Anniversary Celebrations:
The 250th Celebration – 1889
The 275th Celebration – 1914
The 300th Celebration – 1939
The 350th Celebration – 1987
The 375th Celebration – 2014
Breach of Promise to Marry: Emily Harrison vs. Noble P. Swift
Timothy Ruggles (1711-1795): The Rise and Fall of a Massachusetts Loyalist
Sandwich-By-The-Sea (1914)
Town Hall Through the Years
Historic Houses
A Brief History of Sandwich
By Jonathan A. Shaw, former Chair,
Sandwich Historical Commission
Sandwich, the first town to be established on Cape Cod, was founded in 1637 by the persuasive and energetic Edmund Freeman. The location was appealing for the broad marshes bordering the sea resembled those of Sandwich, England, and were immensely
valuable. With little effort the marshes could immediately provide salt hay for livestock, unlike upland or “English hay” which required cultivation by the settlers. Other reasons also may have appealed to Edmund Freeman and the men and women who joined him. The land was part of Plymouth Colony whose Pilgrim founders were notably more liberal in their religious beliefs than the narrow-minded Puritans of Boston’s Massachusetts Bay Colony. Equally important, Edmund Freeman’s brother-in-law, John Beauchamp, was one of London’s ‘Adventurer’ investors in Plymouth Colony. Like today’s ‘venture’ capitalists, these men provided funds for the infant Colony and sought to encourage and profit from its success.
Approximately sixty families settled in Sandwich, and by 1639 they were building a Town House for civic and religious meetings. The town house site was at the corner of what is now River and Main Streets. It was on this site that Town Meetings and Congregational (and later Unitarian) Meetings were held for almost two hundred years until the Massachusetts State Legislature amended the State Constitution in 1833 to separate church and state; whereupon, in 1834 Sandwich erected the present Sandwich Town Hall, its Greek Revival architecture and massive columns evoking in Sandwich, as elsewhere in the nation, the birthplace of democracy. Soon after settlement a grist mill was built, essential for the grinding of corn meal and the well-being of the entire community. Though the earliest years were largely undocumented and uneventful, an initial land dispute required the presence of Miles Standish to ensure a fair division of the town’s lands.
By the 1650s Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay Colonies were becoming attractive to a new faith, the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Like most new faiths its members ardently proselytized. The Massachusetts Bay authorities reacted by banishing Quakers and finally in 1659 by executing them. Plymouth authorities undertook gentler steps of fines and other forms of retaliation.
Quaker Christopher Holder had arrived in Sandwich from England in 1657. Preaching the inner light as the source from God of personal and societal inspiration, he converted many Sandwich residents to the new faith, and the first Quaker Meetings occurred in Sandwich as early as 1658. Though Sandwich was under the thumb of Plymouth Colony and though the fines impoverished Sandwich Quakers, the movement continued to add new converts. The strength of the Quaker movement in Sandwich and the existing wide-spread religious ferment probably benefited from – and perhaps even caused – the 1653-54 departure of the Town’s first minister, William Leveridge/Leverich. The Quakers also benefited from the quiet and secret encouragement given them by many citizens of the town, including Edmund Freeman who, as a confirmed Anabaptist, believed that everyone had a right to choose baptism and one’s faith as an adult. In 1673, after a gap of almost twenty years, a new minister, John Smith, was chosen as Sandwich’s second minister. In agreeing to the appointment, the Reverend Smith required that he never be asked to “lift a hand” against the Quakers.
Today, Sandwich’s Quaker Meetings are the oldest continuous Monthly Quaker Meetings in America.
In 1675-76 a conflict between the native Americans and the white settlers, known as King Philip’s War after its Indian leader, erupted across Massachusetts and neighboring areas. Sandwich and other settlements on the Cape and Martha’s Vineyard were spared from Indian attacks. Nevertheless, the fear of Indian attacks at the beginning of War or perhaps even earlier had led to the creation at the Wing Fort House in East Sandwich of what was probably a fortified palisade as a refuge and defense against Indian raids.
That Sandwich was spared during King Philip’s War was due to the isolation of the Cape Cod peninsula, the laymen missionary efforts of two Sandwich men, Thomas Tupper and Richard Bourne, and the loyalty of the friendly Native American population. Tupper and Bourne had learned the Algonquin Indian language and had helped to build Indian churches, and Bourne had been essential in establishing Mashpee and its Meeting House on the border of Sandwich as a legal tract owned by the Native Americans themselves and recognized under Colony law. Nonetheless, even in Plymouth Colony treatment of Native Americans changed in the aftermath of King Philip’s War. Three men found guilty of theft from a Sandwich resident, who in earlier years would have been fined or imprisoned, were sentenced to perpetual slavery to be used or sold by him as he saw fit.
During the Revolutionary War and the years leading up to it, Sandwich firmly supported the Patriot cause, but there were enough Tories in the Town to provoke factional disputes and discord. In 1773 the Patriots established the Town’s first Committee of Correspondence, and its seven resolutions were soon passed by the Town Meeting.
A member of the Committee was Doctor Nathaniel Freeman, who became one the Town’s and County’s most prominent Patriots. On Monday, September 26, 1775 Patriots erected a Liberty Pole, probably somewhere near the home of Melatiah Bourne who had given the timber for the pole. All day long men arrived in Sandwich from Rochester, Plymouth, Wareham and Middleboro. On the following day, September 27, at 6 a.m. the enormous assemblage, led by Dr. Freeman who had been chosen leader, in double-file order set out on the highway for the Barnstable Courthouse. Their purpose was to stop the Court, the Sheriff, and the Militia from acting in the King’s name. By 10 a.m. Freeman was on the steps of Courthouse surrounded by a crowd of a thousand or more. During the day and into the following morning all thirteen Justices signed agreements defying the Acts of the English Parliament, and the Sheriff resigned.
On that same September 28, word arrived that the Sandwich Liberty Pole had been cut down. Twenty-two Patriots were immediately sent to Sandwich to apprehend the perpetrators. Three were captured and forced to help re-erect the Sandwich Liberty Pole. On the evening of October 5 Dr. Freeman, who lived near the Old Town Sandwich Burial Ground, received a somewhat suspicious message that a patient required his attendance. He set out on foot and passing by the Newcomb Tavern on his return he was severely beaten by six men, all Tories, and bleeding about the head from a long cut he was rescued by friends and carried home. Because the culprits were in danger of being lynched, they were immediately tried, fined, and released, but with mob violence against them still threatening, several leading citizens of Sandwich had them re-arrested and brought to the Sandwich Liberty Pole where Dr. Freeman’s assailants signed a confession, and the danger of mob violence subsided.
The Newcomb Tavern, the site of the attack on Dr. Freeman, was well known as Sandwich’s Tory Tavern. Brigadier General Timothy Ruggles lived in Sandwich for many years and had become owner of the Tavern after his 1735 marriage to the widow Bathsheba Newcomb. In 1778 when Massachusetts published a list of the three hundred most despicable Tories in the State, Ruggles was the third on the list. He left Sandwich some years before the Revolution, and when George Washington’s army forced the British evacuation of Boston, he wisely fled Massachusetts for the British sanctuary of Nova Scotia.
Over the years the population of Sandwich, which was primarily agrarian, Protestant, and of English origin, grew slowly. In 1825 that began to change. Boston entrepreneur Deming Jarves, after seven years as manager for a newly created Boston glass manufacturing firm, decided to establish a glass factory more fully under his own control. Sandwich was selected “for the proposed canal allowed safe shipping to the New York market, the abundance of wood the fuel for his voracious furnaces, and the proximity to Boston convenient business opportunities in both locations.” He established offices in Boston, raised capital there, and called the firm the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company. The firm grew rapidly and by the end of the 1840s had created in Sandwich one of the largest glass factories in the United States.
The firm brought enormous social and economic change to the town. Jarves relocated experienced glass workers and their families from Cambridge, Massachusetts and some from abroad. Many were Irish Catholics, and they lived in Sandwich in small single family homes as well as two, four, and six family wood-framed buildings constructed by the B & S Glass Company close to the Sandwich factory in an area that soon became known as Jarvesville. Management and few of the more skilled workers lived in larger homes in the earlier settled part of the Village, and those, together with the 18th century homes, comprise the heart of historic Sandwich.
