William Palmer of Plymouth

Elizabeth Palmer, of Pilgrim origin, was also an ancestor of my son-in-law and grandson. She was the granddaughter of  William Palmer, a Nailer, from Sedbury, England,who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1622, on the ship "The Fortune", which carried 35 passengers.


Elizabeth Palmer would have grown up as a Pilgrim in Plymouth Colony.


William Palmer the first is mention several times in the early records of the Colony.  In my early post, I mentioned that William Senior received two acres of land for arriving with young son, William Jr. and later, his wife, who arrived on the Ann, two years later, received one acre on Eel River. These allotments seem minuscule compared to the amounts of land granted to my Virginian ancestors who would migrate to North Carolina.

Glimpse into The Fortune

The Fortune was the second ship to arrive, after the Mayflower.  The following link contains a listing of the ships passengers.

Blog on The Fortune

The following photograph of the restored village, shows much what Plymouth would have looked like as the Williams resided there.







William Palmer is found in the Plymouth records a few times. In 1627, there was held a "Division of Cattle on May 22. William "the elder", his wife Frances and son William "the younger", are all mentioned in this document, in the seventh lot, along with Stephen Hopkins.

" “To this lott fell A Black weining Calfe to wch was aded the Calfe of this yeare to come of the Black Cow, wch pueing a bull they were to keepe it ungelt 5 yeares for common vse & after to make there best of it.  Nothing belongeth of thes too, for ye companye of ye first stock: but only half ye Increase. To this lott ther fell two shee goats: which goats they posses on the like terms which others doetheir cattell.”"

Also in 1627, he received a grant of 6 acres near  Reed Pond, an extention of Cold Spring Brook. Researchers have placed this location one half mile north of Plymouth Rock.






He sold this property in Oct of 1632 to John Holmes for 35 sterlings and was described as a house and 6 acres "adjoining to ye Reede Pond".

Prior to that in 1628, William Palmer signed a covenant with William Bassett and Samuel Fuller as Members of the Plymouth Colony of New England, and William Bradford, Capt. Miles Standish and Isaac Allerton and such others as they shall take as partners and undertakers with them on the other party.



In the first tax listing of Plymouth Colony, William Palmer was taxed 7 shilliings. His worth must have grown between 1632 and 1634, because in that year he was taxed 18 shillings and his son 9. At any rate, he was wealthy enough to have servants, at least four of them. In addition to the prior mentioned William Carvanyell, there were two other men and one female maid, at least.

In the following book:

Plymouth Colony, Its History & People, 1620-1691

 By Eugene Aubrey Stratton




It states that on July 23, 1633, William Mendlove was whipped for attempting "uncleaness" with Palmers maid and from running away from his master. Mendlove was also a servant of Palmer and was returned for a reward by Penwatechet, and Indian. This report is again found in this manner:

"being forcibly brought againe by Penwatechet, a Manomet Indian.” Suggesting that Mendlove had escaped previously. 

On August 15th of that same year, Robert Barker transferred his apprenticeship from John Thorpe, who had died, to William Palmer.

Will Palmer is listed as a debtor to Peter Brown deceased in the inventory of his propety taken in 1633 by Miles Standish and Will Brewster.

He is also listed as owing for a servant to John Thorp Carpenter in November of the same year in Carpenters estate records.

1633 was a busy year for Will Palmer. He finally got rid of the troublesome servant, William Mendlove.

• 23 July 1633: “Will Palmer sold the time of service he had in Will Mendloue to Richard Church, for & in consideracon of three pounds starling, to be paid in money or corne, in November next ensuing.”

 

William Palmer, among others, would moved to Duxbury. Some of the others were Miles Standish, Jonathan Brewster, Love Brewster, William Bassett, Steven Tracy and William Sprague.

After the move to Duxbury, William Palmer, the elder, was appointed along with Miles Standish, William Collier, Jonathan Brewster, and Steven Tracy, to lay out a highway to Duxbury in October of  1634. The highway may have failed to appear on time, as he was again called to court, on May 2, 1837 to be one of 12 jurors to set forth the highways around Plymouth, "Ducksborrow" and the "Eele River". In July, of 1837, they delivered their decision, that the highway from Plymouth to Duxbury would begin at the Jones River and pass through the property of Steven Tracy and Francis Sprague. From there, it would "cutt" between Spragues and William Bassett's orchard, to John Washburn's property to Will Palmer's gate. From there through Peter Brown's to Henry Howland's house, through a marsh to John Alden's, and then through a valley to the edge of Phillip DeNoy's farm and then onward to Edward Bumpass's then pass Roland Leyhornes' house and ending at Green's harbor.



