Individual Notes
Note for: Joan Unknown, -
Index
Individual Note: I. Pos. William Cogan - m. Joan ______, possibly dau. or grandaughter of Nicholas Sellwood. William and Joan were mentioned in the will of Nicholas Sellwood, 1494, and Joan was left 40s, the same as his named children.
Possibly - 1503/04 compotus, Bishop of Bath and Wells, Somerset R.O. DD/SAS/BA 3.
[Robin Bush, Search Series Vol. 25]
Account rendered by William Cogan as reeve (prepositus
Individual Notes
Note for: Nicholas Cogan, -
Index
Individual Note: A. Nicholas Cogan -
1520/21 Compotus, Bishop Bath and Wells, Somerset R.O. DD/SAS BA 4
[Robin Bush, Search Series Vol. 25]
Overland Rents
5s Nicholas Cogan for 3 Acres land called Moremeade
3s William Cogan for 4 acres pasture.
1527/28 Compotus, Bishop Bath and Wells, Somerset R.O. DD/SAS BA 4 [Robin Bush, Search Series Vol. 25]
Chard - Overland Rents -
5s Nicholas Cogan for 3 acres called Moremeade.
4s William Cogan for 4 acres of pasture called le Breche
Children
1. Robert Cogan
1 May 1584 [Diocesan Licence Book, D/D/O1 8, p.69]
Administration of estate of Robert Cogan of Chard, intestate, granted to Elizabeth Cosens alias Cogan, wife of John Cosens of Crewkerne, daughter and heir of deceased.
Child
a. Elizabeth Cogan - M. John Cosens of Crewkerne
2. Thomas Cogan - of Chard and Crewkerne. Bur. 8 Nov. 1580, St. Martin in the Fields, London. Married Elizabeth Fisher.
Great Britain Public Record Office, London, No. LIV, List of Early Chancery Proceedings Preserved in the Public Record Office, Vol. IX., p. 326, File 1295.Date - 1551-1553. [Douglas Richardson]
Thomas Cogan of Montacute, mercer, v. Thomas Cogan of Chard, mercer. Payments on defendent's behalf to divers persons (named), the bond for which is lost. Somerset.
Calendar of the Patent Rolls, Preserved in the Public Record Office, Elizabeth Vol. 1 1558-1560. Pardon Roll, Elizabeth - Part II (Supplementary Patent Roll 67).[ Douglas Richardson ] Date - 1559
Thomas Cogan alias Cogyns alias Cogyn alias Cogen of Charde, co. Somerset, 'marchaunte' alias 'chapman' alias 'clothier,' alias in the county of Somerset, 'mercer,' alias late of Chardge, 'mercer' alias of Crokehorne, co. Somerset, 'mercer'.
Abstract of Will of Thomas Cogan dated 31 Oct. 1580, prov. 16 Nov. (PCC. 46 Arundell)
Burial in the church of the parish where he dies. To brother Robert Cogan, 4 Pounds per annum out of leases. If son Robert Cogan discharge hid debts and "live civellie and orderlie," then he is to have 100 pounds paid by executors. To daughter Margaret Sellwoode, wife of Philibarte Sellwoode and assigns 24 pounds per annum to be paid out of part of Parsonage, Rectorie, and "Sheafe of Martocke," co. Somerset, nowheld for various leases, during all such leases, and income therefrom. He releases his son-in-law Philebarte Selwoode, from all debts and duties due. To sons Thomas and Philebarte Cogan, all other leases divided equally. Deeds the of are to remain in a locked chest with two keys and lockes, eachof them to have one key. "Touching the discharge of my conscience," he bequeathes to John Davyes "who dwelt sometime at Byckinton near Frome Selwoode, or to his children if he is dead, in recompense of all causes" 8 pounds. To Henry Lopus of Chagforde, co. Devon, or his successors, 10 Pounds. Robert Wollmington of Charde is to pay all debts and charges due: 12 pounds and "the charges of suite to be clearly discharged." The debt of Henry Samwaies of Chard is reduced from 12 pounds to 5 pounds. The two Quintrells are to pay for all debts due the sum of 8 pounds. To on Busley 10/-; to one Flodde 1/-; to two Bowbyes 20/- each. To Mr. Willes of Saltashe, co. Cornwall, 10 pounds or 10 pounds 'which I supposed was accompted to. Prestewoode of Exeter 17/-; to Mr. Nicholas Martyn, for Mr. Hurste, 13/4; to Mr. Richard Irishe for cloth be recompenced for certain tynne which I bought of him, and if unpaid, which my will is it shall be so done." To Mr ____bought about 20 or 30 years past 20/-. To the poor of Charde and the parish 10 pounds to be divied. To one Smyth 'that dwelt in the latter place, in recommpence of old debt" 20/-. The residue to sons Thomas and Philebarte Cogan, and they are named joint executors. Witnesses: Ed Hext, Humfrey Selwood, Henry Reckett
Children
a. Thomas Cogan - B. c. 1554. Married Elizabeth [ pos. Daie], b.c.1561.
