Thomas Weston

Thomas Weston

• Thomas was christened 1583 in Hughley, Shropshire. He died by May 1647 in (see notes!) (Maryland or Bristol?).

Spouse

• Married: Rebecca WOODWARD (George, John, George, John) on 18 Sep 1616 in (license or marriage?) St. Margaret's, Westminster England. Rebecca was born Jul 1593 in Upton, Buckinghamshire, England and was christened 19 Jul 1593.

Children

• Edward WESTON (died a baby) was buried 5 Jul 1619 in St. Thomas the Apostle, London.
• Bridgett WESTON
• Rachel WESTON was christened4 8 Jun 1621 in St. Thomas the Apostle, London

History

Rebecca WOODWARD was born on 19 Jul 1593 in Of, Upton, Buckinghamshire, England. She was christened on 19 Jul 1593 in Upton, Cum Chalvey, Buckinghamshire, England.

Allegations for Marriage Licences Issued by the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, 1558-1699: Also, for Those Issued by the Vicar-General of the Archbishop of Canterbury, 1660 to 1679 -By Joseph Lemuel Chester, George John Armytage, Westminster Abbey, Church of England Province of Canterbury. Registry of the Vicar-General of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Published by Harleian Society, 1886, page 22: 1616, Sept 18: THOMAS WESTON of St. Giles in Fields, Gent., & REBECCA WOODWARD of Westminster, Spinster; at St. Margaret's, Westminster.

It is interesting to note, in the same book, that in 1564-5, Feb 4, that the bond of "Richard BROMFEILDE & Jane Aorden (sic), of St. Margaret's Westminster" was signed by Richard and Andrew WESTON of St. Martin's in Fields. Note that in 1662, Aug 7: Abraham Hacket of St. Mary Woolchurch, Sugar Baker, bachelor, age about 23, & REBECCA WESTON of Blandford, Dorset, spinster, age 21; consent of father THOMAS WESTON of same, gent., at St. Martin's, Ludgate. [this is possibly too late to have been a daughter of Thomas and Rebecca, but the names are interesting, nonetheless.]

In early days, the area of St. Giles was so remote from town, it was called St. Giles in the fields. St Giles in the Fields is a church in the Borough of Camden, in the heart of London, England's West End. I believe he was the Thomas Weston involved with the Plymouth settlers, and for awhile emigrated to Massachusetts, as did many of his Woodward relations: [Quotes from Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of the State of Massachusetts, edited by William Richard Cutter, William Frederick Adams]........."Among the pioneers of Salem, Massachusetts was Francis WESTON, who was made a freeman there in 1633, and was representative to the general court in the next year. Soon after he removed to Providence and in 1639 was one of the founders of the Baptist church in America. JOHN WESTON came to Salem in 1644, and EDMUND WESTON to Duxbury in 1645. It is presumed that these and THOMAS WESTON, mentioned hereinafter, were relatives, but no certain information in this regard is afforded by the records. The first of the name in Massachusetts was THOMAS WESTON, a merchant, who came from London and commenced a colony at Wissagaser, now called Weymouth, in 1622. This colony was superintended by Richard Green, a brother-in-law of Weston, who died very suddenly, and soon after this THOMAS WESTON returned to London, and not long after he died at Bristol, England. After his death his widow remained in England. It is not believed by modern genealogists that John Weston of Salem was a relative of Thomas above named. About the year 1644, during the civil war in England, JOHN WESTON came from Buckinghamshire, English, to Salem, Massachusetts. He left his widowed mother and secured a passage to America by concealing himself in an emigrant ship; he was then 13 years of age." This is confirmed when you read the following from The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, page 297, chapter "The English Ancestry of Richard More of the Mayflower:" when it mentions what his wife's name was REBECCA, and one of his daughters is named... RACHEL. "A much more significant record, however, discovered by the writer in the printed registers of Hughley, Shropshire (Parish Register Society, Vol. 41) is found at page 2, and is as follows: "THOMAS WESTON, renatus fuit vicesimo die February anno ut supra" (1583.) Other records from the same register were, as Anglicised:

