Michael Metcalf (abt. 1591 - 1664)

Born about 1591 in Tatterford, Norfolk, England

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah (Ellwyn) Metcalf — married 13 Oct 1616 in Heigham, near Norwich, Norfolk, England

Husband of Mary (Sothy) Metcalf — married 13 Aug 1645 in Dedham, Suffolk, Massachusetts Bay Colony

Descendants

Died 24 Dec 1664 at about age 73 in Dedham, Suffolk, Massachusetts Bay Colony

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Michael Metcalf migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). (See The Directory, by R. C. Anderson, p. 227) Join: Puritan Great Migration Project Discuss: pgm

Biography

This profile is part of the Metcalfe Name Study.

Michael Metcalf (b. 17 Jun 1587? or c. 1591 in Tatterford, Norfolk), is presumably the son of Leonard Metcalf, rector of Tatterford and West Barsham.^[1]

Tatterford records:
"Michael Metcalf filius Leonardi Metcalf et bapt fuit 17th die June 1587." However, “the registers of Tatterford are a piece of patchwork, constructed prior to 1616 (when actual entries began) by the wardens of the parish from the then existing Bishop's transcripts. ^[2]

Disputed Birth Date

"In a Feb. 2, 1635/6 deposition ... Michael indicated he was then 44 years old, born within the one year period that began Feb. 3, 1590/1. ... On Apr. 8, 1637, Michael was examined for permission to emigrate to New England ... Michael indicated he was then 44 years old." As such, his traditional birth date of 1587 may be incorrect, and Michael is probably born in c. 1591.^[3][4]

"The identification of Michael's father as Rev. Leonard Metcalf of Tatterford, Norfolk in the 1852 article was challenged,^[5] but was later confirmed based on Diocesan depositions stating that Leonard was born about 1541 in Apperside, Yorkshire, and that his son Michael was born about 1590 in Tatterford."^[6]

It has been argued whether Michael was the son of Leonard, however:
Michael said he was from Tatterford,<br. Leonard had a large family, but only 5 births were found in the parish records, and
Leonard was the only Metcalf in the area.

He married in Hingham and worked in Norwich, all in Norfolk County, England.

First Marriage

His first wife is Sarah Ellwyn, daughter of Thomas Ellwyn and Elizabeth Benslye. They married on 13 Oct 1616 at Higham (Heigham), near Norwich, in Norfolk.^[7]

From 1617 to 1635 Michael and Sarah had 11 children born to them in Norwich, the first seven of their baptisms found in the parish records of St. Benedict's Church, the last four found in St. Edmondsbury. Two of the children died in infancy.

In 1644, Michael's wife was remembered in [Dedham] church records:

"Sarah ye wife of our brother Micl. Mettcalfe Senr died co'fortably Nov'r 30, 1644, age 51 years 5 mo. 13 days. She was born at Wagnham near Norwich Jun 17, 1593-maried October 13, 1616."^[8]

He was a weaver from Norwich in Norfolk, where he was made a freeman on 21 June 1618. His cloth factory in Norwich employed over a hundred men making damask (dornix). Hence he has been referred to by his descendants as "The Dornix Weaver."^[9][7][3]

Immigration

In 1637, Michael and his family sailed from Yarmouth to Boston aboard the Rose. Metcalfe (2002), states their ship's last port in England was at Ipswich, Suffolk, on 15 April. They arrived at the Massachusetts Bay Colony in Boston on 8 June 1637.^[7]

The ship log lists the following family members:^[10]

• 08 Apr 1637: Metcalfe Michill (age 45), Dornix weaver of Norwich.
• 08 Apr 1637: Metcalfe Sarrah, wife (age 39)
• 08 Apr 1637: Metcalfe Michill, child
• 08 Apr 1637: Metcalfe Thomas, child
• 08 Apr 1637: Metcalfe Marey, child
• 08 Apr 1637: Metcalfe Sarah, child
• 08 Apr 1637: Metcalfe Elizabeth, child
• 08 Apr 1637: Metcalfe Martha, child
• 08 Apr 1637: Metcalfe Joane, child
• 08 Apr 1637: Metcalfe Rebecca, child

American Biographical History (1878), asserts that Michael was accused of heresy and thrown into prison, but escaped and made his way to the New World.^[11] Michael left a first-hand account of his religious persection and subsequent voyage to New England:

"To all the true professors of Christ's Gospel within the city of Norwich; ... I was persecuted in the land of my father's sepulchres, for not bowing at the name of Jesus, and observing other ceremonies in religion, forced upon me, at the instance of Bishop Wren, of Norwich, and his chancellor Dr. Corbet, whose violent measures troubled me in the Bishop's Court, and returned me into the High Commissioner's Court.

