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Note: It is not really clear where Richard was born. The record on World Connect says Suffolk, England, while the record on the LDS site says born June 3, 1608 in Shoreditch, London, Middlesex County. i am leaving Suffolk on the record, but one can chose Shoreditch, if you prefer it!. It is also not clear who his parents are. The LDS site gives a choice of George Church and Margarit Northrup, or Richard Church, born May 1570, died 1623 aand Alice Vassell born abt 1580. I guess the best solution is to list no-one. There were very probably two Richard Church's who came to America from England, one married Elizabeth Warren and lived in Hingham, the other born probably in Braintree, Essex married someone named Ann Marsh or March and died in Hadley, Mass. There may also have been a third, born in Northhampton in 1609/10, who came in about 1630.
Mr. Church probably arrived at Boston in the fleet with Winthrop, and
requested admission as freeman of Massachusettes Colony, 19 October,
1630, but removed to Plymouth and was there received as freeman, 2
January, 1632-3. He served in the Pequot war, in which he doubtless
earned the title of Sergeant, by which he was subsequently known. In
1647, he exchanged his lands at Eel River, Plymouth, given him by Mrs.
Warren and removed to Hingham. He made a deposition at Sandwich, 25
August, 1664, in which he gave his age as about "56 years." He died at
Hingham. His will, dated two days earlier, provided for wife Elizabeth
and all of his children, though naming but son Joseph, who was to receive
a double portion in consideration of his lame hand.
from "Descendents of the Mayflower."
Perhaps from Polstead, Suffolk (England). Carpenter. Ages 48 in 1657 (b.
1609). Removed to Weymouth, Plymouth and Charlestown. Applied freeman 19
October 1630 (M.C.R.I, 80). Died 1668. He came over as a servant of 'Mr.
(Richard) Webb' (Drake, Boston, 132)
from "The Winthrop Fleet of 1630"
RICHARD CHURCH OF PLYMOUTH RICHARD CHURCH, of Plymouth, Mass., founder of one of the large
families of that name in America, was born in 1608 as we learn from a
deposition made by him:
The Deposition of Richard Church aged about 56 years the Deponent
saith that hee being att worke about the mill the 19th. day of august
hearing of a Cry that the man was killed; hasted presently and healped
to remove the earth from Thomas ffish who being much bruised thereby was
gott to bedd and in four dayes and a halfe Dyed; and further saith not."
Made at Sandwich 25 Aug. 1664 and recorded in Plymouth Col. Court Orders,
Vol. IV. p.-92. (Mayflower Descendents IV-152).
He came to America probably in 1630 since the Council of Massachusetts Bay Colony voted him to the status of "freeman" 19 Oct.,
1630. He is supposed to have come 8 Apr., 1630 in the fleet with John
Winthrop, later Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony, bur this is
conjecture merely.
He left that Colony without taking the oath and went to Plymouth
where he became a freeman 4 Oct., 1632. Apparently the authorities there
inquired into his status and a letter dated 1631 from Governor Bradford
of Plymouth to Governor Winthrop of Massachusetts bay gives valuable
personal details of Richard's situation. The letter gives also a glimpse into the strict
oversight which early settlers maintained over the later arrivals, a
supervision necessary to weld a hetero-genous mass of immigrants into an
effective commonwealth.
Richard Church came likewise as a sojourner to worke for ye present;
though he is still hear resident longer than he purposed; and what he
will doe, neither we nor I thinks himselfe knows; but if he resolve here
to settle we shall require him to procure a dismission; but he did
affirme to me at ye first that he was one of Mr. welb's men and freed to goe for England or
whither he would ye which we rather beleued because he cane to us from
Wessagaacussett (Weymouth) upon ye falling out with his partner."
(Mayflower Descendents, IX-I).
The freedom to go whither he would indicate that he was not bound for
his passage but was an independent adventurer coming at his own charges.
No trace of Mr. "Welb" (Webb) has been found. The partnership spoken of
may have been land speculation at Weymouth. Later he bought land which
had been granted to Gov. Winslow in Seconnet, now Little Compton, R. I.,
which remains in thefamily to this day.
The first significant fact that the records disclose about him is
that he was assessed on L1116 at Plymouth in 1632-3, two years after
landing. (Hinman, Early Puritan Settlers of Conn.) This was a very
considerable sum in that day and places Richard among the class of
wealthy Pilgrims, if that term could be applied to any of them. Winsor,
in his History of Duxbury, gives the taxes levied in 1633. William
Collier and Edward Winslow are rated at 2 pounds 5 shillings each,
Richard Church and four others at 1 pound 7 shillings each. So in that
little community Richard stood second in point of wealth. His position
was among the foremost men of Plymouth and Duxbury and supports the
assertion of his great-grandson Dea. Benjamin, that he "with two of his
brethren came early into New England as refugees from the religious
oppression of the parent state." Garrett Church of Watertown is supposed
to have been one of the brothers. He was the progenitor of an important
family. Dea. Benjamin makes the singular mistake of saying that the
founder of the Plymouth family was named Joseph, and this may be the name
of the third brother, who for some reason did not become established in
the country.
