William Durkee

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Profile last modified 25 Jun 2020 | Created 13 Nov 2009

William Durkee (abt. 1633 - 1703)

William Durkee aka Dirky, Durge, Durgy, O'Durgy

Born about 1633 in Ireland

Son of John (Turke) Durge and Sarah Batham

[sibling%28s%29 unknown]

Husband of Martha (Cross) Durkee — married 20 Dec 1664 in Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts

Father of John Durkee Sr., Martha (Durkee) Fuller, Thomas Durkee, Elizabeth (Durkee) Martin, William Durkee, Jane (Durkee) Martin, Mary (Durkee) Peck, Ann (Durkee) Palmer, Henry Durkee and Mercy (Durkee) Martin

Died 29 Jan 1703 in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts

Biography

According to the Society of Genealogy of Durkee,[1] William Durkee (Durgy) was born in Ireland about 1632. He may have been the first Irishman to settle in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He arrived there on 9 November 1663 as the indentured servant of Thomas Bishop, having been in the Barbadoes, probably as a slave of Cromwells.

His origins in Ireland are not documented. An earlier version of this profile said he was from Drogheda, County Meath, but no evidence for this has been identified. Some other previous versions of the profile said he was born in Ipswich, Massachusetts, but there is no evidence of a birth in New England. It is possible that he was inferred to have been born in Ipswich because in later life he was described as "of Ipswich."

William Durkee
Birth Date: 1633 Marriage: 1664 to Martha Cross Death: 1703 Burial: unknown Also found listed as Durgy and O'Durgy when first coming to America. (William /O'Durgy/[2][3]) Listed as Turkee when in Ireland.

Early Years

William Durge (Durkee) was an Irish soldier captured by Cromwell's forces in Ireland c. 1660 and turned over to the Bristol sugar merchants to be a white slave on the sugar plantations in Barbados. One white slave = 1000 Lbs of sugar for the army. Upon restoration of the Stuart Monarchy with the return of Charles II from the Netherlands, it was decreed that slavery of whites would herewith be banned. Thus Durge (Durkee) was freed and stranded with many others in Barbados, called "the Redlegs" by the natives because of their sunburn. A visiting merchant, Thomas Bishop, took a liking to Durge and took him back to Ipswich MA in 1663 to work as his servant. As far as Mr. Butler knows, Durge was the first Irish Catholic immigrant to Massachusetts. A year after his arrival, He married Martha in December 20, 1664 in Ipswich, Martha Cross, b. Feb 14, 1643, d. Jan 11, 1726/7 in Windham County Connecticut. William Durkee was the very first Irish Catholic to settle in Massachusetts. He was fined for not attending the Protestant church. He was sentenced to receive 25 lashes or pay a fine of 5 pounds for each Sunday he missed church. The fine was paid for by his Owner, Thomas Bishop.

Athough he was persecuted by the Puritans for his religious beliefs - his wife however, remained a Protestant and raised their children as Protestants.

Durge's two sons became Congregational ministers. Most, if not all Durkees in North America are likely descended from William Durkee. [4] When he married Martha in 1664, the Crosses objected bitterly to the marriage. When William was questioned by the court as to his ability to support a wife, he answered he received a salary of 15 meals a week, and was willing to divide them with her.

What became of William is a mystery. He is recorded as being in Dover, New Hampshire in 1684 and his name appears on Essex County land deeds as late as 1713. No cemetery reveals his resting place.

Martha reared her family in the Protestant faith, and their eldest son, John, became a Deacon.

The Story of William and Martha

1643 IPSWICH, ESSEX, MASSACHUSETTS: Martha Cross B: 15 March 1643 (Martha is daughter of Robert Cross & Anna (Hannah) Jordan) The Cross & Jordan lines are well proven by interesting wills.

“In 1664, a problem came up in Robert Cross’s family. His daughter Martha became pregnant out of wedlock with William Durkee being the father of the expected child. Martha felt that she was cast out of her father’s favor so she moved in with her sister Elizabeth Nelson. Elizabeth went to her parents and found them “in a sad and sorrowful condition, very much harried in spirit, not knowing which way to turn or what to say.” They were advised that a marriage was thought to be the best solution to the sad problem. Robert Cross, however, would not let the situation end and he sued William Durkee for abusing his daughter. William then sued Robert Cross for withdrawing his consent to the marriage after giving his permission. William and Martha were married soon afterwards.” [5]

The original Court records regarding this sad situation is as follows: (I have left the spelling just as it appears in the original court documents.)

