Samuel Stratton, of Watertown

Emigrated to America in 1647. Moved to Watertown, MA. For more information, see Northfield history Stratton geneology.

Notes for: Samuel Stratton

Biographical Sketch (1908): “Samuel Stratton was born in England about 1592, and settled in Watertown, Mass., with wife Alice, as early, at least, as 1647. Before 1657 Alice died. The date of her death has not been learned. The last mention that has been found of her is November 9, 1649. June 27, 1657, Samuel married Margaret, daughter of Thomas Bowlins, married widow of William Parker of Scituate and Boston. They were married in Boston by Governor John Endicott. Margaret died, a widow, in Watertown, December 7, 1676, aged 81 years. Samuel Stratton owned real estate in Watertown and Concord — several lots, with mansion, barn, orchard, etc. His descendants are found today in almost every state in the Union. More than two thousand of them have been traced. In almost every case they are among the substantial citizens of the towns in which they dwell — many occupy positions of trust and honor.” Biographical Sketch (1990): “[Samuel Stratton] seemed to have been a rather average settler, not occupying high positions in town or colony, and to have been of average Bay Colony means, since he fairly early purchased several pieces of real estate. His wife Alice died sometime after 9 Nov. 1649, and he married at Boston 27 June 1657 Margaret (Bowlins), widow of William Parker of Scituate, Mass. He named three sons in his will, and they may have been by wife Alice, but were not by wife Margaret. Presumably sons Samuel and John had come to Massachusetts with him; we know son Richard came later. Son Samuel married in 1651, John in 1658, and Richard before April 1658 (but probably after arrival in 1656). Other than estimated from their marriage years that Samuel and John were probably born in the 1620s or 1630s, we do not know how old they were. Richard died on 25 July 1658 ‘aged about 30 years,’ and so we know he was born about 1628. Richard had one son before he died, and Samuel married John had many children, married through them the senior Samuel became the progenitor of at least tens of thousands of Americans today.” 1648-1650 Charge of Witchcraft: “On the records of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, under date of May 13,1648, is this enactment: ‘The corte beinge desirous that the same course which has been taken in England for the discovering of witches, by watching, may also be taken here with the witch now in question therefore doe order that a strict watch shall be set about her every night, that her husband be confined to a private roome watched also.’ Felt, in his Ecclesiastical History of New England, says that this passage refers to Margaret Jones, wife of William Jones. She was executed as a witch June 15, 1648. This was probably the earliest execution in the region of Boston. William Jones was arraigned for the same crime, but escaped execution and ‘petitioned to go to the Barbadoes.’ He came to Cambridge from England in the Hercules in 1634.

Now, it seems that Samuel and Alice Stratton were not of the strictest Puritanic stripe, but were generous and liberal in their thinking, and their treatment of those who differed from them, and were among the few who cherished a leniency toward the so-called ‘witches.’ From the old, half-effaced court papers of that period we find that ‘Samuel Stratton said that Jones’s wife Died wrongfully, and was no witch and that the majistrates would doe mything for bribes, and the members also.’ And that ‘Ales Stratton said that Goodwife Jones dyed wrongfully and was no more a witch than she was.’ Hugh Clarke of Watertown and Roxbury, Mr. Pemberton and wife Eleanor, and Samuel Durkin were of the same opinion. But these people had to pay for this ‘independence of thought.’ At the county court held at Cambridge, October 30, 1649, it was ordered that ‘Samuel Stratton, senior, and his wife should appear before the publique assembly at Watertown the next lecture Day to pay a fine of 5 £ and acknowledge their offense committed against ye commonwealth court, and acknowledge ye justice leniency of the court in dealing so mercifully with them.’ And in case they refused to make full acknowledgment they were to pay another fine of 5£ more. The original paper containing this order is thus inscribed: ‘The partyes did acknowledge ye mercy of the magistrates sentence herein incerted [%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94?] dealt with them but of the charges laid upon them they are of the same mind.’ At the court at Cambridge April 2, 1650: ‘Goodman Stratton refusing to make full acknowledgment enjoyned by the court, is enjoyned to pay five pounds he is granted liberty for payment of ye same until the next 8th mo.’ No mention is made of Alice. And so it seems that Samuel Stratton incurred the displeasure of the court and magistrates, and paid the fine for the privilege of remaining ‘of the same mind.’ Like other Watertown men he had ‘strong convictions and the courage to maintain them.”