The industrial revolution impacted Sandwich far more than any other Cape Cod town and with it came diversity and prosperity. Driven by the expansion of economic opportunities and the success of the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company, the population of Sandwich nearly doubled, and by 1850s the factory was open 24 hours a day, employing 550 workers, and producing an astounding 5,200,000 pieces of glassware annually. Under Deming Jarves’ guidance, Sandwich glass, a key item in the Massachusetts industrial revolution, became known for its diversity and inexpensiveness. Deming Jarves himself has been called “The Father of Glass-Works in the United States.” He was the first person in the world to successfully press large glass hollow-ware, and “Probably the first drinking glass, made not by blowing in a mold but by pressing with a stamp, was a cylindrical goblet …. made in 1827 by Deming Jarves in Sandwich.”
The Boston & Sandwich glass factory’s products were largely pressed glass and included a remarkable range of items.1 What pewter was for the 18th century, and plastic was for the 20th century, glass was for the 19th century – a material capable of being formed into a multitude of useful objects. Yet by the 1880s glass manufacturing in Sandwich had largely ended. The causes were the loss of the leadership of Deming Jarves and his son John Jarves, the post Civil War depression, labor strikes, and, most important, competition from glass factories in Pennsylvania and the Mid-West located near gas fields and more suited to the industry’s economic health.
In the first half of the 20th century the most significant event for Sandwich was the completion in 1916 of the Cape Cod Canal. Remarkably, it was almost 300 years in coming. In 1623 the Pilgrims under the leadership of William Bradford and Miles Standish scouted the land between the Manomet and Scusset rivers, a traditional Native American portage, and determined this would be the best route for a canal. In 1697 the General Court of Massachusetts considered a formal proposal to build a canal, but no action was taken. In 1776 George Washington, concerned about its military implications, had the location examined, and further surveys took place in 1791, 1803, 1818, 1824-1830, and 1860. Attempts were made later in the century to actually dig the canal, but soon failed. Finally, in 1909 work was begun by the Boston, Cape Cod, and New York Canal Company that had been established by a New Yorker, August Belmont. The Cape Cod Canal is now the longest sea-level canal in the world.
Only a mile of the canal, however, lies in the town of Sandwich. Had the canal been built before 1884 when the town of Bourne was created from the western half of Sandwich, the entire length of the canal would have been in the town of Sandwich. Before that time Sandwich stretched across the entire width of Cape Cod, from Buzzard’s Bay to Cape Cod Bay. The Bourne proponents of the split won the day by measuring the distances that its citizens had to travel – some, like those living in South Pocasset, as much as 12 ½ miles – to the seat of government at the Sandwich Town Hall.
Following the closing of Sandwich glass manufacturing, the town slumbered for almost 75 years, and the population of Sandwich remained stable until the middle of the 20th century when national prosperity and improved roads brought tourists and an increasing number of summer and year-round residents. From 1950 to 2000 the population expanded rapidly from approximately 1,500 residents to about 20,000. Startled by its rapid growth, the citizens of the town made a civic commitment to historic preservation and land conservation beginning in the 1960s, which was reinforced by the knowledge that the protection of Sandwich’s historic sites and unspoiled lands were vital to Sandwich’s heritage tourism, unique environment, and quality of life.
Notes:
- The items produced at Sandwich demonstrate the extraordinary breadth of the Sandwich glass factories’ impact on American material culture:
– TABLEWARE, FOOD & LIQUOR CONTAINERS – dinner plates, tumblers, goblets, spoon holders, creamers, sugar bowls, butter drainers, dessert dishes, serving plates, egg cups, jam pots, melon dishes, sweet preserve cups, condiment casters, specialized covered dishes (for sweetmeats, horseradish, etc.), pitchers, decanters, finger bowls, compotes;
– LIGHTING DEVICES – whale oil lamps, candle sticks, lamp fillers, lamp shades, Argand lamps, kerosene lamps, lanterns;
PERSONAL CARE ITEMS – tooth powder jars, rouge boxes, powder jars, hair grease jars, cologne bottles, hairpin dishes;
– HYGIENE & MEDICINAL ITEMS – ointment boxes, soap boxes, chamber pots, prescription bottles, male and female urinals, smelling salt bottles, bosom shells for nursing mothers;
– HOUSEHOLD, DECORATIVE & MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS – flower vases, window shade handles, door knobs, curtain knobs, ink bottles, paperweights, glass finials, fish globes, darning balls; miniature toys, commemorative & political plates.
Thomas Tupper was my 10th Great Grandfather. I’m curious if the Burgess in my family is connected to yours. My 8th Great Grandfather was John Burgess (1672-1733) and his wife was Mary Wainwright (1676-1762). Is he any connection to your family? Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thomas Tupper my ninth great grandfather.
Good Day~
Is any information available about Mr. Clark’s School in Barnstable? I believe it was in existence in the 18th century.
With thanks,
Doug Norwood
Doug,
Cape Cod geography can be confusing because many locations are identified by a village name rather than the name of the town. Also, the County of Barnstable includes all of Cape Cod. Barnstable is a town in the county of Barnstable. Mr. Clark’s school is not familiar and we suggest you contact the town of Barnstable for information.
Hi, I am looking for more information on Ralph Jones (1600-1685) and his father -also named Ralph Jones. I know that the son married Mary Fuller(Mayflower link). I would like to trace the family back to England. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Linda,
Russ Lovell’s extraordinary book, Sandwich A Cape Cod Town, states “”The earlies causeway to Scornton Neck was on the present Jones Road, named for Ralph Jones who lived just over the Barnstable line in High Street.” We suggest you contract the historical organizations in Barnstable for more information.
I am looking for information on my 4th Great-Grandfather Nathan Freeman, born in Sandwich 19 Nov 1735 and died in Hardwick at age 33 on Nov 8 1769. In particular I am interested to learn why Nathan left Sandwich (Tory?) and what the circumstances were of his early death.
Hello, my grandmother was a Tobey, and I’m descended from Fish/Feake as well as Pope/Bourne/Perry/Burgess, all ancestors of Capt. Prince Tobey of Dartmouth. I discovered my Sandwich ancestors at the age of 10 at the Vermont Historical Society library. Now I have a Master’s in History. I’d like to point out one point in your article: Rev. William Leverich left Sandwich BEFORE the arrival of the first Quakers.
My 8th GG was Ruth Tibet married to William Swift who was borne in England. My 7th GG John Gibbs was married to Esther Swift
I am just starting my family tree and am shocked at how much information there is on the Freeman line. I also am a direct descendant of Edmund Freeman. To learn my family had a part in the growth of our early nation makes me very proud!
I too am a direct descendant of Edmund Freeman. It is amazing to learn the accomplishments of my ancestors.
History of Cape Cod, author Frederick Freeman . also Freeman Geneology by same author . helped me very much Frederick is my 3rd grt grand father. son of Brig Gen Nathaniel Freeman. Mass militia Barnstable County . we Freeman have done our part to help bring our country out of English control and work towards what we have today.
Rebecca,
We suggest that you learn more about your family lines by purchasing the authoritative book, Sandwich, A Cape Cod Town by Russell Lovell. Edmund Freeman was one of the founders of our town and you will find a great deal of information in this book.
I am searching for information about my seventh great grandfather Robert Lawrence who settled in Sandwich about 1664 and married Sarah Barlow. He owned land in Sandwich and Falmouth and died in 1709. I am a descendent of his youngest son, Joshua.
Donna (Lawrence) Paulson
Donna
Lawrence pond near me was named in the 1700s for a Lawrence family who had a farm on that lake. Some Lawrence’s are buried in small cemetery near me
Donna,
Lovell’s book,” Sandwich, A Cape Cod Town”, “Robert Lawrence who made his first purchase from Indian Hope alias Pohunna in the Hope Springs area of Cataumet on the Falmouth line about the time of his marriage in 1665.” Cataumet is a village in the town of Bourne. We suggest that you contact the Bourne Historical Society. Also, be prepared to learn some ugly truths about Thomas Harlow.
