genealogy of William Sewall of Coventry, Warwickshire

SEWALL

1. RICHARD-

St. Mary's Guildhall- Coventry

On 6 Feb. 1530/1 is a transfer of administration by deed of gift where Henry Dawe of Coventry, butcher, gave to John Joyner, Richard Niclyn, Richard Sewall, Thomas Saunders, Richard Sewall jun., William Joynor, William Somland, Adam Beyne, and Roger Adnet all the land in Walsgrave which Henry held with the group mentioned in the quitclaim of 26 Mar. 1518, all of whom are now dead, in the gift and feoffment of Thomas White of Coventry, fishmonger.(1)

Issue-

  • I. Richard-
  • ?2II. WILLIAM- b.c. 1520, m.c.1540 MATILDA HORNE, (d. 1547, bur. St. Michael's church, Coventry), d. 1550, bur. St. Michael's church, Coventry
  • ?III. John- John Sewall of Coventry, tanner, was mentioned in a deed dated 1 Aug. 1566 concerning his home on Sponne St. near Sponne Barre in Coventry.(2)

    Ref:

    (1) Coventry Archives- PA 152/60/10 & 8
    (2) Lincolnshire Archives- JARVIS I/B/1/24


    2II. WILLIAM (RICHARD 1)-

    b.c. 1520
    m.c.1540 MATILDA HORNE, (d. 1547, bur. St. Michael's church, Coventry), d. of REGINAL HORNE of Pickesley.
    d. 1550, bur. St. Michael's church, Coventry

    St. Michael's church- Coventry- 1880

    Ruins of St. Michael's- Destroyed in the Blitz- 1940

    William was a vitner in Coventry and was Mayor in 1540.

    In the Shakespeare Library is document which is a page of very rough notes in the hand of Arthur Gregory relating to his holdings in Warwickshire. On the opposite side is a portion of a draft lease written by Thomas Gregory from the Mayor and Bailiff of Coventry to William Sewall c.1550.(2)

    Issue-

  • I. William- m. 12 June 1581 Harbury, Warwick, Ann Wagstaff (d. 20 Dec. 1609 Coventry, bur. Draper's Chapel, St. Michael's church), d. 29 June 1624 Coventry
  • 3II. HENRY- b. before 1 Sept. 1544, m.c.1575 MARGARET GRAZEBROOK (b.c.1556 Middleton, Warwick, will 7 May 1628- 23 Nov. 1629 Coventry), d. 16 Apr. 1628 Coventry
  • ?III. John- John was mentioned in a bond dated 16 Mar. 1590/1 as being a weaver of Coventry.(1)

    Ref:

    (1) Coventry Archives- PA 100/24/8
    (2) Shakespeare Centre Library and Archive- DR10/1475


    3II. HENRY (RICHARD 1, WILLIAM 2)

    b. before 1 Sept. 1544
    m.c.1575 MARGARET GRAZEBROOK - (b.c.1556 Stoke Hall, Middleton, Warwick, d. of Avery and Margaret (Keene) Grazebrook, will 7 May 1628-23 Nov. 1629 Coventry, Warwick)
    d. 16 Apr.1628 Coventry, Warwick, will 1 Sept.1624
    bur. Draper's Chapel, St. Michael's Church, Coventry

    Lady Godiva- Coventry

    Henry was a wealthy merchant and linen draper and was Mayor of Coventry in 1598 and 1606. Margaret made her will in 1628 and wrote her son Henry out of her will for "previous offenses" against her and his siblings. Henry initiated court proceedings to protest the will.

    The drapers were clothiers as well as dealers in cloth and organised early in the 13th century. The New Drapery, near the site of the present Draper's Hall, was given to the Guild of St. John the Baptist by William Walshman in the 1360's. In the early 15th century the Drapery was held by the Trinity Guild which leased portions to individual drapers. In 1425 the Court Leet ordered that on Fridays no cloth except in small amounts was to be sold anywhere but at the Drapery. An order of 1474 decreed that all mercers and drapers where to use only measures sealed according to the King's standard. In 1518 the drapers were charged with inspecting the weavers' and fullers' cloth.(18)

    In the Coventry Archives is a parchment volume "of rules for the 'Wevery's Crafte' of Coventry, in the time of Thomas Broughton, Thomas Browne, linen draper, keeper, and Thomas Okeham and William Edwards his fellows. The orders relate to the times of meeting of the Craft, fines for non-payment of quarterage, refusal of the Mastership of the craft, refusal of the office of Master's fellow, non- payment for journeymen working for masters of the craft, misbehaviour, members were ordered not to employ journeymen who had left the employment of masters of the craft or to tell outsiders secrets of the craft or to employ men without license of the chief master and were fined for rebelling against the chief master and employing other members' servants without their consent, taking foreign, viz. 'Frensche Skottyssch ne Iryssch' apprentices, for non-attendance at elections and teaching one's relations who were not members of the crafts certain of the skills. Members were required to sit at formal occasions in the order in which they were placed by the Rule of the Craft and were forbidden to employ female relatives at broad loom work and to employ journeymen who were not brothers of the craft. The rules forbid weavers to work on Saturday afternoons, on the evening of Lady Day or at other times or to weave coloured cloth and were fined for not coming to the master on St. Osburne's Night [St. Osburne's Night 7 Oct.] and were required to pay their journeymen on Saturday night, not to do work of other of the crafts and required journeymen to pay monies towards the pageant on Corpus Christi Day, and masters and men not to work on the premises of persons not belonging to the trade and requiring weavers not to take on more work than they can perform. These orders were confirmed by Thomas Maylord, Richard Cowch, John Browne, Rich [ard] Tewedusberre, John Harford, Rich [ard] Nevett, Wa[l]ter Prowde, Thomas Russell, William Capp, John Bettson, William Bryskow and Thomas Byrchylley, described as twelve men chosen by the whole body of the weavers craft. Certain of these ordinances have been subsequently crossed out, or partially erased. The first page is illuminated, the first capital letter on the page being written in blue and red and the subsequent ones in red, with decorations in red, the first letter of each paragraph and some of the spaces in the last line of each paragraph are coloured red. New rules are written beneath some of the paragraphs in sixteenth century hand, re fines imposed on journeymen, parts of the fine to be paid to the mayor [of Coventry] and restrictions on warping cloth before it is taken to the weaver. Additional orders are written in sixteenth century hand on the later pages, re payments made by the new master and fellows on taking office, the payments from the Rent Wardens to the Master for bread and ale, payments relating to the weaver's pageant, disputes between masters and apprentices to be settled by the company, re the appointment of new masters and a warden. A copy in sixteenth century hand of a judgement by Thomas Fitzherbert, decretor and learned official of the [Diocese] of Lichfield on a case between William Osthothorpe and Henry Walle, masters of the Craft of Weavers of Coventry, acting for the prosecurtion, against John Mason of Coventry, who admits breaking the fifteenth rule of the Craft of Weavers, employing a person in weaving (who is not his apprentice) and breaking his oath on this account, the decretor having heard the evidence, finds that this is the case. An order in early sixteenth century hand by William Vale and Henry Soweter, masters of the craft, requiring by the ordinance of twelve of the best of the craft, that every master's fellow shall acquire a livery hood within a month or be fined 6s., to be paid within a year. An ordinance of the fellowship against hiring or lending apprentices by any person before they are free of their fellowship. An ordinance in sixteenth century hand, crossed out, against any member of the company taking an apprentice until he has been a master for three years. Oaths in early sixteenth century hand, crossed out, for masters, fellows and brothers of the Weaver's Craft. Orders in sixteenth century hand for the punishment of journeymen of Coventry working for a master of the company, being disorderly, of journeymen from outside the city working as weavers in Coventry and of masters employing journeymen after being requested by the Weavers Company not to employ them. Order for repayment of 20s. each, re payments of apprentices in Coventry by twelve of the weavers company with agreement of eight of the members, signed by John Sewall, Thomas Bowater, Rafe Wylson, Thomas Furnes, Marmaduk Lambet, William Meachell, William Styffe, Michell Smethe. Some of the names written in the mark of the person, who was presumably illiterate. Order written in sixteenth century hand, requiring no member of the Weavers Company to keep more than two broad and two narrow looms. Half of the fine for breaking this regulation was to be paid to the company, half to the Mayor of Coventry. Signatures and trade marks of members of the Company signing this order are written below. Order in sixteenth century hand, forbidding clothiers to put weaving work out from Coventry to persons working outside the city. The signatures and trade marks of members of the company are written below. An ordinance written in early sixteenth century hand, making provisions for the marketing of cloth made in Coventry, the names of the twelve members of the company making the ordinance are written at the head of the page, fines to be paid half to the Mayor of [Coventry] and half to the Keeper of the Weavers Craft. The ordinances on f.13v are transcribed in full here, as most of the ink has worn away and they can only be read under an ultraviolet light.

    'It ys ordeyned by the co[n]sent of the whole occupation that no man shall sell to no man nother woman w[ith] in the Cytye of Coventre any kynd of wollen thromes or indes Excepte it be to o[ur] owne felowshype In the payne of VIs VIIId to be payd w[ith] out any g[rac]e and also it ys ordeyned that no man of the sayd occupacyon shall weve no cloth that shall be made up of any suche yearne excepte it be therenone upon the pay[me]n[t] before named.

    Also yf therbe any man or woman shall bryng suche kynd of yearne as is before namyd to be weven than shall the said wev[er] bryng the said yearne unto the mast[er] of the craft upon payne of VIs VIIId.'

    These ordinances are written in sixteenth century hand. Below these ordinances an alphabet is written in sixteenth century hand. f.14r. An ordinance in sixteenth century hand forbidding members of the company to lend material or apprentices. Breach of the rules drafted in 1452-3 and subsequently was punished by payment of fines which are written after the statement of each rule in this volume. Most of the fines were to be paid immediately and a few fines before a specified period of time had elapsed."(19)

    Weaving and dyeing wool was the main industry in Coventry and in 1340 they organized into a guild and built their guild hall, St. Mary's Hall, at that time. Coventry is also famous for its medieval mystery plays one of which is the Weaver's Pageant which continues on with the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, and Christ and the Doctors. The manuscript in the Coventry Record Office was prepared for the Guild in 1534 by Robert Croo at a cost of 5/.

    Pageant Wagon from "A Dissertation on the Pageants"

    The Coventry Pageants occured during the Feast of Corpus Christi in June along Gosford St. There were ten in all, unfortunately, many of the plays have been lost. Each Mystery Play was a source of pride to the craft guild that created it. The weavers presented the story of Jesus and the doctors in the Temple, the Drapers presented an extravagant and expensive Doomsday play. The Feast marked the beginning of a week long annual fair in the city. Royal spectators included Henry V, Henry VI, Richard III, Henry VII, and Henry VIII. In Aug. 1566 Queen Elizabeth came with a huge retinue and four plays were chosen for her to see. Undoubtedly the Sewall family was on hand for this event. The Drapers Pageant had a mechanical Hell's Mouth on the side and had lifts to move the actors up and down between Heaven and Hell. The Puritans spelled the end of the Coventry pageants and the last complete cycle of plays was performed in 1579. By 1591 the City Council decreed that only a new generation of plays could be performed such as the Destruction of Jerusalem, the Conquest of the Danes, and the History of Edward IV.(20)

    From the Drapers' Company records for 1534 is an order that the masters shall "see the prossecyon kept on Corpus Cristy daye, the pageond and play well broughte forth with harnessyng of men and the watche kept at Mydsomer on Seynt Peters nyght with oder and good custumes usyd in old tyme to the lawde and prays of God and the worschypp of thys cytte". Characters included God, two demons, three white souls (sometimes saved), three black souls (sometimes damned), two spirits, four angels, three patriarchs, two worms of conscience, prologue, two clarks for singing, one to sing the basse, Pharisee. Machinery included the Hell-mouth- a fire kept in it, a windlass and three fathom of cord, earthquake, barrell for the same, a pillar for the words of the barrel painted, three worlds painted and a piece that bears them, a link to set the world on fire, pulpits for the angels, cross, rosin, a ladder. Dresses include God's coat of leather, red sendal for God, demon's head or vizor, coats, hose, and points for the demon, coats for the white and black souls, hose and points for them, suit for the angels- gold skins, wings for angels, three cheverels and a beard, four diadems, black, red and yellow buckram, hair 3 lb., for the demon's coat and hose, hat for the Pharisee. Music- trumpets, organ, regalls. 1566 payd to Thomas Nycles for settyng a songe xij d. Play-books- 1557 paid to Robart Crowe for makyng of the boke for the paggen xx s. Pageant- 1540- for mendyng the bateling yn the toppe of the pagent viij d; 1567- payd for carvyng bords and crest for the toppe of the padgen iij s; 1561- pageant driven by ten men who received 2s 6d. Miscellaneous items- 1538, p'd to hym that drove the pagent ij d, it. for pakke thrydde and sope ij d ob; 1556, payd for nayllys, ressys and rosyn vj d; 1557, payd to the plears when they fyrste paggen was pleyd to drynke ij s; 1569, payd for alle at the Swanne dore ij s. Payments to the performers- 1538, it. payd to hym that playeth goddes parte iijs iiij d, it. payd to iiij angeles xvj d, it. payd to iij patriarches xij d, it. payd to iij white soules xviij d, it. payd to iij blakke souls ijs, it. payd to ij demons iij s, it. payd for kepyng the wynde vj d. The Characters- God- 1556, payed for vij skynnes for Godys cote. 1557, paid for a peyre of gloves for God ij d. 1562, payd for a cote for God and for a payre of gloves iij s. 1565, p'd for iij yards of redde sendall for God xx d. Demons- 1536, it. for mendyng the demones heed vj d; 1540, it. for peyntyng and makyng new ij damons heds; 1556- payd for a demons face ij s; 1560- payd to Cro for mendyng the devells cottes xx d; 1568- payd for makyng the devells hose viij d, payd for poynts for the demon, payd for makyng a payre of hose with heare xxij d. Hell-mouth- 1537, it. paide for payntyng and makyng new hell-hede xij d; 1538, it. payd for mendyng of hell-hede vj d; 1557, it. payd for kepyng of fyer at hell-mothe iiij d. Earthquake- 1556, payd for the baryll for the yerthequake, payd for the pyllar for the wordys of the baryll iij s iiij d, payd for payntyng the pyllur. Three worlds- 1556, payd to Crowe for makyng of iij worldys ij s; 1558, payd for iij worldys iij s viij d, payd for settyng the world of fyer v d, payd for kepyng fyre. Music- 1538, it. payd for mendyng the trumpetts vij d; 1557, it. to the trumppeter iij s iiij d, payd for fechyng a pere of horgens and the carrege of them whoume ij s; 1558, p'd for beryng of the orgens vj d; 1556, it. payd for playng on the reygalles vj d. The last entries from 1591- payd Thomas Massye for the pagent xl s, payd for corde and horssyng the pagen vj d, 1595, Recd. for the hyer of our players clokes with other such stufe iiij s. (21)

    To read the two surviving plays see the copy of "Two Coventry Corpus Christi Plays" at Google books.

