The Sewall/Sewell Family Records on this page have been copied by Robert Sewell.
Many thanks to:
Susan Hedeen for asking about these records and thereby encouraging
me to get things in order.
Professor David Russo for all his help with "The Tea".
Charles F. Sewall for sending so much information and for his
patience with my many questions.
Robert Winslow Sewall for proofreading and having much patience
with my many errors.
Professor Theodore P. Wright, Jr. for all the help, information
and encouragement.
Contents The records reproduced here are:
Letter from {Judge} David Sewall of Maine, November 3, 1797 which outlines mainly the descendents of John Sewall 1654 - 1699), the Sewalls of Maine.
Letter from {Rev} Samuel Sewall of Massachusetts, March 15, 1847 which outlines mainly the descendents of {Judge} Samuel Sewall (1652 - 1729/30), the Sewalls of Massachusetts.
Letter from {Rev} Henry Doyle Sewell, February 3, 1858 which outlines Sewall/Sewell family history back to pre-conquest times.
Letter from {Hon} William Smith III, December 9, 1796 which outlines the outlines the family history of Henrietta "Harriet" Smith who married {Chief Justice} Jonathan Sewell.
Family Records from Mr. Charles F. Sewall
of Maine, January 2001 which outlines some descendents of John
Sewall 1654 - 1699), the Sewalls of Maine.
Records of Ralph N. Thompson of Maine, November 2006 which shows some descendants of John Sewall (1654 - 1699), the Sewalls of Maine.
The Tea, being a somewhat mysterious record
of the meetings preceeding the Boston Tea Party. Please send any
information to Robert
Sewell
To return to the Sewall/Sewell Family, please click on The Robert Sewell Page
Please visit the Sewell
Genealogy Site Map for more paged in this series.
Letter from {Judge} David
Sewall of Maine
to {Hon} Jonathan Sewell of Quebec
copied from the Journal of Charles Randolph Montgomerie
Sewell
Family Records
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 X 2 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 Æ
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 Æ 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 Æ81 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 the reduction of Louisburg. He later served under Generals Wolfe
and Amherst, participating in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, 1759,
which culminated in the conquest of Quebec. He later joined the Continental
Army under Washington. See Family Records
from Mr. Charles F. Sewell on this page]
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 ”
Note by Robert Sewell, February 2001:
The gravestone (courtesy Mr. Robert
Winslow Sewall) is pictured at the Genealogy.com Virtual
Cemetery.
The inscription reads as follows:
MR HENRY SEWALL (SENT BY
MR HENRY SEWALL, HIS FATHER,
IN Ye SHIP ELSABETH & DORCAS
CAPT WATTS COMMANDER)
ARRIVED AT BOSTON, 1634.
WINTERD AT IPSWICH. HELPD
BEGIN THIS PLANTATION, 1635
FURNISHING ENGLISH SERVANTs
NEAT CATTEL, & PROVISIONS.
MARRIED MRS JANE DUMMER,
MARCH Ye 25. 1646.
DIED MAY Ye 16. 1700.
ÆTAT. 86. HIS FRUITFULL
VINE, BEING THUS DISJOINED,
FELL TO Ye GROUND JANAUARY
Ye 13. FOLLOWING; ÆTAT. 74.
PSAL · 27 · 10
This stone was probably placed there by his Son Judge Samuel Sewall, not far from the former, in the same burying Ground is another Stone with this inscription:
“John Sewall died August 8th
1699. Etatis 45.
The weary are at rest”
“Hannah (Sewall) the virtuous Wife
of Jacob Toppan
Died Nov. 11th 1699 Etatis 57.”
This Hannah was most probably a daughter of the 1st Henry. For besides the three Sons, Samuel, John and Stephen, he had Daughters married Persons, by the name of Gerrish, Longfellow [Ann Sewall married William Longfellow. Their great X3 grandson ws the renowned American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who wrote, among other things, “The Song of Hiawatha”.] , Moody, Northern and Toppan. There is in the Burying Ground at Cambridge near H. College a stone thus inscribed .
“Hic lacet reconditam Thomase Sewalli
cadaver, Col.H Alumni, judicis felici,
probati non vulgari, modestia singulari
Iuvenis, pietate gravi, nec non ardore
quodam ad Dei gloriam homimum que
Salutem concilato conspicue qui obiit
14 Cald Julie 1716 Æ22.”
Which in English may be thus read.
“Here lies the buried body of Thomas
Sewall, an undergraduate of H.C. A
young man of good judgement, of
singular modesty and integrity, eminent for
his sobriety and piety and also
for his zeal for the glory of God and the
salvation of men. He died the 14th
July 1716 in the 22nd year of his age.”
Note by Robert Sewell, February 2001:
This passage was examined
thoroughly by Mr. George Moore, B.A., M.A. on November 11th, 1997. Mr.
Moore is a historian and a scholar of Latin inscriptions. He informed me
that the passage has some errors. For example, not only is reconditam
misspelled, (it should be reconditum), this means concealed
or put away; and the customary word is humatum, which means
covered
with earth. The translation is flawed, as well. For example,
eminent
for his sobriety and piety is incorrect, and should be of dignified
moral character.
Perhaps the inscription
was made by other well-meaning undergraduates who were not specialising
in Latin. Mr. Moore, who so kindly provided the above information, did
his post-graduate studies specifically on Latin inscriptions.
A M.S.S. of a Mr. Dummer of Newbury some years ago in the possession of a Mr. Stephen Sewall of Newbury reads thus.
Boston January
the 8th 1729/30. On the 1st of this instant after about a months languishment
died here the Honble Samuel Sewall Esqre in the 78th year of his age. His
great grand Father Henry Sewall Esqre was a linendraper in the City of
Coventry in Great Britain, acquired a great Estate, was a very prudent
man, and more than once chosen Mayor of that City. Henry the eldest Son
out of dislike to the English Hierarchy sent over his only Son Henry, then
a young man to New England in 1634 with neat cattle a provisions suitable
for a new plantation: who made his pitch at Newbury whither his Father
soon followed, And on March the 25th 1646 that his Son married Miss Jane
the eldest daughter of Mr. Stephen Dummer, who likewise then dwelt there
under the Ministry of the Revd. Mr. Thomas Parker and Mr. Jas. Noyce. But
this climate not being very agreeable to Mr. Dummer and Consort they returned
to England the Winter following with their Son and Daughter Sewall with
them Who dwelt awhile in Warwick, and then returned to Bishopsgate in Hampshire
when on the Lords Day March 28th 1652 this their eldest Son Samuel was
born, and baptized in Stocke Chapel May the 4th following, by the Revd.
Mr. Rashly one of the ejected ministers. Some months after, the family
removed to Badisty in the same County, where another Son the late Major
Stephen Sewall of Salem was born Augt. 19th 1657. And at Ramsy this their
eldest Son was first educated in the Grammar School of which Mr. Tiges
was master. But the Father returning to New England in 1659, sent for his
family to come over to him, who arrived at Boston July 5th 1661 with their
son who was then nine years or age, upon his going to Newbury at the the
place of his Fathers residence. He as sent to School to the Rev. Mr. Parker,
admitted to H. Col. Augt. 1667. Charles Chauncy President. He lived with
his first wife 44 years ~ She died Oct. 19th 1717. He had two other Wives
but no issue by them. By his first Wife Seven Sons and Seven Daughters,
two of the former, and only one of the Latter survived him.
This Ms. G. account
was, most likely, taken from a newspaper publican. made at the period of
Judge Samuel Sewall’s death, was most probably the composition of the Rev.
Thomas Prince of Boston. Who was colleague with Doctr. Sewall at the old
South Meeting at Boston, And who
published a Funeral Sermon on the
death of Judge Sewall, in which an account similar to this if not the same
was printed.
In the Appendix of the History of Massachusetts ~ published by Gov: Hutchinson 1764 1st Vol No XII is printed a letter from R.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.”
The Henry named in the letter of Protector Cromwell must have been the same Common Ancestor of the Sewall’s who began the plantation of Newbury in 1635 then went to O.E. and returned again in 1659 and whose Father (Henry) came over about 1637 and died at Rowley about 1654. [Henry returned to Massachusetts in 1659. However, Richard Cromwell resigned in 1659, and Parliament invited Charles II to return as King. It appears that because of this, Henry Sewall decided to remain in Masachusetts. Thus, Henry did not “returne to his Ministerial Charge at North Baddesly” as Richard Cromwell had requested in his letter of 1658. Doubtless, he was concerned about reduced religious freedom and perhaps anticipated other problems as well. Charles II died in 1685, and was succeeded by his brother James II who escaped to France in 1688. In 1689, William and Mary were proclaimed King and Queen.]
N.B. Sept. 29th 1795. The amount
of males in the District of Maine by the
name of Sewalls may be thus
| York | 13 | 35 | ||
| Bath | 10 | Sandy River | ||
| Geo Town | 5 | & Chester | 12 | |
| Hallowell | 7 | Penobscutt | 3 | |
| 35 | 55 |
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Letter from {Rev} Samuel
Sewall of Massachusetts
to {Rev} Henry Doyle Sewell of Quebec
copied from the Journal of Charles Randolph Montgomerie Sewell
March 15, 1847
Having occasion recently to take from my files the Letter which you kindly wrote me in November, 1840, and which was mailed by your Brother in Quebec, the following Spring, it came to my mind that it had never been answered agreably to your request.
The only way I can account for this neglect for which I humbly ask your forgiveness is that I deffered writing till I should have an expected opportunity of sending a memoir of my Ancestor, the first Chief Justice Sewall, which at the time I received your letter, had been published just before in the American Quarterly Register at Boston, viz. in February 1841. This would have given your the desired information respecting my Ancestry, as also much that I thought would be interesting respecting the other main branches of the Sewall Family in this Country. But the anticipated opportunity of sending the memoir did not occur; and my purpose of writing you was forgotten. Should a conveyance for this memoir even offer itself as I trust there will I shall not fail to improve it—But in the meanwhile I will now endeavour to give you a brief sketch of my family connections, as you request.
Your conjecture that I am descended from Samuel, the eldest Son of Major Stephen Sewall of Salem, and that I am a Son of Joseph Sewall, Esq. of Boston is not correct, — the gent. last named is my Uncle, and we are both descended from Samuel the oldest Brother of Major Stephen.
