|
a.
|
Note: Descendants of Jeffrey Ferris
Jeffrey
James
John
Mary
Peter
Joseph (page 1)
Joseph (page 2)
Ferris of Knox County Illinois
George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr.
JEFFREY FERRIS
AFN:K7FQ-B5
tradition, has it, was born in LEICESTERSHIRE, England, about 1610 and came to
America about 1634. [Professional research was accomplished in England, hired by
Chaplain Ferris and several associates in an effort to find out something about
Jeffrey. Chaplain Ferris felt that the search was in depth and thorough, but the
results were nil. The Parish records of the Leichestershire area did not show
the surname Ferris, in any of its various spellings, so there is no
documentation to prove his birth place, birth date or when he came to America.
The first documentation of Jeffrey occurs when he was made a freeman.] [The New
York Times of June 1937 in an article about the 300th Anniversary of Greenwich
CT, states that Greenwich was named after the English hometown of Jeffrey
Ferris. (?)] He was made a freeman at Boston, May 6, 1635; removed to
Wethersfield, Connecticut (owned 45 acres which he sold to John Deming) (another
source says 13 acres and 54 acres); and from there to Stamford, Connecticut, in
1641 where he was among the first settlers of that town. He is on the list of
those who paid for the survey, and received ten acres at the first assignment of
land (in the Stamford records, Ferris is recorded as Firries, but there are
numerous other examples of misspelled words; I don't think spelling was their
strong suit back then). Jeffrey was included on a list of pioneers living at
Stamford at the end of 1642 as Jeffry Ferris. He was vital to the community`s
development, and though he himself did move to Greenwich eventually, he gave
homes in Stamford to two of his sons. At Stamford, Jeffrey had a mill complex
complete with dam, head and tail races, the mill itself with its heavy grinding
stones, and enough land along the sides of the river for both repairs and
business expansion. He later, settled within the bounds of present Town of
Greenwich and in 1656 was one of the eleven Greenwich men who petitioned to be
accepted under the New Haven jurisdiction, where he died May 31, 1666.
The name of Jeffrey`s first wife and mother of his known children remains
unknown. Much research has been done and speculation abounds, but the actual
documentation, such as the page of the Stamford Town Records, which contains her
death record, is worn away. What is legible is her death date of May 31, 1658.
On the tombstone her name has weathered away leaving only AMary -----ne@. There
are some that think her maiden name was Browne, Thorne, or Bowne; a case can be
made for each because of connections with those families and Jeffrey, but no
proof exists. Several sources, to include Family Tree Maker, list Judy Burns
and/or Ann Milton or Anne Howard - as best as I can determine, there is no
documentation for these names. In this compilation, she remains unknown.
He married second, at Stamford, in May 1661, Susannah (Norman) (AFN:FPHQ-6H)
Lockwood, widow of Sergeant Robert Lockwood [dau of Richard]. She was born 1612,
in England and died December 23, 1661 at Greenwich. [Susannah=s maiden name has
also been identified as St. John, Sension, Bulkeley or Lockmann.] Jeffrey's
marriage contract with Susannah, dated May 28, 1661, pledges certain legacies to
the children of Robert Lockwood-deceased, and mortgages his Greenwich lands and
"housings". (Jim - a prenuptial agreement in 1661?)
Jeffrey, married 3d, in 1662 at Stamford, Judith (Feake) Palmer, widow of
Lieutenant William Palmer, (not Henry as found in some sources to include Ye
Historie of Ye Greenwich) afterwards the wife of John Bowers. Judith (Judah) was
born circa 1621, London, England and died in 1667/8, Yarmouth MA - she was the
dau of James & Audrey (Crompton) Feake, of London. Judith was also niece of
Robert Feake, credited as one of the founders of Greenwich. Soon after Jeffrey=s
death, she married John Bowers (See Genealogies of Long Island Families)
Jeffrey's will found on the probate records at Fairfield, is dated January 6,
1664/5. He wills to the four boys he brought up ("four bois which I brought
up"), meaning Judith's four youngest sons (birth dates = John-1650/1,
James-1652/3**, William-1654/5, and Joseph-1656/7) from her marriage to William
Palmer, ten pounds sterling a piece, if they live with any of his children until
they are eighteen years old, the money then to be put out for them until they
are twenty years of age. His will names also his wife "Judah", meaning Judith,
son James, son Jonathan Lockwood, and Mary Lockwood (presumably Susannah's
children), son Peter's three children, and son Joseph's two. Judith, his widow,
receipts for her widow's portion, March 6, 1667.
