 |
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|||||
|
Francis & Rachell Newcomb Francis Newcomb, the first Newcomb in our lineage found in the colonies, arrived in Boston with his wife and two children in 1635. Records would support that he came from St. Albans, in Hertfordshire, England. Boston records take the lineage back to Hugh Newcome, of Saltfleetby, Lincolnshire, during the reign of Richard Coeur de Lion (1189-92). The spelling of Newcomb has seen many forms: Newcom, Newcome, Newcombe, Newcum, Newkum, Newckum, Nucom, Nuccombe. The ship’s passanger list in 1635 had his name as “ffrancis Newcom” but the spelling on a 1662 document had the spelling “ffrancis nucom”. The earliest Newcomb family records, marriages and baptisms recorded, are found about 1558 and were written in Latin with the spelling of Newcomen. Fortunately, records of ffrancis were found in St. Albans giving his birth in 1605. Genealogy records of Rachell Brackett’s family link Francis Newcomb and the Bracketts to the St. Alban community. Richard Brackett, one of Rachell’s brothers sailed to Boston in 1632. He returned to England in 1633 and married Alice Blower. Their wedding took place on Janurary 6, 1633/34 at St. Katherine by the Tower, London, England. Richard returned to Boston with his family in 1634. Rachell’s father, Peter passed away in 1616. The mother, also Rachell remarried Martin Sander about 1618. In 1635 Rachell’s mother, Martin and his children along with Francis, Rachell and their two children sailed for Boston on the ship, “Planter”. Under the ship’s master, Nicholas Travice, 107 passengers embarked for Boston on April 2, 1635. A partial list of passengers on file at the Rolls Office, Chancery Lane, London, England reads: Vjth Aprilis 1635, After two months on the Atlantic, the “Planter” docked on Sunday, June 7, 1635. Before the year was over, Rachell joined the church in Boston. “Shortly after arriving in Boston Rachell joined the First Church Boston, under Admissions church records read: “The 28th of y 12th or last month 1635 Rachell Newcombe y wife of one Francis Newcombe.” Boston was now the home of Francis and Rachell, Richard and Alice and Martin and Rachell. Peter, Rachell’s other brother joined the three families in the new world in 1636. Braintree records state that Francis, Richard and Peter were members of the community in the late 1630s. Francis and Rachell lived in Boston approximately three years before moving to Mt. Wollastin later called Braintree. During their stay in Boston, Hannah, their third child was born on October 15, 1637.
After moving to Braintree, Francis acquired considerable land in the community. One tract was located near the ironworks, and another tract on the South side of the Monatiquot River. There is no record of Rachell’s death, but Francis died on May 27, 1692, his gravestone reads “accounted 100 years old: even though he was most likely 87 years old since records gave his birth as 1605. The following is a facsimile of Mr. Newcomb’s autograph as witness to a deed given by Peter Nash to John Mansfield, July 26, 1662; it will be noticed he wrote his name ffransis nucom. The Newcombs and the Bracketts were well established in the Braintree community for the next 250 plus years according to Dr. William S. Pattee’s A History of Old Braintree and Quincy with a sketch of Randolph and Holbrook published in 1878. The Table of Contents records more than a hundred entries for both families.
|
|||||
|
Peter Newcomb Peter married Susannah Cutting, daughter of Richard and Sarah Cutting of Watertown on June 26, 1672. She was dismissed from the Watertown church in 1674 to the Braintree church. When Susannah passed away is not recorded. Peter remarried a widow by the name of Mary Humphrey. She outlived Peter by thirteen years. Mary passed away in May 1738. Peter fathered nine children, five boys and four girls, with three of the children dying very young. Records of Braintree list the Newcombs as participants in the growing community. Peter resided in Braintree throughout his life. He served the town in various positions. He was a “fence viewer” in 1693. His responsibilities included viewing fences to determine if they were in good repair and in cases of disputes between neighbors, usually related to livestock trespassing, worked to resolve their differences. In 1694 he was a “field driver:, requiring him to round up livestock that was not under the care of a keeper. Animals found loose on Sunday could be collected by any inhabitant of the town and they would receive the same fee the field driver was entitled to receive. He returned to community service as a surveyor 1698-99, 1702-03 and 1706. In 1710-11 as a “tything-man”, he was responsible for helping the community observe the Sabbath, by inspecting all Inns and Public Houses licensed to sell liquor and report all disorders, report idle or disorderly persons, profane swearers or cursers and Sabbath breakers. He would report unnecessary travel on the Sabbath.
