Jonathan Fairbanks, Sr.

"Jonathan Fairbanks was registered as living in Warley in 1617 when he married Grace Smith of Warley at St. John’s Church (now known as the Minster) in Halifax. This is the first documentation of location for Jonathan the immigrant. His father had land in Thornton in Craven as early as 1612, received from George and Margaret Parker, believed to be Ellen Parker, John’s third wife’s parents. After Jonathan’s marriage, we can locate him by the baptism of his children.
Jonathan’s children were christened as below:
John 1617 Warley
George 1618 Shelf
Marie 1622 Shelf
Jonas 1624 Warley
Susan c 1627 Thornton in Craven Note: about two years after John Fairbank’s death
Jonathan c 1629 unknown
Another interesting fact is that Jonathan named all his children corresponding to the children’s names of George Jr. (1562-1620) That implies a significant relationship between the two.
Leaving England
Jonathan left England between 1629 when his last son was born and 1636 when he signed the waiting list for a lot in Dedham. He is said in historical listings to have come from Sowerby and he probably had many relatives in Sowerby and may have lived on some of the land they owned that had many buildings and cottages and land. Looking at the places his children were christened gives us a clear picture of where he lived, mostly in the area of Halifax Parish and mainly in the lands near the Calder and Ryburn waters.
Jonathan was sent the will of his “cusin” (a word used for a close relative at that time), George, a clothier at Sowerby in 1650. This George, son of John Fairbanks and his first wife, is believed to be Jonathan’s half-brother. The executor James Platts sent the will. There was no inheritance left to Jonathan and the reason for his receiving the will is still a mystery. However, there is a brass sundial in Dedham Historical Society and Museum dated 1650 and made in London, that belonged to Jonathan and Grace Fairbanks. They could have sent for the sundial, but it is a coincidence that it is dated the same year as George Fairbank died and sent his will.
The same question arises with the description of Edmund Fairbank’s will describing a maser bowl, similar to the one that Jonathan and Grace are believed to have brought from England.
Summary
We know more about our family history than most other families, but we still have much to intrigue us about their early lives. Our history will continue to evolve as new generations with new technology and lots of foundational information strive to know our ancestors better.
I hope meeting the Fairbank/s of England will help you enjoy your self-guided tour of West Yorkshire into Sowerby, Sowerby Bridge, Old Haigh End of Sowerby/Triange, Thornton in Craven and into the Lake District of Kendal, Cumbria, England. We will explore those later. I want to make the trip and gather pictures before I share it with you. "
[https://www.fairbankshistory.com/.../fairbanks-ancestors...]
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http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=65298844

Birth: 1595 West Yorkshire, England Death: Dec. 5, 1668 Dedham Norfolk County Massachusetts, USA

Jonathan Fairbanks, immigrant ancestor of the Dedham, Mass. Fairbanks family. He was b. during the 1590s, s. of John Fairbank(s) of greater Halifax, West Riding of Yorkshire, England and either John's 2nd wife Isabella Staincliffe or 3rd wife Ellen Parker. Jonathan m. Grace Smith May 20, 1617 at Halifax and immigrated with his family to Boston, Mass. betw. 1633 and 1635 settling permanently by 1636 at Dedham, Mass.

Readers and fellow descendants are referred to the excellent research and conclusions regarding Jonathan's ancestry by two of his descendants in the July 2012 issue of the New England Historic Genealogical Register (166:165-187.)

Jonathan and Grace (Smith) Fairbank(s) had six known children, all b. at one of several towns or villages at or near Halifax, England. At the time, the Church of England required children to be baptized at the parish where the parents were then residing:

• i. John Fairbanks, bapt. Feb. 8, 1617/8, d. Nov. 13, 1684; m. Mar. 16, 1641/2 at Dedham, Mass., Sarah Fiske. who d. Nov. 26, 1683 at Dedham. Eight children of the family.

• ii. George Fairbanks, bapt. Nov 28, 1619 at Shelf near Halifax, d. Jan. 10, 1680/1 at Medfield, Mass.; m. Oct. 26, 1646 at Dedham, Mary Adams, who d. Aug. 11, 1711.

• iii. Mary Fairbanks, bapt. in Feb. 1621/2 at Shelf near Halifax, d. June 4, 1684 at Dedham, Mass.; m. 1) Apr. 2, 1644 at Dedham, Mass., Michael Metcalf, Jr., b. or bapt. Aug. 29, 1620 at Norwich, England. Five children of the family. She m. 2) Aug. 2, 1654 at Dedham, Christopher Smith. They had one known child.

• iv. Jonas Fairbanks, bapt. Mar. 6, 1624/5, was killed in a massacre by the Indians Feb. 10, 1675/6 at Lancaster, Mass.; m. May 28, 1658 at Lancaster, Mass., Lydia Prescott where seven children are of record.

• v. Susan Fairbanks, bapt. Dec. 10, 1627 at Thorton-in-Craven near Halifax, d. July 8, 1659 at Dedham, Mass.; m. Oct. 12, 1647 at Dedham as his 1st wife, Sgt. Ralph Day. Five children of the family. Ralph m. 2) Nov. 15, 1659 at Dedham, Abigail Crafts, widow of John Ruggles, dau. of Lieut. Griffin and Alice Crafts of Roxbury, Mass.

• vi. Jonathan Fairbanks, Jr., b. circa 1630, d. Jan. 28, 1711/2 at Dedham, Mass.; m. Oct. 4, 1649 at Cambridge, Mass., Deborah Shepard, dau. of Edward Shepard and Violet Charnould, who d. Sept. 7, 1705 at Dedham. Eight children of the family.