    If you're interested in the new Coventry Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers go to their web page at: http://coventryguildwsd.btck.co.uk/

    On 14 Jan. 1603 is an appointment of new trustees between (1) Henry Sewall of Coventry, alderman, Humfrey Smalwood, Issac Walden, drapers, Master and Wardens of the Drapers' Company; (2) Richard Barker, Robert Letherborowe, alderman, John Rogerson, Roger Clarke, Michael Joyner, Anthony Berry, Thomas Hopkins and Richard Dudley, all of Coventry; and (3) Richard Page, alderman, Mayor of Coventry, Henry Bryers, alderman, Matthew Collins, Sampson Hopkins, drapers, Edward Stapleton, Steward of Coventry, Robert Kervin, William Chidlow, Richard Berwick, Baldwin Downes, Thomas Jarves, John Brown, Richard Rogerson, Roger Dudley, Phillip Adams, Richard Pyke, Thomas Love, Christopher Wharton and Thomas Dudley. Appoints in respect of properties including half of Charterhouse Leys, Richard Berry, Henry Bryers, Matthew Collins, Sampson Hopkins, Edward Stapleton, Robert Kervin, William Chidlowe, Richard Berwick, Baldwin Downes, Thomas Jarves, John Browne, Richard Rogerson, Roger Dudley, Phillip Adams, Richard Pyke, Thomas Love, Christopher Warton and Thomas Dudley, in trust to such purposes as the Drapers' Company or the majority of its members shall think fit. The appointment cites deeds of 19 Sept. 1570, 5 Nov. 1575, and 8 Sept. 1578. (3)

    On 12 July 1586 is a deed of release from Henry Sewall to Ralph Joyner, concerning a tenement and land in Coundon, Coventry. (4) On 25 Sept. of the same year is a lease from Henry Kervyn and others to Henry Sewall to a tenement and land in Coundon for the term of 100 years. (5)

    On 23 Apr. 1607 Henry Sewall Mayor of the City of Coventry and Henry Breres and Robert Letherbarrow, aldermen appointed Thomas Banester as attorney to deliver possession of trust estates.(6)

    On 15 Dec. 1608 Henry Sewall of Coventry, alderman and draper, leased to George Mylles of Coventry, yeoman for 27 years, 6 months to begin 29 Sept., one tenement of 20 bays of housing, 2 sheds and a garden on the south side of Gosford St. (7)

    Whitefriars Gate- Much Park Street, Coventry

    From the calendar of deeds relating to church properties, docments in Trinity Vestry, Coventry at the Warwickshire County Record Office is the following dated 3 Apr. 1610:

    "Charter of Hen. Sewall, alderman; Joh. Herringe, mercer; Chr. Warren, dyer; and Raphe Downes, of Wynnall, gent., citing feoffment bearing above date, whereby they, the said Henry, etc., grant to Chr. Davenporte, pewterer; Mic. Joyner, draper; Hen. Smith, mercer; Ric. Warren, dyer; Ric. Barker, draper; Tho. Potter, dyer; Joh. Thomas, brewer; Gil. Walden, mercer; Sam Roe, vintner; Joh. Herringe, jun., mercer; and Joh. Downes, Ralph's son, a messuage, etc., in the town and fields of Brinklow, in tenure of Will. Howe, and all that messuage, etc., in Allesley and 'Cowndulne,' in several tenures some time of -. Tym, Will. Hawes, Is. Bowne, and Tho. Saunders, and several closes in Horwell and Asthull, in several tenures, of Joh. Hammond, doctor of physic; Ric. Bayes, Tho. Hobson, Ric. Wildie, and Jane Piggin, and 3 tenements in Gosford Streete, and one in Earl Street, and one in Smithford Street, in several tenures of Nic. Illedge, Geo. Copestake, Ant. Stiffe, Tho. Duddeley, and Rob. Longe, and of a croft called Shuckmore, then or late in tenure of Edw. Walker, and tenement in Darby Lane, then or late in tenure of Edw. Harrington, and a tenement in Well Street, then or late in tenure of Rog. Clarke, and a yearly rent coming from land of -. Warners in tenure of Ric. Trene, value 3s. 4d., and appointing Sampson Brownehill, gent., attorney, to deliver seizin of same to the said Christopher and other named above.

    Signatures and seals of grantees. Sewall - a griffin; Warren - a bird; Herrings - a bird; Dawnes - a boar. Endorsed 'The Assignment of the Patent by the Pattentees.'

    There is very little that is remarkable in this batch of deeds, 123-131. The names Herring, Potter, Downes, Davenport, and Sewall, occur over and over again. Three of these five families furnished emigrants to America (and so may Downes and Herring for all I know), and, indeed, everything points to a very considerable Puritan emigration from Coventry to the New World in the seventeenth century. There were other inducements besides religious difficulties urging people to leave their homes; trade was bad, and the city government fell more and more into the hands of the clique of aldermen, who sank into the lowest depths before the Municipal Corporations' Act of 1835.

    Ellinor Burbury (DR429/123) makes her 'mark', but Jane Pycken's (DR429/124) is the first woman's signature I remember to have seen in these deeds. All the newly-founded grammar schools were for boys only, and it is a rare thing for a middle-class woman to be able to write her name under James I. The interesting word 'sollars' (DR429/126) denotes the projecting upper chambers, which are such a feature of Coventry architecture, and is derived from the Latin 'solaria', literally, places for basking in the sun, because 'in Rome... the roofs of the colonnades in front of the houses... were known as 'solaria'"... and when rooms began to be built over these colonnades the name was transferred to them. The projecting 'solar' of the mediaeval house served as a shelter from the sun and rain to stalls and goods exposed for sale in the street below. (Addy, Evolution of the English House). The two 'shops' mentioned (131) in the fishmonger's tenement were probably booths or open sheds outside the house itself."(2)

    On 5 Jan. 1610 Henry Sewall of Coventry, co. Warwick, Alderman, John Hearnige of Coventry, mercer, Christopher Warren of Coventry, dyer, and Raffe Downes of Wynwall, co. Warwick, gent. granted to Thomas Babington of Rothley Temple, Esq. for 12d forever, the profits of the court of lordship of the late Comandrie of Rothley extending to the yearly value of 20/, lately belonging to the Prior of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in England. (8)

    Henry is mentioned in a lease from 1 May 1610 to Edward Harrington, pewterer of a messuage in Darbye Lane on the east side between the lands of Richard Smithe, vintner and Henry Sewall, draper. (9)

    The following is from the charter issued to the Drapers' Company in 1610 with auxiliary oaths and ordinances:

    Fols. 1r - 8r. "Copy of letters-patent whereby the master, wardens and fellowship of drapers in the city of Coventry are enabled to hold property and goods, plead in all courts, and renew their seal. There will be one master, two wardens and fifteen assistants. The r�gime of the company will be framed by a majority (including the master) assembling in its hall. The company will have complete oversight of its affairs and punish offenders. Until [30th] September next, the first wardens will be Henry Davenport and Philip Adames. The first assistants will be Sir John Harrington, Kt, Henry Briere[s], Henry Sewall, John Rogerson, Roger El[ ], Thomas Barker, Richard Page, Matthew Collins, Thomas Hill, John Barker, W Snell, Humphrey Smallwood, Samuel Mi ----, Henry Moordock and Robert Kervin. Every [31st] December the fellowship may nominate a master for one year, he taking an oath before the outgoing master and the wardens, whereafter two new wardens will be chosen similarly. A majority of the fellowship may appoint new officials (owing to the death or unfitness of incumbents) to serve out any term; a majority of the fellowship may appoint new assistants. The fellowship will determine internal penalties. The first master will be the present mayor, Samson Hopkins. The fellowship may buy property and rights (not held in chief or by knight-service) worth not more than �100 per annum. Witnessed at Westminster, 29th. Apr., 1610.

    Fol. 10v. Master's Oath:- firstly, to be loyal to the king and his successors; secondly, to maintain the fellowship; thirdly, to be just in office and wrong neither the fellowship nor its members; fourthly, to attend all assemblies of assistants; fifthly, to see that the accounts of outgoing wardens be well-audited; sixthly, to ensure record of the assembly's acts in a book; seventhly, to view the fellowship's lands as often as it shall think necessary; and eighthly, to disburse the company's loan-money aright.

    Fol. 10r. Wardens' Oath:- firstly to thirdly, as the master's oath; fourthly, to make no speeches prejudicial to the assembly; fifthly, to receive the fellowship's money and draw up an account; and sixthly, to be ready to come to the master when notified.

    Fol. 11r. Assistants' Oath:- firstly and secondly, as the master's oath; thirdly, to declare individually their opinions upon all causes proposed for the fellowship's good government; fourthly, not to disclose any of the fellowship's activities which might publicly prejudice it; fifthly, not to be privy to any suit threatening the company and to reveal such suit to the master in open assembly; and sixthly, as the wardens' sixth clause.

    Fols. 12r-14r. Ordinances.
    I Every member to have a gown of "sad puke" or brown-blue with a hood of puke or scarlet, but former mayors or sheriffs will wear their tippets. Penalty for infringing this ordinance: 16d.
    II All will be properly-dressed for funerals attended by the fellowship (penalty: 12d.); any refusing to bear a corpse will be fined 3/4.
    III The master and wardens will keep company valuables, each having a key.
    IV Members must put forther women's hose only to others of the company (penalty: 3/4).
    V An aggrieved member will appeal to the master for arbitration against a fellow but must not sue (penalty: 6/8).
    VI No-one will be admitted to the fellowship who shall not have served a nine-year apprenticeship.
    VII The fellowship will not dress or colour other drapers' cloths (penalty: 40/-).
    VIII No non-member will teach the trade (penalty: �5).
    IX No unfree journeyman or apprentice will gain from buying or dressing cloth (penalty to his master of 20/-; to the informer, 3/4).
    X Penalty of 40/- for speaking (as witnessed by two people) publicly what should be secret.
    XI No apprentice will be taken aged less than sixteen years; each will be bound for nine years with one part of his indentures deposited in the council chambers (penalty of 20/- if bound later than within eight weeks of coming to his master). A member may apprentice his son to himself at fourteen years, but he will still be bound for nine years.
    XII From the coming Easter, all apprentices seeing their freedom must have had a satisfactory master and servitude.
    XIII Servants will not exceed their duties in pulling out broad cloth on tainters (penalty: 40/- per cloth, shared equally by the fellowship and informer, otherwise all to the Court Leet if the act shall have been revealed thereto).
    XIV 40/- fine for taking any non-freeman's goods.
    XV 40/- fine for being rude to the mayor or wardens; 10/- fine for quarrelling.
    XVI After warning, a 5/- fine (given to the poor) will be levied on habitual frequenters of alehouses or swearers.
    XVII No cloth-stretching on the Sabbath (20/- fine divided equally between the fellowship and the informer).
    XVIII 3/4 fine for absence without leave.
    XIX �5 fine for refusal to serve an office.
    XX No apprentice will be permitted to trade, except for his master's benefit (�10 penalty equally divided between the fellowship and the informer).
    XXI Every freeman of the company (save ex-Mayors) and their apprentices will sit in the Drapers' Chapel each Sabbath at Morning Prayer when notified (penalty: 12d.).
    XXII Assistants will be fined 40/- for abusing each other.
    XXIII 10/- fine for abuse of ordering members of the company.
    XXIV Those who shall not have become master or warden will be liable to carry presents from the outgoing to the incoming mayor on [1st. November.]

    Amended versions of the oaths.

    fol. 28r. Master's Oath:- firstly, to be true to the king; secondly, to maintain the company's liberties; thirdly, to attend all meetings unless ill; fourthly, to oversee outgoing wardens' accounts and other debts; fifthly, to ensure that all costs and orders be entered in a book; sixthly, to view fellowship property with the wardens and some assistants; and seventhly, to oversee disposal of loan-moneys.

    fol. 28v. Wardens' Oath:- firstly and secondly, as the master's oath; thirdly, not to reveal anything in assembly prejudicial to the company; fourthly, to receive moneys, delivering an account to the master and assistants and paying any remainder to the succeeding wardens; and fifthly to attend on the master when notified.

