Francis Bushnell, of Guilford

Not the son of Francis Bushnell, of Thatcham & Margery Bushnell, and not the same as Francis Bushnell, 2nd, of Thatcham

Francis Bushnell migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). (See The Great Migration (Series 2), by R. C. Anderson, vol. 1, p. 510)

Disputed Parents/Origins

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Bushnell-16

Previously shown on this profile was the claim that Francis Bushnell was born about 1580 at Thatcham, Berkshire, England, the son of Francis Bushnell Sr. (abt.1550-1625) and Margery (Unknown) Bushnell (he has been disconnected from that couple). The source for the information was most likely the Bushnell Family Genealogy.[1] In the same book, G. E. Bushnell asserted that the fourth child of Francis Bushnell (d. 1625) was "Francis, who rem. to Horsham, Sussex Co., and later to America, where he settled in Guilford, Conn."[2]

More recent research by Patricia Metsch, publicly posted in 2007,[3] and material published by Legacy Family History, Inc (LFH) in 2022,[4] both cite the "Parish Register of Thatcham, Berkshire, 1250-1992" showing that Francis was baptised on 15 June 1598.[5] They come to the same conclusion: that if Francis the emigrant was having children as early as 1606, he could not have been the son of Francis (d. 1625) born in 1598, as he would have only been about 8 in 1606.

Metsch proposes that his birth location was probably closer to the place of his marriage, Horsham, in Sussex, than Thatcham. She indicates that Mayfield, Sussex, was about 50 miles closer and had a Bushnell family who were glaziers, as were Francis and his son, John.[6]

Biography

Francis Bushnell married Ferris Quynell on May 13, 1605 in Horsham, Sussex, England. [3][4]After her death, he married Joan Kinward on June 2, 1629 in England.[5] A claim that he married, third, Rebecca Holme, finds no support in available records and was essentially dismissed by G.E. Bushnell in his 1945 "Bushnell Family Genealogy"[6] (it has also been asserted, also without visible evidence, that Rebecca Holme was a second wife of this Francis's (presumed) father, Francis, Sr.; see Francis Bushnell).

• Marriage (1): "England, Sussex, Parish Registers, 1538-1910", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2QQ-KRCX : 11 March 2018), Frannces Bushnell and Ferris Quenell, 1605.
• Marriage (2) [wife shown as "Joan Raward"]: "England, Sussex, Parish Registers, 1538-1910", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2QQ-KPPT : 11 March 2018), Frauncis Bushnell and Joane Raward, 1629.

In 1635, five of his sons immigrated to America. He and his two daughters, Sarah and Rebecca joined them four years later; they were among the company of Rev. Henry Whitfield -- aboard the "St. John" -- who became the founding settlers of Guilford, Connecticut.[7][8][9]

Family

Taken from The Bushnell Genealogy Book by George E. Bushnell 1945 < link >

VI. Francis BUSHNELL - b 1580 Thatcham, Berkshire, Eng [sic: disproved] d 1646 Guilford, CT; m Ferris QUENELL - bapt 17 Apr 1587 Horsham, Sussex, Eng; d 10 Mar 1627/28 Horsham, Eng; Ch were:

• 1. Edmond BUSHNELL - b 27 Apr 1606
• 2. Francis BUSHNELL III - 8 Jan 1608/09; m Grace WELLS NORTON
• 3. Lt William BUSHNELL- B 3 Feb 1609/10 (see below)
• 4. Ruth BUSHNELL - b 1612
• 5. Stephen BUSHNELL - b abt 1613
• 6. John BUSHNELL - b 1615
• 7. Thomas BUSHNELL - b 1617
• 8. Richard BUSHNELL - b abt 1618; d abt 1660; m Mary MARVIN; Ch were: A. Joseph b 2 May 1651; B. Richard Jr b 10 Sep 1652; C. Mary b Jan 1654/55; D. Mercy/Maria b Mar 1656/57
• 9. Mary BUSHNELL - b abt 1618
• 10. Rebecca BUSHNELL - b 1621
• 11. Sarah BUSHNELL - b abt 1625
• 12. Elizabeth BUSHNELL - b 8 Mar 1627/28

  ---

NOTES: FROM: OUR EARLY EMIGRANT ANCESTORS, Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Co, 1962 - Licenses to Go Beyond the Seas - pages 47-49

"Theis pties heereunder mentioned are to be transported to New England, imbarqued in the "Planter", Nicholas Trarice, Master, bound thither. They have brought certificates from the Justices of Peace and Minister of the parish that they are conformable to the orders of ye Church of England, and are no subsidy men; they have taken the oath of supremacie and allegeance, die and a no prede. On this list are Francis Bushnell, age 26 (this would be son Francis Bushnell III); Maria (Mary) Bushnell also 26; and Martha Bushnell, age 1.

FROM: THE PLANTERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH - 1620 - 1640, by Charles Edward Banks

page 140 - PLANTER of London, Nicholas Trerice, Master. She sailed from London about April 10 (1635) and arrived at Boston June 7, following

page 143 - The following passengers certified from St. Albans, Hertz: Francis Bushnell, age 26, carpenter from Berkshire (settled in Salem, MA); Mrs. Mary Bushnell, age 26; Martha Bushnell, age 1; William Lea, age 16; Mary Smith, age 18.