Writ dated Feb. 22 1664, signed by Robert Lord for the court, and served by Theophilus Wilson, constable of Ipswich. Margrit Biship testified that being asked by Martha (Cross) whether she should go home to her father, deponent told her that it was best for her to do so, “at that William being discontented, she desired me in the presence of God to beare witnesse that she would have no other man but he furthermore she said why will not you trust me as well as I have trusted you hitherto. And hereupon she went away to her father.” Sworn in Court

Grace Searl testified that she heard Martha Crosse say, when her friends came for her, that she told William that if she went away she would come again and would not forsake him. Sworn in court.

Thomas Biship testified that Martha Crosse desired him several times to speak to her father that she and William Durgy might be married. Sworn in court.

Mary Biship testified that Martha said it was her greatest comfort that her father had given his consent to her marriage, which was to take place on the nineteenth of the present month. Sworn in court. “Honored Sier you may Esilie understand how the Case stands conserne my daufter: & I give them leve to marie. Yor Seruant Rob. Crosse.” “Naybor Booship: to you & your wife this is to let you understand our mindes is so the Case standing as it dous: wee leue your seruants to your dis

Writ dated, Sept 22, 1664, signed by Daniel Denison for the court, and served by Theophilus Wilson, constable of Ipswich. Goodman Storie deposed that “Martha Crosse being at her Sister Nellsonnes house neere to Goodman Storie, Martha being in sore destresse of mind in the Considoration as shee Conseued she had binn cast out of her fathers favor: & familie: was so haried & distressed in mind; that her Sistor Nellsonn came downe to mee much affected lamenten with tears yet much affected my hart to heare her, who sayd I thought my Sistor would haue died to night but shee thought shee could not live another in that Condition; I being much affected with her Condition sayd: Why doe you not goe to your father & make your condition knowen unto him; to which shee answered Oh I dayer not goe to speack a word in her behalfe then I sayd: will you goe if I goe downe with you? Then Goodey Nelson sayd I, with all my hart; So wee went downe to Goodman Cross and there wee found them in a sad & sorrofull Condition verie much harried in there sperite not knowing which way to turen or what to say; & as my aprehenson then lead mee did treat with them about the sufferen them to marey the which hee did agree that was the way then we thought to bee the best.” Sworn in Court;

March 1664: Martha Dirky, for fornication, was ordered to be whipped unless she bring a note from the treasurer, of three pounds paid to him.

September 1664: Robert Cross Verses William Dirkey. For abusing his daughter. Verdict for plaintiff: “William Nelson deposed that William Dorkei said, at deponent’s house, after Goodman Stories had been at his father’s that he wished he had never spoken as he had, owning the child to be his, but he had eighteen meals a week and would spare six of them to keep the child.”

“Joseph Biship deposed that he heard William Durgee say that he had rather keep the child than keep her, but he presently said if he kept one he would keep the other, and they agreed to be married the next day.”

“October 1664: William Dirkey, presented for fornication, was ordered to be whipped not exceeding twenty stripes, and to put in security of 201i. to save the town of Ipswich harmless from the charges of keeping the child, or else go to prison. Thomas Biship, surety.”[6]

Despite the difficult situation between my Grandfather William Durkee & Robert Cross, the marriage took place;

Marriage

Husband: William Durkee Wife: Martha Cross Children of William Durkee & Martha Cross) John Durkee B: 3 January 1664 D: 11 September 1739 m. (1) Elizasbath Parsons M: 22 March 1685 & (2) widow Annah Low M: 4 June 1709[7] This son may have been named after Robert Cross’s father of whom is thought to have been John Cross. I believe this is the first child for William & Martha. He was born just after their marriage. James Durkee B: about 1667 m. Susanna Davis?[8] No more is known of James Durkee at this writing Martha Durkee B: August 1668 D: 30 August 1748 m. 19 July 16 Thomas Fuller [9] Thomas Durkee B: about 1672 - 1757; m. wife (1) Elizabeth Lord M: 5 March 1700; wife (2) Rebecca Lamb M: 1728[10] Jane Durkee B: January 1674 m. John S. Martin 22 Apr 1710[11] Mercy Durkee, born June 1675. Died 1 August 1730. Mercy & George Martin Jr. Int: 4 June 1709[12][13] William Durkee Jr. B: about 1676 William Durkee & Rebecca Gould M: 13 January 1704[14][15] Mary Durkee B: 1678 m. Joseph Peck[16] Henry Durkee B: May 1681 Henry is said to have died young; Ann Durkee B: Oct 1680[16] John Durkee m. Mrs. Annah Low 1711;[17] Note: Thomas Cross was a Doctor and removed to Connecticut after his 2nd marriage.