Robin Bush, Survey of Chard manor, 1597 (DD/PT)
Two meadows held by Thomas Cogan, aged 43, as asignee of Philobert Cogan by lease dated 12 June 1590, on the lives of Thomas' wife, Elizabeth, aged 36, and their sons William and Richard.
Survey of Chard manor, 1597 (SRO, DD/PT, S/1555, box 1)
Demise of demesne of the lord by indenture, as follows.
Thomas Cogan [43 - 'now Robert Deane'], assignee of Philobert Cogan, holds by indenture dated 12 June 32 Eliz. I. [1590] by grant of Anthony Poulet, esq., one meadow called Mylhurst, containing 4 acres, and one meadow called Middleparcke Meade, containing 4 acres, with appurtenances, late in the tenure of Richard Kinford [or possibly 'Kirford'], to hold to him and his assignees for the term of 50 years if Elizabeth Cogan [36], wife of Thomas Cogan, and William Cogan [8] and Richard Cogan [7], sons of the said Thomas, or any other of them shall live, for rent thence p.a., viz for the said close called Milhurste 6s.8d., and for the said close called Middleparke Meade 9s - [total] 15s 8d, and yerelie to be letten for 5 poundes.
7 Mar. 1607/8. Survey of Chard Manor 9 held by Dean of Wells)
Thomas Cogan, William and Richard Cogan, sons of Thomas Cogan of Chard, merchant, hold land by indenture of 10 Mar. 1595. [In margin:] Thomas dead, William aged 22, Richard aged 21 'mort' [i.e. 'died']
Sara Cogan, Margrett Cogan and Elizabeth Cogan by indenture of 9 Mar. 1607/8. [DD/CC (Dean 19840a]
Will of Thomas Cogans dated 18 Mar. 1612/13, prov. 28 Oct. 1613 (PCC 52 Capell)
Clothier of Chard.
To Uncle John Cogan of Ilminster
Wife Elizabeth
Eldest son William
Son Richard
Dau. Elizabeth Hart
Brother Philobert Cogan
Brother John Daie
Daus. Mary, Sarah, Rebecca, Margaret and Elizabeth called younger.
To Margaret Traske wife of James Traske to be used as wife and brother Philobert sees fit.
Cousin John Cogan
Will of Elizabeth Cogan
To Elizabeth Cogan, dau. of son Richard Cogan, deceased 5 pounds at age 21, but if she should die, then this is to go to Thomas Cogan, son of William Cogan, The residue to be left to his son William and daughter Mary.
Children
i. Thomas Cogan - d. bef. 1613.
ii. Elizabeth Cogan - Married ______Hart.
iii William Cogan - b.c. 1589. - M. ________
Children
- Thomas Cogan
- Mary Cogan
- William Cogan.
iv. Sarah Cogan - Married _____Wyte
v. Mary Cogan -
vi. Margaret Cogan -
vii. Richard Cogan - b. c. 1590. d. by 1622.
Child
- Elizabeth Cogan - under 21 in 1622.
viii. Rebecca Cogan -
ix. Elizabeth Cogan -
b. Philobert Cogan b. c. 1557, Chard. Married Anne Marshall of Downton, Wilts.