Our Common Ancestor, Henry Sewall of Newbury, Mass. the only son of Henry Sewall of Coventry Manchester in England, and a Grandson of Henry Sewall, Mayor of Coventry in 1607, was born in 1614, came to New England in 1634, and was one of the first settlers of Newbury Mass in 1635. He married March 26, 1646, Miss Jane Dummer, Daughter of Mr. Stephen and Mrs. Alice Dummer of Newbury, and the following Winter, (this climate not suiting his Father and Mother Dummer) he returned with them to England, and resided a while at Warincol [Warwick?], and afterwards at Bishopstoke and Baddesly in Hampshire. At the last named place he became a Preacher of the Gospel, and there and at Bishopstoke and Tamworth, five of his eight children were born to him. In the meanwhile, his Father, Mr. Henry Sewall who had soon followed him to New England, taking up his abode at Newbury, and after residing a few years there had removed to Rowley (a neighbouring Town) died at Rowley in March, 1656,7. This event rendered it necessary for Mr. Henry Sewall the Son to return to New England in 1659 which accordingly he did and to assist him in the object of his voyage, Protector Richard Cromwell wrote a letter to the Governor and assistants of Massachusetts, very complimentary to Mr. Sewall which was published by Governor Hutchinson’s History of Mass: Vol. 1 Appendix No 12. When he embarked for New England, it was expected that he would return and resume his ministry at Baddesly, But discouraged I presume by the Restoration of Charles II and the reestablishment of Episcopacy, to which he was much adverse he resolved to remain in New England, accordingly he sent for his family to come from England to him (which they did in 1661) and spent the remainder of his days at Newbury in civil life. He died May 16th 1700 aet:86 greatly revered and beloved, and his widow Mrs. Jane Sewall, died Jany. 13, 1700 aged about 74 years. The following is a copy of the Inscription on their Grave Stones still Extant in Newbury.
Mr. Henry Sewall (sent by
Mr. Henry Sewall his father
In ye Ship Elisabeth & Dorcas
Capt: Wates Commander)
Winter’d at Ipswich, Help’d
Begin this Plantation 1635
Furnishing English Servants
Meat Cattel and Provisions
Married Mrs. Jane Dummer
March ye 25th 1646
Died May ye 16 1700
Aet. 86 This fruitful vine
being Disjoined
Fell to the Ground January
ye 13th following Aet 74.
Psal. 27.10
Note by Robert Sewell, February 2001:
The gravestone (courtesy Mr. Robert
Winslow Sewall) is pictured at the Genealogy.com Virtual
Cemetery.
The inscription reads as follows:
MR HENRY SEWALL (SENT BY
MR HENRY SEWALL, HIS FATHER,
IN Ye SHIP ELSABETH & DORCAS
CAPT WATTS COMMANDER)
ARRIVED AT BOSTON, 1634.
WINTERD AT IPSWICH. HELPD
BEGIN THIS PLANTATION, 1635
FURNISHING ENGLISH SERVANTs
NEAT CATTEL, & PROVISIONS.
MARRIED MRS JANE DUMMER,
MARCH Ye 25. 1646.
DIED MAY Ye 16. 1700.
ÆTAT. 86. HIS FRUITFULL
VINE, BEING THUS DISJOINED,
FELL TO Ye GROUND JANAUARY
Ye 13. FOLLOWING; ÆTAT. 74.
PSAL · 27 · 10
The children of Mr. Henry and Mrs. Jane Sewall were
(1) Hannah, born at Tamworth [Tunworth]
Eng: May 10 1649 Married to Mr. Jacob Toppan of Newbury N.E. August 24,
1670 and died there Nov: 12 1699
(2) Samuel. see other page.
(3) John Born at Baddesly Hants England Oct: 10. 1652 Married Miss Hannah Fessenden of Cambridge N.E. Oct: 27. 1672 lived with his father at Newbury and there died before him Augt: 8. 1699
(4) Stephen, born at Baddesley Augt 19. 1657 Married Margaret Daughter of Revd. Mitchell of Cambridge N.E. June 13, 1682, resided at Salem where he was Regt. of Deeds for the County of Essex a Major of the Militia (whence his common title of Major Sewall) & Captain of the fort, and where he died, deeply lamented, Oct 17, 1725
(5) Jane. born at Baddesley Oct: 25, 1659. Married to Mr Moses Gerrish of Newbury N.E. Sept: 24 1677, and died there Jany. 29 1716.17.
(6) Ann. born at Newbury N.E. Sept. 3rd 1662 Married 1676 to Mr. Wm. Longfellow: and after his decease to Mr. Henry Short of Newbury and died Dec: 18. 1706
(7) Mihitabel. Born at Newbury May 8, 1665 Married to Mr. Wm. Moody of Newbury and died Augt: 8. 1702
(8) Dorathy.[Dorothy] Born at Newbury Oct: 29. 1668 Married first to Mr. Ezekiel Northland [Northend] of Rowley Sept: 10. 1691; and after his death to Mr. Moses Beadstreat [Bradstreet] of Rowley, whose widow she died June 17. 1752. Aged 84.
Of these children of Henry and Jane Sewall, Samuel was my ancestor; Stephen yours; and John was the common ancestor of all the Sewalls in Maine, who have been and still are very numerous & several very eminent; and Honble. David Sewall, of York, formerly a judge of the Supreme Court of Mass: & who died 1825, aet: 90, Stephen Sewall Professor of Hebrew & other oriental Languages in Harvard College who died 1804. Genl: Henry Sewall of Augusta, who died Sept: 1845 aet 93. his brother Revd. Jotham Sewall the well known and venerated missionary of Maine, who still lives and preaches, tho’ in the 88th year of his age (dd. Oct 1846 agd. 91) & the late Dr. Thomas Sewall of Washington, District of Columbia, who was born in Maine, and whose fame by his publications has been extended far and wide.
Samuel — the eldest son of Henry Sewall of Newbury, was born
at Bishop Stoke, Hants England, March 28, 1652; received the Rudiments
of his Education in a grammar School, Burnsey [Rumsey]
Eng. was preferred for College by Revd. Thos Parke [Parker]
of Newbury N.E. was graduated at Harvard College Cambridge N.E. 1761 [“1761”
is incorrect. Samuel received his 1st degree in 1671 and his 2nd degree
in 1674] and was for some time fellow or Tutor in that institution.
He was married Feby. 28. 1675.6 to Miss Hannah Hull, Daughter and Sole
heir of John Hull Esqre (a Goldsmith & principal merchant of Boston
and one of the assistants of the Massachusetts Colony & Judith his
wife a sister of Edmund Quincy of Braintree; by whom he came into the possession
at the death of Mr. Hull in 1683 of immense wealth. Mr. Sewall was chosen
one of the assistants of the Colony in 1682, 1685, 1686, was nominated
by the Crown one of the Council in the Provincial Charter of 1691, &
was Annually chosen to that office by the Legislature of Mass. till 1725,
when being elected he declined, having survived all who were nominated
with him in 1691. In 1692, he was appointed one of the judges of the Supreme
Court of Massa. & in 1718, Chief Justice of the same. He was also appointed
Judge of Probate for the County of Suffolk by Lieut: Gov: Tailer, in 1715.
Both these last named offices he resigned in 1728, in consequence of his
increasing bodily infirmities; and died Jany. 1, 1729-30 Aet: 78, universally
revered for his learning & wisdom, integrity, piety & charity.
Three volumes of a diary which he kept from 1685 [He kept
his diary from 1674 , but the originals prior to 1685 were lost. Only copies
remain. At the time of this 1847 letter, these copies may not have come
to light yet.] till within a short time of his death, and in which
he noted with great minuteness the interesting occurrences of the times;
a folio volume; containing copies of his letters to numerous correspondence
form 1686 to 1729, and some other manuscripts all monuments of his learning,
industry, and extensive acquaintance still remain, and are in my hands.
In his diary he frequently mentions his Brother Stephen and family who
seem to have been particularly dear to him; and should you ever come this
way, it would delight me to show your these precious memorials.
Judge Sewall’s first wife Hannah dying Oct. 19, 1717 he married for
his second Mrs. Abigail Tilly of Boston, Widow, Oct. 29, 1719 & upon
her sudden decease May 26, 1720, he took for his third wife Mrs. Mary Gibbs,
Widow, March 29, 1722, who survived him and died at Newton July 17, 1746,
Aged 79.
He had children by his first Wife; viz. seven sons and seven daughters,
of these fourteen children, only six arrived to mature age, & three
only survived him.
These six were
(1) Samuel, born July 11, 1678 [Should be
June 11, 1678]. Married Miss Rebekah daughter of Gov. Joseph Dudly
[Dudley]
Sept: 15, 1702 resided primarally at Brookline where he was a justice of
the Peace, and were he owned a large Farm & died of a paralytic disorder
Feby. 27. 1750. 51 . of seven children, only one lived to maturity viz.
Henry
born at Brooklyn, March 8, 1719. 20. was graduated at Harvard Coil. 1738.
Married Augt: 18. 1743 Miss Ann White of Brooklin—persued an agricultural
life and was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk & died
May 29. 1771.
This Worthy Gentleman had four children
(i) Hull born April 9 1744 grd. at Harvard
College 1761 pursued no profession; and died Nov: 27.1767 before his Father.
(ii) Samuel born Dec 31. 1745 was grad. at
H. Coll. 1761 studied Law left his Country as a refugee in 1776 & died
at Bristol Eng: in May 1811.
(iii) Henry born Jany. 19 1749 at Brooklin
grad: at H. Coll: 1763 and died unmarried Oct: 17. 1772.
(iv) Hannah Born at Brooklin Sept 2. 1757
Married to Mr. Edward Walcott of Brooklin & died a Widow at her Daughters
Mrs. Ridgeways of Dorchester about Jany. 1832 aet: 81.
(2) Hannah: born Feby. 3. 1679.80 and died, unmarried Augt 16, 1724 aet: 45
(3) Elisabeth born Dec: 29. 1681. Married to Mr. Grove Hirst
Merchant of Boston—Oct. 17. 1700. and died July 10. 1716. leaving one son
and four Daughters — viz.
(i) Samuel, born Oct: 23. 1705: grad at H.
Coli: 1723. commenced a mercantile life, but being suddenly seized with
a fit at Boston, was taken up for dead, & buried in the family Vault
Jany. 1726.7. but afterwards tradition says (horrible to think of) there
was reason to fear that he had been buried alive.
(ii) Mary born Jany. 13 1703.4 married Feby.
21. 1722.23 to Capt. Wm. Pepperill [Pepperell] of
Kittery afterwards Sir John Pepperill, the Hero, of Louisbourg or Cape
Breton, 1745.
(iii) Elisabeth who was married May.
