Thomas “of Fairfield” Sherwood, Sr.

Thomas Sherwood

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9072676/thomas-sherwood

BIRTH: DEC. 24, 1586 • Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, England.
DEATH: JULY 21, 1655 • Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut, US.

Thomas Sherwood, Sr., was of Kettlebaston, co. Suffolk, England, and of Fairfield, Fairfield Co., Connecticut. Died before 7 Sep 1655 in Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut (date of estate inventory). He was born About 1586, based as recorded as age 48 on the passenger list of the “Francis” in April of 1634.

Family

Parents unidentified. Not a known child of Richard Sherwood, of East Hundred.

Marriages and Children

Married: 1st - Alice Tiler, daughter of John Tiler and Joan Smith, about 1610. [5] This identification was made and published by Leslie Mahler in The American Genealogist in 2007. The key was the discovery of her mother's will which mentioned "Alice my daughter the weife of Thomas Sherwoode of Kettlebarston." The actual marriage of Thomas Sherwood to Alice Tiler was not found, but is estimated from the birth of their first known child about 1611. She was baptized on 16 November 1585 at Hitcham, co. Suffolk, England; she died by 1638 when Thomas had remarried to his second wife Mary.

Married: 2nd - Mary, maiden name unproven, by 1638. However, she most likely was Mary Onge, maiden shipmate of the Sherwoods on the Ship Francis. She was not Mary Fitch nor Mary Banks. After Thomas died in 1655 she married 2nd husband Widower John Banks by 4 June 1658 John Banks. She is identified as Mary Banks in this Geni record because that was her last married name.

Note: parentage confirmed by the will of Thomas Sherwood.

8 Children of Thomas Sherwood and Alice Tiler: [1] [2]

• Jane Sherwood b. say 1611; First named in her father’s will of 21 July 1655, and therefore presumed to be the eldest. Her younger sister Mary was born in 1613, so Jane is estimated to have been born about 1611. Probably married; no further record.
• Mary Sherwood, bp. Kettlebaston, Suffolk, 1613 (day and month not recorded); named in father’s will, 21 July 1655, probably married, no further record.
• Thomasine Sherwood, bp. Kettlebaston 10 April 1615; named in father’s will, 21 July 1655, probably married; perhaps m. William Belden of Wethersfield. However, there is no actual evidence to support this outside of the name Thomasine,
• Sarah Sherwood, bp. Kettlebaston 26 January 1616/7; named in father’s will, 21 July 1655, probably married; no further record. (Jacobus argued that she did not marry Samuel Beardsley.)
• Anna Sherwood, bp. Kettlebaston 13 June 1619 (aged 14 on 30 April 1634; named in father’s will, 21 July 1655, probably married; no further record.
• Rose Sherwood, bp. Kettlebaston 10 December 1620 (aged 11 [sic] on 30 April 1634; m. (1) by about 1641 THOMAS RUMBALL (1635, Saybrook); m. (2) by 1650 Thomas Barlow (‘Phebe Barlowe the daughter of Thomas Barlowe was born the 27 of February 1650' at Fairfield; m. (3) after 1658 Edward Nash.>
• Rebecca Sherwood, bp. Kettlebaston 13 October 1622 (aged 9 [sic] on 30 April 1634; named in father’s will, 21 July 1655, probably married; no further record.
• Thomas Sherwood, b. about 1624 (aged 10 on 30 April 1634; m. (1) by about 1650 Sarah Wheeler, daughter of Thomas Wheeler; m. (2) by about 1660 Ann Turney (eldest known child b. about 1660, daughter of Benjamin Turney; m. (3) by 1683 Elizabeth ( ) Cable, widow of John Cable m. (4) soon after 24 June 1695 (marriage contract) Sarah (Hide) Colcy, daughter of Humphrey Hide and widow of Peter Coley.

6 Children of Thomas Sherwood and his second wife Mary: [1] [2]

• Stephen Sherwood, b. say 1638; m. (1) by 1661 Rebecca Turney, daughter of Benjamin Turney(1639, Concord); m. (2) by 1688 Hannah (Jackson) Galpin, daughter of HENRY JACKSON (1635, Watertown) and widow of Philip Galpin ; m. (3) by an unknown date Mary (Adams) (Guire) Murvin, daughter of Fdward Adams and widow of Guire and Murvin..
• Mary Sherwood, b. say 1640; m. Windsor 28 June 1659 Joseph Loomis, son of JOSEPH LOOMIS (1638, Windsor) [Windsor Hist 2:432-33; Dawes-Gatcs 2:567-72 (both these sources have an incorrect surname for the bride)].
• Ruth Sherwood, b. say 1642; m. Windsor 4 June 1663 Joshua Holcombe, son of THOMAS HOLCOMBE.
• Matthew Sherwood, b. about 1644 (d. Stratfield 26 October 1715 “in 72 year”; m. (1) by about 1669 Sarah Turney, daughter of Benjamin Turney; m. (2) by about 1672 Mary Unknown.
• Abigail Sherwood, b say 1649; m. by about 1669 Daniel Lockwood, son of ROBERT LOCKWOOD.
• Isaac Sherwood, b. say 1651; m. by 1676 Elizabeth Jackson, daughter of John Jackson.