Note by : The IGI File claims that William Durkee & Martha Cross had two sons named William. The first William was born and died before 1676 and this son of whom was born about 1676 was the namesake of the first William who died young. I can find no record of another William being born into this family! The will, if there was one, for William Durkee has not been found; Consequently, I have not listed two Williams in this family, although temple ordinances have been done for two Williams![18]

Notes

Note H624Reportedly was a Irish chieftain who was captured by Oliver Cromwell, enslaved and sent to Barbados. When freed there, he endentured himself to a sea captain for passage to New York. Death

Uncertain

Date: 1712 Place: DOVER, STRATFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE[citation needed] Sources

↑ Origin of the Durkee Family, The Society of Genealogy of Durkee website, archived at archive.org on 3 September 2013. The Society of Genealogy of Durkee supported the work of Bernice Gunderson, compiler and author of The Durkee family genealogy, published in 2 volumes, 2009-2012. The organization appears to be inactive, as of June 2020. ↑ Source: #S14801 ↑ Source: #S16590 ↑ R. B. Palmer, May 2012. ↑ "Cross: Three hundred years of One Line.” Compiled by Elizabeth Preston Baty; Book: 929.273 C884 bep; ↑ Records And Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts: Volume III: 1662-1667: Book: 974.45 P2e; ↑ Vital Records of Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts: pg: 116; “John Dirkye, son of William B: Jan 3, 1664. Ct. R.;: New England Marriages Prior To 1700 by Torrey; ↑ New England Marriages Prior To 1700: It is very likely that James (spelled Durgin) married Mrs. Susanna Davis, widow of David Davis by 16 January 1699 at Durham, New Hampshire; This marriage is probable because the William Durkee family removed to New Hampshire! ↑ Vital Records of Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts, pg: 125:listed as: “Martha Durgie, d. William & Martha, Aug. ---, 1668.”Family Tree Maker ↑ New England-New York Ancestors Before 1850, pg: 140; Ancestral File; History of Robert Cross ↑ Vital Records of Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts; (Ipswich Marriages) “Jane Durke & John Martin, int. Apr. 29, 1709. C.R.4. ↑ Ipswich Marriages pg: 147 ↑ the marriage is listed as follows: Mercy Durke & George Martin Jr. int. June 4, 1709 ↑ Ipswich Marriages pg: 147: Listed as: “William Durgey & Rebecca Gould, int. Jan. 13, 1704” ↑ Source: #S16590 Data: Text: Date of Import: Oct 31, 2003 ↑ 16.0 16.1 : International Gen. Index File ↑ Vital Records of Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts: The marriage is listed as: John Durke of Gloucester and Widow Annah Low, int. 26 Jan, 1711. ↑ The Durkee Chronology: ]http://nefamilies.com/fam/history.aspx?x=6 William Durkee] Durkee manuscript by Elmer E. Butler, Newtonville, Mass, April 14, 1940. Located, New England Genealogical Society, Boston. (Every Durkee should read this; it should be published) Records And Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts: Volume III: 1662-1667: Book: 974.45 P2e; "Cross: Three hundred years of One Line.” Compiled by Elizabeth Preston Baty; Book: 929.273 C884 bep. Source: S14801 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Ancestral File. Copyright (c) 1987, June 1998, data as of 5 January 1998; Ancestral File Number 2KN4-M4 Source: S16590 Title: William DURKEE.FTW Else L. Hambleton. Daughters of Eve: Pregnant Brides and Unwed Mothers in Seventeenth Century Essex County, Massachusetts. Taylor & Francis, 2004. pages 120-122. Acknowledgments

Thanks to David McAvity for starting this profile. WikiTree profile Durkee-60 created through the import of EVERYBODY and EVERYTHING.ged on Oct 14, 2011 by April Mavros. See the Changes page for the details of edits by April and others. Timothy Leno, firsthand knowledge. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Timothy and others. Jay Byrne, Ancestry.com. Click the Changes tab for the details of edits by Jay and others. Robert Palmer, firsthand knowledge. Click the Changes tab for the details of edits by Robert and others. ODurgy-1 was created by David McKnight through the import of DavidEricMcKnight9gen.ged on Jul 3, 2014.