Updated March 21, 2013.

Family links:

Spouse:

 Grace Smith Fairbanks (1597 - 1673)*

Children:

 John Fairbanks (1618 - 1684)*

 George Fairbanks (1619 - 1683)*

 Mary Fairbanks Smith (1622 - 1684)*

 Jonas Fairbanks (1625 - 1676)*

 Susan Fairbanks Day (1627 - 1659)*

*Calculated relationship

Inscription: No gravestone is known to exist, or if it once existed has crumbled away with the passage of time. See note at the main page of the Old Village Cemetery of Dedham.

Burial: Old Village Cemetery Dedham Norfolk County Massachusetts, USA

Spelling variation: Fairebanke, Fairbank, & Fairbanks.

He came from Sowerby in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England, to Boston, Mass., in the year 1633, and in 1636 settled in Dedham, MA, where he built the noted "Old Fairbanks House" which is still standing as an ancient landmark, the oldest dwelling house in New England that, for the same period of time, has been continuously owned and occupied by the builder and his lineal descendants. Only a few houses, or parts of houses of the same age remain, and most of these are in ruins. It is, moreover, a remarkable fact, perhaps unparalleled in this country, that during all this time, two and a half centuries, the estate has never had a mortgage incumbrance upon it.

Came to Norfolk, MA 1633. He signed a will in 1668 in Dedham, MA

Jonathan made John sole executor of the will. The father, it would seem, had a good opinion of the English law of primogeniture, and so John, his eldest son, came into possession of hte homestead. From that time down to July 1892 the old house was continuously occupied by him [John] and his descendents, Joseph, Joseph 2nd, Ebenezer, Ebenezer 2nd, Prudence, Sarah (Sally), Nancy and Rebevva, the last family tenants. In July 1892, the house was struck by lightening and considerably damaged. Miss Rebecca's pet dog, lying under the bed where she was sleeping, was killed, but she escaped with a severe shock. Shorly after this event, deeming the house no longer a desirable place of abode, she abandoned it, leaving a strange family in charge, and removed to Boston. Thus for the first time in over 250 years the old house was occupied by persons not "to the manor born." But after spedning several months in Boston, she returned to dwell in the time-honored mansion, of which she was then the sole owner, and was still living there in the Fall of 1896.

One of the founding fathers of Dedham, MA. Original builder of the Fairbanks's house which might be the oldest frame house in the country. This historical building is open to the public.

Jonathan Fairbanks (1594 – December 5, 1668[1]) was born in Heptonstall, Halifax, Yorkshire, England. He first built the Fairbanks House in Dedham, Massachusetts which is today the oldest house in North America. He had "long stood off from the church upon some scruples about public profession of faith and the covenant, yet after divers loving conferences..., he made such a declaration of his faith and conversion to God and profession of subjection to the ordinances of Christ in the church that he was readily and gladly received by the whole church."

As was common at the time Jonathan used several spellings of his surname: Fairbanke, Fairebanke, Fayerbanke, and on his will Fairbanck. His sons and grandsons began spelling the name Fairbank or Fairbanks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Fairbanks

http://books.google.com/books?id=rbJ3WLoOEo0C

This is the Jonathan Fairbanke (or Fayrebanks, Fairbank, Fairbanks, etc) who was said to have come to Boston, MA from Sowerby, Yorkshire, England with four sons in the "Speedwell" and settled in Dedham, MA.

Some well-known descendants include US President William Howard Taft, US Vice President Charles Warren Fairbanks, both US Presidents Bush, and Emily Dickerson.

http://www.fairbankshouse.org/membership

JONATHAN6 FAIRBANKS (JOHN5, GEORGE4, GILBERT3, JOHN2, WILLIAM1)42 was born 1594-1595 in Sowerby, Halifax, Yorkshire, England, and died December 05, 1668 in Dedham, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts. He married GRACE LEE SMITH May 20, 1617 in Halifax, Yorkshire, England, daughter of SAMUEL SMITH and GRACE GAWKROGER.

Children of JONATHAN FAIRBANKS and GRACE SMITH are:

i. JAMES7 FAIRBANKS, d. Abt. 1668.

ii. SARAH FAIRBANKS, d. Bef. 166857.
11. iii. JOHN FAIRBANKS, b. Abt. 1618, of Sowerby, West Riding, Yorkshire, England; d. November 13, 1684, Dedham, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts.

 12. iv. GEORGE FAIRBANKS, b. November 26, 1619, Sowerby, Halifax, Yorkshire, England; d. January 10, 1681/82, Dedham, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts.

13. v. MARY FAIRBANKS, b. April 18, 1622, Yorkshire, England; d. March 10, 1675/76, Dedham, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts

14. vi. JONAS FAIRBANKS, b. March 26, 1624, Sowerby, Halifax, Yorkshire, England; d. February 10, 1675/76, Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.

15. vii. SUSAN FAIRBANKS, b. Abt. 1627, Thornton, G., Yorkshire, England; d. August 12, 1659, Dedham, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts - or 7/8/1659?

16. viii. JONATHAN FAIRBANKS, b. Abt. 1628, Sowerby, Halifax, Yorkshire, England; d. January 28, 1711/12, Dedham, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts.

17. ix. MARTHA PIDGE/FAIRBANKS, b. January 12, 1641/42 in Roxbury, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts, and died January 04, 1675/76. "Adopted child".