Richard entered with vigor into the public activities of the Colony.
He served on the "Grand Enquest" several times both in Plymouth and
Duxbury, and many other civic appointments show that he was a valued
member of the community. He served in the Pequot war, 1643, as a
"Voluntary" with the rank of sergeant, apparently without pay. He was
enrolled earlier than this for we find in the Gen. and Spec. Orders of
the Court, 7 June, 1637, appointing Leift. Holmes as commander and Mr.
Thomas Prence as council of war, "the names of the Souldiers that
willingly offer themselves," and Richard's name is among the first.
There is no record of the appearance, character, or state of
education of Richard Church, but the fact that he was invited to become a
freeman the year of his landing makes it certain that his social position
was known or that he arrived with introduction or endorsements that won
him immediate recognition as a sober citizen, a church member and loyal
subject of his king.
He married Elizabeth Warren, daughter of Richard Warren who came in
the Mayflower. She was not with her father but came with her sisters on
the Anne in July 1623. On the ship with them was Roger Conant who
selected the site of Salem, Mass., and was put in authority over that
settlement for two years. The present writer is a descendant of Roger
Conant and Elizabeth Warren through a union that took place two centuries
after they voyaged together to a new world.
Richard's marriage into the Warren family confirms the belief that he
was a man of superior standing in the colony. Richard Warren was one of
the ten (out of 41) signers of the Mayflower Compact who were
distinguished by the title "Mr.," Myles Standish being "Capt." Mrs
Warren was usually styled "Mistress," a title not at all common then.
Her name appears frequently in colonial records, for she had the rare
distinction of remaining a widow forty years, succeeding to her husband's
rights as a "Purchaser." She died 2 Oct., 1673, ae. about 90. The
following Order by General Court, 7 to 17 Mar., 1636-7, is one of the
evidences relied upon to establish the name of the founder as Richard and
not Joseph, as Dea. Benjamin gave it.
It is agreed upon by the consent of the whole court that Elizabeth
Warren Widow the relict of mr Richard Warren Deceased shall be entered
and land and bee Purchaser instead of her said husband aswell because
that (he dying before he had performed the said bargaine) the said
Elizabeth performed the same after his decease as also for the
establishing of the Lotts of land formerly gives her unto her sonnes in
law Richard Church Robert Bartlett and Thomas Little in marriage with
their wives her daughters. (Court Order I:107) (Mayflower Descendants
III:48).
Colonials of the Warrens' position were careful in making their
matrimonial alliances and Richard's entrance into that family is another
proof of the regard in which he was held. A few words about Richard
Warren, whose blood mingled so early with the Churches may be welcome.
He signed the Compact of the Mayflower passengers and was one of the 19
signers who survived the hardships of the first winter. He took part in
the first activities of the little band, being one of the exploring
party, consisting of 13 Pilgrims and 5 men from the ship's crew, under
Gov. Carver, who went from the Mayflower 6 Dec., 1620 (old style), to
explore Cape Cod bay. They were attacked by Indians at a place named
afterwards "First Encounter." After a Sunday rest they made on Monday
the 11th the historic landing on Plymouth Rock. Warren was therefore in
the first fight with Indians and one of the first who landed on the site
of the settlement. Seven years later he took part in the first decisive
battle fought in New England, the destruction of the Pequot fort. He
died the next year. A contemporary describes him as "grave Richard
Warren" and says that he was "a useful instrument during the short tome
he lived, bearing a deep share in the difficulties and troubles of the
plantation." (Morton's New Eng. Memorial)
He was a carpenter and a builder.
Richard Church was twenty-two the year he landed, a carpenter and
apparently a good one, as the Plymouth authorities employed him
immediately in making a gun carriage for the defenses on Fort Hill and
(with John Tomson) in building the first church in the colony. (He had
to sue the Pilgrim Fathers to get his pay!) Later writers speak of him
as a "cabinet maker." without authority that is evident, and yet the
impression has been made in some way that he was a good workman. If so
he must have learned his trade in England as an articled apprentice. He
came to America immediately upon attaining his majority and trade freedom
as a journeyman.
As early as 1632 he was taxed 1 pound 16 shillings "or to be paid in
corn at six shillings the bushel, a valuation that shows the high cost of
provisions in the colony. Another of his dealings throws light on the
difficulties that accompany the scarcity of circulating medium. He sold
a house and land for 25 pounds and it was stipulated that payment was to
be "a Rid oxe yet they call his name Mouse for 8 pounds and ten
shillings, commodities 6 pounds. Resedue to be paid next yeare following
either in cattell, or in commodities or in merchants pay." He understood
the part which water-powers were to play in the development of the colony
and bought, 24 Jan., 1635, half-interest in a "corne mill" at Hingham,
setting example which was to be followed by his descendants.