These were not unheard of names. In 1634, William Palmer had sold a portion of his land on Eagles Next Creek to Edward Bumpass. A year later, John Washborne bought the lot, which is called "the lot that he had by William Palmer".  The remainder of the lot was sold in September, 1838, when Williams estate was being settled.

In May of 1837, William Palmer was a juror.

William signed his will on November 7, 1837. A week later, an inventory was taken of his estate.


 He maintained a close association with Stephen Hopkins. In 1837, the two friends would be arrested for drinking and partying, but William Palmer, who was fairly aged by this time, 54, which was considered far older in those days than it would be now, would not survive until trial.

Stratton's book reports, "Stephen Hopkins was presented by the Grand Jury for excessive drinking in his house by several men, including Old Palmer.....Widow Palmer and 'Palmer's man', were among the testifying witnesses." It occurred during the cold of January and William Palmer may have died of alcohol poisoning, or an accident arising from the event.






The following is William Palmer's Will.

William Palmer

PLYMOUTH COLONY WILLS AND INVENTORIES

On 2/12 Janry 1637/8, Francis Cooke was a member of the jury which tried the case of John and Elizabeth (Hodgkins) (Palmer) Willis against the executors of the estate of William Palmer, Sr. John Willis was quite visible in the early records. Not a great deal is known about William but he is with some frequency mentioned in early records.

[Vol. 1, fol. 28] A true Coppy of the last Will & testament Willm Palmer th elder proved before the Govnr and Assistants at a Court held the fourth of December in the thirteenth yeare of the Raigne of our Sovraigne Lord Charles by the grace of God of England Scotland ffrance and Ireland King Defender of the fayth &c 1637


I William Palmer of Ducksborrow Nayler being ill in body but of pfect memorie not knowing how nere I am to my death think good briefely to settle my estate, yet hope if God spare life to set downe thinges more perticulerly hereafter. In the meane tyme for the disposeing of my outward estate this is my will & Testament ffirst of all I ordaine my loveing frends mr Willm Bradford mr Edward Winslowe and mr Thomas Prince my Executrs.

Next of all whereas I have marryed a yeong weoman who is deare unto me I desire them to deale well wth her: but my desire is that my estate consisting of lands houseing goods chattells &c may be sould and turned into money, all but such of my mooveables as my Executrs aforesaid shall thinke meete to give her for her present comfort:

next my estate being wholly sould as afore my desire is that my wife may not have lesse then one third thereof. And if in case shee be wth child Then that one other third of my estate be prserved and improved by my Executrs for that child as myne heire.

And that if in case shee be not wth child Then I would have myne Executrs as in conscience they are pswaded out of the remaynder ofmy estate deale wth Rebecca my Grandchild and Moyses Rowly whom I love, but not so as to put it into their father or mothers hands but prserve it for them till they come to yeares of Discretion.

Next my Debts being payd I would have myne Executers to give somewhat to Stephen Tracy and somewhat towards the meeting house at Plymouth, also I would have yeong Rowly to be placed wth mr Partridge that hee might be brought up in the feare of God, and to that end if his father suffer it I give mr Partridg five pounds.

And if in case my sonne Henry or daughter Bridgitt be liveing if they Demaund it I give them fourty shillings a peece if they be liveing

That this is my Deede witnes my hand & Seale the seaventh of Novembr 1637
Witnesses hereunto The marke of
Thomas Burnes Wm Palmer
William Basset
It was the will of the Testator that his wyfe should bee ruled by her auncient mr Edward Winslow in her marriage if she looke to ptake in any pt of this estate otherwise not Also that John Willis have fourty shillings
Witnes
Thomas Burnes
William Basset
Thom Burnes sworne to this will the 4th Decembr 1637 at a Court of Assistants.
Wm Basset deposed to this will the 5th march 1637
Vid. Crt orders

p. 144
An exact Inventory of all the mooveablegoods of Willm Palmr thelder taken the XIIIth of Novembr 1637 by Jonathan Brewster Edmond Chaundler Willia Basset & John Willis 

The children of William Palmer have been determined as follows:

William Palmer and Margaret White Palmer, all born in England:
1) Henry, mentioned in his father's will. Stayed in England.
2) Bridget, mentioned in her father's will. Stayed in England. 
3) Sarah, not mentioned in her father's will, but her son Moses was. 
    Sarah marriend Henry Rowley. She probably died late in 1636. On March 7, 1653, Moses Rowley, grandson of William Palmer, recieved a cow that had been left to him in William's will. Thomas Prence, who was one of the overseers of William Palmer's will was involved in the transaction. 