9. 1723 to Revd. Charles Channey [Chauncy] of Boston;
and died in her 31st year May. 12. 1737. leaving a Son and two Daughters.
(iv) Hannah. Married to Mr. NathL Balston
June 22. 1727 [Hannah was married to Nathaniel Balston on
June 22, 1727 by Judge Sewall. He was son of Capt. Nathaniel Balston. Amazingly,
they were both still living in 1796, 69 years later]
(v) Jane, Married Dec: 23. 1729 to Mr. Addington
Davenport, Eldest son of Honble Judge Davenport; and presumed to be Revd.
Mr. Addington of the Class or 1719 at H. Coil. and Rector of Kings Chapel
Boston.
(4) Joseph see below
(5) Mary Born Oct: 28 1691. Married Augt: 24 1709 to Mr. Samuel Gerrish Bookseller in Boston, and died Nov: 17 1710 leaving a Daughter only, Hannah, who died in infancy.
(6) Judith. Born Jany. 2nd 1701.2. Married May 12, 1720 to Revd. Wm. Cooper, Colleague with Revd. Dr. Colman of Brattle Street Church Boston and died Dec: 23. 1740 leaving (a Daughter I believe) and two sons, namely Wm. Cooper Esqre. the Venerable Town Clerk of Boston for many years, who died about 1810, and Revd. Samuel Cooper who was born at Boston March 28. 1725 gradd. at H. College, 1743. and succeeded his father as Colleague Pastor May 25, 1746, and died Dec: 23. 1783.
Joseph Sewall. Son of Samuel and Hannah Sewall was born at Boston Augt: 15. 1688. grad. H. Coll. 1707 ordained Colleague Pastor with Revd. Ebenezear [Ebenezer] Pemberton of the Old South Church Boston Sept: 16. 1713 Married to Miss Elisabeth Walley, Daughter of the Honble. John Walley; a judge of the Supreme Court of Mass; deceased [Joseph married Elizabeth Walley on October 29, 1713.] Oct 29 1713 received the Degree of Doctor of Divinity from the University of Glasgow in 1731. and died June 27. 1769 in the 81st year of his age and 56th of his ministry; universally distinguished by the title of the “good Doctor Sewall”, his Wife Mrs. Elisabeth Sewall, died Oct: 27. 1756. He left one Child only; Viz:
Samuel Born at Boston May. 2nd 1715. graduated Harvard College 1733 Married May 18. 1749 to Miss Elisabeth Quincy, Daughter of Edmund Quincy Esqre of Braintree of Boston, and sister (the eldest I believe) of your grandmother , Mrs. Esther Quincy. was a Merchant in Boston, one of the select men of the Town several years; and a Deacon of the Church of which his Father was Pastor. “His beloved Wife” Mrs. Elisabeth Quincy died Feby. 15. 1770 in the 41st year of her age, (She was born 15 Oct 1729 old Style) Mr. Sewall himself died suddenly of an apoplectic fit at the house of Revd. Mr. Prentice of Holliston, Mass: where he was then boarding, Jany. 19 1771 leaving two sons & five Daughters: viz:
(1) Elisabeth born March, 12. 1750. Married 29 Sept: 1768 to Saml. Salisbury Esq. Merchant of Boston, and a Deacon of the Old South Church, & died March 25. 1789 having had 10 Children, 8 of whom survived her, Mr. Salisbury her husband died May 2, 1818.
(2) Hannah born March 15, 1753. Married James Hill of Boston 1771 & died July 4. 1827. [Should be July 24, 1827] leaving several Children Mr. Hill died June 19. 1824.
(3) Sarah born Jany. 14. 1756, and Died at Cambridge unmarried Sept: 14 1780
(4) Samuel See below.
(5) Dorathy born 23 Dec 1758. Married Dec: 28, 1781. to Joseph May Esq. Merchant of Boston, and died 31 Oct: 1825 having had 12 Children.
(6) Katherine. Born June 5. 1760 Married to Henry Gallison
Esq of Marblehead May 24. 1787 and died in Child Bed Oct: 22, 1788. Her
Son then born, John Gallison, alter studying Law, and giving bright promise
of Distinction in his profession died suddenly of fever
Dec: 24, 1820.
(7) Joseph: born March 29, 1762 settled as a Merchant first at Marblehead & then at Boston; was treasurer of Mass: from 1827 to 1832 Married Sept: 21. 1783. Miss Mary Robie, Daughter of Thomas Robie Esqre merchant of Marblehead & Salem,who was the Son of Dr. Thomas Robie a Physician of Salem & of his Wife Mihitibel daughter of Major Stephen Sewall of the same place. My dear Aunt died in 1834, but my honoured Uncle still lives (having entered on Tuesday the 9th Inst [Tuesday, March 9, 1847] the 86th year of his Age.) the oldest survivor in this branch of the Descendants of Henry Sewall of Newbury, and though somewhat bent with age, still retains wonderfully his powers both of body and mind. Being in Boston on Tuesday the 2nd Inst: I was at his house to dine.
Samuel . Son of Samuel and Elizabeth Sewall, born Dec. 11. 1757. gradd. H. Coll. 1776 studied Law with Hon: Francis Dana (afterward Chief Justice of Cambridge) established himself in that profession at Marblehead about 1780. Married Miss Abigail Devereux, only Daughter of Dr. Humphrey Devereux of Marblehead Deceased Dec: 8. 1781. chosen representative of the South District in Essex County, in Congress 1796, 1798, appointed Judge of the Supreme Court of Mass: 1800 & Chief Justice of the same Jany. 1814, & Died suddenly of Angina Pectoris at Wiscasset in Maine June 8 1814, the day after he had opened Court there, Aged 57. His remains were afterwards conveyed to Marblehead for Interment, but the Gentlemen of the Bar, as token of their affection and respect erected a Monument to his memory at Wiscasset. My beloved Mother after surviving my honored Father upwards of 32 years died at Boston on the 22nd Inst: [Samuel’s wife Abigail died on February 22, 1847. Perhaps Abigail’s son, who wrote this letter, was so upset at the recent loss of his mother that he wrote “Inst.” by mistake; or perhaps he meant “within the previous four weeks; less than a month ago”.] in consequence of a wound upon her head received on the 10th Ulto [February 10, 1847.] ..by a fall, in the 81st year of her age, & was buried for the present in my Uncle’s tomb at Boston. Their Children who survived infancy were nine viz
(1) Samuel (the writer of this Letter) born June 1st 1785 gradd at H. Coil. 1804, studied divinity at Cambridge recd. Deacons orders from Right Rev: Bishop Moore at New York Feb: 2. 1810 invited to settle over the Episcopal Church at Hanover Mass: in Augt: 1810 accepted the invitation; and expected to be ordained Priest there in April 1811. But quitting the Episcopal Denomination, on account of certain scruples respecting the Liturgy (which he has since in a great measure seen cause to give up), and entering the Congregational, was ordained Pastor of the Congregational Church in Burlington Mass April 13, 1814. resigned his Charge in 1842; and now lives in retirement, occasionally preaching as he has opportunity. He married Jany. 1st 1818, Miss Martha Marrett, only child of his predecessor in the Ministry at Burlington, Revd. John Marrett by whom he has issue Samuel, Martha Marrett, Sarah and Abigail Devereux.
(2) Henry Devereux, Born Augt: 1786, engaged in Mercantile Persuits at Portland Maine 1808; at Montreal L.C. 1810, at New York City 1815, whence removed about 1828 to Watertown Jefferson County, New York, where he died June 8, 1846. By his Wife Mary Norton deceased, Daughter of Bredsey Norton Esqre of Goshen, Connecticut, he has left seven Children namely, Henry Foster [Fisher] Sewall, of New York City, Mary, Elisabeth, John Gallison, Edmund Quincy, Frank Devereux, & Walter Devereux.
(3) Joseph, Henchman, Sewall. Born Oct. 1788 & died Feby. 1795.
(4) Lydia Maria Sewall, born April 1791 Married Samuel Grule [Should be Samuel Greele.] Esq. Preceptor of Marblehead Academy May 1812. and died at Boston, without issue Augt: 11, 1822. [Samuel Greele married second to Lydia’s cousin, Louisa May. They had 2 children, Samuel and Louisa, who changed their name to Greeley, probably to make it easier to pronounce correctly. ]
(5) Ann Henchman Sewall, born March, 1793, a single woman and the Constant Companion of our dear mother, since the death of our beloved Father, till her recent demise.
(6) Joseph Henchman Sewall. born February, 6, 1795. just before the death of his Brother of the same name, was afterward name for him, and died of Consumption, a Member of the Junior Class , in Harvard College University Cambridge Sept.: 26. 1813.
(7) Edmund Quincy Sewall, born Oct: 1st 1796. grad. at H. Coll: 1815 and was settled in the Pastoral Office at Barnstable 1819. at Amherst N.H. 1825 now over the 1st Church in Scilante Mass. By His Wife Caroline Ward, a Daughter of Col: Ward of Newton Mass: he has three Children viz Ellen, Edmund Quincy and George.
(8) Elizabeth Quincy Sewall, born June 1793 [Should be 1798. Elizabeth Quincy Sewall was born June 10, 1798] & married in Feby. 1825, to her Cousin Thomas Robie Sewall, Merchant of Boston, Eldest Son of Joseph Sewall Esq. Their Children yet living are Joseph, Mary & Francis.[There was also Edward Bradstreet Sewall who died at age 6 in 1837]
(9) Charles Chauncy Sewall, born May 1802, sometime Member
of Bowdoine College Maine, Where he recd. the Honorary Degree of M.A. 1837.
and at Harvard University 1832, ordained the Pastor of a Church in Danvers,
1827. which charged he resigned about 1841, and now lives in retirement
at Medfield Mass. His Children by his Wife Anney [Amy] Peters
Daughter of William Peters Esqr. of Medfield, are Elizabeth, Mary, Rebecca
Phillips, Ellen, Charles, William Peters, Edward Upham, Alice Orne.
This, my Dear Sir, agreeable to your desire I have given you the Genealogy (upon the enclosed sheet) of that branch of the Sewall Family to which I belong. From this compared, with your own communication, it appears that we Spring from a Common Ancestor on our Fathers side, & are likewise, still more nearly connected by intermarriage with the Quincy Family, your Grandmother and mine being Sisters . Major Samuel Sewall, of Boston, eldest son of Major Stephen Sewall , of Salem, was not my direct ancestor (as you supposed) but a Cousin of my great grandfather, Revd. Dr. Joseph Sewall, of Boston. But a ring on my finger given at his Funeral & marked “Samuel Sewall Ob: 5th May 1757. Aet 67.” constantly keeps me in mind of our Family Connection & the memory of his Brothers & Brothers Children is endeared to me by previous memorials and recollections.