Suffering many times for the cause of religion, I forced, for the sake of the liberty of my conscience, to flee from my wife and children, to go into New-England; taking ship for the voyage at London, the 17th of Sepr 1636; being by tempests tossed up and down the seas till the Christmas following, then veering about to Plymouth in Old England, in which time I met with many sore afflictions.

Leaving the ship, I went down to Yarmouth, in Norfolk county, whence I shipped myself and family, to come to New-England; sailed 15th April, 1637, and arrived three days before midsummer, with my wife, nine children and a servant."^[12]

In a postscript Michael wrote:

"My enemies conspired against me to take my life, and, sometimes, to avoid their hands, my wife did hide me in the roof of the house, covering me over with straw."^[12]

Evidently he had tried to sail alone in Sept. 1636, but the ship was driven back to London, so he gathered his family and sailed again in April, 1637. Bishop Wren held the See of Norwich for 2 years & 4 months. A Committee of Parliament later charged him with the departure of 3000 people, who fled his persecution to Holland and America. His Star Chamber Court was abolished in 1640. Michael sailed from Ipswich in the "Rose" (or the "John and Dorothy"--both ships passenger lists were recorded together). He was 45 and Sarah was 39 years old when they came to America with their 9 children.

"The Register of persons about to pass in forraigne part on the ships John & Dorothy, and The Rose.
April the 8th, 1637.
The examination of MICHILL METCALF, of Norwich, dornixweaver, aged 45 years, and SARRAH, his wife, aged 39 years, with 8 children,
MICHILL, THOMAS, MAREY, SARRAH, ELIZABETH, MARTHA, JOANE, and REBECCA, and his servant THOMAS CUMBERBACH, aged 16 years.
Are desirous to pass to Boston in New England, to inhabitt."

From History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania:

Michael Metcalf, a citizen of Norwich, England, born in 1586, who emigrated, with his wife, children and dependents, to America in April, 1637, settling at Dedham, Mass., in July, same year.

From Genealogical and Personal History of Western Pennsylvania:

Michael Metcalf, the immigrant ancestor, was born at Tatterford, Norfolk county, England, in 1586. He was a freeman of the city of Norwich, England, where he was engaged as a dornick weaver, and where all of his children were born. Bishop Wren, of Norwich, was heartily disliked for the religious oppression he exerted, and it was owing to this tyranny that Mr. Metcalf was obliged to flee the country and leave his family. He sailed from London in September, 1636, having as his destination New England, but storms made it imperative for the ship to return to Plymouth, England. In the meantime conditions had changed somewhat, and Mr. Metcalf obtained a license in the following April to leave the country with his entire family. He arrived safely at Boston with his wife, nine children and one servant, and at once wrote a letter voicing his opinions. This was couched in rather strong language, as strong as the true Puritan spirit of the time would permit, and is still in the New York Public Library, in a fairly good state of preservation. Mr. Metcalf married in England, his wife being a native of a village near Norwich, England, and their children were : Michael, who died at an early age in England ; Mary, Michael, John, Sarah, Elizabeth, Martha, Thomas, Ann, who died in England; Jane, and Rebecca.

Dedham

He was admitted as a Townsman at Dedham on 14 July 1637 and joined the local church on 16 January 1639. He was made a freeman of the town on 13 May 1640, was chosen a Selectman of Dedham in 1641 and headed a committee to design a new meeting house. By 1641 Michael owned one of the principal clay pits on Dedham Island, the clay being used for the new industry of brickmaking.

1652 - the date of Michael’s chair^{[13] [14]}(oldest dated chair in New England).
In 1656 Michael was engaged to keep Dedham school, to be paid 20 pounds per month (2/3 in wheat and 1/3 in corn). In extreme weather he might keep the school in his home, instead of the school house. In hot weather he might use the meeting house, provided the house be left clean and any broken windows repaired.
In 1657 Michael was the schoolmaster of Dedham.^[7]
Michael owned a copy of John Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, as well as other religious titles.