    Assistants' Oath: firstly and secondly, as the master's oath; thirdly, to declare their opinions in all causes for the company's good government; fourthly, not to disclose publicly anything said in assembly which might be prejudicial to the company; fifthly, not to encourage any suit against the company; and sixthly, as the wardens' sixth clause." (10)

    In the Coventry Archives is a "copy of Petition dated to 1610/1 by Henry Smith (mayor) and Henry Breres, Henry Sewall, Thomas Gravenor, William Howcutt, Roger Clarke, Richard Butler and Christopher Davenport (aldermen), governor of Bablake Boys' Hospital to Thomas, Lord Ellesmere, Lord Chancellor stating that Thomas Dudley (gent., deceased) willed, and during his lifetime gave, to his wife Alice and his heirs a Gosford Street messuage (now occupied by William Staneley), three Gosford St. messuages (likewise held) and two meadows (now farmed by William Wheate, alderman) and other property in Shortley, Coventry county (now leased to Sir Edward "Brabson" [Brabazon], Kt.) in order that Alice should grant Bartholomew Tate, esq. and Gilbert Diglen and Richard Smith (aldermen) yearly rents of �5 (to benefit Bablake Boys' Hospital) and 6/8 (for payment of fifteenths charged upon Gosford St. Ward poor); that in 24 Elizabeth I Alice Dudley granted the rents to Bartholomew Tate et al, which continued regularly until c. 1595; that William Staneley, Sir Edward Brabazon, William Wheate, James Illedge and Elizabeth Sharratt have obtained A. Dudley's deed to B. Tate et al and their deed defining use of the rents as aforsaid, hence Staneley et al refuse to pay a rate which they had agreed to pay and prevent knowledge of the exact date of A. Dudley's deed: therefore the petitioners want a subpoena issued against Staneley et al for appearance in Chancery." (11)

    On 1 Oct. 1612 Henry Sewall and others transferred the lease on certain lands on St. John's Bridge in Coventry to Henry Breres and others.(12)

    On 8 Aug. 1614 there was a "marriage settlement whereby, in consideration of a marriage between Daniel Whithead and Margaret (one of the daughters of Thomas Love of Coventry, gentleman), Daniel Whithead entrusts to Richard Butler (of Coventry, alderman) and William Snell (of Coventry, draper) (a) a corner-house in the tenure of William Sewall (vintner) at the upper end of the Great Butchery near Spicer Stoke, (b) a tenement in the Little Butchery in the tenure of Thomas Adnett jun. (butcher); both of which Walter Whitehead (father of Daniel Whithead), purchased from Henry Sewall (of Coventry, alderman); (c) one tenement of two, in Spon End (the one being in the occupation of Valentine Turner the other being in the tenure of Richard Eburn (tanner) and one garden, (d) a close in St. Nicholas St. now in the occupation of Mathew "Philips" (baker); both of which were purchased by John Whithead (late of Coventry, haberdasher) from Edward Symcocks (innholder) and were given to Daniel Whithead by John Whithead (of Coventry, mercer, deceased), son of John Whithead, through his will; to be for the use of Daniel and Margaret Whithead for the rest of their lives."(13)

    Old House- Spon End, Coventry

    On 20 July 1620 George Holbech of Corley, Walter Holbach of Fillongley and Ambrose Holbach of Banbury, executors of Robt. Woodcock of Coventry. granted to Henry Sewall of Coventry and his wife Margaret for �13/6/8 a 3-a. close, formerly Birch Walls or Childers Grove, in Corley, late occupied by Robert Woodcock. (14)

    On 26 June 1626 is a 70 year Lease to begin on 25 Mar., for 265.8d from The Drapers' Company to Henry Davenport of Coventry, alderman and draper, Samuel Rishworth, John Moody, Godfrey Legg, Henry Crichlowe and John Rogerson, all of Coventry, drapers, of a messuage and garden formerly owned by William Chrester, now held by him and his wife on the above lease, on the South side of Gosford Street, outside Gosford Gate. Bounded on the east by the lands of Henry Sewall of Coventry, draper, on the west by the lands of the Coventry Corporation and on the south by the lands of Henry Sewall. And also four little messuages, adjoining the above messuage. (15)

    Gosford Gate- Coventry

    Henry made his will on 1 Sept. 1624:

    "Henry Sewall of the parish of St Michael in the city of Coventry, alderman, aged fourscore years or thereabouts, 1 Sept. 1624, proved the last of June 1628 by Margaret Sewall his relict and executrix.

    To my wife Margaret an annuity or yearly rent charge of eleven pounds, eight shillings, issuing out of certain lands in Ansley in the county of Warwick, granted to me & my heirs forever, and now in the tenure of Elizabeth Throckmorton widow, and all my lands, tenements and hereitaments, with the appurtenances, &c. in the city of Coventry & in Corley and Coundon in the County of Warwick and in Radford Coudon in Urchenfield & Stoke in the County of the city of Coventry.

    To Henry Sewall, my eldest son, all my lands, tenements and hereitaments, & c. in the hamlet of Radford in the county of the city of Coventry and in Coudon in Urchenfield in the county of the city of Coventry and in Couden in the County of Warwick, and all my lands, tenements & hereditaments, & c. in Dog Lane in the said city, in the occupation of Richard Baldwyn, a messuage or tenement & one garden, with the appurtenances, in Much Park Street, in Coventry, in the tenure of Henry Critchlowe, draper, and all those messuages or tenements, & c. &c. in the said city in the several occupations of John Harbert, William Heyward, Richard Heyes or Walter Wiggens, and all those three tenements in Little Park Street, in the occupation of Mr. Henry Davenport, ----- Thorton, Katherine West, or their assigns, after the decease of my wife Margaret, and during his natural life; then to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten, & c; also to the said Henry, my son, a tenement & garden, & c. &c. in Heylane in the said city, in the tenure of Bryan Conigrave.

    To Richard Sewall, my younger son, after the decease of my wife Margaret, lands & tenements, & c. in Corley, in the county of Warwick, which I lately purchased of Stephen Hales Esq. with the wyudell thereupon now standing, and other lands, &c. purchased of Richard Patchett, of Martin Whadocke & of Thomas Nicklyn and of Thomas Barre; in the tenure of Jefford, barber, and a tenement & certain stables called the Sextree in Convetry.

    To my daughter Anne, now the wife of Anthonie Power, my messuage & tenement, & c. &c. in Corley, now in the occupation of me the said Henry, which I lately purchased of Daniel Oxenbridge, and other lands, &c. purchased of Thomas Patchet & George & Walter Holbech, and two tenements in Baile Lane in Coventry, one in the tenure of Theophilus Washington, and a messuage in the tenure of Roger Bird and a tenement in the tenure of Joyce Hobson, a widow and late in the occupation of Lawrence Armeson.

    To Margaret, my youngest daughter, now the wife of Abraham Randell, tenements without Newgate in the several tenures of Francis Robinson & Edward Coles, lands, &c. purchased of John Horne of Stoke, gentleman, lands in the tenure of John Wilinson, & of William, or Thomas, Pywall, that my messuage or tenement & garden in Balie Lane, in the city of Coventry wherein I now dwell, tenements, &c. in Baile Lane in the occupation of Roger Dudley, James Knib, William Miller, Edward Maplas, Johane Newland, widow, William Cumberledge & Eward Bissaker, a tenement in Earl Street in the occupation of John Wright, a garden in the occupation of Mr Richard Clarke, a tenement I purchased of John Hammond, Doctor in Physick and tenements in Darbie lane inthe occupation of the widow Wothan & the widow Kinsman. Reference also made to tenements in the occupation of Richard Faulkner, Raphe Mellows, Peter Baxter, Henry Wetton, Randall Cleaver, Clerk, Thomas Hobson and John Hill. To my loving friend Humphry Burton forty shillings, &c. &c. Wife Margaret to be executrix and friends Mr William Hancock, of Coventry, alderman, and my loving kinsman Reginald Horne, gentleman, to be overseers. To my cousin John Horne a cloke cloth.

    Wit: John Brownell, James Brownell. " (16)

    "Margaret Sewall of the city of Coventry aged three score and twelve years and upwards, 7 May 1628, proved 13 June 1632.

    To be buried in the Drapers chapel in the parish church of St. Michael near unto the body of my late husband there lately buried.

    To Richard Sewall my youngest son, and Anne Power, my daughter, wife to Anthony Power of Kenelworth gent., and to Margaret Randell now wife to Abraham Randell of the City of Coventry gent, one annuity or yearly rent charge of eleven pounds eight shillings issuing out of certain lands in Wytherley, Leicestershire, and Ansley, Warwickshire, and late in the tenure or occupation of Elizabeth Throckmorton &c.

    And I do forgive unto Henry Sewall, my eldest son, his offences wherein and whereby he hath sundry times offended me beseeching Almighty God to give him a heart to deal conscionably with his brother and sisters as he would be done to, unto whom I give, I mean to my said son Henry Sewall, twelve pence in money.

    The residue to Richard Sewall, my son, Anne Power, my daughter, and Margaret Randell, my daughter, trusting that they will lovingly live together in peace and unity all the days of their lives. They to be executors and loving friends Thomas Basnett of Coventry, mercer, and John Rogerson of the same city, draper, to be overseers.

    Wit. Thomas Basnet, John Brownell, Sam: Brownell."(17)

    The following letter was written by Judge Samuel Sewall to his son Samuel Jr. As it gives the history of the family I've placed it here near the beginning of this chapter on the Sewalls:

    Boston, April 21, 1720

    Dear Son,

    You have often desired that I would give you some Account of the family of which you are. And although I am much less able to doe any thing of this nature now when I have been left of my dear Parents very near Twenty years; yet considering the longer I stay, the more unfit I shall be, take what I have to say as follows:

    Mr. Henry Sewall, my great Grandfather, was a Linen Draper in the City of Coventry in Great Britain. He acquired a great Estate, was a prudent Man, and was more than once chosen Mayor of the City.

    Mr. Henry Sewall, my Grandfather, was his eldest Son, who out of dislike to the English Hierarchy sent over his only Son, my Father, Mr. Henry Sewall, to New England in the year 1634, with Net [neat] Cattel and Provisions sutable for a new Plantation. Mr. Cotton would have had my Father settle at Boston; but in regard of his Cattel he chose to goe to Newbury, whither my Grandfather soon followed him. Where also my Grandfather Mr. Stephen Dummer, and Alice his wife likewise dwelled under the Ministry of the Reverend Mr. Thomas Parker and Mr. James Noyes.

    On the 25th March, 1646, Richard Saltonstall, Esq. Grandfather of Gurdon Saltonstall, Esq. now Governour of Connecticut, joined together in Marriage my father Mr. Henry Sewall and my Mother Mrs. Jane Dummer, eldest Child of Mr. Stephen Dummer aforesaid and Alice his wife. My Father being then about 32, and my Mother about 19 years of Age.

    But the Climat being not agreeable to my Grandfather and Grandmother Dummer, (whose Maiden name was Archer) they returned to England the Winter following, and my Father and Mother with them, and dwelt awhile at Warwick, and afterwards removed to Hampshire. My Sister Hannah Tappan, their eldest Child, was born at Tunworth May 10th, 1649. Baptised by Mr. Haskins.

    I was born at Bishop Stoke, March 28, 1652; so that the Light of the Lord�s Day was the first light that my Eyes saw, being born a little before Day-break. I was baptised by Mr. Rashly, (sometime Member of the Old Church in Boston) in Stoke Church May 4th 1652. Mr. Rashly first preached a Sermon, and then baptised me. After which an entertainment was made for him and many more.

    Some months after, Mv Father removed to Badesly, where my Brother John Sewall was born Octobr 10. 1654, and was baptised in my Father�s House Novembr 22 by Mr. Henry Cox , Minister of Bishop Stoke.

    My Brother Stephen Sewall was born at Badesly Augt 19th, 1657, Baptised in my Father�s house Scptembr 24, by the said Mr. Cox.

    My Father had made one Voyage to New-England to visit my Grandfather Mr. Henry Sewall. And in the year 1659 he went thither again; his rents at Newbury coming to very little when Remitted to England. In my Father�s absence, Octobr 25, 1659, my Sister Jane Gerrish was born at Badesly and was baptised by Mr. Cox at Bishop Stoke in the house of Mr. Boys.

    At this Badesly, by the merciful goodness of GOD, I was taught to read English. And afterwards was educated in the Grammar School at Rumsey of which Mr. Figes was Master.

    My Father sent for my Mother to come to him to New-England. I remember being at Bishop Stoke and Badesly, April 23, 1661, the day of the Coronation of K. Charles the 2d, the Thunder and Lightening of it. Quickly after my Mother went to Winchester with small Children, Hannah, Samuel, John, Stephen and Jane; and John Nash and Mary Hobs her Servants; there to be in a readiness for the Pool Waggons. At this place her near Relations, especially my very worthy and pious Uncle Mr. Stephen Dummer took Leave with Tears. Capt. Dummer of Swathling treated us with Raisins and Almonds. My Mother lodged in Pump-yard, London, waiting for the going of the Ship, the Prudent Mary, Capt. Isaac Woodgreen, Commander, went by water to Graves-End where the Ship lay. Took in Sheep at Dover. Passengers in the Ship at the same time were Major Brown, a young brisk Merchant and a considerable Freighter; Mr. Gilbert and his wife, He was Minister at Topsfield; Madam Bradstreet (then Gardener); Mrs. Martha, Mr. Pitkins Sister, who died lately at Windsor, and many others. We were about Eight Weeks at Sea, where we had nothing to see but Water and the Sky; so that I began to fear I should never get to Shoar again; only I thought the Capt. and Mariners would not have ventured themselves if they had not hopes of getting to Land again. Capt. Woodgreen arrived here on Satterday. I was overjoyed to see Land again, especially being so near it as in the Narrows. �Twas so late by that time we got to the Castle, that our men held a discourse with them whether they should Fire or no, and reckoned �t was agreed not to doe it. But presently after the Castle Fired; which much displeased the Ship�s Company; and then they Fired. On the Lord�s day my Mother kept aboard; but I went ashoar, the Boat grounded, and I was carried out in arms July 6, 1661. My Mother lodg�d at Mr. Richard Collucott�s. This Week there was a publick Thanksgiving. My Father hastened to Boston and carried his Family to Newbury by Water in Mr. Lewis [boat]. Brother Tappan has told me our arrival there was upon Lecture-day which was Wednesday. Mr. Ordway carryed me ashore in his Canoe. We sojourned at Mr. Titcomb�s. My Father presently sent me to school to the Reverend and Excellent Mr. Thomas Parker, with whom I continued six years till my entrance into the College; being admitted by the very learned and pious Mr. Charles Chauncey.

    Septr 3, 1662, Mother was brought to bed of Sister Anne, Mr. Joshua Moodey the Minister�s Mother being her Midwife. Baptised by Mr. Parker.

    May, 8, 1665, Sister Mehetabel was born: Baptised by Mr. Parker. She became wife to the midwife�s Grandson, Mr. William Moodey. Dorothy Sewall (now Northend) was born October 29, 1668. Baptised by Mr. Parker.

    At this time the Commencement was in August. In the year 1667 my father brought me to be admitted, by which means I heard Mr. Richard Mather of Dorchester preach Mr. Wilson�s Funeral Sermon. Your Fathers where are they? I was admitted by the very Learned and pious Mr. Charles Chauncey, who gave me my first Degree in the year 1671. There were no Masters that year. These Bachelours were the last Mr. Chauncey gave a degree to. For he died the February following.