Theories abound, facts are few: ______________________________________________________________________

One possible background:

William Durkee (Durgy) born in Ireland about 1632 and may/or may not, have been the first Irishman to settle in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He arrived on Nov. 9, 1663 as the indentured servant of Thomas Bishop, having been in the Barbadoes, probably as a slave of Cromwells. Martha Cross was born Feb. 14, 1643 of Robert and Anna/Hannah (Jordon)

Martha was probably employed in the household of Thomas Bishop. They married in Ipswich, Mass. on Dec. 20, 1664 after Robert Cross sued William for abusing his daughter and William countersued Robert for withdrawing his consent to marriage after giving it. Two weeks later, their first child John was born. Son Thomas was born in 1666, daughter Martha in 1668, and son William in 1672. Elizabeth born about 1670, Mercy, Anna born about 1680, Mary, Jane, and Henry? were also probably children of William and Martha. Since William would not renounce his Catholicism, he could not own land. Almost all Durkees in the United States and Canada are descended from the three sons: John, Thomas, and William.

Individual:

Durkee also spelled Durgy, Dirkye, Durgee, and Dirky. William Durkee had been an Irish soldier captured on the battlefield by Oliver Cromwell's forces.

Durkee was transported to Barbados as a slave to work on the sugar plantation, freed under proclamation of Charles II, brought to Ipswich, MA by Thomas Bishop, merchant, as his servant.

The Rev. J. Stanley Durkee, former pastor of the Plymouth church, Brooklyn,

NY., states that, "so far as we learn, William Durkee was the first Catholic

Irishman to settle in Massachusetts."

"Since William Durkee was a Catholic, "this made him a shining mark for the

fanatical Puritans," says Joseph E. Durkee "They fined him for not attending

church, the fine being paid by Bishop. He was sentenced to receive 25 lashes

or pay a fine of five pounds for running away. Bishop pays again." Durkee,

brought to Ipswich in 1663, married 20 Dec 1664, Martha Cross... "The Crosses objected bitterly to the marriage. The lot of the servant class was a hard one. William Durkee, when questioned by the court as to his ability to support a wife, answered that he had '15 meals a week' which he was willing to divide with her. These meals are supposedly his salary. "What finally becomes of Durkee is a mystery. He is recorded as at Dover, NH

in 1684 and his name appears on Essex County deeds as late as 1713. No

cemetery reveals his resting place. He may have returned to Ireland... Martha

(Cross) Durkee reared her family in the Protestant faith and the eldest son,

John, became a deacon... "Joseph Durkee goes on to say that the name traces to David of Arci who went to England with William the Conquror in 1066 and fought at Hastings. D'Arcy , he finds on the Seine about half way between Paris and the sea-ancestral home of Darcys of England and Ireland." From The Ancestry of Elizabeth Yanconish

Berry by Brian J.L. Berry, Ph.D. (1989) pp. 39-40.(Research):The Society of Genealogy of Durkee

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/07/31/999724/-Committing-folly-b...

Committing folly before marriage - cranky ancestor edition

by klompendanserFollow for Genealogy and Family History Community

   39 Comments / 0 New

Anyone who dabbles in genealogy is no doubt surprised at how many children were born less than nine months after their parents' wedding. Clearly, some of those elderly relatives at your family reunion may not have practiced abstinence before marriage! Contrary to what Bill O'Reilly believes, I do not think many of the women were blasted out of their minds at the time.

Usually, there will not be much more than the simple conclusions to be drawn from the dates...life would go on, and no particular mention of the circumstances can be found. Sometimes, however, the situation of the women involved was not so happy ... and the paper trail is extensive. I've found two such stories that left brief but fascinating records in the court system ... one from 1664 (my 8g-grandparents), and another from 1860 (my gg-aunt). Follow me below the fleur-de-kos for details.

William Durkee and Martha Cross, Ipswich MA 1664

The information I had on this particular set of 8g-grandparents was sketchy, at first. I had the fact of their daughter Martha's marriage to Thomas Fuller, but not much else. Eventually, I found a fairly complicated paper trail. I'm still researching this line, but the gist of story is that William was an Irish Catholic indentured servant in the household of Thomas Bishop in the Puritan village of Ipswich, MA. Another servant in the household was a local girl named Martha Cross. Eventually, Martha became pregnant by William and life became very complicated for her from that point onward.