You mention in your letter, that Jonathan Sewall, 2nd son of Major Stephen of Salem, married for his first Wife
“Elisabeth Alford, by whom he had two Children, Elizabeth & MaryAllow me to enquire (1) whether Elizabeth & Mary were twins born Dec: 17.1718?
Dec: 17. 1718, and 2ndly Mary Payne, sister of Edward Payne of Boston & by whom he had issue (1) Margret married to Mr. Mason, (3) Jane. and (2) Jonathan my grandfather ”
& (2) whether it was not Elizabeth, that was married to Mr. Mason? In a recent letter from a Descendant of Thaddeus Mason Esqre of Cambridge, it is stated that he married Elizabeth, a Daughter of Jonathan Sewall, who it was supposed, married a sister of Hon: John Alford of Charleston.
Note by Robert Sewell, February 2001:
According to the manuscript of {Rev} Edmund Willoughby Sewell, (1) Mary
and Elizabeth were twins,
and (2) Elizabeth married Thaddeus Mason.
With regard to the spelling of our name Sewell for
Sewall; I aware that it has been often spelled so in England ages ago;
and probably it is now the most customary way of spelling it—But I question
whether it was so from the beginning. Sir Wm. Dugdale in his Antiquities
of Warwickshire mentions a Saswalo of Nether Eatendon in that County,
possessed of 17 hides of Land, which, & other possessions his Norman
Lord Henry De Farrers (De Ferraries or Ferrars) allowed him at the Conquest
A.D. 1066 to retain the Descendants and heirs of this Saxon Thane (as Dugdale
supposed him to be) in their successive generations were (1) Henry
(2) Henry
(3) “Sawald” or Sewall De Eatendon (4) Henry (5) SewaIl
(6) James, who removed his residence from Eatendon to Shirley in Derbyshire,
changed his name from Sewall to Shirley—But the Manor of Eatendon was still
at the beginning of the last Century in the hand of the same family that
held it in the Conquerors day & some of its members were still called
Sewall in remembrance of their primitive name, And Fuller in his Worthies
of England mentions among those of Yorkshire an Arch Bishop, whose
name he spells indifferently “Sewall or “Sewald”, whose monument with his
name upon it, Simon Bradstreet Robie Esq. of Halifax brother of my late
Aunt saw in the Cathedral at York, when in England some 20 years since.
Fuller Likewise is his List of Sheriffs mentions “John Seawale Sheriff
of Essex & Herefordshire & Rich: II 1380” whose Arms he describes
as consisting of “S (Sable) Cheveron betwixt 3 Gadd Bees Argent” which
are precisely our own family Arms. These and other circumstances lead me
to suppose that the name Sewall, like Oswald, Ethelwald etc. is of saxon
origin, that it was at first Seswald or Saswald corrupted by the Conqueror
with a Norman termination making it Saswaldo or Saswale & finally,
by the omission of the middle (S) and final (d) for the sake of Euphony
became Sewall, pronounced Se-wall not as now Sew-all. Hoping to hear from
you again, and to see you, if you ever visit the States, and wishing you
and yours all happiness, I remain,
Dear Sir;
and Kinsman,
(Sigd) Samuel Sewall
Quebec
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Letter from {Rev} Henry
Doyle Sewall
to Frances "Fanny" Georgina Sewell
copied from the Journal of Charles Randolph Montgomerie
Sewell
Copy of a letter from my Uncle Henry to his Sister Fanny
Thro’ the same line, on our Mothers side — we are closely connected with the Scotch Earl of Livingstone whose Title attainted in 1745 — was restored by Geo IV — and may, by the present Earl, be taken up, I believe, when he pleases. The late Earl was I think our Mothers first cousin — the present one is consequently our second cousin.
But to pass by the female line & come to Male descent — There are few, even noble families, who can now trace back an unbroken descent, thro the male line, of gentle blood for two centuries. We can do so for nearly three; and our Cousins the Sewells of Montreal, tho’ the younger branch, can show the family seal of apparently a great age, bearing the same arms which we have ever borne — and which both branches of the Family in England still bear. That seal wd alone be a refutation of the Calumny said to be brought against us. But long before that period our branch of the family obtained the privilege of bearing the White rose — the true Hereditary Rose of England in their Crest. and still earlier we find mentioned in Bymers Foedara a John De Sewell one of six who accompanied the Black Prince about A.D. 1366 into Aquitaine — under a safe conduct. To suppose that John de Sewell (mentioned next in Rank to Humphrey de Stafford) at the very least a belted Knight, & a companion of the Black Prince was not entitled to bear Arms — wd be about as absurd as to say that the sun never shines. I am persuaded that the Coll: of Heralds had never made such a blunder. They have been misunderstood.
Dugdale, in his Antiquities of Warwickshire mentions a “Saswallo” of Nether Eatendon in that County, possessed of 17 Hides of land, which & other possession his Norman Lord Henry de Terrers, allowed him at the conquest A.D. 1066 to retain. The descendants & Heirs of this Saxon Thane (as Dugdale supposes him to have been) in their successive generations were (1) Henry, (2) Henry, (3) Sawald or Sewall de Eatendon, (4) Henry, (5) Sewall, (6) James who removing his residence from Eatendon to Shirley in Derbyshire changed his name from Sewall to Shirley. But the Manor of Eatendon was still at the beginning of last century in the hands of the same family that held it in the Conquerers day: and some of its members were still called “Sewall” in remembrance of their primitive name. The present Lords Terress & Tamworth have both the name of “Sewallis” as a baptismal name. Fuller also in his Worthies of England mentions among those of Yorkshire an Archbishop whose name he spells indifferently “Sewall” & “Sewald” whose monument with his name upon it was still extant in Yorkminster in the year 1825. Fuller likewise in his List of Sheriffs mentions John Seawale Sheriff of Essex & Hertfordshire. 4th Rich II A.D. 1380 . whose arms he describes as consisting of “Sable a Cheveron betwixt 3 Gadd Bees Argent” which are precisely our own family Arms.
It is not unworthy of remark as showing the great antiquity of the family undoubtedly one of, if not the oldest family in England that in Doomsday Book there are no less that 4 places in different parts of the Kingdom mentioned as bearing the name of “Sewelle” — (l) one in Berks — (2) one in Sommersetshire — (3) one in Beds & (4) one in Northampton — & it may not be uninteresting to you that yours is not the first case of intermarriage between the Sewells and the Davenports, a Jane Sewell having married a Revd Addington Davenport Rector of Kings Chapel Boston Dec 23 1729.
“Sewelle” in the Hundred of Reading Berks. still exists under the name of Sulhamstead an ancient corruption from “Sewell Homestead” and Lysons in his Bedfordshire says there is an ancient monument in Houghton Church — Houghton Rye near Dunstan — Bedfordshire with the Effigies of a man in Armour under a rich Gothic Arch which had the Arms of Sewell — a Cheveron between 3 Butterflies “page 107”: these again are our arms, except that Lysons has mistaken the Bees volant for Butterflies. Mr. Shirley (Stemmata Hedreana p 5) says that “Sewallis”, which is the latanised name of Sewall or Sewell is a very ancient personal name particularly in the family of Shirley East Ferrers. Sewallis who certainly possessed Nether Eatendon before the conquest is said to have been a noble Saxon issuing from the Royal Dukes of Saxony.
Mr. Loner author of Patrony in Britt once
supposed the name might be derived from the Anglo-Saxon Se-Wealh
“the foreigner” — i.e. not of Saxon origin — but a Welsh name, Cell
or Gael — but he cd not support his supposition by evidence & has given
it up. He has since modified his opinion and the article in his forthcoming
work stand thus —
“Sewel — Sewell — Sewallis in a very ancient personal name particularly in the family of Shirley East Ferrers — Sewallis who certainly possessed lower Eatington Co Warwick before the conquest is said to have been a Noble Saxon sprung from the Royal Dukes of Saxony (Stemmata Shirliana p 5) but this is unsupported by any evidence. The name latinised Sewallis was doubtless Sewall or Sewald a not uncommon appellation in Saxon times & not improbably identical with Cuedwator or Cedwalla in the days of the Heptarchy . Sewall in the spelling still retained in America; but in England Sewell (often modified to Shewell) is the prevailing form. It must not be forgotten however that in some instances the name may be real: four places called Sewelle occur in Domesday & a John De Sewell was a follower of the Black Prince into Aquitane Rym Jied c 1366”In the Church of Houghton Regis Bedfordshire the monument mentioned by Lysons is still existing though strongly defaced with whitewash and mutilated.
Formerly there was a Sewell Chantry connected with the Church & it is supposed that this monument was in it & that it was formed by that part of the aisle in which it is.
There was also an old Manor of Sewell — and there
still is a hamlet of that name with some 20 to 30 houses in it which forms
one of the outlying districts of Houghton Regis — There were Sewells there
for many Centuries — They appear to have terminated in 3 Sisters by whose
marriage the property became divided & past away into other families.
You will remember that the arms on this very Antient Monument are our
own — Sable — a Chevron between 3 Bees — or Butterflies as Lysons calls
them.
There is neither date nor inscription on the Monument but it is traditionally stated to be the Monument of Sir John Sewell & is in all probability the Monument of Johannes de Sewell who accompanied the Black Prince, in 1366, into Aquitane.
We have thus, at the very least the existence of
our arms established for five hundred years — no small period when
we remember that the bearing of Arms, at all, only dates from the Crusaders
.
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Letter from {Hon} William
Smith III
December 9, 1796
copied from the Journal of Charles Randolph Montgomerie
Sewell
Genealogy
Wm. Smith of the City of New York, son of Thos. Smith and Susannah his wife, was born at New Port Paynell in the County of Bucks [New Port Pagnell, Buckinghamshire], on the 8th of October 1697 Old Stile [archaic spelling for “Old Style”. Britain and its colonies did not adopt the Gregorian calendar until 1752.] , was initiated in the Latin Tongue under the care of the Revd. Mr. Stunnard, Minister at Simpson in Bucks, afterwards under several Instructors he perfected his grammar learning in the Latin and Greek Tongues under the care of the Revd. Mr. Woodward at New Port Paynell afterwards was instructed in the rudiments of the mathematics by Mr. Lettin a schoolmaster in that Town, Left London 24 May 1715 arrived with his Father, Mother, and two Brothers at New York on the 17th Augt following. Thos Smith his Father died (leaving his three sons William, Thomas, and John, and about thirty grandchildren mourning) on the 19th Nov: 1745—Susannah their Mother left New York in the year 1728, died in London on the 9th of March following and was buried at St. Buttolphs [Probably St. Botulf (also Botolf, Botulph & Botolph); 7th century Saxon Bishop with over 70 churches in England named after him.] Aldergate in London just before her expected return to her family in this Province.