    In July 1672, Dr. Hoar came over with his Lady and sojourned with your Grandfather Hull. (He was my Aunt Quincey�s Brother) and preached, as an Assistant, to the Rev. Mr. Thomas Thacher at the South Church. The College quickly called him to be President. He was installed in the College Flail in Decembr 1672. Gov. Bellingham lay dead in his House, and Dep. Gov. Leverett was the Chief Civil Magistrat present at that Solemnity. The March following Mrs. Bridget Hoar, now Cotton, was born in Cambridge. In 1674 I took my 2d Degree and Mrs. Hannah Hull, my dear Wife, your honoured Mother, was invited by the Dr. and his Lady to be with them a while at Cambridge. She saw me when I took my Degree and set her Affection on me, though I knew nothing of it till after our Marriage, which was February 28th. 1675/6. Govr Bradstreet married us in that we now call the Old Hall; �t was then all in one, a very large Room. As I remember, Madam Thacher and Madam Paige with whom Gov. Bradstreet boarded visited us the next day.

    On the 2d of April, 1677, it pleased GOD to favour us with the birth of your Brother John Sewall, our First-born. In June 1678 you were born. Your brother lived till the September following, and then died. So that by the undeserved Goodness of GOD your Mother and I never were without a child after the 2d of April 1677.

    In the FaIl 1678, I was seized with the Small Pocks and brought very near to death; so near that I was reported to be dead. But it pleased GOD of his Mercy to Recover me. Multitudes died, two of my special Friends viz. Mr. John Noyes, and Ensign Benjamin Thirston, who both died while I lay sick: and Mr. William Dummer, Son of Jeremiah Dummer Esq. aged about 19 years. Presently after my Recovery, in December, Col. Townsend, Mr. Stoddard, and I were Bearers to Mr. Joseph Tappin one of the most noted Shop keepers in Boston.

    And now what shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits? The good Lord help me to walk humbly and Thankfully with Him all my days; and profit by Mercies and by Afflictions; that through Faith and Patience I may also in due time fully inherit the Promises. Let us incessantly pray for each other, that it may be so!

    Samuel Sewall
    Augt. 26. 1720.(1)

    Issue-

  • 4I. HENRY- bpt. 8 Apr. 1576 Coventry, m.1. 21 Oct. 1601 Mavesyn Ridware, Staffordshire, Mary Cawarden (bpt. 8 July 1588 Mavesyn Ridware, Staffordshire, d. after 1610) , 2. Ellen Mosley, 3. c.1614 ANNE HUNT (b.c.1590, bur. 1 July 1615 Manchester, Lancashire),d. Mar. 1657 Rowley, MA
  • II. Richard- b.c.1578, m.c.1614 Corley, Warwick, Mary Dugdale(bpt. 7 Dec. 1597 Shastock, Warwick, d. before 30 Mar. 1648), d.c. Nov. 1638 , adm. 2 Jan. 1639 PCC
  • III. Anne- b.c.1580, m. before 1 Sept. 1624 Anthony Powers (will 21 Dec. 1632-30 Dec. 1632 Kenilworth, Warwick), will 15 Jan- 1 May 1633
  • IV. Margaret- b.c.1582, m. before 1 Sept. 1624 Coventry, Abraham Randall (d. before 4May 1646), will 4 May 1646

    Ref:

    (1) Samuel Sewall's Letter at the Sewall Family web site at: http://www.robertsewell.ca/samsewall.html
    (2) WRO- DR429/122
    (3) Coventry Archives- PA 1573/63/1 14 January 1603/4
    (4) Birmingham City Archives- MS 3069/Acc1906-002/193118
    (5) Ibid- MS 3069/Acc1906-002/193119
    (6) Ibid- MS 3069/Acc1906-002/192940
    (7) Coventry Archives- PA 1573/55/1
    (8) Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Record Office- 44'28/621 5th January, 1610
    (9) Warwickshire County Record Office- DR429/126 1 May, 8 Jas.I. (1610)
    (10) Coventry Archives- PA 99/1 c.17c
    (11) Ibid- PA14/1/19 1610-11
    (12) Birmingham City Archives- MS 3069/Acc1906-002/192949 1 October, 1612
    (13) Coventry Archives- PA 152/14/1 8th August, 1614 (14) Ibid- PA 1484/26/1 20 July 1620
    (15) Ibid- PA 1573/56/1 26 June 1626
    (16) Genealogical Gleanings in England. Abstracts of wills relating to early American families, with genealogical notes and pedigrees constructed from the wills and from other records- Henry F. Waters, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, 1969- p. 153
    (17) Ibid- p. 1415-6
    (18) A History of the County of Warwick- The City of Coventry and Borough of Warwick- W.B. Stephens, Ed., Victoria County History, 1969- pp. 157-62 at: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=16025
    (19) Coventry Archives- ff.1-14 PA 34/1 Day and month not stated 1452-3 and c 1550-1600
    (20) "Coventry Mystery Plays"- at: http://www.coventryps.org/chs/academics/english/eng11ap/documents/coventry_mystery.pdf
    (21) Two Coventry Corpus Christi Plays- Hardin Craig, PhD, Early English Text Society, London, 1902- pp. 98-102


    4I. HENRY (RICHARD 1, WILLIAM 2, HENRY 3)

    b. bpt. 8 Apr. 1576 Coventry, Warwick
    m.1. 21 Oct. 1601 Mavesyn Ridware, Stafforshire, Mary Cawarden (bpt. 8 July 1588 Mavesyn Ridware, d. after 1610)
        2. c.1614 ANNE HUNT (b.c.1590, bur. 1 July 1615 Manchester, Lancashire)
        3. int. 16 Dec. 1615 Ashton-on-Mersey, Cheshire, Ellen Mosley
    d.Mar. 1657 Rowley, MA

    On 9 May 1611 Edward Walker sold to Henry Sewall, the younger, a tenement in Coventry. (9) There is a bond of the same date from Edward Walker to Henry Sewall, the younger, concerning this sale.(10)

    On 11 Oct. 1613 is a bond from Henry Sewall, the younger of Coventry to Richard Gutter of Coventry, concerning the sale of a tenement in Coventry.(11)

    On 30 Apr. 1634 Henry Sewall of Coventry, son of the late Henry Sewall, sold to Francis Phippes of Kenilworth Chase, Warwickshire, a toft (its house having burned down) Filters Church Close (bought from Thomas Patchett), and Johns Croft and other closes lately held by Henry Sewall sen. for �200. There is a letter of attorney where Henry appoints William Gibbons and Humphrey Burton to the lands to Francis Phipps. (12)

    Also on 1 May 1634 Henry Sewall of Coventry, son of the late Henry Sewall, sold to Henry Power, son of Anthony and Ann (daughter of Henry Sewall sen.) for 12d., "Birchwalls", 14 acres of common fields, named closes, and Coventry messuages in Bayley Lane, Hight St., near Greyfriars' Gate, Little Park St., Callice St., and the Butchery.(7)

    A deed dated 21 June 1637 concerning the sale of land on Well St. by William & Bridget Vale to William Holt mentioned that the property was bordered on the east by property of Henry Sewall, gentleman.(8)

    Henry and Ellen were living in Ipswich, MA in 1638 as on 5 June Henry was presented to the grand jury for beating his wife.

    Henry was known to have alienated his relatives and was said to be deranged when he was older. This was probably the reason of his being brought before the grand jury for various offences.

    On 3 Mar. 1639/0 "Mr Henry Seawall for his contemptuous speach & carriage to Mr Saltonstall was enjoyed to acknowledg his fault publikely at Ipswich court & to bee of good behavior & was enjoyned to appear at the next Quarter Court... hee bound him selfe in 66� 13s 4d for his appearance & good behaviour".(4) "Henry Sewall, senior, was bound over to his good behaviour in sixty-six pounds, thirteen shillings, and fourpence, for contemptuous speeche and carriage to Mr. Saltonstall."(1)

    On 11 May 1641 there was a "decree in Chancery by Sir Edward Littleton, Lord Chancellor making void all Statutes, judgements, recognisances and other incumbrances; re Easter Term 1639, John Wightwicke of the Inner Temple London Esq, Sergeant at Law and Thomas Wightwicke his son v Edward Owen, Margeret Trist, Christopher Davenport, executors of the last will and testament of Christopher Davenport, deceased John Barker and Abell Butler the executors of the last will and testament of Richard Butler deceased, defendant, re a treaty between John Wightwicke and Edward Owen, one of the defendants; for the purchase of a house called The Seven Stars with pastures, arable land and meadow, in Pinley in the County of the City of Coventry, that the property was clear of incumberances and worth �57 yearly, the property was held in free Socage, and the complainant agreed to purchase the property for �1,140, being 20 years purchase, it was agreed to convey the property to the complainant and John Wightwicke paid Edward Owen �1,040, the remainder not being paid until Edward Owen discharged the land from incumbrances, that before the end of the next Michaelmas Term, Edward Owen should not procure any recognizances he had entered into to be discharged, the complainant should not be charged with the payment of �100, the complainant further stated he would not have paid �1040 if he had entered into no recognisance, the recognisance was satisfied and the money paid. The complainant discovered that on the 30th October 1635 that the defendant had been bound in �500 to Margaret Trist, widow for the payment of a better sum, there being no record of the discharge of the land, and to Christopher Davenport, to whom the defendant is executor in �300, by Statute Merchant to secure payment of �100 to John Barker defendant, in �200 for the payment of �100 and to Henry Greenes, Henry Sewall and Richard Butler in �40, to secure payment of �20 to each of them, none of which recognisances have been discharged on record; the defendant and all the parties to the recognisances claimed they were void, yet have refused to record the cancellation of these recognisances, despite orders, Edward Owen having incumbered the property with recognisances before making the conveyance, whereby the complainant was liable to suffer his possession being ended by a decree of the Court of Chancery; the complainant prays the assistance of the Court of Chancery to compel the defendants to vacate the Statutes and to give the complainant better indemnity; this process being awarded against the defendant being put in several answers attached to the bill of complaint, Abell Butler defendant, believed it to be true that Edward Owen by Statute Marchant dated 5 May 1615, acknowledged before John Heming then Mayor of Coventry and Richard Randall, then Town Clerk of Coventry for binding Edward Owen to Henry Greenes, Henry Sewall and Richard Butler in the sums of �40 payable 29 August next 5 June 1615, Statute Merchant, acknowledged before William Snell, Mayor of Coventry, binding Richard Randall �40 to the above parties on 29 August next; 21 May 1615. Statue Merchant, before Samuel Miles, Mayor of Coventry, binding Richard Randall in �40 to the above parties to be repaid by 29 Aug next; 31 May 1619. Statue Merchant, binding Richard Randall to Henry Sewall, Richard Butler and Christopher Davenport, William Hancoks in �20, to be repaid by 29 Aug next, Henry Greenes, Henry Sewall, Christopher Davenport and William Hancocke were dead, Richard Butler only being alive and the Statutes Merchant were acknowledged in trust to Coventry Corporation, which did not affect Richard Butler deceased or the defendant, Abell was willing that the above statute Merchant should be vacated with the consent of Coventry Corporation, and denied Edward Owen had entered into any other bonds. John Barker defendant, admitted Edward Owen borrowed �100 from him 14 years previously, re a Statute Merchant bond before the Mayor of Coventry in �200, which he had repaid, cancelled but not enrolled, and that the Statute Merchant should be formally made void. Edward Owen and Margery Trist defendants, stated Edward Owen had entered into a recognisance in �500 to secure payment of �350 and were willing to have the vacating of the recognisance recorded, Christopher Davenport stated, Christopher Davenport the uncle of the defendant entered into a recognisance in �300 with Edward Owen and since his death the debt had been paid and he was willing to vacate the recognisance; Edward Owen, the defendant did not know of any recognisances affecting the above property on the 6th Sept 1639 the recognisances were vacated with the consent of all parties."(13)

    On 12 Mar. 1641/2 Henry was listed in the division of the commons: "The sting of the ox & cow comon... Mr Sewall Senr 34 1/4.(3)

    "Generall and perticular orders made by the men Deputed for the Managing of those things that concerne the ordering of the New Towne from Decemb 7th 1642... Mr Henry Sewall... the persons only mentioned are acknowledged to be free holders by the Towne..."(5)

    In Dec. 1650 "Mr. Showell was walking in the foremost seat in the meeting-house neare the pulpit and Mr. Rogers being present and ready to step iknto the place to begin prayer, said, Mr. Showell, cease your walking. Mr. S. answered, you should have come sooner, with more words to that purpose, but he not ceasing his walking, presently our pastour added these words, remember where you are, this is the house of God, to which Mr. S. answered with a lowd voyce I know how to behave in the house of God as well as you. Then our pastour said rather than that he disturb the congregatkion, putt him out, to which Mr. S. replyed, lett us see who dare. After this a brother spake unto Mr. Showell in a friendly way, but Mr. S. with a stearne countenance and threatening manner saide he would take a course with some of us and in many other wordes we doe not now remember. Upon another Lord's day Mr. S. was walking, a part of the congregation being assembled, Mr. S. did exclaim thus with an audible voyce, looking up, good Lord, this day is spent I now not how, and nothing is yet done, expressing some trouble in other words."(2)

    After the meeting house was moved in 1646, Henry moved across the river to Rowley.

    "April 8, 1646, Mr Woodman, Hen : Lunt, Arch : Woodman and mr Sewall for their absence from ye generall Towne meeting are fyned twelve pence a peece."(6)

    Henry bore the arms "Sable, a chevron between three bees Argent". These arms are on the portrait of his descendant Rev. Joseph Sewall of Boston c.1768.

    Richard Cromwell- Protector

    A letter from Richard Cromwell Protector &c to the Governor and Magistrates of the Massachusetts Colony in New England as follows viz.

    �Loveing Friends,

    �We being given to understand that Henry Sewall of Rowley in Massey -Tusick Bay in New England, died about foure years since, possessed of an Estate of Lands and Goods in the Colony aforesaid, and that the said Estate did and ought to descend and come unto his only Son Henry Sewall Minister of North Baddesly in our County of South Hampton in England, who purposeing to make a voyage into New England, there personally to make clayme to his said Estate, had desired our Lycence for his absence, as also our letters reccommendatory unto you, that when (by the help of God) he shall be arrived in New England, he may have speedy justice and right done him concerning the said Estate, that soe he may the sooner returne to his Ministerial Charge at North Baddesly. And he being personally known to us to be laborious and industrious in the work of the Ministry, and very exemplary for his Holy Life and good conversation. We do ernestly desire, that when he shall make his addresses to you, he may receive all lawful favour and furtherance from you for the speedy dispatch of his business according to Justice and equity, that soe he may the more expeditiously return to this said charge where (through the blessing of God) his labours in the Gospel may be further useful and profitable; which we shall esteem as a particular respect done to us, and shall be ready to acknowledge and returne the same upon any occasion wherein We may procure or further your good and welfare, which we heartily wish and pray for and rest your very

    loveing friend Richard P.

