_Peter_Lely1.jpg

11. Frye's Measure Mill, Wilton, New Hampshire: http://www.fryesmeasuremill.com/

How I am related to my Grandfather Benoni:

Benoni Macrease (1657 - 1690)
8th great-grandfather

Lydia Macrease (1688 - )
daughter of Benoni Macrease

Joseph Perkins (1712 - 1761)
son of Lydia Macrease

Benjamin Perkins (1746 - 1834)
son of Joseph Perkins

Joseph Perkins (1776 - 1853)
son of Benjamin Perkins

Joanna Perkins (1799 - 1880)
daughter of Joseph Perkins

Eleanor Ruth Rankins (1822 - 1914)
daughter of Joanna Perkins

Oscar J. Ellis (1852 - 1907)
son of Eleanor Ruth Rankins

Eva Josephine Ellis (1888 - 1943)
daughter of Oscar J. Ellis

Daniel Lawrence Harris (1907 - 1972)
son of Eva Josephine Ellis

Clair Marie Harris
I am the daughter of Daniel Lawrence Harris

Joanna Sleeper and Goody Cole

A belated memorial
From The Witch of Hampton (4)

Eunice (or Unise) Cole lived in Hampton, New Hampshire from before 1640 until her death in 1680. She was charged with being a witch on and off throughout her life. "Goody" Cole, as she was known, was accused, possibly indicted, whipped, imprisoned, and generally made miserable by her neighbors.

From The Witch of Hampton: "During the quarter century from her first witchcraft trial in 1656 until her death in 1680, Unise spent more than half the time in prison. In all, she was whipped at least two, perhaps three, times, was hauled before the court on at least eight occasions, fined twice, admonished once, twice put under a bond, set in the stocks, searched for witch-marks, watched for diabolical imps, and, near the end of her life, was locked in leg irons and imprisoned one final time." (4)

From Wikipedia:  "Goody Cole was almost certainly unpleasant in the extreme - Hampton historian Joseph Dow referred to her as "ill-natured and ugly, artful and aggravating, malicious and revengeful" - but certainly not a witch. Such behaviour is unsurprising given the accusations leveled against her and her treatment by those in her community." (2)

When she died, she was buried in an unmarked grave. Local legends abound regarding her life and her death, but in 1937 the townspeople formed a Goody Cole Society, more formally known as  "The Society in Hampton Beach for the Apprehension of Those Falsely Accusing Eunice (Goody) Cole of Having Familiarity With the Devil." Their intent, although much belated, was to clear her name. (2)

I am sorry to tell you that my 9th great grandmother, Joanna Lee Sleeper, was one of the townsfolk who gave sworn testimony about Goody Cole. 

Joanna Sleeper on a cat that afflicted Goodman Wedgewood
Joanna Sleeper aged 33 years or thereabouts testifieth that last winter was a twelve month this deponent went into Goodman Wedgewood's to see him he being sick when I came in he was very cheer[i]ly over what he had been, and when I arose up to go away yet standing by his bedside I saw a cat come down from the plancher [Planking or platform.](of a gray color) over his bed to my best thinking and she came upon his breast: and he cried out Lord have mercy upon me the cat hath killed me, and broken my heart, and his wife asked me if that were the cat (which she showed me), and I thought the cat which I saw as aforesaid was bigger than the cat she showed me although she was like that cat for color, and it was the same evening the which Goodwife Cole was there about noon before, and farther saith not. 

Sworn in court September 4, 1656 Edward Rawson Secretary.
Source: Suffolk County Court Files, 2:256a (MA) (1)

For other testimony against Goody Cole, see Vehement Suspicion (3).

This is a sad chapter in my ancestors' history. It was bad enough that Joanna was giving testimony as a witness in a witch's trial. For others in our family, the witch trials were a great deal more personal and tragic. Next time...

*****

Sources

1. Witch-Hunting in Seventeenth Century New England; A Documentary History, 1638-1693, edited by David D. Hall. Duke University Press, 2005. 