Email me I have a whole genealogy of Robert Lawrence 1630-1709 married to Sarah Barlow
I,m looking for the full name of a last name of Wing who came to the cape in 1629 an further married a native american indian woman of the Wampanoag Tribe.
We suggest you contact the Wing Family of America which has extensive records on the family.
Would you by chance have any records that would show if the immigrant, George Reginald Allen /Allyn (1567 – 1648) and his family were Quaker, when they arrived in 1635, or if they became Quaker later? Thank you.
Please give me any information about George Allen b. 1580 d. 1648. He is my daughter-in-laws 10th great-grandfather. My record shows that he had twenty children.
Hi, once upon a time I collaborated on wikitree’s profile for George Allen, helping to sort out the various mistakes and false conclusions about him and his wives. That’s a good place for a well-documented summary.
It was earlier thought that my ancestor Samuel Allen was a son of George, but that got disproved — George’s son was a different Samuel Allen.
My research indicates that my 10th great grandfather, George Allen, was actually a Mennonite. He probably became a Quaker because Sandwich was largely a Quaker community and it was the closest thing to his Anabaptist beliefs he could find in the area.
Hi, I’m descended from George Allen’s cousin Samuel (a close DNA connection) who didn’t live in Sandwich. Only one third of the Sandwich townsmen became Quakers. I don’t see how George Allen could have been a Mennonite — the Mennonites were either Dutch or Swiss. My great-grandmother was Amish, a splinter group from the Mennonites, which emerged from the “original Protestant” Anabaptists. Quaker beliefs, aside from shared commitment to non-violence, were very different from Mennonites or Anabaptists. However, sometimes early English Baptisis got referred to as Anabaptists, which might have caused some confusion regarding George Allen.
Many of the Sandwich Quakers were affected by the so-called “Antinomian and Familistical errors” of Rev. Bachilor in Saugus.
Looking for information on my grandmother Lillian Kelly.shes from sandwich.
I am have been researching my ancestry for some time and found that my father’s mother can be traced back to Benjamin Nye (1620-1750) on her paternal side. According to my research, Benjamin Nye’s Grandson, also named Benjamin, was the father of Mary Nye, who married Noah Fearing, my 7th Great Grandfather. Noah Fearing and Mary fathered Silas Fearing who married Hannah Pope, also of Sandwich.
I also have a Patience Burgess, Katherine Tupper and Martha Gibbs in my tree! This website is great, love seeing the old homes and reading about some of the history. Can’t stop digging!
Hello all,
I have the luck of proof for the following Mayflower Passengers & many ancestors who lived in early Sandwich & New Sandwich (now called Wayne, Kennebec County Maine).
Passengers: William & Peregrine & Susanna White, William & Mary Brewster, John & Pricilla Mullins Alden, William Mullins, & George Soule. Am willing to share. Currently trying to find records for the Burgess family of Sandwich, especially one Samuel Burg/Burge/Burgess B. 1711 Sandwich who married a Mercy Benson of Rochester 1741. Her parents could be John Benson & Elizabeth Washburn of Bridgewater. They had a daughter Mary Benson. Mary’s were many times referred to as Mercy. After the Revolution the Burgess family removed to Wayne Maine, Samuel living to the age of 101 yrs. Interestingly, Samuel’s Grand-daughter Henrietta Besse Dingley of Hollowell Maine, also attended Quaker meetings. This was mentioned in a newspaper announcement. Wonder if her mother Patience Burgess Besse was also Quaker? Perhaps records are scant for the Quaker relatives. Sandwich ancestors include Thomas Burgess/Dorothy Wayne, Ezra Perry, Benjamin Nye, Thomas Tupper. Am particularly interested in one Patience Burgess & her parents Samuel & Mercy Benson Burgess.
Truly enjoyed your website & reading all the communications from Sandwich descendants. Thank you, Lynn
Thomas Tupper was my 10th Great Grandfather. I’m curious if the Burgess in my family is connected to yours. My 8th Great Grandfather was John Burgess (1672-1733) and his wife was Mary Wainwright (1676-1762). Is he any connection to your family? Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Have you located the 1667 map that shows who owned the homes in Sandwich? I found it on Ancestry. Tupper and Nye are included, for example and are among the 25 shown.
Benjamin Nye is my 9x great grandfather. My mother was a Nye.
This site has been a much needed respite of ancestral day-dreaming. One cannot help but wonder if our ancestors were neighbors, friends, or even sweethearts. My grandfather, father and brother all shared the same name, with their middle name, Freeman; that being the maiden name of my great grandmother (?Elizabeth.)
I too cannot live far from the ocean. Grew up a block away and although I have to drive to it now, it is my favorite place anytime of year.
A “Handy” girl.
Hello,
I have seen a marriage notice of Qualm Hazzard resident of Sandwich who married Bethiah Mitchell of Mashpee Mass who were married in Sandwich Mass on 6 July 1811. The only other record I could locate was an entry in Patriots of Color for Peter Hazard a soldier from Sandwich Mass. Peter I have not found any further information in records. Would you have any information on these individuals?
A review of the Sandwich Vital Records indicate that Qualm Hazzard married Bethiah Mitchell in Sandwich on 7/6/1811. Furthermore, in 1811 there was a notation of “Blacks” before their names. We do not have any other information. Best wishes on your research.
Quam Hazard and Bethiah Mitchell were African American Mashpee Native Americans and signed petitions in Mashpee Mass. They had at least one son and probably more. There was a Peter Hazard who also lived for a time in sandwich. In fact there were several Native families who lived in Sandwich Mass. Does anyone know of any researchers in the area regarding ethnis studies?
I am a descendant of Josiah Jones who was born in Sandwich in 1754. are there any records on him or his family ? He married Hannah Stevenson from Stone, Staffordshire, England. They were married in Brookfield, Worchester, Massachussetts
November 1792. Any information would be most appreciated. We believe they had three children… Samuel born 1796,… Temperance born 1800… and Patience born 1810.
Thank you .
A review of the Sandwich Vital Records revealed the following information on the children of Josiah and Hannah Jones. Samuel Jones married Abigail Higgins on 11/8/1818. Temperance Jones had a marriage announcement published on 7/17/1818 to Josiah Jones Jr (this may be a confusion of names by the clerk in 1818). We are attaching a Family Tree from the Mormon database (familysearch.org). Here’s a link to their Josiah Jones page for much more information: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LHGH-W7J
Well, I too am researching Jones ancestors from the same period and I know that there was a Josiah Jones bornbetween 1740 and 1758-ish to Ebenezer and Rebecca Crocker Jones who was a brother to our ancestor Silvanus Jones. If this is your ancestor you have a probable tie to the Mayflower through Edward Fuller via Mary and Ralph Jones.
Hello, my mother was a Purdy in Sandwich,MA. One of our relatives published a book on the Purdy name. You should contact her. Her name is Eleanor MacIsaac. Check her out on Facebook. She will give you lots of information.
There is only one reference to a Purdy in Sandwich. The Sandwich Vital Records states that Addie L. Purdy was born on 2/20/1854 in Sandwich and her parents were William H. and Hannah J. Purdy. But, I suspect that your relative already has this information. Thanks for the book information.
My Mother’s Grandmother was Julia Ellis.
I traced Julia back to:
Capt. Joel Ellis Sr.1679–1763
Wife Elizabeth Churchill
1687–1753
Marriage 6 April 1710
Sandwich, Barnstable Mass.
Joel born 7 January 1679 in Sandwich, Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America
Death 21 June 1763 Middleborough, Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States
Elizabeth Churchill’s grandfather
John Churchill
Birth about 1620England
Death
1 January 1663 Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States
Would love to learn more about their lives.
Celine
It seems that your ancestors removed to Plymouth and we suggest you contact the Plymouth historical organizations for information on the Ellis and Churchill families.
I am looking for information regarding Edward Coleman, in the late 1700’s married to Anna Fish. He was from Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts.
A review of the Sandwich Vital Records revealed some detail about your ancestors. By the way, Coleman is often spelled Colman or Coalman. Edward Coleman was born 7/28/1764 and his wife Anna was born 12/9/1764. They had the following children:
Edward b. 3/7/1788
Patience b. 1/12/1790
Ebenezar b. 8/25/1794
Martha b. 8/6/1799
Zenas b. 4/5/1801
We wish you good luck on researching your ancestors.