Survey of Tatworth Manor [in Chard], c. 1580 [Devon Record Office 123M/E 32]
Philobert Cogan holds by indenture dated 15 Nov. 1595 one parcel of land called Stoyell alias Stowell containing 7 acres in Tatworth [bounds given] for 99 years or lives of said Philibert, Robert son of Robert Cogan of Chard, and William son of Thomas Cogan of Chard.
Survey of Tatworth Manor, c. 1590's - c. 1609 [Devon Rec. Off. 123M/E33]
Philibert Cogan holds freely one tenement with appurtenances of 12 acres called Lovells Haie lying in the common fields now in the tenure of William Hawker, rent 8s.
Philibert Cogan holds by indenture [etc., as in last survey]
Survey of Chard Manor, 1597 (SRO, DD/PT,S/1555, box 1)
Tything of Crimcharde
Philobert Cogan [40 - 'Ann Cogan, widow' inserted] holds by copy dated 27 Jan. 39 Eliz. I [1596/97] by grant of Sir Anthony Poulet, knt., one ferdell of land of Old Auster with appurtenances to hold to him and his first wife and Robert Cogan son of Robert Cogan for term of their lives, according to, etc., for rent of 6s1d and 5 pecks of wheat, one heriot yerelie to be letten for 4 poundes. Fine 13 poundes 6s8d.
Survey of Chard manor, 1597 (DD/PT)
Land held by Philobert Cogan, aged 40, by copy of court roll dated 27 Jan 1596/7 on the lives of himself, his wife and Robert son of Robert Cogan.
Robin Bush, 20 June 1609
Case concerning the seating in Chard Church, one witness was Phillobert Cogan of Chard, gent., who had lived there from birth and gave his age as 50 or more. i.e. born c. 1558-9.
Survey of Tatworth Manor, c. 1612 [Devon Record Office 123M/E 35]
Philibert Cogan by free deede holds one tenement with 12 acres called Lovelles Haie in common fields, late occupied by William Hawker, rents 8s.
Will of Philobert Cogan dated 10 Feb. 1640/41, prov. 12 Apr. 1641 (PCC. 10 Evelyn)
Son Thomas Cogan
Mary Ludlow, my dau.
Elizabeth Endecott, my dau.
Martha Holway, my dau.
Ann Robinson, my dau.
Susan Cogan, my dau.
Ann my now wife executrix.
William Cogan, my cousin
My good friends Mr. John Hody gent. and my son-in-law Mr. Peter Holway, overseers.
Children
i. Mary Cogan - M. Roger Ludlow, 1624, Chard.
ii. Elizabeth Cogan - M. 1) ________Gibson. 2) Gov. John Endicott, 18 Aug. 1630, Boston, Ma.
iii. Thomas Cogan - b. c.1610
iv. Martha Cogan - b. c.1613. m. Peter Holway of Taunton, Somerset, son of Nicholas Holway and Anstice Oland. (Somerset Vis. p. 55).
v. Margaret Cogan - b. c.1615, d. unmarried 1641.
vi. Ann Cogan - b. c. 1617. m._____Robinson bef. 1641.
vii. Susan Cogan - b. c. 1620. unmarried in 1641.
d Robert Cogan - b. c. 1556.
Sept. 1589 [ Diocesan Act Book D/D/Ca 88]
Against Robert Cogan of Chard, 'that hee hath absented himself from his parishe churche for feare of her Maiesties processe and exequucon [i.e. execution] at the comon lawe and for no other cause... that he hath not rec[eived] the Communion accordinge to order of lawe for the same cause.'
Child
i. Robert Cogan
e. Margaret Cogan - Married Philobert Sellwood.
3. Richard Cogan - May not be the son of Nicholas. M. Agnes (pos. Morrishe)
Will dated 8 Aug. 1545, prov. 14 Nov. 1547 (PCC 48 Alen)
Wife Annys or Agnes.
Burage in Chard purchased by his unnamed father for Sir John Rodney
Minor son John 30 pounds.
Will of Annice Cogan , wid. dated 28 Oct. 1549, prov. 31 Oct. 1550 (SRS, 21:109)
Minor son John a term of Chaffcombe, a house in Taunton, an the burgage in Chard.