It is thought that Sarah was the daughter of first wife Margaret because she did not come to Plymouth with William or with Francis.

William Palmer and Francis Blossom Palmer: 

4) William Palmer "the Younger". Came to America with his father on The Fortune. 

William Palmer and Mary Trine Palmer:

5) William Palmer, born June 27, 1634. It was not uncommon for children at this time to bear the same name as an older sibling, especially if they were half-siblings or the older sibling was deceased. 

The grandchild Rebecca, that is mentioned in the will is said to be daughter of  the elder William the Younger. 

Henry Head and the Palmer Connection

I've found conflicting information on whether or not Sir Richard Head, First Baronet, of Trottingscliff Head, in Kent, England, ever visited America or not. Some have him in Massachusetts, and his son Henry being born there, others have him never leaving England and Henry being born in England and passing away in Little Compton, Rhode Island. I tend to go with the second theory, especially with Henry's older brother Francis taking over the Barony. Like many younger sons for whom an older brother became a member of the landed gentry and whom there was a limited supply of property in Olde England at the time, their choices were to choose a professional career in a village, or seek their fame and fortune elsewhere. And I believe that is what Henry did.

Tombstone of  Henry Head the First

Henry Head the Elder came to America as a second son of a Baron to make his way, and become a land owner in the New World. He first settled among the Pilgrims of Massachusetts Bay Colony, but later struck out across the Bay to Rhode Island, along with a few other families, who were not exactly what we would call "down with the Pilgrims". 

The Head Lot, or otherwise known as "Rhode Island Historic Cemetery, Little Compton "19" is located on Maple Avenue in Little Compton, Rhode Island. This is the final resting place of Henry Head the First. 

Henry raised his 6 children, Jonathan, Henry, Elizabeth, Mary, Innocent and Benjamin, all in Little Compton. 

In this book, "Little Compton Families", the Will of Elizabeth Ketchum Head is quoted, and suggests that the Head family land was surrounded by that of the Wilbor family, which one daughter married into, and which was considered one of the premier families of Little Compton. 

Elizabeth mentions her second son Henry as such, "To Two beloved sons Jonathan and Henry, one certain tract of land, 43 acres bounded, south and west on land of Joseph Wilbur, north on William Wilbor, east on the Highway, land that was given me by my honored husband, Henry Head, of Little Compton, deceased. " And at the end of the will, "To son Henry, all rest and residue". 

So, Henry Head the second, born and raised in Little Compton, Rhode Island, was set up in life by his parents, Henry and Elizabeth, Henry being the immigrant. 

The first marriage conducted by Richard Billings, in Little Compton, was that of Henry's older brother Jonathan and Susanna Wilcox, in 1704. The only recorded child of Jonathan and Susanna was a son, Joseph, who was born the year after their marriage in 1705. There may have been others who died as infants. 

Younger brother, Benjamin, the baby of the family, was born in 1687, he was also married by Richard Billings to Deborah Briggs, in 1714. Benjamin must have become ill or injured, because he made his will in August of 1717 and his will was proven in September of 1717. Benjamin was only 30 years old. I believe there must have been a plague, virus, or disaster of some kind, as several other Head family members, and other Little Compton residents, passed away in 1717.

Benjamin and Deborah only had one son, William, born in 1715, the same as his cousin Joseph. The widow Deborah Briggs Head, would remarry to Ezekial Carr, and she would live to be 80 years old, being born in September of 1693 and passing away in November of 1773.

The three daughters of Henry the 1st were Elizabeth, Mary and Innocent. 

Elizabeth married Benjamin Wilbor in 1710, of the neighboring Wilbor family. 

Mary married William Cuthbert in 1707.

Innocent, the youngest daughter, married Nathaniel Church in 1717.

So Henry Head II became the progenitor of most of Henry's descendants with the surname "Head". 

Henry married at age 29 to Elizabeth Palmer, daughter of William Palmer and Mary Richmond Palmer on June 29, 1709, also by Richard Billings. 