Incorrect disconnected children frequently found in other sources:

• Margaret Maverick - Married Elias3 Maverick on 8 December 1669 in Charlestown, Massachusetts. Respected secondary sources have made her a daughter Thomas Sherwood and Alice Tiler. As pointed out and discussed in detail in an article in The American Genealogist in 2005, this is certainly incorrect. [2]
• Anna/Hanna (Barrett) Coe - The wife of John1 Coe is frequently claimed to be Anna/Hannah Sherwood, daughter of Thomas Sherwood of Fairfield. This is incorrect. She has been shown to be actually Hannah (Barrett) (Jenner) Coe.[6] She has been disconnected from her Sherwood parents.
• Rebecca Allen - Rebecca, the wife successively of Robert Rose and Henry Allen was previously connected as a daughter of Thomas Sherwood of Fairfield. All trusted secondary sources call her Rebecca Unknown. Extensive research has failed to find any evidence that she was the identical with the Rebecca Sherwood born in 1622. She has been disconnected, until proof is found as to her identity.
• Jane Merritt - A number of secondary sources state that Thomas Merritt married "Jane, daughter of Thomas Sherwood of Stratford and his wife Alice Seabrook." This is a very confused statement. Thomas of Stratford married Sarah Seabrook, not Alice. Furthermore, he did not have a daughter Jane. If it was meant that she should be Jane daughter of Thomas Sherwood of Fairfield by his first wife Alice, Jane would have been way to old to have married Thomas Merritt (b. 1634). She has been disconnected from Thomas of Fairfield.
• Margery Sherwood - Previously connected as a daughter of this Thomas. However, he did not have a daughter Margery. She is certainly meant to be a granddaughter - daughter of his son Thomas who signed a deed of conveyance in 1709. [7] She has been connected as a daughter of Thomas Sherwood jr.

Death and Will

Died: Between 21 July 1655 and 7 September 1655,
Dates will made and inventory taken. [2]

Burial: He is presumed to have been buried at the Old Burying Ground, Fairfield, though this is not known with certainty. The Sherwood Kindred of America has constructed a monument there.[8] Will: The original will of Thomas Sherwood does not survive, and a recorded copy is in very bad condition. [2] This is important because published abstracts differ in at least one key point regarding a daughter Mary/Marg. See error section. The most complete transcription was published in 1929 when the original still existed and was apparently in better condition. [9]

Documentation

Please see the attached study, “1GC - Thomas Sherwood (1) of Fairfield.” Research paper by Gene Chamberlain, seventh edition (June 1, 2021). PDF

Disambiguation

THE THREE 17th CENTURY THOMAS SHERWOODS OF CONNECTICUT
by Jura Mclean Sherwood 148 Meadow View Dr, Medford, Oregon 97504, USA

In response to Geoff Sherwood's article in the last "The Sherwood Forest", I'd like to clarify a few points and perhaps put to rest once and for all, the confusion concerning the three men named Thomas Sherwood who lived in Connecticut in the mid 17th century. Two we know, were father and son, the third one's origins remain a mystery, but he was definitely not the same man as Thomas, Jr. son of the immigrant Thomas Sherwood, nor was he the grandson, as has been suggested by some.
I'll begin with Thomas Sherwood born about 1585. We can deduce this by his age given as 48 years in the list of passengers who embarked from Ipswich, Suffolk, England on the "Francis" the last day of April 1634, arriving at Boston, Massachusetts in June 1634. Traveling with him were his wife Alice, age 47 years and four children, Anna (called Hannah in some later records), age 14, Rose 11, Thomas 10 and Rebecca 9. The family didn't stay long in Boston. Thomas went with the first settlers in 1635 to Wethersfield, Connecticut where he sold land to George Wyllys in March 1640. This was probably about the time that Alice died and he then married Mary. Their son Stephen was born about 1641. In 1648 Thomas sold out to John Holly and settled in Fairfield, Connecticut where he remained until his death. His will dated 21 July 1655 was proved 22 Oct 1655. (Invoice of estate of Thomas Sherwood, Sr. taken 7 Sep 1655 - Probate Records of Fairfield County). He names his son and six daughters by his "first wife" as Jane, Tamsen, Margaret, Anna (Hannah), Thomas, Rose and Rebecca. His will further says "to my loving and well beloved wife Mary Sherwood", and names his children Mary, Stephen, Matthew, Abigail, Ruth and Isaac.
Before we leave Thomas Sherwood (referred to as Sr. in his probate), let's set the record straight about his two wives and determine, once and for all, that their last names have never been found.
Alice, who was 47 in 1634 must have been born about 1587. She was not, nor could she have been the daughter of Robert Seabrook and his wife Alice Goodspeed. The marriage between Robert Seabrook and Alice Goodspeed is recorded in the parish registers of Wingate, Buckinghamshire, England 12 Sep 1596. Alice Goodspeed was baptized 19 Aug 1576, the daughter of Nicholas Goodspeed, Jr. and Margaret his wife. There can be little doubt that Alice, the wife of Thomas Sherwood, Sr. was born nine years before Robert Seabrook married Alice Goodspeed who was then 20 years old. Robert was an early settler of Stratford, Connecticut. (Stratford is significant here.)
An old Fairfield Deed dated 18 Jan 1658 states "John Banks hath married Mary Sherwood the relict." Here it should be confirmed that she was NOT Mary Fitch. Records show that giving her that name was a slip of the pen by a woman writing a Sherwood history. It is unfortunate that this has been recorded by subsequent "genealogists" so often that it is accepted as fact. The truth is, Mary's son by Thomas Sherwood, Captain Matthew Sherwood, married Mary Fitch daughter of Thomas Fitch of Norwalk, Connecticut as his second wife. Her gravestone records her age as 87 when she died 25 Dec 1730, making her birth about 1644 (Thomas Sherwood, Sr. and his second wife, Mary had children of their own by then).
Thomas Sherwood, Jr., son of Thomas and Alice, married four times. His first wife was Sarah Wheeler, daughter of Thomas Wheeler. She died before 1659 when he married Ann Turney, daughter of Benjamin Turney. He married third Elizabeth the widow of John Cable. His fourth wife was Sarah, the daughter of Humphrey Hide and widow of Peter Coley. These marriages are well documented, the last with an agreement dated 24 June 1695. Thomas Sherwood, Jr. died soon after this marriage. His inventory was dated 12 Mar 1698.
This brings us to Thomas Sherwood of unknown origins who lived and died in Stratford, Connecticut. He married before 1642, Sarah Seabrook who was born about 1623 to Robert Seabrook. In 1657 she is mentioned as being 34 years old with a son named John age 4 and an unweaned child. (Even with today's modern medical miracles, this would have been impossible for Alice!). According to the Stratford records dated 1 Jan 1657, Thomas Sherwood is mentioned as "Having departed this life", His will dated 4 Jun 1657 names his wife Sarah, sons John and Thomas (under 18), dau. Mary. His other daughter, Elizabeth is not mentioned by name in his will. That these children of Thomas Sherwood were the grandchildren of Robert Seabrook can be confirmed by consulting the Stratford Deeds where mention is made of gifts "from Grandfather Robert Seabrook." The three wills of the three Thomas Sherwoods are clear that Thomas Sr died in 1655, his son Thomas died in 1698 and Thomas of unknown origins died 1657. What's the confusion?
The information regarding the Sherwoods of Suffolk, England that Geoff Sherwood quoted, came from an article entitled "Connecticut Ancestors of Bergen Chapter Members (DAR) 1938 by Mrs. Ella Sherwood. I found this article in the Daughter's of the American Revolution Library about twenty years ago, when I lived in the Washington, D.C. area. I attempted to find the sources Ella Sherwood used for her conclusions by consulting the Suffolk parish records. The only ones I could confirm were: Thomas, baptized 1 Jan 1541 (not 1540 as she states) at St. Nicholas, Ipswich. No parents names were given. I also found the baptisms of Edras and Dorcas' children Xfoper (Christopher) 20 Mar 1586and Dorcas 7 Jul 1588, both at St. Nicholas, Ipswich.
Twenty five years ago when I began doing genealogical research, I set my goal as identifying all of my husband's immigrant ancestors. With exception of the two wives of Thomas Sherwood the 1634 immigrant, and three other women whose surnames I cannot determine, I've achieved my goal. Below are some of the sources I've used to reach my conclusions on the Sherwood research. I hope others will continue the search for Thomas, Alice and Mary's roots.