Birth order may not be accurate.

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~walkersj/Fairbanks.htm

U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900

about Jonathan Fairbanks

Name: Jonathan Fairbanks

Gender: male

Birth Place: En

Birth Year: 1594

Spouse Name: Grace Smith Lee

Spouse

Birth Place: En

Spouse Birth Year: 1600

Marriage

Year: 1617

Number Pages: 3

Jonathan built the house in Dedham, near Boston, in 1636, which is said to be the oldest inhabited

dwelling-house in the United States. It now belongs to the Fairbanks Family Association, of which Vice-President Fairbanks, Prof. Henry Fairbanks, Ph. D., son of the inventor of the scales, the Marchioness of Donegal and others are distinguished members.

Jonathan Fairebanke came from Sowerby in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England,

to Boston, Mass., where he built the noted "Old Fairbanks House" which is still

standing as an ancient landmark, the oldest dwelling house in New England that,

for the same period of time, has been continuously owned and occupied by the

builder and his linear descendants. Only a few houses, or parts of houses, of

the same [?] remain, and most of these are in ruins. It is, moreover, a

remarkable fact, perhaps unparalleled in this country, that during all this

time, two and a half centuries, the estate has never had a mortgage incumbrance

[sic] upon it.

This house is now historically famous, and is an object of great interest to

many visitors to the old town of Dedham. On the 20th of June, 1895, a new Court

House was dedicated in that town and Hon. Frederick D. Ely delivered an

historical address on the occasion. Speaking of old landmarks he referred to

the old house in the following words:

"In a neighboring street stands a dwelling house, erected early in the last half

of the seventeenth century. It is warped and worn by the sunshine and the

storms of its nearly 250 years. Winter and summer, frost and heat have done

much to undermine its symmetry, and its leaning walls and sloping floors are

only held in place by its frame on massive oak. Yet hundreds, I may safely say

thousands of men and women come from far and near to view and examine the old

Fairbanks house in every minutest particular, while they scarcely accord a

passing glance to the magnificent and costly modern mansion on the opposite side

of the street."

It has been claimed the house was built in 1636. This claim has been the

subject of considerable discussion among historians. and is disputed on

historical grounds. One, at least, expresses the belief that it was not built

till about the year 1654. The chief reason assigned for his belief is that the

old house is a framed building of massive oak timber, and that there is no

historical evidence that any framed dwelling houses were erected in the town as

early as 1636. Against this alleged fact is the tradition that the frame of the

main part of the house, together with the bricks and tiles and windows, was

imported from England, and remained in Boston for several months before it was

carried to Dedham.

The truth is that the house was not built as it stands at one time, or in one

year; and it is certain that Jonathan owned a house situated probably on the

same lot in 1648. In the valuation of houses, made in that year for the purpose

of assessing the "country rate," there were enumerated eighty-one houses,

ranging in value from œ45, the highest, to œ2, the lowest, omitting fractions.

The valuation of Jonathan Fairbanke's house was œ28, and only eight houses were

estimated higher. The highest valuation, œ45, was placed upon the house of Rev.

John Allin, pastor of the church.

Subsequently, perhaps as late as 1654, a large addition was made to the original

building, which was called the new house, which is said to have been built for

the occupation of his son John after his marriage. In the Inventory of

Jonathan's personal estate taken after his death in 1668, some things are

mentioned as contained in certain "rooms of the new house." From these facts and circumstances, particularly the fact that he owned a lot of land prior to May 1637, it is not unreasonable to conclude that he built a house in 1636, or soon after, which is a part of the present building, or in a short time was replaced by a framed structure to which the addition was made some years later.

The town of Dedham was established and named by the General Court the "10th of ye 7 Moneth, 1636," upon a petition signed by twenty-two persons, in connection with a grant of land in addition to a "grante formerly made of a Plantacion above the Falls," with "Immunitie from publike Charges" for three years.

Thereupon the "Dedham Covenant" was drawn up and signed by the petitioners and others.

The covenant was in the nature of a mutual compact concerning the future management of the affairs of the town. It was signed by one hundred and twenty-five persons, and among them were Jonathan Fayerbanke, John Fayerbanke, George Fayerbanke and Jonathan Fayerbank, Jun. Not all of this number, however,subscribed in 1636, but some of them from time to time as they were admitted townsmen.

From: http://members.tripod.com/~jmoule/d0000/g0000060.html#I000285

• *******

His will of 1 June 1668, probated 26 Jan 1669, provides for or mentions wife Grace, eldest son John; sec. George; Mary, wife of Christopher Smith (misspelled in Gen Dict of 1st Sett.); third son Jonas; and Jonathan, the youngest; Sarah, eldest daughter of son John; son-in-law Ralph

Day, and each of the four children he had by my daughter Susan, his late wife and the largest portion to son John. He was probably from the West

Riding of Yorkshire, as the will of his uncle George calls him of Sowerby in that part of England. Source: Gen Dict of 1st Sett. of N E., page 135.