Now, I feel this to be the time and place to insert this odd little piece of trivia concerning the  Richard Billings, who seems to have had a strong connection to the Heads, as having performed the marriage ceremonies of all of the Head children. Or, it could have been that he was the only guy around and available. But I doubt it. . 

While researching the family of Elizabeth Palmer Head, ancestress of my beautiful little grandson, I discovered a wonderful blog, and an interesting tale concerning Richard Billings. Apparently, he ate cats, or, as it is recorderd, "He firmly believed in cats as an article of diet." The story can be found in this post:

Richard Billings and the Palmer Family: He Firmly Believed in Cats as an Article of Diet.

In this Quarterly, a mention of Richard Billings and Little Compton is given as follows. 

The American Quarterly Register, Volumes 11-12

"This town was settled soon after the conclusion of King Phillip's War (King Phillip was a Wampanoag Indian Chief) in 1676, by emigrants from the Island, from which the state takes it's name, and from Plymouth Colony. It's Indian name was Seaconnett. It was originally owned by 32 proprietors, who early manifested their love to the Gospel by setting apart one thirty-third part of the township for its maintenance. It was originally owned by Massachusetts, but was set off to Rhode Island in 1746.

The Congregational Church in this town was gathered Nov. 30, 1704 and Rev. Richard Billings ordained its first pastor. Mr. Billings was a native of England, and a graduate of Harvard College. His ministry in this place continued 43 years, 11 months and 20 days. The number of persons recieved unto this church during this period was 197..... 598 children baptized... He died Nov. 20, 1748, aged 74."

Little Compton, Rhode Island.

The Palmer Family, from whom Elizabeth Palmer Head descends traces to William Palmer Sr. and son, William Palmer, Jr. who sailed from England to Plymouth Colony on The Fortune in 1621. His wife, Frances Blossom Palmer, daughter of Thomas Blossom,  arrived two years later on The Anne. Two of his children remained in England. William Sr. is counted as freeman in Plymouth in 1633, but later moved to Duxbury. He is said to have been a nailer by trade and an inventory of his estate included many tools, including an anvil and bellows. 

William Palmer, Sr. was born Feb. 7, 1583 in Stepney, London, England and  died in Duxbury in November of 1637.  He is said to have been married 3 times. First to Margaret White, Second to Frances Blossom and lastly to Mary Trine. Frances died before 1634. Mary, his third wife, survived him and remarried to Richard Paddock in 1644 and to Thomas Roberts in 1651.

I am particularly interested in the Palmer family, as I am a Palmer descendant, and have not traced my Palmers out of this county, YET. But I will. I wonder if this is also my Palmer line, as it goes back so far. 

William Palmer, “the elder,” departed London, England, with his son William Palmer, “the younger,” in early July 1621 aboard the ship FORTUNE of 55 tons, Thomas Barton Master. There were 35 passengers aboard.  Following a stormy passage, they arrived Plymouth 11 November. William’s wife Frances arrived Plymouth July/Aug. 1623 aboard the ANNE, William Peirce master.

-from George F. Willison, "Saints and Strangers". 

Other interesting facts about William Palmer Sr., the 'Naylor' of Stepney are as follows. 

• He had a servant named William Carvanyell who made the voyage with him.
• He was one of 27 men in Plymouth who signed an agreement to allow privileges to 8 Undertakers who assumed the debt that Plymouth owed to the "Advernturers". The Adventures are said to have been basically stockholders, businessmen who invested in the Colony. The privileges include a monopoly on the fur trade. 
• In 1623, as member of the Fortune group of settlers, William Palmer and William Battiste, recieved 2 acres, located 'beyond the first brook to the wood westward".  A translation has this same passage as "From First Brook to Woolen Mill Brook on the Westerly side of Court Street".  His receiving 2 acres was for the arrival of two persons in his family on The Fortune, that of himself and son William. His wife Frances would also be allotted an acre in the same division, "frances wife to Wit Palmer" as a member of the group to arrive upon the Anne, recieved one acre, said to be on the other side of town on the Eel River adjoining the parcel of a lady named Marie Buckett. 


From Wikipedia:

1. The 1621 voyage of the Fortune was the second English ship sent out to Plymouth Colony by the Merchant Adventurers investment group, which had also financed the 1620 voyage of the Pilgrim ship Mayflower. The Fortune was 1/3 the size of the Mayflower, displacing 55 tons.



