Farwell, Henry (b. ABT 1605, d. 1 AUG 1670)

Note: Residences: England; Concord, MA; Chelmsford, MA.

Came to New England in 1636 with wife and two children. Settled first in Concord where he lived until 1655 when he moved to Chelmsford. On 10 Nov 1660 he was chosen a Deacon of the church at Chelmsford. In 1659 the town records show £3-5-0 for "paiment for a drum to Henry Farwell." This drum was used to call the worshippers to church - prior to using bells. He had land grants in both Concord and Chelmsford. He lived on the Billerica road near the village. A list of 22 persons as the proprietors of "New-Field" lists as No. 6 Henry Farwell with six acres. [source: The Farwell Family, by Jane H. Abbott and Lillian M. Wilson. 1929.]

Note to self: scan will and estate inventory into PDF.

Made freeman in 1638.

Source: (Name)
Title: The Farwell Family
Author: Abbot, J. H. & Wilson, L. M.
Publication: Frederick & Fanny Farwell. 1929.
Media: Book

Page: 25-27

Source: (Birth)
Title: The Farwell Family
Author: Abbot, J. H. & Wilson, L. M.
Publication: Frederick & Fanny Farwell. 1929.
Media: Book

Page: 25

Source: (Death)
Title: Vital Records of Middlesex Co., MA to the end of the year 1849.
Publication: Search & Research Publishing. Wheat Ridge, CO. 1999
Media: Electronic

Data:
Text: Chelmsford Deaths, p. 388

Source: (Individual)
Title: The Farwell Family
Author: Abbot, J. H. & Wilson, L. M.
Publication: Frederick & Fanny Farwell. 1929.
Media: Book

Occupation: Place: Tailor

Source: (Death)
Title: Vital Records of Middlesex Co., MA to the end of the year 1849.
Publication: Search & Research Publishing. Wheat Ridge, CO. 1999
Media: Electronic

Data:
Text: Chelmsford Deaths, p. 388

Source: (Birth)
Title: Vital Records of Middlesex Co., MA to the end of the year 1849.
Publication: Search & Research Publishing. Wheat Ridge, CO. 1999
Media: Electronic

Data:
Text: Chelmsford Vital Records, p.34

Source: (Death)
Title: Vital Records of Middlesex Co., MA to the end of the year 1849.
Publication: Search & Research Publishing. Wheat Ridge, CO. 1999
Media: Electronic

Data:
Text: Chelmsford Vital Records, p.372

Note: Daughter of Benjamin, deceased, and Sarah

Source: (Birth)
Title: Vital Records of Middlesex Co., MA to the end of the year 1849.
Publication: Search & Research Publishing. Wheat Ridge, CO. 1999
Media: Electronic

Data:
Text: Chelmsford Vital Records, p.34

Note: John and Abigail Benjamin sailed from England on June 22, 1632 and at that time John took the oath of allegiance to the King and government of England before he embarked. After being at sea for 12 weeks, they arrived at Boston Harbor on Sunday Evening, September 16, 1632. They Brought with them their four oldest children. This was the last voyage of the Lion. On the following November, while returning to England, it was wrecked on a shoal a few miles from the mouth of the Chesapeake River.

They first settled in Cambridge later moving to Watertown which is adjacent to Cambridge. Here, it is reported he was a man of wealth having a large house (even a mansion) at the location that the Perkins Institute for the Blind is now (or formerly) located. He is believed to have been a close friend of Governor Winthrop as the Governor referred to him as "Mr. Benjamin", a title of respect. It is thought that John Benjamins friendship for John Winthrop played a great part in his decision to leave England and come to America. Also, two of Abigail's brothers had already come and settled in New England, and that may also have played a part in their decision. Lillian Benjamin Chauvin notes that his will is witnessed by Gov. Winthrop.

John was made a freeman on November 6, 1632, and was appointed Constable by the General Court on May 20, 1633.

John's will is recorded in the Genealogical Register III, page 176-7. (Probably in the Boston Public Library). This information was passed down to Evelyn Benjamin Putnam by her Grandfather, William H. Benjamin, Sr.

John's brother, Richard, came over with him on the ship Lion and apparently lived around Boston until about 1663 when he moved to Long Island.

The names of John and Richard Benjamin appear in the "Original Names of Quality" in Emigrants from Great Britain to American Plantations, 1600-1700 by John Hotten.