Sources of information:

• New England Historical and Genealogical Register Vols. 1 - 148,dated 1887 through 1994. (Vols. 1,14,27,39, and 92 especially.)
• History and Genealogy of the Families of Old Fairfield, Vol. 1, compiled and edited by Donald Lines Jacobs - 1932.
• History of Fairfield, Connecticut, Vol. 1, by Mrs. Elizabeth Schenck - 1889
• Catalogue of Names of the Early Puritan Settlers of the Colony of Connecticut by Royal R. Hinman 1852
• Ye Historie of Ye Town of Greenwich (CT) by Spencer P. Mead - 1911
• Directory of Ancestral Heads of New England Families, 1620 - 1700, compiled by Frank R. Holmes.
• Connecticut Ancestors of Bergen Chapter Members (DAR) by Mrs. Ella Sherwood - 1938
• History of Rye, Westchester County, New York by Charles W. Baird
• Genealogical Gleanings in England by Henry F. Waters, NEH&GR - 1901
• The Original Lists of Persons of Quality, Ed. John Camden Hotten, London - 1874
• International Genealogical Indexes - LDS Family History Centers Parish Registers of Wingate, Buckinghamshire, England (GS Microfilm)
• Parish Registers of St.Nicholas, Ipswich, Suffolk, England (GS Microfilm).

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Comments

Facts and details about this Thomas Sherwood (Fairfield,Ct) were confused and comingled with a second Thomas Sherwood (Stratford,Ct) for many years. In fact, there were two separate men, with two separate families and separate wills, living in two towns only 10 miles apart. Sherwood Ancestors have never learned the parentage or the birth locations of either man, in spite of significant research.

The Thomas of this Tree is the Sherwood of Fairfield, who married Alice Tiler of Suffolk County, England. Six of his eight children with Alice were baptized in Kettlebaston, Suffolk, County, England. It is likely that this Thomas was born in either Suffolk or the adjacent Essex County. However, as of 2021, in spite of significant research on site in Suffolk County and through multiple on line databases, his birth record has not been located.

If you will note the "Media" tab above, on this page of Thomas's record, there are a number of documents and pictures posted there. The primary document to read for this man is "1GC - Thomas (1) of Fairfield". The #1 signifies first generation. However, for comparisons and information, biographies of BOTH Thomas Sherwoods are posted with exhibits and pictures. There is an addendum toward the end of the bio on Thomas of Fairfield, to explain how and why Mary Onge has been determined to be the 2nd wife of Thomas, and the mother of the last 6 of his 14 children.

The Sherwood family spent several years in Wethersfield, Ct, after their voyage to Massachusets and New England from Ipswich, Suffolk County, England. A separate document is also posted with details about those years in Wethersfield, before they moved permanently to Fairfield. There is a lot of informative history in that document as well as information about the properties that the Sherwood family was granted while in Wethersfield.

Among the pictures posted is St. Mary the Virgin church in Kettlebaston and the baptismal font where the 6 children were baptized between 1614 and 1623.

