7.Addenda - Bellsouthpwp.net

ADDENDA 

1. Our Mayflower Ancestors 

2. Our Kirby Line (through Hannah Kirby) 

3. Our Howland Line (through Hannah Kirby) 

4. Rich and Famous Howlands 

5. Notes on Possible Ancestors of John 1 Petty 

Page 317 

This chapter was not present in Norman W. Pettys’ original book, Descendants of John Petty and 

Ann (Canning) Petty of Springfield, Mass. But most of it is derived from his research. 

His work papers, charts, correspondence and genealogical books are the principal sources for the 

first three sections on our Mayflower lineage and the Kirby and Howland lines. 

I am responsible for the fourth section on rich and famous Howlands although, as I came to discover 

later, NWP previously had investigated the field. In his copy of the 1885 Howland genealogy, for 

instance, NWP had underlined sections relating to “Hetty,” once known as the world's richest 

woman. 

The fifth section, notes on possible ancestors of John, was part of the preface to his original work, 

and provides clues for possible further research. But since this is a new edition of his work, I have 

taken the liberty of moving this section from the front of the book to the back, where I think firsttime 

readers will have an easier time handling it as an appendix rather than as an introduction. 

Richard R. Pettys, Sr. 

December 2001

Page 318 

Warren 

Richard 

Our Mayflower Ancestors 

Cooke 

Francis (father) 

John (son) 

White 

William 

Susanna 

Peregrine (their son) 

Norman W. Pettys, Sr., documented his descent from these three Mayflower lines to the satisfaction 

of the Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants (of which he became member #4742) and 

its parent organization, the General Society of Mayflower Descendants (member #19295.) 

Proven descent from any Mayflower passenger is sufficient for membership in the organization. 

NWP's primary membership was through Richard Warren, the first application he submitted. That 

was approved by the society in 1952 after being reviewed, as required, by its historian. His 

supplemental line through Francis Cooke was approved the same year. An additional supplemental 

line through William White was approved in 1955. 

We reach all three of these lines through Hannah Kirby, who in 1809 married Job Pettys. Hannah 

and Job were the great-grandparents of Norman W. Pettys, Sr. 

Warren: Richard Warren came alone on the Mayflower. His family joined him later. 

His daughter, Sarah, married Mayflower passenger John Cooke. 

Cooke: John Cooke and his father, Francis, sailed together on the Mayflower. John 

Cooke married Sarah Warren, daughter of Richard Warren. 

White: William and Susanna White were husband and wife. Their son, Peregrine, 

was born in Cape Cod Harbor while the Mayflower lay at anchor. For purposes of 

tracing our ancestry, this line merges with the Warren/Cooke line in the early 1700s 

when Elizibeth Cadman (a descendant of Richard Warren and John Cooke), marries 

William White (a descendant of William White and Peregrine White). Elizabeth 

Cadman and William White were the great-great grandparents of Hannah Kirby. 

Another Mayflower passenger, John Howland, is a collateral ancestor of ours. We descend from 

his brother, Henry. Genealogical tables follow later in this section.

The Pilgrims 

Source: General Society of Mayflower Descendants 

http://www.themayflowersociety.com/history.htm 

Page 319 

The Pilgrims were a group of English people who came to America seeking religious freedom during the reign of King 

James I. After two attempts to leave England and move to Holland, a Separatist (1) group was finally relocated to 

Amsterdam where they stayed for about one year. From there the group moved to the town of Leiden, Holland, where 

they remained for about ten years, able to worship as they wished under lenient Dutch law. 

Fearing their children were losing their English heritage and religious beliefs, a small group from the Leiden churches 

made plans to settle in Northern Virginia - as New England was known at the time. In August 1620 the group sailed for 

Southampton, England, where other English colonists who hoped to make a new life in America met them. 

They planned to make the crossing to America in two ships, the Speedwell and Mayflower. However, after many 

problems the Speedwell was forced to return to England where the group was reorganized. In their second attempt to 

cross the Atlantic, they boarded the Mayflower in September 1620 bound for the New World. They arrived as winter 

was settling in and endured significant hardships as they struggled to establish a successful colony at Plymouth. 

In time their colony flourished and lead the way to establishing religious freedom and creating the foundations of the 

democracy Americans enjoy today. Their celebration of the first Thanksgiving has grown to become a festive national 

holiday. 

The group of 102 passengers who crowded aboard Mayflower for the crossing was not homogenous. Many of the 

passengers were members of the Leiden congregation, but they were joined by a number of English families or 

individuals who were hoping to better their life situations, or were seeking financial gain. These two general groups have 

sometimes been referred to as the “saints” and “strangers.” 

Although the Leiden congregation had sent its strongest members with various skills for establishing the new colony, 

nearly half of the passengers died the first winter of the “great sickness.” 

Anyone who arrived in Plymouth on Mayflower and survived the initial hardships is now considered a Pilgrim with no 

distinction being made on the basis of their original purposes for making the voyage. 

Any person able to document their descent from one or more of the following Mayflower Pilgrims is eligible to apply 

for membership in the Mayflower Society. 

The Mayflower Pilgrims and their fellow travelers were authors of the first true governing document created in a New 

World colony. The Mayflower Compact is considered to have set the stage for the Constitution of the United States. 

Footnote 

(1) “Separatist” is another term for Pilgrims. The difference between Pilgrims and Puritans is that Puritans wanted to 

“purify” the English church. Pilgrims were Puritans who felt the church had not completed the work of the Reformation 

and that they should separate themselves from it. Hence, they were “Separatists” who committed themselves to a life 

based on the Bible.

Page 320 

The Mayflower Compact 

IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our 

dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, 

Defender of the Faith, & c. 

Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour 

of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; Do 

by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and 

combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and 

Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid: And by Virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame, such just 

and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought 

most meet and convenient for the general Good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due 

Submission and Obedience. 

IN WITNESS whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the eleventh of 

November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, King James of England, France, and Ireland, the 

eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, Anno Domini; 1620 

Mr. John Carver Mr. William Bradford Mr Edward Winslow 

Mr. William Brewster Isaac Allerton Myles Standish 

John Alden John Turner Francis Eaton 

James Chilton John Craxton John Billington 

Moses Fletcher John Goodman Mr. Samuel Fuller 

Mr. Christopher Martin Mr. William Mullins Mr. William White 

Mr. Richard Warren John Howland Mr. Steven Hopkins 

Digery Priest Thomas Williams Gilbert Winslow 

Edmund Margesson Peter Brown Richard Britteridge 

George Soule Edward Tilly John Tilly 

Francis Cooke Thomas Rogers Thomas Tinker 

John Ridgdale Edward Fuller Richard Clark 

Richard Gardiner Mr. John Allerton Thomas English 

Edward Doten Edward Liester

From “Families of the Pilgrims: Richard Warren,” 

compiled by Hubert Kinney Shaw, published by the 

Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, 

1955. 

Pilgrim Richard Warren was not of the group that first 

fled England for Leyden, the Netherlands, but joined 

the Pilgrims from London, where he was described as 

a merchant. 

The date and place of his birth is unknown. He died in 

Plymouth in 1628. He married in England, before 1610, 

Elizabeth (maiden name unknown.) 

He came alone on the Mayflower. He was the 12th 

signer of the Mayflower Compact, and one of 19 

signers of that document who survived the first winter. 

His wife and daughters joined him in Plymouth Colony 

later, sailing on the ship “Ann.” 

The couple had seven children, including daughters 

Sarah and Elizabeth. The chart at right shows our 

descent from Richard through his daughter, Sarah, and 

eventually to Hannah Kirby. This is the line NWP filed 

with the Mayflower Society. 

Genealogist Francis Richmond Sears stated in a letter 

to NWP 12 July 1955 that we also descend from 

Richard Warren's daughter, Elizabeth. That line reaches 

us through Grace Church, the grandmother of Job 

Pettys (making Job Pettys and Hannah Kirby distant 

cousins as well as husband and wife.) However, NWP 

did not file that with the Society as an “alternate” line 

to Richard Warren. Perhaps he saw no need. 

Warren Line 

Richard Warren m. Elizabeth ? 

1580-1628 Abt 1583-1673 

Sarah Warren m. Rev. John Cooke 

? - ? ? - ? 

Sarah Cooke m. Arthur Hathaway 

1635-aft 1710 ? - ? 

Hannah Hathaway m. George Cadman 

1662-1749 ? - 1719 

Elizabeth Cadman m. William White, Sr. 

Abt 1690-? 1690-Abt. 1780 

William White, Jr. m. Abigail Thurston 

?-1780 ?-bef 1777 

Hannah White m. Wesson Kirby 

1731-1819 1731-1798 

Jonathan Kirby m. Peace Howland 

1765-1798 1768-? 

Hannah Kirby m. Job Pettys 

1790-1842 Abt 1791-1871 

Daniel Charles Pettys Mary Louisa Snyder 

1810-1867 m. 1825-1879 

Wm. Howland Pettys Daisy Guthman 

1850-1907 m. 1880-1948 

Norman Wm. Pettys Jenny Lind Mather 

1904-1985 m. 1910 - 

Page 321 

[Source: Copy of NWP's original application, as provided by 

the Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants]

Page 322 

NOTE: 

Except for the first generation, the chart at right is 

identical to the previous chart because the marriage of 

John Cooke and Sarah Warren in the second generation 

merged the Cooke and Warren lines. However, 

Norman W. Pettys, Sr., filed this as an additional line 

with the Mayflower Society to obtain recognition of our 

link to Pilgrim Francis Cooke. 

Francis Cooke, 17 th signer of the Mayflower Compact, 

was born about 1577 at Blyth County, York, England, 

near Scrooby. He fled, with Elder Brewster and the 

“exiles from Scrooby” to Leyden (Netherlands), where 

in 1603 he married his wife Hester, formerly of 

Canterbury and a Walloon. His son, John, accompanied 

him on the Mayflower, and his wife, with the rest of the 

children came on the ship Anne in 1623. 

John Cooke, called “Elder” and sometimes “Rev. 

John” Cooke, came with his father, Francis, in the 

Mayflower, 1620. He was a deacon of the church of 

Plymouth but, having been a defender of the Quakers, 

he became obnoxious to Plymouth authorities, and 

removed to Dartmouth. Here he was held in honor. In 

1676 he joined the Baptist Church at Newport, and 

preached at Dartmouth and other places. He married, 

March 28, 1634, Sarah, daughter of Richard Warren. 

From The Kirbys of New England by Melatiah Everett 

Dwight, and Families of the Pilgrims: Francis Cooke, by 

Hubert Kinney Shaw, Mass. Soc. Of Mayflower Descendants. 

Francis Cooke 

Francis Cooke m. Hester Mahieu 

Abt 1557-1663 ? - ?. 

Rev. John Cooke m. Sarah Warren 

? - ? ? - ? 

Sarah Cooke m. Arthur Hathaway 

1635-aft 1710 ? - ? 

Hannah Hathaway m. George Cadman 

1662-1749 ? - 1719 

Elizabeth Cadman m. William White, Sr. 

Abt 1690-? 1690-Abt. 1780 

William White, Jr. m. Abigail Thurston 

?-1780 ?-bef 1777 


1731-1819 1731-1798 


1765-1798 1768-? 


1790-1842 Abt 1791-1871 


1810-1867 m. 1825-1879 


1850-1907 m. 1880-1948 


1904-1985 m. 1910 - 

[Source: Copy of NWP's original application, as provided 

by the Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants]

From: Families of the Pilgrims: William White, 

compiled by Hubert Kinney Shaw, published by the 

Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants.. 

Pilgrim William White of London was a wool carder. 

He was part of the group that first fled England for 

Leyden, the Netherlands, and while there married 

Susanna Fuller on 11 Feb. 1612. She was a sister of 

Samuel and Edward Fuller, who also would become 

Mayflower passengers. 

Among the children of William White and Susanna 

(Fuller) White were Resolved and Peregrine. 

Resolved was born in Leyden, Holland, about the time 

the Pilgrims resolved to seek a new home, and he was 

supposed to have been about six years old when they 

reached the New World. 

Peregrine was born in the cabin of the Mayflower as 

the ship lay in Cape Cod Harbor, Dec. 7-10, 1620. His 

name comes from the Pilgrim’s “peregrinations” - their 

pilgrimages in a strange land. 

Note: 

This line merges with the Warren/Cooke line in the 

early 1700s when Elizibeth Cadman (a descendant of 

Richard Warren and John Cooke), marries William 

White (a descendant of William White and Peregrine 

White). Elizabeth Cadman and William White were the 

great-great grandparents of Hannah Kirby. 

William White 

William White m. Susanna Fuller 

? - 1621 ? - ? 

Peregrine White m. Sarah Bassett 

1620-1704 ? - 1711 

Silvanus White m. Deborah 

c.1650-c.1688 ?-aft 1688 

William White, Sr. Elizabeth Cadman 

1690-c.1780 m. c.1690 - ? 

William White, Jr. Abigail Thurston 

? - 1780 m. ? - bef 1777 


1731-1819 1731-1798 


1765-1798 1768 - ? 


1790-1842 Abt 1791-1871 


1810-1867 m. 1825-1879 


1850-1907 m. 1880-1948 


1904-1985 1910- 

Page 323 

[Source: Copy of NWP's original application, as provided 

by the Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants]

Page 324 

FYI 

One of our ancestors may have come to 

England with William the Conquerer. 

You will read about Ivo Taillebois, the first 

Baron Kirby, in the section beginning with the 

next page.

Our Kirby Line 

[Note: The following section on our Kirby ancestors is derived from documents which were in the 

genealogical work papers of Norman W. Pettys, Sr. NWP utilized the material in preparing his Pettys family 

genealogy although he did not reprint them in that work.] 

THE KIRBY LINEAGE OF HANNAH (KIRBY) PETTY 

From: The Kirby's of New England by Melatiah Everett Dwight, New York, 1898 

(pp. 3-6) 

KIRBY COAT OF ARMS: 

Argent, two bars gules, on a canton of the second, a cross moline, or. 

(“Visitation of London., p. 40”) 

Page 325 

“The name of Kirby is probably one of Danish origin. It was originally written Kirkby, from 

Kirke, meaning Church, and bye, dwelling. The earliest use of the word is found in the name of one 

of the shires of Deira, part of ancient Northumbria. A very early use of the word is found in the 

names of several towns in the north of England, viz, Kirkby Kendal, Kirby Lonsdale, Kirby Stephen, 

etc. Although originally written Kirkby, the name has long been pronounced as if written Kirby. 

Hence the latter spelling has almost altogether superseded the former. 

The earliest appearance of the name as designating a particular family is found in the title 

given to the barons of Kirkby Kendal in Westmoreland. The first Baron Kirby was Ivo Taillebois, 

who came with the Conqueror. He died without male issue, and the barony passed to his brother 

Gerard’s family. In 1272 John Kirkby was made Keeper of the Great Seal, and soon afterward 

Bishop of Ely. In 1322, another John Kirkby (also written Kirby) was created Bishop of Carlisle. 

In the 15th and 16th centuries, there were several families of Kirkbys and Kirbys living in various 

parts of England as is shown by the Visitations of Essex, Leicestershire, Yorkshire, etc. which have 

recently been published by the Harleian Society from the original manuscripts kept in the British 

Museum. The Kirby names usually found in these Visitations are Richard, Roger, William & John 

- all Norman names. These are the names usually met with among the early Kirbys of New England, 

and this circumstance suggests the idea that the New England Kirbys were of Norman origin. Some 

effort has been made to trace their ancestry in England. 