2. Wikipedia: Eunice Cole. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eunice_Cole

3. Vehement Suspicion: Eunice Cole of Hampton (1656-1680).  http://www.hampton.lib.nh.us/hampton/biog/hall.htm

4. The Witch of Hampton, the Woman and Her Legend, by Cheryl Lassiter. 2015. http://www.hampton.lib.nh.us/hampton/biog/goodylassiterHU20151027

5. Joanna Lee Sleeper 1623-1703) was the wife of Thomas Sleeper and the mother of Elizabeth Sleeper Perkins who I wrote about in My 8th Great Grandfather: Slayne by ye Indians.

Here is how we are related:

Joanna Lee (1623 - 1703)
9th great-grandmother
Elizabeth Sleeper (1646 - )
daughter of Joanna Lee
Elizabeth Perkins (1676 - )
daughter of Elizabeth Sleeper
Elizabeth Dow (1715 - )
daughter of Elizabeth Perkins
Benjamin Perkins (1746 - 1834)
son of Elizabeth Dow
Joseph Perkins (1776 - 1853)
son of Benjamin Perkins
Joanna Perkins (1799 - 1880)
daughter of Joseph Perkins
Eleanor Ruth Rankins (1822 - 1914)
daughter of Joanna Perkins
Oscar J. Ellis (1852 - 1907)
son of Eleanor Ruth Rankins
Eva Josephine Ellis (1888 - 1943)
daughter of Oscar J. Ellis
Daniel Lawrence Harris (1907 - 1972)
son of Eva Josephine Ellis
Clair Marie Harris
Daughter of Daniel Lawrence Harris

My 8th Great Grandfather: "Slayne by ye Indians"

In Abraham Perkins of Hampton, New Hampshire, I introduced you to Abraham and Mary's large family. One of his sons was Abraham, Jr., who was born in 1639 in Hampton. 

This Abraham married Elizabeth Sleeper in 1668. They had three daughters, and then the unthinkable happened: Abraham was killed by Indians. 

King Philip's War had been underway since 1675. Here is a brief explanation of what was happening: 

King Philip’s War of 1675-1676 (also known as Metacom’s Rebellion) marked the last major effort by the Indians of southern New England to drive out the English settlers. Led by Metacom, the Pokunoket chief called ‘King Philip’ by the English, the bands known today as Wampanoag Indians joined with the Nipmucks, Pocumtucks, and Narragansetts in a bloody uprising. It lasted fourteen months and destroyed twelve frontier towns. (1)

In southern New Hampshire, there had been attacks on settlers in Oyster River, Exeter, and Greenland. Then, in 1677 in Hampton (2):

Abraham: Death Record (6)

This was a tragedy for everyone involved on both sides of the conflict, leading both to greater enmity and expanded warfare. 

For Abraham's widow, Elizabeth, it had to have been a terrible loss. It must have been emotionally crushing and economically devastating as well. Elizabeth was 31, and her daughters Mercy, Mary, and Elizabeth were five, three, and one. The town was on edge, every household was to have loaded arms at the ready, men were standing guard against further attacks, there was an evacuation plan in place, and the local militia was training and marching.(2) 

Elizabeth had a farm to run and small children to raise. 

I am reminded of how carefully Abraham, Senior had provided for his wife, Mary Wise Perkins, in his will--making sure that she had a place to live, food to eat, firewood to keep her warm, and a means of income. It is doubtful if the younger Abraham, only 37, would have made a will. 

Apparently, the fathers of both Abraham, Jr. and Elizabeth stepped in to take guardianship of the little family. In this document, they set out a plan for the education and future of the children. (3) 

You will note that both Elizabeth and an Alexander Denham (or Dennum, spelling varies) make their mark on this document. After Abraham died in June, later that same year, on December 24, 1677,  Elizabeth Sleeper Perkins married Alexander Denham. At 57, he was much older than she. They had two daughters, Sarah and Abial.

Elizabeth Sleeper Perkins, now Denham, was widowed yet again and married for a third time. This time it was to Richard Smith. in 1685. Some family trees on Ancestry.com show that Elizabeth lived until 1713, but I have yet to find any  documentation for a death date. I hope that her later years, at least, were peaceful ones. 