Here we run into a problem. The Fairbanks Family of the West files, along with Howard Dow Holm in Family Archive CD# 100, United

Ancestries 1500-1990, show Jonathan as the son of John Fairbanks. UA only lists one child: George, and places the birth of Jonathan at Thornton, probably meaning Thornton on Craiven, instead of Sowerby. Lawson is adamant that there is no evidence of birth at Sowerby. Where is the evidence that the birth occurred at Thornton or Thornton on Craiven? Lawson and others show him as the son of George. What source is used in Gen Dict to state that his uncle George calls him of Sowerby? Another problem is the presence of Richard Fairbanks in 1633 at the time of the arrival of the ship "Griffin". The Gen Dict states that there was a reunion with his children. Were they already here in the colonies? When did they arrive? Who were they? Were they on the other ship? Clearly, Richard received the charge of receiving the mails, which charge went with the Fairbanks house built in 1636, indicating some kind of connection between Richard and Jonathan. Could he have been an older son, not living at the time of Jonathan's will? Could he have been a brother, as some descendants allege? What is their documentation? Stephen M. Lawson, whose documentation of his sources is better than most, says: "Some sources suggest that Jonathan came from Sowerby, West Riding, Yorkshire, England to Boston in 1633 in the "Griffin", but without documentary evidence. Claims that he was the brother of Rihard FAIRNBANKS, or that he arrived aboard the "Speedwell" are also apparently without documentation. That does not mean they are not true. He further notes that Jonathan only named his 5 surviving children in his will, a common practice of the time. His will was dated Jun 1, 1668, and proved Jan 26, 1669. His estate was inventoried at 300 pounds sterling. Lawson also states the Jonathan was "Married in England, probably as stated in the following record: Parish in Halifax, West Riding, Yorkshire, Jonathan FAYRBANKE and Grace SMITH, of Warley, a neighboring hamlet, May 20, 1617.

More investigation needs to be done. The compiler of the Gen Dict of 1st Settlers of New England observes that he believes Jonathan to be the progenitor of all Fairbanks living in New England, and he well knew of Richard, for he lists him twice, once in volume 2, and again in volume 3.

file: g0000001.htm lists ancestry same as FFOW. webGED: MacDougall Genealogy Data Page file: wpga11.html lists Jonathan sans parents, and only lists children George, Mary and Susan.

Fairbanks Family of the West Version: American Genealogist/Stephen M. Lawson Version

William Fairbanke William Fairbanke

John Fairbanke & Margaret John Fairbanke Margaret

Gilbert Fairbanke & Janet Gilbert Fairbanke Jennet

John Fairbanke & Isabella Stancliffe George Fairbank Sibyl Wade

Jonathan Fairbanks George Fairbank Mary Farrer

Jonathan Fairbanks

Clearly, it is the first generation, or the father of Jonathan that is in question, and whether it is one or two generations to Gilbert. From Gilbert to John is 1505 to 1552. From Gilbert to George is 1505 to 1528, to George 1562 thence to Jonathan 1594. The Fairbanks record recognized the children named in the will of Gilbert, who are only numbers 5, 6, 7, and 8 (Michael (who married Jane Mitchell), Hugh, Dorothy, and Agnes (who married George Harrison). The Lawson record further adds the names William (who probably married Isabella Horton), Johanna and John (who married Jane Bannester), and, from the will of Jennet, George, Edward, Agnes (mentioned by the Fairbanks sources) and Elizabeth. The crux of the problem is here: John was the son of Gilbert and Jennet. Both sources agree. Was this John, who married 1st Jane Bannester, 2nd Ellen Parker, and 3rd Isabella Stancliffe the father of Jonathan, or was George, the eldest son, father of George, and grandfather of Jonathan? George's second son John, b. abt 1554 is listed as marrying Ellen Parker and Isabel Stancliffe, with an additional wife #1, unknown. Was Sybil Wade the first wife of Gilbert, or the first wife of George? *Documentation is needed to clarify this situation. All of the ordinance work done beyond Jonathan is in question. All ordinance work shown on these sheets is from the Fairbanks records, following the Fairbanks lines.

Lawson lists 6 children, namely John, George, Mary, Jonas, Susan and Jonathan. He does not list Sarah, James and Martha, who died prior to their father, and hence were not mentioned in the will. Same for Demaree (file: fam00405.htm) Lawson also gives the following information: He moved to Dedham, Ma. by 1636 when he build his house there. The house at 511 East Street, Dedham, was build of timbers brought from England, and may well be the oldest frame house in America. It is probably unique also because it has been occupied by the same family for nearly 350 years,and has never been deeded or mortgaged! He signed the Covenant of Dedham, Ma. His will, dated Jun 1, 1668 and proved Jan. 26, 1669 names wife and his five surviving children. Estate inventoried at 300 pounds sterling. Married in England, probably as stated in the following record: Parish in Halifax, West Riding, Yorkshire, Jonathan FAYRBANKE and Grace SMITH, of Warley, a neighboring hamlet, May 20, 1617. REFN: 1V8C-51 shows burial as Dedham, Essex, England. He was buried at Dedham, Norfolk, Massachusetts. Imagine having arrived for the burial in England, the same day he died in Massachusetts, in 1668. Even today, I defy you to get a dead body exported in one day!