Essex Co. MA court records for 1664 document the case of "William Dirkee" against Martha's father, Robert Cross...the verdict was for the plaintiff, and defendant was to give his daughter in marriage or pay 5li. damages. The court records show the following testimony from various members of the Bishop household--with the original spellings intact:

   Margrit Bishop testified that being asked by Martha whether she should go home to her father, deponent told her that it was best for her to do so, "at that William being discontented, she desired me in the presence of God to beare witnesse that she would have no other man but he furthermore she said why will not you trust me as well as I have trusted you hitherto. And hereupon she went away to her father."

Grace Searl testified that she heard Martha Crosse say, when her friends came for her, that she told William that if she went away she would come again and would not forsake him.
Thomas Bishop testified that Martha Crosse desired him several times to speak to her father that she and William Durgy might be married ... Mary Bishop testified that Martha said it was her greatest comfort that her father had given his consent to her marriage, which was to take place on the nineteenth of the present month.
Martha's father eventually relented, and two letters he wrote on the subject are also on file:

   "Honered Sier you may Esilie understand how the Case stands conserne my daufter : & I give them leve to marie

   Yor Seruant Rob. Crosse"

"Naybor Booshop: to you & yor wiffie this is to let you understand or __ mindes is so the Case standing as it dous : wee leue yor seruants to yor dis __ and for the __ you may poot it to ana period as soone as you please: we shall no ways hinder it: __ hartes are sore oprest : wee ar as full of sorro the ___ ous & goyd you in the thing : Yor : Robert : Cro

   "the 12 of the 7th moth 64."

On the reverse of the foregoing paper: "For Her muche Respected Frende Mr Robert Crosse att Ipswich in newe Ingland These present with Care."
The situation was still fraught with emotion and difficulty, as William appeared to have changed his mind about marriage, for another suit was brought by "Robert Crose" against William Dirkey for "abusing his daughter." The following was testimony in that case:

   Goodman Storie deposed that "Martha Crosse beeing at her Sister nellsonnes house neere too goodman Storie Martha beeing in sore destresse of mind in the Consideration as shee Conseued she had binn cast out of her fathers favor: & familie: was so horied & destresed in mind ; that her Sistor nellsonn : Came downe to mee much afected lamenten with teeares yt much afected my hart to heare her : woe sayd I thought my Sistor would haue died to night: but shee thought shee Could not live an other in that Condition: I beeing much afected with there Condition: sayd why doe you not goe to yor Father & macke youer Condition knowen vnto him: to which shee answered o I dayer not goe to speack a word in her behalfe then I sayd will you goe if I goe downe wth you then goodey nelson sayd I with all my hart: so wee went downe to goodman Croses & there wee found them in a sad & sorrofull Condition verie much horried in there sperite not knowing which way to turen or what to say: & as my aprehenson then lead mee: did treat with them about the soferen them to marey the which hee did & that was the way then yt  wee thought to bee the best."

William Nelson deposed that Willam Dorkei said, at deponent's house, after Goodman Stories had been at his father's, that he wished he had never spoken as he had, owning the child to be his, but he had eighteen meals a week and would spare six of them to keep the child.
John Bishop deposed that he heard William Durgee say that he had rather keep the child than keep her, but he presently said if he kept one he would keep the other, and they agreed to be married the next day.
The town elders of Ipswich were becoming concerned. Essex county records have numerous cases where couples were charged with "committing folly before marriage" citing birth of a child soon after marriage as evidence of the "folly." I've noted that sometimes couples were fined, but this particular case must have been especially troublesome, as "William Dirkey, presented for fornication, was ordered to be whipped not exceeding twenty stripes, and to put in security of 20li. to save the town of Ipswich harmless from the charges of keeping the child, or else go to prison." His employer, Thomas Bishop, gave the surety. In addition, several months after the birth of the child, "Martha Dirky, for fornication, was ordered to be whipped unless she bring a note from the treasurer, of three pounds paid to him."

William and Martha went on to have several more children, but the couple was never in good financial circumstances...even after William's indentured status came to an end. He apparently refused to convert from Catholicism and was thus prevented by law from owning land.