*****

Sources

1. King Philip's War. The History Channel: http://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/king-philips-war

2. History of the Town of Hampton, New Hampshire, from its settlement in 1638 to the autumn of 1892, by Joseph Dow. Salem Press, 1893. Page 221: play.google.com/books/reader?printsec=frontcover&output=reader&id=iZU3N3rAtlQC&pg=GBS.PA221

3. Abraham Perkins, Jr.; Inventory of Estate, June 1677. New Hampshire Probate Files. Ancestry.com

4. New Hampshire Marriage Records Index, 1637-1947. Ancestry.com

5. Descendants of Isaac Perkins, Generation Three. www.genealogy.com/ftm/n/e/l/Valerie-F-Nelson/GENE3-0003.html

6. New Hampshire, Death and Disinterment Records, 1754-1947. Ancestry.com.

How I am related to Abraham Perkins, Jr.:

Abraham Perkins (1639 - 1677)
8th great-grandfather
Elizabeth Perkins (1676 - )
daughter of Abraham Perkins
Elizabeth Dow (1715 - )
daughter of Elizabeth Perkins
Benjamin Perkins (1746 - 1834)
son of Elizabeth Dow
Joseph Perkins (1776 - 1853)
son of Benjamin Perkins
Joanna Perkins (1799 - 1880)
daughter of Joseph Perkins
Eleanor Ruth Rankins (1822 - 1914)
daughter of Joanna Perkins
Oscar J. Ellis (1852 - 1907)
son of Eleanor Ruth Rankins
Eva Josephine Ellis (1888 - 1943)
daughter of Oscar J. Ellis
Daniel Lawrence Harris (1907 - 1972)
son of Eva Josephine Ellis
Clair Marie Harris
You are the daughter of Daniel Lawrence Harris

Abraham Perkins' Will: "Ye Apples in ye Orchard"

Previous post: Abraham Perkins of Hampton, New Hampshire  

I find it touching that Abraham Perkins (1613-1683) thought so carefully about his wife's well-being after his death. Through his will, he provided a place for her to live, an income from "two cows & their increase," firewood after "making it fit for her use," feed for the animals, food for herself, four sheep, and a third of "ye apples in ye orchard" which would provide both sustenance and income.

He also remembered each family member in some way, including his grandchildren, in the pages (not shown here) of the will that follow the passages below.

The will was dated August 22, 1683. Abraham died August 31, 1683. His wife Mary Wise Perkins lived until 1706, hopefully in the good care of her sons.

This is the part of the will where he provides for his wife:

*****

Source

1. New Hampshire Wills and Probate Records, 1643-1982, All Counties, Volume 31, pages 263-265. Ancestry.com

Abraham Perkins of Hampton, New Hampshire

I was surprised and pleased to find that my great great great grandmother, Joanna Perkins Rankins (who we previously met in From Rome to Cherokee, Part 2 when she trundled off in a covered wagon for hundreds and hundreds of miles at age 70) was descended from the one of the early settlers of Hampton, New Hampshire.

After all, my own immediate family had lived in New Hampshire for over twenty years, and I had always felt very much at home there even though I didn't know about my connection.

Layout of Founders Park in Hampton, New Hampshire

showing the placement of memorial stones.
Several of the names here (Perkins, Sleeper, Dow, Fogg, Moulton, and Sanborn, so far)

are in my family tree. From the Founders Park website 

Abraham Perkins, born in 1613 in Hilmorton, Warwickshire, England, was my 9th great-grandfather. Or perhaps he was born in 1603, or 1605, or 1608--accounts vary. His parents were Isaac Perkins and Alice [Unknown]; or they might have been John Perkins and Judith Gater. It's so hard to tell at this distance.

He came to America with his wife Mary Wise (or Wyeth) around 1639. Abraham was 26 (or not, depending on which birth date you choose), and Mary was 21. They stayed for a short while in Plymouth Colony before moving to Hampton, New Hampshire.

From The Find a Grave memorial for Abraham Perkins: Abraham Perkins was among the first settlers [in Hampton]. He is described as being superior in point of education to the most of his contemporaries, writing a beautiful hand, and was often employed as an appraiser of estates, etc.  He was town marshal in 1654, and selectman between 1650 and 1683.