    Whitehall 23 March 1658.�

    Issue-

  • 5I. HENRY- b.c. 1614, m. 25 Mar. 1646 JANE DUMMER(b.c.1628 Bishop Stoke, Hampshire, d. 13 Jan. 1701 Newbury, MA), d. 16 May 1700 Newbury, MA

    Ref:

    (1) A Sketch of the History of Newbury, Newburyport and West Newbury- Joshua Coffin, Samuel Drake, Boston, 1845- p. 32
    (2) Ibid- p. 61
    (3) History of Newbury- John J. Currier, Damrell & Upham, Boston, 1902- p. 54
    (4) Ibid- p. 80 quoting Mass. Colony Records- Vol. I, p. 286
    (5) Ibid- pp. 82-4 quoting Proprietor's Records- Vol. I, fol. 44
    (6) Ibid- p. 120 quoting the Newbury Town Records- Vol. I
    (7) Coventry Archives- PA 1484/26/5
    (8) Ibid- PA 152/2
    (9) Birmingham City Archives- MS 3069/Acc1906-002/192944 9 May, 1611. (10) Ibid- MS 3069/Acc1906-002/192945 9 May, 1611
    (11) Ibid- MS 3069/Acc1906-002/192951 11 October 1613
    (12) Coventry Archives- PA 1484/26/2, 3 & 4, 30 Apr. & 1 May 1634
    (13) Ibid- PA150/1, 11 May 1641 (previous ref. D/Misc. 16)


    5I HENRY (RICHARD 1, WILLIAM 2, HENRY 3, HENRY 4)

    b.c.1614
    m. 25 Mar. 1646 Newbury, JANE DUMMER- b.c.1628 Bishop Stoke, Hampshire, daughter of Stephen Phldren Dummer and Alice Archer, d. 13 Jan. 1701 Newbury, MA
    will 17 Aug. 1678
    d. 16 May 1700 Newbury, MA

    Henry and Jane were married by Rev. Richard Saltonstall, grandfather of Gov. Gordon Saltonstall of CT. Jane brought as her dowry 500 acres of land in Coventry. Henry was in Newbury by 1635 and was appointed a freeman 17 May 1637 in Newbury and took the oath at Newe Towne (Cambridge) the same day John Winthrop was elected Governor and Thomas Dudley, deputy Governor.(4) In 1636 he was granted 500 acres in the neighborhood of "the Falls", now Byfield.(5)

    In 1647 Henry returned with his family to England and in 1650 he was presented to the living of North Baddesley, Hampshire.

    St. John the Baptist- North Baddesley

    In 1652 "These persons heer under mentioned are acknowledged to be ffreeholders and to have an interest in all comons belonging to the Towne as having lawfully purchased theyr privideges from such as had the priviledges estated on them by the Towne... Richard Bartlet besides his owne hath Mr Henry Sewall Junr... Mr Sewals little farme hath for pembertons house from Mr Woodmans Priviledge Amos Stickny... "(6)

    In 1658 Henry left his family in Baddesley and returned to Massachusetts. After the collapse of the Puritan regime in England he summoned his family to New England.

    On 7 Nov. 1660 Henry bought his home with four acres on the northerly corner of Noyes' Lane, now Parker St. and High St.(2) He built a new home there which he willed to Jane and at her decease to his son Samuel.

    "March 3, 1661 laid out for Mr Henry Sewall for the two freeholds he doth enjoy, one was for his fathers and the other was Mr Edward Woodmans, ten acres of Marshland being the ninth and tenth lots".(7)

    "A list of their names who have taken the oath of allegiance at Newbury, 1678... Hen. Sewall aged 66..."(8)

    On 16 Feb. 1681/2 Henry was one of the Newbury men who signed the petition to the King requesting his protection from Robert Mason's claim to their land.(9)

    "Mr. Henry Sewall acknowledged unto me, January 3, 1683, to have given his son John Sewall his freehold Priviledg of Comon wch he purchased of Mr. Woodman- Anthony Somerby, Clerk for Newbury."(7)

    Henry was a deputy to the General Court in 1661, 1662, 1663, 1666, 1668 and 1670.

    On 7 Mar. 1683/4 Henry sold to his son Stephen a lot of land "bounded on ye north with ye land of Tristram Coffin, on ye west with ye land of Richard Brown, on ye south with ye land of Henry Sewall, on ye east with ye highwaye." The following day Stephen Sewall of Salem sold to Richard Brown of Newbury the same lot "on the way to the meeting house" which was between the land of Tristram Coffin on the north and the land of Henry Sewall on the south.(3)

    Henry was listed in the town rate for Newbury for 1688: "Mr H. Sewall Heads 0, Houses 4, Plow Lands 1, Meadow 0, Pastr 0, Horses 0, 2 yr old 0, 1 yr old 0, oxen 0, cows 0, 3 yr old 0, 2 yr old 0, 1 yr old 0, sheep 0, hoggs 2".(10) Henry had undoubtedly transferred ownership of most of his property and livestock to his sons by this point.

    The inscription on his headstone reads: "Henry Sewall, sent by his father Henry Sewall, in the ship Elizabeth and Dorcas, arrived in Boston 1634, wintered at Ipswich, helped begin this plantation 1635, furnished English servants, neat cattle and provisions. Married Jane Dummer March 25, 1646, and died May 16, 1700. His fruitful vine, being thus disjoined, fell to the ground January following."(1) Coffin was of the opinion that Judge Samuel was responsible for this inscription and in his diary he states: "Newbury was planted in 1634. My father has told me so, who was one of the first inhabitants."(1)

    In his will 17 Aug. 1678 Henry left his daughter Anne and his son-in-law William Longfellow a tract of land and a house known as the high field, along with some meadow land containing 7 or 8 acres.

    Issue-

  • I. Hannah-b.10 May 1649,m.24 Aug. 1670 Newbury, Jacob Toppan (b.c.1645, d.30 Dec. 1717 York, ME), d. 11 Nov. 1699 York, ME
  • II. Samuel- b. 28 Mar.1652 Bishop Stoke, Warwick; m.1. 28 Feb. 1676 Boston, Hannah Quincy (b. 14 Feb. 1658 Boston, d. 19 Oct. 1717 Boston), 2. 29 Oct. 1719 Boston, Abigail Melyen (b.c.1666 Elizabeth, NJ,d. 26 May 1720 Boston), 3. 29 Mar. 1722 Boston,Mary Shrimpton (b.30 Oct.1667, d. 17 July 1747 Newton), d. 1 Jan. 1730 Boston- Samuel was chief justice in Boston and is famous for his diary.
  • 6III. JOHN- b. 10 Oct. 1654 NorthBadesley, Hampshire, bpt.22 Nov. 1654 Biship Stoke, Warwick; m. 17 Aug. 1674 Newbury, HANNAH FESSENDEN (b.c.1647 Canterbury, Kent, d. 4 Apr.1723 York, ME),d. 8 Aug. 1699 Newbury
  • IV. Stephen- b. 19 Aug. 1657 N. Badesley, m. 13 June1682 Boston, Margaret Mitchell (b.c.1664, d. 20 Jan. 1736 Boston), d. 17 Oct. 1725 Salem
  • V.Jane- b.25 Oct. 1659 Badesley,m.24 Sept.1677 Newbury, Moses Gerrish (b. 9 May1656 Newbury,d. 4 Dec. 1694 Newbury), d. 29 Jan. 1717 Newbury, MA
  • VI. Anne- b.3 Sept. 1662 Newbury, m.1. 10 Nov. 1678 Newbury,William Longfellow (b. Oct. 1650, d. Oct. 1687), 2. 11 May 1692 Newbury,Henry Short (b. 11 Mar. 1652 Newbury, d. 23 Oct. 1706 Newbury), d. 18 Dec. 1706 Newbury.
  • VII. Mehitable- b. 8 May 1665 Newbury, m. 15 Nov. 1684 Newbury,William Moody (b. 20 June 1663 Newbury, d. 1730 Newbury), d. 8 Aug. 1702 Newbury
  • VIII. Dorothy- b. 29 Oct. 1668 Newbury, m.1. 10 Sept. 1691 Rowley, Capt. Ezekiel Northend (b. 8 Oct. 1666 Rowley), 2. 27 Oct. 1737 Rowley, Moses Bradstreet (b. 17 Oct. 1665 Ipswich, d. 20 Dec. 1737 Ipswich), d. 17 June 1752 Ipswich

    Ref:

    (1) A Sketch of the History of Newbury, Newburyport and West Newbury- Joshua Coffin, Samuel Drake, Boston, 1845- p. 13
    (2) History of Newbury- John J. Currier, Damrell & Upham, Boston, 1902- p. 672 quoting Ipswich Deeds- Book II, p. 16
    (3) Essex Deeds- Vol. VI, fol. 111; Vol. VIII, fol. 48; quoted in the History of Newbury- p. 674
    (4) History of Newbury- John J. Currier, Damrell & Upham, Boston, 1902- p. 41; Mass. Colony Records- Vol. I, p. 373
    (5) Ibid- p. 64
    (6) Ibid- pp. 93-4 quoting the Newbury Town Records- Vol. I
    (7) Ibid- p. 95 quoting Essex Deeds- Vol. I, p. 184
    (8) Ibid- p. 180 quoting Salem Quarterly Court Files- book xxx, fol. 56
    (9) Ibid- p. 194 quoting Mass. Colony Records- Vol. V, pp. 334-6
    (10) Ibid- p. 205 quoting NEHGR Apr. 1878- pp. 156-64


    6III. JOHN (RICHARD 1, WILLIAM 2, HENRY 3, HENRY 4, HENRY5)

    b. 10 Oct. 1654 North Badesley, Hampshire, bpt.22 Nov. 1654 Bishop Stoke, Warwick
    m. 27 Oct. 1674 Cambridge, MA, HANNAH FESSENDEN - b.c.1647 Canterbury, Kent, d. 4 Apr. 1723 York, ME), d. of John Fessenden
    d. 8 Aug. 1699 Newbury, MA

    "A list of their names who have taken the oath of allegiance at Newbury, 1678... John Sewall- aged 24".(2)

    On 25 Apr. 1681 John was one of the Tithing Men appointed by the selectmen.(4)

    On 14 Mar. 1681/2 the decided that: "All sheep shall be kept in that part of the comons where their owners live. The inhabitants of the old town to keep their sheep there. The next flock to be kept from Lob's pound and over the mill bridge to Henry Jaques his pasture. And the next flock from thence to James Smith's and over Trotter's bridge. And the inhabitants from James Carrs to Mr john Sewalls and Jacbo Toppanes are the frog pond flock and their range shall be the Aps swamp from James Smith to George Marches bridge and dismall ditch and Robin's pound, and Moses Pilsbury and the further end of the towne are to have the plaines for their flock."(5)

    "Soldiers under ye command of Capt Tho. Noyes... Mr Jno Sewall... training Day ye 26 day of F[ ] 1688..."(1)

    John was listed in the town rate for Newbury for 1688: "Mr Jno Sewall Heads 0, Houses 2, Plow Lands 6, Meadow 3, Pastr 6, Horses 1, 2 yr old 0, 1 yr old 0, oxen 4, cows 6, 3 yr old 1, 2 yr old 0, 1 yr old 2, sheep 20, hoggs 4".(3)

    Issue-

  • I. Hannah- b. 21 Dec. 1675 Newbury, d. 1676
  • II. Hannah- b. 26 Dec. 1677, m.15 July 1698 Newbury, Rev. Samuel Moody (b. 4 Jan. 1676 Newbury, d. 13 Nov. 1747 York, ME), d. 29 Jan. 1728 York. Samuel was a graduate of Harvard College and ordained on 20 Dec. 1700. He was the minister in York until his death in 1747 when the current church (First Parish Church) was built. His son was "Hankerchief Moody", the subject of Hawthorne's story "The Minister's Black Veil". Hannah's daughter Mary married Joseph Emerson and they were the ancestors of Ralph Waldo Emerson.
  • III. John-b. 10 Apr. 1680 Newbury,m. 8 June 1710 Newbury,Esther Wigglesworth(b. 16 Apr. 1685), d.s.p. 25 Feb. 1712
  • IV. Henry- b. 7 Sept. 1682 Newbury, m. 1 Jan. 1707 Newbury,Elizabeth Titcomb, d. 29 June 1760 Newbury
  • V. Stephen- b. 17 Jan. 1684 Newbury
  • 7VI. SAMUEL- b. 9 Apr. 1688, m.1. 1711 LYDIA STORER (b. 4 Mar. 1694 Charlestown, MA), 2. 28 Nov. 1723 York, Sarah Bachelder (b.c.1697, d.4 Feb. 1790 York), d. 28 Apr. 1769 York
  • VII. Nicholas- b. 1 June 1690, m. Mehitable Storer (b. 10 May1656), d.c.1740
  • VIII. Thomas- b. 5 Mar. 1693, d.s.p.18 June 1716 Cambridge, MA

    Ref:

    (1) History of Newbury- John J. Currier, Damrell & Upham, Boston, 1902- p. 660
    (2) Ibid- p. 179 quoting Salem Quarterly Court Files- book xxx, fol. 56
    (3) Ibid- p. 205 quoting NEHGR Apr. 1878- pp. 156-64
    (4) Ibid- p. 118
    (5) Ibid- p. 139 quoting the Newbury Town Records

    Newbury V.R.