There are 4 addendums at the end of the Document on Thomas of Fairfield, which iinclude a summary of research trip to Suffolk County, England in 2019.

GEDCOM Note

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Sherwood-62#Name

• Category: Francis, 1634
• Category: English Immigrants to America
• Category: Pequot War of 1637
• Category: Old Burying Ground, Fairfield, Connecticut
• Category: Puritan Great Migration

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THERE ARE MANY ERRORS IN BOTH PUBLISHED WORKS AND ON THE INTERNET. PLEASE DO NOT MAKE CHANGES WITHOUT CONSULTING THE #errors | ERROR SECTION AND PROVIDING MODERN SOURCES. cochoit-2 | Joe Cochoit

Death and Will

Death

Between 21 July 1655 and 7 September 1655, Dates will made and inventory taken.

Burial

He is presumed to have been buried at the :Category: Old Burying Ground, Fairfield, Connecticut | Old Burying Ground, Fairfield, though this is not known with certainty. The Sherwood Kindredof America has constructed a monument there.[Find-a-grave website: Memorial #9072676

Will

The original will of Thomas Sherwood does not survive, and a recorded copy is in very bad condition. This is important because published abstracts differ in at least one key point regarding a daughter Mary/Marg. #errors | See error section. The most complete transcription was published in 1929 whenthe original still existed and was apparently in better condition. Sherwood, Andrew. Daniel L. Sherwood and his paternal ancestors : including Sherwood evidences both in England and America... (Portland, 1929):38

WILL OF THOMAS SHERWOOD---1586-1655, New England.

• ::As given in the 1929 transcription.
• ::Imprimis. I give & bequeath unto the children of my first wife: I bequeath to my son Thomas five acres of upland lying upon the north end of Sasqua Neck.
• ::I bequeath to my daughter Jane twenty shillings.
• ::I bequeath to my daughter Tamsen twenty shillings.
• ::I bequeath to my daughter Mary twenty shillings.
• ::I bequeath to my daughter Sarah twenty shillings.
• ::I bequeath to my daughter Hanna twenty shillings.
• ::I bequeath to my daughter Rose twenty shillings.
• ::I bequeath to my daughter Rebecca forty shillings. ::I will that the above named legasies be payd within one year after my decease.
• ::I will & bequeath to my well beloved wife Mary Sherwood whom I make my executor & executrix of this my last will who shall pay the above named legasies. And also the legasies underwritten.
• ::As to my son Steven Sherwood I bequeath my dwelling house & homelot with all the buildings on this homelot & all the lott that layd next to my homelot on which I now live excepting half an acre--etc, etc.
• ::I will & bequeath to my son Matthew all my upland & meadow lying on the other side of Uncawy Creek namly on the east side of the said creek. I will & bequeath to my daughter Mary ten pounds. I will & bequeath to my daughter Ruth ten pounds. I will & bequeath to my daughter Abigail ten pounds. I wil & bequeath to my son Isaac that dwelling house next to my dwelling house that I now live in. And also I give him with the building on that homelot on which it standeth & he is to havethe said half acre of land square off from the front the whole widence of the lot & soe downward.
• ::I give & bequeath to my loving & well beloved wife Mary Sherwood allthe estate undivided whom I make mine Executor of this my last will Excepting a mare colt which my son Isaac shall have & that to his use &profit presently.
• ::I will that Steven have his portion when he is twenty years of age. And also that Matthew shall have his portion when he is twenty years old. And my son Isaac shall have four acres of meadow in the great meadow which I bought of Peter Merritt & five acres in the new field which he is to have at twenty years of age. To Mary, Abigaill & Ruth which I had by my last wife,---Etc; etc.
• ::And I desire my well beloved friends Thomas Staples & Nathan Gold tobe overseers of this my last will. Signed in presence & Witnesses ofus this twenty first day of July 1655. Thomas Sherwood
• ::Seal: Giles Smith, John Tomson, Proved October ye 25th. 1655. Fairfield, Connecticut, Probate Records, Liber 1.Folio 109-11.

The Burial Plaque, True and False

In the Old Burial Ground in Fairfield, Connecticut, presumed resting place of the immigrant Thomas Sherwood, is a large stone upon which a plaque has been placed in memory of Thomas Sherwood.

In Memory of THOMAS SHERWOOD 1586 - 1655
Puritan - Pioneer - Ancestor
A founder of New England,

A First Settler of Fairfield,

Deputy to the General Court,

Committeeman,

Soldier of the PequotWar,

and His Wives,

Alice Seabrooke,      Mary Fitch,
 1587 - 1639        1619 - 1693

Erected by the Sherwood Kindred of America MCML

Photo of Memorial Find a grave 1037956. Thomas Sherwood. Old Burial Ground, Fairfield, Connecticut.

Placed over sixty years ago, 1950, it contains some information, derived from the confusion over two Thomases, which recent genealogical researches have proved incorrect.