Biographical Sketch - Ancestry.com Page 2 of 2 1652 Military Service: “December 6, 1652, Samuel Stratton Sr., Samuel Stratton Jr., and John Stratton took the ‘Oath of Fidelity,’ and their names appear on the muster roll of a company of Watertown Militia. The men of this muster roll maintained the company and held themselves ready to be called at any time.” 1672 Death: “He died December 25, 1672, aged 8o years.” 1672 Will: Book of Stratton’s contains the will of Samuel Stratton, 1672, and an itemized list of belongings. Descendant Information: “Although there is nothing in Samuel Stratton’s will to indicate that he had other children than these three sons, it is not at all improbable that there were others who remained in England. A more thorough study of the Stratton’s of County Kent, Eng., might

Samuel Stratton was born in England about 1592, and settled in Watertown, Mass., with wife Alice, as early, at least, as 1647. Before 1657 Alice died. The date of her death has not been learned. The last mention that has been found of her is November 9,1649. June 27, 1657, Samuel married Margaret, daughter of Thomas Bowlins,and widow of William Parker of Scituate and Boston. They were married inBoston by Governor John Endicott. Margaret died, a widow, in Watertown, December 7, 1676, aged 81 years. Samuel Stratton owned real estate in Watertown and Concord — several lots, with mansion, barn, orchard, etc.His descendants are found today in almost every state in the Union.

Biographical Sketch (1990):2565 "[Samuel Stratton] seemed to have been arather average settler, not occupying high positions in town or colony,and to have been of average Bay Colony means, since he fairly early purchased several pieces of real estate. His wife Alice died sometime after 9 Nov. 1649, and he married at Boston 27 June 1657 Margaret (Bowlins), widow of William Parker of Scituate, Mass. He named three sons in his will, and they may have been by wife Alice, but were not by wife Margaret. Presumably sons Samuel and John had come to Massachusetts with him; we know son Richard came later. Son Samuel married in 1651, John in1658, and Richard before April 1658 (but probably after arrival in 1656). Other than estimated from their marriage years that Samuel and John were probably born in the 1620s or 1630s, we do not know how old they were.Richard died on 25 July 1658 'aged about 30 years,' and so we know he was born about 1628. Richard had one son before he died, and Samuel and John had many children.

1648-1650 Charge of Witchcraft: "On the records of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, under date of May 13, 1648, is this enactment: 'The court being desirous that the same course which has been taken in England for the discovering of witches, by watching, may also be taken here with the witch now in question & therefore doe order that a strict watch shall be set about her every night, & that her husband be confined to a private room & watched also.'

Felt, in his Ecclesiastical History of New England, says that this passage refers to Margaret Jones, wife of William Jones. She was executed as a witch June 15, 1648. This was probably the earliest execution in the region of Boston. William Jones was arraigned for the same crime, but escaped execution and 'petitioned to go to the Barbadoes.' He came to Cambridge from England in the Hercules in 1634.

Now, it seems that Samuel and Alice Stratton were not of the strictest Puritanic stripe, but were generous and liberal in their thinking, and their treatment of those who differed from them, and were among the few who cherished a leniency toward the so-called 'witches.' From the old,half-effaced court papers of that period we find that 'Samuel Stratton said that Jones's wife Died wrongfully, and was no witch and that them ajistrates would doe anything for bribes, and the members also.' And that 'Ales Stratton said that Good wife Jones dyed wrongfully and was no more a witch than she was.' Hugh Clarke of Watertown and Roxbury, Mr.Pemberton and wife Eleanor, and Samuel Durkin were of the same opinion.But these people had to pay for this 'independence of thought.'