Jonathan Fairebanke Male, #260, (after 18 May 1595 - 5 December 1668) The Fairbanks House

    Jonathan Fairebanke was born after 18 May 1595 in Halifax Parish, Yorkshire, England.1 He was the son of John Fairebanke and Isabel Stancliffe.1 On 20 May 1617 Jonathan, married Grace Smith, daughter of Samuel Smith and Grace Gawkroger, in Sowerby, Halifax Parish, Yorkshire, England.2,3,4,5,1 On 4 August 1625 in Thornton-in-Craven, Halifax Parish, Yorkshire, England, Jonathan Fairebanke was mentioned in the will of John Fairebanke.1 Jonathan Fairebanke and Grace Smith emigrated in 1633 from Sowerby, Halifax Parish, Yorkshire, England, He settled in Dedham, Massachusetts where he built a home that is still standing. It is known as the "Fairbanks House."6,4,5 Jonathan Fairebanke immigrated in 1636 to New England.1 On 23 March 1636/37, Jonathan Fairbanks subscribed to the covenant of the Town of Dedham.1 He became a freeman on 23 March 1637/38 in Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.6 He joined the church on 14 August 1646 in Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.6 He left a will on 1 June 1668 in Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.3,7 He died on Wednesday, 5 December 1668 in Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.8,6,5 Jonathan's will was proved with the inventory valued at £300 on 26 January 1668/69 in Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.3,7

Charts

   Ancestry of Robert Roy

   Ancestry of Beverly Burnett

Children of Jonathan Fairebanke and Grace Smith

   John Fairbanks+3,6,5 (15 Feb 1618 - 13 Nov 1684)

   Capt. George Fairbanks+3,6,5 (28 Nov 1619 - 10 Jan 1682)

   Mary Fairbanks+9,3,6,5 (3 Feb 1621/22 - 10 Mar 1676)

   Jonas Fairbanks+3,6,5 (6 Mar 1624/25 - 10 Feb 1676)

   Susan Fairbanks+3,6,5 (23 Dec 1627 - 8 Jul 1659)

   Jonathan Fairbanks+3,6,5 (a 1629 - 28 Jan 1711/12)

Citations

   Joseph, Ruth Fairbanks and and James Swan Landberg. "New England Historical and Genealogical Register", The New England Historical and Genealogical Register volume 116 (July 2012).

   Torrey, Clarence Almon. "The English Ancestry of Jonathan Fairbanks of Dedham, Massachusetts", The American Genealogist volume XXXVII (1961).

   Lawson, Stephen M.. "Fairbanks Ancestory of Stephen Lawson. Online http://sml.simplenet.com/smlawson/fairbank.htm. Printout dated 12 March 1998.

   Fairbanks, Hiram Francis. "Fairbanks Marriages in the Parish of Halifax, West Riding of Yorkshire, England From 1538 to 1624", The New England Historical and Genealogical Register volume LXX (April 1906).

   MacKenzie, George Norbury. Colonial Families of the United States of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1966.

   Crane, Ellery Bicknell. Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Worcester County, Massachusetts. New York: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1907.

   Trask, William B.. "Abstracts from the Earliest Wills on Record and on the Files in the County of Suffolk, Mass.", The New England Historical and Genealogical Register volume XIX (1865).

   Hanson, Robert Brand. The Vital Records of Dedham, Massachusetts. volume 2: Deaths. Bowie, Maryland: Heritage Books, 1989).

   Harris, Luther Metcalf. "Metcalfe Family", The New England Historical and Genealogical Register volume VI (1852).

Builder of Fairbanks House in Dedham, MA

Pretty Cool!