Rev Richard Bourne may be my 9th Great Grandfather. I’m looking for information about a possible daughter, Mary (Anthony) Bourne. I’ll contact the person the very generous web master has suggested, but if anyone else has any info on Richard Bourne’s children I would be very appreciative.
Kathe Brown Rainwater
I am a direct descendant of Edward Dillingham, one of the Ten Men of Saugus, that were sent from Saugus (now Lynn) to Cape Cod to establish the town that is now called Sandwich. Is there a source or book on the Dillinghams? Or a historical county book I could consult? Edward’s son was married to a Perry and a great grandson was married to a Gifford (all my direct lineage) of which both names seem to be influential in the early history of the area.
We are uncertain as to which Edward Dillingham you had in mind. There are many. The first Edward was one of the Ten Men from Saugus who founded Sandwich in 1637. However there are three other Edwards mentioned in our town archives. They were born in 1665, 1703/4 and 1743 respectively. You may wish to purchase Sandwich, A Cape Cod Town by Russell Lovell which is available at Titcomb’s bookstore in Sandwich for more information on Sandwich and the Dillingham families.
I also am a direct decendant. His Daughter married Stephen Wing. I am a decendant of that line.
Hello! It looks like I have direct descendent from Sandwich. Do you have a list of the original 60 families that settle there? It looks like we are direct descendants of William Gifford. Do you have any information?
William Gifford was a prominent name in Sandwich history and we suggest that you purchase the book, Sandwich, A Cape Cod Town by Russell Lovell for more information about him and the family. He was not however one of the Ten Men from Saugus who founded our town in 1637. There is no historical record of the other families who removed themselves to Sandwich. You can contact Titcomb’s bookstore in Sandwich to purchase the book.
This may help you get started in your research–
The earliest born William Gifford in the FamilySearch.org database is:
William Gifford
Birth 1615
Devon, England
Death 9 Apr 1687 (aged 71–72)
Sandwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, USA
Burial
Old Town Cemetery
Sandwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, USA
Ancestry has a copy of the 1667 map that shows where each of these settlers houses were built in the town of Sandwich, MA. Some of the houses are still lived in or have become very nice museums. With several families’ sons and daughters marrying, we ended up with a boatload of great grandfathers! What a treasure to find it a few months ago AND to find the historical write ups! We are planning a trip to Sandwich in 2021…
William Gifford is my 10th great Grandfather.
Susan,
Now that more people have been vaccinated against covid, we hope you make the trip. Before you arrive, I suggest you purchase the book, Sandwich A Cape Cod Town because it will have lots of information about your ancestors. Also, you should consider making an appointment with town archivist Deb Rich who can be contacted at drich@ocln.com. Otherwise, enjoy our loively town on Cape Cod Bay.
FYI: You may find answers to questions regarding genealogy at the Town Archives located in the Macknight Room of the Sandwich Public Library. The e-mail access for the archivist, Deborah Rich, is drich@ocln.org. The Archives Room is open for researchers on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30 to 12: 30, and 1:30 to 4:30. The Reference Librarian is available to assist with research in the Archives when the Archivist is unavailable
Hello, I recently found out that my 10th great grandfather was a resident of Sandwich in the early 1600’s. His name was Edmund Perry or Perrye 1588–1659 born in West Buckland, England, having raised children in Sandwich including Ezra and Edward. I’m wondering whether anyone has heard of him or knows his history?
Thanks,
Gordon Perry
Hi Gordon,
I have referred your inquiry to Deborah Rich at the Town Archives.
FYI for all reading this:
The Town Archives is located in the Macknight Room of the Sandwich Public Library.The e-mail access for the archivist, Deborah Rich is drich@ocln.org. The Archives is open for researchers on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30 to 12: 30, and 1:30 to 4:30. The Reference Librarian is available to assist with research in the Archives when the Archivist is unavailable.
My Great grand father 7 times was Ezra Perry Jr. I would love to learn more about him . I believe I am connected to William Brewster (Elder) through his marriage to Rebecca Freeman whose mother was Rebecca Prence who married Patience Brewster who was William Brewsters daughter. Would love to confirm all this
We just received additional information (a wealth of information, I might add) on Ezra Perry from Paul Rentz. His post can be accessed HERE
Gorden I’m direct decendant of Edmund Freeman II. My family line has married into Perry. You may look for book History of Cape Cod. Written by Frderick Freeman he’s my3rd grt grandfather and Nathaniel Freeman my 4th grt granfather. Frederick also wrote Freeman geneology 3 parts. Also Perry mention in the early years. They canbe had at Amazon. Or your library . these books are considered historical writeings.
Hi Joseph.
I just found this site on a whim. Wonderful info. Elizabeth Freeman and Edmund were my 6th or perhaps 7th Greats. The name was slightly changed to Edward and Freeman as the middle name. Have skipped a few generations wherein my Grandfather became the Sr. My Dad, Jr. and my Brother, the III. Our surname is also of the Cape. I had my DNA checked last year for the fun of it. Basically we are related to everyone. Take care ? Cousin.
Joseph, I am putting together the Freeman Family history, with most of my information focused on the many who settled in Lafayette, Tennessee. Would you be interested in sharing?
Michael Wayne Tyler
Hello, and yes, not sure how I can help. I do have a few Freemans moved to the southern part for some time. You may find a George Washington Freeman . He was a bishop. he moved a
to Arkansaw. His brother [my line] Frederick Freeman,authored myline, authored several books and letters,he was a pastor in Plymouth colony. History of Cape Cod, and Freeman Geneology .
I am of the Perry lineage. Edmund Perry Jr was a great grandfather as was Ezra Perry Jr. Ezra Perry Jr married Rebecca Freeman (Edmunds daughter) in 1673. Rebecca was granddaughter of Elder Brewster. Edmund Freeman Jr had father Edmund Freeman who came from England
Dr, Nathaniel Freeman who was refered to in the article is my 4th grt grandfather, direct line, he did father many children about 20 I think.
I am a descendant of Captain John Newcomb. In 1690 he sailed a ship to Southern New Jersey where he and his passengers settled what was called upper and lower Penns Neck. Can you give me more information about his parents, birthdate and place.
He married a passenger named Keziah. If you have any information about her would be appreciated also.
We just visited Sandwich. What a special place!
My 7x great grandfather Col. William Bassett is buried there.
We saw a William Bassett private home. I don’t know which William owned it.
I do know my 9x great grandfather came on the Fortune in 1621, after the Speedwell was leaking. He married Mary Raynesford in Sandwich.
Any additional info would be greatly appreciated.
I Have a bit of information on William Bassett who cane in 1621. He was specified as an Englishman. M at Leyden, Holland, aug 13, 1611 Margaret Oldham and had a previously a wife named Cecile Light (Leyden Rec) Came to Plymouth 1621 a Citzen in 1633, livind in Duxbury was a gunsmith. Lived in Sandwich 1650 then removed to Bridgewater, wife Elizabeth Tilden and they shared in the diviserion of cattled in 1626. Son Nathaniel and Peregine White had deed of land from him in 1656. daughter Elizabeth m Thomas Burgess.He died in Bridgewater in 1667 left to wife Mary other sons Joseph and William
This from the Pioneers of Massachusetts 1620-1650
Hello, Tricia. I also descend from William Bassett of the Fortune. Have you visited the Bassett Family Association Home Page?
Oh my God Tricia Warner… My 9th back great grand father is the same William Bassett… I am on facebook,, have no email any more,, please look me up so we can talk. Sincerly Marlene Bassett
Lovely site to visit. Perhaps you can connect me to someone who can answer two questions about my maternal eighth great grandfather, Samuel Swift who was born in Sandwich Aug 10, 1662 and died May 25, 1729. (He was the son of William Swift who was the first generation of our family to be born in Sandwich.) Looking for better documentation regarding Samuel’s wife(s) and where he died. Thanks much! Kathy
P.S. Visited the area in 2008 with my late mother, Margery Lamonica (nee Swift) and my late sister in 2008 but unfortunately my mother had not yet traced the family this far back then nor at the time of her death in 2013. She would be thrilled. I’ll be back soon!!