The Fortune

It is pretty clear from the evidence that William Palmer was a straightup Pilgrim. His granddaughter Elizabeth would marry Henry Head II. The following link is concerning the arrival of the ship, The Fortune, which was not necessarily fortunate. 

http://www.massmoments.org/moment.cfm?mid=357

Next post: William Palmer II and his daughter Elizabeth. 

The Heads of the Head Family: Sir Richard and son Henry Head the First

This beautiful little boy is my first grandchild. But what does he have to do with Sir Richard Head and what does Sir Richard Head have to do with Job Davis?

To answer the first question, this little boy is a descendant of Sir Richard. To answer the second, not really anything, except that this little boys daddy, a descendant of Sir Richard, married my daughter, a descendant of Sir Richard.

When asked to find out where my son-in-laws maternal grandfather came from, as his mothers surname was "Head", I believe they thought the migration from "somewhere" else was much more recent, and from an area entirely different, than it actually was.

The real mystery is where the imagined heritage really came from.

Sir Richard Head Memorial

And the migrant was, Sir Richard, 1st Baronett Rector of Trottiscliff Head.

Wikipedia has this to say about Sir Richard:

Sir Richard Head, 1st Baronet (ca. 1609-18 September 1689) was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1667 to 1679.

Head was the son of Richard Head, of Rochester, and his wife Anne Hartridge, daughter of William Hartridge, of Cranbrook.^[1]

In 1667 Head was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Rochester in the Cavalier Parliament and held the seat until 1679.^[2] He was created a baronet, of The Hermitage in the County of Kent on 19 June 1676. In 1689 Head entertained King James II and his small court as the King was about to leave the country.The king was so pleased and surprised by this hospitality that he presented Head with an emerald ring.^[1]

Head died in 1689 and by his will left several houses and lands in Higham to the mayor and citizens of Rochester for charitable purposes.^[1]

Head married firstly Elizabeth Merrick, daughter of Francis Merrick, alderman of Rochester and had three sons (including Francis Head, who died while his father was alive and Sir John Head(2nd son))^[3] and a daughter. He married secondly, Elizabeth Willy, of Wrotham, Kent and had two sons, and three daughters.^[1]

Richard was succeeded by his son Francis,

The following is the list of the Baronetcies of the Head family.

Head baronets, of The Hermitage (1676)[edit]

• Sir Richard Head, 1st Baronet (c. 1609–1689)
• Sir Francis Head, 2nd Baronet (c. 1670–1716)
• Sir Richard Head, 3rd Baronet (c. 1692–1721)
• Sir Francis Head, 4th Baronet (c. 1693–1768)
• Sir John Head, 5th Baronet (c. 1702–1769)
• Sir Edmund Head, 6th Baronet (1733–1796)
• Sir John Head, 7th Baronet (1773–1838)
• Sir Edmund Walker Head, 8th Baronet (1805–1868)

A Second Barontage of the Head family was begun in 1838 as the Baronetcy of the United Kingdom. This one is still in existence and began with Sir Francis Bond Head (1793-1875). 

Sir Francis Bond Head

The Current Baron is Sir Richard Douglas Somerville Head, who was born in 1951.

So how does this barony relate to my beautiful blue-eyed boy?

Sir Richard had a son by wife Elizabeth Merrick named Henry.

Head Coat of Arms

Henry Head the First was born September 23, 1847. As his older brother Francis, was heir to the barony, Henry sought his fate and legacy in America. Many younger sons of the British Gentry sought property and prosperity in the New World as the lands of England were taken. There was land and property to be had in the New World. A Gentleman could make his mark there.

After arriving to the new land, probably to the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Henry Head found a wife.

He married in 1670, to Elizabeth Lovett. She was the mother of Benjamin Head, at least. In 1677 Henry married Elizabeth Ketchum in Little Compton, Rhode Island (1654-1878).

Henry had 6 children: Jonathan, Henry II, Elizabeth, Mary, Innocent and Benjamin. They settled and made their estate in Compshire, Rhode Island.

Elizabeth left a will. The following is excerpts.

 Will Dated 9 Jun 1739  

Will-proved 11 Jul 1748. 

Widow Elizabeth.

 Executor was son Henry. 

In the will she refers to  herself  as very aged. 

   To sons Jonathan and Henry 43 acres.  

   To son Jonathan 5 shillings. 

   To grandson William Head, son of Benjamin, 5 shillings. 

   To daughters Elizabeth Wilbur, Mary Cudburth, and Innocent Church, 5shillings  each. 