GEDCOM Note

Category: Dedham, MassachusettsCategory: Signer of the Dedham Covenant

Biography

Jonathan Fayrbanke<ref>This spelling is chosen as it was used on the baptismal records of most of his siblings.</ref> was probably born between 1592 and 1595 in the parish of Halifax in the West Riding of Yorkshire where his father resided. His father's first wife died between 1590, when Jonathan's brother Joseph was born, and 1593 when his father remarried. Jonathan's birth was not recorded, so it is unknown which woman was his mother. If it was his father's first wife, Jonathan was perhaps born about 1592, or by 1595 if John's second wife, Isabella, was his mother.
Jonathan married Grace Smith on 20 May 1617 in Halifax.<ref>#S528|Richards Family: p. 3</ref> Four of their six children's baptisms are recorded in Halifax between 1618 and 1625, in Warley and Shelf, areas in Halifax.<ref>#S2872|Joseph: Page 165</ref> He came to Boston inthe Massachusetts Bay Colony with his family in 1633, and they remained there about three years, and then settled in Dedham. He was one of the earliest pioneers, signing the Covenant on 23 March 1636/7 when the town was established and named. He died in Dedham, Dec. 5, 1668,<ref>#S670|Fairbanks: p. 31</ref><ref>#S158|Dedham, MA, VRs: p. 388, death record</ref> and was buried in the Old Village Cemetery, although no stone is now extant.<ref>Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 14 December 2018), memorial page for Jonathan Fairbanks, Sr (1595–5 Dec 1668), 65298844, citing Old Village Cemetery, Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, USA ; Maintained by Don Blauvelt (contributor 46932939) .</ref> His wife Grace died 28th 10 mo. 1673, [or 19: 3: 1676, although this is probably the death of her granddaughter]. There is no record yet found of Jonathan's baptism, though three documents, taken together, provide evidence that he was the son of John Fairbank of Thornton in Craven, a parish about 18 miles from the town of Halifax.<ref>#S2872|Joseph: Page 165</ref> First is the 1625 will of John Fairbank of Thornton in Craven: Jonathan Fairbank, a son of the testator is treated differently in the will from his brothers George, Michael, and Jeremy, who all had received land from their father. Jonathan received no land but was given one-fourth of one-third of his father's estate. His three sisters received the other three-fourths of one-third.<ref>#S2872|Joseph: Page 166 citing Will of John Fairebancke of Thaigh Par. Thorton in Craven (Nov. 3, 1625), vol. 39, fol. 261, at the Borthwick Institute of Historical Research at the University of York</ref> Second is the 1650 will of George Fairbank of Sowerby: George was a clothier of Sowerby, a township within Halifax, adjacent to Warley. son of the 1625 testator, John Fairbank. George apparently had no wife or children at the time of his death and left legacies to his brothers and sisters and their families, as well as to his first cousins, children of his uncle George Fairbank of Sowerby Bridge. One of these first cousins was Mr. Jonathan Fairbank (1612-1687), Vicar of Bingley, YorkshireGeorge's brothers and sisters and their families named in this will are the same people listed in the 1625 will of their father John, exceptfor Jonathan the immigrant, who is not listed as a legatee. George's 1650 will reflects deaths in the family during the intervening 25 years. The legacies show his close relationship to his first cousins, as well.<ref>#S2872|Joseph: Pages 167-8, citing Will of George Fearbanke of Sowerby in Halifax (July 1650), in a will bundle, at the Borthwick Institute. See also "Will of George Fairbanks of Yorkshire, Eng.," Register 7 (1853):303-04</ref> Third is the Endorsement on the 1650 Will: There is a note written on the outside of a folded and sealed copy of the 1650 will of George Fairbank, which was sent to Jonathan Fairbank in New England, probably by James Platts, executor of the will. It was significant that thewill was sent to Jonathan, who was not a named legatee in the will, but was likely the younger half-brother of George. The copy of the 1650will was addressed as follows: ::George Fairbanke his ::last Will & ::Testamt. :::For his lovinge Cusen Jonathan ::::Fayrebancke in new Ingland :::::these :::::Deliur. These three documents taken together provide the basis for believing that John Fairbank of Thornton in Craven was the father of Jonathan Fairbank of Dedham. It was first proposed in Hiram Francis Fairbanks' article, "Ancestry of Jonathan Fairbanks," printed in the 1971 reprint ofFairbanks Family in America that John Fairbank of Thornton in Craven, the 1625 testator, was Jonathan's father. He said that in the seventeenth century, the term "cusen" could be used to refer to any closekinsman, not exclusively a first (or more distant) cousin as in modern usage.<ref>#S2872|Joseph: Pages 169-170</ref> Clarence Almon Torrey proposed in a 1961 TAG article<ref>Torey, Clarence Almon, "The English Ancestry of Jonathan Fairbanks of Dedham, Massachusetts," The American Genealogist 37(1961):65-72</ref> that Jonathan's father was George Fairbank of Heptonstall, son of George Fairbank of Sowerby and his wife Sybil Wade. His argument was based on theuse of the word "cusen" in the endorsement "For his Louinge Cusen" onthe endorsed copy of the 1650 will sent to Jonathan Fayrebancke in New England, and interpreted it to mean first cousin. There are flaws in Torrey's theory: there is no evidence that George of Heptonstall had a son Jonathan, or that a Jonathan Fairbank ever lived in Heptonstall or Erringden. George Fairbank, son of George and Sybil (Wade) Fairbank, who was baptized in 1562, was not George of Heptonstall, but George of Sowerby Bridge, the brother of John Fairbank of Thornton in Craven. Land records and wills of the Court of the Manor ofWakfield show a clear line of descent for the Fairbanks of Sowerby. In 1507 William Fairbank surrendered his estate called Brigbothame and Pigilcroft in Sowerby to the use of "John Faerbaink, son of said William..." In 1526 John Fairbanke surrendered Brigbotham, etc., to the useof "Gilbert Fairebanke, son of the aforesaid John Fairebank." In 1551at Sowerby, "John Fairbanke and Gilber Fairbanke the son and heir of John" surrendered several pieces of land called Lathecroft, Overholme,Netherholme and Le Sprynge, then in the tenure of Humphrey Fairebanke, to the use of George Fairbank, son of Gilbert, and Sibyl Wade, daughter of Gilbert Wade. On the same day in 1551 in Sowerby, Gilbert Fairbanke surrendered all his land in Sowerby to the use of "George Fairebanke, son and heir of Gilbert, and the lawfully procreated heirs of thebodies of George and Sibyl Waide, dauther of Gilbert Waide."<ref>#S2872|Joseph: Page 170-171</ref> In 1583 George Fairbank, son of Gilbert, surrendered the bulk of his property in Sowerby to his son, George Jr., later known as George Fairbank of Sowerby Bridge. This latter George was the brother of John Fairbank of Thornton in Craven. George Jr's wife was named as Isabel Bannister, daughter of Henry Bannister. George Fairbank of Sowerby Bridge made a will on 14 March 1619/20, proved 8 Feb 1620/1. His will does not mention any properties by name, but later records show that his widow Hester inherited Brigbotham. Fifteen years later, in 1635 John Fairbank, son of George of Sowerby Bridgedeceased, and Hester his mother surrendered a tenement called Briggbothome in Sowerby now in Hester's occupation, to the use of Jonathan and George Fairbank. In 1687 Brigbothom was inherited by a son of Jonathan Fairbank the vicar, a son of George and Hester Fairbank. So the descent of land confirms that George Fairbank of Sowerby Bridge, the 1629/20 testator, was the son of George and Sybil (Wade) Fairbank.<ref>#S2872|Joseph: Page 172-3, citing Will of George Fairbanke of SowerbyBridge (8 Feb 1620), vol. 36, fol. 325, at the Borthwick Institute, and </ref> It is theorized that Jonathan was treated differently than his brothers in his father's will and called "cuzen" in his half-brother's will because he may have been removed from his family after the death of hismother in 1597, shortly after his birth. The closeness with his uncleGeorge's family suggests that he may have been part of that householdduring some portion of his childhood, and the wills of his father andbrother reflect a physical and/or emotional distance during the earlyyears.<ref>#S2872|Joseph: Page 173-6,</ref>

