James Skiff

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Skiffe-9 Profile last modified 9 Feb 2020 | Created 2 Oct 2011

James Skiffe Sr. aka Skiff was born about 1615 in London, Middlesex, England [uncertain]. Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown] [sibling%28s%29 unknown]. He married Mary (Unknown) Skiffe about 1637 in Plymouth Colony [uncertain]. He is the father of James Skiffe Jr., Stephen (Skiff) Skiffe, Nathaniel (Skiffe) Skiff, Sarah (Skiffe) Mayhew, Bathshua (Skiff) Bourne, Mary (Skiffe) Mayhew, Patience (Skiffe) Bourne, Benjamin Skiffe and Nathan (Skiffe) Skiff. James died after 9 Jun 1687 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Plymouth Colony.

James Skiffe Sr. migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1620-1640).

Disputed Origins / Disputed Spouses

As of 1925, his origins and parentage had not been identified. There is no evidence that he was son of Richard Skiff.

"While the name is very rare in England, it is found quite numerous in a group of parishes near London, as Eltham 1559, Newenden 1578, Lewisham 1589, Mottingham 1603, Greenwich 1620, Charlton 1645, besides scattering occurrences of the name in various London parishes of that period. The name is found in variations of Skeffe, Skyffe, Skaffe and other intermediate spellings but the name of James is absent in all these quoted instances."[1] While there has been speculation in the past that he had two wives, the first of whom was supposed to be Margaret Reeves/Reaves, there is evidence of only one wife-- Mary, whose maiden name is unknown.[2][3]

Biography

James became a proprietor at Lynn, Mass., in 1637, being one of the original settlers. He removed to Sandwich later that year. In 1639, he was summoned to the General Court at Sandwich to answer for refusing to take the oath of fidelity. He was Deputy to the General Court in 1645 and for 13 years after. He served in the Governor's Council; he was appointed in 1658 'to exercise the militia'; he was a Yeoman; he was a Freeman in 1644. He opposed harsh measures against the Quakers (Friends), for which he was refused his seat as Deputy to the colonial court. He died at Sandwich after 1688.

His only known (documented) wife, Mary, died in Sandwich 21 Sep 1673.[4][5][6]

The only primary records I find for any wife in US records are in Sandwich, one a birth record for son Steven in 1641 and the other is her death in 1673. There is no marriage recorded in Sandwich. "Stephen Skeffe the son of James Skeffe and Mary Skeffe his wife was Born the 14th day of Aprill Anno Dom 1641" "mary Skffe the wife of James Skffe Sen Died the 21.of Septembar. 1673" [C.L. Kardell and R.A. Jr. Lovell, compiler, VRs of Sandwich MA to 1885 (Boston, MA: NEHGS, 1996) pp. 21, 47] - Bobbie Hall http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Madison-125

James Skiff, the ancestor of all the Skiffs in America... In 1659 James Skiff, Town Deputy from Sandwich was rejected by the General Court for his toleration of Quakers. His wife Mary died in Sandwich on Sept. 21, 1673 per Freeman's History of Cape Cod.

James Skiffe died after 9 June 1687. He quitclaimed a parcel of land in Tisbury on that date.[7]

Children

James Skiff(e), Jr., b. 12 Sept. 1638 Sandwich?, m1 Elizabeth Tabor or Neighbor who died or divorced by 1670; m2 abt March 1677 in Nantucket, Sarah Barnard Stephen, b. 14 Apr. 1641. Nathaniel, b. 20 Mch 1645. Sarah, b. 12 Oct. 1646; m. Thomas Mayhew. Bathsheba, b. 26 Apr. 1648; m. Shearjashub Bourne 1666 Mary, b. 24 March 1650; m. Matthew Mayhew Patience, b. 25 March 1652; m. Elisha Bourne 26 Oct. 1675. Benjamin, b. 15 Nov. 1655; a biographical sketch of him appears in Vol. II, Annals of C., pp. 36-9. He d. s. p. 17 Feb. 1717- 18. He is buried at Chilmark Cemetery. His wife, Hannah Merry, is buried beside him. Nathan, b. 16 May 1658. In addition to the children shown here, he may have had Elizabeth (who was buried 25 January 1676 in Rehoboth).[8]

Until we find more definitive proof than unsourced online family trees, I've a) detached him from Richard Skiff as father, and b) merged his wives into one -- Mary Unknown. - Jillaine Smith

Sources

↑ Charles Banks, History of Martha's Vineyard, (1925), Vol. III - Genealogies, pp 432-440; transcribed here (as of 2 Feb 2014) ↑ New England Families Genealogy and Memorial. (Vol 2, page 1126) ↑ "Annals of West Tisbury," in History of Martha's Vineyard, Vol II, pp 71-72, without citing any source for this theory: "His first wife is said to have been Margaret Reaves, and he had a second wife named Mary." ↑ Frederick L. Pierson, Descendants of James Skiff of Sandwich, Mass..., Amenia, NY (1895) ↑ Charles Banks, History of Martha's Vineyard, (1925), Vol. III - Genealogies, pp 432-440 ↑ Freeman, History of Cape Cod ↑ Banks, Charles Edward. The History of Martha's Vineyard, Dukes County, Massachusetts: Volume II Town annals. Boston: G.H. Dean, 1911p. 72 ↑ Savage, Genealogical Dictionary..., citing Colonial Records See also:

Pope, Charles H. The Pioneers of Massachusetts (Boston, Mass., 1900) gives James' wife's name as Mary. Sandwich, A Cape Cod Town History of Tilton Family in America, F. T. Tilton, pp. 152-3. Banks, Charles. The History of Martha's Vineyard (G.H. Dean, Boston, 1911) Vol. 2: Town Annals. Page 71-2 Jordan, John W. Genealogical and Personal History of Western Pennsylvania (Lewis Historical Pub. Co., New York, 1915, Vol. 3. pg. 1510-1512)

• https://gw.geneanet.org/tdowling?lang=en&n=skiffe&p=james

'James Skiffe

about 1610 - 1688  (~ 78 years)

Personal Information

Name James Skiffe

Born about 1610 England

Gender Male

Died 1688

Person ID I5648 Schirado

Last Modified 10 October 2005

Family/Spouse Margaret Reaves, d

. 21 September 1673, Sandwich, MA

Children

	1. James Skiffe,   b. 12 September 1638, Sandwich, MA ,   

d. after 1719 (Age > 82 years)

+ 2. Stephen Skiffe, b. 14 April 1641, Sandwich, MA ,

d. 8 June 1710, Sandwich, MA (Age 69 years)

+ 3. Dea. Nathaniel Skiffe, b. 20 March 1644/5, Sandwich, MA ,

d. 24 April 1723,

Windham, CT (Age 78 years)

+ 4. Sarah Skiffe, b. 12 October 1646, Sandwich, MA ,

d. 30 December 1740  (Age 94 years)

+ 5. Bathsheba Skiffe, b. 26 April 1648, Sandwich, MA ,

d. 13 May 1714, Sandwich, MA (Age 66 years)

+ 6. Mary Skiffe, b. 24 March 1649/50, Sandwich, MA ,

d. 1 May 1690 (Age 40 years)

+ 7. Patience Skiffe, b. 12 March 1652, Sandwich, MA ,

d. 25 October 1716, Sandwich, MA (Age 64 years)

	8. Benjamin Skiffe,   b. 15 November 1655, Sandwich, MA ,   

d. 17 February 1716/7 (Age 61 years)

+ 9. Nathan Skiffe, b. 16 May 1658, Sandwich, MA ,

d. 19 February 1725/6, Chilmark, MA (Age 67 years)

Family ID F4052 Family Group Sheet | Family Chart

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'

JAMES SKIFFE, b. abt. 1610, the ancestor of this family in America, of whom

a biographical sketch may be read in Vol. II, Annals of W. T., pp. 71-2,

has thus far escaped identification in his English home despite continued

efforts in tracing every available clue. While the name is very rare in England,

it is found quite numerous in a group of parishes near London,

as Eltham 1559, Newenden 1578, Lewisham 1589, Mottingham 1603,

Greenwich 1620, Charlton 1645, besides scattering occurrences

of the name in various London parishes of that period.

The name is found in variations of Skeffe, Skyffe, Skaffe and other

intermediate spellings but the name of James is absent in all t

hese quoted instances. His children were as follows:

1. JAMES, b. 12 Sept. 1638.
2. STEPHEN, b. 14 Apr. 1641.
3. NATHANIEL, b. 20 Mch 1645.
4. SARAH, b. 12 Oct. 1646; m. THOMAS MAYHEW (31).
5. BATHSHUA, b. 26 Apr. 1648; m. SHEARJASHUB BOURNE 1666
6. MARY, b. 24 Mch. 1650; m. MATTHEW MAYHEW (30)
7. PATIENCE,, b. 25 Mch. 1652; m. ELISHA BOURNE 26 Oct. 1675.
8. BENJAMIN, b. 15 Nov. 1655; a biographical sketch of him

appears in Vol. II, Annals of C., pp. 36-9. He d. s. p. 17 Feb. 1717- 18.

[He is buried at Chilmark Cemetery. His wife, Hannah Merry, is buried beside him.]

1. NATHAN, b. 16 May 1658.

http://history.vineyard.net/skiffe.htm

Friend from England Of Isaac Allerton of The Mayflower.