He was admitted to a share in the "Seaconnett Purchase" which became
Little Compton later. He bought Gov. Winslow's allotment. His sons Joseph and Benjamin
established themselves on it and the land is still in possession of the
family.
While Richard Church seems to have been regarded with respect by his
contemporaries his life was not so public nor his station so high that
writers of that day concerned themselves with his personal appearance or
character. One of his sons, Benjamin, did rise to such prominence, and
we have descriptions of him which enable us to see just what manner of a
man he was. Richard had four sons, all of whom are represented in living
generations, and there are characteristics of face and figure common to
these diverging branches, recognizable even after varying admixtures of
275 year, which could not exist if they did not arise from a strongly
marked and persistent type. We may say with confidence that Richard was
a man of only moderate height, not over five feet six or eight inches
probably, well-knit, strong and sure, with broad forehead, strong nose,
firm but rather delicate mouth, and a countenance which derived its
expression from an intelligent and conscientious mind. He could not be
forefather to so many men of strong religious feelings were he not
himself religious. The "constant cheerfulness and constitutional
vivacity," which Drake ascribes to his son Benjamin, were undoubtedly
characteristics of Richard Church who had the same tendency to blunt
expression that has not been overcome entirely by his descendants. We
can well believe too that the father had some "indignation at wrong" and
"hatred of falsehood that, according to Drake, characterized the son and
os found in the family to-day. Benjamin was a swift runner and proud of
his powers and we find this ability among so many other branches of the
family that we are justified in believing Richard a good runner also.
He lived in Plymouth from 1633 to 1649; was taxed in Duxbury 1637,
and was at Eastham the same year; at Charlestown 1653; at Hingham 1668,
and probably lived there the rest of his life. He resided on the place
owned and occupied in recent years by heirs of Col. Charles Lane. He is
also noted at Dedham 1668, but it is doubtful if he made any real
settlement at either Eastham or Dedham.
He died in Dedham where he was on a visit, his demise taking place
Sabbath day erly in the morning, and is buried in Hingham at a spot which
is covered now by the highway leading to the old Steamboat Wharf and near the water. (Letter of Mrs. Henriette Church Dunham) He left but a modest estate but as he had eleven children who reached maturity, and probably settled each one in life on coming of age, or marrying, as the practice then was, his accumulation of property may well have been much greater than his estate
indicates at his death. His will (Mayflower Descendants, V, 118; Suffolk
Co. Prob. Rec, VI, 4) is a concise document: -- I Richard Church of
Hingham, having perfect understanding, yet visited by sickness of body,
order this my last will. Debts pay'd then my will is that my wife,
Elizabeth Church, shall enjoy the remainder during her life. And when it
shall please God that she shall leave this life my will is that what
Estate I shall leave to her that shall not be necessarily Expended for
her maintenance shall then be equally divided amongst my children, only
my son Joseph to have a duble portion, that is twice as much as any of
the rest of my children, by reason of the ameness of his hand, whereby he
is disinabled above the rest of my children for the getting of a
livelihood. I ordain my sonn Joseph to be my Executor.
25 Dec 1668 Richard X Church The witnesses were Joshua Fisher, John Farebank Senior and John
Farebank Junior. The will for probate 26 Jan., 1669. The fact that
Richard signed by a mark does not indicate lack of education but weakness
of body. The will is dated three days before his death.
His sons followed his trade of carpentry but raised it to the dignity
of mill-building and management. Of course they were all farmers. From
this sturdy and sober stock of mechanics there developed later families
which showed marked intellectual gifts, many of their members becoming
writers, poets, orators and clergymen. There was a notable diversity
among Richard's descendants in the time at which these intellectual
traits appeared. Benjamin was the only one of his sons who appeared in
print. He dictated his recollections of his Indian-fighting to his son
Thomas, and though the son's hand appears in the work there are evidences
that much of the language as well as the thought emanated from Benjamin.
The descendants of Benjamin were distinguished early for literary,
poetical and oratorical gifts. On the other hand the descendants of
Joseph, the eldest son, were mechanics and farmers until the sixth
generation, when there was a sudden change, four brothers becoming
clergymen and authors. This tendency persists in their descendants to
the present day.
There is no doubt that Richard's children were indebted greatly to
their mother for the position they took in the world. Richard Church was
most fortunate in his marriage and the high character exhibited by their
father and mother is evidence that the wife possessed moral and
intellectual qualities fully equal to her husband's. Generation after
generation of the Warrens were surgeons of notable skill. The one living
in Revolutionary times was an active patriot, whose death at Bunker Hill
made his name a household word in America for generations. (The facts
about Richard Church are found in many authorities; Hist Bridgewater;
Hist. Duxbury; Hist. Hingham; Mayflower Descendants, etc.)
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