The Plan of Dedham Village shows that "Michael Metcalfe [owned] 12 acres more or less as it lyeth between Mr Timothy Dalton towards the North & ffardinando Adams toward the South. And abutts upon the waest [wasteland] towards the east & the swampe towards the West the highwaye 4 Rod Broade through the west end of the same."^[15]

Second Marriage

The following year he remarried. His second wife was Mary Sothy, the widow of Thomas Pidge of Safron Walden in Essex, England, and late of Roxbury in the Mass. Bay Colony. Their marriage is recorded in Dedham:

"Michell Metcalfe & Mary Pidge, were married the 13 of ye 6 mo. [1645]."^[16]

Death

On 24 Dec 1664, Michael Metcalf died in Dedham, ^[17] and was buried in the Old Village Cemetery. ^[18]

Will

• Date: 15 Sep 1664
• Proved: 01 Feb 1664/5:^[19]

"Michael Metcalfe, Senior, of Dedham, being aged, Doe make this my Last Will.

Whereas, there is a Covenant Between my selfe and Mary my wife, made before our marriage, bearing Date the 13 of August 1645, wherein it may appear that she reserved to herselfe, and to her dispose, her Lands, and Estate, so that I received no Estate with her; Yet, neverthelesse, I give unto her ffor the terme of her widowhood, in household stuffe, and other goods, as shee thinkes meete to Chuse, for her use, not exceeding the value of sixteene pounds, and not being such as I shall particuarly Dispose of, in this my Last will, which household stuffe, so chosen by her, shall Bee to ffurnishe the Roome, which my Executor shall prepare for her, at his house, to Receive her into, after my Decease. All which household stuffe and goods, I give to my Executor, to have, after the Decease of my wife.

• Unto my wife, six punds, to be paid to her within one month after my Decease in Current pay.
• Unto Sonne John Metcalfe of Medfield, one ffeather and Bolster, my second book of Martyrs, Mr. Perkin's second book, Luther on the gala, one silver spoon, one pair of sheets, one Long Chest, in the Upper Chamber, one Diaper Boardcloth.
• Unto my Executor & his Heires, all that my land in Neponset plaine, and three Acres Laying in ye Lowplaine next to Peter Woodward's, Also halfe my Divident in ye Cedar swampe, neer the Saw Mill, & 3 Commons & ye odde.
• Unto my Grandchild Michael Metcalfe, the Elder, all that my Land and Improvments within the Lotte I dewll in, my three acres in ye wigwaom plaine, my swompe next to my house, provided he give my Executor that Little parcel of his swampe west end of his house, otherwise my gift to be void. Also i give him my Natick Dividend of twenty-three acres, more or lesse; four Cow Commons; halfe my Cedar swampe, at the Saw Mill; my wood Land, at the West of Toune; all the particulars I have belonging to husbandry, in one kind or another; all the Remainer of my household stuffe not Disposed of in this my Will. Also my first Book of Martyrs, mr. Perkin's first Booke, one silver spoon.
• To my Daughter Wilson, ffortye shillings.
• To my Daughter Elisabeth Bancrafte, ffive pounds.
• To my Daughter Martha Stowe, twenty shillings.
• To my Daughter, Jane Walker, forty shillings.
• To my Daughter Rebecca Mackintosh -- ffive punds.
• To my wife's Daughter, Martha Bullard, twenty shillings.
• To my Daughter, Sarah Onion, three pounds. All which six Legacyes, Last named, shall be paid at, in, or Before, the second march next after my Decease, in Current Payment.
  
• To my Daughter Stowe's eldest sonne, which she had by her first husband, Wm. Brignall, ffour pounds, to be paid him when he shall attayne to lawful age.
• To my Grandchild abovesaid, Jno. Mackintosh, and Robert Onion, all my wearing apparel to be equally divided by my Execuor in order as their names been here set down; my Grandchild to choose first: To my Grandchild, above said, all the Lumber in my house.

Moreover, if any of ye persons that are Legattes in my present will, shall by themselves, or by any others, make or cause to make any Disturbances, or Contortion, in word or Deed in Reference to any thing given in this my Will; then all that Legacye to that person, shall be utterly voide. Thomas Metcalfe of Dedham, my sonne, to be my executor, to whom I give all the Rest of my Lands and Goods, not formerly Disposed of.

Michael Metcalf

Before witnessing hereof, I give to my Grandchild, abovesaid, my single acre of Meddow; also my Largest gray Horsemans Coate, also two oxen, one Cow, to be delivered to him at Lawful age. All the Books, aforesaid, given to my soone John, after his death I give them his sonne Michael my Grandchilde.