The descent of the said William on
his Father’s side.
Thos. Smith was the youngest son of Wm. Smith and Elizabeth his Wife, of New Port Paynell in Bucks, The said Wm. Died about the year 1682, Elizabeth his Wife lived till about 1710, both were buried in one grave in the Isle on the south side of the Font in the Parish Church at New Port. The said Wm. removed from the Isle of Ely at the close of the Civil War, and married the said Elizabeth the youngest daughter of James Hartly [Spelled Hartly, Hartley, Hurtly and Hurtley. It appears “Hartley” is correct.] of New Port Paynell, who with his Wife died at the time of the great Plague about 1665 at New Port. James Hurtley was the son of Wm. Hurtley of New Port Paynell a younger son of the Hurtley of Strangwide Hall in Lancashire within two miles of Manchester he settled in New Port some about or before the year 1600 had two younger Brothers Francis & John, the one settled at Stony Stratford, the other at Buckingham. Wm. Hurtley gave three Books being being Foxes Acts and Monuments of the Church—Which in the year 1714 remained chained to a desk at the East end of the South Isle of the Parish of New Port with a Latin inscription over it signifying that these books were his gift in the year 1612. He and all or most of the descendants of the Family I think were said to be buried in that Isle—
James the son of Wm. Hurtly had two sons Wm. Hurtly and James Hurtly Who both lived and died at New Port had had also about six or seven Daughters whose descendants I cannot perfectly trace; Thomas Wilson of London is the son of Martha the Daughter of Elizabeth the Daughter of one of the Daughters of James Hurtly who last married the Revd. John Gibbs of New Port Paynell she died since the year 1700 and I knew her and have forgot her name she and my Grandmother were only living of that generation since my remembrance. Wm. Hurtly the last named died at New Port since I was born tho’ before my memory and left two Daughters, one married Wm. Chifnal [or Clifnal] an Eminent Woollen Draper in New Port by whom I remember he had one Son named Wm. of the same occupation perhaps living, his other Daughter named Elizabeth lived to an advanced age and I think died unmarried.
James Hurtly the other son of James left two sons, Wm. & Thos. Wm. married he moved to some place near Northampton, and I have heard left several descendants, Thos. Died as I have heard unmarried, one of the Daughters I think named Martha married to Mr. Hatchwell who was also friendly to our family—From the Daughters of James Hurtly first named there were also when I left England sundry relations named Forster, of Oulney [Appears to be “Olney” in the Atlas of the World, National Geographic Society, 1995] , Fulford, Maxwell, Burton & of whom Mr. Thos. Burton now or lately living, is descended and had their settlement mostly at or near New Port, also there was old Cousin John Matthews, his son John Matthews, and Thos. his Son, the last of these supposed to by now living. The Parrots in Ticksford End and the _[name unknown]_ were also called Cousins but how the relation stood I can’t tell.
Thos. Smith son of Wm. Smith and Elizabeth Hurtly had four brothers and also one sister who died very young. Wm. the eldest lived and died at New York in 1736 aged 74 years. left a Grandson heir of his Estate named Wm. Smith. James the second Brother lived at Pasenham within one mile of Stony Stratford in Bucks had five or six sons that I knew, Thomas, Dryden, Samuel, and I think James Pagister and William and also several Daughters, Ann I knew, and have heard of several others whose names I do not certainly remember they being when I left England very young or born afterwards.
John the third son lived many years in New York left
his family here about the year 1714, and afterwards died in England— Samuel
their 4th son married in Jamaica, and soon afterwards died there the age
of twenty-seven. Thos. was their youngest son and survived all his Brothers
and died in the 71st year of his age.
The relations of the said Wm. Smith
on the part of his mother.
She was named Susannah the Daughter of Thos. Odell and Christiana his Wife of Simpson in Bucks four miles distant from New Port Paynell, the same Thomas was possessed of a very considerable Estate in the Parish called the North field and meadows and a considerable farm in arable Lands— Christiana his wife was a Daughter of John or Richard Goodman, That Family as was said had had their habitation and a very considerable Estate there from the time of Wm. the Conqueror, transmitted by descent ultimately in the names of Richard & John. Thos. Odell died about the 13 May 1698, aged about 47 years. Christiana his wife died Within a few weeks after him July 7 aged about 45. They had two sons Thomas & John, John died an infant at New Port, Thomas upon the death of John inherited the whole Estate, but falling into grand Company when he had obtained full age, and being very agreeable person of wit and humour, and much solicited by the Nobility and Gentry of a Superior Rank which took his attention from his own affairs he soon spent his Estate, and afterwards obtained a small office under the Duke of Grafton Lord Chamberlain, of Two Hundred Pounds per annum. He married the Daughter of Sir Richard Everit, and died afterwards as I have heard in 1749 and left a Daughter named Penelope. Thos. Odell the Father was buried under his seat in the Church at Simpson, Christiana his Wife, John their Son, Mary their Eldest Daughter, and Odell Smith the youngest Son of Thos Smith and Susannah his Wife lie buried in the Church Yard before the South Porch of the same Church and there about within or without that Church lies the Dust of numerous train of Ancestors who have died in succession through many Ages.
Susannah the second Daughter of the said Thomas & Christiana, his Wife married Thos Smith on the 13th Nov. 1696. By whom she had four sons, William, Thomas, John and Odell, all before named, E!izabeth their third Daughter married Thos. Herbert of Toingo-Arton in Bucks—They has a son named Thomas and several other Children of whom some are probably living. Martha their fourth Daughter marred Edmund Roberts of Echington within one mile of Leighton Buzzard in Bucks, They had two sons named Edmund and I think Thomas, and one more son I think John an Infant, of which probably someone or more may be living they having all been younger than myself.
On my mother’s side there are a numerous train of Relations more distant viz. the Goodmans of Simpson and I think Aisesile of Woughton are all kin. I remember two of my Grandmothers Brothers Edmund Goodman of Simpson and Aisesile of Woughton and from them and others when I was very young and had the first principles of my education at Simpson, I received many marks of love and esteem.
(Sig) Wm. Smith
New York 9 Dec. 1796
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Family Records of Charles
F. Sewall of Maine
kindly provided by Mr. Charles F. Sewall of Chesterville,
Maine
copied by Robert Sewell, January 2001
{First Page}
The above named Samuel was born in 1688, and died (and ws buried in
York) April 28 1769
He married 1st Lydia, dau. of Saml Storer of Wells, who came to Wells
from Charlestown, Mass-
1. John Sewall, born
August 14, 1712, died February 27, 1715
2. Dummer "
" February 12, 1714, died
August 13, 1736
3. Lydia "
"
January 24, 1716
4. Mercy "
"
May 30, 1718
5. Mary "
"
February 29, 1719
6. Hannah "
"
February 1, 1722, died March 4, 1809 Æ 87
He married 2nd Sarah Bachelder Titcomb – born 1697 died 1790 Æ
93
Their children were}
1. “Major” Samuel Sewall, born
Septr 14, 1724, died July 23, 1815 Æ 91
2. & 3. (twins) Sarah & Jane,
" Novemr 4, 1726.
both died young.
4. “Deacon” John Sewall
" May 5, 1729. died Decr
27, 1801 Æ 79
# 5. “Capt” Joseph Sewall
"
Septr 3, 1731. died Decr 13, 1782 Æ 51
6. “Capt” Moses Sewall
"
July 22, 1733. died June 1816
Æ 83
7. “Hon” David Sewall
"
Octobr 7, 1735. died October 21, 1825 Æ 90
8. “Col” Dummer Sewall
"
Decmr 12, 1737. died April 1833 Æ 96
9. Henry
Sewall
"
Febry 23, 1739. died January 24, 1795 Æ 56
Capt Joseph Sewall, above named, married Mercy, daughter of Samuel Sewall,
the son of the above named Nicholas - She ws born February
24, 1742, died Nov. 22, 1812.
Their children were}
1. Hannah Sewall, born
Septr 20, 1770. died March 27, 1821
A 2. Joseph Sewall "
June 7, 1773. died Decemr 18, 1859
3. Sarah Sewall
" June 8, 1776. died October
6, 1843
4. Joanna Sewall
"
Decemr 2, 1778. died Septmr 16, 1782
Joseph Sewall above named married Abigail H. Gray September 22, 1810.
She was born
November 11, 1777. died June 10. 1854.
B 1. Joseph Sewall born
October 26, 1811
2. Samuel Sewall "
January 24, 1813. died
October 6, 1850 unmarried
3. Joanna Sewall "
June 29, 1814.
" March 30th 1880
4. John Sewall
" Novr 23, 1815
5. David Sewall
"
June 6, 1817
6. William Harmon" "
Febry 22, 1821. died July 4, 1864
7. Lydia Sewall
"
Decemr 26, 1822 " June 1879
Capt Joseph Sewall, son of the last named Joseph A, married
April 30, 1840, Eliza Jane Trafton daughter of Noah & Lavinia Trafton
whose maiden name was Moore; the daughter of Dea--- Joseph Moore.
The said Eliza Jane was born February 26, 1817. This Eliza Jane died
N---
Their children were
1. Joseph Trafton Sewell, born
Jany 31, 1841. died May 12, 1852
2. Mary Eliza Sewall
" Septr 25, 1843
{Second Page}
---- Sewall continued from Last page
Mary Eliza Sewall, 2d child of the last named
Joseph Sewall B was married April 5
1866 to Jeremiah Goodwen Freeman, son of Edward Freeman of York, and
to this date
(March 20, 1875) have no issue. - - - all the rest are unmarried .
Joanna Sewall, the 3rd child of Joseph Sewall A married
April 4, 1839 Amory N. Mason
of Craftsbury, Vt. who ws born February 11, 1813.
John Sewall, the 4th child of Joseph Sewall A married
Septr 8, 1841 Elizabeth Blackstone
of Boston, Mass. who was born February 21, 1818.
David Sewall, the 5th child of Joseph Sewall A married
Decr 12, 1837 Mary C Eldridge
of __________ who was born September 25, 1816 and died July 27, 1868.