Anna Weston, buried June 18, 1590, p. 3. Anthony Weston, buried Feb. 4, 1614, p. 7. Margaret Weston, buried Feb. 16, 1614, p. 7. Anna Weston, buried April 13, 1614, p. 8. Now Hughley is only about three miles, a little to the east of north from Shipton Church and Larden Hall, and this Thomas Weston, bap. 1583, must have been personally acquainted with Catharine, the mother of the Mayflower children, who was bap. at Shipton only 3 years later than himself, and also with Col. Samuel, their father, who lived at Linley and More, not far away, and who married his cousin Catharine in 1610, and from that time on resided at Larden Hall, and the probability is very strong that this was the same Thomas Weston, of London, in whose care the four children were placed while waiting for the Mayflower to set sail for New England. That is, that we have at last located the well known " Merchant and citizen of London," as designated by Gov. Winslow, who acted as the London agent of the pilgrim company. Accepting this identification, Weston's age in 1620 would have been, say, 37, just about what would have been expected; that is, not a young man, but mature and in the prime of life. Practically, all that has heretofore been known about him is summed up in the article in The Dictionary of National Biography, LX., 374. He died about 1643, as is said, in Bristol, during the Civil War, and little, if anything, is known of him in addition to what Gov. Bradford has written. He is said to have had a brother-in-law, Richard Greene, and in N. E. H. &• G. Register, 41- 285, it is said that he was probably a brother of the Earl of Portland, Sir Richard Weston. It is possible that the following records, found by myself, refer to him also, viz.: 1621. June 8. Rachel, dau. of Thomas Weston and Rebecca his wife, christened at St. Thomas the Apostle, London. 1619. July 5. Edward, son of Thomas Weston and Rebecca his wife, buried at St. Thomas the Apostle. [Harleian Soc. Reg. Sect., 6, m] Here, certainly, it would seem, is a very probable line of affiliation between Col. Samuel, the parliamentarian, and the pilgrim band. The London agent, who had more to do, perhaps, with the English preparations for the Mayflower's voyage than any other one man in England, Thomas Weston, the old time acquaintance and fellow townsman of the parents of the More children, is he in whose care they were placed while awaiting (as stated in the affidavit of Capt. Richard of Salem) their transportation to Plymouth, in New England, in the Mayflower, in 1620. (See full text of the affidavit in Mayflower Descendant, III, 194-5.)

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"History of Plymouth Plantation," by William Bradford, mentions Thomas Weston:

"Aboute this time, whilst they were perplexed with the proseedings of the Virginia Company, and the ill news from thence aboute Mr. Blackwell and his company, and making inquirey about the hiring and buying of sniping for their vioage, some Dutchmen made them faire offers aboute goeing with them. Also one Mr. THOMAS WESTON, a merchant of London, came to Ley den aboute the same time, (who -was well aquainted with some of them, and a furtherer of them in their former proseedings,) haveing much conferance with Mr. Robinson and other of the cheefe of them, perswaded them to goe on (as it seems) and not to medle with the Dutch, or too much to depend on the Virginia Company; for if that failed, if they came to resolution, he and such marchants as were his friends (togeather with their owne means) would sett them forth; and they should make ready, and neither feare 'wante of shipping nor money; for what they wanted should be provided. And, not so much for him selfe as for the satisfing of such frends as he should procure to adventure in this bussines, they were to draw such articls of agreemente, and make such propossitions, as might the better induce his freinds to venture. Upon which (after the formere conclusion) articles were drawne and agreed unto, and were showne unto him, and approved by him; and afterwards by then- messenger (Mr. John Carver) sent into England, who, togeather with Robart Cushman, were to receive the moneys and make provissione both for shiping and other things for the vioage ; with this charge, not to exseede their commission, but to proseed according to the former articles. Also some were chossen to doe the like for such things as were to be prepared there; so those that weare to goe, prepared them selves with all speed, and sould of their estats and (such as were able) put in their moneys into the commone. stock, which was disposed by those appointed, for the making of generall provissions. Aboute this time also they had heard, both by Mr. Weston and others, that sundrie Honbl: Lords had obtained a large grante from the king, for the more northerly parts of that countrie, derived out of the Virginia patente, and wholy secluded from then- Govermente, and to be called by another name, viz. New-England. Unto which Mr. Weston, and the cheefe of them, begane to incline it was best for them to goe, as for other reasons, so cheefly for the hope of present profite to be made by the fishing that was found in that countrie. But as in all bussineses the acting parte is most difficulte, espetially wher the worke of many agents must concurr, so it was fpund in this; for some of those that should have gone in England, fell of and would not goe; other marchants and freinds that had offered to adventure their moneys withdrew, and pretended many excuses. Some disliking they wente not to Guiana; others againe would adventure nothing excepte they wente to Virginia. Some againe (and those that were most relied on) fell in utter dislike with Virginia, and would doe nothing if they wente thither. In the midds of these distractions, they of Leyden, who had put of their estats, and laid out their moneys, were brought into a greate streight, fearing what issue these things would come too ; but at length the generalise- was swaid to this latter opinion. But now another difficultie arose, for Mr. WESTON and some other that were for this course, either for their better advantage or rather for the drawing on of others, as they pretended, would