Tradition invests the immigration of this family to this country with the lines
of romantic adventure. The ancestress, who was also high born, followed her
lover out into this western world to share with him here the fortunes which
English aristocracy would not allow. (Genealogical and Family History of Western
New York by W.R. Cutter (Vol.III, page 1096) states "Tradition tells us that his
first wife was of noble birth, marrying against the wishes of her family.") [Jim
- there is no documentation to back this up.]
The name Ferris is from LEICESTERSHIRE, House of Feriers, Farers, Fereis,
Ferrerr, Ferreis, Ferrers or Ferris, the first member of which (in England) was
from Henry de Feriers (Ferrers) (see separate paper on Henry de Ferrers), son of
Guelchelme (Guillaume) (William) de Feriers, Master of the Horse (Jim - thus the
horse shoes on the coat of arms) (most sources say Master of the House, though)
of the Duke of Normandy, to whom William the Conqueror gave large grants of land
in the three shires of Stafford, Derby, and Leicester. It is said that
Guelchelme de Feriers took an active part in the Battle of Hastings (1066),
having invaded England with the Conqueror. From Guelchelme de Feriers and
William de Ferers, Earl of Derby, descends the Ferrers of Groby, who bore for
their paternal coat of arms gu seven mascles or, a canton erm, while their
Westchester descendants carried gu a fluer de lis or a canton erm with a
crescent for the difference, or multum in florius arte, freely translated is
"much in the flowery arts", indicating that the family was distinguished for its
love of horticulture. There are a couple of variations of the Ferris Coat of
Arms as shown. [Jim - several folks have tied Jeffrey into this group of people.
I am not aware of any documentation for this very large leap!]
Born to Jeffrey Ferris and his first wife were:
(1)JOHN (2)PETER (3)JOSEPH (4)MARY *(5)JAMES
This sequence, by birth, is from Ye Historie of Ye Town of Greenwich. A Ferris
Genealogy by Chaplain James S. Ferris shows a different birth sequence. I have
elected to stay with the original sequence because of the amount of renumbering
I would have to do. I do consider the work done by Chaplain Ferris to be valid
and will annotate where there is a difference.
See ( ) on following pages for more information.
*The compiler's branch (Knox County, Illinois) of the tree.
** See separate paper on James Palmer.
From Greenwich Old & New: Chapter - Story of One Pioneer.
In spite of the important part that Daniel Patrick played in the founding of
Greenwich, it was men like Jeffrey Ferris and Angell Husted who actually made
this settlement. They were the men who remained permanently, and raised large
families, which continued to live here for generations, forming the background
of the town. So, to use Jeffrey Ferris as an example we must go back a few years
to the settlement of Watertown just outside of Boston.
Along with a great number of restless, energetic Englishmen who left their homes
for various reasons, Jeffrey Ferris came to American in 1634. Born in
Leichestershire, England, in 1610, he was twenty-four when he came to Watertown.
Over six feet tall, with blue eyes and red hair, he was a typical middle class
Englishman, God-fearing, respectable, industrious and as later events proved, a
good businessman. He was enough of a Puritan to be eligible as a citizen of
Watertown, for his name was registered as a freeman of Boston in 1635. At that
time church membership was the essential requirement for citizenship. This
entitled him to be called Goodman Ferris.
From a number of small clues, it may be assumed that Jeffrey Ferris was not a
rigid Puritan. He may have come to America for freedom of worship, but
undoubtedly there were other more practical reasons as well. Goodman Ferris
wanted land of his own, but he also wanted the rights of a free landowner. There
was plenty of land around Boston, but little freedom. Not to repeat the well
known story of how the citizens of Newtown, Watertown, and Dorchester separated
from Boston and migrated to Connecticut, enough of this history must be told to
explain how and why Jeffrey Ferris finally came to Greenwich.
At this time Boston was controlled by a few rigid Puritans who had organized a
theocratic and completely undemocratic form of government. The citizens of the
three settlements around Boston were not allowed to govern themselves
independently, nor were they even fairly represented in Boston although they
were subject to taxation. The rules and regulations regarding personal conduct
were unbelievably strict. It was not only irregular characters like John
Underhill and Daniel Patrick who were punished for minor crimes. Many very
respectable law abiding citizens were fined or put in the stocks for trivial
offenses.
Men like Jeffrey Ferris who had broken home ties and sailed across the ocean to
a wilderness for the sake of freedom were not likely to submit to such a
situation. At the same time glowing statements were coming to Boston concerning
the fertile meadows and rich valley land along the Connecticut River. A
separation from Boston and migration to Connecticut was inevitable, and in the
company of a number of families from Watertown, Jeffrey Ferris acquired four
acres of land and built a house. Evidently he planned to stay and settle down
but within four years he was moving again.