In addition to his duties with the town and the development of his homestead and land, Abraham was a good family man. His children numbered thirteen, and they were named Abraham, Mary, Luke, Humphrey I (died young), James I (died young), Timothy I (died young), James II, Jonathan, David, Abigail, Timothy II, Sarah, and Humphrey II. All were born in New Hampshire. 

How do I know that he was a good family man? I believe that it shines through in his will, which I will share with you in the next post. 

*****

Sources

1. U.S. Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889/1970. Ancestry.com

2. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900. Ancestry.com

3. Millennium File, Ancestry.com

4. Descendants of Isaac Perkins: http://www.genealogy.com/ftm/n/e/l/Valerie-F-Nelson/GENE3-0002.html

5. U.S. and Canada Passenger and Immigration Lists, 1500s to 1900s. Ancestry.com

6. U.S., New England Marriages Prior to 1700. Ancestry.com

My relationship to Abraham Perkins:

Abraham Perkins (1613 - 1683)
9th great-grandfather
Abraham Perkins (1639 - 1677)
son of Abraham Perkins
Elizabeth Perkins (1676 - )
daughter of Abraham Perkins
Elizabeth Dow (1715 - )
daughter of Elizabeth Perkins
Benjamin Perkins (1746 - 1834)
son of Elizabeth Dow
Joseph Perkins (1776 - 1853)
son of Benjamin Perkins
Joanna Perkins (1799 - 1880)
daughter of Joseph Perkins
Eleanor Ruth Rankins (1822 - 1914)
daughter of Joanna Perkins
Oscar J. Ellis (1852 - 1907)
son of Eleanor Ruth Rankins
Eva Josephine Ellis (1888 - 1943)
daughter of Oscar J. Ellis
Daniel Lawrence Harris (1907 - 1972)
son of Eva Josephine Ellis
Clair Marie Harris
You are the daughter of Daniel Lawrence Harris

Progress Report: My Father's Family

When things are quiet here on the Remember blog, that just means that I am spending my time doing research. I have so many new things to report!  I have newly-discovered anecdotal stories about ancestors and some individual and family biographies to share. I'll start with some general progress reports over the next couple of posts. It's time to do some catching up.

First of all, here's what I have right now on my father's family. This is, of course, just the bare outline with some names and dates, but there are more blanks filled in than there were before. I know, there are lots of empty spots, too! 

When I first started this research, I only knew my father's parents names, Albert Harris and  Eva Ellis, and maybe just the first names for her parents. Now, as you see below, I have much more information on my father's grandparents, great-grandparents, and great-great-grandparents (my great great great grandparents!)--at least on his mother's side. 

Even though my Grandfather Albert Harris is still a mystery man, the other side of my father's family tree is getting quite populated. I have more information that can be added for Robert Ellis' ancestors, and I'm sure that I'll be able to find ancestors for Daniel Healey and Elizabeth Redden. That makes a lot of new relatives for the side of the family that I knew little about when I started. 

You can click on the names to see siblings and offspring for any of these people. In the coming weeks, I hope to share some of their stories and information about their surprising (to me) migrations during the years of our country's Westward Expansion.

Daniel Lawrence Harris Born 02 Aug 1907 Died 22 Sep 1972 Husband of Marion Emily Foley   Husband of Elva Myrtle Crabtree   Father of Joan Patricia Foynes , Clair Marie Zarges  and Jean Lee Harris		Albert Harris   30 Dec 1884 - abt 1939		[Paternal Grandfather?]
				[Paternal Grandmother?]
		Eva Josephine Ellis   abt 14 Sep 1888 - 1943		Oscar J. Ellis   abt 21 Jan 1852 - 22 Nov 1907		Robert W Ellis   31 Jul 1821 - 31 Jul 1876		[Great-Great-Grandfather?]
								[Great-Great-Grandmother?]
						Eleanor Ruth Rankins   11 May 1822 - 06 Jan 1914		Joseph P. Rankins   bef 1801 - abt Apr 1880
								Joanna Perkins   17 Apr 1798 - Apr 1880
				Ellen M. Healey   abt 1869 -		Daniel Healey   bef 1850 -		[Great-Great-Grandfather?]
								[Great-Great-Grandmother?]
						Elizabeth Redden   bef 1850 -		[Great-Great-Grandfather?]
								[Great-Great-Grandmother?]