Signed and sealed in the presence of us

Peter Woodard, his mark X, Jonathan ffairbanke

Edward Ranson, Recorder

Jonathan Fairebanke^[7]

Sources

1. ↑ Richards, n.d., p. 2.
2. ↑ Tatterford Records - https://www.familysearch.org/patron/v2/TH-904-49361-962-24/dist.txt?ctx=ArtCtxPublic
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Public biography of Michael Metcalfe, (citing NEHGR 86:253.). FamilySearch. (mirror at http://archive.is/Jx1zk ; see also FS ID MV5M-7H9).
4. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #64230860 also gives Michael's DOB as 1591.
5. ↑ Richard L. Bush, "The English Ancestry of Michael and Sarah (Elwyn) Metcalf of Dedham, Massachusetts" NEHGR 166(2012): https://www.americanancestors.org/DB202/i/13206/28/234857426 pages 28-39], citing G. Andrews Moriarty, "Genealogical Gleanings in England: Metcalf," NEHGR 78 (1924): pages 63-65.
6. ↑ Richard L. Bush, "The English Ancestry of Michael and Sarah (Elwyn) Metcalf of Dedham, Massachusetts" NEHGR 166(2012):28, citing Charles Edward Banks, "Genealogical Research in England: Metcalf," NEHGR 80(1926):312-13.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4} Metcalfe 2002, p. 4, (citing Banks (n.d.). Metcalf. NEHGR, 80, p. 313
8. ↑ Hill, 1888, p. 39.
9. ↑ Harris, L.M. (1852). Metcalf family. NEHGR, 6, p. 171.
10. ↑ "The Rose 1637." Ship passenger lists. Olivetreegenalogy.com. Web.
11. ↑ American Biographical History (1878, p. 43-4.[1]
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1} Richards, n.d., p. 3, (citing Moriarty, (n.d.). Metcalf: Additional Records. NEGHR 85, p. 256).
13. ↑ Brenton Simons, The Anitquarto "Michael Metcalf Chair"
14. ↑ Chair - https://i.pinimg.com/originals/eb/f2/5d/ebf25d6c4427e74bf54d183e95f35337.jpg
15. ↑ "A Plan of Dedham Village, Mass, 1636-1876," (1833). Deham Historical Society. Dedham, MA.
16. ↑ Hill, 1888, p. 126
17. ↑ Hill, 1888, p. 9.
18. ↑ Memorial: "Find a Grave", database with images, Find A Grave: Memorial #64230860 (accessed 24 January 2024), Memorial page for Michael Metcalf Sr. (1591-24 Dec 1664), citing Old Village Cemetery, Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, USA; Maintained by Don Blauvelt (contributor 46932939). (No gravestone exists)
19. ↑ see probate, (Suffolk County Probate Records, 1:497, 599 & 4:214-5).

See also

• Hill, D.G. (1888). The Record of Baptisms, Marriages & Deaths ...transcribed from the Church Records in the Town of Dedham, MA, 1638-1845. Dedham, MA.
• Metcalfe, H.H. (2002). Some Descendants of Rev. Leonard Metcalf of Tatterford Parish, Norfolk, England, Mostly those of his son Michael the emigrant to Dedham, Massachusetts, in 1637. Bowie, MD: Heritage Books.
• Stott, C.L. (n.d.). The Elwyn family revisited. NEHGR, 169, pp. 51. Boston, MA.
• Lockridge, K.A. (1985). A New England Town: The first Hundred Year. W.W. Norton & Co.
• Richards, J. (n.d.). Richards Family. NY, NY. N.p. Also Metcalf, Aldis, Stratton, Wiswall, Barrett, Kidder, Peck, Crane, Monfort, and Carman families, all ancestral to Jeremiah Richards, b. 1844, and his wife Susan Adrianna Monfort.
• "Massachusetts Land Records, 1620-1986," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9ZS-1NQK?cc=2106411&wc=MCBL-TWL%3A361613401%2C361824601 : 22 May 2014), Suffolk > Deeds 1640-1661 vol 1-3 > image 476 of 1123; county courthouses and offices, Massachusetts.
• Jordan, John W. Genealogical and Personal History of Western Pennsylvania, Vol. 1 (Lewis Historical Pub. Co., New York, 1915, p. 46-49)
• Cushing, Thomas. History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Part 2 (A. Warner & Co., Chicago, 1889, p. 230-231)
• Michael Metcalf, American Ancestor
• Michael Metcalf Jr - https://minerdescent.com/2010/08/09/michael-metcalf-jr/
• Hotten, John Camden, The Original Lists Of Persons Of Quality (John Camden Hotten, 1874) Page 289