   To grandson Lovet Head and Amey his wife, all my household stuff, and to said granddaughter Amey, a side saddle. 

   To grandson Lovet, also confirmation of a deed already made of ten cows and a bull. 

   To grandson Benjamin Cuthbert £30.

 To son Henry, rest of real and personal.

It appears that son Benjamin predeceased his mother.

Henry the 1st died in 1716 in Little Compton, Newport, Rhode Island.

Here I want to look a little bit at New Compton, where the Head family settled for several generations. Little Compton is said to have been settled first by Englishmen men from the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts who wanted to expand their land holdings. This goes perfectly hand in hand with Henry Head marrying in Massachusetts and then living in Rhode Island.



Henry made his will in  March of 1708 and it was proved on August 20, 1716. Henry was not always agreeable with the law. He made his stand. It appears he settled amongst the Pilgrims, but was not always agreeable with them. Perhaps that is why he and others had removed to Little Compton.

View of Sakonnett River, Little Compton, Rhode Island, from City Data.

There have been several books written pertaining to the history of the Little Compton area that mention Henry Head. Among these are "Little Compton Families" by Benjamin Franklin Wilbour and"Franklin D Roosevelt's Colonial Ancestors" by Alvin Page Johnson, Boston: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co, 1933. Yes, my Grandson is related to Franklin D. Roosevelt. 

From these sources and others certain facts can be established about Henry Head the first. 

• He was born in England in 1647
• He had emigrated to America before 1683
• After marrying in Massachusetts, he settled with others in Little Compton, Rhode Island. There the Head family made their home for several generations. 
• He appears in a list of families who settled in Rhode Island before 1690 published by J.O. Austin in 1881. In this list he is presented as "Henry Head, born 1647, died 1716, married Elizabeth, who died 1748. 

Although it is recorded that most of the early citizens of Little Compton were Pilgrims or 'of Pilgrim stock' who had migrated from Duxbury or Marshfield, I am pretty sure Henry was not, he just lived among them, but was a bit of a rebel. 



From 1673 to 1689 he served as a Deputy. 
In February of 1686, he was chosen as an Agent, along with David Lake, to appear in court representing the town, which was ordered to raise a sum for the "encouragement of preaching the gospel", ordered by the court, but the town had either refused to or neglected to raise the fund. The Court ordered the town to pay a larger sum for contempt and neglect, stating that they "write rather as equals of neighbors than as delinquents or offenders. "

-On Christmas Day, in 1689, he was fined 20 shillings, along with three other gentlemen, for disorderly departure from the General Court. I don't believe the Pilgrims, who ran the court, celebrated Christmas, and Henry was obviously unhappy with the verdict of the Court. 

Little Compton Cemetery, Rhode Island

-On June 3, 1690, he was chosen as a "Selectman".

But in 1692, Henry became not just a Little Compton resident unhappy with fees and penalties, he, with his neighbors, had had a bit of fun placing bets, and then took arms up against the law enforcement sent to charge them for this prohibited action. 

Rhode Island Rebellion Against Massachusetts. 
1692 Proclamation by Governor William Phips, Massachusetts Bay by His Excellency. 

"Whereas, divers persons of ye, Town of Little Compton & parts adjacent in ye, County of Bristol within this, their Magisties province, have been inveigled & drawn into a bett & take part with Christopher Almy Senr., Dan.Wilcox, Henry Head, & W"' Briggs of y Said Town of Little Compton, in opposition to yc. majisties Government, & with force & arms to protect them against their officers having lawful warrant to take them into custody to be brought to answer for several High misdemeanours wherewith they Stand charged. �His Excel' & Council being rather desirous to reduce them by clemency than to use great severity, doe hereby declare & make known to all such persons, that if upon publication hereof they shall desist & come in to one or more of their majesties Justices within the Said County, submitting themselves to their majesties Authority and Govern'., they shall be Indemnified for what is past behaving themselves peaceably & orderly for time to come, but in default of making such submissions they may expect to be proceeded against as High Criminals. And the said Christopher Almy, Dan Wilcox, HENRY HEAD & Wm Briggs are hereby required in yr Majesties names within the space of ffourty eight hours next after publication hereof to render themselves unto some of yr Majesties Justices of the peace within the said County of Bristol, that they may he brought to answer what shall be objected against them on yr Majesties behalfe as they will answer their (refusal) at uttmost peril. Given under ye Seale of the sd Province at Boston, ye eighth day of Dec. 1692, in the fourth year of yr Majesties Reign. WILLIAM PHIPS By order in Council" 