have some of those conditions altered that were first agreed on at Leyden. To which the 2. agents sent from Leyden (or at least one of them who is most charged with it) did consente; seeing els that all was like to be dashte, and the opportunitie lost, and that they which had put of their estats and paid in their moneys were in hazard to be undon. They presumed to conclude with the marchants on those termes, in some things contrary to their order and commission, and without giving them notice of the same ; yea, it was conceled least it should make any furder delay; which was the cause afterward of much trouble and contention." Footnote: "Thomas Weston, whose first dealings with the Pilgrims are here recounted, is referred to by Cushman as one of the " adventurers," but he probably left them before 1622. He sent several vessels to New England and came himself with a colony which afterwards settled at Wessagusset (Weymouth). He was charged with fraudulent transactions by Robert Gorges, who for a time was governor-general of New England, but saved from punishment by the intercession of Governor Bradford. He died in Bristol, England, not far from 1640."

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HOWEVER, there is a very interesting bit about Thomas Weston, and a daughter, Elizabeth! The following seems to state that Thomas did not die in Bristol, after all, but in 1644 went to Maryland, and died there about 1647........... The New England Historical and Genealogical Register - 1896 - By Nehgs, John Ward - Chapter: "THOMAS WESTON AND HIS FAMILY....

"THOMAS WESTON came to MARYLAND in 1640, bringing with him five persons whose names are given below, and lived in Sts. George's Hundred. At the meeting of the Assembly September 5th, 1642, "MR. THOMAS WESTON being called pleased he was no freeman because he had no land nor certain dwelling here, etc., but being put to the question it was voted that he was a Freeman and as such bound to his appearance by himself or proxie whereupon he took place in the house." In this Assembly he was member of an important committee appointed 'for the drawing of a Bill touching a war to be made upon the Indians and other matters pertaining to the Safety of the Colony.' The prominence of the other members of the committee would make it appear that Mr. Weston was considered a person of consequence. Although at this time he possessed no land, he obtained, January 10th following, a patent for 1200 acres, which was erected into a manor under the name of Westbury Manor, and he already had a house, since an order of Gov. Leonard Calvert, dated August 28th, 1642, provided that the housekeepers of St. George's Hundred were to convey their women and children to the house of Mr. Weston in case of an Indian alarm. A writ, dated January 9th, 1644, is addressed to him as "THO. WESTON of St. George's Hundred merchant." Numerous references to him are to be found in Maryland Archives, Vol I, III, and IV. The latter volume, which embraces the proceedings of the Provincial Court 1637-1650, contains a bond dated July 20, 1641, from Thomas Weston citizen and ironmonger of London to Thomas Stone, uncle of Gov. William Stone, and an interesting letter from Mr. Weston to Gov (then Captain) Stone, dated "Maryland, the 3rd January 1644."

26 August 1642, Maryland: THOMAS WESTON demanded 1200 acre "due by conditions of plantation for transporting himself and five able men into the province in the year 1640. Their names were Richard Haniford, William Marshall, William Palmer, John Kelly, and Jasper Collins." He further demanded 100 acres for transporting William Hall in the year 1640, and 50 acres as assigned to him by George Pye. The 1200 acres were on the east side of St. George's Creek, bounded by lands of George Pye, John Edwards, Henry Lee, and Richard Nevitt. He called his property "Wesbury manor." 10 November 1647, John Hanceford of Virginia desired Letters of Administration for the estate of Thomas Weston in Maryland. Although John Hansford did not apply for administration of his estate until November 1647, Mr. Weston's death must have occurred some time before, as claims were filed against his estate as early as May 1647.

[Note: there follows several pages of affidavits from various people regarding Thomas Weston, affirming that Elizabeth CONNANT, widow of Richard Connant of Marble Head in New England was "the only daughter and sole heir of Thomas Weston," and that he had been the same Thomas Weston of the Plymouth colony endeavor. I will paraphrase some of them:] 27 September 1684: 'ELIZABETH CONNANT relict widow of Richard Connant of Marble head in New England deceased, and only daughter and sole heire of THOMAS WESTON citizen and ironmonger of London," to her son John Connant of Marblehead, in New England aforesaid; power of attorney to take possession and dispose of such plantations, lands, houses, tenements, etc., as lie in any part of Virginia and Maryland or elsewhere, which may belong to her as heir of her said father."