William Harmon Sewall, the 6th child of Joseph Sewall A married Nov 11, 1847 Lydia Jane Moore (She died Aug 11 ---) daughter of Oliver Moore of York, born February 15, 1828, leaving issue.
Lydia Sewall, the 7th child of Joseph Sewall A unmarried
March 20, 1875.
1. Hannah Sewall the 1st child of Capt Joseph Sewall # married
Doct. William Lyman, son
of Job Lyman, Esq. of York, who was born June 14, 1757 and died April
9, 1822
Their children were
1. William Lyman, born died
2. Narcissa Lyman " died
Narcissa married Revd Eben Carpenter, Pastor of the 1st Congregational
Parish in York, the - -
died
18 They left no issue.
2. Joseph Sewall A the 5th child of Capt. Joseph Sewall # - See his record on preceeding page.
3. Sarah Sewall, the 3d child of Capt. Joseph Sewall # married Edward Tompson of Standish who was born December 18, 1771 and died January 19, 1834, leaving issue.
4. Joanna Sewall, the 4th child of Capt. Joseph Sewall #. her birth and death before stated.
Attest. Nathl G. Marsahll, Town Clerk
{Third Page}
Dummer Sewell Esqr was Born in York December 12th, 1737.MSA V.S.
Bath Me Roll 58
Mary Dunning Born in York April 15, 1739
Dummer Sewall was Married to Mary Dunning at York December 16th, 1760.
The above named Dummer Sewall & Mary his wife had Born unto them the follow-
ing Children, viz,
Dummer a Son Born January 15, 1761.
Mary a Daughter Born November 22, 1762.
Sarah " " Born February 7th, 1765.
Lydia " " Born October 6th, 1767 & died February 28th, 1797.
Joseph " Son Born December 17th, 1770.
Samuel " " Born September 6th, 1772. MSA V.S.
Hannah " Daughter Born May 17th, 1774. Bath Me Roll 58
Deborah " " Born December 10th, 1776 & died September 1778.
John " Son Born October 20th, 1778 & died November 20th, 1821.
Mrs. Mary Sewall, Mother of said Children Died September 10th, 1823,
Dummer Sewall Esqr, Father of said Children Died April 5, 1832 in the 95 year of
his age, Tuesday morning at daybrake, & was Buryed Thursday; he lived the life
of a Christian & Died, as we believe in the full hope of a Glorious Immortality.
Tombstone of Dummer Sewall, 1761- 1846Chesterville Center Cemetery, Chesterville Maine.The Inscription reads:DUMMER SEWALLDIEDFeb. 11, 1846Æ 85JENNYhis wifeMay 26, 1852Æ 89?s is the sight of the lorddeath his ? saints
The gravestone of Dummer Sewall and
his wife Jenny (courtesy Mr. Charles F. Sewall)
is pictured at the Genealogy.com
Virtual
Cemetery
{Fourth Page}
Direct Lineage
Surname Sewall
| Gen | Name | Birth | Location | Death | Location |
| 1. | William Sewall | xxxx | Coventry, Eng. | xxxx | Coventry, Eng. |
| 2. | Henry Sewall | 1544 | Coventry. Eng. | xxxx | Coventry, Eng. |
| 3. | Henry Sewall | xxxx | Coventry, Eng. | 1657 (1) | Rowley, Ma. |
| 4. | Henry Sewall | 1614 | Coventry, Eng. | 1700 | Newbury Ma. |
| 5. | John Sewall | 1654 | Badesly, Eng. | 1699 | Newbury, Ma. |
| 6. | Samuel Sewall | 1688 | Newbury, Ma. | 1769 | York, Me. |
| 7. | Dummer Sewall | 1737 | York, Me. | 1832 | Bath, Me. |
| 8. | Dummer Sewall | 1761 | Bath, Me. | 1846 | Chesterville, Me. |
| 9. | William Sewall | 1804 | Chesterville, Me. | 1839 | Chesterville, Me. |
| 10. | Geo. W. Sewall (2) | 1829 | Chesterville, Me. | 1890 | Rockland, Me. |
| 11. | Ammi Sewall | 1875 | So. Thomaston | 1953 | Rockland, Me. |
| 12. | Willard Sewall | 1905 | Rockland, Me. | 1994 | Augusta, Me. |
| 13. | Charles F. Sewall | 1934 | Brunswick, Me. | (3) |
(1) The date of death for Henry Sewall should read "1655/56." His estate was was granted on March 25, 1656 which was the first day of the new year 1656 on the “old style” Julian calendar. Thus, Henry must have died before March 25, almost certainly in March of 1655 “old style.” On the “new style” Gregorian calendar where the New Year begins on January 1, we would refer to this as March 1656. Thus, the date of death is now written as “March 1655/56.” For further details and documentation, please see Eben W. Graves: The Descendants of Henry Sewall (1576-1656) of Manchester and Coventry, England, and Newbury and Rowley, Massachusetts, Newbury Street Press, Boston, 2007, page 57.
(2) There appears to be a break in the line at this point. There are two persons with the name George Washington Sewall; one from Chesterville, Maine and the other from China, Maine. Mr. Charles F. Sewall who shared this line appears to have connected himself to the Chesterville, Maine family (as shown above) when he was actually descended from the China, Maine family that is shown immediately below. The ability to distinguish between the two families is possible through DNA testing described in Eben W. Graves, "Sewall Family DNA: A Project Update", American Ancestors, Fall 2011, pages 45 and 46.
Please note that the line shown below is not proven. It fits all known facts and is not contradicted by any known facts; but records are sparse.
| William Sewall and Margaret (?) of Bridgewater, Massachusetts. |
| | |
| Elias Sewall of Bridgewater, Massachusetts and China, Maine. Elias was a veteran of the American War of Independence. Elias married Amy Dunbar whose family is described in a three part article "Sampson Dunbar and His Family" in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, July 2012 pages 190-204; October 2012, pages 289-297 and January 2013, pages 55-65. |
| | |
| John and Paulina (Moore) Sewall of China, Maine |
| | |
| George Washington Sewall (Great grandfather of Charles F. Sewall of Brunswick, Maine; as shown above) George Washington Sewall was born at China, Maine on February 8, 1828, and died at Rockland, Maine on February 12, 1890. He is buried in Seaview Cemetery in Rockland, Maine. |
Thanks to Chris Sewall, son of the late Charles F. Sewall; and to Eben W. Graves for sharing this line.
(3) Mr. Charles F. Sewall departed from this life in September 2011.
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To return to the Sewall/Sewell Family, please click on The Robert Sewell Page
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Records of Ralph N. Thompson
copied by Robert Sewell November 2006
(Click on John Sewall for more on his family and ancestors)
I John Sewall, Esq. of Newbury,
Mass.
b. 10 Oct. 1654
d. 8 Aug. 1699
married Hannah Fessenden.
Their sons:
- Samuel Sewall, Esq. of York, Maine who married twice.
- (1) Lydia, dau. of Samuel Storer; their son was Major Samuel Sewall of York, Me. dsp. Builder of Sewall's Bridge at York, opened in 1757, the first pile bridge in the world. The bridge rests on clusters of piles, cut at differend lengths to adjust to varying depths of the river bottom and capped to form a head. The idea for such a bridge was conceived shortly after 1740 but the building was delayed for more than ten years until Major Sewall invented a crude trip hammer to drive the multilple piles into place.
- (2) Sarah Batchelor; their son was David Sewall, Esq. of York, Me. dsp. One of York's most distinguished early citizens, he wasChief Justice of York County Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts and Judge of the Unites States District Court of Maine. He built a beautiful Colonial mansion and named it Coventry Hall in memory of the English home of his ancestors. This fine example of Colonial architecture is still a monument to his successful career.
- Nicholas Sewall, mentioned next.
II Nicholas Sewall, Esq. of
York, Me.
b. 1 June 1690
d. 25 Nov. 1735 from a fall off his horse
married Mehitable, dau. of Samuel Storer of Wells, Me.
and his wife Lydia, dau. of Capt. John Littlefield of Wells, Me. [Note
by Robert Sewell: Mehitable was a sister of Lydia Storer, 1st wife
of Nicholas' brother Samuel.]
Nicholas Sewall was born on 1 June
1690 in Newbury, Mass. on the "Sewall Plantation" established in 1634 by
his great grandfather, Henry Sewall 2nd, Esq., founder of one of New England's
most famous families. He was the son of John and Hannah (Fessenden) Sewall
of Newbury and the nephew of Samuel Sewall, Esq., Chief Justice of Massachusetts.
He was also a kinsman and contemporary of William Dummer, Esq., Governor
of Massachusetts.
About 1708 he settled in York, Maine with his brother, Samuel. In 1713 he bought about three acres of Glebe land from the Selectmen and established a leather tannery which was in continuous operation for over one hundred years. The tannery was carried on after him by his son, Samuel Sewall and his grandson, Storer Sewall.
He married Mehitable Storer, a daughter of Samuel Storer of Wells, Maine, by whom he had ten children. Among his descendants were Rev. Jotham Sewall and Rev. David Sewall both Congregational ministers. His home was located on the Lindsay Road to the rear of the old burying ground.
In 1721 he served as First Sergeant of Captain Arthur Bragdon's Company which took part in the first expedition against the Norridgwock Indians. In 1722 he was listed as owning five shares in the Common lands.
On Tuesday, 25 November 1735 he "was throwne from his horse while riding out and was picked upp unconscious and never spoke. He died in a few houres."
Sons of Nicholas and Mehitable were:
- Prof. Stephen Sewall of Harvard College, one of 62 cofounders of American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1780. (1734 - 1804)
- Samuel Sewall, mentioned next.
III Samuel Sewall, Esq. of
York, Me.
b. 1715
d. 7 Jan. 1768
married Hannah, dau. of Elisha Kelly of the Isles of
Shoales.
Their sons:
- Capt. Samuel Sewall, mentioned next.
- Storer Sewall (1753 - 1823) married Lucy, dau. of Jere. Moulton, Jr., Esq.
IV Capt. Samuel Sewall of
York, Me.
b. 28 Dec. 1748
d. 1826
married (1773) Hannah, dau. of Jere. Moulton, Jr., Esq.
of York, Me.
Their daughters:
- Nancy (1781 - 1860)
- Lucy (1784 - 1802)
- Susan, mentioned next.