Hi Kathy,
Thank you for your kind words regarding the website. According to our historian Russell Lovell in his book Sandwich, A Cape Cod Town, the Swifts were one of the 60 founding families living in Sandwich in 1650. William Swift Sr. arrived shortly after the “Ten Men from Saugus” and died in Sandwich in 1642/3. He had 10 children. Many moved to other areas including Falmouth. The original homesite which burned was on present Standish Road in North Sagamore. Another early Swift house is still standing at the corner of Old Plymouth Rd and Hunters Brook Rd. (also N. Sagamore which was part of Sandwich until 1884). You probably know of Gustavus Swift who purchased a calf for $20.00 and sold the meat to his neighbors. He grew his business into the famous Swift & Co. known for their Premium meats. As for documentation on Samuel and his wife, I would suggest you contact our new Town Archivist: Deborah Rich. You can contact her directly at: drich@ocln.org
Great info on the Swifts of Sanwich. Family has long wondered if related to the Swift meat packing company. My mother, Margery Swift married my father Joseph Lamonica in 1945. He spent much of his career as an attorney for Armour-Swift Co largest competitor here in Chicago. This is fun! Thanks again, Kathy
I stumbled upon this sight while plugging info into my ancestry line. Kathy I also am related in the Swift line. My Great Grand Father Ivo Swift is the last of Swifts on my end. William Swift 1654 – 1700 is my 9th Great Grandfather, I found where some one has done a wonderful job of tracing all the way to Sir Humphrey Swyfte 1330. Interesting the spelling changed. I stay awake late many nights until my eyes are blurry trying to piece this together. After reading your interests on here it has sparked my interest to visit Sandwich MA and look into the book mentioned. I wish you well in your researching.
Hi Kathleen,
I have some info on Samuel Swift 1662-1729
Spouse; Mary Morey
Samuel Swift is the Father in law to my 8th Great Uncle
My family name from Sandwich, Mass area is Fearing.
Thank you! I had the first name Mary but nothing more. Unfortunately hints did not come up when I entered her full name. Would love more info on the Morey family line. Sorry for my delayed response-busy summer.
Thanks. I have Samuel Swift as my 5th GF but I could not find his wife just a lot of kids. So interesting what you have found out so far.
Hi,
I found the Will and Probate record for Samuel Swift on Ancestry.com and found it fascinating to read. Here is a link to the documents:
Part 1
Part 2
Name: Samuel Swift
Probate Date: 5 Oct 1730
Probate Place: Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA
Inferred Death Year: Abt 1730
Inferred Death Place: Massachusetts, USA
Item Description: Probate Records, Vol 4-5, 1721-1741
Thanks much! Will reflects info on all of his (Samuel Swift’s many children. I only knew of one before-Ebenezer my 6th great-grandfather. Kathy
Hi Kathy,
I just found this site and have read through your posts regarding Samuel Swift. I have visited Sandwich a couple of times and have found the Town Clerk’s Office to be very helpful as well as the Sandwich Library. Samuel Swift (b. 1662 d. abt 1730) is my 7th great-grandfather. Two Ebenezers (b. 1698, and son born b. 1733) are also my grandfathers. I have a copy of Ebenezer’s (b. 7 June 1698) birth record I got from the Town Clerk. I also have a copy of a marriage record of Ebenezer Swift and Mary Gibbs (8 Jun 1721), and Samuel Swift’s (b. 10 Aug 1662) birth record. I then follow Judah Swift’s line, a Patriot in the Am. Revolution.
Sincerely, Carolyn
Forgot to also mention as a lawyer who specializes in probate etc and daughter of a lawyer proud to see that Samuel included his daughters in his Will. Not a common thing in 16th century probate matters. Thanks again, Kathy
I was trying to locate the Weaver family who owned a small store there in the 1950 and 60s
I don’t mind if the family knows I’m searching.
We now have a new Town Archivist, Deborah Rich. You can contact her directly at: drich@ocln.org
My wife is a descendant of Bathsheba Bourne Newcomb Ruggles. After reading the history of Bathsheba, or what we could find, it looks as if her second husband, Timothy Ruggles, was a tory and officer in the British Army during the Revolution, and he was eventually exiled to Nova Scotia. But it appears that Bathsheba and her daughters all stayed in Massachusetts, with Bathsheba dying there in 1787. Many references are made of her as being a patriot of the Revolution, but nothing to substantiate this reference. Do you know of any proof available that would suffice to make her a patriot of the Revolution, such as loaning money to the new government, buying supplies for the colonial army, or any other patriotic act?
Thank you,
Garry Boice
My wife is a descendant of Bathsheba Bourne Newcomb Ruggles. After reading the history of Bathsheba, or what we could find, it looks as if her second husband, Timothy Ruggles, was a tory and officer in the British Army during the Revolution, and he was eventually exiled to Nova Scotia. But it appears that Bathsheba and her daughters all stayed in Massachusetts, with Bathsheba dying there in 1787. Many references are made of her as being a patriot of the Revolution, but nothing to substantiate this reference. Do you know of any proof available that would suffice to make her a patriot of the Revolution, such as loaning money to the new government, buying supplies for the colonial army, or any other patriotic act?
Thank you,
Garry Boice
We have this reply from Bill Daley, past Chair of the Historical Commission:
I know of no reference to Bathsheba (the wife of Timothy) ever having any Patriot leanings. After her husband fled Hardwick the property where she resided with Timothy was seized by the Patriot supporters and she had to go live with one of her sons. Two of their sons were Tories and eventually moved to Nova Scotia to be near their father. Timothy Ruggles Jr., the eldest son was a captain in the Continental army in 1779 and 1780. He was politicly different than his father. Yet, he joined his Dad in Nova Scotia after his mother died. The daughter, Bathsheba, was like her father in temperament and was also a Tory. Bathsheba’s, (mother) other children were also Tories and ran the Tory tavern in Sandwich, called the Newcomb Tavern. Given the family history, in my opinion it is unlikely that she had Patriot leanings.
You may want to read, Murdered by his Wife, by Deborah Navas which tells the story of the Ruggles family and Timothy Ruggles – The Rise and Fall of a Massachusetts Loyalist
We have this reply from Bill Daley, past Chair of the Historical Commission:
I know of no reference to Bathsheba (the wife of Timothy) ever having any Patriot leanings. After her husband fled Hardwick the property where she resided with Timothy was seized by the Patriot supporters and she had to go live with one of her sons. Two of their sons were Tories and eventually moved to Nova Scotia to be near their father. Timothy Ruggles Jr., the eldest son was a captain in the Continental army in 1779 and 1780. He was politicly different than his father. Yet, he joined his Dad in Nova Scotia after his mother died. The daughter, Bathsheba, was like her father in temperament and was also a Tory. Bathsheba’s, (mother) other children were also Tories and ran the Tory tavern in Sandwich, called the Newcomb Tavern. Given the family history, in my opinion it is unlikely that she had Patriot leanings.
You may want to read, Murdered by his Wife, by Deborah Navas which tells the story of the Ruggles family and Timothy Ruggles – The Rise and Fall of a Massachusetts Loyalist
I am researching the NYE family of Sandwich and back to Denmark.
I am blocked with Jonathan b 20 Nov 1649 in Sandwich s/o Benjamin b 1620 in Biddenden, Kent England married 19 Oct 1640 Katherine Tupper
Jonathan m 1680 Hannah. m 2nd Patience Burgess
Now my problem is I can’t find a father for John Nye who went to Granville, Annapolis co., Nova Scotia and married Catherine (pos Barnes)in 1797 and they had Jacob b July 4, 1798 in Granville, NS
I have searched just about everywhere and was wondering in Sandwich has a list of Loyalist that went to Canada named NYE.
Hi Dorothy,
I have referred your inquiry to Judy Hendy who is the genealogist for the Nye Family Association.
Nye Family Genealogy
I have found through Ancestry. com a relative named George Allen II who was born in Weymouth, Dorset, England. He married Hannah Calib Clapp in Sandwich, Barnstable, MA on 6 Jun 1657, but dates from 1641 to 1687 were also referenced. Hannah had been born in Sandwich, MA on 2 Jun 1626. There son William George Allen was born in Sandwich on 20 Jun 1672. Does anyone out there know of this family?