Children:#John FAYRBANKE, bap. 15 FEB 1617 in Warley, Halifax, Yorkshire, England#George FAIRBANKE, bap. 28 NOV 1619 in Shelf, Halifax, Yorkshire, England#Mary FAYREBANKE, bap. 3 FEB 1621 in Shelf, Halifax, Yorkshire, England

1. Jonas FAIRBANKS c: 6 MAR 1624 in Warley, Halifax, Yorkshire, England#Susan FAIRBANKS c: 23 DEC 1627 in Thornton in Craven, Yorkshire, England
2. Jonathan FAIRBANKS b: ABT 1628

Will

Dated 01 JUN 1668<ref>Lorenzo Sayles Fairbanks, Genealogy of the Fairbanks Family in America 1633-1897 (Boston, MA: pub. by the author [American Printing & Egraving Co.], 1897), pp. 32-33.</ref><ref>Reprinted in NEHGR, 19:32 (1865).</ref> :In the yeare of our Lord one thousand sixe hundred sixty and eight, the first day of the fourth month, com'only called June; I Jonathan ffarbanke of dedham in the Countie of Suffolke, Senior, Being sicke and weake, And expecting that the day of my desolution is drawing neere doein the name alad feare of God ordaine and make this my Last will & Testamt for the disposelng and settling of the things of this life, withwhich the Lord hath at prsent Intrusted me in manner & forme as followeth; viz first I commit my soule to God that gave it, Trusting in thealone Righteousnes & mediation of Jesus Christ my Redemet & aduocate,& my body to the earth whence it was taken, to be after my decease Desently buried therein in christian buriall at the discretion of my Executor. :In prims I give & bequeath vnto grace my Deere & well beloved wife, All and Every prt & pfcell of my whole moueable Estate whatsoeuer as well within dores as without, namely all my household stuffe, of all & Euery sort & kinde as allso all my cattell of all kinds all my corne cartes ploughs workeing tooles & vtensils of husbandrye all debts due tome & whatsoeuer Ells come within the denomination of moueable Estate & all this I giue and Bequeath to my said wife, to despose of when Andto whom shee shall at any time see meete. And more I giue to grace mysaid wife an Annuitie of Eight pounds pr Annm to be paid to her or her assignee to her vse yearely & euery yeare, in two equall prts. :Ite I glue & bequeath to George (ffarbanke my secon)d sonne & to his heyers for euer, sixteene pounds the one halle whereof shall be payed to him within the space of one ( .... ) yeare next ensueing after the decease of my said wife; And whereas I haue allready giuen and doe herby confirme to my said sonne George all that my prt in the generaIl deuident (dividend ?) already laid out thro Meadfield & some workinge tooles & such like small things, my will & my mind is, That the said percell of lande and tho6e tooles and other small thing soe giuen shall be all indifferently & Equally aprized and if they shall together amount to the value of eight pounds then it shall be accounted for his first payment. : And I glue & bequeath to my daughter Mary the wife of Christopher Smith the sume of sixteene pounds, which sixteene pounds I glue to my said daughter in prticuler, And distinct from her husbans Estate & to beallwayes at her dispose, this sixteen pounds to be payed in two equall (sum'es ?) of Eight pounds. : Item More I giue to my said daughter Mary Three pounds to purchase her a suite of aparrell to be paid within the space of three months next after my decease. Item. I giue and bequeath to Jonas ffarbanke my third sonne & his heyers for euer the like sume of sixtene pounds to be allso payed in two equal sumes. : Item I giue & bequeath to Jonathan ffarebanke my yongest sonne & to his heighers the like sume of sixteene pounds, to be paid allso in twoEqual Sum'es. : Item I giue and bequeath to Sarah the Eldest daughter of my sonne John flarebanks one young beast betwixt one and two yeares of age, & more three pounds to be payed by my Executor when she shall attaine lawfull age, the young beast before mentioned I Reserue out of the cattell bequeathed to Grace my wife; :Item I giue & bequeath to my sonne in lawe Ralph Daye ffourty shillings to be payed within six monthes after my wives decease; Item. I giue& bequeath to each of the foure Children of the said Ralph which he had by my daughter Susan his late wife the sum'e of flourtie shillings to be payd them seuerally as they shall attaine lawfull age pruided all my other Legacies to my three sonnes & my daughter be first payed inmanner as is aboue Expressed; Item my mind ~ my will is that all these my legacies aboue bequeathed, the specie or kind of payment whereof is not named shall be all payed in current Contreypayment at price then Currant In ded (ham I glue ~ bequeath) To John ffarebanke my Eldest sonne all my houses &-' lands whatsouer, not being foremerly aboue (mentioned ? togeth)er with all my common Rightes & towne pruiliges whatsoeuer, to haue posses &' injoy the same ( .... ) & his heyers to entervpon all my lands forthwith after my decease; and all my houses and yardes at the end of foure mo'nthes n(ext followin)g the same; :Item I doe nominate apoiht and ordayne John Fairebancke my afforesaidEldest Sonne, To be my sole Executor to whom I coremitt all nessary trust d~' power Requisite for the due and full prformeance & Execution of this my last will as it belongs or is necessary for an Executor to doe in all & euery prt as is aboue expressed; :Item I allso name & intreate my very loueing friends Eleazer Lusher &Petter Woodward Sene to be ouerseers to the performance of this my present will & to be assisting to my aboue named Executor therin as themselues shall see cause, & I doe hereby reueoke & make null & voide allother or former wills whatsouer by me formerly made; & doe auouch & decleare this prsent wrighting, as is aboue herein entered, to be & contayne my true onely & last will & testemant. :In wittnss whereof I the said Jonathan ffarebanke Sene haue herevnto subscribed my hand & affixed my seale the day & yeare first aboue written. :This a true copy of the will of Jonathan Fayerbank senyore. as attestDaniell filsher. Wiliam Avery.

