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Note: Robert received a BA from St. Catharine's College, Cambridge University in 1598-99, and his Master degree from Magdalene College, Cambrige University in 1603. He was ordained a Deacon and Priest at Norwich, England 24 Feb 1604/05. He became the curate at Oulton parish, co. Norfolk, and was rector (reverend in charge) of the Parish of St. Andrews Church in Hingham, Norfolk Co, Eng from 1605 to 1636, and again from 1646 to 1656. He was a zealous Puritan whose views often got him in trouble with the Bishops of Norwich. These views had influenced many of parishioners to immigrate to New England, where they helped found the town of Hingham, MA. In 1636, the Bishops had him excommunicated for non-conformity, forcing him to immigrate in 1638. He sailed from Ipswich, England aboard the "Diligent" with his children Joseph and Anne from his first marraige, his second wife Martha, and 2 servants; arriving in Boston on 10 Aug 1638. His brother Joseph and his family sailed with them. They soon joined his old parishioners in Hingham, where he was ordained a teacher of the church on 28 Nov 1638, and admitted as a freeman on 13 Mar 1639. He returned to England on 27 Oct 1641, with his wife, son Joseph, and a maid. After Parliament won it's long struggle with the King, he was reinstated as the rector of his former parish in Hingham, England in 1646, and served in that capacity until his death in 1656. His daughter Anne had remained in America, where she married Captain John Mason, a commander in the Pequot War and distinguished for his public service in Connecticut. Robert's will left most of his estate to his sons Thomas and Samuel and legacies to his deceased son Robert's children and to the children of his daughter Ann Lawrence Mason. He left money for the yearly maintenance of his son Joseph, indicating he was in poor health, and to his second wife Martha. Sons Henry, Nathaniel, Daniel and Benjamin were not named in his will. ["Stallsmith and Cook Families"]
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