The relationship between John and Richard Benjamin has not been established. Some Genealogists call them father and son (though John Benjamin names son John and seven other children in his will that number could exclude Richard as being a son) while others have called them brothers (though there is about a generation between their ages). Chalvington Parish Records tend to substanciate the brother theory if the John Benjamin named as father is the same person. Also, on two of the ship's passenger lists Richard Benjamin has been named as a seperate individual-almost as a head of a family- even though he must have been very close to the same age as John's eldest son, while the known children of John that must have been with him were not named. Obviously, there must have been a close relationship for them to have made this dangerous voyage together, to have come from the same parish in England, and to have lived in the same areas here in America for many years. Even though their relationship is not established, your compiler feels safe in including the Richard line within the scope of this Benjamin Genealogy.

John Benjamin settled in Newtowne (not Cambridge), Massachussetts. On November 6, 1632 he became a Freeman. A Freeman had the right of sufferage, enjoyed advantages in the division of land and, before the representative system started Freemen were members of the General Court. The principal qualifications of this priviledge seem to have been Church membership. John Benjamin was one of the original proprieters of the Freeman of Boston. It is worthy to note that he became a Freeman
within two months of his arrival, an unusual honor, and perhaps a record of the high regard the community placed on him.

John was a member of the Church of Christ in Cambridge, and later of the First Church of Watertown. The church in Watertown was the second oldest church in the Colony of Massachusetts and adopted "strict independency" of Congregationalism. John Knowles was the pastor at this time.

John was also one of the prorieters of Cambridge. On six acres of land in Newtowne he built what Governor Winthrop described as a "Mansion...unsurpassed in elegance and comfort by all in the vicinity. It was also a mansion of religion and hospitality; visited by the clergy of all denominations and by the literate at home and abroad". It would certainly seem that John Benjamin was both wealthy and well educated.

John was man of consequence. He was addressed as 'Mister', a title of respect afforded to few at that time. He was appointed Constable by the General Court on May 20 1633. The Constable in England and in the Colonies was the Chief ExecutiveOfficer of the parish or town, hence an office of honor and importance.

On April 7, 1636 the Benjamin Home in Newtowne was damaged badly by fire and records show a one hundred pounds loss. Tradition says he had a large, fine library, but details of the inventory of his will don't support this claim. Undoubtedly many of his books were lost in the fire.

In 1637 John moved his family to Watertown, Massachusetts. Watertown records of 1642 say that John Benjamin owned the largest homestall in the town at that time. The records do not show that he assumed an active part in the civil affairs of Watertown. Apparently he led a very quiet life there. His homestead in Watertown was 60 acres and was situated east of Dorchester Field and bounded on the south by the Charles River, on the west by John Loveran and Ephriam Child, and on the north and east by Thomas Rogers. He had 18 acres of upland in the second division and 24 acres of plowland."

"There are several traditions about the origin of the Benjamin Family. In "A Genealogy of the Family of Lieut. Samuel Benajmin" by Mary Louise Benjamin, 1900, states one tradition that gives descent from a German Count of Jewish lineage. Of course, he lost his "Jewishness" in movement through Europe to England. Another branch claims a Norman-French descent through the Barons de Lacey. Still others claim no nobility, but state rather flatly that they are of Welsh extraction.
None are proved!

The most widely accepted account of descent seems to be the one concerning the de Lacey family, which follows:

The pedigree of the ancient house of Benjamin, originally Berington, runs back to Walter de Lacey (1074), great Baron under William the Conquerer at the time of the Norman invasion of England.

The line seems to be the above Walter de Lacey; Roget de Lacey born 1095 under William Rufas; Ilbert de Lacey born 1137; John de Lacey born 1222 under Henry the III's reign. In the time of Henry III the confederacy of Barons was dissolved and from them emerged a caste known as a"landed gentry" which became the leaders in politics and society.

The Laceys appear under the name Beryton of Stoke-Lacey, later as Berington of Stoke-Lacey and Windesley Mote Hall of Sallop, Hereford, England.

In Edward III's reign, Beryton of Stoke-Lacey married the daughter and heiress of Roland de Windesey and had from her the ancient seat of Windesley, which has continued in the family ever since. In later years the family name was changed to Berington. The ancient seat of Windesley, which came into possession of the Beringtons by the above marriage lies in the Parish of Hope-Under-Dinmore.

John Berington II, Esq., of Stoke-Lacey (the second John from John de Lacey of 1222), was heir of Rowland de Wyndesey of Windesley. John Berington II is supposed to have been the ancestor of the American Benjamin family.

Tradition says that in 1494, owing probably to some religious dispute, a younger branch of the family moved to Lower Hereford and changed their surname to Benjamin.