• 1586-1655: true enough, he was age 48,when he came on the "Francis" in 1634 and his will and the proving ofthat will were in 1655.
• Puritan, Pioneer, Ancestor: definitely a pioneer and an ancestor, but do we know he was a puritan?
• Founder of New England and first Settler of Fairfield: true.
• Deputy to the General Court: no, Thomas Sherwood of Stratford held this position, judged by theposition of his name next to the other Stratford Deputy in the Connecticut Colony Records.
• Committeeman: This refers to a committee of men doing preparation work for the Narragansett War in 1654. The colonial records is clear that this was the Stratford Thomas.<ref name=CCR>Trumbull, J. Hammond. (transcriber). The Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut Prior to the Union with New Haven Colony May1665. Hartford: Brown and Parsons, 1850. AKA Colonial Records of Connecticut. Volume I. 1636-1665 (deputy pp 130, 195, 207, 248, 261; war committee p. 264
• Was he a soldier in the Pequot War? He was probably living in Wethersfield in 1637, when the town provided 26 men for the militia. He was also 51. There is no actual record of who these men were. Stiles, in his History of Ancient Wethersfield, made a rough list of 20 men. Thomas is not on the list. [Stiles, Henry Reed. and Sherman W. Adams. The History of Ancient Wethersfield Connecticut... Vol I – History, Part 1. New York: TheGrafton Press., 1903.]
• Alice Seabrook and Mary Fitch have been disproved as wives and are discussed elsewhere in this profile.

Notes and Commentary

• Immigration: Thomas Sherwood and his family are recorded on thereconstructed passenger list of the Francis which sailed on the last day of April 1634, arriving at Boston, Massachusetts in June 1634.The list includes Thomas Sherwood aged 48, wife Alice 47, children Anna 14, Rose 11, Thomas 10, and Rebecca 9.<Hotten> The eldest daughters (Jane, Mary, Thomasine and Sarah) are not listed. However, it must be remembered that this is not a true passenger list, buta list of those who had signed a Certificate of Conformity and was collated many months after the Francis had sailed by the church. These lists are often very incomplete, an the other daughters may or maynot have also arrived in New England with their parents.
• Movement: He arrived with some members of his family on the ship Francis in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1634, and moved to Wethersfield, Connecticut, in the following year. He sold his lands there in 1640 and went to Stamford, Con­necticut, moving again in 1648 to Fairfield, Connecticut, where he remained until his death there in 1655.
• Land records: ESTATE: On 26 March 1640, “Thomas Sherwood of Wethersfield ..., carpenter,” sold to “George Wyllys of Hartford ..., gent., ... my house & housing & homelot wherein I the said Tho[mas]Sherwood now dwelL & hold in possession with all other my lots of meadowings, uplands & swamp grounds ... or hereafter to be belonging by reason of any future dividend or dividends according to the proportion of fifteen acres of meadow in large meadow & beaver meadow” in Wethersfield [WetLR 2:35]. “The 4th month [June] & 21th day 1643 the lands of Gorg Willis Esquire lying in Wethersfeild in Connecticut: One piece as it now lyeth together containing thirty-four acres…, viz: a houselot bought of Ed[ward] Wodd containing ten acres & a piece of meadow bought of Thomas Sherwood containing ten acres, also a piece of meadow bought of John Sticklion containing fourteen acres…, one piece whereon a house and barn standeth containing three acres…, one piece in the great meadow containing four acres ..., one piece in the great meadow bought of Thomas Sherwood containing two acres ..., one piece inthe great meadow containing four acres…, one piece which was ThomasSherwood & Thomas Morehowse their houselot with other lands thereuntoadjoining in all containing sixteen acres…, one piece bought of Nathaniel Foott containing three acres” [WetLR 1:62). P. 305. <ref Great Migration>
• Occupation: Carpenter [WetLR 2:35]. <ref Great Migration>
• Education: He signed his deed and his will. His inventory included ‘books” valued at £1 Ss. [Fairfield PR 1:10]. His widow’s inventory included books valued at £1 lOs. [Fairfield PR 4:115]. <ref Great Migration>
• Witch trials: His wife Mary Sherwood was friends of Goodwife Knapp. Mary's husband, Thomas, was called as a witness during Goodwife Knapp's witchcraft trial. Knapp was convicted and Thomas accompanied her to the gallows, and after she was hanged, prevented desecration ofthe body by the mob. Mary Sherwood is documented as having been personally involved with convicted witch Goodwife Knapp and Great Grandma's Court testimony at asubsequent trial is the only surviving record today in Connecticut's history of that event. Goodwife Knapp is believed to have been the first wife of Roger Knapp, a very early settler of New Haven, Connecticut. As Roger was the only Knapp appearing in Fairfield records at that period, Donald Lines Jacobus in his volumes "Families of Old Fairfield"makes the connection of the two. The witch trial testimony of Mary Sherwood is found in The Witchcraft Delusion - The Story of the Witchcraft Persecutions in Seventeenth-Century New England, Including OriginalTrial Transcripts" by John M. Taylor, Gramercy Books New York & Avenel, Chapter 10, pp. 122-141, It is actually a trial following the Witchtrial in which "Goody" Knapp's husband, Roger Knapp, attempted to sueThomas Ludlow for defamation of his wife's character and her hanging as a convicted witch. The story of Mary Sherwood's involvement with Goody Knapp is also found in Witchcraft Trials of Connecticut, by R. G. Tomlinson, "The First Comprehensive, Documented History of Witchcraft Trials in Colonial Connecticut, copyright 1978 by R. G. Tomlinson, printed by The Bond Press, Inc., Hartford, Conn., pp. 7-9. The Court caseis also found in History of Fairfield No. II, Suit of Thomas Staples Against Roger Ludlow, New Haven Col. Rec. Vol. 3. 77-89", pp. 324-328.

