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a.
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Note: He was born between 9 Sep 1669 and 7 Sep 1690 (gravestone evidence)
Amos Otis records that "Jonathan moved to Eastham about 1695 and is the ancestor of the Linnell’s of that town and Orleans" (Otis, Gen. Notes, vol. 2, p. 159). He was admitted townsman at Barnstable 4 February 1691/2. He received 2 acres in a division of the meadows on the 14th of January 1691/2 and entered his name as dissatisfied with this division on the 15th of February 1693/4. Jonathan’s name first appeared on the list of legal inhabitants of Eastham in 1695, though he may have moved there as early as 1687. (Freeman, History of Cape Cod, Vol. II, p. 374). Jonathan continued to purchase land. He was one of the proprietors of the purchase of land from the Simpsons in the southeast section of Eastham in 1713-1714. After is death his sons Jonathan, Thomas and Elisha were involved in clarifying title to this land. In 1717-1718 a movement for the South Precinct of Eastham to separate from the mother town resulted in a town meeting; and the warrant for this meeting was signed by Nathaniel Mayo and Jonathan Linnell, selectmen. The vote was negative for this move but was positive for the establishment of a separate church parish. Jonathan’s is the oldest of any of the Linnell gravestones. It was found broken a few years ago and was set in granite through the generosity of Robert E. Linnell (11a, b12,729,11), the grandson of Arthur E. Linnell. Their family tradition is that this Jonathan is their ancestor. Jonathan died 8 Sep 1726. His will was dated 13 Jul, 1725. In it he left to Rebekah, his wife, the living room, chamber (bed), and leanto parts of his dwelling and one third part of his land. To his son, Elisha, he left the lots of land purchased of Sarah and Elizabeth Rogers. To his sons, Jonathan and Thomas, he left the remaining land and marsh land within the township of Eastham. To daughter Abigail King he left one third of the land given Elisha. To daughter Hannah Mayo he left the other land in Bridgewater and Middlebrook. His sheep he left to Jonathan, Elisha, and Thomas (A.E. Linnell, ms. Linnell Family). It would appear that his son David may not have been living by 1726 thought we have no record of his death. Daughter Elizabeth had died in 1714 and all other children were mentioned in the will. Records of sales of property after this time indicate considerable negotiations to secure the property most desired by the three brothers; Jonathan, Thomas, and Elisha. We do not find a record of just when Jonathan married Rebecca after his wife Elizabeth’s death on 26 July 1725. A. E. Linnell found a record of the marriage of a widow Rebecca Linnell to a Thomas Tobey at Yarthmouth in 1730; but this has not been verified as the same Rebecca. Both Jonathan and Elizabeth are buried in the cemetery at Orleans. There is no marked grave there for Rebecca.
Descendants of Robert Linnell by Rachel W. Linnell, Pa. 11-12.
As the young people of the Cape grew to maturity and wished to establish homes with property of their own, the acquisition of land grew in importance. It could be acquired by purchase from large landholders or bought from the Indians. One such transaction was the Quason Purchase in 1730, an area sold by the Indians through an intermediary agent. This was a large territory west of Pleasant Bay which was later to become part of East Harwich.
Genealogical and Biographical Record of New London, pa. 651: ...removed from Barnstable to Eastham about 1695, and is the ancestor of the Linnells of that town and of Orleans. He was a much respected man and accumulated a good estate. This branch of the family has occupied a most respected position in society. Jonathan Linnell was noted for his business capacity and his ready wit, which sparkled on all occasions.
Jonathan Linnell (117,5) was one of that purchasing group. His father, before him, may have started the negotiations. Jonathan was one of those charged with the division of this land. He, himself, drew the 16th plot. The names of the purchasing party reads like a roll call of the families with whom Linnells intermarried - Hopkins, Doane, King, Snow, Mayo, Atkins, Freeman. Just how soon this purchase supported the residences of these persons is not known but it would indicate another close family neighborhood.
During the period of the fourth and fifth generations of Linnells in this country, Eastham grew considerably; and a movement for the separation of the south parish from the balance of Eastham became a major issue. Not until 1797 was this finally achieved. The parish that had been substantially independent for about 75 years was then incorporated into the new town of Orleans. Heman Linnell (117,54) was one of the “selectmen” (councilman) at the time of incorporation and remained one of its leaders. Heman had been a selectman in Eastham for 12 years beginning in 1782. Jonathan, Jr. (117, 62) was elected selectman in 1780.
At the time of the division and incorporation of Orleans, Benjamin, Isaac, Josiah, Elkanah, Edmund, and Thomas Linnell were seen as leaders who would be responsible in establishing the foundation of a town that would reach its later importance. They lived In the Tonset area of the town, Other Linnells later moved into the Barleyneck area of Orleans. These two neighborhoods of Linnells continued to be family enclaves well into the nineteenth century. Other Linnell families continued residence in the East Harwich area. Thomas Linnell, with a group of neighbors, petitioned to remain a part of Harwich when inhabitants of that area were considering incorporation into Brewster. The determination of town boundaries was important for the organization of schools, churches, commerce, and protection. In all of these developments our ancestors were involved.
Early industries sprang up to produce items needed to make life more convenient and esthetic. Linnells developed evaporation vats to produce salt from the salt marshes for their tables and for the curing of fish and meats. Linnells learned to tan leather and cobble shores and create other leather products. Linnells were blacksmiths. They were carpenters and worked on the building of homes, churches, stores, and in the finishing crafts for the interior of those buildings. But most remained close to the land and self sufficiency from the production of life’s necessities, raising their own crops and meats.
The greatest departure from this economic dependence on farming and craft work is noted in those who found their livihood in the sea. Certainly people who lived along the coasts had long depended on fish for part of their sustenance: but turning to the sea for their work began in earnest when land became scarce and inheritance necessitated smaller and smaller divisions among their large families. Census reports began to identify individuals’ occupations in 1850. Together these census data reveal the stories of many Linnells who work place was the oceans. Fully half of those Linnells listed on Cape Cod in 1850 were designated seamen, mariners, master mariners, or were named Captain. Some were in the oyster and fishing trade. Some were sailors on the ships that moved materials and people along the coast. Some were in the crews that piled the seas to foreign ports; London, Calcutta, Hong Kong.
Descendants of Robert Linnell by Rachel W. Linnell, Pa. 15-16
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