Rev. Ralph Smith

Ralph Smith migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). (See Great Migration Begins, by R. C. Anderson, Vol. 3, p. 1694)

Biography

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Smith-29847

Ralph Smith was born about 1590, probably in England.[1]. He matriculated at Cambridge from Christ's College in July 1610; receiving his B.A. 1613-14.[1]

By 1629 he had married however the name of his first wife is unknown; she died by 1633. No children are recorded.[1]

He migrated in 1629, with the Governor and Assistants of the Massachusetts Bay Company writing to John Endicott the following:

"Mr. Raph Smith, a minister, hath desired passage in our [ships], which was granted him before we understood of his difference of judgement in some things from our ministers. But his provisions for his voyage being shipped before notice was taken thereof, through many occasions wherewith those intrusted with this business have been employed, and forasmuch as from hence it is feared there may grow some distraction amongst you if there should be any siding, though we have a very good opinion of his honesty, we shall not, hope, offend in charity to fear the worst that may grow from their different judgements. We have therefore thought it fit to give you this order, that unless he will be conformable to our government, you suffer him not to remain within the limits of government." Mr Smith and his wife first resided at Nantasket then moved to Plymouth in 1629.[1]

Mr. Smith was on the list of Freemen at Plymouth on January 1, 1632, March 7, 1636, and 1639. He was a representative from Plymouth on a committee to revise colony laws on October 4, 1636. Also in 1636, Bradford noted that "this year Mr. Smith laid down his place of ministry, partly by his own willingness as thinking it too heavy a burden, and partly at the desire and by the persuasion of others."[1]

---

Mary (Gooddall) Masterson, widow of Richard Masterson, married by July 1, 1633, at Plymouth, to Rev. Ralph Smith. His second marriage; the name of his first wife is not known. No children are recorded. She died in 1659 [NEHGR 144:24.]

The Smith's moved to Manchester by 1645 where he preached to the people prior to a church being formed. They were in Ipswich by 1652 and finally lived in Boston by 1660.[1] Ralph Smith died at Boston on March 1, 1660/1; "Mr. Ralph Smith Pastor of the Church of Plymouth died the first of March."[1]

Notes

On 22 Oct 1650, "Mr Ralph Smith of Ipswich in N[ew] Eng[land]," for "Mary his wife (sometimes formerly wife of Rich[ard] Masterson of Leidon)," ade "Mr. Hugh Goodyeare of Leidon in Holland" his attorney to collect "all rents [and] arrearages due unto the aforesaid Mary for a certain house or tenement situate upon the uppermost graft near the quackle brigg in Leiden aforesaid."[12]

Source: 12. ”A Volume Relating to the Early History of Boston Containing the Aspinwall Notarial Records from 1644 to 1651,” Reports of the Record Commissioners of the City of Boston 32 (Boston: Municipal Printing Office, 1903) 331-332.

Comments

Birth seen as Birth: April 05, 1590 Denton, Lancashire, England without citation.

References

1. The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-1633, Volumes I-III. (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2010), (Originally Published as: New England Historic Genealogical Society. Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-1633, Volumes I-III, 3 vols., 1995). Featured Sketch: Ralph Smith.Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to N.E. 1620-1633, Vols. I-III Pages 1694 to 1697 < AmericanAncestors >
2. “John Wood Alias Atwood of Plymouth, Massachusetts,” by Alicia Crane Williams. Mayflower Descendant: A Journal of Pilgrim Genealogy and History. Boston, MA: Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1899- . (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2010) volume 44, Page 137-140.< AmericanAncestors >; (document attached)
3. WikiTree contributors, "Ralph Smith (abt.1590-1660)," WikiTree: The Free Family Tree, (https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Smith-29847 : accessed 29 May 2024).
4. Sherman, Ruth Wilder. The Mary Atwood Sampler: more about Mary (Wood) (Holmes) Bradford of Duxbury and Plymouth, Massachusetts. (1990) The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1847-. (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001-2018.) Volume Name 144, Page 24. < AmericanAncestors > NEHGR 144:24. (document attached)