Kaethe O. Maguire, past Chair of the Sandwich Historical Commission has researched this for you.
George Townsend Allen (1619 – 1693) was her 9th Great Uncle.
Note that we do not find a son named William George. However there was a son named George born 20 June 1672 at Sandwich, New Plymouth Colony, MA.
From THE ALLEN FAMILY, DESCENDANTS OF GEORGE ALLEN OF ENGLAND AND SANDWICH, MASSACHUSETTS
BY JACK E. MAC DONALD, POWELL, WYOMING
George Townsend Allen, the son of George Reginald Allen and his first wife, was born in about 1619 in England. George was apparently married twice during his lifetime. He appears to have married first in about 1645 in Massachusetts to a woman named Hannah. After their marriage, George and Hannah made their home at Sandwich in the New Plymouth Colony of Massachusetts (now within Barnstable County, Massachusetts).
According to various court records, George was fined on 8 June 1651 for failing to serve as a juror, and on 7 October 1651 both he and Hannah were fined for failure to attend public worship. George was also fined on several occasions for refusing to take the Oath of Fidelity to the King. In 1675, however, records indicate that George changed his mind and took the Oath of Fidelity.
Although the available land records indicate that George and Hannah purchased land in 1670 in that portion of the Province of East Jersey that was later formed into Monmouth County, New Jersey, they apparently never moved there. The majority of their children, however, eventually moved to New Jersey, settling in either Burlington County, or in the vicinity of Shrewsbury in Monmouth County. In 1683, George and Hannah’s relationship with the Quakers of Sandwich became strained over the marriage of their daughter, Lydia, to Edward Wooley who was not a Quaker. Hannah subsequently died at Sandwich about two years later in 1685.
After Hannah passed away, George apparently married for a second time, also in Massachusetts, to a woman named Sarah in 1687. George was subsequently reprimanded by the Quakers for his marriage to Sarah who was not a Quaker, and later, on 3 June 1687, he acknowledged his wrongdoing. George died in 1693 at Sandwich in what had then become Barnstable County, Massachusetts. There were no issue from George’s second marriage.
The birth dates of the first six children listed below were found in the Sandwich Quaker Church records and in the Sandwich Town records, although the year of birth differed in the Town records from the Quaker Church records in every case.
Issue from 1st marriage: (Surname Allen)
35. Caleb ———- b. 24 June 1648 at Sandwich, New Plymouth Colony, MA. (now
within Barnstable Co., MA.)
m. 28 April 1670 to Elizabeth Sisson at Sandwich, New Plymouth
Colony, MA. (now within Barnstable Co., MA.)
d. at Shrewsbury, Monmouth Co., NJ.
36. Judah ———- b. 30 January 1650/1651 at Sandwich, New Plymouth Colony, MA.
(now within Barnstable Co., MA.)
m. Mary Wooley in RI.
d. 1689 at Shrewsbury, Monmouth Co., NJ.
37. Ephraim ——- b. 14 January 1652/1653 at Sandwich, New Plymouth Colony, MA.
(now within Barnstable Co., MA.)
m. 29 March 1681 to Margaret Wardell at the Shrewsbury M.M.,
Province of East Jersey. (now within Monmouth Co., NJ.)
d. 1692 at Shrewsbury, Monmouth Co., NJ.
38. Elizabeth —— b. 10 January 1654/1655 at Sandwich, New Plymouth Colony, MA.
(now within Barnstable Co., MA.)
m. John Williams, probably in the Province of East Jersey.
d. 14 February 1708/1709 in Burlington Co., NJ.
39. James ——— b. 5 August 1657 (twin) at Sandwich, New Plymouth Colony, MA.
(now within Barnstable Co., MA.) (twin)
40. John ———— b. 5 August 1657 (twin) at Sandwich, New Plymouth Colony, MA.
(now within Barnstable Co., MA.) (twin)
m. 1 April 1701 to Alice Worthilake at Sandwich, Barnstable Co.,
MA.
d. 3 December 1717 at Sandwich, Barnstable Co., MA.
41. Lydia ———– b. 1 May 1660 at Sandwich, New Plymouth Colony, MA. (now
within Barnstable Co., MA.)
m. ca. 1683 to Edward Wooley in RI.
d. 1732 at Shrewsbury, Monmouth Co., NJ.
42. Daniel ———- b. 22 May 1663 at Sandwich, New Plymouth Colony, MA. (now
within Barnstable Co., MA.)
m. 1685 to Bathshua Hoxie at Sandwich, Barnstable Co., MA.
d. ca. 1717 at Sandwich, Barnstable Co., MA.
43. Hannah ——– b. 15 May 1666 at Sandwich, New Plymouth Colony, MA. (now
within Barnstable Co., MA.)
44. Ebenezer —– b. 23 November 1668 at Sandwich, New Plymouth Colony, MA.
(now within Barnstable Co., MA.)
45. George ——– b. 20 June 1672 at Sandwich, New Plymouth Colony, MA. (now
within Barnstable Co., MA.)
m. 22 February 1693/1694 to Elizabeth Hulett at the Shrewsbury
M.M., Monmouth Co., NJ.
d. 1714/1715 at Shrewsbury, Monmouth Co., NJ.
About his father:
George Reginald Allen /Allyn (1567 – 1648)
“George Allen, the immigrant ancestor of many of the Allen families found in America today, arrived in Massachusetts Bay Colony from England on 6 May 1635…George Allen is believed to have been born in either Somersetshire, or Dorsetshire, England…Although George Allen is known to have married twice while still residing in England, the name of his first wife has not been determined. His second wife, however, was a woman named Katherine. Katherine accompanied George to America, and is believed to have been the mother of at least five of his children. According to the list of passengers making up the Hull party, Katherine was thirty years old in 1635, thereby indicating that she had probably been born in about 1605 in England… ”
“George apparently died during the last part of April 1648 at Sandwich, New Plymouth Colony, as he was subsequently buried there on 2 May 1648. His will was probated before the New Plymouth Court on 7 June 1648. One year later, on 8 June 1648, Katherine furnished an inventory of George’s estate to the New Plymouth Court. Sometime after George passed away, his widow, Katherine, married for a second time to a man named John Collins, who was a shoemaker in Boston.”
SOURCE: “Descendants of George Allen…”
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jacmac/allen.htm
Jack MacDonald
+++++++++++
From Ancestry.com:
George Townsend Allen
Birth
1619 • Weymouth, Dorset, England
2 Sources 0 Media 1619(AGE)
–
Birth of Brother Henry Allen(1619–1690)
1619 • England
0 Sources 0 Media 1619
–
Death of Mother Katherine Davis(1568–1619)
1619 • Saltford, Somerset, England
0 Sources 0 Media 16190
–
Arrival
1635 • Massachusetts
Age: 16 1 Source 0 Media 163516
–
Residence
1645 • Freeman May, Massachusetts Colony, MA
1 Source 0 Media 164526
–
Marriage
About 1646 • United States
Hannah Calib
(1626–1687) 1 Source 0 Media 164627
–
Death of Father George Reginald Allen /Allyn(1567–1648)
2 May 1648 • Springhill, E.Sandwich, New Plymouth, Massachusetts
–
Death 1693 – Sandwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts
Although I had visited the Cape many times before it wasn’t until our 2010 visit that we went to the Old Town Cemetery on Grove St. as I didn’t realize my Perry-Burgess ancestors were buried there until moving away from the northeast in 1979. The setting of that cemetery is so peaceful and beautiful, as is the town of Sandwich. And thinking that your ancestors most likely would get flour from the old Dexter Grist Mill- interesting indeed. My biggest regret is not knowing that lineage and where the cemetery was until after my mother’s passing. She would have enjoyed the visit to the cemetery- we were right there in Sandwich and never knew!
Perry line- https://www.flickr.com/photos/rushhourphoto/sets/72157649571821557
Old Town Cemetery- https://www.flickr.com/photos/rushhourphoto/sets/72157630924809820
Thank you for sharing your family’s history. In your story we all cast a lingering look behind at Sandwich as she once was.
Terry Blake
That Dexter Grist-Mill was built by Thomas Dexter, my direct ancestor – my grandfather 8 times back. We hope to visit the site and also locate the graves of several ancestors next year.