Christianne Coganne
Executors: Brother John Morrishe the elder, brother-in-law William Alford
Witnesses: John Sellwoode
Children
a. John Cogan - b. bef. 1645. Minor in 1649.
4. Margaret Cogan - Married James Traske, who was called "uncle" in the will of Robert Cooke, son of Elizabeth Cogan and John Cooke als Howper.(PCC 115 Cobham)
5. Elizabeth Cogan Bur. 30 May 1579, Crewkerne. M. 17 June 1559. Crewkerne, John Cook als Howper, bur. 13 Jan. 1577, Crewkerne.
Children
a.Thomas Cooke
Children
i. John Cooke
ii. Rose Cooke
iii. Isobel Cooke
vi. child
v. child
b. George Cooke - bpt. 6 Mar. 1561/62, Crewkerne. Married 1) ______. 2) Alice Cossens, 21 Feb. 1595/96, bur. 2 July 1597. 3) Edith Clarke, 11 Nov. 1597.
Children
i. Dorothy Cooke - bpt. 30 Oct. 1595
ii. George Cooke - bpt. 13 May 1602
iii. Mary Cooke - bpt. 30 May 1602
iv. Elizabeth Cooke - bpt. 20 Nov. 1603
c. Robert Cooke - d. 1597. Called James Traske "uncle" in his will. (PCC 115 Cobham.
Children
i. Samuel Cooke.
d. John Cooke - d. 1600, m. Mary _____.
e. Agnes Cooke . bpt. 5 Oct. 1562. Married Richard Warham, 14 Oct. 1588, Crewkerne, son of Thomas Warham and Margaret Miller, bpt. 8 Dec. 1565, Maiden Newton, bur. 7 Oct. 1624.
Children
i. Isobel Warham - bpt. 6 Mar. 1589/90
ii Magdalen Warham - bpt. 25 Aug. 1591, bur. 21 Feb. 1660/01. M. George Gibbs.
Children
-. Rachel Gibbs - 22 Apt. 1620, Crewkerne
- Thomas Gibbs - bpt. 21 Jan. 1622/23, Crewkerne. m. Mary Beere, 30 Oct. 1644.
-. George Gibbs - bpt. 1 June 1625, Crewkerne.
-. Susan Gibbs - bpt. 7 Dec. 1627, Crewkerne.
-. John Gibbs - bpt. 27 Sept. 1630, Crewkerne.
-. George Gibbs - bpt. 16 Oct. 1633, Crewkerne.
iii. Joan Warham - bpt. 20 Dec. 1592. Married Roger Cossens, 9 Nov. 1611.
Children
-. Agnes Cossens - bpt. 29 July 1615, Crewkerne
-. John Cossens - bpt. 9 Sept. 1621, Crewkerne
-. Joseph Cossens - bpt. 18 May 1627, Crewkerne
-. Ann Cossens - bpt. 1 Nov. 1632, Crewkerne
-. Edith Cossens - bpt. 14 Dec. 1617, Crewkerne
-. William Cossens - bpt. 6 April 1624, Crewkerne
- Roger Cossens - bpt. 19 Jan. 1629/30, Crewkerne
-. Joan Cossens - bpt. 24 Jan. 1635/36, Crewkerne.
iv. Richard Warham - bpt. 12 May 1594.
v. Rev. John Warham - bpt. 9 Oct. 1595. m. 1) Susanna Gollope, 8 June 1625, Stoke Abbott, Dorset. 2) Jane Dabinott Newberry 3) Abigal Searle Branker.
f. Rose Cooke - bpt. 5 Dec. 1566, Crewkerne, bur. 13 Jan. 1600/01. Married John Jeanes, 15 Jan. 1589/90, Crewkerne.
Children
i. Mary Jeanes - bpt. 20 Dec. 1599, Crewkerne
g. Elizabeth Cooke
h. Alice Cooke - bpt. 13 Dec. 1575, bur. 21 Oct. 1619 Crewkerne. Married Walter Knewstubb, 14 Jan. 1596/97, Crewkerne.