Joseph Kirby came from Warwickshire, and John Kirby in 1654 sold an estate in Rowington, 

Warwickshire ... to Richard Lord... The baptism of Michael Kirby, son of Humphrey, Sept.22, 1622, 

found in one of the recovered sheets of the lost register of St. Mary's Church in Warwick shows, 

however, that there were Kirbys living in the vicinity in the early part of the 17th Century ... This

Page 326 

paper shows that John Kirby, in all probability, came from Rowington in Warwickshire, England 

and that his children believed a considerable estate in Warwickshire rightfully belonged to his heirs. 

Rowington is situated about 5 miles from the town and castle of Warwick. It is possible that 

the ancestors of the New England Kirbys descended from Sir John Kirkby, whose daughter, Matilda, 

married William Beauchamp, the first Earl of Warwick of that family. (See “Visitations of 

Yorkshire,” p.245). 

There is a suggestion of good family descent in the provision made by John Kirby of 

Middletown in his will that two portions of his estate “should not be sold out of the blood” but 

should “pertain to some of my children or children's children to the end of the world.” This 

singular provision, especially its peculiar wording, is not easily intelligible without the 

presupposition that the testator was conscious of descent from a family of English gentry, and so was 

both proud of his “blood” and familiar with the entail of landed estate. 

The Kirbys of New England form a small family group - for both John of Middletown and 

Joseph of Hartford had but one grandson, and Richard of Sandwich had only two grandsons (whose 

descendants have been fairly traced) to perpetuate the name of Kirby ... About ½ of the descendants 

of John Kirby of Middletown and the same proportion of the known descendants of Joseph Kirby 

of Hartford, able to bear arms, were Revolutionary Soldiers. The descendants of Richard Kirby of 

Sandwich were mostly Quakers. Nevertheless, four of his descendants, out of the limited number 

able to take up arms, served as soldiers during the Revolution. In the War of 1812, and in the Civil 

War, a large proportion of the Kirbys of New England descent were engaged, and served with some 

distinction. Nor have they been without influence in time of peace. One of the very first in New 

England to espouse the cause of the Quakers was Richard Kirby of Sandwich, and the first organized 

effort in behalf of temperance was made by Ephraim Kirby of Litchfield, Ohio.

Pettys Line of Descent from Richard Kirby, Sr. 

Page 327 

[note: This chart is based on the material in NWP's genealogical work papers (The Kirby's of New England) and for 

simplicity includes only the direct line of descent from Richard Kirby, Sr., to Norman W. Pettys. It excludes scores 

of relatives in each generation from whom we are not directly descended. Here is how to understand it: the first four 

lines show that we start with 1. Richard Kirby, Sr. and that he married (shown by symbol +) Jane. Their child was 2. 

Richard Kirby who married Patience Gifford, and so on.] 

1Richard Kirby, Sr. ( b.? - d. bef. 1688) 

+Jane 

2 Richard Kirby (bef. 1638 - bef. 1720) 

+Patience Gifford 

3 Robert Kirby (1674 - 1757) 

+Rebecca Potter ( b.? - d. bef. 1773) 

4 Nathaniel Kirby (b.?- d. 1748) 

+Abigail Russell (1712 - 1747) 

5 Wesson Kirby (1731 - 1798) 

+Hannah White (1731 - 1819) 

6 Jonathan Kirby (1765 - 1798) 

+Peace Howland (1768 - d.?) 

7 Hannah Kirby (1790 - 1842) 

+Job Pettys (c. 1791 - 1871) 

8 Daniel Charles Pettys (1810 - 1867) 

+Mary Louisa Snyder (1825 - 1879) 

9 William Howland Pettys (1850 - 1907) 

+Daisy Guthman (1880 - 1948) 

10 Norman William Pettys, Sr. (1904 - 1985)

Page 328 

[Note: The following section is a summary of the direct Kirby line from Richard 1 Kirby (d. circa 1686-1688) to Hannah 

Kirby, whose marriage to Job Petty in 1809 joined the Kirby and Pettys lines. This is followed by a second section 

treating this same material in greater detail.] 

Reference: The following data is taken from The Kirbys of New England by Melatiah Everett Dwight, New York, 1898, 

451 pages, with the references to the pages under each generation. 

T RICHARD 1 KIRBY, yeoman, of Lynn, Sandwich, and Dartmouth, Massachusetts, born probably in England, 

place and date unknown, and died in Dartmouth, Mass., after May, 1686, and before 21 July 1688. He married, 

probably in England before 1635, place and date unknown, Jane (last name unknown), of whom nothing is known. 

Richard Kirby first appears upon the records of New England as an inhabitant of Lynn, Mass., in 1636. In 1637, he 

removed to Sandwich, Mass., with others, where he resided until after 1660. He removed to Dartmouth, Mass., sometime 

after 1660 and before 1670, where he took the oath of fidelity in 1684 and again in May 1686. On 21 July 1707 his 

children entered into a division of his personal estate, the agreement stating that Richard Kirby, Sr., had died intestate 

“sometime more than nineteen years since.” 

His children were: Jane, Sarah, Ruhamah, Richard, Recompence (son) 

((Pages 229-231)) 

T RICHARD 2 KIRBY, yeoman, of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, born, place and date unknown, probably before 1638, 

and died in Dartmouth, Mass. before 4 Apr. 1720 when his will was proved. He married in Sandwich, Mass., 9 Oct. 

1665 Patience Gifford who died after 20 May 1674, the daughter of William Gifford of Sandwich. He married, secondly, 

2 Dec. 1678, Abigail (maiden name unknown) Howland, the widow of Zoeth Howland. 

His children, all by his first wife, were: Sarah, Experience, Temperance, John, Robert 

((Pages 235-238)) 

T ROBERT 3 KIRBY, yeoman, of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, born Dartmouth, Mass., 10 May 1674, and died there 

before 10 Mar. 1757, when his will was allowed. He married, place and date unknown, Rebecca Potter, born place and 

date unknown, and died in Dartmouth, Mass., before 21 Dec 1773, when her will was approved, the daughter of 

Nathaniel Potter (Nathaniel 1 ) of Portsmouth, R.I. 

His children were: Patience, Nathaniel, Ichabod, Recompence, Silas, Robert, Barsheba. 

((Pages 241-242) 

TNATHANIEL 4 KIRBY, yeoman, of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, born Dartmouth, Mass., date unknown, and died 

there before 21 Aug. 1748, when his will was approved. He married in Dartmouth, Mass., 25 Mar. 1731 Abigail Russell, 

born Dartmouth, Mass., 25 June 1712, and probably died there after 5 Nov. 1747, as she is named in her husband's 

will of that date, the daughter of James 4 Russell (Jonathan 3 ; John 2 ; Ralph l ) and Rebecca Howland. 

His children were: Wesson, Rebecca, Lydia, Mary, Justus. 

((Pages,242-244)) 

T WESSON 5 KIRBY, yeoman, of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, born in Dartmouth, Mass., 14 Oct. 1731 and died 

Westport, Mass., 9 Oct. 1798, aged 67. He married Dartmouth, Mass., 23 Feb. 1750 Hannah White, born Dartmouth, 

Mass., 1731 and died Westport, Mass., in 1819, the daughter of William and Abigail (Thurston) White of Dartmouth. 

He was a surveyor of highways in 1771, 1775, 1776, 1780 and 1781 and a selectman and assessor in 1779.

Page 329 

His children were: Nathaniel, William, Sarah, George, Wesson, Elihu, Benjamin, Jonathan, Mary, Hannah, Ruth, Paul, 

Abraham, Elizabeth 

((Pp.245-246) 

T JONATHAN 6 KIRBY, yeoman, of Dartmouth, Massachusetts and Westport, Massachusetts, born Dartmouth, 

Mass., 14 July 1765, and died Westport, Mass., 31 Oct. 1798. He married in Westport, Mass., 25 Jan. 1787 Peace 

Howland, born 1 June 1768, daughter of Philip Howland of Dartmouth, Mass. 

His children were: Hannah, Philip, William 

((Page 282)) 

THANNAH 7 KIRBY, born Westport, Mass; “married March 9, 1809, Job Petty of Westport, son of Daniel Petty.” 

((Page 282 ) 

NOTE: There was also a daughter Lydia named in her father’s estate not shown.

Page 330 

[Note: The following section provides additional details of the lives of our Kirby ancestors] 

Reference: The following data is taken from The Kirbys of New England by Melatiah Everett Dwight, New York, 

1898, 451 pages, with the references to the pages under each generation. 

T 1. RICHARD 1 KIRBY, yeoman, of Lynn, Sandwich, and Dartmouth, Massachusetts, born probably in England, 

place and date unknown, and died in Dartmouth, Mass between May, 1686 and 21 July 1688. He probably married in 

England before 1635, place and date unknown, Jane [note: last name unknown] of whom nothing is known. 

“Richard Kirby of Sandwich, Mass., first appears upon the records of New England in 1636 as an inhabitant of Lynn, 

Mass. In 1637, together with William Wood and others of Lynn, he removed to Cape Cod, and began the settlement 

of the town of Sandwich. He is mentioned as a neighbor by Thomas Hampton of Sandwich in his will, dated March, 

1638, and the same year he, with others, was fined for having swine unringed. He shared In the division of new lands 

in 1641. His name appears in the list made in Aug., 1643, of the sixty-eight inhabitants of Sandwich who were able to 

bear arms. 

He was one of the eleven male members whose names are found on the first recorded list of members of the Puritan 

Church of Sandwich. In 1651 he was presented, with others, for non-attendance on public worship. There was trouble 

at this time in the church between the Rev. Mr. Leveridge and his people, and Richard Kirby may have simply stood 

aloof from the contestants. In the autumn of 1656, Nicholas Upsiall, a Puritan of Boston who had been exiled for 

protesting against the imprisonment of Mary Fisher, the first “Quaker” to appear in Boston, found a temporary refuge 

in Sandwich. The Plymouth records of this date contain a complaint that: 

“Nicholas Upsiall, Richard Kirby and the wife of John Newland, and others, did frequently meet together at 

the house of William Allen in Sandwich on the Lord's day and other times. They used to invey against 

ministers and magistrates to dishonor God and contempt of government.” 

(Plymouth Court Orders, III., p. 105.) 

So far as we know, the names contained in the above record are those of the first persons in this country to embrace 

the principles of the Friends. Yet it is not certain that Richard Kirby ever became a member of the Society of Friends. 

The Sandwich church was “the most bigoted and intolerant in the Colony,” and he may have associated with the ((page 

229)) Quakers out of sympathy for the cause of religious liberty. It Is known that in 1684 he took the “oath of fidelity,” 

and neither his name nor that of his son Richard appears as a member in the church records of the Friends. 

Between 1658 and 1660 the Sandwich Quakers suffered in fines to the amount of 679 (pounds), and of this amount 

Richard Kirby and his son paid 57 pounds, 12 shillings. Some time after 1660 he removed to Dartmouth, Mass. In 

November, 1670, he purchased from Sarah Warren one-half of Thomas Molton's share of land in Dartmouth. (Original 

Proprietors of Dartmouth, Vol. I., p 13.) In 1683 he purchased of Zechariah Jenkins land in Dartmouth, on the east side 

of Cocksett River, at a place called Nasquamskiesett. 

The only records concerning him in the town records relate to his taking the freeman's oath, or “oath of fidelity.” In the 

Dartmouth Town Records for 1684 it is recorded that “Richard Kirby, Senior,” and fourteen others, who are also named, 

“took oath of fidelity.” In May, 1686, it is also recorded that forty-five names were reported to the town meeting as 

having taken the oath of fidelity, and among these names is that of “Richard Kirby, Senior.” 

The name of his wife is unknown. Her first name was probably Jane. There is a Sandwich record that Jane Kirby had 

twin children, Increase and Abigail, born February, 1650, who died soon after, and that the mother was buried, together 

with her son Richard, March 23, 1650. The mention of “her son Richard,” however, throws some doubt upon the 

matter, and suggests the suspicion that she may have been the wife of Richard Kirby, Jr. Nevertheless, the circumstances 

of having two living children of the same name is not unprecedented, and a daughter of Richard Kirby, Sr., was named 

Jane. Since this daughter was married in Sept., 1651, it is probable that her mother was married before 1635, perhaps

in Lynn, Mass., but more probably In England. 

Page 331 

Richard Kirby, Sr , died in Dartmouth, Mass., after May, 1686, and before July 21, 1688, as the following agreement 

shows: 

To all people to whom these presents shall come, greeting: Whereas Richard Kerby, 

formerly of Dartmouth in the County of Bristoll in the Colony of New Plymouth in New 

England, sometime more than nineteen years since died intestate and left some personal 

estate undisposed of, he having before his death given and disposed of his lands unto his 

two sons, viz; to his son Richard Kerby, now of Dartmouth aforesaid, one quarter of a share 

of lands throughout the said town of Dartmouth, both divided and undivided, and one other 

quarter of a share unto his other son Recompence Kerby, then of Dartmouth aforesaid, and 

which was enjoyed and ((page 230)) possessed by his said sons sometime before and at 

the time of his death of the said Richard Kerby their deceased father. 

Now know ye therefore that we, Richard Kerby the son of the said deceased, and Sarah 

Allen and Ruhamath Smith both of Dartmouth, widows, and both daughters of said 

deceased, together with the said Recompence Kerby our brother then of said Dartmouth, and 

Jane Lounders our sister then of Sandwich in the County of Barnstable now deceased, did 

mutually agree unto and divided the personal estate of our said deceased father after his 

death to and amongst ourselves, agreeing and concluding that the said Richard Kerby and 

Recompence our two brothers aforesaid should have and enjoy the lands aforesaid to them 

their heirs and assignes forever, which said agreement and settlement of the said estate of 

our deceased father, we the said Richard Kerby the son, and Sarah Allen and Ruhamath 

Smith the daughters now surviving of the said Richard Kerby, do hereby ratify and confirm 

for us and every of us by these presents and for our heirs and executors and administrators 

and every of them forever. 

In testimony whereof we the said Richard Kerby the son, and Sarah Allen and Ruhamath 

Smith the daughters, of said deceased, hereunto set our hands and seals this twenty one day 

of July in the sixth year of His Maj. Reign, Anno Domini 1707. 

In presence of 

Henery Howland Richard Kerbey 

Samuel Marehu Sarah Allen." 

The children of Richard Kirby, Sr., according to the above agreement, were: 

1. Jane, b.? ; d. before July 21, 1707; m., July 2, 1651, Thomas Lounders of Sandwich, Mass. 

2. Sarah, b. 1638; d. after July 21, 1707; m. Sandwich, Mass. 5 June 1657, Matthew Allen, b. about 1629 and d. 1695, 

son of George Allen of Sandwich. 

3. Ruhamah, b.? ; d. after July 21, 1707; m., as second wife, Lieut. John Smith of Dartmouth Mass., b. 1618, d. Jan. 15, 

1692. 

T4. Richard, b.? (See the next generation.) 

5. Recompence, b.?; d. Newton, Burlington County, N. J. in 1720; m. Rebecca ?Allen, perhaps daughter Francis 2 Allen 

(George l ) and Mary Barlow. ((page 231))

Page 332 

T2. RICHARD 2 KIRBY, yeoman, of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, born, place and date unknown, but probably before 

1638, and died in Dartmouth, Mass. before 4 Apr. 1720, when his will was probated. He married in Sandwich, Mass. 

9 Oct 1665, Patience Gifford, who died after 20 May 1674, the daughter of William 1 Gifford of Sandwich, Mass. He 

married, secondly, in Dartmouth, Mass. 2 Dec. 1678, Abigail (maiden name unknown) Howland, who died before 20 

Jan. 1707-8, the widow of Zoeth 2 Howland (Henry 1 ) and of undetermined parentage. 

“Richard Kirby, born probably before 1638, since he should have been of age in 1658, when he refused to take the oath 

of fidelity. The same year he was fined twenty shillings for refusing to assist marshal Barlow in the execution of the 

duties of his office. In 1660 he was fined five pounds for repetition of this offence. His name is found among the 

twenty-four inhabitants of Sandwich, who, in Oct., 1660, were each fined ten shillings for attending Quaker meetings. 