At the county court held at Cambridge, October 30, 1649, it was ordered that 'Samuel Stratton, senior, and his wife should appear before the publique assembly at Watertown the next lecture Day to pay a fine of Ð5and acknowledge their offense committed against ye commonwealth & court,and acknowledge ye justice & leniency of the court in dealing so mercifully with them.' And in case they refused to make full acknowledgment they were to pay another fine of Ð5 more. The original paper containing this order is thus inscribed: 'The parties did acknowledge ye mercy of the magistrates sentence herein incerted [%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94?]dealt with them but of the charges laid upon them they are of the same mind.'

At the court at Cambridge April 2, 1650: 'Goodman Stratton refusing to make full acknowledgment enjoyed by the court, is to pay five pounds he is granted liberty for payment of ye same until the next 8th mo.' No mention is made of Alice.

And so it seems that Samuel Stratton incurred the displeasure of the court and magistrates, and paid the fine for the privilege of remaining' of the same mind.' Like other Watertown men he had 'strong convictions and the courage to maintain them."

1652 Military Service:2568 "December 6, 1652, Samuel Stratton Sr., Samuel Stratton Jr., and John Stratton took the 'Oath of Fidelity,' and their names appear on the muster roll of a company of Watertown Militia. The men of this muster roll maintained the company and held themselves ready to be called at any time."

1672 Death:2562 "He died December 25, 1672, aged 80 years."

1672 Will:2569 Book of Strattons contains the will of Samuel Stratton,1672, and an itemized list of belongings.

In New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of Commonwealths and the Founding of a Nation, Volume 3, by William Richard Cutter, p. 1858:

Samuel Stratton was a man of sterling character and common sense. When Margaret Jones was executed for witchcraft he condemned the authorities in a manly outspoken fashion and was before the court in 1648. Both he and his wife were fined five pounds each for reflecting on the judgment of the court. Stratton refused to admit that his statement was wrong and he had to pay an additional fine.) Note

Birth: 1592 Kent, England Death: Dec. 25, 1672 Watertown Middlesex County Massachusetts, USA

Bio: Samuel was born in England, about 1592. Possibly in Kent. He was the son of John Stratton and Alice Piggot. He married in England, Alice Beebe, daughter of Alexander Beebe and Elizabeth Hull. Samuel & Alice were in Watertown as early as 1647, when he was surveyor of town lots there. He was referred to by the title Mister, indicating good social standing. He and his sons Samuel & John took the Oath of Fidelity in December 1652. They all appear on the muster roll of the Watertown Militia. He was an outspoken man. When Margaret Jones was executed for witchcraft in 1648, Samuel and his wife condemned the authorities and were brought to court for reflecting on the judgement of the court and fined five Pounds. Samuel refused to pay, claiming that he was right in his condemnation. The court told him to recant his condemnation or pay an additional fine. He reluctanly paid the fine. In 1672, Samuel deposed that he was eighty, and his son John was thirty-nine.

Alice died before 1657, because Samuel married Margaret Bowling Parker, widow of William Parker and daughter of Thomas Bowling, on Aug. 28, 1657. Samuel died on Dec. 25, 1672, and was buried in the Old Burying Place in Watertown.. His wife, sons John and Samuel, and grandson Samuel, son of his son Richard, deceased, are mentioned in his will. Margaret died in Watertown on Dec. 7, 1676, aged eighty-one.

Information from New England Families by William R. Cutter; A Book of Strattons by Harriet R. Stratton; the History of Watertown, Massachusetts; a website devoted to the Beebe family; the Stratton website and an article in TAG, April 1993.