Children
i. Elizabeth Knewstubb - bpt. 20 Oct 1597. m. Simon Way of Chard, 4 Apr. 1627.
ii. Edward Knewstubb - bpt. 3 Jan. 1598/97
iii. John Knewstubb- bpt. 7 Sept. 1600.
iv. Joseph Knewstubb - bpt. 30 Jan. 1602/03.
i. John Cooke the younger - bpt. 27 Oct. 1572, Crewkerne.
j. Richard Cooke - bpt. 25 July 1574, bur. 3 Aug. 1574, Crewkerne.
6. John Cogan - of Ilminster.
B. William Cogan
1520/21 Compotus, Bishop Bath and Wells, Somerset R.O. DD/SAS BA 4 [Robin Bush, Search Series Vol. 25]
Overland Rents
Individual Notes
Note for: John Dabinot, ABT 29 JAN 1553/54 - ABT 1624
Index
Individual Note: WFT-Vol. 15, No. 1170
Individual Notes
Note for: Thomas Dabinot, ABT 1520 - 1593
Index
Individual Note: WFT-Vol. 15, No. 1170
Individual Notes
Note for: Richard Mather, ABT 1596 - 22 APR 1669
Index
Individual Note: Rev. Richard Mather (1596-1669), the patriarch of the Mather dynasty, was born in Lancashire, England to Thomas Mather and Margarite Abrams of Lowton, England. They insisted that Richard attend grammar school although it was an extremely difficult experience for him. The schoolmaster was harsh and Richard was beaten almost daily. He came to greatly appreciate his father’s steadfastness in not allowing him to quit, as it gave him a quest for knowledge that remained until his death. (Even so, he never completed a course of study at any university. He is largely self-educated, a fact that set him apart from his peers.)
THE TEACHER
Toxteth Park, now a suburb of Liverpool, had been the property of the Crown from the time of King John. But in the 1604, Richard Molyneux purchased the land. Prior to this time, Toxteth Park was described as a "wasteland without inhabitants. "Eventually, many people settled on the land and began its cultivation. Among the new settlers was Edward Aspinwall, whom Richard lived with, when, at the age of 15, he was called to take charge of the school there. During this time, Richard converted to Puritanism. There seems to have been some conflict between his beliefs and that of his host family, as reflected in Richard’s own words, stating that there was "a difference between his own walk and the most exact, faithful and prayerful conversation of some in the family of the learned and pios [sic] Mr. Edward Aspinwall of Toxteth Park. . . ."
THE NONCONFORMING PREACHER
After three years of teaching at Toxteth Park, Richard began studying at Oxford. But he dropped out to take a position as a preacher back at Toxteth. (He was ordained a minister in 1620 when he was 24.) Desiring not to engage in the "sin of conformity," he refused to wear the "Surplice," a papal robe. For 15 years he preached the Puritan ethic before he was "silenced" in 1633 for "nonconformity" by the ecclesiastical authorities of the Church of England. He was briefly reinstated, then silenced again in 1634. It was also the year that his fourth son, Joseph, died shortly after his birth. It was during this difficult time in his life when Rev. Richard decided to leave England and bring his wife, Catherine Holt, and their three sons, Samuel, Timothy, and Nathaniel to New England. (Two more sons, Eleazer and Increase, were born later in Massachusetts.)
THE JOURNEY TO NEW ENGLAND
Rev. Richard Mather and his family left England in 1635 to begin a new life in Massachusetts. His agonizing decision to leave England and join the masses of people who were migrating to New England is reflected in the journal he kept. The journey took a total of six weeks, three of which were spent at sea. In his journal, Rev. Richard describes the hardships and storms at sea.
LIFE IN MASSACHUSETTS
Less than a week after his arrival on August 17, 1636, Rev. Richard Mather accepted the ministry of the North Church in Dorchester, Massachusetts, where he remained for 34 years. During their life in New England, his wife, Catherine, took charge of managing the household and their 100 acres of property, educating five boys in their early years, buying and selling cattle, as well as the planting and harvesting of the crops. Once the children began to read, Rev. Richard then directed their education. It was customary for boys to leave home at an early age in those days. Thus, four of them went to board at Harvard between the ages of 12 and 16. Timothy was apprenticed out as a farmer.