ID: I659009844 Name: William DURKEE (DURGIE) Given Name: William Surname: Durkee (Durgie) Sex: M Birth: 1630 in Meath County, Ireland Death: 1704 in Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts. Immigration: Nov. 9, 1663 indentured servant of Thomas Bishop Note: William Durkee (Durgy) was born in Ireland about 1632 and may have been the first Irishman to settle in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He arrived on Nov. 9, 1663 as the indentured servant of Thomas Bishop, having been in the Barbadoes, probably as a slave of Cromwells. Martha Cross was born Feb. 14, 1643 of Robert and Anna/Hannah (Jordon). Martha was probably employed in the household of Thomas Bishop. They married in Ipswich, Mass. on Dec. 20, 1664 after Robert Cross sued William for abusing his daughter and William countersued Robert for withdrawing his consent to marriage after giving it. Two weeks later, their first child John was born. Son Thomas was born in 1666, daughter Martha in 1668, and son William in 1672. Elizabeth born about 1670, Mercy, Anna born about 1680, Mary, Jane, and Henry? were also probably children of William and Martha. Since William would not renounce his Catholicism, he could not own land. Almost all Durkees in the United States and Canada are descended from the three sons: John, Thomas, and William. One exception are a small group in Wisconsin descended from Herman and William Durkey who arrived there about 1870 from Germany. Another exception spell their name Durgy and descend from John Durgy who married Hannah (Conger) in 1784 in Fairfield, Conn