- Joanna (1788 - 1854)
- Abigail (1789 - 1873)
- Ruth (1791 - 1860)
V Susan Sewall, dau. and coheir
b. Oct. 1786
d. 1864
married Capt. John S. Tompson, youngest son of Rev. John
Tompson of Berwick, Me, cofounder of Berwick Academy, the oldest prep school
in Maine. Capt. Tompson introduced an "h" into the name in his later life;
thereby changing the spelling to "Thompson".
A great great grandson of Susan Sewall
and Capt. John S. Tompson (Thompson) is:
- Ralph N. Thompson who shared this record.
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To return to the Sewall/Sewell Family, please click on The Robert Sewell Page
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copied from the Journal of Charles Randolph Montgomerie Sewell
Proceedings of ye Body respecting
The Tea
Page 1
On Monday Novr 29/1773 there having just before arrived a considerable
Quantity of Tea shipped by the E. India Company & consigned to sundry
Gentlemen, merchants of the Town of Boston, a great number of persons not
stiling themselves the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, but People, met
at Faneuil Hall in Boston to consult what to to with the sd Tea; the Hall
not being sufficiently capacious to admit so great a concourge of People,
they adjourned to the Old South Meeting House & at their meeting in
the afternoon, I was present —
Mr Jona Williams being moderator it was moved that a Resolve might
pass; “Whether the Tea which had arrived in Capt Hall’s vessel should go
back in the same Bottom without being unloaded” —
While they were debating on the motion Mr Botch (the owner of Capt
Hall’s Ship being present) observed to them the Impracticability of returning
the Tea, on these Reasons following — viz.
Page 2
“That the vessel could not go back without a pass or Permit from his
Excellency the Governor, which Pass he could not give, unless she was properly
cleared at the Custom House; — that it would be an hardship for him to
lose the Freight of the Tea; that he should run the Hazard not only of
her being seized at London for want of a proper Clearance even if she had
got safe out of the Harbor, but also might and doubtless would be seized
by his Majesty’ Officers of the Navy either before or immediately after
she was out of the Harbor & might be carried be knew not whither be
— On which Mr Samuel Adams addressing the Moderator observed that this
was no Hardship on Mr Botch, that it was not uncommon for the owner of
a vessel to make his Protest at the Custom House that such & such goods
shipped on board their vessel were lost or destroyed in a storm & or
any other unforeseen accident that he (Mr Botch) was now compelled by a
Political storm to return the Tea & he thought that Mr Botch might
safely and
Page 3
honestly protest that he was compelled by a mob of several Thousands
to send the Tea back without the duties being paid & that it was necessary
for the safety of his persons and property to do so, & he supposed
Mr Botch would protest in that manner — that it was a good reason for protesting
& would be valid in Law to all intents & purposes he also advised
Mr Botch to comply with the resolutions of that body & not further
incense them—he said that they (the People) had now the power in their
hands were able and would carry their resolutions into execution at all
events etc
The Question passing in the affirmative, — Mr Botch declared that he
should enter his protest against their proceedings accordingly, & the
Moderator (by order) acquainted Mr Botch (the owner) & Capt Hall (the
Master of the vessel) that if they suffered the Tea to be landed it would
be at their peril — After which the appointed a Watch of 25 Men as assistants
to the Capt & Ships crew to take care that the Tea was not smuggled
out of the ship or the
Page 4
ship removed out of their Power —
Mr John Hancock then informed the People that since the meeting in
the Morning—he called in at the House of a Justice of the Peace & was
informed by him that the Governor had required the Magistrates of the Town
to meet once their endeavours to suppress any riot that might ensue on
account of the Tea; — he observed that this was a recent instance of the
restless machinations of that Tool of Power & Enemy of his Country,
and that Mr Hutchinson no doubt would be very glad to make use of the inactivity
of the Justices in order to asperse them & the Town, and as a reason
for again introducing Troops & thereby Bloodshed in the Town under
a pretense of want of Authority in the Magistrates to preserve Peace &
Order in the same — He averred that that meeting was composed of reputable
& respectable Persons that they were perfectly peaceable & quiet
and that it gave him the highest satisfaction that in so vast a concourse
of his Fellow Countrymen
Page 5
there was so great order & Regularity — He also informed them that
at a Council held in the forenoon. His Excellency had made a requisition
somewhat similar to the honorable board viz. that they would take the Tea
and the Consignees under their protection on that they would advise him
what to do about it and them — but that the honorable Board had nobly refused
having anything to do with it & had left their Reasons for so doing
in the Council chamber, open for all to see who were disposed so to do.
He therefore moved that it might be resolved — “Whether the Governors Conduct
herein carried and designed reflection on the People there assembled &
was solely calculated to serve the views of administration” which passed
affirmatively.
Mr Copely acquainted the People that the Consignees having received
their Letters from the E India Company but the Evening before, could not
therefore make any further proposals till they had had a Meeting on which
the Meeting was adjourned to the next Morning, Tuesday —
Page 6
At their meeting on Tuesday Nov-30 in the morning I was present — The
Consignees having sent their proposals in a letter to Mr Scollay (one of
the select men) wherein they declared “that it was out of their Power to
send back the Teas, but would store them till they could hear from their
constituents” — and while debating on this answer of the consignees Mr
Sheriff Greenleaf came into the meeting & informed Mr Williams (who
was still moderator) that he had received a Letter from His Excellency
the Governor, requiring him to read a Proclamation for them to dispense
— on which there was a confused noise throughout the assembly. — but Mr
Adams or Mr Hancock (I am not certain which) moved that it might be read;
according Mr Sheriff read it & immediately after there was again a
confused noise & hissing. — The question was put “whether they would
disperse according to the proclamation” and passed in the negative—
Just before the question (whether they would disperse) was put or immediately
Page 7
after (& which I cannot positively say) Mr Saml Adams addressed
the Moderator in a Speech of about 15 or 20 minutes length wherein he in
the most vehement tone & in the most abusive, virulent & vilifying
manner arrainged the conduct of his Excellency in issuing the Proclamation
& attempted (as the vulgar expression is) to take it to Pieces — He
began with observing that it was directed at first “to John Hancock Esquire
whose name was scratched out & that of Mr J. Williams afterwards put
in — that this was another instance of the Governor’s implacable hatred
to that worthy and inflexible Patriot for his firm & steady attachment
to the cause of his Country in that he supposed, hoped or wished that Gentleman
would be moderator & he (Adams) imagined that Mr William’s name was
put in by the Sheriff or somebody else on finding that Mr Williams was
Moderator” —
He proceeded, exclaiming (unlawful) such as unlawful purposes &
unlawfully assembled &c he declared that “he was so provoked
Page 8
that he could hardly submit to read such repeated insults on that respectable
Body” & when he came to that passage in the Proclamation where His
Excellency says “In Faithfulness to my trust & as His Majesty’s Representative
in this Province, I am bound” &c he cried “He? He? is he that shadow
of a man, scarce able to support his withered Carcase or His heavy Head!
is he a Representation of Majesty?” He further said “that a free &
sensible People when they felt themselves injured would always, & had
a right to meet together to consult for their own safety — that he thought
that meeting so far from being riotous, that they were as regular &
orderly as any people whatsoever as the House of Representatives themselves
& (I think he added) by what he could learn as the House of Commons”
—
When he had done remarking on every expression he thought proper to
remark on, the audience testified their approbation of what he had said,
by shouts of applause clapping &c — Dr Young rose and exclaimed against
the Governor & said he
Page 9
“would not contend whether they were assembled in consequence of any
Province Law, for says he, I have read in Judge Blackstone that when the
Laws & Constitution do not give the subject redress in any Grievance,
that then he is in a state of Nature and he declared that they (the People
assembled) were in such a state — in such a state (he added) as were the
Commonalty of England at RennyMead under King John when Magna Charta was
first framed —
Soon after this Mr Copely moved what the Question may be put “Whether
if Messrs Clarkes should come to the meeting their persons should be safe
till they had returned” — & passed in the affirmative — & they
soon after adjourned to the afternoon.
Tuesday afternoon, they met according to adjournment & I was present.
— Mr Botch & Capt Hall being in the meeting, the People again resolved
that the Tea which had come in Capt Hall’s vessel should go back in the
same Bottom, & they now required it; on which Mr Botch (as usual) said
that he should protest against it.
Page 10
Mr Hall said he should comply — They then ordered that Mr John Rowe
(part owner of Capt Braus Ship expected with Tea, 0 Mr Timmins (Factor
for Captn Coffin’s Brig with Tea likewise expected) should be sent for
& while some persons were gone after them another Watch was moved for
& being appointed, they were directed in case molestation to give warning
to the Inhabitants by tolling the Bells in the Night and Ringing the Bells
in the Day time; & on the expediency of such an order; Mr Adams said
that he “liked that better that firing the Beacon or beating of Drums as
he knew how that had been and might be construed — He said that for his
part he had for some time kept his Arms in order & by his Bedside as
every good Citizen ought & if such notice should be given of an Assault
on the Watch he should not hesitate & he believed no one else would
go out without being prepared & determined what Part to Act.”
Mr Rowe being present was informed of what had passed & “he expressed
his sorrow
Page11
that any vessel of his should be concerned in bringing any of that
destestable & obnoxious commodity, (Tea)” & seeing the audience
were pleased with what he had said, he proceeded & among other things
he asked, “Whether a little Salt water would not do it good, or whether
salt water would not make as good Tea as fresh —” & when he had done
speaking & at several other expressions in his speech, the people testified
their applause by shouting clapping &c & some in the circle round
me boasted (but privately “that now they had brought a good Tory over to
their side — that Mr Rowe had now become a good man & they should soon
make all the rest of the Tories turn to their side as Mr Rowe had done”:
— Mr Timmins gave assurances that none of the Tea imported in Capt Coffin’s
Brig and under his care should be landed until Capt Coffin’s Arrival —
Mr Copely having returned, made a Civil Apology for his tarrying so
long (being obliged to go to the Castle) & acquainted them
Page 12
that the Consignees were very desirous of seeing Peace restored in
the Town & thro a tender regard for their Families &c nrned do
their utmost to give their Fellow Citizens satisfaction; but as nothing
short of reshipping the Tea (which they deemed impossible) — would be satisfactory,
they thought it not prudent & would serve no valuable purpose to appear
at the meeting & might create some new disgust — that they would consent
to the storing the Tea in any store the People should think proper &
submit it to the inspection of any committee chose by them, but that they
would go no further without ruining themselves.