Bio By: Ken Smith (#46985536)

Family links:

Spouses:

 Alice Beebe Stratton (1594 - 1656)

 Margaret Bowling Stratton (____ - 1676)

Children:

 Samuel Stratton (1625 - 1707)*

 Richard Stratton (1627 - 1658)*

 John Stratton (1642 - 1691)*

*Calculated relationship

Burial: Old Burying Place Watertown Middlesex County Massachusetts, USA

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Created by: Our Family History Record added: Sep 14, 2014 Find A Grave Memorial# 135904152

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Samuel was born in England, about 1592. Possibly in Kent. He was the son of John Stratton and Alice Piggot. He married in England, Alice Beebe, daughter of Alexander Beebe and Elizabeth Hull. Samuel & Alice were in Watertown as early as 1647, when he was surveyor of town lots there. He was referred to by the title Mister, indicating good social standing. He and his sons Samuel & John took the Oath of Fidelity in December 1652. They all appear on the muster roll of the Watertown Militia. He was an outspoken man. When Margaret Jones was executed for witchcraft in 1648, Samuel and his wife condemned the authorities and were brought to court for reflecting on the judgement of the court and fined five Pounds. Samuel refused to pay, claiming that he was right in his condemnation. The court told him to recant his condemnation or pay an additional fine. He reluctanly paid the fine. In 1672, Samuel deposed that he was eighty, and his son John was thirty-nine.

Alice died before 1657, because Samuel married Margaret Bowling Parker, widow of William Parker and daughter of Thomas Bowling, on Aug. 28, 1657. Samuel died on Dec. 25, 1672, and was buried in the Old Burying Place in Watertown.. His wife, sons John and Samuel, and grandson Samuel, son of his son Richard, deceased, are mentioned in his will. Margaret died in Watertown on Dec. 7, 1676, aged eighty-one.

Information from New England Families by William R. Cutter; A Book of Strattons by Harriet R. Stratton; the History of Watertown, Massachusetts; a website devoted to the Beebe family; the Stratton website and an article in TAG, April 1993.

Bio By: Ken Smith (#46985536)
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Biographical Sketch (1908):2564 "Samuel Stratton was born in England about 1592, and settled in Watertown, Mass., with wife Alice, as early,at least, as 1647. Before 1657 Alice died. The date of her death has not been learned. The last mention that has been found of her is November 9,1649. June 27, 1657, Samuel married Margaret, daughter of Thomas Bowlins,and widow of William Parker of Scituate and Boston. They were married in Boston by Governor John Endicott. Margaret died, a widow, in Watertown,December 7, 1676, aged 81 years. Samuel Stratton owned real estate in Watertown and Concord — several lots, with mansion, barn, orchard, etc.His descendants are found today in almost every state in the Union. More than two thousand of them have been traced. In almost every case they are among the substantial citizens of the towns in which they dwell — many occupy positions of trust and honor."

Biographical Sketch (1990):2565 "[Samuel Stratton] seemed to have been a rather average settler, not occupying high positions in town or colony,and to have been of average Bay Colony means, since he fairly early purchased several pieces of real estate. His wife Alice died sometime after 9 Nov. 1649, and he married at Boston 27 June 1657 Margaret(Bowlins), widow of William Parker of Scituate, Mass. He named three sons in his will, and they may have been by wife Alice, but were not by wife Margaret. Presumably sons Samuel and John had come to Massachusetts with him; we know son Richard came later. Son Samuel married in 1651, John in 1658, and Richard before April 1658 (but probably after arrival in 1656).Other than estimated from their marriage years that Samuel and John were probably born in the 1620s or 1630s, we do not know how old they were.Richard died on 25 July 1658 'aged about 30 years,' and so we know he was born about 1628. Richard had one son before he died, and Samuel and John had many children, and through them the senior Samuel became the progenitor of at least tens of thousands of Americans today."

1648-1650 Charge of Witchcraft:2566,2567 "On the records of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, under date of May 13, 1648, is this enactment:'The corte beinge desirous that the same course which has been taken in England for the discovering of witches, by watching, may also be taken here with the witch now in question & therefore doe order that a strict watch shall be set about her every night, & that her husband be confined to a private roome & watched also.'

