Capt. Joseph Hussey

http://bz.llano.net/gowen/hussey_millenium/husseyms_098.html:

Farmer in his "General Register of the First Settlers of New England" suggests that Joseph Hussey was a son of Christopher Hussey. "One Hundred and Sixty Allied Families" concurs. Frank R. Holmes in his "Directory of the Ancestral Heads of New England Families, 1620-1700" states that Captain Joseph Hussey was a brother to Christopher Hussey. He was named as a representative to the General Court from Hampton a short time before his death there in 1672, according to "Genealogical Dictionary of New England."

A letter written about 1880 and published in a genealogical column of the "Boston Transcript" advocates the Farmer theory. The letter, apparently a rebuttal to one written by "W," was signed by "S.H.H." [possibly Sylvanus Harlow Hussey, a merchant of Blaine, Maine who operated S. H. Hussey and Company there from 1869 until at least 1881]. The letter reads:

"I have a letter before me from Mr. Whittier [John Greenleaf Whittier, a descendant of Richard Hussey] dated 5th, 4th, 1876, in which he says,

'Joshua Coffin, the late historian of Newbury (and who knew more of our antiquities and genealogies than any one else) always told me I was a descendant of Christopher Hussey on my mother's side in common with Daniel Webster and others. My Grandfather was Samuel Hussey of Somersworth, N. H. One of my uncles was named Joseph [Joseph Evans Hussey]. I have understood that the Husseys of Hampton were of our family.'

"This coincides with his statement, and I do not see why Richard [Richard Hussey] might not have been a son of Joseph and a grandson of Christopher [Christopher Hussey]. He might easily have been so from the date of his birth (1670), the children of Christopher having been born between 1630 and 1640. Joseph not having been mentioned in his father's will may be accounted for by his having offended him, or having been lost sight of and supposed to be dead. [Joseph Hussey had been dead for 12 years when Christopher Hussey wrote his will in 1684-85.]

"Henry Dow, a direct descendant of Christopher Hussey through his daughter Mary [Mary Hussey], was a noted antiquary and wrote a history of the Hampton family, which has been lately published by his daughter Lucy. Undoubtedly that would throw some light on the matter.

It seems very strange that Mr. Coffin's papers cannot be found, as they, according to Mr. Whittier, are most valuble. I should think his family might give some information in regard to them. Unless "W" can find who the parents and grandparents of Richard are, I see no reason to doubt that he was descended from Joseph, Christopher's son.

              S. H. H."