His house at Lubberland was a garrison; paid in 1695 for boarding soildiers. (Topography from the front of the book states "Lubberland, the region in Durham north of the Lamprey River")67 NEGHS vol 4, pg 249, vol 6, pg 37470 The Durgin Scroll: The complete records were given to John Worthen Durgin by a friend who found them in an attic in Kittery, Maine. The records were contained in a brown cylindrical tube 2-7/8 inches diameter and 13-7/8 inches long. On the green portion of the tube was stamped the name Charles C. Durgin. "A scroll, forty feet in length, recording Durgin family genealogy beginning with William Durgin, who was living in Oyster River in 1663 and ending in the early 1850's, the property of Charles Clifford Durgin, was found in an attic in Kittery, Maine and presented to John Worthen Durgin of Portsmouth, NH, who in turn is presenting it to the New Hampshire Historical Society". 445,455 Possibly: (Ancestry World Tree) John Durgin of Devon, England b. btw 1560 & 1590 and d aft 1643, wife unknown, had a son William Durgin, born Kent Eng, 1630. There is an entry in the IGI 2.16-British Isles, LDS: John Durgin, event: Christening, Date: 1561; Place: Devon, Devonshire, Eng: Ted Durgan states that William's first wifes name was Martha (Not Cross). The information was found in an old Durgin Bible, whereabouts currently unknown. She was prob born in England, was the mother of William's son William, she may have died in childbirth or left the family There is evidence available that points to William Durgin & William Durgee/Dirkee being two seperate individuals. Durgee was born abt 1630 and dies abt 1712 in Ipswich, MA. Durgee married, 20 Dec 1664, Martha Cross, b. 1643. She dies after William Durgin, William Durgee and Catherine Matthews. William Durgee was a Catholic in England who left England due to religious persecution. He went to Barbadoes, then to Ipswich, MA. Many records are available in/on Ipswich, MA, (including witness in depositions) that show that he and Martha lived there and conducted themselves amongst the town people for many years. Martha follows her son to CT sometime after death of husband. Martha dies and is buried in CT. Durgee would have had to live a double life or not believe in the faith he followed, if he were to be the same person as Durgin. For Martha to be the mother of Durgin's two sons, William & James, she would have to spend time in two different locations, leaving one set of children in the care of someone else for extended periods of time. Durgin's son William marries Elizabeth Pinder 1698 and raises a family in NH. Durgee/Dirkee's son William marries Rebecca Gould 1704. The Soc of Gen of Durkee: William, b. about 1632, Ireland and may have been the first Irishman to settle in Mass Bay Colony. He arrived in America, 9 Nov 1663, as the indentured servant of Thomas Bishop, having been in Barbadoes, probably as a slave of Cromwells. Martha Cross, b. 14 Feb 1643, daughter of Robert Cross and Anna/Hannah Jordon. She was probably employed in the household of Thomas Bishop. William and Martha mrd, 20 Dec 1664, after Robert sued William for abusing his daughter and William countersued Robert for withdrawing his consent to marriage after giving it. Two weeks later, their first child, John, was born on 3 Jan 1665. Then followed: Thomas b. 1666, Martha b. Aug 1668, Elizabeth b. 1670, William, 1672, Anna b abt Oct 1680, Mercy b. 1684. William and Martha were the likely parents of, Jane b. Jan 1674, Mary b. Apr 1678 & Henry b. May 1682. William could not own land because he would not renounce his catholicism. The name Durgee is found spelt several different ways in court documents but never as Durgin. The first William Durgee does not name a son James or Francis. His son Thomas does have a son James, b. 1721 in Windham, CT. Durgee could not possibly be Durham, NH being taxed 1663-4. He had just arrived from Barbaodes, in Nov 1663, as a penniless indentured servant of Thomas Bishop and could not own land or be taxed. NEHGS: Durgie, William, came to Ipswich Nov 09 1663 and was then 33 years old. Had been in the West Indies and came here from thence. Wife Martha. Passengers to America by Michael Tepper, pg 468: Durgie, William came to Ipswich, Nov 9 1663 and was then 33 years old. He had been in the W. Indies and came here from thence. Wife Martha. "Perhaps" his name is that since written "Durgin" This would make Durgie's birth year abt 1630. William Durgin, in a NH deposition, states his age as 35 in 1677-78, leading one to believe he was born in 1643. Tepper's text lead some to believe that Durgie and Durgin are the same individual. Savage also makes similar comment about the two men. 243,401,445,441,466,455,465,468,443 What Do We Know About William Durgin - research paper by William Pasquina (retired lawyer) - excerpts: "William Durgin was born in 1643, some say in Kent, England and others say Ireland. He died in 1701 in Durham, NH. The town granted him 100 acres in an area called Lumbberland on what is called Oyster Creek. The town of Durham first taxed William in 1663 (Note that Dirgee/Durkee is only just arriving in Ipswich, MA, from Barbadoes, in Nov 1663). [Excerpts From Butler & Kinfolk, Elmer Ellsworth Butler as reported by Pasquina] Durkee was a servant to Thomas Bishop, of Ipswich. William Durkee was an Irish Catholic Soldier captured on the battlefield by Cromwell's forces and sold into virtual slavery in Barbados, where he toiled on sugar plantations. Being among the thousands freed by proclamation of Charles II and having no means of support, he sold his services to Bishop, Ipswich mechant, and was taken to that settlement. There he married Martha Cross in 1664, shortly after his arrival. Durkee was fined for not attending church, fine paid by Bishop. Sentenced to 25 lashes or pay a fine of 5 pounds for running away. Questioned by the Court as to his ability to support a wife. Comparison, by William Pasquina William Durgin...............................................................................William Durgee born: 1643 (deposition, age 35 in 1678)........................................1632 Drogedha: 6 yrs old...(Drogheda Under Cromwell in Ireland)......17 yrs old mrd: first unknown ......25 June 1672, Durham.....................................................1664, Ipswich, MA .....Katherine Matthews, wid of Thomas Footman......................Martha Cross Taxed: 1663, 1664 to 1677 Add'l Evidence: .....Court Petition in Durham, NH 25 June 1675...................1664, deposition at Ipswich .....1695 signed Petition for troops............................ .29 Mar 1673 Witness to mortgage in Ipswich .....1695 signed Petition for food for troops........................17 Nov 1679 Surety in Ipswich .............................................................................................9 Jun 1680 Witness at Ipswich in rape case ............................................................................................17 Mar 1683 in Ipswich, Witness deposition ...................................................................................................1683 - Witness on a Will filed at Ipswich Death: abt 1701, as evidenced by court.............................unknown .....documents about admin of estate in .....1702 & 1703 Notes added by Debra Wilmes Catherine Matthews Footman Durgin d. abt......................Martha Cross Durgee follows some of her .....Sep 1705, Strafford Cnty, NH......................................children to CT, where she later dies on 11 Jan 1726/1727, Windham, CT Quoted comment from William Pasquina's report "I don't deny the fact of bigamy, which was punishable by death under the Puritan laws, but I can't conceive how a man could live and maintain two farms, two families and fight the Indians while living 60 miles apart, in those days. It was a three day trip by foot from Durham to Ipswich, although you could sail it in a days trip. The Durgee/Durgin name was spelt at least 10 different ways. In the cases I have provided, the court scribe spelled it five ways in the same case. The Untied States didn't regonize standardized spelling until Noah Webster, in the 19 Century. Durgee definitely stayed in Ipswich, becoming what appears to be a respectable citizen. Durgin kept himself busy in Durham. I render this verdict to date." Sworn in court in Ipswich, are several statements about Martha Cross & William Durgee: Writ dated Feb 22 1664: Margaret Bishop, Grace Searl, Thomas Bishop, Mary Bishop testified as to the ongoing relationship of Margaret Cross and William Durgee Writ dated Sept 22 1664: Goodman Storie, William Nelson, John Bishop testified as to the relationship of Margaret Cross and William Durgee Ipswich Public Library; Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Vol 9, Durgey, Dergey, Durge, Durgee, William, 148, 180-185, 191 148: 1683-84 William Durgey was a witness on a will of Killecresse Ross. He was in Ipswich this date. 180: Thomas Bishop vis. John Brown, Writ 3-17-1683-84 (see case) - William Durgey aged about 52 years, deposed in this case. Sworn in court 3 Feb 1670: Mortgage deed from Thomas (his mark) Bishop Sr. of Ipswich to Thomas Deane of Boston....his farm on the South sideof the river in Ipswich wherein he fomerly dwelt, now in occupation of Thomas Bishop Jr., Cornelius Kent and William Durgee... 191: Thomas Bishop vis John Andrews, et al...William Durgey, aged about 52 years, testified. Sworn in Court vol 8, p 15: William Nelson was complained of by Abraham Martin on July 9, 1680...He was bound with John Andrewes, Sr., William Butler, William Durgey and Thomas Marshall as sureties Vo 8, p 310: 11-17-1679 - Rates of Taxation on Durgey Vol 7, p 379: 4 May 1689-Along with others William Durgee is mentioned as witness to this case Vol 7, pg 380: above case cont. William Durgey, age 48 years, deposed in the case Vol 5, pg 136: Court at Ipswich 25 March 1673 - William Durgye testified. Sworn in Court Vol 4, pg 77: Court held at Salem 24 Sep 1668: Petition dtd 24 Nov 1668...William (his mark) Durgy, and his wife, asking clemency of the court in behalf of Benjamin Marshall, their neighbor at Chebacco. William lived on the north shore of Great Bay, next west of Crommett's Creek, Oyster River 1661 - taxed 1663, 1664 to 1677. "William Durgin, the first known of in this country, settled in the Oyster River Plantation of Dover now Durham, NH before, or during the year 1663; as his name appears on the Oyster River tax list that year for the first time. The writer of this has seen a bond given by him in 1694 which has been handed down through his descendants & in the Autumn of 1845 was in the possession of Mrs. Lettice, widow of Zebulon Durgin of Durham. She was then residing with her daughter Susan, wife of John Crogan, Esq. of Sandwich, NH. His name on the bond was written with a full strong hand, "William Durgin". He had a house at Lubberland, located on the north shore of Great Bay, next west of Crommet's Creek. Age 35 in 1678 depositon, when he testified about a meadow near Goddards Creek. (NHEGSvol 6, pg 251) The Durgin Scroll states that, he (William) having died in 1701-02, his widow Catharine was appointed administratrix of his property 30 Dec 1702. She was to have her thirds. His son James is mentioned as being indebted to his mother-in-law and father's estate. Landmarks of Ancient Dover, NH gives the following account of his death: he was killed by Indians and his seven daughters were taken to Bloody Rock where they were barbarously killed. Additional evidence of this event and records of these supposed daughters has not been found outside of the comment in the above noted book. His wife was appt admin of estate 30 Nov 1703 - this date conflicts with that given in the Durgin Scroll. Early Mrgs of Strafford Cnty, NH says he was living in 1694, dead in 170379