FROM: TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF 2885 ENGLISH EMIGRANTS TO NEW ENGLAND 1620 - 1650

page 6 - 32 emigrants from 15 Parishes in Berkshire - Francis Bushnell from Thatcham Parish on "PLANTER" to Boston, Mass.; Salem, Mass.; Norwalk, Conn.

VII. Lt. William BUSHNELL - bapt 3 Feb 1609/10 Horsham, Sussex, Eng; d 12 Dec 1683 Saybrook, New London Co, CT; m 1643 at Saybrook to Rebecca CHAPMAN - b aft 1616 Eng; d 14 May 1703 at Saybrook; Ch were: 1. Deacon Joshua BUSHNELL - b 6 May 1644 Saybrook, CT; d Mar 1709/10; m 5 May 1682 at Norwalk, Fairfield Co, CT to Mary SEYMOUR - b Sep 1658; dau of Thomas SEYMOUR & Hannah MARVIN; Ch were: A. Thankful b 3 Jan 1685/86; B. Capt Joshua Jr - b 8 Nov 1690; d 1778; m Lydia LYNDE, Margaret CHAPMAN, Elizabeth HAWLEY; C. Hannah - b 16 Nov 1693; m 18 Feb 1712/13 to Joseph NETTLETON 2. Samuel BUSHNELL - b Sep 1645 3. Rebecca BUSHNELL - b 5 Oct 1646 4. William BUSHNELL - 15 Feb 1648/49 5. Francis BUSHNELL - b 6 Jan 1649/50 (see below) 6. Stephen BUSHNELL - b 4 Jan 1652/53 (twin) 7. Thomas BUSHNELL - b 4 Jan 1652/53 (twin) 8. Judith BUSHNELL - b Jan 1654/55 NOTES: FROM: BUSHNELL FAMILY GENEALOGY, Compiled by George Eleazer Bushnell, Nashville, TN, 1945

William Bushnell, it is inferred, came to New England with his brothers Francis & Richard, and for a few years resided at Salem, MA and probably removed to Guilford, CT before their father's death, all coming together. He was a carpenter and soon removed to Saybrook, CT where his services were much needed.

According to family tradition he built the first meeting house in Saybrook abt 1646, and by record, he built the second. The records also show that he received 6s for mending the drum that called the people to worship and to town meetings, and 10s - 6d for making pikes for the soldiers.

On 12 Sep 1652, Daniel Sledd of London, ENG, executor of the estate of his father, William Sledd, deceased, authorized his Uncle John Leigh of Ipswich, MA to collect a debt from William Bushnell of Guilford in New England, sadler, for goods bought of his father; this debt was still claimed on 5 Oct 1666 when Peter Blanchford of New London was empowered to make the collection, William being then of Saybrook. He was also mentioned in the will of Bozone Allen of Boston, MA.

In 1659/60 he was collector of the town rate, and on 3 Oct 1661 was appointed Ensign of the train band (militia), and served in that capacity during the Indian wars. In 1663 he took the inventory of the estate of Joseph Clark and on 4 July 1665, Robert Chapman, William Post, Francis Bushnell, Robert Lay, William Bushnell & Abram Post, representing the inhabitants of Saybrook, entered into an agreement with the Mohigan Indians, whereby additional lands were acquired by the town, and the former grants confirmed (vide).

On 3 Nov 1669, he sold two acres of his pasture to Abraham Post for a home lot, and on 12 May 1670 was appointed Deputy to the General Court. In 1673 he was a leather sealer; 1675 lister; 1677 townsman; and 1681 lister to rate all taxable lands, on 12 May 1679 he was appointed Lt. of the train band, & on 22 of the same month was one of four to draw up a plea.

On 4 Sep 1672, Thomas Adgate who had married his brother Richard's widow, sold a tract of land in Saybrook to "brother William Bushnell", and in Aug 1683, he testified to the nunc. will of Sussannah Waddams and 2 months later died on 12 Nov 1683. By the will of Uncas, Sachem of the Mohigans, dated 19 Apr 1684, 1500 acres of land was devised to him.

The inventory of his estate was presented to the New London Court on 24 Nov 1683 and adm. was granted to his eldest sons Joshua & Samuel until the next tern of court in Sep when William Dudley was appointed. At that time a dist. was ordered to the children & all of his daughters were named by their marriage names, except Lydia Seward. On 4 May 1698, in another record concerning his estate, the names of his sons Joshua, Samuel, William & Thomas were given & on 2 June 1710, Robert Chapman & John Clark were called upon to pass judgement on the value of a 1500 acre tract of land in Hebron, by Samuel Bushnell, only surviving adm. of the estate of his father, Lt. William Bushnell of Saybrook, dec'd naming the surviving heirs as Samuel, William, Thomas, Daniel, Rebecca Hand, Judith Seward, Abigail Seward & Lydia Seward.