    7VI. SAMUEL (RICHARD 1, WILLIAM 1, HENRY 2, HENRY 3, HENRY4, JOHN 5)

    b. 9 Apr.1688 Newbury, MA
    m.1. 1711 LYDIA STORER- b. 4 Mar. 1694 Charlestown, MA
            2. 28 Nov. 1723 York, Sarah Bachelder (b.c.1697, d. 4 Feb. 1790 York)
    d. 28 Apr. 1769 York, ME
    bur. South Side Cemetery, South Side Rd., York

    Map of York- South Side and Raynes' Neck- from Banks' History of York

    In 1708 Samuel and his brother Nicholas came to York, Samuel was a cordwainer and his brother was a tanner.(10) Samuel and Nicholas were certainly here by 1711 when they witnessed a deed.(13)

    "To All Christian People to whom these presents Shall Come Greeting Know Yee that I Nehemiah Yeals of Boston... Shipwright for & in Consideration of ye full & Just Sum of Forty pounds Currant passable money of New England to me in hand paid by Joseph Holt & Samuel Sewall both of ye town & County of York... do... sell... one halfe part or Moiety of a Tract of land lying on ye westermost Side of york river and formerly Called by ye Name of Ingelsbys lot Containing one hundred Acres be ye Same more or less bounded & being by ye land of Andrew Everet on ye Northwest and by ye land of Mr. Godfreys formerly on ye South East and... Also ye halfe part of a piece of Salt Marsh or Meadow to ye Quantity of three Acres... formerly Called Ingelsbys meadow lying & being on ye river of York & Near ye being or habitation of Mr. Micum Mackintire...this Twenty Second day of Octobr in ye year of our lord one thousand Seven hundred & Twelve... Nehemiah Yeals...

    In ye presence of us
    Timothy Day
    Samuel Tredwell
    James Bayley
    23d of Octobr 1712"(12)

    "To All To whom these presents Shall Come Greeting

    Whereas on ye Twenty Second day of Octobr Anno dom. 1712 Nehemiah Yeals then of Boston... Shipwright for himselfe & as Attorney to his Elder Brother Timothy Yeals then of Weymouth Coaster for & in Consideration of forty pounds Sold... all ye real Estate of their Hond ffather Timothy Yeals Late of York decd Scittuate in that Town Particularly Expressed in ye Deed unto Sameul Sewell & Joseph Hoult both of York... ye sd Nehemiah Yeals... Shall not... be Obliged to Defend ye Estate therein... Sold Against any Other prson or prsons but ye heirs... of their Said father Timothy Yeals who As was Supposed dyed thereof Siezed in ffee and they ye sd Saml Sewall & Joseph Hoult... do relinquish All right... to All Such Estate as did not of right belong... to ye sd Timothy Yeals At ye Time of his death Lying in York... this Tenth day of April... One thousand Seven hundred & Nineteen... Saml Sewall, Joseph Hoult...

    In presence of
    Nathl Gerrish
    Elisha Plaisted..."(15)

    "...Timo Yeals of Boston... Coaster Son and heir of Timothy Yeals Late of york... Carpenter Deceased... in Consideration of ye Sum of forty pounds by me received of and from Samuel Sewall Cordwainer & Joseph Holt Blacksmith both of york... so... sell... One hundred Acres... as my sd Honod Father Timo Yeals Dyed Seized or possessed of being on ye South west Side of york river bounded Northwestly on Land of andrew Evered North Easterly on york river Southeasterly on Land formerly Called Godfreys Land a Southwesterly on Kittery Line... this fifteenth day of Decembr... One Thousand Seven hundred and Twelve... Timo. Yeals...

    In presence of us
    Samuel Tylen Junr
    Eliphall Tylen
    Suffolk ss/Boston aprill 10th 1719".(16)

    "Samll Sewall and Joseph Holt of York... on the one Party and Benjamin Hilton and Hannah Cole of said York on the other Party have made a Division by Mutual consent... of all that Land whereon they now live upon the Southwest Side of Said York River which was formerly in ye possession of William Hilton Late of Said York deceasd and the one half thereof Sold by Said Hilton unto Timothy Yeales Late of Said York deceasd- the other half mortgaged by Said Hilton unto Mr Robert Eliot of New Castle In the Province of New Hampshire but not divided and since said Yeales his part purchased by said Sewall and Holt and Said Elliots Half sold by him unto said Benjm Hilton and Said Hannah Cole : The whole Place In Copartnership containing one Hundred and five Acres... the Said Sewall and Holt hath the upper part that is the North West side and is in breadth from ye Land that was formerly Andrew Everits... thence down to ye River on a Northeast point to ye Middle of a broad Cove... on ye South East side of a Little brook of Water... from thence as ye fence now stands next to said Benjm Hiltons Little House South west... this 21 of March 1716/7, Samll Sewall, Joseph Hoult, Benjm X Hilton, Hannah X Cole... [witnesses] Samuel Bragdon, Caleb Boyinton".(22)

    "... Joseph Hoult of York... for & in Consideration of Twenty two pounds & Ten Shillings... paid by Samuel Sewall of sd York Cordwainr... do... sell... All... Land... that did doth or Ever Shall... belong unto ye sd Joseph Hoult... upon the Southeast Side of sd Saml Sewalls house lott & ye Addition upon ye backside where he now liveth upon ye Southwest Side of sd York river which sd Hoult Claimeth by Vertue of a deed from Wm Hilton Late of York but now of Manchester or Otherwise by vertue of a grant by ye Town of York to Timothy Yeals late of sd York decd... this Twenty fourth day of Decr in ye year... One thousand Seven hundred & Eighteen... Joseph Hoult...

    In presence of
    Joseph Brace
    John Bradbury
    Abram Preble..."(17)

    By May 1714 Samuel was a Justice of the Peace.(14)

    In 1719 Judge Samuel Sewall came up to visit and noted in his diary:

    May, 14. Breakfasted with Cousin Saml Sewall who fetch'd Cous. Moodey and me over the River in his Canoe...(9)

    In 1721 the General Court issued �50,000 in bills of credit to be issued to each town. The town of York was allowed to give out small loans to a total of �360. The selectment were appointed to manage this fund and a board of trustees was appointed which included Samuel who were required to give bond for twice the amount of the town's allotment. Of the 5% charged for these loans, 4% went back to the town and 1% was to be given to the trustees "for their trouble".(11)

    "Know all men by these Presents that we Joseph Sayward Arther Bragdon Ser John Harmon Thomas Haines Joseph Moulton Samuel Sewal Jonathan Bane & Joseph Bragdon all of York... doe firmly stand Bound in the full and Just Sum of Seven Hundred and twenty pounds... doe well and faithfully Comply with the following Payments Rent or use : of three hundred and fifty Nine pounds ten shillings : the which they have alreddy in Partnorship Reseaved... to be paid in good passable Bills of Credit at four per cent... they... Shall Pay... unto Mr Samll Came & Mr. Richard Milbury for the Use of Said Town... Eight Pounds Seven shillings & Six pence : at or before the last day of May in the year one thousand Seven hundred and twenty two... the Second Year shall Pay... fourteen Pounds Seven shillings and Eleven pence... the third Yeare... the fourth Yeare... the fifth Yeare... the aforesaid Payments Makes up ye 359 ll 10s drawn out of the Treasury... Octor ye 23th 1721..."(20)

    "To all Christian People to whom this Arvitration Bonds may come Know yee that wee ye Subscribers Namely Thomas Card of York... Yeoman on ye one part & Joseph Bragdon of sd York on ye other part Have had dispute & some contention about a divideing Line... between ye Land of sd Cards & ye Land of sd Bragdons upon ye which wee do now both live... upon the North east side of sd York river upon both sides of a Creeck Cove or Riverlet Known by ye Name of Bass Creeck... Wee ye sd Thomas Card & Joseph Bragdon... do Consent... to... arbitrement settlement of such stated & settled bounds & divideing Line as these our five ffrends & Neighbours Namely Samll Sewall John harmon Jonathan Bane John Sayword & Caleb Preble... wee & each of us have made eaqual Choice... on both sides relateing to Claims that so ye Justice & honesty of the matter may appear & wee do hereby desire... ye above sd Samll Sewall... to... mark out ye bounds of sd Lands or lots from ye North east side of sd York River backwards towards ye Town path... & promise each to ye other ... as true Christian friends and Brethren to stand to & abide by ye award... ye above sd Arvbitrators shall... bring in their... determination to be in Writing... to be read & made Known unto us at or before ye last day of this present month of June of ye date at ye House of Mr Benja Stone in York Inholder... Wee ye sd Thomas Card & Joseph Bragdon... doe... bind... our selves... in ye full & Just Sum of one hundred pounds of good & lawfull money of New England... this Seventeenth day of June... one Thousand Seven hundred & Twenty one... Thomas Card, Joseph Bragdon... in the presence of us, Benja Stone, John Booker... wee ye sd Thomas Card & Joseph Bragdon above named by Providence are disappointed of ye Company of Mr. Jonathan Bane & Mr John Sayword to Joyne in ye before Arbitration Bonds therefore do mutually by Consent chuse mr Jos: Banks & mr Nathll Doniel Senr to Serve... in ye above said... Arbitration."(18)

    "... Samll Sewall John Harmon Nathll Doniel Jos: Banks & Caleb Preble of York... send Greeting... having heard & viewed ye sayings & alegations of sd Card & Bragdon referring to ye Dividing line... do there upon make... this award... concerning ye premisses... ye Dividing... Line... between their Land... shall begin at ye mouth of sd Bass Creeck & so run up sd Creeck in ye Channel... at low water... to run up as far as sd Card & Bragdon have Land Lying on each side of sd Creek... this 28th day of June 1721..."(19)

    "I Joshua Lassell of York... for & in Consideration of the Sum of four pounds to me in hand paid by Samuel Sewall of said York... do... sell... a certain piece or parcell of Land containing seven Acres & is part of a Grant of Thirty Acres given to Caleb Boynton... by said Town at their general Town meeting March 17th 1711/12 Three Acres & Three Quarters more or less... situated on the South West Side of York River at the Head of said Lassells House Lott & at the Head of Hannah Coles & Benjamin Hiltons House Lotts... this twenty second of February... Seventeen hundred & twenty one, two- John Lassell... in presence of John Perkins, Samuel Huchinson..."(23)

    "I William Bale of York... Yeoman with Jane my Wife... in Consideration of the Sum of twenty pounds to us in Hand paid... do... sell... unto Samuel Sewall of the sd York... one Seventh part of a certain Tract... on the South West Side of York River, containing sixty Acres... bounded... by the Land that was formerly Edward Bales on the South East Side by sd Samuel Sewalls Land... & by Kittery Line... which sd Tract... was granted to Thomas Trafton by the Town of York in the Year 1673 & 1674/5... this Third Day of April... One thousand seven hundred & twenty four... William X Bale, Jane X Bale... In presence of us- Mercy X Davis, Joseph Moodey..."(23)

    "I Mary Kingsbury Widow & Administratrix to the Estate of John Kingsbury late of York... Blacksmith Deceased... in Consideration of the Sum of fifty Eight Pounds currant Money of New England... paid... by Samuel Sewall of the sd York Cordwainer... do... sell... two full Seventh Parts of a certain Tract ... in the Township of York which was formerly given & laid out to Thomas Traffton of said York Deed containing Sixty Six Acres be the same more or less fourty Acres thereof laid out February the Eighth 1685. and the other Twenty six Acres granted unto sd Trafton Octobr 14th 1673. as by the Grants & Returns on Record in York Town Book... and the sd Two seventh Parts of sd Land were purchased by the sd John Kingsbury the one Seventh Part thereof of William Bracey & Penelope his Wife the Daughter of the sd Thomas Trafton Febry 16, 1719/20 And the other seventh Part of Elisabeth Johnson Widow Daughter to the sd Thomas Trafton April 26, 1721... this twenty seventh Day of Octobr... One thousand seven hundred & twenty four... Mary X Kingsbury... in presence of us Benja Stone, Bezall Toppan, Joseph Moody..."(32)

    Samuel was a surveyor and was one of the members of a company organized on 25 Jan. 1725/6 to convert Meeting House Creek into a mill pond. A dam was built and a sawmill and gristmill were installed.(3)

    Joseph Sayword of York... Millwright... together with Johnson Harmon Gentleman Samuel Came Esqr Richard Milberry Joseph Hoult Jonathan Bane Caleb Preble Joseph Weare Nathanael Donnell Junr John Harmon samll Milberry Joseph Banks Samuel Black James Grant George Stover Yeomen Benjamin Stone Shipwright Samuel Sewall & William Grow Cordwainers Abiel Goodwin Bricklayer Samuel Clarke Housewright Ebenezer Coburn tailor all of sd York have mutually agreed to build a Saw Mill & a Grist Mill on ye Creek comonly called ye Meeting House Creek & a damm across sd Creek near ye mouth thereof for ye Conveniency of sd Mills- And whereas ye sd Joseph sayword doth now claim & possess Part of ye Land on ye South East or Eastwar side of sd Creek bounding on ye same- Now know ye yt ye sd Joseph Sayword in consideration hereof & for promoting ye building of sd Mills especially ye Grist Mill as being likely to prove a great Benefit not only to ye sd Joseph Sayword... but to ye sd Town of York in General hath... Granted... unto ye sd Company... free Liberty & Priviledge of building sd Mills & Damm on ye sd Creek adjoyning to the sd Sayword's Land as also to stop the Water in sd Cxreek & flow ye same as shall be for ye Conveniency of sd Mills- Moreover the sd Sayword doth give... ye Priviledge of a Way from the Lane on ye East of sd Saywords Land to the sd Damm of one Rod wide on ye Bank of York River... also yt the abovenamed Grantees shall build for ye Use of sd Sayword... a good Stone Wall on ye upper Side of sd given & granted Way from sd Lane... to ye sd damm- Provided further yt if the sd grantees... shall not build & kepp in Repair the sd Grist Mill but shall suffer the same to be demolished or neglected then ye Priviledge & Liberty aforesd as also ye Propriety of ye Way before granted shall return & remain to ye sd Sayword... till sd Mill shall be repaired and improved... this twenty sixth Day of janry... One thousand seven hundred & twenty five six... Joseph Sayword... in Presence of us Daniel Simpson, Edwd Preble, N. Donnell..."(29)

    A similar agreement was made with the landowner on the other side of the creek, Johnson Harmon on the same date. He also sold his "One full nineteenth Part of a certain Saw Mill & of a Grist Mill lately erected & now standing on a certan Creek in sd York comonly called ye Meeting House Creek together with ye nineteenth Part of ye Dam Flooms Saw Millstones Going Geers Iron Work & of ye Gondalo built for ye Use of sd Mills" to Joseph Sayward on 5 Apr. 1727.(30)