Together with his father he suffered ((page 235)) the distraint of fifteen cows to satisfy fines imposed amounting to 57 

pounds 12 shillings. 

He was evidently of the sterner stuff of reformers, ahead of the time in which he lived and acted fully up to that 

line regardless of personal consequences. - G. A. Hinckley of Barnstable, Mass. 

Richard Kirby, Jr., was married, Oct. 9, 1665, to Patience, daughter of William Gifford of Sandwich, Mass. He 

afterward removed to Dartmouth, Mass. His wife Patience died some time after May 20, 1674, and he married (2) Dec. 

2, 1678, Abigail, widow of Zoeth Howland, son of Henry Howland of Duxbury, who had been killed by the Indians 

at Pocasset, March 26, 1676, leaving nine children. There is no record of any child by this second marriage; yet, 

inasmuch as he mentions in his will “my granddaughter Remember Potter,” it may be that he had one child, a daughter, 

by his second wife, who married a Potter. His will is dated Jan. 30, 1707-8, and was probated April 4, 1720. It is 

assumed, therefore that he died in 1720. Since his wife Abigail is not mentioned in his will, it is probable that she died 

before 1708. 

[note: Richard Kirby Jr.'s second marriage to Abigail Howland, widow of Zoeth, is an interesting little genealogical irony 

because, just as we are descended from Richard Kirby, we also are descended separately from Zoeth Howland and 

Abigail Howland! They are the great great-great grandparents of Peace Howland, the mother of Hannah Kirby. Hannah 

is our connection to both the Kirby and the Howland lines.] 

Will of Richard Kirby, Jun. of Dartmouth, Mass. 

To all people to whom these presents shall come, I Richard Kirbey of Dartmouth aforesaid 

in the County of Bristol, in the Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, do hereby 

manifest and declare that I being sound in my understanding, I have considered the infirmities 

of my body and knowing it is appointed for all men once to dye, do make this my last will and 

testament for the disposing of all my worldly estate, hereby revoking and declaring null and 

void all and every other will or wills, testament or testaments by me made whether in word 

or writing and this to be taken for my last will 

Imprs. I will that after my decease my daughter Temperance Kirbey shall have all my lands, 

both meadows and uplands, my whole right of lands which I bought of John Wilborn to be and 

remain unto her my said daughter Temperance Kirbey her heirs and assigns forever. And 

allso a bed and bedding and then a full quarter part of all my personal estate or moveables, 

allso ten pounds of money to be payd by my son Robert Kirbey and is due to my heirs and 

survivors by a bond which the said Robert Kirbey has given me and will be of force after my 

decease. 

Item, I give and bequeath unto my son John Kirbey and my daughter “ ” Meshior wife of 

John Meishor and daughter Sarah Merihew wife of Samuel Merihew all the rest of my 

personal estate or moveables that is not before disposed of to be equally divided amongst 

them three. Allso five pounds a piece in money to be payd by my son Robert Kirbey five 

years after my decease, that is to say, the money and the moveables or personal estate to

e “ ” at my decease, and the money is due to my survivors as I shall order or appoint 

from my said son Robert Kirbey as is mentioned in the aforesaid bond. (( page 236)) 

Item, I give to my grand-daughter Remember Potter fifty shillings in money to be payd five 

years after my decease by my aforesaid son Robert Kirbey and is part of the money 

expressed in the bond aforesaid. 

Item, I give and bequeath to all the rest of my grand-children that are living at my decease, 

five shillings a piece to be payd allso five years after my decease by my said son Robert 

Kirbey of the money mentioned in the sd bond. And all the rest and residue of the money 

contained in said bond, be it more or less, I give and bequeath unto my said son Robert 

Kirbey whom I make my whole and sole executor of this my last will and testament. 

In Witness whereof I, the sd. Richard Kirbey have hereunto sett my hand and seal the 

thirtyeth day of January 1707-8. 

his 

Richard Kirbey X Seal 

Mark 

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the aforesd. Richard Kirbey, in presence of us, 

George Cadman, Peleg Tripp, William White 

The children of Richard Kirby and Patience Gifford were: 

1. Sarah, b. May 1, 1667; m. Samuel Merihaw of Dartmouth, Mass, son of Jonathan Merihew. 

Page 333 

2. Experience, b. May 5, 1670; d. 5 Mar. 1745; m. 5 Mar. 1692 John Mosher of Dartmouth, b 1668, d. 1 Aug. 1737 or 

1739, son Hugh and Rebecca (Harndel) Mosher. ((Page 237)) 

3. Temperance, b. May 5, 1670, twin; d. Feb. 5, 1761; m., as second wife, Mar. 22, 1721, George Pierce of Little 

Compton, R. I., b, July 10, 1662, d Aug. 30, 1752, son of Richard Pierce of Portsmouth, R. I. 

4. John, b. Mar. 2, 1672; d. c.1730; m. c.1695 Rebecca Mosher, b. 1668, d. after 2 July 1724, daughter Hugh and 

Rebecca (Harndel) Mosher. 

T5. Robert, b. May 10, 1674. ((page 238)) (See the next generation.)

Page 334 

T3. ROBERT 3 KIRBY, yeoman, of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, born Dartmouth, Mass., 10 May 1674 and died there 

before 10 Mar. 1757, when his will was allowed. He married, place and date unknown, Rebecca Potter, born, place and 

date unknown, and died in Dartmouth, Mass. before 21 Dec. 1773, when her will was approved, the daughter of 

Nathaniel 2 Potter (Nathaniel 1 of Portsmouth, R. I.) 

Robert Kirby of Dartmouth Mass, born May 10, 1674; married Rebecca Potter daughter of Nathaniel Potter (born 1637; 

died Oct. 20, 1704, son of Nathaniel Potter of Portsmouth, R.I.). Little is known concerning him. He was a member of 

the Society of Friends, and lived in that part of Dartmouth which afterward became the town of Westport, and near the 

Coaxit, or Noquechuck, River. The Proprietary Records of Dartmouth (Vol. I, p. 92) state that, in 1712, some 212 acres 

of land were laid out for Robert Kirby’s homestead on east side of Coaxit River. This land was next to that owned by 

George Cadman. He died in 1757. Rebecca, his widow, died in 1773, and her will was approved Dec. 21st of that year. 

Robert Kirby’s will, dated March 26, 1755, was allowed March 10, 1757. In his will he makes his wife Rebecca his 

executrix, and orders his sons Ichabod Kirby and Recompence Kirby to assist their mother in her office. He divides the 

homestead between his sons Silas Kirby and Robert Kirby. He mentions his daughter Bersheba Kirby; also “my (p. 

241) grandsons Weston Kirby and Justus Kirby, sons to my son Nathaniel Kirby deceased”; also five grandchildren “the 

children of my dau. Patience Lawton deceased, namely, Rebecca Milk, Mary Duval, Peace Howland, Lidda Lawton, and 

George Lawton.” Witnesses: Peter Allen, Nathaniel Howland, Restcome Sanford. 

Children of Robert and Rebecca Kirby 

(according to his will, arranged in the order of their several marriages): 

1. Patience, b.?; d. before March 26, 1755; m. 13th of 10th mo. 1722, John Lawton of Portsmouth, R. I., son of George 

Lawton. 

T2. Nathaniel, b.?; (See the next generation). 

3. Ichabod, b.?; d. Westport, Mass. in 1794; m. Dartmouth, Mass. 21st of 11 mo. (Jan.) 1732-3, Rachel Allen, b. May 

2, 1732, daughter Joseph, Jr. 

4. Recompence, b.? ; d. after 17 Sept. 1771; m. 16 Dec 1736, Rebecca Cornell, b. 9 Mar. 1718, d. after 17 Sept. 1771, 

daughter William and Mehitable (Fish) Cornell. 

5. Silas, b.?; d. between 27 June-4 Oct.1785; m. Dartmouth, Mass 8 Feb. 1742, Elizabeth Russell, daughter of Jonathan 

and Judith (maiden name unknown) Russell, of Dartmouth, Mass. 

6. Robert, b.? ; d. after 1802; m. Dartmouth, Mass, 13 Dec. 1744, Abigail Allen, b. 23 Feb, 1726-7, daughter of Seth 

and Elizabeth (maiden name unknown) Allen. 

7. Barsheba, b.?. Unmarried on 26 March 1755, date of her father's will. ((Page 242))

Page 335 

T4. NATHANIEL 4 KIRBY, yeoman, of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, born Dartmouth, Mass., date unknown, say 

1705-1710, and died there before 21 Aug. 1748, when his will was approved. He married in Dartmouth, Mass. 25 

Mar. 1731, Abigail Russell, born Dartmouth, Mass. 25 June 1712, and probably died there after 5 Nov. 1747, the 

daughter of James 4 Russell (Jonathan 3 ; John 2 ; Ralph 1 ) and Rebecca Howland. 

“Nathaniel Kirby of Dartmouth, Mass., born ?; married March 25, 1731 Abigail Russell, born June 25, 1712, daughter 

of James and Rebecca (Howland) Russell of Dartmouth. He was a member of the Society of Friends. He probably died 

early In the year 1748. In his will, dated Nov. 5, 1747, and approved Aug. 21, 1748, he speaks of himself as “being very 

sick and weak in body,”; mentions his wife Abigail, his “two sons,” Weston Kirby and Justus Kirby, between whom 

he divides the homestead farm, and “my three daughters,” Rebecca Kirby, Lydia Kirby, and Mary Kirby. Witnesses: 

Benjamin Tripp, Nathaniel Tripp, Restcome Sanford. 

The Dartmouth Town Records state that Nathaniel Kirby and Abigail Russell were published 2 mo., 22, 1730, and were 

married 2 mo. 22, 1731, but the records of the Friends' monthly meetings in Dartmouth contains the original marriage 

certificate. This states that they were married “the twenty-fifth day of the first month ((page 242)) called March in the 

year according to English account one thousand seven hundred and thirty-one.” 

As a matter of interest to the descendants of Nathaniel and Abigail Kirby, as well as on account of the signatures attached 

to it, this certificate is here given entire: 

“Whereas Nathaniel Kirby son of Robert Kirby of Dartmouth in the County of Bristol in the 

Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, and Abigail Russell the daughter of 

James Russell of the town and County aforesaid, having declared their intentions of taking 

each other in marriage, before several public meetings of the People called Quakers in 

Dartmouth according to the good order used among them, whose proceedings therein after 

a deliberate consideration thereof with regard unto the Righteous law of God and example 

of his people Recorded in the Scriptures of Truth, in that case was allowed by said 

Meetings, they appearing clear of all others and having consent of Parents and others 

concerned. Now these are to Certify all whom it may concern that for the full accomplishing 

of the said intentions this twenty-fifth day of the first month called March in the year according 

to English account one thousand seven hundred thirty one, they the said Nathaniel Kirby and 

Abigail Russell aforesaid in a public assembly of the aforesaid people and others, met 

together for that purpose in this public meeting place at Dartmouth aforesaid, and in a 

solemn manner the said Nathaniel Kirby taking the said Abigail Russell by the hand did 

openly declare as followeth: Friends I desire ye to be my witnesses that I take this my friend 

Abigail Russell to be my wife promising with God's assistance to be a loving Husband till 

death separate us; and then and there in that assembly the said Abigail Russell did in like 

manner declare as followeth: Friends I desire ye to be my witnesses that I take this my friend 

Nathaniel Kirby to be my Husband promising with God's assistance to be a loving wife till 

death separate us: and the said Nathaniel Kirby and Abigail Russell as a farther 

consideration thereof did then and there to these presents set their hands; and we whose 

names are here subscribed, being present among others at the solemnization of this said 

marriage and subscription in manner aforesaid, as witnesses hereunto have also to the 

presents subscribed our names the day and year above written. 

Signed: 

Nathaniel Kirby Lydia Allen Holder Slocum 

Abigail Kirby Rebecca Howland Samuel Hall 

Robert Kirby Reuben Allen Henry Hedley 

James Russell Rachel Allen Peter Allen 

Joseph Russell Mary Ricketson Benjamin Wing 

John Howland Elizabeth Ricketson Daniel Russell 

Benjamin Allen Joanna Mott Paul Russell

Page 336 

William Russell Peter Slocum Rebekah Russell 

Timothy Richardson John Russell Nicholas Lapham 

John Russell Adam Mott John Tucker 

Rebecca Russell Thomas Smith 

Bathsheba Kirby Joseph Tucker 

((page 243)) 

T1. Wesson, b. Oct. 14, 1731. (See the next generation.) 

Children of Nathaniel and Abigail Kirby 

born in Dartmouth (Dartmouth record) 

2. Rebecca, b June 26, 1733; m. June 19, 1763, Daniel Maccomber, son of Samuel, 3, Maccomber (William, 2; 

William, 1) 

3. Lydia, b. Nov. 20, 1738; m. May 15, 1758, Thomas Wood, son of Henry Wood of Little Compton, R.I. 

4. Mary, b. March 15, 1743; m. April 10, 1760, David Wilbur (or Wilbor) of Little Compton. 

5. Justus, b. April 28, 1746; d. Westport, Mass., Jan. 5, 1831; m. Dartmouth, 27 Dec. 1769, Catherine Cornell. b. 

April 14, 1751, d. Westport, Mass., Aug. 27, 1832, daughter of Peleg and Mary (Russell) Cornell of Dartmouth. 

((page 244) )

Page 337 

T5. WESSON 5 KIRBY, yeoman, of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, born in Dartmouth, Mass., 14th 10th mo.(Dec.) 1731 

and died in Westport, Mass., 9 Oct. 1798. He married Dartmouth, Mass., 23 Feb. 1750, Hannah White, born Dartmouth, 

Mass., in 1731, and died in Westport, Mass. in 1819, the daughter of William, Jr. and Abigail (Thurston) White of 

Dartmouth, Mass. 

“Wesson Kirby of Westport, Mass., was born in Dartmouth 1731, 10 mo., 14 da. (Dartmouth record. In his father's will 

he is called Weston, but in his own will he designates himself and also signs as ‘Wesson’; hence the latter spelling and 

peculiar spelling, has been retained.) He was married In Dartmouth, Feb. 23, 1750, to Hannah White (Dartmouth 

record), born 1731, daughter of William White, Jr., of Dartmouth. He resided in that part of Dartmouth which afterward 

became the town of Westport, and near the small fork of Noquechuck River, and above the bridge. He was surveyor of 

highways in 1771, 1775, 1776, 1780, and 1781; was also selectman and assessor in 1779. He died in Westport, Oct. 9, 

1798, aged sixty-seven years. Hannah, his widow, died in 1819 at Westport, Mass. 

The will of Wesson Kirby is dated Jan. 2, 1798. In his will he mentions his wife, Hannah Kirby; his sons, Nathaniel 

Kirby, William Kirby, George Kirby, Elihu Kirby, Wesson Kirby, Benjamin Kirby, Paul Kirby, and Abraham Kirby; 

also “my two grandsons Philip Kirby and William Kirby sons to son Jonathan Kirby deceased;” also “my three daughters 

Sarah ((page 245)) Cornell, Hannah Lawton and Ruth Kirby.” Witnesses: Nathaniel Potter, Jr., Benjamin Brownell, 

Abner Brownell. 

Children, born in Dartmouth, afterward Westport (Westport records): 

1. Nathaniel, b. July 4, 1751; d. Westport, Mass., 9 Oct. 1818; m. Westport, Mass., 10 Sept. 1772, Sylvia Maccomber, 

b. 4 Mar. 1753, d. Westport, Mass. 10 Apr. 1848. 

