Thomas Graves, of Nahant & Lynn

Biography

From https://www.gravesfa.org/gen213.htm

Thomas Graves (1) was apparently born in the early 1600's in England. By the depositions of various individuals who testified in the contest over the Nahant lands, it is shown that one Thomas Graves was the first inhabitant of Nahant, and Hugh Alley (his son-in-law) the second.

Children - Graves

• +2. Mary Graves, m. Hugh Alley, Sr., 1641.
• 3. Joanna Graves

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William Richard Cutter writes that sisters Mary and Joanna Graves, daughters of Thomas Graves, arrived on the "Hopewell" in Salem, Mass. in September of 1635. Mary's age was given as 26 making her year of birthabt 1609. From Salem, they went to Nahant (Lynn, Mass.) where their father had settled. Mary Graves married Hugh Alley in 1641 probably in Nahant per Cutter. Interestingly enough, Hugh Alley's farm was named "Hope Well." Mary was likely born about 1619/20. Joanna and Mary perhaps had a different mother from an earlier marriage of Thomas Graves which is why they came to America a bit later than their father.

Notes

From “Nahant - SMALL TOWN, WIDE VIEW By Daniel A. deStefano, Director, Nahant Public Library link

”... Also in 1630, about fifty families settled the nearby seacoast of King’s Lynne, now Lynn. Their sheep, goats and swine were kept in common on Nahant, and tended by shepherds, who apparently lived on Nahant with their families, although today they are not considered as true first settlers. Thomas Graves and Hugh Alley, Sr., who had settled their families on Nahant by 1648, share that distinction.”

References

• History of Essex County, Massachusetts: With Biographical Sketches ..., Volume 2 edited by Duane Hamilton Hurd. Page 1410 GoogleBooks
• Great Migration, Vol 3, G-H Page 138-139 AncestryImage treats Joan Grave & Mary Grave of the Hopewell in 1635 as separate & unattached passengers