On which Mr Adams observed that “now they had humbled the Consignees,
& that they finding what it was to displease their Fellow Citizens
were now willing to yield to any terms.” But he moved that the question
may be put “Whether the Consignees had offered anything in the least degree
satisfactory” which passed in the negative — Mr Adams then read the Preamble
of a resolve (together with the Resolve, purporting that — “Whereas sundry
Merchants in the Province basely preferring
Page 13
their own private interests to the General good & contrary to the
opinion of New York, Philadelphia, & the other Colonies have imported
Tea from Great Britain while subject to a duty, & whereas they have
justly incurred the Displeasure of the other Colonies by so doing — Resolved
— that whoever shall Import Tea from Great Britain into this Province while
that accursed & unrighteous Act laying a Duty upon it, is, in force,
shall be deemed an Enemy to his Country by this Body, & we will prevent
its landing & sale & the payment of the Duty thereon, & we
will effect a return of the same to the place from whence it came.”
On which Mr Wm Cooper said that he was against it as it then stood;
— that provided “a number of merchants had imported dutied Tea contrary
to the general Will of the Colonies, yet as there were some among the Importers
who were otherwise worthy Citizens, he thought it was not prudent &
he could see no necessity of exposing the conduct of a number of Merchants
& of the Town to the reproach of the other Colonies especially at this
time & therefore he was against it as it then stood.”
Page 14
Mr Adams replied “that to the shame & Scandal of this Province
& to the just and great grief of Philadelphia & New York many in
this Province had continued to Import dutied Tea while the other Colonies
had not — that it was too true & we ought to confess it & it would
do us no good to conceal it, since we had been charged with it.”
On which the Debate growing warm so that (as I thought) they had come
well nigh to Loggerheads, it was softened down thus viz. that “whereas
a number had inadvertently imported dutied Tea — Resolved that they have
justly incurred the displeasure of the other Colonies thereby & they
would prevent the Landing & Sale” &c as before Passed in the Affirmative
They then directed a Committee to draw up fair copies of these Resolves
& send then to the other Colonies & then voted that they would
carry these their votes & Resolutions into execution at the risque
of their Lives & fortunes.
Page 15
They also voted that their bretheren in the Country be desired to give
their attendance and assistance upon the first notice given & especially
if notice was given on the arrival of Capt Loring in Messrs Clarkes Brigantine
—
The Meeting was soon after dissolved & Mr Hancock stepping into
the disk addressed the people in these words, “My Fellow Countrymen, we
have now put our hands to the Plough & woe be to him that shrinks or
looks back”— —
On Tuesday Decr 12 and Thursday Decr16 there were Meetings of the People
in the old South Meeting House; I was present at the Meetings on each day
& Mr Savage of Weston was Moderator— I think it was on the first of
these days it was demanded of Mr Rotch whether he had made preperations
to comply with the Resolutions of the People at their former Meetings —
To which he replied, that since the former Meetings he had consulted good
Advisors & was sensible if he complied that he must be ruined — “That
what he had promised was thro fear and
Page 16
unadvisedly & therefore he did not think himself bound so to do
— that he would go as far as any reasonable man should say that he ought
for the good of his Country, but he could not see the Justice of Patriotism
of his being put in the front rank of the Battle — that none of them were
ignorant of the impossibility of his getting the Tea back or that he must
be ruined for the Attempt — he declared that he was willing to bear his
proportion in the loss of the vessel & then offered to submit her to
the appraisement of any Merchants of Credit & he would dispose of her
under that Appraisement — that if they were determined to destroy the vessel,
he thought it but just they should bear a part in the loss — that he had
determined to go no further towards reshipping the Tea under these circumstances
but on the contrary he would hazard his life first”
Mr Josiah Quincy Jr then rose and said that “he thought Mr Botch had
offered very fair to submit the vessel to the appraisement of Merchants
& to be a sharer in the Loss —
Page 17
that it was cruel to put him in the front of the Battle that the People
ought to be sharers with him in the loss of the vessel since this was in
a business of Public concern — that he himself would give fifty Guineas
towards purchasing & sending her back — that he had ever held Humanity
as a first rate virtue & that Patriotism without Humanity was not true
Patriotism” and with many other expressions to the like effect — As soon
as he had finished, one in the gallery cried out “you speak sir very finely
but you don’t shew your money” — on which Mr Quincy replied “that whoever
suggested that he was bribed, was a scoundrel, & he averred that he
had not directly taken any money of Mr Botch to say thus, which Mr Botch
also attested, adding that he was much surprised that no Merchant or other
of His Fellow Citizens (who might be innocently ensnared as he was) had
till then shewn the generosity to espouse his cause & offered to share
in the damage he might sustain”
On Thursday afternoon (Dec 16) being
Page 18
the day on which the Tea was destroyed, I was present at the Meeting
of the People & knowing that Mr Botch had been ordered to apply to
the Governor for a Pass by the Castle — I tarried the whole afternoon in
expectation of Mr Botch’s return, which was just before Dark — He informed
the People that he had applied for a Pass as directed, & that His Excellency
made a reply to this effect viz “That he was always disposed to oblige
any Person that applied to him for a Pass when there was just reason for
one, but he could not think it his Duty in this case & therefore should
not”— On which Mr Adams said “that he could think of nothing further to
be done — that they had now done all they could for the Salvation of their
Country & that he should go Home, sit down & make himself as easy
as he could” —The People then noted Mr Botch’s conduct satisfactory to
them —
As soon as Mr Botch had returned and declared the answer of His Excellency,
many People at the Western end of the Meeting (in which part of the Meeting
I was) began to
Page 19
draw off & in about 10 or 15 minutes (as near as I can recollect)
after they had heard the answer of His Excellency to Mr Botch’s request
for a Pass — I heard hideous yelling in the street at the S. West corner
of the Meeting House & in the Porch, as of an Hundred People — some
imitating the Powaws of Indians & others the whistle of a Boatswain,
which was answered by some few in the House; on which numbers hastened
out as fast as possible while Mr Adams, Mr Hancock, Dr Young with several
others called out to the People to stay, for they said they had not quite
done — I believe two or Three hundred had got out before the rest were
still enough to proceed; immediately on the subsiding of the tumult within,
Mr Adams addressed the Moderator in these words — “Mr Moderator I move
that Dr Young make (or be desired to make) a speech” — which being approved
of Dr Young made on accordingly of about 15 or 20 minutes length —. The
substance of which was
Page 20
(as near as I could collect, the People often shouting and clapping
him) the ill effects of Tea on the Constitution — the confidence he reposed
in the virtue of his Countrymen in refraining from the use of it, &
also in standing by each other in case any should be called to an account
for their proceeding.
He effected to be very merry & when he had done, the audience paid
him the usual tribute of bursts of applause, clapping &c & immediately
Mr Savage (the Moderator) dissolved the Meeting — I staid in the House
till they had all dispersed except about fifty or an hundred Persons among
which (as near as I can recollect) were all the following persons viz Mr
Saml Adams Mr John Hancock -Mr Wrn Cooper, Mr John Scollay Mr John Pitts,
Dr Thomas Young, Dr Joseph Warren who were also about coming away. — I
went to the Wharf were the Tea was, where I saw several who were spectators
as I was with whom I am personally acquainted but cannot recollect the
names of any who were nigh the vessels except Mr P. Morton, & Mr J.
Pitts —
Page 21
Of those who were disquiet and armed with Clubs, sticks, or Cutlasses
(of which I saw several) & of those who were immediately concerned
in unloading the vessels or watching for spies (as they called them I don’t
know any — After a considerable quantity of Tea was thrown over board several
small boats were rowed toward the Tea, which were ordered away — and a
man standing by with a musket in his hand, he swore he should shoot any
Person that offered to touch the Tea —
Having staid about an hour on the wharf I came away it being about
8 oClock — In the midst of one on the aforesaidmeetings, when the question
was (what to do with the Tea) some from the gallery cried “that they had
better go down and haul the vessels up to the Common & there burn tea
and all together or at least the Tea — that there were enough of them to
do it & it would take but little time & then they should have done
with it” — Another cried “Let us take our axes & chisels & split
the Boxes & throw their contents into the
Page 22
Harbour & then we shall have Tea enough without paying any duty”
—
These expedients tho’ the People seemed to be pleased with them, yet
were not moved in form neither did any of the Public Speakers take notice
of them except Dr Young might hint at such an expedient as the last, &
I think he did pretty plainly hint at it in one of his speeches, but his
expressions I am not able to recollect —
On Monday Novr 29 when Mt Hancock mentioned the Governor’s Requisition
to the Magistrates to preserve order in the Town, or on Tuesday, Novr 30
when the Proclamation for them to disperse was read, & I think it was
on the latter day — Mr Adams observed to the People that “as good luck
would have it (and the Governor was not ignorant of it) there was no Riot
act in force in the Town He said that Mr Hutchinson when a member of the
House __________ (& which he said he was of I am not certain) in order
to bring our Laws as near those of the English as possible he had introduced
Page 23
a Riot Act like the Riot Act of Geo: I. into the General Court &
by his weight and influence had got it passed, by which any Justice of
Peace on view of what he might please to call a Riotous Assembly might
read a proclamation requiring then to disperse and if they would not might
compel them so to do by an armed force, — but he said that that Act had
expired & the Governor & Justices knew it & he trusted that
while the People understood so well their Rights and Priviledges it would
not easily be received — that he knew of no Law forbidding a number of
men to meet together & consult for their own safety, but on the contrary
instead of being unlawful it was consonant to the first Principles of the
Law of Nature, viz self preservation.” —
Mr Adams at another time observed “that the Tea must not be landed
for if so the Duty must be paid, & there would be found enough who
for the sake of a paltry Gain would ruin their country — that he could
not trust the private
Page 24
virtues of his Countrymen in refraining from the use of it, but he
had rather trust their public virtue — that if that weed which was Political
poison was suffered to be sold it would be bought up underhandedly and
made use of—”
Mr Adams, Mr Hancock, Dr Warren, Dr Young, Mr Quincy, Mr Phillips (Representative
of Boston) Mr Cooper, Mr Molineux, Mr Scollay, Mr J. Pitts, Dr Church,
Mr Greenleaf (late Justice of Peace), Mr Cushing (late speaker of the House)
attended constantly at (I think all) the Meetings except Mr Molineux who
was not present at the last Meeting & the eight first mentioned were
the Chief Speakers at the Meetings —
It is not pretended that in the above narrative the speeches are verbatim
as delivered, however they are the most material expressions that I can
recollect & are the very spirit of them — Most of the expressions are
verbatim and I am not conscious of any the least Perversion in relating
them.
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This page posted by Robert Sewell in June 2006