| Notes |
- Thomas Besbeech lived in Hedcorn and later in Sandwich, England. His wife Anne died in Frittenden in 1634 and in the spring of 1635 he sailed on the ship "Hercules" bound for New England. He had obtained a certificate of conformity as required by law in order to emigrate. Also known as an Oath of Allegience, it was certified by Thomas Warren, Vicar of Sandwich and by Thomas Harmon, Vicar of Hedcorn, and dated March 1634.
He took with him his two daughters Mary and Alice and seven servants. The "Hercules" was of 200 tons burden and sailed from Sandwich, England with Master Whitherly in command.
The servants are listed as follows: Jane, Sarah and John Engelden or Egelden; Thomas Neuley, Joseph Pacheing and Agnes Love. Engleden was an old family name in Kent. Later, Joseph Pachein (or Pacheing) married Elizabeth (Bennet) Engelden, widow of Stephen Engelden on April 10, 1642 and moved to Fairfield, Connecticut in 1651.
The Hercules arrived at Massachusetts Bay in the Spring of 1635 and Thomas Besbeech settled in Scituate, Mass. The First Parish Church was located on "Meeting House Lane," now marked by a Tercentenary Monument (1930). The first deacons were William Gillson, Richard Sealis and Thomas Besbeech.
Thomas Besbeech did jury service at the General Court held in Plymouth, 6 March 1637-38 along with twelve others including Anthony Annable and William Bassatt. In 1836 he bought a house from William Palmer in Duxbury and moved there. On 15 Nov. 1641, his daughter Mary married William Browne of Sudbury, Mass.
At the General Court held 7 March 1642/43 William Bradford, Governor...."upon petition of John Washburn, it is ordered that Mr. Edward Winslow, Capt. Myles Standish, Mr. John Alden and Jonothan Brewster shall view the bounds betwixt Mr. Thomas Besbeech and the said John Washburn and with the help of Mr. William Vassell's instrument, set the bounds of their lands betwixt them and what bounds they shall sett, shall so remayne ppetually without any alteracion."
In 1643 Thomas Besbeech was chosen representative to the General Court for Duxbury.
At the Court 1 March 1641/42 before Governor Bradford, "Thomas Besbeech and John Willis were sworn as Grand Jurymen from Duxbury. Thomas Besbeech was fined 5s. for having been warned to serve on the Grand Jury Inquest and departing without lycence."
The foreman list of 1645 includes among others Mr. Thomas Besbeech, Capt. Myles Standish and John Alden. In this same year Thomas Besbeech moved to Sudbury, where his daughter Mary Browne lived. Two years later he sold his lands in Duxbury.
On 25 Nov. 1672 he made his will, directing that he be buried at the east end of the church in the churchyard in Sudbury and bequeathed his land in Hedcorn and Frittenden, England to his daughter Mary Browne and her children.
His will, delivered to William Browne, as the latter attests, was probated 2 July 1674.
The Church of Sudbury Plantation was located in Sudbury Center, Mass. A Tercentenary marker shows the location of the old church; records show that members of the Browne family were buried in the old cemetery as late as 1872. To the east of the old church site in the cemetery is a considerable vacant space with only one old monument showing the resting place of "Mrs. Patience Brown, died 1706, wife of Major Thomas Browne." Major Brown was the grandson of Thomas Besbeech. More than likely the body of Thomas Besbeech rests nearby. [5]
|
1590 - 1674 (~ 84 years)
[2] 
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set