During the 1690s the community experienced significant growth. It was becoming very difficult for some members to attend church during inclement weather. The distance had become very challenging. Some had purposed dividing the town into two communities with two parishes. John and Peter opposed the project to divide the community. They were members of the Church located in the northern end of town, but as the town continued to grow John and Peter’s position changed. They were joined by their three cousins, Joseph, John and James Brackett in support of the agreement they signed on May 3 1707. “We whose names are here unto subscribed, being of the North part of Braintree, do hereby signify that we have consented, and still do consent that the people of the South end of our town, should be a congregation by themselves.” The southern committee signed to complete the agreement on November 19, 1707. Peter was admitted to the church March 4, 1722-23. He was a resident of Braintree until his death on May 20, 1725. His will was on file in the Probate Office, Boston. He gave son Jonathan, a piece of meadow: son Peter, west end of house; son Richard, land bought from Mr. Hobart, and other lands, and other half of house; daughter Susannah Hobart, was deceased, and Sarah Hobart, living, had portions; daughter, Rachel Everett, L10; wife Mary, use of house and sundry goods. The will was dated, April 8, 1725 and signed with his mark. His estate was inventoried at L740 1s., including; house and 1 acre of orchard, 2/3 of 5 acres upland and 1 acre marsh, 2 acres marsh and creek, 12 acres upland, 3 shares woodland in 12th lot in the 600 acres, and 1 share in the Little Division. Administration to his widow, Mary, was granted May 10, 1738; she dying soon after, administration was granted to son Peter. She gave by will, 1738, son Jonas Humphrey of Weymouth, all lands; to daughter, Mary Newcomb, household goods; to grandson, Peter, money; to grandson, Jedediah, “all land that fell to me at death of my son Richard: and part of house and barn; to grandson, Richard, L10. Jonathan Newcomb An article on John in the AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY: A New Cyclopedia printed in 1919 stated, “He was one of the courageous men who took upon themselves the defense of the Colony from the savages, who inhabited the great wilderness by which it was completely surrounded, and finally lost his life in the French War, during an expedition against Louisbourg, Canada, made some time before November, 1745.” How he died is not recorded. The article implies that he was killed fighting Indians. If this is correct, he may have died during a conflict as the New England force moved toward Louisbourg. or he may have lost his life during the Louisbourg Battle. A number of colonist died during the battle with the French forces there. The New England force was led by Sir William Pepperell with British naval support. The siege on the garrison lasted 48 days. Louisbourg is small town on the eastside of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. By his Will of February 26, 1744, he gave to wife Deborah improvement of all estate; to sons Jonathan, Joseph, and Benjamin, 20s. each; to Samuel, L75 when 21 years old; to his daughters Deborah, Judith, and Sarah, L25 each; to William (the executor), residue, and to pay legacies. He signed by his mark; proved November 11, 1745, Personal inventory L195 18s. 8d., including apparel, artillery, furniture for trooping. His wife Deborah died in November, 1780, at the age of ninety-five years. Benjamin Newcomb In 1784 he sold 15 3/4 acres in Norton for L47 5s.; in this deed he is called “cordwainer” or shoemaker. He was admitted to church 1737, his wife in 1746. He served as a “tything-man” in 1756, the same position his Grandfather Peter held in Braintree. Joseph his older brother by three years joined in the old French War and was a member of Captain Z. Leonard’s company in 1749. In 1757 Benjamin joined his brother as a member in S. Wetherell’s (the 3rd) Co. of Norton. Benjamin and Joseph were second generation family members of the Frenchy War following their father who was killed in 1745 during the Louisbourg Expedition. Reverend William Newcomb Arnold Newcomb Bibliography ______________________.American Biography: A New Cyclopedia. New York, 1919 Cutter, A.M., William Richard. Genealogical and Personal Memoirs. New York, 1908 Cutter, A.M.,William Richard. New England Families: Genealogical and Memorial. New York, 1915 :Newcomb, John Bearse. Genealogical Memoir of the Newcomb Family . Chicago, 1874 Pattee, M.D., William S. A History of Old Braintree and Quincy. Boston, 1878
|
|||||
St. Albans is located a few miles to the north of London. ffrancis Newcom and Rachell Brackett obtained a marriage license on May 27, 1630 in All Saints, Sudbury, Suffolk, England. Suffolk is located on the east coast of Oxfordshire. 
The move to Braintree took the family about thirteen miles south of Boston. They settled in an area referred to as Quincy Point or the “Neck”. Later he “Neck” was given the name “Newcomb Neck” most likely due to the number of Newcombs living there and owning property. Seven more children were added to to the family in Braintree. After leaving Boston, Rachell sought to have her church membership transferred, records read, “the 16th of y 12th month 1639” a committee was chosen to enquire after the spiritual state of 11 persons in Braintree, and among the number was “Rachell y wife of Francis Newcomb.” Oddly, records state that Mrs. Newcomb was not received into the church at Braintree from Boston until May 1, 1684-5. 