So far Jeffrey Ferris had made two moves toward freedom, but from the point of
view of freedom Wethersfield proved a disappointment. Worse that than, there was
no peace because of several strong minded ministers who were all trying to rule
the small settlement at once. There were infinite quarrels and disputes over
religion, politics, and the distribution of land. Because of these
unsatisfactory conditions at Wethersfield, Jeffrey came to Greenwich. Land,
always land, was what he wanted more than anything, so this time, quite on his
own, he negotiated a purchase with the Indians here.
July 18, 1640, is the commonly accepted date for the founding of Greenwich
because the Indian deed was signed on that day. Although historians are
literally quite accurate when they assert that the settlement was established
after the purchase, there are, nevertheless, a number of reasons for assuming
that a few pioneers came here before July, 1640.
As an addition to the purchase of Daniel Patrick and Robert Feaks, it is noted
that "Keofram hath soulde all his Right in ye above sd necks unto Jeffre
Ferris." This notation suggests that Goodman Ferris was here transacting a deal
with the Indian Chief Keofferam before the coming of Daniel Patrick and Robert
Feaks. When signing his mark, Sachem Keofferam made the picture of a blockhouse
with a projection or lookout box. In front and behind the house he drew lines
which may have been an indication of plowed ground.
Indian signatures were really picture writing, and the marks usually depicted
something significant in relation to the document, which was signed. Such being
the case, it is quite likely that there actually was a block house on this land
bought by Jeffrey, and of course this house was his home. If so, it must have
been built before July 1640.
If we assume that Jeffrey was one of the first landowners, it is possible to go
a step further and attribute the naming of Greenwich to this particular founder,
who was born in LEICESTERSHIRE, England. About 1590 in England, there was an
adventurer named Richard Ferris who served as messenger in ordinary at the court
of Queen Elizabeth. At this time the Earl of Leicester was the Queen's favorite,
so it is more than likely that this member of the Ferris family from
LEICESTERSHIRE received an appointment through his influence. [Jim - recently,
some Genealogical organizations have made the leap and proclaimed that Richard
was the father of Jeffrey - this proclamation has been further spread as gospel
by numerous individuals. Until I am aware of documentation to this fact, I will
not make this jump. In this document, Jeffrey=s father is still unknown.]
The favorite summer residence of Queen Elizabeth was at Greenwich where her
yacht lay alongside the wharf in front of the palace. As a member of the court,
Richard Ferris must have visited there frequently. In this way, Jeffrey Ferris,
as a son or nephew (?), might have become very fond of the village of Greenwich
and when he came to New England he followed the custom of other emigrants by
naming the town after that place in England to which he was most attached.
Jeffrey Ferris was married three times. His second wife was Susannah Lockwood,
widow of Robert Lockwood, so from the very beginning of Greenwich history these
two families were united. It is said that 10,000 of their descendants can be
traced and many of them still live in Greenwich today.
Angell Husted is another founder of Greenwich whose family still lives there.
Robert Husted, his father, owned land in both Stamford and Greenwich and was a
witness to the purchase of Patrick and Feaks. Angell Husted was a special
witness to the purchase made by Jeffrey Ferris, and it is claimed by the Husted
family that he was here as early as 1638.
It would be impossible to name all the families who came to Greenwich over the
period of the next twenty or thirty years but it is interesting to notice that a
majority of them came here by the way of Watertown and Wethersfield just as
Goodman Ferris did. Some of these families settled for a time in Fairfield where
Jeffrey Ferris also lived for a few years because, as a loyal Englishman, he
resented the Dutch jurisdiction, which Daniel Patrick had forced upon Greenwich.
The Indians - Undoubtedly the dangerous situation due to the Indians was another
reason why Jeffrey Ferris left Greenwich for several years. Almost at once the
Indians became the most difficult problem with which the first settlers had to
contend. There were numerous raids as well as individual attacks on helpless
families.
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) have some different dates on
Jeffrey above. They show he married 1st Susannah Lockwood, who died in 1660; and
then married Mathais St. John who died in 1669. The DAR also state that Jeffrey
was a representative of the General Court, 1667, an original proprietor; yet
above, it states he died in 1666; so there is conflicting information, but I
guess that is to be expected.
From The Winthrop Woman - extracted
When on the morning of the purchase Elizabeth explained this to Daniel, he
laughed, saying ASo be it then! We=ll sign this on the confounded rock, if you
an= your squaw=re so set on it. I=m not the rascal to gainsay two determined
women. What do we say, men?@ He turned to the five other Englishmen who stood by
his hut door and were to act as witnesses. These were Jeffrey Ferris, a lean
taciturn farmer of thirty, with a crest of auburn hair near as red as Patrick=s.
