Monday, April 24, 2017

Notes From My Grandmother | Rowley Lineage and Genealogy, Part 1


Somehow, much of my grandmother's hand written and (badly) typed notes and research wound up in my possession. Traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles and back to Chicago again. It sat, in the dark of my mother's closet, until my dad passed and my mom decided to begin her great purge. Knowing I had picked up the torch, the next generation to pursue the Greatest Hobby on Earth, the papers came to live with me. Unsure for many years on just what to do with them, I have decided to bring them out and share them with you - transcribed, of course - no one can read my grandmother's handwriting! But in her own words; mistakes, rambling sentences, and all. I think she will be pleased her work and her writing are once again out in the light.


Rowley Family Story

Rowley is a Saxon name: 'row' means sweet 'ley' means field. Roilly is near Evreux, Normandy. Ralph Roilly came over with the Conqueror. The name traced to time of Edward II when Randolph de Roilly (Rowely) was seated at Carmichan county, Chester. Some American members of the family clan descended from William Rowley, noted dramatist in time of James I (Amer. Ances. - Hughes 2:106; 3:191)

Henry Rowley in Plymouth, Mass as early as 1633, coming it is surmised with Mr. Timothy Hatherly in the "Charles". (Gen. Dict. of New England - Savage; 3:582) One of the original settlers of Scituate as a freeman 1633 and with wife joined first church there 1635. He removed to Barnstable (five and more) at forming of the church which was then "gathered" in 1639.

Henry Rowley took place among the sturdy pioneers - was constable (an important and most honorable position) manager and representative to General Court 1634; 1643; 1650. His first wife (married in England) said to have been daughter of William Palmer, an early comer to Plymouth. Henry's second marriage took place in Plymouth October 17, 1633 to Ann "late wife of Thomas Blossom" (Mayflower Descendent 13:83). In January 1633/4 listed with "males" in colony who "able to bear arms". He is found among those in Barnstable.

Records are vague as to children of Henry Rowley - Mr Savage has Thomas Rowley of Windsor CT: freeman 1669 - m. 5th May 1669 - to Mary Denslow (ancestor of Emma Hale) and d. 4th May 1708.

Inventory of  estate of Henry Rowley filed in Plymouth Colony. Wills and Inventories vol III - fol pg. 93. A copy printed in "Mayflower Descendent" 24:137 and is of interest ****inventory of estate**** on oath of Moses Rowley****said Henry Rowley's children:

1 - Sarah m. 11th April 1646 to Jonathan Hatch. They had four children born at
     Barnstable 1648 - 1653 and four others; seven sons and two daughters in all
     (NEHGR 2:194)
2 - Moses married Elizabeth Fuller.
3 - Joseph of Barnstable (Gen. Dist. of New England by Savage, 3:582)
*Rebecca probable - mentioned in William Palmer's will.

II - Moses (son of Henry) probably born in England and with father came in 1632 to Plymouth (named in will of his grandfather William Palmer) In 'Hughes Amer. Anc. 3:191' calls him second son and a freeman at Barnstable 1617, and represented Suckonessett (Falmouth) in General Court 1692.

Moses married Elizabeth Fuller 22nd April, 1652 at Barnstable. Moses died 1705 in East Haddam, CT.

Children:

1 - Mary - 1653
2 - Moses - 1654 - freeman 1690 - m. Mary
3 - Child b./d. 15 Aug 1656
4 - Schubael (twin) b. 11th Jan 1660/61 - d. Mar 1714 - m. Catherine Crippen
5 - Mehitable (twin) b. 11th Jan 1660/61 - m. John Fuller ("Little John Fuller" - son of
     Samuel Fuller, who with his father Edward came to Plymouth in the Mayflower
     1620)
6 - Sarah - b. 10th Sep 1662
7 - Aaron - b. 1st May 1666
8 - John - b. 22nd Oct 1667


 ***editor's note: this is a transcript of research completed in 1982 based on information available at that time. I have not yet researched this family further, but suspect there is more information/clarification available to us today. I will follow up at a future date with fresh data. ***



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***editor's note II: My grandmother stopped here - picking up her research a generation later in the Rowley line. She never connected the dots. When I inherited the research I discovered that she had erroneously traced her family back to the wrong Rowley brother, never making the connection. I straightened it out here. (that was fun!) Next week I will fill in the missing generation with my own research, then link grandma's notes and research. Sure wish she was here!***


........ to be continued ........


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©1980-82 Elizabeth Twining Potwin Thomas - private collection

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