Common Errors to Avoid

• Merge Caution: Thomas Sherwood of Fairfield is not identical with Sherwood-169 | Thomas Sherwood of Stratford. These men both immigrated to New England, moved to within 10 miles of each other in Connecticut, and died within 3 years of each other. However, records easily show they are not identical.
• Birth date: His baptism and origins have not yet been discovered. Therefore, any precise date is incorrect. He was stated to age 48 in 1634, and so born about 1586.*Birth date and place: He is sometimes said to have been baptized at St Nicholas Parish, Ipswich, co. Suffolk, England in 1585. However, no such record occurs in the parish records of St. Nicholas. Cookson, Rev. Edward, ed. The registers of St. Nicholas, Ipswich, Co. Suffolk. Baptisms, 1539-1709. Burials, 1551-1710. Marriages, 1539-1710. (London: Parish Register Society, 1897):42-43. Archive.org LINK
• Incorrect name of first wife (Seabrook). The name of his first wife can sometimes be found as Alice Seabrook. This is incorrect. The supposed parents "Alice Seabrook" were married 9 years after her birth. The error is certainly another confusion with Thomas Sherwood of Stratford who was married to Sarah Seabrook. She has been proven to be Alice Tiler, daughter of John Tiler.
• Incorrect name of second wife (Fitch). Older references indicate that the second wife of Thomas Sherwood was named Mary Fitch. <ref>eg. New England Historical and Genealogical Register vol. 92 no. 3 (July 1938):203. The Second Wife of Joseph Loomis of Windsor, Conn., by Elisha S. Loomis. This is incorrect. The error started with the History of Fairfield in 1889 which was the first to name her as a Fitch. Schenk, Elizabeth Hubbell Godfrey The History of Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut, from the Settlement of the Town in 1639 to 1818: 1639-1700. (1889):351, 408. Google.Books.com LINK</ref> The error was copied in many susequent secondary sources. Donald Lines Jacobus in two articles took great pains to point out that the error was likely a transcriptional error as it was Thomas' son Mathew who married Mary Fitch. The American Genealogist, vol. 27 (1950):156-159. Repercussions II: Sherwoodof Fairfield and Stratford, Conn., by Donald Lines Jacobus. New England Historical and Genealogical Register vol. 92 no. 3 (July 1938):303. The Second Wife of Joseph Loomis of Windsor, Conn., by Donald Lines Jacobus. There is absolutely no evidence or clue as to maiden name of Mary.
• Incorrect name of second wife (Onge) One Opinion: vA more recent theory which is becoming more widely distributed on the internet is that the second wife of Thomas Sherwood was named Mary Onge. The theory is highly speculative and contains no real evidence that this is true. Onge-31|Mary Onge was a fellow passenger on the Francis, aged 27 in 1634. She was almost certainly the daughter of Reed-1449|Frances Ong who immigrated to Watertown, Massachusetts several years before. Other than Mary Onge immigrating on the same ship as Thomas Sherwood, there is nothing to connect them. They settled in different towns, and thereare no records to connect the families.

Second Opinion: Facts for the 2nd wife of Thomas may never be uncovered. However, the suggestions proposed by Dale Chamberlain in his paper provide logical information that would make Mary Onge the most reasonable candidate to have been the 2nd wife of Thomas.

• Incorrect daughter: The wife of Merritt-841 | Thomas Merritt is sometimes said to be Elizabeth or Jane, a daughter of Thomas Sherwood. Merritt researchers have shown this to be incorrect and she isJane Unknown. Furthermore, there is no evidence that Thomas Sherwoodhad a daughter Elizabeth in the parish records, his will, his wife's will, or estate records. This incorrect daughter has been disconnected from this profile.
• Marriage date and place: He is sometimes said to have married his first wife Alice on 21 October 1604 in Ipswich, co. Suffolk, England. There is no evidence to support this date or place. His childrenwere baptized at Kettlebaston, and Alice was from nearby Hitcham. Anextensive search of parishes around Kettlebaston failed to find the marriage of Thomas and Alice.
• Incorrect daughter (Margaret): Margaret Sheerwood who married Elias Maverick was not a daughter of Thomas Sherwood of Fairfield. There is some controversy regarding this person. Jacobus and Prindle both concluded that Thomas had a daughter Margaret based on his will - they read 'Mary' as 'Marg'. However they working from a highly damaged transcription; Andrew Sherwood's renders the name as Mary.We now know from Kettlebaston parish records that Thomas had two daughters named Mary but no daughter named Margaret. The facts that the marriage of Margaret Sherwood and Elias Maverick took place in Charlestown in 1669, and that he was born in 1643 also argues strongly that this Margaret could not be a daughter of Thomas Sherwood. See Sherwood article in TAG 2005 for a complete discussion.
• Incorrect parents. He is sometimes said to be the son of |Esdras Sherwood and Unknown-289980|Dorcas Unknown of Ipswich, co. Suffolk, England. Esdras Sherwood did have two children baptized at St. Nicholas in Ipswich, but no Thomas. While Esdras and his wife cannot be excluded with 100% certainty as the parents of Thomas, there is absolutely no evidence (by will or baptisms) to connect this Sherwood family in Ipswich to Thomas Sherwood of Kettlebaston, England and Fairfield, Connecticut.
• Incorrect parents: A previous profile made his parents to be Sherwood-1402 | John Sherwood and Sherwyn-1 | Joan Sherwyn. The origins of Thomas Sherwood have recently been published and there is-no evidence to support these parents.They have been disconnected.

His parents are unknown.