Hello Ryan,
Thank you for your email. Thomas Dexter’s grist mill is one of the most photographed sites on Cape Cod.
Here is a link to the history of the grist mill: http://www.capecodwindmills.scificincinnati.com/thomas_dexters_grist_mill.htm
The town archives may have additional information on your very great grandfather’s famous grist mill.
Our town archivist is Barbara Gill. Here is her website: http://www.sandwichpubliclibrary.com/sandwich-archives/sandwich-archives.html
Here is her email: archivesbgill@comcast.net
I hope we will have the opportunity to meet you and the Dexter family on your next visit.
Terry Blake
The Old Town Cemetery is such a peaceful setting- you’ll really enjoy strolling through it, with a view towards the old grist mill. Someone recently cleaned a number of the old headstones making them much easier to read as well- I saw some recent photos of my Perry ancestors and was amazed at how good those some 325 year old stones looked.
my Great Grandfather’s sister Mary Bodfish b1828 Barnstable married a John Burgess – John Hogg Queensland Australia
My wife and I visited Sandwich this past spring and stopped by the library. We met several people who were familiar with my ancestors, the White family of the 1620 Mayflower, William and Susanna and their two sons Resolved and Peregrine. By marriage I’m also related to Edward Winslow, also of the Mayflower. He married Susanna White (my 12x great grandmother) shortly after she was widowed from William in 1621. But I can’t find anything about the White family in Sandwich. Do I have any cousins in town? I was told their were a number of White families in town.
Danny Watts
Grand Rapids, Michigan
I am also descended from the White family mainly Peregrine but I also have Resolved’s family too.
If you need any help with this I have them way back to England and on up.
Dot
Dorothy, I am a descendant of the Lafayette, Tennessee branch of the White family and am interested in knowing more about their ancestors from Massachusetts. Would you share with me?
Danny, you do have a cousin in Sandwich. I am also a descendant of the White family. Strangely, I am from Oregon and had no idea I had Mayflower and Cape Cod ancestors until I arrived here. I will be happy to search for any information you are seeking.
Paula
I have the White family back into England in Nov. 10, 1571 when William White was born in Leyden, Netherlands and he d Feb 21, 1621 in Plimoth Colony, Massachusetts he Susanna UNK Jan 27, 1611/12 in Leyden Holland (Netherlands)
I am descended from their son Peregrine White bDec 10, 1620 in Leyden, Holland and d July 20, 1704 in Marshfield, Massachusetts
My late mother-in-law, Mary Beazell Freeman, gave my late husband, David Dean Freeman, the “Freeman Genealogy: Second Edition of 1876” with her additions telling us that DDF and his sister Patricia Freeman Dunkum are thirteenth generation descendents of the first Edmund Freeman. “Saints and Strangers” by George F. Willison (1945) describes on page 309 another asssistant governor…Edmund Freeman who had arrived in 1935…and on page 317…”at the shoulder of the Cape, the town of Sandwich had been settled by a group led by Edmund Freeman…. This group frankly avowed the purpoe of its entrprise, which was ‘to worship God and make money.'” We visited Sandwich in the mid-sixties and found “The Saddle and The Pillion,” rustic monuments marking the graves of Edmond and Elizabeth Freeman in the Old Burying Ground.
I am delighted to note that our bit of the sixteenth generation of Freemans in the USA now includes my two great granddaughters, three greatgrandsons whose middle names are Freeman, and on July 5, 2014 David Todd Freeman, so the name continues.
You may be interested in this re-dedication of the grave of Dr. Nathaniel Freeman. Dr. Nathaniel Freeman Grave Marking Ceremony: http://youtu.be/X03xgJxYyoY You’ll also find this link on our Facebook page if you want to share it with your family.
hello. I too am a direct decendant of Edmund Freeman. Nathaneil was my 4th grt grandfather and his son Frederick my 3rd grt grand father born 1799. my grts are Huntington Wolcot Freeman born 1835 in NY and Huntington jr born 1872 in NJ my grandfather August Freeman born 1896 in NJ, my father August jr. 1921 in NJ and myself 1963. I have 3 children and 2 granchildren which are proud of our family line.
I am a direct descendant of Thomas Tupper and am very interested in seeing Sandwich. My brother and I are planning a trip there this summer. We are in New York State.
I don’t know if I am related to the Tupper in the article. My mother is a Tupper by birth. She gave me some pictures about a decade ago of the Tupper House in Sandwich, MA. She also told me that it had burned down. She has pictures of relatives set in the same frame. Her father was Frank Tupper. My husband and I are going to be making a road trip up north this summer. We live in Florida. I would be interested to know if we are related to this man who helped establish the town.
I am a committee member of the Sandwich (the original in the UK) Local History Society and would be to know if there is any direct connection between our two towns, beyond the obvious one of sharing a name. For example did any of the early settlers come from Sandwich UK? Or from the immediate vicinity? I know there was once a strong Quaker presence in, for example, Eythorne. Any information welcome.
Daniel Wing may have been born in Sandwich, UK, but lived elsewhere before emigrating to Cape Cod. My family traces back to him, which is why I’m browsing this site. Here’s a link I found for you…
http://worldcupcafe.pbworks.com/w/page/15367948/Daniel%20Wing
Thanks George,
There are lots of wings still around here. They’ll love you for this.
George Barlow took the Oath of Fidelity at Sandwich in 1657. On June 01, 1658, the previous constable of Sandwich, William Bassett, had completed his year’s service. He was replaced by George Barlow as constable of Sandwich and special marshall for Sandwich, Barnstable and Yarmouth. His duties were those of jailer, the administration of punishments and the collection of fines and fees.
The authorities of Massachusetts were determined to keep their territory free of contrary religious beliefs and the Society of Friends, the Quakers, was especially prohibited. At first the Quakers were merely banished, but when this didn’t work the oppressions became harsher and harsher. In Sandwich, where the majority of the residents were disposed to accept the Quakers, George Barlow pursued his duties with uncommon zeal. Those duties included the right to appraise property, choose the goods to be taken in forfeiture and to receive all fees and fines, with ten percent for himself. The Plymouth Colony Court records are full of the accounts of George Barlow’s activities.
In his book Cape Cod, Its People and Their History, Henry C. Kittredge wrote of George Barlow: “It was his habit to take not what would be most valuable to the authorities, but what would be most poignantly missed by the Quaker families.” He tells the story of Priscilla Allen, whose husband was driven out of town, leaving her and the children with only a cow. The marshall took the cow, all the corn in the house, a bag of meal that had been given by neighbors, and her only copper cooking kettle. Kittredge further wrote that George Barlow had, “so far as can be discovered from contemporary authorities, not a single good trait.”
As the history of Sandwich puts it, “Sandwich thereby went abruptly from a democratic town run by its own citizens, to a little police state run by a stranger with wide powers, who turned out to be a nasty and drunken man as well.” Interestingly, no ill-feelings were held against his descendents, some of whom married into Quaker families. The actions taken against the Quakers were brought to an end late in 1661 by a decree issued by King Charles.
Do you know who the origenal owner of the Newcomb Tavern was? Didn’t know if it was Peter or Andrew Newcomb.
Thank you,
The first owner was Peter Newcomb, according to records in the Sandwich Town Archives.
Receive a warm greeting from the Burgess family of Puebla Mexico!
I congratulate you for this nice and functional website that allows us to travel in the imagination and in time …
It is very exciting to read the history of Massachusetts and particularly the sandwich, because we are descendants of Thomas and Dorothy Burgess.
Our direct family line is John Burgess, the second son of Dorothy and Thomas. Maternally am the tenth generation descendant of Thomas “Goodman” Burgess of Truro Cornwall England, who arrived in Massachusetts in the great migration of the Puritans in 1630 and eventually settled in Sandwich until his death.
My great-grandfather came to Boston in 1887 and that was how began this branch of Mexican Burgess. But we do not know when he died or where he was buried and not even have a picture of him.
As I become orphaned at age 7 and grew up with my grandparents listening to the memories of my grandfather Percival G. Burgess, I wish I could locate the burial place and know a little more about him and especially get a picture of him.