"Little Compton Families", Wilbore

Henry Head's will is recorded in the Taunton Probate Book Number 3 on page 286 and was written on March 24, 1708, which he recorded as "the eighth year of our sovereign Lady Ann, Queen of England".  It was proved Auguse 20, 1716. In it, he leaves 20 pounds each to his daughters Elizabeth, Innocent and Mary. He left a slave named Jeffrey to his wife Elizabeth and a woman named Rose to his children. He also left a little boy named Scipio to his daughter Elizabeth. The total inventory of his estate was 609 pounds cash, Four slaves and 32 head of cattle.  The Inventory was taken on August 20, 1716. The name of the fourth servant is not mentioned.

Warren Point, Little Compton, Rhode Island

His will, recorded in Taunton Probate Book 3, Page 286, made March 24, 1708 "in the eighth year of our sovereign Lady Ann, Queen of England" and proved August 20, 1716. "

To son Jonathan, the land and house where he dwells in Coakset, and certain other lands in Little Compton. To son Henry, 60 acres, etc. To daughters Elizabeth, Innocent and Mary 20 pounds each; Negro man called Jeffrey to wife; Negro woman called Rose to my children; little Negro boy called Scipeo to daughter Elizabeth." Total inventory 609 pounds-09-08. Four negroes 40 pounds; 32 head of cattle, L30 worth of Apparel, L78 worth of silver, several bills of credit and bonds worth L186, 12shillings and 3 "d's". Feather beds, a bible and other books, a book called "Doltan's Country Justice", spinning wheels and looms, Silver spoons, 5 horses, cider, corn, hogs, sheep, lambs, pigs" . Inventory taken August 20, 1716.

It appears that Henry was fairly well-settled and had a sustaining and sustainable farm upon his death. He left a decent legacy to his widow and children. 

Wilbor House in Little Compton, built in 1692

Henry and Elizabeth had 6 children;

1) Jonathan Head 1678-1748 Little Compton, RI.  Married Susannah Wilcox.

2) Henry Head 1680-1755  Little Compton RI. Married Elizabeth Palmer. 

3) Elizabeth Hannah Head 1682-1734 Died in Portsmouth, RI. Married Benjamin Wilbor.

4) Mary Head b 1684 d abt 1729. Married William Cuthbert

5) Innocent Head b 1686 - 1717 Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Married Nathaniel Church.

6) Benjamin Head b 1687 - 1717 Little Compton, R I. Married Deborah Briggs.

Next post will be concerning Henry Head II. 

Henry's Baby Girl: The Sad Fate of Laura Davis

Laura Davis was a granddaughter of Job Davis. Unlike the successful tales of some of her cousins who migrated west, Laura's life and fate was a direct result of her fathers alcoholism and the resulting debts and loss of property it had caused.

Laura was not yet born during the 1850 census, but was probably born shortly after it was taken. In it, the last two Davis daughters, Laura and her youngest sister Margaret Victoria, do not show up. The only census these two show up in with their parents are the 1860 census, where all of the brothers are living/working with someone else and the two older sisters, Sallie and Nancy, are married, while the two middle sisters, Mollie and Mattie, and the two youngest, Laura and Victoria, are living at home still.

Name:	Laua Davis
Age in 1860:	10
Birth Year:	abt 1850
Home in 1860:	Stanly, North Carolina
Gender:	Female
Post Office:	Albemarle
Value of real estate:	View image
Household Members:	Name Age Henry Davis 54 Martha Davis 44 Mary Davis 18 Martha J Davis 16 Laua Davis 10 Victoria Davis 7

Their father, Henry, dies sometime between 1862 and 1865, when his estate is settled. The death of their mother, Martha Palmer Davis, is reported in The Southern Christian Advocate, in 1879. However, she does not show up in the 1870 census that I can find. 

Laura shows up (her name misspelled by transcriptionists) in the 1870 census, living with her oldest sister, Sarah "Sallie" Davis Crump, in Ansonville. You have to be very familiar with the family grouping to figure this census record out, as the handwriting was haphazardly interpreted. Sallie is transcribed as "Lallie" and Laura is incorrectly given the surname of her brother-in-law, "Crump", when she was a Davis. The uniqueness of the name "Woodson" is what brings it all to clarity. 