VIII. Francis BUSHNELL - b 6 Jan 1649/50 Saybrook, CT; d Oct 1697 Danbury, CT; m 12 Oct 1675 at Norwalk, CT to Hannah SEYMOUR - b 12 Dec 1654 at Norwalk, CT; d abt 1723; dau of Thomas SEYMOUR & Hannah MARVIN; Ch were: 1. Hannah BUSHNELL - b 22 Aug 1676 (see below) 2. Mary BUSHNELL - b 21 Dec 1679; m John TAYLOR - b 1673 at Norwalk, Fairfield, CT; d abt 1743 3. Abigail BUSHNELL - b abt 1680; m Rev Seth Shove 4. Lydia BUSHNELL - b 1681; d 23 Aut 1786; m John FITCH - b 29 Sep 1677; d abt 1760 5. Mercy BUSHNELL - b 1687; d 9 Nov 1767; m 3 Jan 1711/12 Maj John BOSTWICK of New Milford, CT; Other spouse was James LOCKWOOD of Norwalk, CT 6. Rebecca BUSHNELL - d aft 1712 7. Judith BUSHNELL - d aft 1712 NOTES: Francis BUSHNELL & Hannah SEYMOUR were first cousins

IX. Hannah BUSHNELL - b 22 Aug 1676 at Norwalk, CT; d abt 1723 at Danbury, CT; m abt 1696 to Lt. Samuel KNAPP

Additional Ancestry

William Busshenell, b. 1466 John Bushenell, b. 1492 Nicholas Bushnell, b. 1524 Francis I. Bushnell, b. 1550 Francis B. Bushnell, b. 1580 William Bushnell, b. 3 Feb 1610 William Bushnell Jr., b. 15 Feb 1648 William Bushnell III, b. 3 Apr 1680 Gideon Bushnell, b. 1720 Gideon Bushnell Jr., b. 1 Nov 1756 Campbell Bushnell, b. 17 Jun 1792 William Henry Bushnell, b. 8 Jun 1823 Campbell William Bushnell, b. 19 Jun 1856 Blanche Ida Bushnell Evans, b. 29 Dec. 1899

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=== GEDCOM Note === Francis married Ferris Quenell. After the death of Ferris, Francis married a second time on 2 June 1629 to Joan Kinward. She died 21 June 1631.

Francis Bushnell BIRTH 1587 Thatcham, West Berkshire Unitary Authority, Berkshire, England DEATH 13 Oct 1646 (aged 58–59) Guilford, New Haven County, Connecticut, USA

In 1639 Francis Bushnell [Sr.] with daughters Sarah and Rebecca sailed aboard the "St. John" commanded by Captain Russell from England 20 May 1639 arriving at New Haven, CT between July 10th and 15th, 1639.

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LTLL-9ZF

"There is nothing to show where he had come from or what his antecedents may have been" Herbert F. Seversmith, M.A., The American Genealogist, Volume 16 Number 1, July 1939

Francis Bushnell, first appears of record at Horsham, co. Sussex, Eng. on the date of his 1st mar. and for twenty-seven years, he or his children are mentioned in the Church Register, after which the name disappears for some forty years. All the Bushnell records during this period pertain to him, his children, or his grand-children, with the exception of two entries which we have failed to identify, viz: Peter Bushnell, "a childe," bur. 21 Feb. 1622/3, and, Mary, "wid." bur. 22 Feb. 1624/5.

In 1635, his five living sons left their native shore bound for America, and four years later he followed with his two dau's, Sarah and Rebecca in the company of Rev. Henry Whitfield, aboard the St. John. After they had been at sea about ten days, the company formulated a covenant, sometimes called the "Guilford Covenant" or "The Plantation Covenant," upon which his name appears third, while that of the Rev. John Hoadley, who married his daughter Sarah, appears ninth. The company landed at Fair Haven, Connecticut between the 10th and 15th of July 1639 and two months later the deed was signed for their new settlement at Menunkatuck, purchased of the Quinipiac Indians, which they named Guilforde after the shire town in Surrey from which some of the emigrants came (R-7).

He does not seem to have been very active in the affairs of the colony, although his home lot of about three and one-half acres, on the N.E. corner of the roads now known as Fair and Broad Streets, was one of the choice locations. When his son Francis, Jr., came to Guilford, he acquired the lot next north of the northwest corner lot, on Fair Street while the Rev. John Hoadley had a lot on the south side of Broad Street between Fair and River Streets.
Here he resided until his death in 1646, and his will, attested to by Mr. Henry Whitfield, the first minister and William Leete, the first Governor, at a session of the Plantation Court, held 13 Oct. 1646, was the first document of its kind to be probated there (R-8). Both Mr. Whitfield and Mr. Leete as well as the Rev. John Hoadley, were "Pillars" of the First Church of Guilford.
No evidence has been presented that he had either a brother, a wife, or any other relative in America, other than his five sons and two daughters (R-9).

From Bushnell Family Genealogy, Ancestry and Posterity of Francis Bushnell (1580 - 1646) of Horsham, England and Guilford, Connecticut, Including Genealogical Notes of other Bushnell Families, whose connections with this branch of the family tree have not been determined. Compiled and written by George Eleazer Bushnell Nashville, Tennessee 1945, p. 25