2. William, b. March 21, 1753; d. Westport, Mass. Jan. 16, 1822; m. Dartmouth, Mass., May 4, 1777, Andry Gifford, 

b. Aug. 8, 1758, d. April 23, 1838. 

3. Sarah, b. April 11, 1755; d. May 18, 1835; m. Westport, Mass., May 19, 1776, Christopher Cornell of Dartmouth, 

b. Feb. 27, 1750, d. Mar.25,1823 

4. George, b. March 9, 1757; d. Pawling, Dutchess County, N. Y., Dec. 28, 1831; m. Pawling, N. Y., date unknown, 

Anna Slocum, dau. Humphrey Slocum of Pawling, N. Y. Removed to Pawling, N. Y. before 1790. 

5. Wesson, b. April 15, 1759; d. Dartmouth, Mass., Dec. 4, 1839; m. Westport, Mass., 8 Dec. 1802, Joanna Craw, b. 

June 20, 1777, d. June 2, 1851, dau. Sherman and Hannah (maiden name unknown) Craw, and granddaughter of Richard 

and Joanna (maiden name unknown) Craw of Dartmouth, Mass. 

6. Elihu, b. June 13, 1761; d. Canaan, Columbia County, N. Y., Oct. 28, 1811; m. Dartmouth, Mass., June 15, 1786, 

Patience Gifford, b. Dartmouth, Mass. Oct. 21, 1762, d. Canaan, N. Y., March 10, 1825, daughter William and Patience 

(maiden name unknown) Gifford. Removed about 1794 to Easton, Washington County, N.Y., and in 1803 to Canaan, 

Columbia County, N. Y. 

7. Benjamin, b. June 18, 1763; d. Dartmouth, Mass., Aug. 20, 1817; m. Dec. 14, 1788, Patience Lawton, b. Nov. 16, 

1767, d. Jan. 17, 1841, daughter of George Lawton. 

T8. Jonathan, b. July 14, 1765. (See next generation) 

9. Mary, b. 1767; d. before Jan, 2, 1798 . 

10. Hannah, b. July 19, 1769; d. Westport, Mass. April 26,1849; m. intentions, Westport, Mass., Oct. 26, 1787, Job 

Lawton, b. Nov. 23, 1764 , d. Westport, Mass., March 5, 1843, the son of George and Peace (maiden name unknown) 

Lawton.

Page 338 

11. Ruth, b. Oct. 19, 1771;.not married. 

12. Paul, b. Oct. 20, 1773; d. Half Moon, Saratoga County, N. Y., Oct. 21, 1848; m.(1) Westport, Mass. Nov. 10, 1796, 

Hannah Tripp, dau. Preserved; m. (2) Jan. 7, 1802, Patience Tripp, b. 1779, dau. Lovatt and Margaret (maiden name 

unknown)Tripp of Westport, Mass. She d. Dec. 29, 1865. He removed in 1813 to Saratoga County, N. Y 

13. Abraham, b Dec. 11, 1775; d. Westport, Mass., in 1836; m. Westport, Mass., Feb. 3, 1803, Eunice White, daughter 

of Obed and Sarah (Peckham) White. 

14. Elizabeth, b.? ; d. in Infancy. ((page 246))

Page 339 

T6. JONATHAN 6 KIRBY, yeoman, of Dartmouth and Westport, Massachusetts, born Dartmouth, Mass,, 14 July 

1765, and died in Westport, Mass., 31 Oct. 1798. He married in Westport, Mass., 25 Jan. 1787, Peace Howland, born 

Dartmouth, Mass., 1 June 1768, the daughter of Philip Howland of Dartmouth, Mass. 

Children born in Westport, Mass.: 

T1. Hannah, b.? ; m. March 9, 1809, Job Petty of Westport, son of Daniel Petty. 

2. Philip, b.?; m. July 26, 1810, Lydia Weaden of Westport, Mass. 

3. William 

((page 282)) 

NOTE: On 21 Nov. 1809, the “Estate whereof Jonathan Kirby Late of Westport, Deceased, Intestate Died Seized” was 

divided among his two sons and his two daughters, Philip Kirby Eldest Son, William Kirby Second Son, Hannah Petty 

Eldest Daughter, and Lydia Kirby Youngest Daughter. Thus, all four children were living on this date, and the youngest 

son and the youngest daughter were doubtless minors on this date. The daughter Lydia is omitted in the genealogy.

Page 340 

FYI 

American Presidents and a Prime Minister of Great 

Britain are in the Howland Family Tree. 

Read about it in the section beginning on the next page.

Our Howland Line 

He bearesth Sable, two bars Argent, 

on a chief of the second three Lions rampant of the first, 

and for his Crest on a wreath of his colors 

a Lion passant Sable. 

By the name of Howland. 

Page 341

Page 342 

Howland Summary 

By Richard R. Pettys, Sr. 

Their descendants would write their names large on the pages of American 

business, finance and politics, but the first Howlands in America had to endure 

hardship and danger to survive. 

The first was John, who arrived on the Mayflower with the Pilgrims in 1620. 

That he arrived at all is a miracle. During a storm in mid-Atlantic, he was 

washed overboard and nearly drowned but managed to regain the ship. His brothers 

Arthur and Henry, who reached the Plymouth Colony later, would suffer here for 

their Quaker faith. 

For more about Pilgrim John Howland see his entry under “Rich and Famous 

Howlands” later in this section. 

We descend from Henry. Our connection is through his great-great-great 

granddaughter, Hannah Kirby (daughter of Peace Howland and Jonathan Kirby), who 

in 1809 became the wife of Job Pettys. Hannah and Job were the great-grandparents 

of Norman W. Pettys, Sr., the compiler of this genealogy, whose own father's name 

reflected his Howland heritage - William Howland Pettys. 

The Howland line has been studied by genealogists for more than a century. 

Disappointingly, they sometimes disagree on one point or another. But most, if 

not all, accept the relationship of John, Henry and Arthur as brothers. (1) 

Too, most regard John, Henry and Arthur as three of the children of Henry 

Howland of Fenstanton, Huntingdonshire, England, a small but ancient village that 

still exists today about 65 miles north of London near Cambridge and St. Ives. 

Their mother's name is given by some as Margaret, but her maiden name is not 

known. (2) 

Henry, our ancestor, and brother Arthur followed John to the Plymouth Colony 

at some point, but exactly when is not clear. Researcher William M. Emery (3) 

believed Henry and Arthur arrived together in either the ship Fortune in 1621 or 

the ship Ann in 1623. Two later genealogists (4) don't give an arrival date, but 

state that the earliest Plymouth Colony record for Henry is a tax list dated 25 

March 1633. 

After their arrival in the New World, Henry and Arthur joined the Society 

of Friends - the Quakers - and their leanings were soon a matter of public 

knowledge and scorn. As a result, various members of the family were penalized 

for their religious faith. On 2 March 1657/58, Henry was fined for entertaining 

a meeting of Quakers in his house, contrary to the order of the court. On 6 

October 1659, he and William Newland were sentenced “to bee disfranchised of 

their freedome of this corporation ... for their being abettors and entertainers 

of Quakers.” Henry was again fined on 1 May 1660, for permitting a Quaker meeting 

in his house and for “entertaining a forraigne Quaker contrary to order of 

Court.” He was fined again on 2 October 1660 for entertaining two Quaker 

meetings. (5) 

Henry died in January 1670/1671, John in February 1672 and Arthur in 

October 1675 but their lines proliferated in this, their adopted country. 

Descendants of John include Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, George H.W.

Page 343 

Bush and George W. Bush. Henry's descendants include Hannah Milhous, the Quaker 

mother of President Richard M. Nixon. Arthur's descendants include Jenny Jerome, 

mother of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. And, as you will see in “Rich 

and Famous Howlands,” their descendants also include financiers and captains of 

industry. 

It probably is safe to say that most Americans with English ancestry want 

to push the line back as far as possible to see if they can connect to nobility. 

So we'll shift gears at this point and see what we can say about the forebears 

of Henry, Arthur and John. 

The research of Col. Joseph L. Chester, a London barrister, in 1879 is 

still cited by many as the definitive work on the topic. Franklyn Howland, who 

was among the first to try to document the Howlands of America, wrote: 

“Col. Chester's investigations show that the surname Howland is found in no other county in 

England than Essex, and originally in no other locality in that county except at Newport, Wicken and 

their immediate vicinity. At the period of the Pilgrim Howland's birth, there were living there 

contemporaneously several distinct families of the name, who were all in some way connected.” 

(6) 

One Howland family which Chester found in his research included the Rt. 

Rev. Richard Howland, Bishop of Peterborough, who was granted a coat of arms in 

1584 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. At one time, it was believed that the 

bishop's nephew, John, was the Pilgrim John Howland, but that was later shown to 

be incorrect. Still, some of the Howlands in the New World used the Howland arms 

on their tombstones. (7) 

Another Howland family which Chester found was the one from which we 

descend, including brothers John, Arthur, Henry, Humphrey and a fifth brother, 

George. 

Now, about that coat of arms with which this segment begins. Franklyn 

Howland wrote: 

“The Arms were confirmed to Richard Howland, D.D., son and heir of John Howland of London, 

Gent., and allowed to him, and all the posterity of John Howland, father of the said Richard, under 

the hand and seal of Robert Cooke, Clarencieux King of Arms, by patent dated 10th June, 1584. 

Act 27, Elizabeth” 

“It was believed that the Howlands of America could be traced back to this distinguished and highly 

honored family' but the family, by careful and accurate research, has recently been traced to 

extinction in England by Col. Chester ... Col. Chester drops this crumb of comfort, however: `I am 

persuaded that these and the emigrant Howlands came from the same stock.' 

Another hint of a link to nobility comes from researcher Hubert Kinney 

Shaw. (8) Noting Col. Chester's comment about several discrete but related 

families of Howlands living in fairly close proximity, Shaw writes: 

In two of these lines, the Howland name terminated in heiresses, one of whom, Elizabeth by name, 

bequeathed the Streatham Estates to her husband, the Duke of Bedford, who then acquired the 

additional title of Baron Howland.

Page 344 

Emery elaborates on this point: (9) 

Of peculiar significance to the descendants of the Dartmouth Howlands is the marriage, in 1695, 

of Elizabeth, daughter & heiress of John & Elizabeth (Child) Howland, to Wriothesly Russell, second 

Duke of Bedford, whose ducal name was given, in honor of Joseph Russell, a brother-in-law of 

Gideon Howland, to what is now the city of New Bedford. 

Wriothesly succeeded his grandfather, William Rusell, the first Duke, who at the time of the marriage 

was created Baron Howland of Streatham, County Surrey, “with remainder to his said grandson and 

male heirs.” The Duchess Elizabeth, who died in 1724, aged 42 years, was of the arms-bearing 

Howland family, and brought her husband a large fortune.” 

Footnotes 

(1) This is based on the will of yet another of their brothers who 

remained in England, Humphrey, a member of the drapers guild of London. 

Humphrey's will, proved 10 July 1646, left a legacy to his three brothers 

in New England — Arthur, John and Henry — with the legacy being shares 

of a debt owed to him by a Mr. Ruck of New England, believed to be Thomas 

Ruck of Salem, Mass.) 

Roger Howland, who has studied the genealogy extensively, wrote in e-mail 

to me on 27 August 2001: “Humphrey's will is the generally accepted proof 

document. It names his brothers in New England.” 

(2) Adams, Gail, editor of the Howland Quarterly for the Pilgrim John 

Howland Society, Leesburg, Virginia, as quoted on the Fenstanton home 

page: 

http://www.fenstanton.telinco.co.uk/historical/index.htm 

(3) Emery, William M., The Howland Heirs (New Bedford; E. Anthony & Sons, 

1919) 

(4) Wakefield, Robert S. and Sherman, Robert M., “Henry Howland of 

Duxbury, Massachusetts, 1633, His Children and His Grandchildren,” 

National Genealogical Society Quarterly 75 (1987) p. 105. 

(5) Ibid. p. 106 

(6) Howland, Franklyn, A Brief Genealogical and Biographical History of 

Arthur, Henry and John Howland and their Descendants of the United States 

and Canada (New Bedford, Mass.; privately printed; 1885) p. 16 

(7) Emery, The Howland Heirs 

(8) Shaw, Hubert Kinney Families of the Pilgrims: John Howland, 

(Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, Boston, Mass.,1955)

Pettys Line of Descent from Henry Howland 

[Note: This shows only the direct line from Henry Howland to Norman W. Pettys, as charted by NWP. For 

simplicity, this excludes the scores of relatives in each generation from whom we are not directly descended. 

Here is how to read this, looking at the first four lines: Henry Howland married (the + sign) Mary. Their son, 

Zoeth Howland married Abigail. And so on.] 

1 Henry Howland (Unknown - 1671) 

+Mary (Unknown - 1674) 

2 Zoeth Howland (? - Killed in an Indian ambush in 1676) 

+Abigail 

3 Henry Howland (1672 - ?) 

+Deborah Briggs (1674 - 1732) 

4 Zoeth Howland (1701 - ?) 

+Sarah (? - ?) 

5 Philip Howland (1731 - 1814) 

+Thankful (1730 - 1818) 

6 Peace Howland (1768 - ?) 

+Jonathan Kirby (1765 - 1798) 

7 Hannah Kirby (1790 - 1842) 

+Job Pettys (1791 - 1871) 

8 Daniel Charles Pettys (1810 - 1867) 

+Mary Louisa Snyder (1825 - 1879) 

9 William Howland Pettys (1850 - 1907) 

+Daisy Guthman (1880 - 1948) 

10 Norman William Pettys, Sr. (1904 - 1985) 

Page 345

Page 346 

[note: This section of the 50th Anniversary edition of the genealogy is derived from documents in the work 

papers of Norman W. Pettys, Sr., as well as from additional sources, as explained in the footnotes.] 

T HENRY 1 HOWLAND: son of Henry, was born before 1613, probably at Fenstanton, county Huntingdon, England, 

and died at Duxbury, Massachusetts, on 1 “leventh month” (January) 1670/71. He was apprenticed on 1 October 1623 

to his brother, Humphrey Howland, in London but appears not to have completed his apprenticeship. Henry married, 

probably in England, to Mary (maiden name unknown). On 16 6m (August) 1674, there died in Duxbury “Mary 

Howland who had bin the wife of Hennery.” Although this wife is called Mary Newland by several writers, no evidence 

for her surname has been located in a contemporary record. 

The earliest Plymouth Colony record of Henry 1 Howland is a tax list dated 25 March 1633. He is also in the 1633 list 

of freemen. Because he must have been at least 21 at this time, it is concluded that he was born before 1613. He is named 

again in a March 1634 tax list; but by 5 January 1635/6 he had removed to Duxbury, where he appears as a constable. 

Two years later, back in Plymouth, arrangements were made for sharing cattle among the town's poor (26 July 1638), 

and a mention was made of a heifer which had been Henry Howland's and a cow and calf which “came from Henry 

Howland.” However, Henry had left the town of Plymouth before this time. It was undoubtedly through a 

misinterpretation of the foregoing mention of cattle that Howland was wrongly credited with participation in the original 

cattle division in Plymouth in 1627. He was, in fact, not a participant in the cattle distribution of either year. 

Meanwhile, in Duxbury, Henry was entered on the 7 March 1636/7 list of freemen, and from then to 1653 he frequently 

served on the grand inquest or other juries. He was “of Duxbury” on 27 July 1640 when he bought land there from 

William Reynolds. He was included in the 1643 list of men able to bear arms in Duxbury, and in 1656 was surveyor of 

highways for that town. 