Felt, in his Ecclesiastical History of New England, says that this passage refers to Margaret Jones, wife of William Jones. She was executed as a witch June 15, 1648. This was probably the earliest execution in the region of Boston. William Jones was arraigned for the same crime, but escaped execution and 'petitioned to go to the Barbadoes.' He came to Cambridge from England in the Hercules in 1634.

Now, it seems that Samuel and Alice Stratton were not of the strictest Puritanic stripe, but were generous and liberal in their thinking, and their treatment of those who differed from them, and were among the few who cherished a leniency toward the so-called 'witches.' From the old,half-effaced court papers of that period we find that 'Samuel Stratton said that Jones's wife Died wrongfully, and was no witch and that the majistrates would doe anything for bribes, and the members also.' And that 'Ales Stratton said that Goodwife Jones dyed wrongfully and was no more a witch than she was.' Hugh Clarke of Watertown and Roxbury, Mr.Pemberton and wife Eleanor, and Samuel Durkin were of the same opinion.But these people had to pay for this 'independence of thought.'

At the county court held at Cambridge, October 30, 1649, it was ordered that 'Samuel Stratton, senior, and his wife should appear before the publique assembly at Watertown the next lecture Day to pay a fine of Ð5and acknowledge their offense committed against ye commonwealth & court,and acknowledge ye justice & leniency of the court in dealing somercifully with them.' And in case they refused to make full acknowledgment they were to pay another fine of Ð5 more. The original paper containing this order is thus inscribed: 'The partyes did acknowledge ye mercy of the magistrates sentence herein incerted [%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94?]dealt with them but of the charges laid upon them they are of the same mind.'

At the court at Cambridge April 2, 1650: 'Goodman Stratton refusing to make full acknowledgment enjoyned by the court, is enjoyned to pay five pounds he is granted liberty for payment of ye same until the next 8th mo.' No mention is made of Alice.

And so it seems that Samuel Stratton incurred the displeasure of the court and magistrates, and paid the fine for the privilege of remaining'of the same mind.' Like other Watertown men he had 'strong conviction sand the courage to maintain them."

1652 Military Service:2568 "December 6, 1652, Samuel Stratton Sr., Samuel Stratton Jr., and John Stratton took the 'Oath of Fidelity,' and their names appear on the muster roll of a company of Watertown Militia. The men of this muster roll maintained the company and held themselves ready to be called at any time."

1672 Death:2562 "He died December 25, 1672, aged 80 years."

1672 Will:2569 Book of Strattons contains the will of Samuel Stratton,1672, and an itemized list of belongings.

Descendant Information:2570 "Although there is nothing in Samuel Stratton's will to indicate that he had other children than these three sons, it is not at all improbable that there were others who remained in England. A more thorough study of the Strattons of County Kent, Eng.,might discover the baptismal records of his children, and establish his line there — and might account for other Strattons of New England."

GEDCOM Note

came to Watertown by 1647.

-Appears Dec 9, 1647 in Watertown records as the chosen town surveyor for the next year. -1652 took the "oath of Fidelity" on a muster roll of Watertown Militia, age 60. -1653 made a freeman -Named in father's will; John Stratton of Hinwick. His father was buried August 2, 1627, and his mother November 18, 1626. -His wife is sometimes cited as "Alice Beebe", but i have never seen evidence of this. It may be a confusion, since Samuel Stratton's daughter named Alice married a John Beebe.

Sources:

• -"A Book of Strattons", Harriet Stratton
• "The Father of Samuel Stratton of Watertown", Raymond Davis Wheeler, TAG 68:84-86
• Eugene A. Stratton, "The possible origin of Samuel1 Stratton of Watertown, Mass." The American Genealogist Vol. 65 (1990):200-2. (Link by $ubscription.)