Meanwhile, Rev. Richard Mather’s influence spread beyond his own congregation. He was a leading figure in all the disagreements that shook the churches of early Massachusetts and was a principal translator and editor of the Bay Psalm Book, the Whole Booke of Psalms, the first book printed in this country. (1700 copies were printed, of which 11 today survive).
Richard died in his home in Boston on April 22, 1669 after suffering for days from uremic poisoning because of a kidney stone.
Individual Notes
Note for: Timothy Mather, ABT 1628 - 14 JAN 1683/84
Index
Individual Note: Timothy Mather, Third Generation
He came to the Bay Colony with his parents. Timothy was twice married. He lived all his adult life in Dorchester Mass. His first wife Catherine or Elizabeth as she is also called, was born in England. She was brought to Massachusetts by her parents on 1636 in the same ship that brought the Mather family to America. Ship named "James". Timothy died due to a fall from a scaffold in his barn.[1.ged]
[Brockway4.ftw]
Timothy Mather, Third Generation
He came to the Bay Colony with his parents. Timothy was twice married. He lived all his adult life in Dorchester Mass. His first wife Catherine or Elizabeth as she is also called, was born in England. She was brought to Massachusetts by her parents on 1636 in the same ship that brought the Mather family to America. Ship named "James". Timothy died due to a fall from a scaffold in his barn.
Individual Notes
Note for: Nathaniel Mather, 30 MAY 1695 - 20 MAR 1748
Index
Will: Date: 26 NOV 1747
Place: Southold, Suffolk County, Long Island, New York
Burial: Place: Probaby in an unmarked grave next to his wife - Jamesport Cemetery
Individual Note:
"In the name of God, And Man, " I, Nathaniel Mather, of Southold, in
Suffolk County, Minister of the Gospel, being weak in body. My house
and lot where I now live, and all moveable property except as
hereafter mentioned, are to be sold by my executors, and the money to
be put to use till my second son, Ebenezer, is of age, and then to be
paid to my two sons, Increase and Ebenezer. Whereas my eldest son,
Increase, hath received a piece of land at the price of 55 pounds,
purchased by me, therefore my son, Ebenezer ia to have 50 pounds when
of age, and the rest equally divided, and all my plate, silver spoons,
also my small books. All my provisions, pork, beef, wheat, etc., are
to be wholly at the disposal of my nurse, Mary Wiggins. I make Isaac
Howell and John Conkling, son of Henry Conkling, executors.
Dated November 26, 1747. Witnesses, Joshua Youngs, David Brown,
Philip Leek. Proved March 28, 1748.
[ New York Abstract of Wills, p. 169 - Liber 16, p. 265]
Rev. Nathaniel graduated at Yale College 1715. He was settled
over thefirst church in Lower Aquebogue in Suffolk Co.. Long Island,
and remained there until his death. Isaac Howell and John Conklin
[son of Henry] executors of Nataniels estate.
Individual Notes
Note for: John Warham, ABT 9 OCT 1595 - 1 APR 1670
Index
Emigration: Date: 30 MAY 1630
Place: On Mary & John
Individual Note: WFT-Vol. 15, No. 1170
Individual Notes
Note for: John Cotton, 4 DEC 1585 - 23 DEC 1652
Index
Baptism: Date: 15 DEC 1585
Place: Derby, EN
Individual Notes
Note for: Increase Mather, 21 JUN 1639 - 23 AUG 1723
Index
Individual Note: Increase Mather (1639-1723) was the youngest son of Rev. Richard Mather and Catherine Holt. He was born on June 21, 1639, was admitted to Harvard College at the age of 12, and graduated in 1656 at age 17. On May 27, 1664, he became the preacher at the North Church of Boston, remaining the pastor of this church until his death at age 84. His son, Cotton, was a colleague for 39 years with him.
PRESIDENT OF HARVARD COLLEGE
In 1684, Rev. Increase was offered the Presidency of Harvard College. He accepted with the condition that he also be allowed to continue preaching at North Church. He, therefore, preached every Sunday in Boston but remained in Cambridge during the week, until 1701.