    "To all People to whom these Presents shall come George Stover and James Grant both of York... Yeoman Greeting &c- whereas Johnson Harmon Gent- Joseph Sayword Millwright Samuel Came Esqr Richard Milberry Joseph Hoult Jonathan Bane Caleb Preble Joseph Weare Nathaniel Donnell Junr John Harmon Samuel Milberry Joseph Banks Samuel Black Yeoman Benjamin Stone Shipwright Saml Sewall and William Grow Cordwainers Abiel Goodwin Bricklayer Samuel Clarke Housewright and Ebenezer Coborun Taylor all of sd York have mutually agreed to build a Saw Mill and Grist Mill on a Creek with a Dam across the same by an Agreement... bearing Date Janry 26, 1725/6... granting to the sd Company for Building sd Mills... Liberty to flow the sd Creek and build the Dam... whereas the sd George Stover and James Grant did not see cause to Sign the sd Agreement nor to joyn with the sd Company in Building sd Mills and Dam wch are now compleated and finished or near it... we the sd George Stover and James Grant... Quit Claim forever... what interest... we... had... in or to the sd Mills Dam and Priviledges... fifth Day of April... 1727..."(27)

    "I samuel Clark of York... Carpenter for... Forty Pounds Money... paid... by... Joseph Sayword of sd York Millwright & by Richard Millberry Joseph Holt Caleb Preble & Nathanael Donnell Junr Samuel Milberry Joseph Banks Yeomen Samuel Sewall & William Grow Cordwainers Abiel Goodwin Bricklayer Ebenezer Coburn Tailor & Joseph Moody School Master all of York... do... sell...One full Nineteenth Part of a certain Saw Mill & Grist Mill standing at the Mouth of a Creek in sd York comonly called the Meeting House Creek & of the Damm Floom Mill-Stones Going Gears & of all other... Comodities to the same belonging... & of the Gondalo built for the use of the sd Mills... the Twentieth Day of December 1728- Samll Clarke, Dorothy Clark.. in Presence of us manwaren Beal, James Donnell, Jeremiah Moulton, Jonathan Bean..."(33)

    "Whereas Joseph Hoult of York... Yeoman & Samuel Sewall of sd York Cordwainer do now stand seized in equal Partnership of a certain Tract... on the south West Side of York River the greater part whereof was granted to Timothy Yeals formerly of York at a legal Town Meeting holden in sd York April 22d anno 1686 And fifty Acres thereof being the Remainder of sd Tract sold to sd Yeals by William Hilton of sd York deceased & the whole purchased by sd Hoult & Sewall of Timothy Yeals the Son of the sd Timothy Yeals And the Right of the Widow of the sd Timothy Yeals and James Bucklen and Mary his wife & Ebenezer Allen & Hannah his wife (the sd Mary & Hannah being the only surviving Children of the sd Timothy Yeals first mentioned)... the sd Joseph Hoult... in Consideration of the Sum of fifteen pounds... paid... by sd Samuel Sewall...doth... sell... all such Right... of the afore mentioned Tract of Land which lyeth on the South East or lower Side of the Line... Beginning... on the Bank of sd York River... at the Entrance of a Lane now between the Lands improved by sd Hoult & Sewall and Running... to... about three Poles South East from the Door of sd Joseph Hoults dwelling house... to a Small Black Ash Tree marked on four sides I. H. S.S. & with the date of the Year 1716... this twenty fifth Day of July... One thousand seven hundred & twenty five... Joseph Hoult... in ye Presence of us, Nathaniel Whitney, William Duning, Jos : Moodey..."(21)

    "Whereas Joseph Hoult of York... Yeoman & Samuel Sewall of sd York Cordwainer, do now stand seized, in equal Partnership of a certain Tract... on the South West Side of York River... the sd Samuel Sewall for & in Consideration of a Deed of Quit Claim... the... South East part of sd Tract... forever Quit Claim to the sd Joseph Hoult... all such Right... the sd Samuel Sewall had or ought to have.... which lieth on the North West or upper Side of the Line... mentioned... this twenty fifth day of July... One thousand seven hundred & twenty-five... Samll Sewall... in the Presence of us Nathaniel Whitney, William Dunning, Jos : Moodey..."(21)

    "I Jabez Blackledge of York... Husbandman for and in Consideration of twelve Pounds currant Money of New England... paid by Samll Sewall of sd York Cordwainer... Do... sell... the two grants of Land and Meadow... One of thirty Acres... the other of ten Acres... both of wch having been already laid out as it happened on another Mans Propriety they remain still to be laid out... the twenty fourth Day of March... 1727... Jabez Blackledge... in Presence of us Joseph Emerson, William Duning..."(28)

    "I William Moody of Newbry... Yeoman... do put & Constitute by these Presents my Trusty & Well beloved Friends Samuel Sewall of York... Cordwainer & Daniel Farnam of sd York Housewright my true & Lawful Attorneys for me... to Prosectue in the Law to Effect Any action against any Person or Persons whatsoever that have illegally entered into or Trespassed upon my Land lying on the South West Side of York River... the Twenty Seventh Day of May... 1727..."(24)

    "Articles of Agreement indented made & concluded on this Twenty first Day of Febry... between Samuel Sewall of York... Cordwainer & Daniel Farnam of sd York Housewright as they are true & lawful Attorneys unto William Moody of Newbury... Gent... for the Final Ending & Determining of all Disputes & Differences between the sd William Moodey and John Booker relating to the Bounds of the Lands... Claimed by the sd William Moodey... whereon sd Booker now liveth... do... Quit Claim unto the sd John Booker... all such Right... as he the sd William Moody had... to all the Land lying on the South East Side of the Line hereafter described..."(25)

    "I William Moodey of Newbury... Yeoman for & in Consideration of one hundred Pounds current Money of New England... paid by Samuel Sewall of York... Cordwainer... do... sell... one hundred Acres... Beginning about or near a Mile to the North Westward of the Land called the Cape Neck... which tract of Land was Granted to me by ye sd Town of York May 22 1719... this twenty seventh day of may... 1727... William Moodey... in presence of Us Ralf Farnam, Daniel Farnam, Jos : Moody..."(31)

    "I Benjamin Hilton of York... Planter for & in Consideration of three hundred and forty Pounds Money... paid... by Samuel Sewall of sd York Cordwainer... Do... sell... Twenty five Acres... bounded North eastwardly by York River North Westwardly & South Westwardly by sd Sewalls own Land & South Eastward by Land now in the Possession of John MacLucas it being the one half of that Tract of Land which I & my Sister Cole (now Shepard) bought of Robert Elliot Esqr and have since divided betwixt us and is the same Land which for several Years past I have lived on and improved... with all the Houses Barns Buildings & Fences thereon... the twenty fourth Day of April... 1728... Benja X Hilton, Elisabeth X Hilton... in presence of us Lucy Moody, Jos : Moody..."(26)

    Samuel was York's representative to the General Court in 1730.(5)

    "I Diamond Sargent of York... Tailor with the Consent of Elisabeth my Wife... in consideration of the Sum of Seventy Two Pounds... paid by Samll Sewall of York... Cordwainer... do... sell.. Land lying in York containg Twelve Acres... bounding on said Sewalls Land... lying on the South West Side of the River & is Part of the Land I bought of William Grow... the Twenty First Day of May... 1731.... Diamond Sargent, Elizabeth Sargent.. in Presence of us Mary Hill, Sarah Sargent..."(34)

    On 14 Mar. 1732 Samuel was one of the people voted to be on the committee for dividing the commons.(6)

    On 8 Nov. 1732 John Wittum Jr. sold land to Caleb Preble "which were laid out to me the sd John Wittum Junr by Samuel Sewall One of the Surveyors of the sd Town at the Northward of Agamenticus Hill..."(35)

    "I Elisha Allen of York... Labourer for & in Consideration of the Sum of Forty Shillings to me paid by Samuel Sewall of York... Yeoman... grant to the said Samuel Sewall... Two full Shares of ye Common & Undivided Land in... York which were granted to me at a Town Meeting in york Septr 25, last past... Janry ye 31sst 1732 Elisha X Allen... in the Presence of us, Diamond Sargent Jabez Blackledge..."(37)

    "We Elizabeth Allen Widow John Busher Calker & Sarah his Wife in Consideration of the Sum of Ten Pounds... paid by Samuel Sewall of York... Yeoman... so... sell.. half Part of Twenty Acres of Land granted to Nicholas Bale late of York Marriner Decd Brother to the sd Elizabeth & Sarah which Land hath not yet been Laid out Granted at a Legal Town Meeting March 22d 1697... this Thirty first Day of January... One Thousand seven hundred & Thirty Two...- Elizabeth X Allen, John Busher, Sarah X Busher... in Presence of us, Nathaniel Freemn, Josiah Briges, Dumer Sewall Jeremiah Bragdon..."(37)

    "I Edward Beal of York... Coaster for and in Consideration of the Sum of Fifty Shillings to me paid by Samuel Sewall of York aforesd Yeoman... grant to the sd Samll Sewall... Two full shares of the Comon & undivided Land in the Township of York which were granted to me at a Town meeting in York Septr. the 25, last past... April 13, 1733 Edward Beal... in the Presence of us Caleb Preble, Joseph Sayword..."(36)

    In 1735 Samuel was the surveyor who laid out the Ministerial lot of 100 acres in the second parish.(8)

    "I Joseph Holt of York...in Consideration that there is no convenient place near unto us & our Neighbors appointed for a Burying Place for Persons Decd Do hereby absolutely give & grant unto Nathaniel Whitney Samll Sewall Saml Admas Saml Bragdon Christopher Pottle Ralph Farnamall of York... a Certain Parcel of Land Containing One Quarter of an Acre lying one ye North East of the Highway that runs through my Land whereon I Dwell... Fift Day of Decr... 1735. Joseph Holt... in psence of us Saml Moody Jabez Blackledge..."(38)

    "I Henry Brookin of York... Husbandman for.. the Sum of five Pounds to me paid by Samuel Sewall of York... Gent... do... sell.. four full Shares of the Common and Undivided Land in the Township of York which were granted to me at a Town Meeting in York Septr the 25th last past... Febry 28, 1736/7- Henry X Brookin... in Presence of us John Grant, David Love..."(39)

    At the annual town meeting in Mar. 1741 the voters decided to reduce its artillary: "That Capt. Nathaniel Donnell, Capt. Samuel Sewall and Samuel Bragdon Jr. be and hereby are Impowered to dispose of the Great Guns belonging to this Town, and Purchas Smaller on [ones] with the Produce of them for the Use of this Town acording to their discresion, and to be dun as Convenantly as may be."(2)

    To the Hon. Colonel Will. Pepperell, Esqr., in Boston
    York, Febry 4, 1744/5

    Hon. Sir:- Having a favorable opportunity by my neighbor J. Sayward, I tho't it might not be disagreeable to let you know that agreeable to the late proclamation, this day the several companies of the town were called together, (except one), and there was considerable readiness in many to enlist; and as I was informed 17 of Capt. Harmon's snowshoe men have already entered their names enlisted. About ten or twelve have enlisted at large under any captain whom the Governor shall appoint. About ten more under Mr. James Donnell. And twelve of Capt. Sewall's company have signed a paper signifying their intention of enlisting, tho' desirous of first knowing who is like to be their Captain. Among these twelve the Leiutenant of the company was one. Here I cannot but observe, (and indeed it was no small part of the end of my writing to let you hear of what I doubt not but your Honor will be pleased with), and that the said Capt. Sewall called his men to his own house and generously entertained them all with a dinner and much encouraged them to engage in the present expedition, promising to as many of his men as would go that he would give them out of his own pocket so much as with the the Province pay they should have 8� per month. And that if any of their families were in want he would supply them so they should not suffer. An example (I think, and I doubt not your Honor will think), worth speaking of, and worthy of imitation.

    Some decline enlisting till they know who shall be the general officers as also who shall be their particular Captain. I have some reason to conclude from what I have heard that your Honor has declined, so that I look upon my free from any special obligation to attend the present service. But yet if there be blank warrant for a surgeon's mate, if it might be filled up with the name of John Sweet of York, he is willing and I hope would be able to serve his King and Country in that capacity. I would before I conclude this scrip inform you that this day I waited on your lady and found her health something bettered. That your Honor, with the Honorable brethren, may have council from above to direct in the important affairs you are from day to day engaged in is the hearty desire of your Honor's most humble and obliged servant,

    A. Bulman.
    (7)

    Dr. Alexander Bulman was a local physician and was William Pepperell's family doctor and went on the expedition to Louisbourg as the regimental physician. Unfortunately, he, along with over 500 others, died of the "distemper" in 1745 when in Nova Scotia. While Alex was away at the war, his wife Mary began work on her famous bedhangings which are on display at the Remick Barn. This wonderful work of art is the only surviving complete set of 18th century American crewelwork and when you see them you feel like they were made yesterday as they are in such remarkable condition. Mary is buried in the Old Burying Ground across the street from where her famous handiwork is on display.

    Mary Bulman's Bedhangings

    Starting in 1748 Samuel took over the Middle Ferry from Thomas Donnell which went across the York River where his son later built the famous bridge. There had been talk about building a bridge here in the early '40's and the town agreed to let a bridge be built there at a town meeting on 8 Mar. 1742/3. The first pile draw bridge in America was completed in 1757 and Samuel Jr. obtained the contract to build the first bridge over the Charles River in Boston.(4)

    Sewall's Bridge- 1910

    "In memory of
    Samuel Sewall, Esq.
    four generations, in lineal descent distant from
    Henry Sewall, Esq.
    Some time Mayor of Coventry in O England
    Whose grandfather Henry
    First came to N England, 1634
    For penetration, sound judgment, and wisdom
    Remarkable
    Given to hospitality
    The widow and fatherless he relieved
    And protected
    Various offices, Civil, Military, and Ecclesiastic
    With honour & reputation
    He sustained
    Pious, examplary, and devout without superstition
    On the 28 day of April, A.D. 1769
    Aged LXXXI
    He died
    His seven surviving sons, with the approbation
    of his four daughters
    This stone was
    Erected
    Let brotherly love continue.

    Elder Samuel Sewall Esq.
    Settled in
    York 1708
    died Apr. 28, 1769
    Ae. 81 Yrs.
    his wife
    Lydia Storer
    died Mar. 5, 1722
    Ae. 28 Yrs.
    his second wife
    Sarah B. Titcomb
    died Feb. 3, 1790
    Ae. 93 Yrs."

