Janet and Robert Wolfe Genealogy --- Go to Genealogy Page for Michael Williams --- Go to Genealogy Page for Ann Pankhurst

Notes for Michael Williams and Ann Pankhurst

1603 A Michael Williams son of John was baptized on 22 May in Aldenham, Hertfordshire. "Aldenham is only some five miles south of St. Albans, where dwelt George Giddings, with whom Williams came to New England in 1635." [1]

1635 Michael Williams came to Boston as a servant of George Giddings from St. Albans, Hertfordshire, and settled with him in Ipswitch. The same year Ann Pankhurst came with her uncle Dennis Geere and settled in Saugus (Lynn), Massachusetts. On 2 April the ship "the Planter embarked from London for New England carrying among others 'Geo: Giddins, husbandman, 25, Jane Gidden, 20,' and their three servants, 'Tho: Carter, 25, Michell Willmson, 30, Elizabeth Morrison, 12.' The parties on board brought certificate from the Minister of St. Albans in Hertfordshire, and Attestacon from the Justices of peace according to the Lords Order' (Reg. 14:303-14). The same year, on June 15, the Abigail sailed from London to New England. The passenger list included Dennis Geere, 30, Elizabeth Geere his wife, 22, their children Elizabeth, 3, and Sarah, 2. Also accompanying them were 'Ann Pancrust,' 16, Eliz. Tusolie, 55, and Constant Wood, 12. They had a 'certificate from the minister of Thisselworth,' probably Isleworth in Middlesex (Reg., 14:314-5). Dennis Geere sickened soon after his arrival, and passed away. His will, dated 10 December 1635 at Saugus (Lynn), proved 6 August 1637, included arrangements for the return of his wife and children to their home in Lewes, Sussex. He also made a bequest 'to cousin Ann Pankhurst so much as shall make her portion fifty pounds' (Reg. 37:239-40)" [2]

1636-1638 Michael Williams and Ann Pankhurst married.

1638 Michael Williams and Ann moved from Massachusetts to Newport, Rhode Island. On 28 March 1638 Ann Hutchison was banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony and her followers were asked to leave. A list was made in Newport of inhabitants who arrived "since 20th of the 3d, 1638." The list includes "Michael Williamson" and he also appears on a "Court Roll of Freemen" of Newport, dated 16 March 1641. [3]

"Whether Williams, born about 1605, who came to Long Island by 1644, is the Michael Williams christened at Aldenham, Hertfordshire, 22 May 1603, son of John, is not certain, but that this clue is of possible value is shown by the fact that Aldenham is only some five miles south of St. Albans, where dwelt George Giddings, with whom Williams came to New England in 1635." [4]

1667 "Wee, John Williams, Joseph Williams, and Timothy Halstead, do acquit and discharge our late father-in-law [stepfather] Henry Pearsall, his heirs and executors, from all demands of houses or lands, and all other goods that formerly were of our owne father Michael Williams, deceased. Dated July 28, 1667. Anne Pearsall is appointed executrix of the will of her late husband Henry Pearsall, deceased." [5]


Footnotes:

[1] John G. Hunt, "English Notes on Ann Pankhurst, Ancestress of Certain Williams, Pearsall, and Halstead Families of Long Island," New York Genealogical and Biographical Record 120 (1989), 211-213.

[2] Matthew Wood, "The Family of Moyles Williams, One of the Original Proprietors of Hempstead, Long Island," New York Genealogical and Biographical Record 119 (1988), 80-84, 133-142.

[3] Matthew Wood, "The Family of Moyles Williams, One of the Original Proprietors of Hempstead, Long Island," New York Genealogical and Biographical Record 119 (1988), 80-84, 133-142, citing Records of the Colony of Rhode Island 1:92, 111.

[4] John G. Hunt, "English Notes on Ann Pankhurst, Ancestress of Certain Williams, Pearsall, and Halstead Families of Long Island," New York Genealogical and Biographical Record 120 (1989), 211-213.

[5] William S. Pelletreau, Abstracts of Wills on file in the Surrogate's office: city of New York, Vol. 1, 1665-1707 (New York: The New York Historical Society, 1893), 7, Will 1-2.24, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive], [GoogleBooks].