Name:	Lorah Cramp [Lorah Crump]  [Laura Davis]
Age in 1870:	18
Birth Year:	abt 1852
Birthplace:	North Carolina
Home in 1870:	Ansonville, Anson, North Carolina
Race:	White
Gender:	Female
Post Office:	Wadesboro
Value of real estate:	View image
Household Members:	Name Age Woodson Cramp 48 Lallie Cramp 32 Joseph A Cramp 18 Benjamin Cramp 18 Jermiah Cramp 17 Dodson Cramp 10 Theodor Cramp 9 Martha Cramp 6 Francis Cramp 5 Claudy Cramp 2 Lorah Cramp 18

Laura disappears during the 1880 census and 1900 census. She is probably living with a relative and her surname, again, incorrrectly given. Further tracing of all of Henry's descendants may bring her to light. 

Red Maple by Stephan Duncan

However, she clearly shows up in the 1910 census, her name and identity given (again, Laura is destroyed by a transcriber, but looking at the actual document, it is clearly Laura. ) She is living in Albemarle, Stanly County, NC,  with my Great-Great Grandmother, Julina Davis, widow of Horton H. Davis "Hawk", who passed away in 1906.

Name:	Laura Davis [Dura Davis]
Age in 1910:	60
Birth Year:	abt 1850
Birthplace:	North Carolina
Home in 1910:	Albemarle, Stanly, North Carolina
Race:	White
Gender:	Female
Relation to Head of House:	Sister-in-law (Sister)
Marital Status:	Single
Father's Birthplace:	North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace:	North Carolina
Neighbors:	View others on page
Household Members:	Name Age Julina Davis 54 Titus Davis 22 Carrie Davis 17 Tom Davis 14 Cora Davis 12 Laura Davis 60

Laura never married, and her singularity came at a time in history where when had few options outside of marriage, and hers seemed to be to live in poverty and bounce around between relatives and living off the county. All of her sisters married, as is known, although the fate of her sister Mary aka "Mollie" remains unknown. It has been reported that she married and some of it reported incorrectly. I've found no true trail of her past the 1860 census and she very well may have passed away at a young age and never married at all. But something tells me she did marry, and is just waiting and wanting to be discovered. 

The fate of Laura is clear however, and although I've not discovered where she is buried, I believe I may be on the trail. The newspapers report not through an obituary, but through a cost to the county, of her passing. 

The Enterprise
(Albemarle, North Carolina)8 Jun 1911, Thu • Page 1

Laura is listed as a Pauper and her nephew H. A. Davis, is paid $8 to bury her. She may have been buried without a marker and therefore, her grave can not be found today. 

But the paper can give a trail of her existence as well as her passing, and may give a few clues into her life. 

One of the most telling is this clip from 1905, explaining her escape from the state hospital in Morganton. People ended up in the State Hospital for multiple reasons. For some, it was a mental breakdown, for others, a debilitating disease, like TB, could send them there. However, I've also read that many women were sent there for 'female problems', like menstral problems, pain, possibly cysts, difficulty carrying children, miscarriages, etc. For Laura, it could have even been the fate of her father, a case of severe alcoholism. But clearly, she did not want to be there.

The Enterprise
(Albemarle, North Carolina)5 Oct 1905, Thu • Page 4

Just one month prior, it had been ordered that she recieve a small amount of support, or welfare.

The Enterprise
(Albemarle, North Carolina)7 Sep 1905, Thu • Page 9

In fact, from 1901 until the year of her death, it was reported that she was given support, "on the county dole", as a pauper, numerous times.


From 1901


And from 1911




Sadly, so far, there is no more to be found on Laura Davis. Perhaps, more records can reveal why she was sent to Broughton, and perhaps where she might be buried. She may have been buried in the Davis family plot with her grandparents, Job and Sarah Davis. As she was last living with her sister-in-law, Julina Aldridge Davis, perhaps she is buried in an unmarked or poorly marked grave at Rehobeth, where they were members. Several of the Davis's from Henry's line are buried at either Palestine or Prospect Church, near Cloverfork Creek, which was Henry's last area of residence.

But from all indications, Laura lived a poor, sad, hand-to-mouth existence. Did she experience any joy, or just mournfulness? Why was she placed in the state hospital? Was it because no one wanted to deal with her? Did she have mental problems, or was it the fact that she was just unmarried, unemployed and unwanted?

The fate of Great, Great, Great Aunt Laura haunts me. I yearn to know more about her.