"To all Christian people to whom these presents shall come. I, Richard Norman of Marblehead in the county of Essex in the colony of Massachusetts's in New England, at the age of fifty years or thereabouts do testify that John Connant now resident in New England and bound for Virginia the said John Connant I knew him of a child and was a near neighbour to his father Roger Connant and his wife Elizabeth, the daughter and the only daughter of THOMAS WESTON by common repute and that the said John Connant was born of the said Elizabeth in lawful wedlock ...and was bred up as her son and lived with her as her until said Roger and his wife Elizabeth went for Ireland and further saith the said Elizabeth's father was that THOMAS WESTON that used formerly to trade in Virginia and soe to New England and afterwards WENT HOME TO BRISTOLL and there dyed as by credible and common report and further that I have been in Maryland in Virginia in West St. Mary's and likewise in some part of York River in both which places there was land commonly said to be and called by the name the said Thomas Weston his land or plantation and understood to be THE SAME THOMAS WESTON AFORESAID and father that I never heard of any other child the said Thomas Weston had but only the said Elizabeth but have often heard the said Elizabeth say her father had no other child but her."

Moses Maverick, also of Marblehead, aged about 64 years, swore on affidavit dated October 23, 1674, that "Elizabeth, the wife of the said Roger Connant and the daughter of the said THOMAS WESTON that she when a maiden lived with me and married to the said Roger Connant out of my house and that she had a LETTER AND ORDERS FROM HER MOTHER after her father's decease to look after her father's means in Virginia or Maryland and accordingly she sent and did receive some tobacco from Virginia in part or on the accompt of her father's estate there, viz...the said Thomas Weston.

Francis Johnson of Marblehead, aged 80, stated that "ELIZABETH WESTON, the reputed daughter of MR. THOMAS WESTON of the City of London...merchant, who was then gone on a voyage from new England aforesaid to Virginia and that he left the said Elizabeth at the house of Mr. Moses Maverick of Marblehead." September 27, 1684, Richard Moore, aged 70, swore that "being in London at the house of MR. THOMAS WESTON ironmonger in the year 1620. He was thence transported to NEW PLYMOUTH in New England and about two years and a half after the said deponent's arrival at Plymouth, the above mentioned Thomas Weston sent over a ship upon his proper accompt with passengers to settle in the Massachusetts Bay now called Braintree, but soon after they deserted the same by reason of Indians and sickness, and within a short space of time after the said Weston personally came over from London to Plymouth ...and made his aboad there some time and traded from thence to Virginia and Maryland. And at that time the said deponent knew that the said Thomas Weston had and was possessed of two plantations, the one in Yorke River in Virginia at a place called Cheesecake (sic), the other in Maryland at West St. Maryes at Storyes Island and heretofore were commonly known to be in the tenure and occupation of these persons here under exprest viz: Mr. Wilkinson, Mr. Kent, merchant, etc., and they all acknowledged the said Weston to be the true proprietor and lawful owner of the said plantations. And further that the said deponent knew Elizabeth Weston now Elizabeth Connant of Marblehead to be the reputed and only child of the said Thomas Weston." There is even an affidavit from Simon Bradstreet, Governor of Massachusetts. The editor of the piece found in the Register states that "this person - Mr. Thomas Weston - rendered important assistance to the Pilgrims in the emigration from Holland to New England, but afterwards lost their confidence by his conduct." "Mr. Weston's only daughter and heir, Elizabeth Weston, we learn from these papers, married Roger Conant. He was a son of Roger Conant, the early settler of Salem." John was their son. He believes Thomas Weston died between January 3, 1644/5 and May 1647. Southside Virginia Families states: "In 1647, John Hansford was appointed administrator of the estate of THOMAS WESTON, A Puritan merchant of Maryland who died in Bristol, England."

I believe it not unreasonable to assume he is related to the family of Sir Richard Weston who by King Henry VIII was made knight in 1514. His son was Francis, who in 1530 became one of the Weston's of Sutton Place. Though not a descendant of that line. I state this as, due to the Woodward's early associations with Windsor Palace, certain friendships and alliances would not be unexpected among those who served the king. Francis was one of those beheaded along with Anne Boleyn and her brother. Sir Richard died in August 1542, possessed of lands in Somerset, Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset, and in BERKSHIRE. William Weston was the brother of Sir Richard, their father having been Edmund Weston, Governor of Guernsey - and their uncle was John Weston. This leaves several lines of possible ancestors for Thomas.

Sources

Our Southern Cousins - http://oursoutherncousins.com/Woodward's%20of%20Buckinghamshire.pdf