Witnesses deposed Jan. 26, 1668[9]. Inventory taken 16:10:1668.

Sources

<references />

• Joseph, Ruth Fairbanks and Landberg, James Swan. "Jonathan Fairbank of Dedham, Massachusetts, and his family in the West Riding of Yorkshire, Space:NEHGR|The New England Historical& Genealogical Register, (New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Mass.) July 2012, Vol. 166, Pages 165-187
• Wikipedia* Dedham, MA, VRs 1635-1845, Record Info: ISBN #0-89725-307-8 Editor: Hanson, Robert B. Publication: Picton Press, Camden, ME, 1997* Richards Family [Also Metcalf, Aldis, Stratton, Wiswall, Barrett, Kidder, Peck, Crane, Monfort, and Carman families, all ancestral to Jeremiah Richards, b. 1844, and his wife Susan Adrianna Monfort (New York, NY?, 190?)* Fairbanks, Lorenzo Sayles. Genealogy of theFairbanks Family in America 1633-1897 (pub. by the author [AmericanPrinting & Egraving Co.], Boston, MA, 1897) * Metcalfe, Howard Hurtig. Some Descendants of Rev. Leonard Metcalf of Tatterford Parish, Norfolk, England, Mostly those of his son Michael the emigrant to Dedham, Massachusetts, in 1637 (Heritage Books, Bowie, MD, 2002)* Stearns, Ezra S. Space:Genealogical and Family History of the State of New Hampshire|Genealogical and Family History of the State of New Hampshire (Lewis Publishing Company, 1908)Vol. 2, Page991* [http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=hsullmann...
• Don Gleason Hill, The Record of Births, Marriages and Deaths and Intentions of Marriage in the Town of Dedham Publication: Dedham: Dedham Transcript, 1886, Page: 13, But p. 15 has the death of Grace Fairebanck 19:3:76. [This is probably the daughter of Jonathan & Deborah born 1656.]
• William B. Trask, Abstracts from the Earliest Wills on Record and on the Files in the County of Suffolk, Mass., "New England Historical and Genealogical Register" Vol. 19(1865):32-33, Named as wife Grace in her husband's will.
• Thaddeus Fairbanks, Fairbanks Family Publication: St. Johnsbury,Vt.: the author, 1892, Page: 7
• Rev. Hiram Francis Fairbanks, Fairbanks Marriages in the Parish ofHalifax, West Riding of Yorkshire, England. from 1538 to 1624 "New England Historical and Genealogical Register" Vol. 60 (1906):153.
• Coombs, Jan Gregoire. Space:Coombs Family History|Coombs Family History (Janet Pulvermacher, Middleton, Wisconsin, 2013) Page 18
• ancestry.com
• Joseph, Ruth Fairbanks, and James Swan Landberg. "Jonathan Fairbank of Dedham, Massachusetts: and His Family in the West Riding of Yorkshire." New England Historical and Genealogical Register. (New England Historic Genealogical Society, Jul 2012), 166:178."Child of JohnA Fairbank and possibly his first wife or, more likely, his second wife Isabella Staincliffe: … Jonathan1 Fairbank, b. either ca. 1592 to the first wife ─ or to Isabella Staincliffe before or after 18 May 1595, when her daughter Susan was baptized. He m. Halifax20 May 1617 Grace Smith of Warley. They immigrated to New England probably in 1636 (before 23 March 1636/7) with their six children."
• Jonathan Fairbanks, in Savage, James. A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England: Showing Three Generations of Those Who Came Before May, 1692, on the Basis of Farmer's Register. (Boston: Little, Brown, and Co, 1860-1862), 2:136."Jonathan (Fairbanks), Dedham, the progenit. I presume, of all this fam. name now in N. E. came with w. Grace and prob. all his six ch. bef.1641, d. 5 Dec. 1668. His will of 1 June in that yr. pro. 26 Jan. foll. provides for or ment. w. Grace, eldest s. John; sec. George; Mary, w. of Christopher Smith; third s. Jonas; and Jonathan, the youngest; Sarah, eldest d. of s. John; s.-in-law Ralph Day, and ea. of the four ch. he had by my d. Susan, his late w. and largest portion to s. John. He was prob. from the W. riding of Yorksh. as the will of his uncle George calls him of Sowerby in that part of Eng."
• Hill, Don Gleason, Editor. The Record of Births, Marriages and Deaths, and Intentions of Marriage: in the Town of Dedham, Massachusetts, Volumes 1 & 2. 1635-1845 With an Appendix Containing Records of Marriages Before 1800, Returned from Other Towns, Under the Statute of 1857. (Dedham, Mass.: Town of Dedham, 1886), 11. "Jonath. Fairebanck, deceased 5 Dec., 1668."