    Letter from Judge David Sewall
    to the Hon. Jonathan Sewell of Quebec
    Copied from the Journal of Charles Randolph Montgomerie Sewell

    "York in the State of Maine, Nov. 3, 1797
    Dear Sir,

    The particular regard I always entertained for your Father will always endear the memory of his descendants. And it is with pleasure I learn from Mr. Hubbard, (who was last winter in Canada, and who has frequently expressed that particular attention you paid him) of your agreeable situation and circumstances in life. And I have the same confirmed by an agreeable interview I lately had with your Mama at Boston. I have a specimen of your penmanship or rather painting�your Papa enclosed me during the American War with Great Britain which I retain as a relict of consanguinity, I mean a small draft of the family Arms. And as a token of my regard enclose some Genealogical Sketches of your family and Ancestors, which I have at various times collected� But which I suppose are as correct as are none attainable this would be dry and uninteresting to all but Sewalls but them it may be some what amusing. I recollect many years since to have spent an agreeable Evening at Doctor Sewall�s at Boston in Company with your Papa, and the Doctor�s only son Samuel, and comparing notes if I may so express it. We found ourselves equally related to each other, and equally distant (Great Grand Sons) from the first Henry who was buried at Newbury in 1700�thro� his three Sons Samuel, John and Stephen�But not to disgust you with Genealogies I will say no more upon the subject�I shall be gratified by receiving a letter from you, But much more by a personal interview.

    And am with sentiments of esteem
    and respect your kinsman
    David Sewall

    Jonathan Sewall Esqre
    Attorney General of
    Quebeck

    The common Ancestor of the New England Sewall�s was Henry. He came first to New England in 1634 (then about 20 years old) being sent over by his Father Henry. Married Miss Jane Dummer in 1646, soon alter which he returned to old England, and has issue born there, Samuel (1.), John (2.) and Stephen (3.), besides five or six daughters. In 1659 he returned again with his family to new England, and died May the 16th 1700 and was buried at Newbury.

    1. Samuel the eldest Son, was a Person of note and distinction, for many years a Counsellor or assistant under the first Charter of Massachusetts (granted to Rosewell in 1628) and also under the second Charter of William and Mary in 1692 and for some time Chief Justice of the Province. He died at Boston Jany. 11th, 1730 New Stile, and usually went by the appellation of Judge Sewall. His eldest son was named Henry [Judge Samuel�s son Henry (December 7, 1685 � December 22, 1685) died at age less than one month. This Henry must be the grandson Henry (March 8, 1719/20 � May 29, 1771)] who did indeed settle at Brookline. who settled at Brookline. His second the late Reverend Joseph Sewall D.D. one of the Pastors of the old South Meeting at Boston�the name is extinct at Boston. A Grandson of the Doctor by the name of Samuel [Chief Justice Samuel Sewall (1757 � 1814) who married Abigail Devereux] , is settled at Marblehead, is in the Practice of the Law now (1795) and for several years a member of the Massachusetts House of representatives. Some descendants of Henry the Doctors Brother (suppose Grandsons) graduated at H.C. 1761. At the time of the American Revolution 1775 left the Country and were stiled Refugees[Samuel Sewall (1745 � 1811), a Royalist Refugee, left Massachusetts in 1776 and died a bachelor, in Bristol England] . The name is now extinct at Brookline, a female, sister of Samuel of Brookline who graduated 1761, married a Wolcott [Hannah Sewall (1751 � 1832) married Edward Kitchen Walcott (d. 1832) who was a great-great-grandson of the emigrant Henry Walcott of Rhode Island] of the state of Rhode Island.

    3. Stephen the 3rd Son of the first Henry settled at Salem, went by the appellation of Major Stephen Sewall, one of his Sons was the late Stephen Sewall Esqre. Chief Justice of the Province of Massachusetts. He died a Batchelor about the year 1760. The last Attorney General of the Province, before the late Revolution, Jonathan Sewall Esqre was a Grandson of Stephen (the Major). He (Jonathan) was also a Judge of Vice-Admiralty for Nova Scotia, was one of those called Refugees. He left the Province the beginning of 1775, went to England, and is now somewhere in the Province of New Brunswick or Quebec. This Jonathan [Jonathan II, father of Chief Justice Jonathan III to whom this genealogy was sent in 1797], supposing the true spelling of the name to be with an e now writes himself Sewell. The name is now extinct at Salem. But there are some of the descendants from this Branch (Stephen) at Manchester, and Mitchell Sewall a Person of original genius, aitho; excentric living at Portsmouth New Hampshire, is a descendant (perhaps Grandson) of Major Stephen.

    2. John the second son of the first Henry died August the 8th 1699 � 45 at Newbury. This John married Hannah Fessenden and left issue.
    1. John
    2. Henry who settled at Newbury his only son Stephen known by the name of Master Sewall Graduated at H.C.1731 died at N.Port 1795 (Sept) upwards of 80. The name is now extinct there altho� several descendants in the female line.
    3. Samuel {removed to York about 1701 and whose descendants
    4. Nicholas {are scattered in various parts of the District of Maine.
    5. Thomas died at College July 1716 � 22.
    6. Stephen.
    7. Hannah was the first wife of the Reverend Samuel Moody of York. She left one son Joseph from whom the Moody�s of York are descended, and a Daughter Inasy [�or Inary� is written in the margin. A strange name � other sources say �Mary�] who married the Reverend Joseph Emerson of Malden. The descendants of the Emersons [Mary and Joseph Emerson�s great-grandson was the American Poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson] are numerous.

    Samuel and Nicholas the third and fourth Sons of John came to York soon after their only sister Hannah married Mr. Moody, near the beginning of the present century [the 18th century, about 1701] and married Sisters, Daughters of Captn. Samuel Storer of Wells.

    Nicholas died many years ago and left issue.
    # Samuel. left 3 Sons Nicholas, Samuel & Storer & 3 Daughters, Hannah, Mercy and Susanna.
    # John. has Sons and Daughters
    # William. has left Sons and Daughter.
    # Henry. Henry, Daniel and Jonathan his Sons and Several Daughters
    Stephen, Hancock Professor at Cambridge
    Thomas. Died without issue.
    Hannah Married Hews, had one Son Robert, 2nd Husband Billings
    Jane. Married a Burbank, left several children.
    Sarah. Married a Crosby who lives on Penobscut River

    Samuel. Died at York April 29th 1769 �81 he left by his first Wife Lydia Storer four Daughters viz.
    X Lydia who married John Mitchell now living at Wells & upwards of 80 with numerous descendants Lydia died about May 1770. The Descendants from her were in Oct. 1792. 63 .
    X Mercy Whose 1st Husband was Josh. Hannon of York. 2nd Simon Frost Esqre of Kittery who died in 1766. 1 Son & 2 Daughters.
    X Mary Who married Joseph Bragdon of York and has left descendants Male & Female
    X Hannah Whose first Husband was Henry Sayward 1 Daughter 2nd Dr. Richard Trevett, 2 Sons & 2 Daughters and sd. Samuel Sewall, by his 2nd Wife Sarah the Daughter of Sam. Bachellor, of Reading (who at the time of marriage was Widow of � Titcomb of Newbury with 2 Children Stephen & Abigail).left Samuel . An ingenious mechanick, unto whom the Americans are indebted for the useful discovery of erecting Wooden Bridges on Piles driven into the Bed of deep and rapid Rivers. That over Charles River to Boston was built 1785 & 6 under his care supervision and inspection.
    John. has two Sons and two Daughters.
    Joseph. left one Son and two Daughters.
    Moses. has three Sons and one Daughter.
    David . 12 years one of the Judges of Massachusetts. S. Judicial Court, which Office he resigned in 1789 upon an appointment, to the U.S. Federal Judge of the District of Maine.
    Dummer . Several years elected a Senator for Lincoln County in Massachusetts Legislature, has many Sons and Daughters.[Colonel Dummer Sewall (1737 � 1832) served at Louisburg. He later served under Generals Wolfe and Amherst, participating in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759, which resulted in the conquest of Quebec. He later joined the Continental Army under Washington.]

    All the persons, bearing the name of Sewall in the District of Maine are the Descendants of the Brothers Samuel and Nicholas. Sons of John and Grandsons of the first Henry who came first to N.E. in 1634.

    As corroborative of the foregoing Genealogical Sketch.
    There is a stone in the Old Burying Ground at Newbury, near the Meeting House, where the late John Tucker D.D. officiated with the following inscription viz.

    �Mr. Henry Sewall sent by Henry Sewall his Father in the Ship Elizabeth and
    Dorcas, Captn Watt Commander, arrived at Boston 1634. Wintered at
    Ipswich, helped begin the plantation 1635. furnishing English Servants, neat
    Cattle, and Provisions, Married Mrs. Jane Dummer, March the 26th 1646 died
    May 16th 1700.
    Etatis 86 . his fruitful vine being thus disjoined fell to the ground, January
    the 13th following Etatis 74 Psalm 27.10 �(1)

    Issue- All children born in York. First six by Lydia, last nine by Sarah

  • I. John- b. 14 Aug. 1712, d.s.p. 27 Feb. 1715
  • II. Dummer- b. 12 Feb. 1714, d. 13 Aug. 1736
  • 8III. LYDIA- b. 24 Jan. 1717, m. 2 Feb. 1735 York, JOHN MITCHELL (b. 26 Apr. 1708 Kittery, m.2. 29 Nov. 1770 Miriam Jordan (m.1. Robert Mitchell) of Cape Elizabeth, d. 3 Apr.1799 Kennebunk), d. 8 June 1770 Kennebunk
  • IV. Mercy-b. 30 May 1718, m.1. 7 Dec. 1737 York, Joseph Harmon, 2. 20 Feb. 1749/0 Judge Simon Frost, d. 16 May 1807, bur. Old York Burial Ground
  • V. Mary- b. 29 Feb. 1720, int. 18 Jan.1742 York, Joseph Bragdon (b. 7 Dec. 1725 York, d. 13 Jan. 1742 York), d. 16 Apr. 1807 York
  • VI. Hannah- b. 22 Jan. 1722, m.1. 27 Nov. 1739 York, Henry Sayward, 2. 31 Oct. 1749 York, Richard Trevett, d. 4 Mar. 1809 York
  • VII. Samuel- b. 14 Sept. 1724. d.s.p. 23 July 1815, bur. SouthSide Cemetery, York. Major Samuel Sewall was the famous furniture maker from York, the inventor of the pile drawbridge and the designer and builder of First Parish Church. His gravestone calls him an "architect of the first class from whose fabrications great benefits have resulted to society. He was benevolent, hospitable, and generous without ostentation and pious without enthusiasm."
    Desk by Samuel Sewall- Sayward-Wheeler House, York
  • VIII. Sarah- b. 4 Nov. 1726, d. young
  • IX. Jane- b. 4 Nov. 1726, d. young (Jane and Sarah were twins)
  • X. John- b. 5 May 1729, m. Joanna Stone, d. 27 June 1808 York, bur. South Side Cemetery
  • XI. Joseph- b. 3 Sept. 1731, m. Mercy Sewall, d. 13 Dec. 1782 York, bur. South Side Cemetery
  • XII. Moses- b. 22 July 1733, m. 17 Mar. 1757 York, Miriam Stone, 28 May 1816 York, bur. Old York Burying Ground. Moses was a Captain in the Revolution and was at the Battle of Bunker Hill and served under George Washington at Harlem and White Plains.
  • XIII. David- b. 7 Oct. 1735, m.1. 17 Dec. 1762 Portsmouth, NH, Mary Parker (b. 23 Dec. 1738, d. 27 May 1788 York), 2. 2 Nov. 1790 Hampton Falls, NH, Elizabeth Langdon (b. 15 May 1756 Portsmouth, d. 8 Sept. 1838 York), d. 22 Oct. 1825 York. David was judge of the Superior Court of Boston, a Federal District Judge for Maine, a member of the Provincial Congress, the Constitutional Convention and the Massachusetts Legislature. His portrait hangs in the Bowdoin College art gallery.

    Coventry Hall- Home of Judge David Sewall- York

  • XIV. Dummer- b. 17 Dec. 1737, m. 16 Dec. 1760 York, Mary Dunning (b. 4 Apr. 1739 York, d. 10 July 1823, Bath, ME, bur.Sewall Cemetery), d. 6 Apr. 1832 Bath
  • XV. Henry- b. 7 Feb. 1740, m.1. 31 Jan. 1764, Mary Stimson (b. 10 Apr. 1744, d. 22 Jan. 1777), 2. 18 Nov. 1779 Bath, Sarah Henry (b. 1753 Topsham, d. 14 Apr. 1834 Bath), d. 24 Jan. 1795 Bath

    Ref:

    (1) Sewall Family Records- copied by Robert Sewall at: http://www.robertsewell.ca/letters.html
    (2) History of York- Vol. II, p. 213
    (3) Ibid- p. 255
    (4) Ibid- pp. 292-4
    (5) Ibid- p. 358
    (6) Ibid- Vol. I, p. 138
    (7) Ibid- pp.333-4
    (8) Ibid- p. 362
    (9) Diary of Samuel Sewall- Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston, 1882- Vol. VII, fifth series- Vol. III, pp.220-1
    (10) New England Miniature- A History of York, Maine- George Ernst, Bond Wheelwright Co., Freeport, 1961- p. 44
    (11) Ibid- p. 51
    (12) York Deeds- Vol. VII, fol. 247
    (13) Ibid- fol. 185
    (14) Ibid- Vol. VIII, fol. 44
    (15) Ibid- Vol. IX, fol. 145
    (16) Ibid- fol. 153
    (17) Ibid- fol. 163
    (18) Ibid- Vol X, fol. 187
    (19) Ibid- fol. 188
    (20) Ibid- fol. 216-18
    (21) Ibid- Vol. XI, part II, fol. 236
    (22) Ibid- fol. 181
    (23) Ibid- fol. 167
    (24) Ibid- Vol. XII, part II, fol. 246
    (25) Ibid- fol. 249
    (26) Ibid- fol. 268
    (27) Ibid- fol. 369
    (28) Ibid- fol. 371
    (29) Ibid- part I, fol. 117
    (30) Ibid- fol. 120-1
    (31) Ibid- fol. 156
    (32) Ibid- Vol. XIII, fol. 4
    (33) Ibid- fol. 219
    (34) Ibid- Vol. XIV, fol. 162
    (35) Ibid- Vol. XV, fol. 128
    (36) Ibid- Vol. XVI. fol. 102
    (37) Ibid- Vol. XVII, fol. 299
    (38) Ibid- fol. 268
    (39) Ibid- Vol. XVIII, fol. 272

    York, Newbury, Kittery, Kennebunk, Charlestown, Portsmouth, Hampton, Bath VR


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