Sources

• The American Genealogist, vol. 27 (1950):156-159. 'Repercussions II:Sherwood of Fairfield and Stratford, Conn., by Donald Lines Jacobus.
• The American Genealogist, vol. 50 (2005):278-282. The English Homeof Thomas Sherwood¹ of Wethersfield, Stamford, and Fairfield, Conn., by Leslie Mahler. AmericanAncestors.org ($) LINK
• The American Genealogist, vol. 52 (2007):211-2013. The Parentage of Alice Tiler, First Wife of Thomas Sherwood¹ of Wethersfield, Stamford, and Fairfield, Conn., by Leslie Mahler, FASG.
• Anderson, Robert Charles. The Great Migration, Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volume VI, R-S. (Boston: NEHGS, 2009):304-312, biography of Thomas Sherwood. Available at AmericanAncestors.org PAID
• Hotten, John Camden, ed., The Original Lists of Persons of Quality ... (London, 1874):278-79. Ancestry.com LINK
• Schenk, Elizabeth Hubbell Godfrey The History of Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut, from the Settlement of the Town in 1639 to 1818: 1639-1700. (1889):351, 408. Google.Books.com LINK
• Sherwood, Andrew. Daniel L. Sherwood and his paternal ancestors : including Sherwood evidences both in England and America... (Portland, 1929).
• Jacobus, Donald Lines. History and Genealogy of the Families of Old Fairfield, Volume 1. (Fairfield, 1930):553. Books.google.com Snippet View
• Genealogiesof Connecticut Families, Page 424
• Commemorative biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, 1899. Page 483
• http://www.sherwoodfarm.org/history.html
• Space:The History of Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut|The History of Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut, Vol. 1, Page 408
• Daughters of American Colonists Vol. 15 p 302:
• Genealogies of Connecticut Families, Vol II, Page 425.
• "A Changing America: Seen Through One Sherwood Family" gives a description of the witch trial and execution.
• New England Historical and Genealogical Register Vols. 1 - 148,dated 1887 through 1994. (Vols. 1,14,27,39, and 92 especially.)
• History and Genealogy of the Families of Old Fairfield, Vol. 1, compiled and edited by Donald Lines Jacobs - 1932.
• Catalogue of Names of the Early Puritan Settlers of the Colony of Connecticut by Royal R. Hinman 1852
• Mead, Spencer Percival. Space:Ye Historieof Ye Town of Greenwich|Ye Historie of Ye Town of Greenwich (Knickerbocker Press, Greenwich, Conn., 1911)
• Directory of Ancestral Heads of New England Families, 1620 - 1700, compiled by Frank R. Holmes.
• Connecticut Ancestors of Bergen Chapter Members (DAR) by Mrs. Ella Sherwood - 1938
• Baird, Charles W. Space:Chronicle of a Border Town|Chronicle of a Border Town (Anson D. F. Randolph and Co., New York, 1871)
• Genealogical Gleanings in England by Henry F. Waters, NEH&GR - 1901
• International Genealogical Indexes - LDS Family History Centers Parish Registers of Wingate, Buckinghamshire, England (GS Microfilm)
• Parish Registers of St.Nicholas, Ipswich, Suffolk, England (GS Microfilm).
• , Samuel. Space:A History of the Old Town of Stratford and the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut|A History of the Old Town of Stratford and the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut (Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor, New Haven, Conn., 1886) Page 120 Warning: Do not use. Out of date and contains many errors.
• Drake, Samuel. Space:Result of Some Researches Among the British Archives for Information Relative to the Founders of New England|Result of Some Researches Among the British Archives for Information Relative to the Founders of New England (NEHGR,Boston, 1860) Page 53:
• https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:Thomas_Sherwood_%285%29 cites
  • Thomas Sherwood, in Anderson, Robert Charles; George F. Sanborn; and Melinde Lutz Sanborn. The Great Migration: Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635. (NEHGS, 1999-2011) 6:304-12. ORIGIN: Kettle Baston, Suffolk. MIGRATION: 1634 on the Francis of Ipswich (on 30 April 1634, "Thomas Sherwood," aged 48, "Alice his wife," aged 47, "Anna Sherwood," aged 14, "Rose Sherwood," aged 11, "Thomas Sherwood," aged 10, and "Rebecca Sherwood," aged 9, were enrolled at Ipswich as passengers for New England on the Francis of Ipswich [Hotten 279-79 280-81]. BIRTH: About 1586 (aged 48 on 30 April 1634 [Hotten 279]). DEATH: Between 21 July 1655 (date of will) and 7 September 1655 (date of inventory).
  • Thomas Sherwood, in Jacobus, Donald Lines. History and Genealogy of the Families of Old Fairfield. (New Haven, Conn.: The Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor Company, 1930-1932) 1:548. Thomas came to Boston in the Frances, Apr. 1634, ae. 48, with wife Alice, ae. 47, and children Anna (14), Rose (11), Thomas (10), and Rebecca (9).
  • The Three 17th Century Thomas Sherwoods of Connecticut. "I'll begin with Thomas Sherwood born about 1585. We can deduce this by his age given as 48 years in the list of passengers who embarked from Ipswich, Suffolk, England on the Francis the last day of April 1634, arriving at Boston, Massachusetts in June 1634. Traveling with him were his wife Alice, age 47 years and four children, Anna (called Hannah in some later records), age 14, Rose 11, Thomas 10 and Rebecca 9. The family didn't stay long in Boston. Thomas went with the first settlers in 1635 to Wethersfield, Connecticut where he sold land to George Wyllys in March 1640. This was probably about the time that Alice died and he then married Mary. Their son Stephen was born about 1641. In 1648 Thomas sold out to John Holly and settled in Fairfield, Connecticut where he remained until his death. His will dated 21 July 1655 was proved 22 Oct 1655. (Invoice of estate of Thomas Sherwood, Sr. taken 7 Sep 1655 - Probate Records of Fairfield County). He names his son and six daughters by his 'first wife' as Jane, Tamsen, Margaret, Anna (Hannah), Thomas, Rose and Rebecca. His will further says 'to my loving and well beloved wife Mary Sherwood', and names his children Mary, Stephen, Matthew, Abigail, Ruth and Isaac."
  • Coldham, Peter Wilson. The complete book of emigrants, 1607-1660: a comprehensive listing compiled from English Public Records of those who took ship to the Americas for political, religious, and economic reasons; of those who were deported for vagrancy, roguery, or non-conformity; and of those who were sold to labour in the new colonies. (Baltimore [Maryland]: Genealogical Pub. Co., c1987). Listed onboard 30 April 1634 - Passengers from Ispwich by the Francis of Ipswich, Capt. John Cutting, bound for New England. Complete Book of Emigrants, 1607-1776, Sec II, chap 29, 1634: Records of the ship's list of the "Francis": 30 April 1634. Passengers of the Francis of Ipswich, Mr. John Cutting, captain, bound for New England (landed at Plymouth or Boston, MA): from the Pubic Record Office, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU, England) Thomas Sherwood 48 and Alice his wife 47, Anna Sherwood 14, Rose Sherwood 11, Thomas Sherwood 10, Rebecca Sherwood 9.
  • Sherwood, Frank P., and Frances H. Sherwood. A Changing America: Seen Through One Sherwood Family Line 1634-2006. (Lincoln, Nebraska: iUniverse, 2006) 30-33.
• https://www-personal.umich.edu/~bobwolfe/gen/person/g2200.htm
• Leslie Mahler, "The English Home of Thomas Sherwood of Wethersfield, Stamford, and Fairfield, Connecticut," The American Genealogist 80 (2005), 278-282, at 281, [AmericanAncestors].