The Coat of Arms is one used conjointly by the Berrington and Benjamins, and is supposed to have been granted at the knighting of a Berington on July 21, 1403 on the field of Shrewsbury, which is just north of Hereford.

The Benjamin Coat of Arms (Burkes General Armory) has a crest which is a Duke's hat of crimson velvet, faces with ermine on the rim, and with a flame of fire on the top. The flame is an emblem of ardent courage and perserverance. The motto below it is: "Poussez en Avent" which means "press on". The ermine hat is associated with the robes of royal or noble personages, an emblem of dignity and position near royalty. The capeau or hat is the "Cap of Estate" and was anciently worn by all peers in Parliament.

The Coat of Arms also has a golden shield on a Saltire (or cross) quatering, pierced with a sable (black). Five amulets or rings counter changed (i.e. gold on black and black on gold). Andrew's cross is a symbol of resolution and reward of such heros as have scaled walls of towns, etc. The finger ring or amulet is the emblem of fidelety. The square figure on the center of the saltire represents honesty and betokens noble birth. Amulets designate the fifth son and his descendents used as marks of cadency about the time of Henry VII.

Source: (Death)
Title: Watertown Vital Records
Media: Civil Registry

Occupation: Place: Constable of the General

Note: Was in Charlestown with his wife and familty of three children in 1638. Was
in Woburn in 1640 and was made freeman there in 1643. his name heads the
petition for the colony that became Chelmsford and he was there in 1654.

Source: (Death)
Title: Vital Records of Middlesex Co., MA to the end of the year 1849.
Publication: Search & Research Publishing. Wheat Ridge, CO. 1999
Media: Electronic

Page: 372
Data:
Text: Chelmsford Deaths

Note: Resided in Concord, moved to Chelmsford, Massachusetts in 1652.

Source: (Death)
Title: Vital Records of Middlesex Co., MA to the end of the year 1849.
Publication: Search & Research Publishing. Wheat Ridge, CO. 1999
Media: Electronic

Data:
Text: Chelmsford Deaths, p. 452

Note: a widow.

Source: (Death)
Title: Vital Records of Middlesex Co., MA to the end of the year 1849.
Publication: Search & Research Publishing. Wheat Ridge, CO. 1999
Media: Electronic

Data:
Text: Chelmsford Deaths. p. 452

Note: She died at the home of her daughter, Abigail Stubbs.

Note: Setteld in Barnstable. "October 30, 1686 Joseph Benjamin of Barnstable, sold land in Camb. bounded on land of Abel Benjamin, sometime of Watertown, deceased."

Note: Could this name be Joshua?

Note: They united with the Andover church 3 June 1716. Henry Holt was a prominent
man in town and his name is frequently found on committees. In 1686 he
received permission to erect a mill on Ladle Brook. His father deeded him a
portion of his estate, 1681.

Occupation: Place: Mill owner

Note: William Ballard was a considerable landowner in Andover, Massachusetts. He
left an estate of 206 pounds, 18 shillings, 6 pence.

Came to America on the ship "Mary & John"

Husbandman - 1670

Note: Nicholas was one of the first settlers of Newbury and Andover, Massachusetts.
He came in the "James" of London in 1635. Nicholas Holt of Romsey, tanner.
Freeman 17 May 1637
Moved to Andover, 1644.
One of the original members of the Andover church.

Source: (Birth Field)
http://members.aol.com/sarandall/genealogy/d0001/g0000074.htm#I0161

Occupation: Place: Tanner

Note: Widow of Daniel Rolfe.

Note: widow.

Note: widow.

Note: Widow of Henry Dow of Hampton, N.H.

Note: widow.

Note: Thomas Scott made his will 8 Mar 1653/54 and died shortly afterwards.

THOMAS SCOTT

With his wife Elizabeth, their three children, his mother and sister Ursula Kimball's family, they left for New England in 1634 in the ship "Elizabeth," which sailed from Ipswich on 30 Apr 1634 and arrived in Boston in July. They settled in Ipswich,
Mass, where he was granted a house lot in 1635.

Thomas Scott took the freeman's oath 4 Mar 1634/35. He was selectman of Ipswich 1636/37, constable in 1651, served on grand juries in 1647, 49, and 53. The town of Ipswich sued him for debt in 1646. He was one of Major Denison's subscri ers in 1648.

Governor Winthrop tells of one Scott and Eliot of Ipswich who "were lost in their way home and wandered up and down six days and ate nothing. At length they were found by an Indian, being almost senseless from want of rest."

Occupation: Place: Glover