Marriage 1 Martha CROSS b: 14 Feb 1642/4

Children

Martha DURKEE b: Aug 1668 in Ipswich, Essex, Ma

William's parents were Sir William O'Durgy 1605 (England)-1648 at the Battle of Drogheda, Ireland (while a Captain of troops fighting Lord Oliver Cromwell, Prime Minister of England) and his wife Sarah (dates unk), born in Rotherfield, England died Ireland, ca 1648.

Durkee was a servant to Thomas Bishop of Ipswich. William Durkee was an Irish Catholic soldier captured on the battlefield by Cromwell's forces and sold into slavery in Barbados where he toiled on sugar Plantations. Being among the thousands freed by proclamation of Charles II and having no means of support, he sold his services to Thomas Bishop and was taken to his settlement. He married Martha in 1664 a year after his arrival. William Durkee was persecuted by the Purtains for his religious beliefs - his wife however, remained a Protestant and raised their children as Protestants.

William Durkee was the very first Irish Catholic to settle in Massachusetts. He was fined for not attending the Protestant church. He was sentenced to receive 25 lashes or pay a fine of 5 pounds for each Sunday he missed church. The fine was paid for by his owner, Thomas Bishop.

When he married Martha in 1664, the Crosses objected bitterly to the marriage. When William was questioned by the court as to his ability to support a wife, he answered he received a salary of 15 meals a week, and was willing to divide them with her.

GEDCOM Note

Records not imported into INDI (individual) Gramps ID P76701:

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