GEDCOM Note

Disputed Origins / Disputed Spouses ==As of 1925, his origins and parentage had not been identified. There is no evidence that he was son of Richard Skiff.:"While the name is very rare in England, it is found quite numerous in a group of parishes near London, as Eltham 1559, Newenden 1578, Lewisham 1589, Mottingham 1603, Greenwich 1620, Charlton 1645, besides scattering occurrences of the name in various London parishes of that period. The name is found in variations of Skeffe, Skyffe, Skaffe and other intermediate spellings but the name of James is absent in allthese quoted instances."<ref>Charles Banks, History of Martha's Vineyard, (1925), Vol. III - Genealogies, pp 432-440; transcribed here (as of 2 Feb 2014)</ref>

While there has been speculation in the past that he had two wives, the first of whom was supposed to be Margaret Reeves/Reaves, there is evidence of only one wife-- Mary, whose maiden name is unknown.<ref>New England Families Genealogy and Memorial. (Vol 2, page 1126)</ref><ref>"Annals of West Tisbury," in History of Martha's Vineyard, VolII, pp 71-72, without citing any source for this theory: "His first wife is said to have been Margaret Reaves, and he had a second wife named Mary."</ref>

Biography

James became a proprietor at Lynn, Mass., in 1637, being one of the original settlers. He removed to Sandwich later that year. In 1639, he was summoned to the General Court at Sandwich to answer for refusing totake the oath of fidelity. He was Deputy to the General Court in 1645and for 13 years after. He served in the Governor's Council; he was appointed in 1658 'to exercise the militia'; he was a Yeoman; he was a Freeman in 1644. He opposed harsh measures against the Quakers (Friends), for which he was refused his seat as Deputy to the colonial court. He died at Sandwich after 1688. His only known (documented) wife, Mary, died in Sandwich 21 Sep 1673.<ref>Frederick L. Pierson, Descendants of James Skiff of Sandwich, Mass..., Amenia, NY (1895)</ref><ref>Charles Banks, History of Martha's Vineyard, (1925), Vol. III - Genealogies, pp 432-440</ref><ref>Freeman, History of Cape Cod</ref> The only primary records I find for any wife in US records are in Sandwich, one a birth record for son Steven in 1641 and the other is her death in 1673. There is no marriage recorded in Sandwich. "Stephen Skeffe the son of James Skeffe and Mary Skeffe his wife was Born the 14th day of Aprill Anno Dom 1641" "mary Skffe the wife of James Skffe Sen Died the 21.of Septembar. 1673" [C.L. Kardell and R.A. Jr. Lovell, compiler, VRs of Sandwich MA to 1885 (Boston, MA: NEHGS, 1996) pp. 21, 47]- Bobbie Hall http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Madison-125 James Skiff, the ancestor of all the Skiffs in America... In 1659 James Skiff, Town Deputy from Sandwich was rejected by the General Court for his toleration of Quakers. His wife Mary died in Sandwich on Sept. 21, 1673 per Freeman's History of Cape Cod. James Skiffe died after 9 June 1687. He quitclaimed a parcel of land in Tisbury on that date.<ref>Banks, Charles Edward. The History of Martha's Vineyard, Dukes County, Massachusetts: Volume II Town annals.Boston: G.H. Dean, 1911p. 72</ref>

Children

1. James Skiff(e), Jr., b. 12 Sept. 1638 Sandwich?, m1 Elizabeth Tabor or Neighbor who died or divorced by 1670; m2 abt March 1677 in Nantucket, Sarah Barnard
2. Stephen, b. 14 Apr. 1641.
3. Nathaniel, b. 20 Mch 1645.
4. Sarah, b. 12 Oct. 1646; m. Thomas Mayhew.
5. Bathsheba, b. 26 Apr. 1648; m. Shearjashub Bourne 1666
6. Mary, b. 24 March 1650; m. Matthew Mayhew
7. Patience, b. 25 March 1652; m. Elisha Bourne 26 Oct. 1675. # Benjamin, b. 15 Nov. 1655; a biographical sketch of him appears in Vol. II, Annals of C., pp. 36-9. He d. s. p. 17 Feb. 1717- 18. He is buried at Chilmark Cemetery. His wife, Hannah Merry, is buried beside him.
8. Nathan, b. 16 May 1658. In addition to the children shown here, he may have had Elizabeth (whowas buried 25 January 1676 in Rehoboth).<ref>Savage, Genealogical Dictionary..., citing Colonial Records</ref> Until we find more definitive proof than unsourced online family trees, I've a) detached him from Richard Skiff as father, andb) merged his wives into one -- Mary Unknown. - Jillaine Smith

Sources

<references />

See also:* Pope, Charles H. The Pioneers of Massachusetts (Boston, Mass., 1900) gives James' wife's name as Mary.

• Sandwich, A Cape Cod Town
• History of Tilton Family in America, F. T. Tilton, pp. 152-3.* Banks, Charles. The History of Martha's Vineyard (G.H. Dean, Boston, 1911) Vol. 2: Town Annals. Page 71-2 <!-- Please edit, add, or delete anything in this text, including thisnote. Be bold and experiment! If you make a mistake you can always see the previous version of the text on the Changes page. -->

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