POLITICIAN & DIPLOMAT
Known for his conservatism in religious matters, Mather opposed clergymen who were trying to liberalize Puritan doctrine and church organization. Yet he was also a fierce proponent of American independence, actively and diplomatically resisting attempts by the British government to reduce the historic independence of the Massachusetts colony. Mather spent four years in London between 1688 and 1692 pleading the cause of his colony before William III. He obtained a new charter in 1691 that united Plymouth and Massachusetts.
AGAINST WITCHCRAFT EXECUTIONS
Increase Mather was troubled by the witch trials of Salem and protested against the extreme methods of prosecution. His book, Cases of Conscience Concerning Evil, published in 1693, is attributed as being instrumental in ending executions for witchcraft.
Rev. Increase Mather died August 23, 1723, in Boston. Buried in the Mather Tomb at Copps Hill in Boston, a codicil to his will reads as follows: "I do hereby signify to my Executor, That it is my Mind & Will that my Negro Servant called Spaniard shall not be sold after my Decease; but I do then give Him his Liberty: Let him then be esteemed a Free Negro. Jun 4, 1719."
Individual Notes
Note for: Cotton Mather, 12 FEB 1661/62 - 13 FEB 1728
Index
Individual Note: Cotton Mather (1663-1728), the child of Rev. Increase Mather and Maria Cotton, was born in Boston on February 12, 1663. He studied at Harvard, was ordained in 1685 at the age of 22, and was his father’s associate for 39 years at Boston’s North Church. He also served the church during his father’s diplomatic trip to England and carried on as preacher of the church after his father’s death in 1723.
Although condemned harshly by historians for his apparent belief that those identified as witches should be prosecuted, the fact of the matter is that Cotton did not live in Salem and therefore was never directly involved in the famous trials. When he first heard of the problem he offered to take the afflicted girls into his home so that he could try to help. His offer was refused, however. Had it not been, the outcome of the trials might have been quite different. Cotton is credited with much more influence in the trials than he had simply because he made it his business to make everything his business. He had an opinion on everything and did not hesitate to expound on anything.
Cotton Mather is, quite deservedly, mainly remembered as the leading scholar of American Puritanism. He was known to be a controversial figure and wrote prolifically on many subjects (more than 450 books and articles). Magnalia Christi Americana (1702) is a collection of materials and opinions on the church history in New England. Essays to Do Good (1710), a book on morality, influenced Benjamin Franklin.
Like his father, Cotton Mather was a friend of education and science. He also helped found Yale College and was the first American to be elected a fellow of the Royal Society in London. This particular honor affording him the opportunity to become embroiled in yet another controversy. He read a letter written by a Dr. Emanuel Timonious, a medical practitioner in Constantinople in which Timonious describes a method of inoculation for smallpox that had been practiced by Africans for centuries. In questioning his own slave, Onesimus, Cotton learned that he had been so inoculated, and was able to describe the procedure to him Because New England was in the midst of yet another smallpox epidemic, Cotton wrote to Boston's Dr. Zabdiel Boylston in an effort to convince him of the merits of the smallpox vaccination process. Evidently impressed by Mather's information, Dr. Boylston proceeded to inoculate his 6 year old son and two of his slaves. These were the first to be conducted in America.
In his later years, he wrote: "I am able with little study to write in seven languages. I feast myself with the sweets of all sciences, which the more polite part of mankind ordinarily pretend to. I am entertained with all kinds of histories, ancient and modern. I am no stranger to the curiosities which, by all sorts of learning, are brought to the curious. These intellectual pleasures are far beyond any sensual ones. Nevertheless, all this affords me not so much delight as it does to relieve the distresses of any one poor, mean, miserable neighbor; and much more, to do anything to advance the kingdom of God in the world."
Rev. Cotton Mather died in Boston on February 13, 1727, at the age of 64, and is buried with his father, Increase, in the Mather Tomb at Copps Hill in Boston.
Individual Notes
Note for: Increase Mather, ABT 1725 - 20 DEC 1794
Index
Burial: Date: AFT 20 DEC 1794
Place: Westown, Orange County, New York
Individual Note: [1.ged]
Increase and Anna's first daughter was Kezia [10/01/1749] m.
William Lain.It was to a William Lain that Parshall Howell sold his
land in Minnisink.