It was about this time that Henry and his family became permanently involved with the Quakers, as did his brother 

Arthur. Their leanings were soon a matter of public knowledge. As a result, various members of the family were 

penalized for their religious faith. On 2 March 1657/58, Henry was fined for entertaining a meeting of Quakers in his 

house, contrary to the order of the court. On 6 October 1659, he and William Newland were sentenced “to bee 

disfranchised of their freedome of this corporation ... for their being abettors and entertainers of Quakers.” Henry was 

again fined on 1 May 1660 for permitting a Quaker meeting in his house and for “entertaining a forraigne Quaker 

contrary to order of Court,” and again fined on 2 October 1660 for entertaining two Quaker meetings. On 3 June 1668, 

however, Henry was once again surveyor of the highways for Duxbury; evidently he was again sufficiently in the good 

graces of the town to warrant overlooking his Quaker activity. 

Howland's will is dated 28 November 1670 and was probated on 8 March 1670/71. The inventory, taken 14 January 

1670/71, calls him of “Duxburrow.” By the terms of the will, the major bequests went to the son Joseph, who was to 

receive all the testator's housing and lands in Duxbury (except the “new room,” which was to be reserved for Henry's 

widow) and two acres more at “Garnetts Nose Marsh,” as well as four oxen, two heifers, one horse with all the tackling, 

a bed, and a fowling piece. To equalize the distribution, Joseph was to pay his brother Zoeth twenty pounds and to pay 

twelve pence each to his other siblings and their surviving children. Henry's daughter Sarah was to receive two heifers, 

two steers, one mare “at Ponagansett,” and one bed and bedding. Son John was bequeathed only a musket; daughter 

Elizabeth a cow. Son Samuel was to receive “my old mare at Ponegansett.” and daughters Mary and Abigail were left 

ten shillings respectively. Sons John and Samuel were additionally favored with a barrel of cider each. Wife Mary was 

to receive the residue of his estate. 

The will of Mary, “sometimes the wife of Hennery Howland now deceased,” provides additional data, particularly on 

the daughters. It was drawn the “eight day of third month called May 1674” and was twice attested, first on the “26 of 

second month (April) 1674” and second on 8 April 1675. The testatrix, who did not cite her place of residence, made 

bequests to her daughter Abigaill Young, sons Zoeth and John Howland, daughter Mary Cudworth, son Samuel 

Howland, daughters Sarah Dennis and Elizabeth Allin, and son Joseph Howland. The latter was to give twelve pence 

each to his siblings and was to have the remainder of the estate — except for “my horse at Ponagansett,” which Mary 

bequeathed to John.

Page 347 

Children of Henry and Mary Howland were eight in number. The first was born probably in England; others were born 

either there, in Plymouth, or in Duxbury. The order presented below is taken from their mother's will, except for 

Elizabeth, who appears to be older than Sarah: 

1. Abigail Howland; married 1648, John Young 

Children of Henry Howland and Mary 

T 2. Zoeth Howland; married 1656, Abigail (maiden name unknown) 

3. John Howland; died at Freetown before 8 August 1687. 

He seems not to have married. The statement in Howland's History that he was bequeathed a 

house by his mother is a misreading of her actual bequest of a horse. Samuel Howland, 

identified as his brother, was appointed administrator of John's estate on 8 August 1687. The 

inventory was taken on 18 August. 

4. Mary Howland; married before 1665, James Cudworth 

5. Elizabeth Howland; married about 1668, Jedidiah Allen 

6. Samuel Howland; born about 1638; married before 2 June 1681 (and probably before 1673) to Mary Sampson 

7. Sarah Howland; born about 1645; married 1672, Robert Dennis. 

8. Joseph Howland; married 1683, Rebecca Hussey 

Will of Henry Howland 

Henry Howland being week of body, yet a good and perfect memory makes and ordains this to be his last 

will and Testament as followeth: 

Imprimis. I give and bequeath all my housing, both dwelling house and barne with all lands both upland 

and meddow land now lying and being within the Township of Duxburrow unto my sonne Joseph Howland 

only during my wife's life she shall have and injoy the new Room to herself for her owne self. 

2. I give and bequeath to my son John Howland five oxen and two heifers and one horse with all the 

trappings belonging there to as also a bed with things belonging there to as also my fowling piece. 

3. My will is that my son Joseph Howland out of the fore mentioned house and lands and cattle shall pay 

or cause to be paid unto my son Zoeth Howland 20 pounds that is to say 5 pounds by the year till the 20 

pounds be paid; as alsoe twelve pence apiece to all his brothers and sisters and their children surviving. 

Item 4. I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah two heifers and two sheep and one mare now running 

at Appongansatt; as alsoe one bed and bedding there unto belonging. 

5 Item. I give unto my son John one muskett. 

6 Item. I give unto my Elizabeth one cow. 

7 Item. I give my old mare now running at Appongansatt unto my son Samuel Howland. 

8 Item. I give unto my son Joseph Howland ten acres of meadow land now lying and being at a place 

comonly known by the name of Garnetts Nose Marsh. 

9. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary, 10 shillings to be paid out of my estate as yet undisposed 

of. 

10 Item. I give unto my daughter Abigail 10 shillings to be paid by my son Joseph who is to sell a barrel 

of syder and to pay it out of that. 

11. I give unto my two sons John and Samuel both of them a barrel of syder. 

12. Lastly I give and bequeath unto my loving wife all the rest of my estate both movable and chattels

Page 348 

that this is my last Will and Testament I here unto sett my hand and seals this 28 th day of Nov. 1670 

Signed and sealed in the presence of SAMUEL NASH, JOHN SPRAGUE 

HENRY HOWLAND and A (seal) 

(The above written last Will and Testament of Henry Howland deceased was exhibited to the court holden 

at Plymouth the 8th of March Anne dom "one thousand six hundred and seventy one on the oaths of Samuel 

Nash and John Sprague) 

Notes 

1. Source for the genealogy of Henry 1 Howland and list of his children: 

Wakefield, Robert and Sherman, Robert, “Henry Howland of Duxbury, Massachusetts, 1633, His Children and His 

Grandchildren,” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 75, (1987), beginning at page 105. 

2. Source for text of will: 

Howland, Franklyn, A Brief Genealogical and Biographical History of Arthur, Henry and John Howland and Their 

Descendants of the United States and Canada (New Bedford, Mass.; privately printed, 1885)

Page 349 

T ZOETH 2 HOWLAND, sometimes called Zoar Howland, was killed by Indians during King Philip's War at 

Pocaset (in Tiverton, now in Rhode Island) on 31 March 1676. He was said to be “of Dartmouth” when he married, in 

the tenth month (December) 1656, to Abigail (maiden name unknown). His wife died before 30 January 1707/08 

(according to her second husband's will). Abigail married second to Richard Kirby (also his second marriage) “at the 

house of Robert Malins in Newport,” Rhode Island, on 9 m (November) 1678. Both spouses were “of Dartmouth.” Kirby 

died before 4 April 1720 when his will was probated. 

[note: This is an interesting genealogical oddity. On the one hand, we are descended from Zoeth 

2 Howland and his first wife, Abigail; on the other, we also are descended from Richard Kirby, Jr., 

and his first wife, Patience Gifford. This is the same Richard Kirby, Jr., who, as a widower, married 

Abigail, the widow of Zoeth.] 

Zoeth took the oath of fidelity in 1657; few records exist for him after that. From those which do, it is evident that he 

was among the more outspoken Quakers. He was condemned to sit in the stocks for an hour on 2 March 1657/58 for 

speaking “opprobriosly” of the ministers. He was accused of saying that he would not go to meeting to hear lies and that 

the Devil could teach as good a sermon as the ministers. 

“Goodwife Howland, the wife of Henery Howland, Zoeth Howland and his wife ... of Duxbury” and others were fined 

in March 1658/59 for absenting themselves from public worship. Zoeth again was fined ten shillings in October 1661 

for breaking the Sabbath. 

The inventory of the estate of Zoeth Howland of Dartmouth “whoe was slaine by the Indians the 28th of March 1676” 

was exhibited 7 June 1677 on the oath of the widow, Abigail Howland. His entire estate was settled on his widow on 

3 July 1678, she having “many small children.” 

The children of Zoeth and Abigail Howland (except Nicholas, for whom no birth record has been found) are recorded 

in the Dartmouth Vital Records. 

Children of Zoeth Howland and Abigail Howland: 

1. Nathaniel Howland, born 1 8m (October) 1657; married Rose Allen 

2. Benjamin Howland, born 8 3m (May) 1659; married Judith Samson 

3. Daniel Howland, born 1m (March) 1661/62; married Mary (maiden name unknown) 

4. Lydia Howland; born 23 9m (November) 1663 

5. Mary Howland, born 23 12m (February) 1665/66 

6. Sarah Howland, born 2m (April) 1668 

T 7. Henry Howland, twin, born 30 6m (August) 1672; married Deborah Briggs and Elizabeth Northrup 

8. Abigail Howland, twin, born 30 6m (August) 1672 

9. Nicholas Howland; married Hannah Woodman

Page 350 

Notes 

Source for the genealogy of Zoeth 2 Howland and list of his children: 


Grandchildren,” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 75, (1987), beginning at page 108. 

Some writers state that Zoeth was en route to a Quaker meeting when he was killed.

The Murder of Zoeth Howland 

Page 351 

Posted to the Internet 6 Jan. 2001 at http://www.genforum.com/howland/messages/964.html by Richard W. Gifford 

and reprinted here by permission. 

Jane Fletcher Fiske, who is the editor of NEHGR and the foremost living early 

Rhode Island genealogist, discovered old court records from Newport County that 

had been in storage for over 300 years. Among these are records of the court 

martial of various Indians that occurred in the aftermath of King Philip's War. 

She published these court records in 1996 (Records of the Rhode Island General 

Court of Trials), but since the book is probably not widely available I thought 

I would post here some of the records relating to the trial of the murderer[s] 

of Zoeth 2 Howland. Since the entry is fairly lengthy I will divide it into two 

parts and post the second installment in the near future. Zoeth 2 (Henry 1) 

Howland of Dartmouth, MA was waylaid by a group of Indians at what has ever since 

been called “Sin and Flesh Brook” in Tiverton, RI. Tiverton was not settled at 

the time, and Zoeth was on his way from Dartmouth to Newport to attend a Quaker 

meeting, as a meeting had not yet been established in Dartmouth. I will put my 

own notes in brackets. These are the entries for 31 August 1676. 

"Manasses (Molasses) called and Answered to the name, being Examined, concerning Zow Howland kild at 

Pocassett side [Pocasset was an early name for what is now Tiverton; it is a Wampanoag word that probably 

means "where the river widens," referring to the widening of the Sakonnet River north of Fogland Point in 

Tiverton and Sandy Point in Portmouth] (being an Englishman) and slaine or murdered by the Indians, and 

this Molasses being charged or suspected to have a hand in the crime, answers that he did not kill him, but 

being up in the woods the Indians came and said such a one was kild and offered to sell the coate of the 

person soe murdered or slaine, and that he the said Mallasses bought the coate of the (said dead man) for 

ground nutts [these are tubers that grow wild in New England, eaten by both Indians and some early colonists] 

and further saith that it was one Quasquomack that killed the said Howland. 

Mr. [probably Christopher 2 (William 1)] Almy [he spoke fluent Wampanoag and was one of chief colonial 

negotiators with Metacom/King Philip] declared that at Plymouth being, Examination being then upon the 

death of Howland [Dartmouth was in Plymouth Colony, as was Tiverton once it was settled] it was declared 

there that this Indian now present, with two others one named Ohomm, the other Quasquomock did kill the 

said Howland. [In a modern trial none of this would be admissible evidence.] 

This Deponant John Cook [John 2 (Thomas 1) Cooke (1631-1691)] aged about forty five years Testefyeth, 

being at Punkatest [Punkateest, an early name for the southern part of Tiverton] in the middle of July or 

thereabouts, did ask of severall Indians named as followeth, Woodcock, Matowat, & Job, whome they were 

that kild Zow Howland the fore-sd Indians answer was that there were six of them in company and Manasses 

was the Indian that fetcht him out of the water further this deponant saith not. 

This Deponant John Brigs [John 2 (John 1) Briggs (1609-1690)] aged thirty five years or thereabouts 

Testefyeth . . . that the said Manasses shot at Joseph Russill... 

This deponant William Manchester [William 2 (Thomas 1) Manchester (1654-1718), son-in-law to John 2 

Cook above] aged twenty and two years or thereabouts, being at Pocasset asked of Peter Nunoet the husband 

of Wetamoe, whoe it was that killed Zow Howland, his answer was, that Manasses fetcht him out of the water 

and further saith not. [This refers to Peter Nunuit, supposedly the brother of Awashonks, the "squaw sachem" 

of the Sakonnet tribe of Little Compton. Awashonks remained neutral in King Philip's War, but many 

Sakonnets fought with Col. Benjamin Church's colonial forces. Wetamoe, the squaw sachem of the Pocassets 

of Tiverton, sided with King Philip; she had drowned while trying to escape a colonial raid on her camp. A 

recent aquisition of public parkland in Tiverton has been named "Wetamoo Woods," an honor that would 

have been unthinkable in 1676.]

Page 352 

The court martial continued on 1 September, 1676: 

"Awetamoes [Weetamoo/Wetamoe, the aforementioned "queen" of the Pocassets] sister being examined what 

she could say concerning the killing of Zow Howland --- she saith that she was informed by one of those that 

was at his killing called Ohomm that this above Malasses was the person that fetcht Zow Howland out of the 

water at the time when he was kild although the Indians that were with them perswaded him not to persue 

him, and also further saith that she knoweth him the said Malasses to be one of the 12 that was of that 

company that took and kild the said Howland. [It is not clear if this was the sister of Weetamoo who was the 

wife of King Philip. Weetamoo's first husband was Wamsutta a/k/a Alexander, brother of Metacomet/Philip 

and son of Massasoit, who he succeeded as chief of the Wampanoag federation. Wamsutta died while in the 

company of the English at Plymouth, arousing suspicion among the Wampanoags that he had been poisoned. 

Weetamoo's second husband was Pettanonowett/Peter Nunuit, mentioned above, who was a secret agent of 

Col Benjamin Church and was disowned by Weetamoo upon her discovery of his betrayal.] 

Mumuxuack alias Toby ... was theatened by his brother to carry away John Archer's head and he did doe it, 

to Awetamoe by reason his brother theatened him, if he refused to take off his head, and that he carried the 

head to Awetamoe, and that his brother gave him a shirt for doing for carrying the head. [I suspect that this 

John Archer was an Indian who collaborated with the English. In an odd twist of fate, the English severed 

the head from Weetamoo's drowned body and displayed it at Taunton. King Philip's head was on a pole at 

Plymouth for 25 years. These displays sent a not-too-subtle message to the remaining Indians who survived 

the war]. 

Wehuncksum, alias Abram, saith that he well knoweth the above Malasses, and he heard at the spring of the 

yeare last, being then at Wachusett, that there was then information given what Execution had lately been 

done against the English, amongst which was affirmed that the above Malasses had lately killed an 

Englishman at Pocassett. 

Suckats squa that lives with Daniel Wilcocks [Daniel 2 (Edward 1) Wilcox (1635-1702) of Tiverton, another 

son-in-law of John Cook above and an ancestor of Winston Churchill] saith that she heard the abovesaid 

Malasses say being askt or Examined by the Indians in the spring of the yeare last toward Wachusett whether 

he had lately killed an Englishman at Pocassett, he answered that he had done it." [This testimony would be 

admissible in a modern trial, since she herself had heard Malasses/Manasses make a declaration against 

interest, a hearsay exception]. 

That was more than enough evidence for the court martial, which sentenced Malasses/Manasses and 

Mumuxuack to be turned over to Col. Benjamin Church, who was authorized to escort the offenders to 

Plymouth and to "dispose of them ... to the inhabitants or others, for tearm of life or for shorter time as there 

may be Reasons." That was a polite way of saying that they were to be sold into slavery, a fate that befell 

many Indians in the wake of the war, including, quite shamefully, many who had surrendered willingly at the 

outset and had never lifted a finger against the colonists. Most of the Indian slaves were sent to the Caribbean, 

and few, if any, survived more than a few years thereafter.