Parents:
Thomas Sherwood
1548–1632

Dorcas Fitch
1555–1622

Spouse and children:
Alice Tiler
1587–1655

Rose Sherwood
1620–1699

Thomas Sherwood
1624–1698

Rebecca Sherwood
1625–1704

Margaret Mary Sherwood
1631–1704

Sarah Sherwood
1633–1634

Matthew Sherwood
1644–1715

Isaac Sherwood
1645–1684

Ruth Sherwood
1648–1699

THOMAS SHERWOOD was the son of an unknown mother and THOMAS SHERWOOD of England.
[This is uncertain. Other sources say parents are UNKNOWN.]

FIRST MARRIAGE: 21 Oct 1618 in England. First wife was ALICE TILER. Her last name is given as SEABROOK in many old genealogies but research into county records supports ALICE'S relationship to her parents and as wife of this THOMAS SHERWOOD. [Mahler]

Note: Researcher Dana Neil Wellesley references a marriage record for THOMAS & ALICE WATSON on 11-15-1610 in Brundall, Norfolk, England. However no source has been presented.

They had seven or eight children but only the four youngest immigrated with their parents. The older children were probably married.

IMMIGRATION: Ship "Frances" Apr 1634, at age 48 with wife, ALICE, age 47, and children: ANNA 14, ROSE 11, THOMAS 10, and REBECCA 9. [Savage]

SECOND MARRIAGE: In 1641 he married MARY (last name unknown) in Stamford, Fairfield Co, CT. An unmarried woman by the name of MARY ONGE sailed with the Sherwoods. It is possible she became the second Mrs. SHERWOOD, but unless a source is eventually found for this, proof of Mary's maiden name will remain a mystery.

Their known children:

1) Isaac Sherwood b. 1645 d. 1684.

RESIDENCE: Wethersfield with first settlers, 1635, sold his land to George Wyllys, 25 Mar 1640 and moved to Stamford until 1641, then Fairfield 1648, when he sold to John Holly and settled in Fairfield.

RELATIONSHIP: He may have been related to Thomas Morehouse, whose holdings adjoined his in Wethersfield, and who accompanied him in his subsequent migrations. -Jacobus, p 548

Sources: "The Parentage of Alice Tiler, First Wife of Thomas Sherwood of Wethersfield, Stamford, and Fairfield, Connecticut", The American Genealogist, (TAG 82:211-13 July 2007).

WILL: dated 21 Jul 1655, proved 25 Oct 1655; children by former wife, Thomas, Jane, Tamsen, Margaret, Sarah, Hannah, Rose, Rebecca; wife Mary, and children by her, Stephen, Matthew, Mary, Ruth, Abigail, Isaac

DEED: 18 Jan 1658/59 "John Banks hath married Mary Sherwood the relict." [Fairfield Deeds]

GOVERNMENT: Deputy to Connecticut General Court from Stratford 1650, 1653. 1654

Much gratitude to Nareen for creating this page originally and being diligent enough to photograph Thomas' monument. Thanks to his other descendants for remembering him and both of his wives so richly. And to Genevieve Sherwood Bullock, for providing new sources. Additional thanks to Stephen Meadows-Ryan for providing additional research on his page for Thomas Sherwood.
∼
married Alice Seabrook 1604
married Mary Fitch 1642
Born:Ipswich Suffolkshire

In Memory of THOMAS SHERWOOD
1586 - 1655
Puritan - Pioneer - Ancestor
A founder of New England, A First Settler of Fairfield, Deputy to the General Court, Committeeman, Soldier of the Pequot War, and His Wives,
Alice Tiler, 1587 - 1639
Mary Fitch, 1619 - 1693
Erected by the Sherwood Kindred of America MCML

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9072676/thomas-sherwood