John Emerson, of Scituate

Not the same as Rev. John Emerson

John Emerson was born in England about 1615.[1]

He migrated to New England on the Abigail enrolling at London on July 1, 1635 at the age of 20 years, an educated young man since he signed his full name to the deeds when he acquired land; and had a house built in Scituate toward the end of 1636; a yeoman, planter and freeman of Plymouth Colony.[1]

John sold his land on February 2, 1636/7 as "John Emerson of Scittuate in America, planter" to Nathaniel Tilden.[1]

On July 19, 1638 at Duxbury, John married Barbara Lothrop, daughter of Rev. John Lothrop, officiated by Captain Miles Standish as it says, "My son Emmersonn and my daughter Barbarah married at Duxberry by Captain Standige." There are no records of children born to this couple.[1]

John Emerson and Isaac Stedman were in court on March 6, 1638/9 for forcing their servant James Till to work for them an additional year. The court ruled that Till should serve out his remaining five years with Emerson. It turned out that Till had been stealing from their masters and was whipped and burnt on the shoulder, being told to make resititution to his Master Emerson.[1]

He was fined L5 for "suffering disorders in his house by drinking" on September 3, 1639.[1]

John sold additional land to Tilden again on October 10, 1639; nine acres. The last record of him in New England was March 3, 1639/40. His name isn't on the list of Plymouth Colony men able to bear arms in 1643.[1]

Rev. John Lothrop made his will on August 10, 1653 saying, "My daughter Jane and my daughter Barbarah have had their portions already." So we know that John Emerson's wife Barbara was still alive at that time. The will, however, gives no information about where Barbara lives or if she is still married to Emerson. The couple may have returned to England in 1640 or moved some other place beyond New England. It is also possible that John Emerson died by 1640 and Barbara may have remarried.

References

• 1. Great Migration 1634-1635, C-F. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2008.) Originally published as: The Great Migration, Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volume II, C-F, by Robert Charles Anderson, George F. Sanborn, Jr., and Melinde Lutz Sanborn. Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001. Sketch of John Emerson. p. 439 - 442. AncestryImage