Page 353 

T HENRY 3 HOWLAND (Zoeth 2 ; Henry 1 ), a twin, was born at Dartmouth on 30 6m (August) 1672. He died 

between 20 August and 16 September 1729, the dates upon which his will was signed and attested. 

Twice wed, Henry's first wife was Deborah Briggs, whom he married at Dartmouth on 3 June (or August) 1698. A 

Dartmouth native also, Deborah had been born on 16 October 1674 to Thomas and Mary (Fisher) Briggs. She died in 

that same town on 25 January 1712 (presumably 1711/12, this being two months after the delivery of her last child), at 

which time she was identified as “wife of Henry.” 

Henry married (2) at the end of two years of mourning, Elizabeth Northrup, with their union taking place at Dartmouth 

on 17 February 1713/14. Elizabeth was still living on 20 August 1729 when her husband made his will. 

Henry's marital and romantic adventures set him at odds more than once with the rigid dictates of his society. On 17 

August 1698 a child was born to Lydia Wilcox and Henry was declared to be the father. He contributed to the child's 

support until January 1700/01. Meanwhile, on 9 April 1700 he was fined for committing fornication with his wife, 

Deborah prior to their marriage. 

Yet a third time, in the wake of his last marriage, Henry was reprimanded by his community. This time, on 15 1m 

(March) 1714, he was disowned by the Quakers for taking a wife contrary to the advice of Friends and contrary to the 

good order established among them. 

The will of “Henery Howland” of Dartmouth, house carpenter,” was dated 20 August 1729 and attested the following 

16 September. His wife, Elizabeth, having deserted him, he bequeathed to her only what she took with her when she left. 

Also named were five sons (Zoeth, Henery, Thomas, Stephen and William), four daughters (Mary, Hannah, Deborah, 

under 18, and Meribah). Son Henery was to be his executor. 

Children of Henry Howland and Deborah (Briggs) Howland: 

(All born at Dartmouth) 

1. Edward Howland, born 10 August or October 1698; died 9 February 1701 

T 2. Zoeth Howland, born 2 November or 3 January 1701 

3. Henery Howland, born 3 April or 3 June 1703 

4. Mary Howland (or Marcy, as she appears in Dartmouth's published vital records), born 27 May or 5 July 1706 

5. Abigail Howland, born 9 May or 9 July 1708; died July 1708 

6. Thomas Howland, born 6 June or 6 Augusta 1709 

7. Hannah Howland, born 17 September or 17 November 1711 

8. Stephen Howland, born 14 May or 14 July 1716 

Children of Henry Howland and Elizabeth (Northrup) Howland 

(All registered at Dartmouth, except Meribah) 

9. Deborah Howland, born 17 March or 9 May 1717 

10. William Howland, born 30 May 1720; married at Dartmouth on 29 November 1741 to Johannah Ricketson, at 

which time he is identified as “son of Henry.”

Page 354 

11. Meribah Howland 

Note 

Source for the genealogy of Henry 3 Howland and list of his children: 


Grandchildren,” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 75, (1987), beginning at page 220.

Page 355 

T ZOETH 4 HOWLAND (Henry 3 ; Zoeth 2 ; Henry 1 ) born in Westport; m. Sarah ___. He was a town officer 

of Dartmouth in 1731. Lived in Westport during the last of his life. Farmer. 

1. Lydia, b. 31, 5, 1745; d.?; 

Children of Zoeth Howland and Sarah Howland: 

2. Hannah, b. 27, 12, 1726; d.?; m. 6,12,1750, James, son of Richard Sisson 

3. Daniel, b. 6,3,l728; d.?; m. 21,10,1752, Rachael Tripp of Dartmouth. Had son Daniel. 

T 4. Phillip, b. 21, 3 1731; d.? 

Note 

Source for the genealogy of Zoeth 4 Howland and list of his children: 

A Brief Genealogical & Biographical History of Arthur, Henry and John Howland and Their Descendants. By 

Franklyn Howland. 1885, page 93.

Page 356 

T PHILIP 5 HOWLAND (Zoeth 4 ; Henry 3 ; Zoeth 2 ; Henry 1 ) born in Westport, 21, 3,1731; d. 25, 8, 1814 or 

12,11,1809; m. Thankful (maiden name unknown), b. 15,4,1730; d. 12,3,1818. They lived and died in Westport,, on a 

farm about a mile west of Westport village, the place being subsequently occupied for-years by George H. Gifford, esq. 

(A Philip m. 19,6,1750, Peace Lawton. D.R.) (1) 

1. Humphrey, b. 4,9,1751; d. 18,5,1821 

Children of Phillip and Thankful: 

2. John, b.?; d.?; m. 19,8,l779, Elizabeth Tibbetts. Children: 

a. Peace, who married Pardon Gifford 

b. Barbara, m. (1) Elihu Gifford; m. (2) John W. Gifford of Westport 

3. Isaac, b.30, 6,1763; d.? (P. 166: m., 30,12,1784, Lydia, dau. of Thomas Cornell of Westport. Substantial farmer. 

Children: 

a. Philip, b. 31, 10, 1785; d. 14,11,1809; m. 12,3,1807, Lydia, dau. of Peleg Cornell. Lydia married 

27,10,181, Thomas Winslow of Westport 

b. Stephen, b. 28,9,1794; d. 28,3,1855. 

T 4. Peace b. 1,6,1768; d.?; m. (Jonathan) Kirby and went to New York State. Peace Howland is the mother of 

Hannah Kirby, who became the wife of Job Pettys. 

Notes 

1. Philip 5 Howland's descent from Zoeth 4 , Henry 3 , Zoeth 2 and Henry 1 is described on p. 116 of Franklyn 

Howland's A Brief Genealogical & Biographical History of Arthur, Henry and John Howland and Their 

Descendants, from which this section is taken almost verbatim. 

2. Also, Melatiah Everett Dwight, in The Kirbys of New England, refers to Peace Howland, who married Jonathan 

Kirby, as the daughter of Philip Howland.

Rich and Famous Howlands 

Henrietta (“Hetty”) Howland Robinson Green 

1834 - 1916 

“The World’s Richest Woman” 

(Fifth Cousin, Twice Removed of Norman W. Pettys, Sr.) 

Page 357 

A hundred years ago she was often called “the pride and pain” of Bellows Falls. In New York City she was known as 

the “Witch of Wall Street” and the world's richest woman. Her simple Quaker dress, frugal lifestyle and great wealth 

inevitably made her a unique and conspicuous person wherever she lived. 

Hetty Howland Robinson, born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, was the daughter of 

Abby Howland (of the Mayflower Howlands) and Edward Mott Robinson. Her father and 

grandfather, Gideon Howland, were millionaire owners of a large whaling fleet. By the 

age of two she was living with her grandfather Howland and his daughter, Sylvia, due to 

Abby's frail health. 

Regardless of their wealth, both the Howland and Robinson families lived frugal lives. 

Their homes were heated with grate fires and the simple meals were prepared in a colonial 

kitchen. Summers were spent at Round Hill Farm in nearby country Dartmouth. Here, 

Hetty learned to ride and drive the horses. 

Hetty's “angelic blue eyes,” fair skin and light brown hair helped make her a family 

favorite. By age six she could read the daily financial papers to her father and grandfather, 

both of failing eyesight. With her keen mind she became familiar with the world of 

finance and investment. At the age of eight she opened her own savings account with the 

nickels family members sometimes gave her as rewards. 

Since she had always had her own way, it was difficult for her to conform to changes 

when she went to school in Sandwich at age ten. She tasted the very first meal and refused 

to eat it. The next meal was the same plate. At the third meal, when again the same plate 

was put in front of her, she made herself eat it. In telling the story years later, she said it 

was the best thing that could have happened to her. 

At fifteen she went to an exclusive school in Boston but could never fit into such a formal and rigid place. It seemed to 

be difficult for her to make friends. Even in her later years her dog, Dewey, seemed to be her closest companion. 

At age 21 she inherited seven and a half million dollars. She became familiar with Wall Street and her natural astuteness 

enabled her to multiply this inheritance many times. 

In New York she lived frugally, often eating in “Pie Alley,” where the main meal of the day was just fifteen cents. She 

moved from place to place in New York City and New Jersey. She was cautious, sure that whenever a young man wanted 

to be friendly, all he really wanted was her money. 

In her early thirties Hetty met Edward Henry Green: tall, large and handsome. He had made his money during twenty 

years in the Orient trading in silk, tobacco and tea. On July 11, 1867, Hetty and Edward were married. They had two 

children, Ned and Sylvia. 

Around 1879, Edward brought Hetty, Ned and Sylvia to his family home in Bellows Falls, a beautiful old house at the

Page 358 

corner of Westminster and Church Streets, overlooking the Connecticut River. A landmark in the village, it had been 

built in 1806 by Captain Hall and was owned by Edward's grandfather, Nathaniel Tucker, who owned the toll bridge 

between Bellows Falls and Walpole, New Hampshire. He greatly enjoyed this home and died there on March 19, 1902, 

at the age of 81. 

Hetty always lived as she wanted: frugally and independently. She would walk to the grocery store at the south end of 

Atkinson Street where she bought broken cookies in bulk, considerably less expensive. She returned her berry boxes for 

a nickel. She carried a small milk can to get the best price on milk for her cat. She would get a free bone for her dog with 

her purchases. She is said to have once spent hours searching for a two-cent stamp she had lost. 

Much of her behavior could be seen as harmless eccentricity. Such was not always the case, however. Her unwillingness 

to pay for a doctor to treat an injury to Ned's leg resulted in amputation. 

Children ran when she walked down the street because they had seen long black skirts such as she always wore only in 

pictures of witches. When the bottom of the skirt needed to be washed from all the dust and dirt it swept through, she 

went to Wheeler's Laundry in the Square, where she instructed them to “wash only the bottom.” She waited in her ample 

petticoats until her skirt was ready for her. 

On her 78th birthday she said her good health and long life were possible because of her habit of chewing baked onions. 

Hetty's last years were spent in New York. She had had several strokes and was confined to a wheelchair. She died at 

Ned's unpretentious house on West 90th Street. Always an ardent Quaker, Hetty wanted to be buried with her family 

in the Immanuel Church's cemetery in Bellows Falls. In 1910 she was baptized at the Holy Cross Episcopal Church in 

Jersey city so she could be buried as she wished. 

Hetty on rare occasions gave a nickel tip when someone in Bellows Falls had been kind to her. Except for a special gift, 

her money and all her property were left to Ned and Sylvia: one hundred million dollars in “liquid assets.” 

Ned enjoyed his money. In 1922 he became interested in the miracle of radio and gave Dartmouth College money to 

erect an experimental station, the most complete station in the country at the time. Ned and Sylvia gave the Hetty Green 

Hall at Wellesley College in 1930. 

Sylvia married Matthew Wilks, great-grandson of John Jacob Astor: she was in her late thirties, he was 63. In many ways 

she was like her mother, but she gave the Green family home in Bellows Falls to the Town. The house was in such need 

of repair that it was taken down. Money was left to Immanuel Church and she also gave funds for a million dollar 

hospital in Bellows Falls. 

In the cover story of the October, 1998 edition of “American Heritage Magazine,” Hetty is ranked #36 of the 40 richest 

Americans in history. Expressed in today's dollars, her fortune is estimated at having been worth $17.3 Billion. She is 

the only female on the list. 

[Source: http://www.virtualvermont.com/history/hgreen.html, and other sites] 

Our Connection to Henrietta Howland Robinson Green 

She is descended, as are we, from Henry 1 Howland and Zoeth 2 Howland. Then the lines diverge. See next 

page for a side-by-side glance. Hetty's ancestry comes from Howland, Franklyn, A Brief Genealogical & 

Biographical History of Arthur, Henry and John Howland and Their Descendants, at p. 159

Henry Howland 

The Pettys Line 

1 Henry Howland Unknown - 1671 

+Mary Newland Unknown - 1674 

2 Zoeth Howland - 1676 

+Abigail 

3 Henry Howland 1672 - 

+Deborah Briggs 1674 - 1732 

4 Zoeth Howland 1701 - 

+Sarah 

5 Philip Howland 1731 - 1814 

+Thankful 1730 - 1818 

6 Peace Howland 1768 - 

+Jonathan Kirby 1765 - 1798 

7 Hannah Kirby 1790 - 1842 

+Job Pettys 1791 - 1871 

8 Daniel Charles Pettys 1810 - 1867 

+Mary Louisa Snyder 1825 - 1879 

9 William Howland Pettys 1850 - 1907 

+ Daisy Guthman 1880 - 1948 

10 Norman Wm. Pettys, Sr. 1904-1985 

Henry Howland 

The Hetty Green Line 

Page 359 

1Henry Howland Unknown - 1671 

+Mary Newland Unknown - 1674 

2 Zoeth Howland - 1676 

+Abigail 

3 Benjamin Howland 1657 - 1727 

+Judith Sampson 

4 Barnabas Howland 1699 - 1773 

+Rebecca Lapham 1707 - 1736 

5 Gideon Howland 1734 - 

+Sarah Hicks 1736 - 1824 

6 Gideon Howland 1770 - 

+Mehitable Howland - 1809 

7 Abbie Slocum Howland 1809 - 1860 

+Edward Mott Robinson 

8 Henrietta Howland Robinson 1834 -1916

Page 360 

Genealogical Details for Hetty Howland 

From: A Brief Genealogical & Biographical History of Arthur, Henry and John Howland and Their Descendants. by 

Franklyn Howland, 1885, p. 158: 

295. Capt. Gideon 6 (Gideon 5 ; Barnabas 4 ; Benjamin 3 ; Zoeth 2 ; Henry 1 ) born Aug. 4, 1770, in Dartmouth; m. (1) Nov. 

29, 1798, Mehitable, dau. of Isaac Howland (284) of New Bedford, who d. July 7, 1809; m. (2) (first name unknown) 

Butts. He commanded whaleships for many years, making profitable voyages and later was a strong, active member of 

the firm of I. Howland Jr. & Co., who were agents of whaleships. He lived the latter years of his life in New Beford. His 

will was dated 1847. He mentioned in his will his dau. Ruth and niece Sylvia (wife of Benjamin T.) Almy. He gave to 

his brother Joseph the farm at Round Hills, Dartmouth, called “the Stephen Howland farm.” He also mentioned nephews 

Gideon, Edward W., William and Gilbert, and nieces Rhoda and Lydia. 

Children: 

i. Sylvia Ann Howland, b June 11, 1806; d. July, 1865, unmarried. She died possessed of an accumulation of over 

$2 million, about half of which was bequeathed to friends, relatives and servants, including $200,000 to the city 

of New Beford. The income of the remainder goes to her niece, Mrs. Hetty (Robinson) Green, during her life, 

and after her death is to be divided among the descendants of Gideon (168). On a marble tablet in the Free Public 

Library, commemorating her noble act, is this inscription: "This tablet commemorates the enlightened liberality 

of Sylvia Ann Howland, who bestowed upon the city of New Beford the sum of two hundred thousands dollars; 

one hundred thousand to aid in supplying the city with pure water; and one hundred thousand as a fund for the 

promotion of liberal education, by the enlargement of the Free Public Library, and by extending to the children 

and youth of the city the means of a wider and more generous culture." 

ii. Abbie Slocum Howland, b Mach 20, 1809; d. 1860; m. Edward Mott Robinson, and had a daughter Hetty 

Howland who m. Edward H. Green, of New York city, and has children: 

a) Edward Mott Robinson 

b) Howland Robinson 

c) Sylvia Ann Robinson 

Mr. Robinson was formerly in business in New Bedford and later in New York City as a shipping merchant. He 

and Sylvia Ann Howland, on the death of Isaac (284) in 1833, became members of the firm of I. Howland Jr. & 

Co. He died in New York city June 14, 1865. He accumulated a property of about five millions.