I’ve come a long way to the point that already collect a lot of information and I have the complete family tree to my Puritan ancestor and even got a picture of my great great grandfather (the father of my great-grandfather), whose name was George Canning Burgess, an art collection Harvard.
The purpose of my letter is to ask you to contact me with any Burgess of Sandwich with whom I could communicate by email, so I have no objection to publish my email address … I’ll be very grateful if someone contacts this part of the Burgess of America!
I hope not having taken a long time and if I can help in anyway I appreciate your attention and gets a big hug from Mexico …
Beware much! Sorry for my bad English …
Atte. Miguel Angel Rosas of Mexico Burgess
I am also a descendant of Thomas and Dorothy through son Jacob and also daughter Elizabeth. After the revolutionary war many from Sandwich, including my greatx5 grandfather Benjamin Burgess, left to settle a town they named New Sandwich which in now Wayne Maine The Cementary there has many Burgesses in it. You could look up Wayne, Maine.
Thank you very much for your information … I have already achieved much progress in my search and probably my great-grandfather is buried in Kingston Mass.
My Email is marossber@hotmail.com
Thank you very much for your kind attention.
Atte.Miguel Angel Rosas Burgess
Final note: I would like to have communication with descendants of Dorothy and Thomas Burgess.
I am writing as a descendent of George Canning Burgess as well. I think I may have a photo of your grandfather. How can I reach you?
Hello,
My husband has been asking for a few years if I’d research his family history. He’s not into computers. He had information that ended with his Great Great Grandfather, Oscar Horatio Freeman. So I joined Ancestry.ca to humor him and figured I’d plug in what little information I had and that would be that. Boy did I get surprised. I have traced his family back to 1420. The one thing he’s always wondered about was when his ancestors arrived in the USA and to where. I think he was quite surprised to find that Edmund Freeman was his Great Grandfather x 9. We even googled Edmund and Elizabeth’s grave sites.
So now I would like to surprise him with a trip to Sandwich. Is there a lot of information available on Edmund II? Is his home/farm still there?
We’re at the other side of Canada just outside of Vancouver, BC. So any information I can gather before I start booking flights would be fantastic.
Feel free to publish my email address. I’m still gathering information and networking. 😀
Wonderful page. Can’t wait to visit.
Cheers,
Diane Freeman
Mr. & Mrs. Freeman,
The Freeman family was very large in Sandwich and just about everyone in town was either a Freeman, or married into the family until the rush of immigrants arrived with the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company in 1825. Our now-retired town Archivist, Russell Lovell, wrote an excellent history of Sandwich entitled Sandwich, A Cape Cod Town, published by the Town of Sandwich, Massachusetts Archives and Historical Center, 1984. 612 pages.
The Index of Names has too many Freemans to count and 22 entries for Edmund Freeman Sr. alone. I highly recommend that you get your hands on a copy of the book before you make your trip. It makes entertaining reading even for those of us who are not descendents of Sandwich.
Concerning the Freeman farm, it was very large – but the Freeman family was larger. The farm was divided and passed to the many descendents through the years, so there is nothing identifiable left. The only farming done in the area today is for cranberries and that industry wasn’t invented until well after the farm’s days were over. Still, Sandwich is a delightful town and I know you will enjoy your visit.
W. Blake
Thank you so much for your reply. Our oldest son is joining us too so this should be a fantastic vacation. 😀
Cheers,
Diane
Hello Diane, I am also a decendant of Edmund Freeman, would like to us to contact each other to exchange information.
Hello –
My son is studying early colonial life in the US, so I pulled out our genealogy. We are decendents of John Ellis, who married Elizabeth Freeman in Sandwhich in 1645. I believe Elizabeth was the daughter of Edumund Freeman, the founder of Sandwhich. I have information for the Ellis Family from this point on, but nothing on the Freeman family. If she was the daughter of Edmund, then I am 12th generation decendant of Edmund, and my children 13th. I would love to see information on the Freeman side of our family. Can somone please post a link?
I recommend you contact our Sandwich Town Archivist, Barbara Gill at the Sandwich Public Library.
I am also a direct decedent of John Ellis, from John and Elizabeth. I am planning a vacation near Boston / Braintree with my son, Brian Ellis, his wife and my granddaughters. I understood that Lt. John Ellis and Elizabeth’s grave sites are near Sandwich. Any information you can give me will be greatly appreciated. I hope you find the information you are looking for about Freeman. Thank you.
My children ( Ellis’) are also direct descendants of John Ellis and Elizabeth Freeman. You probably already know that the original home built by John Ellis is still standing. The address is 76 Main Street, Sandwich Ma. We have not found the grave sites, but the grave of the Edmond Freeman and his wife is located off of Tupper Road. Which is a short distants from the Ellis home. John Ellis married Edmond Freeman’s daughter Elizabeth. My son has traced by to England to the Ellis and Freeman parents.
I am also a direct descendant of John Ellis and Elizabeth Freeman. I’m still trying to find confirmed dates of Johns birth and death (I’ve found anywhere from 1618-1623). I’ve been to Sandwiche 2x (from MN). Found the Quaker
House/Cemetery and am now trying to find the resting place of John and Elizabeth.
I too am a direct descendant of Lt John Ellis and Elizabeth Freeman also direct maternal descendant of William Bassett, all passsing through Plymouth, and Duxbury. Edmund Freeman’s group getting permission to start a new town and Wm Bassett was to leave with the Mayflower had to leave 1621 though claimed his land in Plimouth and also later received land in Duxbury [100 acres], gave a parcel to Peregrine [first born] White .
Lt John Ellis arrived 1629 from Leyden, with Uncle Richard Masterson at Boston. He was one of the first settlers of Sandwich where he married Elizabeth Freeman, daughter of Edmund .
If I can help anyone, White, Burgess, Nye, etc email me – I’m deaf so no phone.
I’m also a descendant of Edmund Freeman Sr, and have visited the grave site. No, the farm and house are no longer there, although the site will be developed according to the Cape Cod Times. The grave site, located on a knoll above the farm site, will not be disturbed. There is a lot of information in the book Sandwich: A Cape Cod Town, RA Lovell, Jr. By chance I live in Vancouver where I am a UBC professor of anthropology.
Mrs Freeman I too come from the same line Edmund and he can be traced to Pulbourough England , I found info as far back as 1420. we have noblemen and barrons as well as lords and ladies in our family. I’m still gathering info , no method , just sites like this with comments like yours help . I’m willing to learn and to share what what I have .
Thank you for publishing the names and locations of graves in the town cemetary – even though my ancestors (Newcombs) turned out to be Tories! I still hope to someday be able to tour the towns and places of my ancestors.
To: Mr. Jonathan Shaw, I am a powder house enthusiast who visited Sandwich on 7/2/12. I found on MACRIS that there was a marker at 21 Grove St.[ Old Town Cemetery ] near a site of a former powder house. My wife & I were not able to find the marker and I am hopeful you can help us in our search. The only powder house we have found on the Cape is in Harwich. Do you know any history pertaining to it or where we may find any other powder houses? Thank you, John ( Jack) Richer.
The marker is at ground level and is on the left side as you enter the burying ground, about half way down.
My family resided in the E. Parks house on Tupper Rd for decades. I see that you don’t have a photo of the house, and my parents would be happy to provide one. My father (Wm E. Parkes) grew up in the house & my aunt (Martha Parkes) lived there until her death, after which, sadly, the house was sold. My grandfather had moved to Fl & ultimately retired to the Weeki Wachee River area, where he built some rentals on the river that he named, of course, “The Cape Cod Cottages”. My daughter & I have such great memories of visiting Sandwich- it is a most charming place & we will certainly return. We are so happy to know that the Parks House still stands!
My father’s family came from Sandwich, the Dillingham family, I’ll be in Sandwich to do family research during the week of Oct. 4 to 6. Hope the Town Hall has what I need. Is there a Sandwich Historical Society in Sandwich? Would you send me the address?
Thank you for the History about the town. So looking forward to seeing it.
Myrna Hutchings
*Site Admin: Links to the Glass Museum and Town Archives sent on 9/1/11.
i have been told as a youth our family “Purdy” came to america in 1642 and were lobstermen n fishermen can this be true as i have always loved ocean never knew y my love for it was so strong mmmm