Ferris had decided to establish himself in Rippowam, or Stamford, five miles
away since that tract had just been bought by the New Haven Colony, but Ferris
had already wintered on land west of Totomack cove and wished also to retain
this small portion of Greenwich.
..... Jeffrey Ferris said nothing, because he never spoke idly and was in a
hurry to finish these negotiations and get back to his patch of corn, which was
ready for picking.
From Volume 1, A Ferris Genealogy, by James S. Ferris
WILL OF Mr. JEFFERY FERRIS June 6, 1664
Fairfield, Conn. Probate Book from 1665 to 1675 Page 20 I, Jeffery Ferris, being now at this time through the mercy of God in
indifferent health and good memory thanks be to the Lord that giveth it to
me, do make this as my last will and testimony in brief considering age; I
knowing not whether the Lord may take me away with sudden death...
ITEM I give unto my wife that now is; all the estate that she can make
appear that she brought with her; also;
ITEM I give also to her four children that is to say, those four boys which I
brought up
and kept forty pounds, that is to say ten pounds apiece; that if they stay
and live with any of my children until they be of the age of eighteen years;
then it shall be put out for them and for their use until they are twenty
years of age; and then to receive it into their possession; further in case
that my wife that now is shall see cause to remain a widow after my decease;
for so long as she so remaineth I give for her use five acres of land that
is now in till the one half in my home lot and the other half at the marsh
or neck; also I give her free for her and hers one of my allotments that is
on Mihernoes Neck that is now fenced in; also that she sees cause I will
that she shall live in one part of my now dwelling house so long as she
shall remain a widow; also I give her two of my Pewter Platters one great
and one small.
ITEM I give unto my son James Ferris twenty pounds, that is to say besides his
cattle that
now is; also beside the quarter part of those which I gave between my son
Juda and James and Jonathan Lockwood that is to say Juda`s running remote in
the woods; also I give unto my son James my great copper kettle and also my
bed that standeth in the low room of my house, that is to say that bed with
all the furniture which my wife and myself commonly lodged on, also I give
unto my son James that bed with the furniture that commonly James lay on in
the other fore room of my now dwelling house; I give also unto my son James
Ferris all my carts and plows and all materials thereunto belonging; also I
give unto James my Iron Pot and three Pewter platters...
ITEM Also I give unto my daughter Mary Lockwood that now is twenty pounds
besides the quarter part of my before mentioned Juda`s I gave to her husband
Jonathah Lockwood; also
ITEM I give unto my son Peter Ferris his three children one mare colt that
shall run in stock, to be equal proportion between the three children; also
ITEM I give unto my son Joseph`s two children one mare colt to run for stock
for them and for their use and portion;
ITEM Farther my will is that what more of my estate shall be found after
those above mentioned legacies paid, shall be equally divided amongst all my
children;
ITEM Further it is my will that in case God should choose to give my wife a
child born of her body whilst she remains my wife, that is to say whilst I
live or that I leave her with child when I die, that then I give unto that
child male or female the other half of my farm that I now possess -- with
the right and privileges thereunto belonging; further it is my will that
this child shall have a young mare also; which I give it by, this, my will;
but in case this child should die before it hath any issue, then this my
gift to return to the rest of the estate as before mentioned; Further it is
my will and I do depute my loving friend John Holly now in Stanford and my
son Peter Ferris as my overseers to see this my will performed according to
this just expression and intent of this my writing: In witness that this is
my free will and act I set to my hand
This is the mark of
JEFFERY FERRIS
WITNESS Phillip Minthorn
March 9th 1667 I Juda Bowers lately Widow Ferris sometimes wife to Jeffery
Ferris do
hereby acknowledge I have received in full satisfaction what was given me by
my husbands will, and I do hereby fully acquit and discharge for me and mine
forever
WITNESS Rich; Lane or Lorn
Johnathan Sellick
Juda Bowers Mark
March 9th 1667 This will on the other side written was presented to be
approved by the parties concerned in the distribution of the order of the
will and in witness hereunto we do mutually agree to subscribe our names
with our own hands.
March 13th 1667 We whose names are underwritten do own and approve this will
within written to be the will of Jeffery Ferris deceased.
Witness our hands Juda Bowers
The mark of lately wife of Jeffery Ferris
In presence of Joseph Ferris
Joshuah Knapp James Ferris
Joseph Gurnsee or
Gornsee
Inventory of the estate of Jeffery Ferris dec: taken and approved by
Joseph Mead
Angell Husted
John Holly appointed thereunto (and under oath) by Mr. Lanes
present on the 24th 25th 26th and 27th Nov: 1666
Note: This was not copied from the original but rather from a copy that is in
loose material in a vertical file on Ferris Genealogy in the Genealogy Room of
the N.Y. Public Library.
|