Pilgrim John Howland 

Almost Fell off the Mayflower 

His Descendants Founded a Shipping Dynasty 

(7 th great-grand uncle of Norman W. Pettys, Sr.) 

Page 361 

John Howland was the brother of Henry (from whom we are descended) and Arthur, and reached the New World ahead 

of them - on the Mayflower. He was the 13 th signer of the “Mayflower Compact.” That he reached the New World at 

all is remarkable. He nearly drowned. Gov. Bradford wrote: 

“In sundrie of these storms the winds were so feirce and ye seas so high as they could not beare 

a knot of saile, but were forced to hull for diverce days togither. And in one of them, as they lay thus 

at hull, in a mightie storme, a lustie yonge man (called John Howland) coming upon some occasion 

above ye grattings, was, with a seele of ye shipe, throwne into [ye] sea; but it pleased God yt he 

caught hould of ye top-saile halliards, which hunge over board, and rane out at length; yet he hild 

his hould (though he was sundrie fadomes under water) till he was hald up by ye same rope to ye 

brime of yet water, and then with a boat hooke and other means got into ye ship againe, and his life 

was saved; and though he was some thing ill with it, yet he lived many years after, and became a 

profitable member both in church and commone wealth.” - [Source: “Genealogy of the Howland Family of 

America,” Franklyn Howland, 1885] 

Hubert Kinney Shaw, author of Families of the Pilgrims: John Howland, published 1955 by the Massachusetts Society 

of Mayflower Descendants, puts the story in modern English: 

In mid-Atlantic during a violent storm, John Howland was almost drowned when a mountainous 

wave swept him overboard. Grasping a halyard which was trailing astern of the Mayflower, although 

at first he was several fathoms under water, he finally managed to haul himself to the surface. He 

was then rescued, by means of a boathook along with the rope, etc. 

Shaw also tells us that: 

John Howland was one of Governor Carver's family. Governor Carver and his wife were among the 

fifty Pilgrims who died during the first few months of the struggle for survival at Plymouth. It is 

believed that John Howland inherited John Carver's estate, as the Carvers had no children of their 

own. 

About 1626 John Howland married Elizabeth Tilley, a girl of eighteen. She had come on the 

Mayflower with her parents who, like the Carvers, were victims of “the sickness” during the first 

winter. She d. 21 Dec. 1687 at Swansea. 

According to Shaw, John Howland was born in 1592, the son of Henry Howland, of Fenstanton, Huntingdonshire (near 

Newport, County Essex, England) and died 23 Feb. 1672 in Plymouth, Mass. Throughout his life, John remained a 

Puritan. His brothers Henry and Arthur were Quakers. It may be that John indentured himself to Carver to pay the cost 

of his voyage, a common practice of the day. The source for this is the web page of the Society of Mayflower 

Descendants in the Commonwealth of Virginia (http://www.sail1620.org/m2k/kids/trades.htm), which states:

Page 362 

Our Mayflower ancestors were not of “royal blood.” For the most part, they were what we now would 

call “middle class” people who had to work for a living. Of the 58 males passengers, both men and 

boys, the trades or occupations of only 32 are known. This is one more than what was known in 

January 1999 because the Pilgrim John Howland Society has discovered an indenture dated 1623 

that reveals John Howland's trade: salter. The women and girls are not included because about two 

hundred years would pass before females wold be allowed to be any more than what we now call 

“Housewives.” 

John Howland is listed in Gov. William Bradford's list of Mayflower passengers as a servant of Carter's. 

CHILDREN of JOHN HOWLAND and ELIZABETH TILLEY: 

(Source: Families of the Pilgrims: John Howland. By Hubert Kinney Shaw. Massachusetts Society of 

Mayflower Descendants. 1955) 

1. John, b. 24 Feb. 1626, at Plymouth; d. aft. 6 May 1693; m. 26 Oct. 1651 at Plymouth, Mary Lee, b. date 

unknown; d. aft 6 May 1693 

2. Desire, b. bef 22 May 1627, Plymouth; d. 13 October 1683, Barnstable, Mass; m. c. 1643 John Gorham, 

b. date unknown; buried 5 Feb. 1675 at Swansea 

3. Jabez, b. c. 1644; d. bef. 21 Feb, 1711/12; m. date unknown Bethiah Thacher; b. date unknown; d. aft 26 

Nov. 1714 

4. Joseph, b. date unknown; d.Jan. 1703/4 at Plymouth; m. 7 Dec. 1664 at Plymouth, Elizabeth Southworth, 

b. date unknown; d. March 1717 at Plymouth. This line, among other things, extends to President Franklin 

Delano Roosevelt. 

5. Isaac, b. c. 1649; d. 9 March 1723/4 at Middleboro; m. date unknown Elizabeth Vaughan, b. 8 Apr. 1653 

at Marshfield; d. 29 Oct. 1727 at Middleboro 

6. Hope, b. 30 August 1629; d. 8 January 1683 at Barnstable; m. c. 1647 John Chipman, b. c. 1620; d. 7 April 

1708, at Sandwich. He m. (2) Ruth (Sargeant) (Winslow) Bourne, b. c. 1642; d. 4 Oct. 1713 at Sandwich 

7. Elizabeth, b. date unknown; d. 1683 at Oyster Bay, L.I., NY; m. (1) 13 of 9 mo. 1649, Ephraim Hicks, b. 

date unknown; d. 2 of 12 mo. 1649 (no children by this marriage); m. (2) 10 of 7 mo. 1651, as 2d wife, John 

Dickenson (Dickinson), b. date unknown; d. Oct. 1682, at Oyster Bay, NY. 

8. Lydia, b. date unknown; d. aft. 11 January 1710/11; m. James Brown, b. date unknown; d. 29 Oct. 1710 

at Swansea 

9. Hannah, b. date unknown; d. date unknown; m. 6 July 1661, Jonathan Bosworth, b. date unknown; d. date 

unknown 

10. Ruth, b. date unknown; d. bef. Oct. 1679; m. 17 Nov. 1664, at Plymouth, Thomas Cushman 3 (Mary 2 

Allerton, Isaac 1 ) b. c. Sep. 1637, d. 23 Aug. 1726 at Plympton. He m. (2) 16 Oct. 1679 at Rehoboth, Abigail 

Fuller, b. c. 1652; d. 31 May 1734, at Attleboro.


Joseph Howland (1749-1836) 

his sons: 

Gardiner Greene Howland (1787-1851) 

Samuel Shaw Howland (1790-1853) 

Great New England Merchants 

(5 th Cousins, 4 Times Removed of Norman W. Pettys, Sr.) 

Joseph 5 Howland 

Page 363 

Joseph 5 Howland (Nathaniel 4 ; Nathaniel 3 ; Joseph 2 ; John 1 ), a great-great grandson of the Pilgrim, John Howland, 

was born in Boston in 1749. He married in 1772 Lydia Bill, daughter of Ephraim Bill of Norwich, Connecticut. Joseph 

Howland began his business career as an apprentice with the commercial house of Benjamin Greene & Son, and on 

attaining his majority went to Norwich [Conn.], where he engaged in trade with the West India islands. He was made 

a freeman of the city in 1773. Shortly afterwards, he formed a partnership with Thomas Coit, under the firm of Howland 

& Coit, and later with John Allyn, under the style of Howland & Allyn. In the early 1800s he was in partnership with 

his son Joseph and with Jesse Brown. Mr. Brown conducted the business in Norwich, while the Howlands, in 1802, had 

settled near New York. He still continued prominent in Norwich affairs, however, being a director in several financial 

institutions and president of the Norwich Insurance Co. The firm of Joseph Howland & Son were large ship owners, 

possessing the ship “Centurion” and 15 or 20 brigs, schooners and sloops. In 1808 he was made president of the 

Highland Turnpike Co., in which position he continued until 1831, when the company was merged into the Hudson 

River Railroad. (1) 

Sons of Joseph 5 and Lydia Bill Howland. 

Gardiner Greene 6 Howland and Samuel Shaw 6 Howland 

Gardiner Greene 6 Howland was born in Norwich, Connecticut, in 1787 came to New York as a boy and learned the 

merchant's trade in the house of Leroy, Bayard & McEvers, where he clerked for many years. When he was sent to 

Matanzas as a supercargo for LeRoy, Bayard & McEvers, he made the acquaintances which would seriously further his 

mercantile career, including the house of Wright, Shelton & Co of St. Jago de Cuba. 

Wright, an Englishman, also owned Gran Sofia, the largest coffee plantation of Cuba. The Sheltons, Stephen and Henry, 

were from Connecticut. Among the various businesses of Wright, Shelton & Co was the lucrative slave trade. 

Back in New York, Gardner Greene Howland started on his own account. His brother Samuel Shaw Howland, who had 

started as a clerk in the auction business and then acted on his own as a coffee broker, joined him three years later. Thus 

was created G.G. & S Howland. 

Through his marriage to a daughter of the rich merchant William Edgar, Gardiner Howland secured enough means to 

expand the firm. The first vessel they operated in the Matanzas trade was thus called the “Edgar,” a schooner built in 

the same year that Gardiner Howland's eldest son William Edgar Howland was born.

Page 364 

The Howlands subsequently engaged heavily in the Mexican trade where they suffered losses because of a dishonest 

agent. Another disastrous venture was the building of two frigates for the Greek, a business in which they were 

associated with Leroy, Bayard & Co. 

Despite such setbacks, the House of Howland prospered, extending its business heavily in the Mediterranean and in 

England. G.G.& S.Howland also survived the cotton panic in 1826, when hundreds of merchants failed. 

In 1832, the Howlands took the son of their elder sister Susan, William Henry Aspinwall, into the business as a partner. 

They offered him a 25% stake in the commission business, then netting $60,000 a year. A similar proposal was made 

to Moses Taylor, who was a clerk along with Aspinwall. Taylor refused and started his own business, in time becoming 

the multi-millionaire president of the New York City Bank. Five years later Gardiner Greene and Samuel Howland 

retired as active partners, remaining financially interested in the firm, each to the extent of $100,000. The firm was 

thereafter renamed Howland & Aspinwall and was directed by William Edgar Howland, Gardiner's eldest son, and by 

William Henry Aspinwall. 

By singular coincidence, which was of little importance at the time, the Aspinwalls and the Howlands today are both 

known for their family relations to one of America's greatest personalities: President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. . Mary 

Rebecca Aspinwall (1809-1886), the youngest daughter of John Aspinwall Jr and Susan Howland, married Dr. Isaac 

Roosevelt, the president's grandfather in 1827. Thus, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in addition to his Roosevelt and 

Delano ancestries was related to both the Howlands and the Aspinwalls of the great shipping merchant house. (2) 

Gardner was for many years a prominent director of that pioneer financial institution, the old Bank of New York, which 

has always been one of the best managed and most honorable institutions in America. He was also connected with 

insurance and many other associations of commercial facilities, and also with many charitable and other useful 

institutions. 

But the great enterprise which remains as a monument to his memory, and could not have gone into operation at the time 

it was commenced without his most efficient and valuable aid and exertions, is the Hudson River railroad. No work of 

that day, of such magnitude and expense, has been carried through in the same space of time; and in the great task of 

obtaining the large subscriptions and loans necessary for the purpose, none were so influential and effective as Mr. 

Howland. Nor did he rest satisfied with subscribing largely from his own means and interesting his friends to do likewise, 

but continued an active director in the board, sharing in its labors until the work was accomplished, and this important 

avenue open to New York from the interior. Few of our merchants have been favored with a longer or more honorable 

career than Mr. Howland, and he left behind him a fame as a good and useful citizen, of more value than the wealth 

which his family inherited from the result of his commercial enterprise. (3)

Footnotes 

(1) Howland, Franklyn, A Brief Genealogical and Biographical History of Arthur, Henry and John Howland and 

their Descendants of the United States and Canada (New Bedford, Mass.; privately printed; 1885), p. 356 

(2) “A Classification of American Wealth” as posted to the Internet: 

http://www.raken.com/american_wealth/shipping_merchants/howland_aspinwall1.asp] 

Page 365 

Roosevelt was a descendant of at least 11 Mayflower passengers, including Richard Warren and Francis Cooke (two 

of our ancestors) and John Howland, brother of our Henry Howland. Here is the descent from John Howland 

mentioned in the text above: 

1. John Howland m. Elizabeth Tilley 

2. Joseph Howland m. Elizabeth Southworth 

3. Nathaniel Howland m. Martha Cole 

4. Nathaniel Howland m. Abigail Burt 

5. Joseph Howland m. Lydia Bill 

6. Susan Howland m. John Aspinwall 

7. Mary Rebecca Aspinwall m. Isaac Roosevelt 

8. James Roosevelt m. (2) Sara Delano 

9. Franklin Delano Roosevelt 

Source: “Descent of Franklin Delano Roosevelt” as posted to the Internet 

http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~pmcbride/rfc/lodus32mfjt.html 

(3) Howland, Franklyn, p. 380

Page 366 

Notes on Possible Ancestors of John 1 Petty 

[rrp note: This section originally was part of the preface to Descendants of John Petty and Ann (Canning) Petty of 

Springfield, Mass. by Norman W. Pettys] 

The following Pages -- numbered A through I -- refer to the Virginia family of Pettus as well as the English ancestry 

of the name. The link between this line and John Petty ( - 1680) and Ann (Canning) Petty has not been established. It 

is included in this genealogy for its information and as a possible source of additional research. 

Norman W. Pettys 

10 March 1978 

A 

REFERENCE SOURCES 

1. For Pettus'es of Norwich, England, see Walter Rye's "Norfolk Families", vol.2, p..656; Norris' "Pedigrees",p.917; Edmund 

Farrer's "Church Heraldry of Norfolk",p.116; "Victoria History of Norfolk" vol.2,p.515 

2. McIwaine's ''Minutes of General Court", p.127; and Virginia Historical Magazineg xix, p. 133 

3. Matthew's "Lists of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury",11; 183 

4. Virginia Historical Magazine, xlix,6o,68,80 

5. Rappahannock Co. Court Order Book 11,282 

6. Crozier's Co. Records, vi, 258; and Nugent's "Cavaliers & Pioneers.",p.225 

7. Tyler Quarterly xxi, 241 and Fleet's "History of King & Queen" 

8. Essex Co.Court Order Book 1, 355. Some confusion about this will. It was written in 1663 and proved in 1665,but not 

recorded until 1690. 

9. Essex Co. Court Order Book vii,179 

10. Calendar of State Papers vol,,I,P.114 

11. Beal's "Peopling of Virginia, p. 58 

12. Essex Order Bk.ix,313 

13. Essex Order Bk. iii, 144 

14. Rappahannock Co. Court Order Book 1,8 

15.Same book,11,282 

16.Same book,ix,51 

17. Chamberlayne's "Blissland Parish Register", p. 59 

18. Will iam & Mary Quarterly,2nd Series,xviii,402

19. Malcolm Harris's "History of Louisa", p.392 

20. William & Mary Quarterly,vi.127 

21. Virginia Land Book, v.285 and 303 

22. William & Mary Quarterly vi,138 

23. McIlwaine's "Minutes of General Court,pp.253,289 

24. Henrico Miscellaneous Papers,i,73 ( In State Library) 

25. Virginia Historical Magazine,iii,164 

26. Calendar of State Papers,i, 99 

27. Virginia Historical Magazine, xlv and xlvi 

28. Valentine Papers, p. 806 

29. Valentine Papers, p. 94 

30. "Hopkins and Related Families" by Walter L. Hopkins 

31. Nugent's "Cavaliers & Pioneers",p.60 and Virginia Historical Magazine,vi; 406 

32. Virginia Land Book, vi;99, and Crozier's Co. Records,vi, 270 

33. Henning's Statutes at Large" ii, 158 

34. McIlwaine's "Minutes of the General Court", p.366 

Page 367

Page 368 

B 

Extracted from: New England Historical & Genealogical Record Vol. 48 - 1894 

Page 504 

(Wills): 

Sir John PETTUS of Norwich, knight, 10 Jan. 1613 proved 13 May l6l4. 

