Richard Palmer

Biography

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Palmer-9737

Richard Palmer's origins are unknown. His birth year is estimated at 1633 only because that is the estimated year of birth of Grace (Saunders) Bush, his wife. Anderson in "Great Migration" notes that there was speculation by earlier genealogists that he was the 1635 immigrant on the "James" from London but then notes that given the lack of any records between 1635 and 1670 (Anderson might not have found the 1664 court record) seems to indicate that these were not the same man.[1] It must be noted that no record of any children has yet been found, nor a will or probate.

A Richard Palmer may have appeared in Salem, Massachusetts in 1661 but the source is only "Massachusetts Census Substitutes" so it is unclear as to the veracity of the record. However, a Richard Palmer of Ipswich married a Mary Gilbert there in 1672 so would seem to be more likely the man of Salem in 1661.

This profile originally apparently mistook York County, Virginia for York County, Maine. The Richard Palmer who married Grace (Saunders) Bush was of York County, Maine, not Virginia. There is no reason to connect him with a family of Virginia and in fact migration from Virginia to New England was relatively rare in the early-mid 1600s.

Richard's first known documented appearance was in York County, Maine on 5 July 1664 when he appeared in court, suing John "Billine" (probably Billings) for striking and cutting Palmer.[2] (p. 148). Palmer won a judgement. It is interesting to note that George Palmer of York County bought land from John Billings of Kittery, Maine on 20 Jun 1662 which seems to indicate that Richard Palmer and George Palmer may have been related.[3]

He may also have been related to William Palmer, early (1642) resident of Kittery, Maine who appeared in York deeds and court records.[4]

On 21 Oct 1670 Richard Palmer was a signatory on the sale of his future step-father's land so obviously he knew the family at this time.

We know he was the second husband of Grace (Sanders/Saunders) Bush. They married after her first husband John Bush drowned but before 7 Jul 1674 when the Province of Maine had recognized their marriage as legal. Note that in April and July of 1671, both Grace "Bush" and Richard Palmer were fined (or whipped, at their option) for "Joining together as if married, contrary to the laws of this jurisdiction". In 1674 she was listed as Grace Palmer when a lawsuit against her and Richard was dropped.[2] and see page 276 for the 1674 entry listing her as Grace Palmer.

The profile of Richard's wife Grace states that she died at Newcastle, New Hampshire after May 20, 1680 and cited the Barbara Brett Sanders article[5] which in turn cites "Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire" page 526 (volume 4). This book states that she and Richard sold half a house to Elias Stillman (likely commisioner Elias Stileman or Styleman) on 20 May 1680. The entry says they Richard was at Cape Porpoise but had moved to "Great Isle" and that they were "late of Cape Porpoise" at the time of sale.[6] Ms. Sanders appears to have interpreted "Great Isle" as New Castle, New Hampshire which is certainly possible, about 30 miles from Cape Porpoise. However, at the time there was another "Great Island" about 50 miles up the coast in Maine (now called Sebascodegan Island). Settlers lived there and on neighboring Orr Island and were busy arguing about whether to build a bridge between them. In 1679/80, New Castle was still a parish of Portsmouth and it seems likely that their residence would have been described as Portsmouth, but this is speculative and possibly the couple lived at what would become, a few years later New Castle, New Hampshire on the "Great Island".

On 5 Apr 1681, Bryan Pendleton, previously of Sacco in York County but now at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in a codicil to his will gave 300 acres of land at Cape Porpoise to his son that was "now in the occupation of Richard Palmer" which seems to indicate that as of this date, Palmer lived there. Whether his wife Grace was alive is not known.[7]

A Richard Palmer appeared in a 31 Mar 1685 York County court case as a plaintiff against Thomas Doughtly. It is not certain to be the same man but there is certainly no conflict.[8] Likely the same man appeared 30 May 1686 on a jury of inquest for the death of Samuel Freathy.[8] (p. 230 of the source). He was not found after this date through 1718 (volume 5 of the series).

There are unsourced genealogies which claim that Vaughn Island was briefly named Palmer's Island after Richard Palmer, supposedly an "agent" for Bryan Pendleton (the island was supposedly Smyth Island previously) but there seems to be no proof of this.

Sources

1. New England, The Great Migration and The Great Migration Begins, 1620-1635 for Richard Palmer the 1635 immigrant Great Migration, Vol 5, M-P [p. 354 $subscription]
2. Province and Court Records of Maine, Vol. 2 York County court records, 1653-1679 by Maine Historical Society (Portland, Maine)Vol 2. p. 218
3. York Deeds, Volume 1 William Mitchell Sargent, Brown Thurston & Company, 1888 Part 1 Folio 120, 121
4. The pioneers of Maine and New Hampshire, 1623 to 1660; a descriptive list, drawn from records of the colonies, towns, churches, courts and other contemporary sources by Pope, Charles Henry, 1841-1918 Publication date 1908 p. 154
5. Sanders, Barbara Brett. John (1) Sanders of Ipswich Massachusetts; Hampton and Exeter, New Hampshire; Wells and Cape Porpoise, Maine: Part 2 in: The Maine Genealogist, Volume 29, The Maine Genealogical Society, Farminton, Maine, 2007, p. 89 (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014.) AmericanAncestors.org (by subscription)
6. Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire, Vol. 4 by Libby, Charles T. (Charles Thornton), 1861-1948 [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/260066-gene... p. 526
7. "Will of Bryan Pendleton", The New England historical and genealogical register by New England Historic Genealogical Society Publication date 1874 Vol 3. p. 123
8. Province and court records of Maine Authors: Maine Historical Society (Portland, Maine) v. 3. Province of Maine records 1680-1692 p. 210
9. See Also: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LR2G-YFQ NOTE: No sources, no spouse shown