Mentions: 

My son, Thomas Pettus 

My grandson, Thomas Pettus son of Sir Augustine Pettus, my son deceased at 21 

My brother, Thomas Pettus 

My brotherWilliam Pettus 

My godson, John Pettus, son of said William, my brother at two and twenty 

My sister, Whall 

My sister, Joanes 

My niece, Susan Pettus, of London 

DAME BRIDGET PETTUS, wife 

Page 505 

(Wills) 

THOMAS PETTUS, of Caistree St. Edmunds,Norfolk, Esq. 14 Oct.1613 proved 3 Nov. 1618, mentions: 

My nephew, Thomas Pettus, son of Sir Augustine Pettus, knight, my late brother deceased 

SIR JOHN PETTUS, knight, my late father deceased 

My nephew, John Pettus, son of Sir Augustine Pettus 

My mother, Dame Bridget, at Rackeye 

(Thomas Pettus, the testator was the son of Sir John Pettus, of Norwich, and Bridget, daughter of Augustin Curtis of 

Lincolnshire. His brother was Sir Augustine Pettus of Norwich. His sister, Bridget, married Martin Sedley of Morley, 

Norwich. Christian married Sir Peter Saltonstall, d. of CALIBUT WALPOLE of Norfolk. The widow of the testator was 

Anne, daughter of Caliput Walpole of Norfolk. The will previous is that of his father (p. 504). The Virginia family of 

PETTUS claim a direct descent from this family through Col. Thomas Pettus, who settled in Jamestown, Va., in 1640. 

- W.K. Watkins

THOMAS PETTUS, Mayor of Norwich, 1590 

HAD SONS: 

1.) Sir John Pettus, Mayor of Norwich, 1608 

2.) Thomas Pettus, Mayor of Norwich, 1614 

3.) 

C 

NORWICH, ENGLAND 

Thomas Pettus, Mayor of Norwich, 1614 

b. 

m. 

d. 

Children: Had 17 children, all baptized in Church of St. Simon & St. Jude, Norwich, England. 

Child #12: Col. Thomas Pettus, of “Littleton”, James City, Co. Va. 

b. 1598 

m. (1) ? 

m. (2) widow of Richard Durant 

((Two of his brothers came to America before Col. Thomas Pettus.) 

Child # ? Theodore Pettus, Gent.of Norwich, came on the “Bonny Bess” in 1623. Stayed at least 3 years. 

Child # ? George Pettus, died in America in 1631 

Page 369 

((2 Nephews,seemingly, (Henry Pettus, died 1673) 

(Thomas Pettus, died 1663 who bought in Rappahannock Co. in 1656, but Thomas Pettus 

had come in 1643 “Thomas Pettus, Jr.”, transported by Col. Pettus. 

The two Thomas Pettuses, uncle and nephew, left England about the same time,1637 & 1638, and Norfolk 

(Va.) records, usually full and clear, are vague as to which came to Virginia and which went to “parts 

unknown.” Reason: one seemingly had killed a man ..... Pettuses (in England)....arranged the flight and 

obscured the records.....This was easy by the fact that the uncle, then Capt.Thomas Pettus, had been out 

of England from time to time, serving in the Low Countries during the Thirty Years' War. It is not known 

where he went in 1637. Evident that it was the nephew who went into hiding. He was the oldest son of 

the oldest son, and oldest sons did not leave England, except for urgent reasons. ....After 6 years, it was 

safe for him to come quietly into Virginia because England was busy with the Cromwells. DID HE COME 

ALONE? Possibly a wife, left in England (he was born in 1608) died by 1656.

Page 370 

D 

THOMAS PETTUS 

(The Nephew) 

b. 1608 

m: in 1657 in Rappahannock Co.Va. to Katherine Morris, dau.of Maj. George Morris and his wife, Eleanor 

( ) Morris. 

His will,1663, names: 

Wife, Katherine 

Dau.Dorothy, who m.(1) 1675, Thomas Fuget, and later Stanton (?) 

(2) John Longe 

(3) Thomas Gaines 

A posthumous son, not named in Will but provided for by Maj. Morris, was Thomas Pettus, b.1663 or 1664, and 

who m. Rachel Wilson, sister of Abraham Wilson, died 1720. 

He was Captain of Dragoons in 1707; and Sheriff of King & Queen in 1714. 

His will written in 1719 and proved 1720 names: CHILDREN 

a. Thomas Pettus 

b. George Pettus 

c. Benjamin Pettus 

d. Mary Pettus 

e. Elizabeth Pettus, m. Dr. Arthur Hopkins (?)

E 

With reference to the Virginia Family of PETTUS 

Extracted from: Tyler's Quarterly Historical & Genealogical Magazine, Jan. 1949, page 183 

Page 371 

A sumptuous tomb at the Church of St. Simon and St. Jude, Norwich, England, was erected by Thomas Pettus, Armiger, 

to his father, Sir John Pettus (1550 - 1614) and to his brother, Sir Augustine Pettus (1582 - 1613). 

The Pettys family lived in Elm Hill, adjacent to the Church, from 1536 to 1591, when they moved to a country estate 

which they had purchased in RACKHEATH. Three members of the family were Mayors in Norwich; another was a 

distinguished Royalist, scientist and Fellow of the Royal Society; and another became Cup Bearer to the later Stuart 

sovereigns.

Page 372 

F 

Col.Thomas Pettus was “of the Governor's Council” 1641-60. (Stanard). 

In 1643, “Thomas Pettus, Gent.” had a land grant for 886 acres bet. Jamestown and Middle Plantation ( now 

Williamsburg), “a part being by reason of intermarriage with the relict of Richard Durant who patented it in 1636. This 

is about the time he bought “Littleton” whose owner died in 1642. ((“Littleton” in 1633 was residence of Cant. Menifee 

of the Council, a Virginia merchant. In 1661, Littleton was the residence of Col. Thomas Pettus of the Council, who had 

married the widow of Richard Durant. Later, she married Capt. John Grove who died in 1671. When Capt. Thomas Pettus's 

widow, Mourning married James Bray, Jr., “Littleton” passed from possession of the Pettus family. 

Col. Pettus, was vestryman of old Harrup Parish, called Bruton after 1674. He was living in 1662/3. 

He left a will but James City records burned in 1865. A York Co. record, 1698, refers to “a difference bet. Mr. 

Edmund Berkeley and Maj. Lewis Burwell, one of the surviving executors of the will of Col Thomas Pettus. Edmund 

Burkeley was Col. Pettus's grandson. His mother was Mary Pettus Berkeley Mann. 

CHILDREN OF COL. THOMAS PETTUS and - ( ) PETTUS 

a.) Capt. Thomas Pettus 

b.) Mary Pettus 

m.(1) ? 

m.(2) ----- Berkeley 

m.(3) ...... Mann 

c.) Ann Pettus 

? dau - ----- m . ....... Freeman......... 

?Stephen Pettus 

?John Pettis of Rappahannock & New Kent 

NOTE: With Col. Pettus or before came a Stephen Pettus (here by 1637) 

He had land grants 1655 & 1667.

son of Col. Thomas Pettus and ( ) Pettus 

G 

CAPT. THOMAS PETTUS 

Page 373 

b. 

m. (1) Elizabeth Dabney, sister or dau. of Cornelius Dabney, Church Warden of St.Peters, New Kent; m. (2) 

Mourning Glenn 

d. 1690 (“8 ber. 17th 1691"). 

CHILDREN OF CAPT. THOMAS PETTUS AND Elizabeth (Dabney) Pettus: 

a.) Stephen Pettus (“of Hanover”) 

b. 

m. Mary Dabney, dau. of Capt. George Dabney 

d. 

b.) Elizabeth Pettus 

b. 

m. (?) .... Freeman 

d. May 1700 

? c.) Dabney Pettus

Page 374 

Another Pettus or Pettis was in Rappahannock by 1684. 

H 

Names may be interchangeable for Rappahannock records. Thomas Pettus (1663-1720) had his name spelled all kinds of 

ways, even as PETTIT ... because PETTITS came cross the Eastern Shore by 1636 to James City, Co. Probably were well 

known in surrounding counties. This Thomas Pettus is easily followed thru the records by connection with the distinctive 

names KATERINE, DOROTHY, and GEORGE MORRIS. (George Morris deeded to “Thomas Pettus”.) 

PETTITS used the names Bartholomew, Justinian, & Christian. Pettits were Peteetes & Pettites. 

PETTEYS and PETTYS used names Christopher, Maximilian and Rebecca. Johns and Thomases also occur among Pettits 

and Pettys. 

In 1673, a tract of land is called “Mr.Petteys land,” no apostrophe, and in 1720 the same land is called “Mr. Pettis land.”

I 

JOHN PETTIS 

Page 375 

In 1684, John Pettis was “imported” into Rappahannock. He was “imported” several times, showing that he was in “the 

land business” in Rappahannock and surrounding counties. 

* In 1690, he was Juryman in Rappahannock. In 1691, Rappahannock was divided into Essex and Richmond with Essex 

south of the river and next to King & Queen. 

Two John Pettises flourished in Essex and King & Queen. Two Johns distinctly. 

One deposed that he was born 1672. (( He could not have been a juryman in 1690.) 

* The juryman finally settled in New Kent, across Pamunkey from King & Queen. He was a vestryman in Blissland in 

1703. 

Thomas Pettus was clerk of “Lower Church,” Blissland,1735-45. Probably the vestryman John’s son. And the other John 

was surely his son.(?) Further search will possibly show deeds from John to sons John & Thomas. (?) 

In 1704, “John Pettis of King & Queen” was on the Essex quit rent roll. John Pettus, son, came visiting father John Pettus 

across Pamunkey in New Kent ..... In New Kent....lived Overtons. Anne Overton married John Pettus. 

Who was John Pettis of Rappahannock, 1690 and 1684? Not a son of Henry Pettus who died 1673 nor of Thomas Pettus 

who died 1763. (Have their wills). He was a bit younger but was probably their cousin and son of Col. Thomas Pettus of 

“Littleton,” James City Co. Probable because of baptismal names, and because of same family legend that they descend 

from a Mayor of Norwich. Of course, Henry & Thomas (d.1663) also descended from a Mayor of Norwich.(( Have their 

wills).

Page 376 

NWP Letter 

[The following letter was not part of the original genealogy published by Norman W. Pettys, Sr., but is 

included here because it offers insight into his thoughts for additional research. Curfman, the man to whom the 

letter is addressed, published his own excellent genealogy of the Pettys family and dedicated it to two people, 

including Norman W. Pettys, Sr.] 

25 September 1974 

Mr. Robert Joseph Curfman 

3624 Walnut Street 

Kansas City, Missouri 64111 

Dear “Cousin”: 

I appreciate your last letter of 15 September 1974 with copies of your circular trying to find 

both Petty and Paddock family lines. It is just too bad that there are so many disinterested persons 

who are not proud of their family lines and who would like to see a history of their ancestors in printed 

form. I guess it has always been that way and will continue in that vein although genealogy has had 

an upswing in recent years. 

Your letters have re-stimulated my interest altho my direct line has been established for I am 

still imbued with the idea of finding the parentage of John 1 and I still want to know who Ann was and 

where she came from. 

I checked through the printed volume, which I have, entitled “The Albert Petty Family” by 

Charles B. Petty and printed by Deseret Press of Salt Lake City. I am enclosing an extract and while 

our line is mentioned, they were not able to connect. I re-read their book carefully and neither did I 

find any connecting link. 

I had the notion that our John 1 descended from the son of Joseph Pettee or Petty who 

resided at Weymouth as early as 1639 so I spent several hours last night reading through old letter 

from my genealogist, Francis Sears, to see if he had checked the Weymouth, Mass. records and the 

Windsor, Conn. records. The Hartford, Conn. investigation showed nothing and a check with the City 

Library Association of Springfield, Mass. developed no more than what we already knew. (Copy of 

letter from them of 15 May 1955 attached for your interest.) 

Mr. Sears likewise had this same thought and in addition thought that John 1 might have been 

of the William 1 Pettee family, also of Weymouth. His letter to me of 12 July 1955 (copy attached) 

definitely rules that out. William's son John was drowned in 1659, aged 21. 

Mr. Sear’s letter of 28 October 1954 spells out that John 1 apparently was the first of his 

particular family in this country and that he was born on the “other side,” (copy of this letter attached 

and it is poor because the original was in light letters (he needed a new typewriter ribbon, I guess). 

The only possible search that occurs to me now in view of Mr. Sears’ exhaustive research is 

to check the arriving ships and passenger lists AFTER 1620. 1 do not think that all of these records 

are available but if they are, where do we find them? In Salt Lake City? 

I might write Goodspeed's in Boston to see what IS available. What do you think? 

Over the years, I have occasionally run across a few of these lists in printed form but never 

a trace of our people. Of course, they could have come here with some family who paid their passage

ut even then I should think that they would have to be listed by name rather than “one male servant” 

of Blank Family. 

Years ago when I first started this search, I looked in my library in the WINDSOR, CONN. and 

OLD WINDSOR, CONN. books for John 1 since he “removed from Windsor to Boston and then 

Springfield” but nothing. 

If we could locate his ship (and that of Ann’s), possibly it would state where they came from 

in England. (Incidentally, Mr. Sears corresponded with a friend in England who was a genealogist 

enquiring about research there but the reply was that without a definite location that was hopeless, 

This man indicated that the name was not uncommon (Petty) and there were many families of that 

name in London and scattered to various counties. I am of the opinion that he was of the Sir Thomas 

and Sir William line of Norwich, in East Anglica, England. 

Well, I have rambled enough. I will keep you advised of any developments. 

With personal regards, I am 

Cordially yours, 

Norman W. Pettys, Sr. 

NWP:P 

Page 377

Page 378 

From a newspaper clipping (probably the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, but no name or date shown) 

found loose in one of NWP's copies of the genealogy. There is nothing to indicate whether he 

believed we were connected to any of the people named herein, other than John Petty in 

Massachusetts in 1662. 

Petty 

This is a descriptive nickname for a person of small stature and is from the Old French word 

petit, “little.” 

In Scotland, Johan Petyt rendered homage to the English crown in 1296 and had his lands 

returned. Master Duncan Petit or Petyt was Archdeacon of Glasgow in 1395. Richard Petit 

was vicar of Stewynstoun in 1427. Patrick Pettyt was chaplain of Ayr in 1476. Fergus de (of) 

Pety in Fyvy was excommunicated in 1382 for “gross” (large) crimes against the Church.” 

The preposition “de” here is probably a copying error where “le” (the) was meant. 

In England, William Pete, Robert Petyson, Richard Petson and Robert Pety were all on the 

1379 Yorkshire poll tax rolls. Thomas Pettie and Joane Hanson were married in St. John's 

Church, London, 1622. Sir William Petty, M.D., knighted in 1661, was the founder of the 

noble house of Petty with a long line of barons and earls of Shelburne. 

Burke's General Armory describes the many various arms. 

John and William Petty were listed in Massachusetts in 1662 and 1680 respectively. 

In Virginia, a Mr. Petty held a land grant prior to 1635. Lawrence Petty arrived around 1664.

7.Addenda - Bellsouthpwp.net

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