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Robert White (abt. 1560 - bef. 1617)

Robert White
Born about in Shalford, Essex, Englandmap [uncertain]
Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of — married 24 Jun 1585 in Shalford, Essex, Englandmap
Descendants descendants
Died before before about age 57 in Messing, Essex, Englandmap
Profile last modified | Created 6 Aug 2010
This page has been accessed 18,720 times.
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Robert White is currently protected by the Puritan Great Migration Project for reasons described in the narrative.
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Project protected by the PGM project as the parent of multiple PGM immigrants with known errors in his ancestry.

Contents

Disputed Parents

The parents of Robert White are unknown. However, there is a widespread error on the internet, confusing this Robert White with a different Robert White on the other side of England, son of Robert White of South Petherton, Somerset, whose alleged medieval ancestry is in turn the result of mistaken identity.

Biography

Robert White, was born perhaps around 1560 and was buried at Messing, Essex, England on 17 June 1617.[1][2] He married Bridget Allgar on 24 June 1585 in Shalford, Essex, England.[3] [4] Bridget was baptized at Shalford on 11 March 1562, the daughter of William Allgar.[5] A record of Bridget's death has not been discovered. She is thought to have been the the woman referred to in the 9 June 1623 will of Nathaniel White of Feering, Essex, England.[2]
Robert White lived for considerable time in the parish of Shalford and was quite wealthy. Sometime shortly before his death, he removed to Messing, Essex where some of his children had moved to. In his will, he gave to support the poor of Messing, and to Rev. Richard Rogers, a non-conformist minister, and Rev. Bartholomew Scrivener an established church minister.
The children of Robert and Bridget (Allgar) White included New England immigrants Mary (White) Loomis, Elizabeth (White) Goodwin, Elder John White, & Anna (White) Porter.

Birth

Born: About 1560 (1555 to 1565), presumably in Essex, England.
Estimated date based on marriage in 1585 and birth of wife in 1562.

Marriage and Children

Married: Bridget Allgar on 24 June 1585 in Shalford, Essex, England.[6]
Children of Robert White and Bridgett Allgar:[1][2]
  1. Sarah White. Baptized on 6 March 1585/6 in Shalford.[7] Called eldest daughter in the will of her father. She married James Bowtell of "Little Saling."
  2. Nathaniel White. Baptized on the "Laste date of April" 1587 in Shalford.[8]
  3. Mary White. Baptized on 24 August 1590 in Shalford.[9] She married Joseph Loomis of Braintree. They immigrated to New England.
  4. Elizabeth White. Baptized "fyfte March, 1591/2" in Shalford.[10] She married William "Godwyn of Bocking." They immigrated to New England.
  5. Bridget White. Baptized on 18 August 1594 in Shalford.[11] She married John Christmas.
  6. Daniel White. Baptized on 24 June 1596 in Shalford.[12]
  7. John White. Born about 1598. Baptism not found but believed to have been born in the gap between Daniel and Anne. He married "Mary (Lev ?)it." They immigrated to New England. John died on 23 January 1684 in Hartford, Connecticut.
  8. Anne White. Baptized on 13 July 1600 in Shalford.[13] She married John Porter of Felstead. They immigrated to New England.

Death

Buried: 17 June 1617 in Messing, Essex, England.
Will of "Robert White of Messinge ... yeoman," was dated 27 May 1617 [14] as below:
Summary:
I Robert White of Messinge in the countye of Essex Yeoman
unto the poore people of Messinge
Mr. Richard Rogers preachere of gods word
my eldest daughter Sarah, the wife of James Boutell of little Salinge
her son James under age 16
my daughter Marie the wife of Joseph Lumis of Branetree
my daughter Elizabeth the wife of Willm Goddinge of Bockinge
my daughter Bridgett White (unmarried)
my daughter Anna White (unmarried)
my son Nathaniel White
my son John White (under age 21, unmarried)
sonnes in law Joseph Lumys Willm Goodinge supvisors of this my last will
my wife Bridget White and my son Daniel White executors
In the name of God Amen, May the seaven and twentyeth in the fifteenth yeare of the raigne of our Soveraigne Lord James by the grace of God King of England France and Ireland defender of the faith etc. and of Scotland the fiftyeth. In the year of our Lord god 1617 I Robert White of Messinge in the countye of Essex Yeoman, being of good and p'fect remembrance, doe make this my last will and testament, in manner and forme followinge. Imprimis. I commend my soule unto the hands of God almighty my most faythfull creator redemer and sanctifier and my bodie to be buryed in the parish church or church yard of Messinge, at the discretion of mine executors.
Item I give and bequath unto the poore people of Messinge fortye shillings of lawful money of England, to be distributed anongst them, at ye discretion of mine executors and the minister of Messinge, within one month next after my departure from this natural life.
Item I give and bequeath unto Mr. Richard Rogers preachere of gods word at Wethersfield in Essex aforesaid; and to Bartholomew Scrivener minister of the church of god in Messinge aforenamed to each of them the several summe of forty shillings of the lawful monie to be payed unto them within two months next after my departure.
Item I give and bequeth unto my eldest daughter Sarah, the wife of James Boutell of little Salinge, the summe of fifteene pounds of lawfull mony of England, to be payed within fower years next after my departure. Item I give and bequeath unto Jeamas Bowtell the younger, sone of my said daughter Sarah Boutell, the summe of five pound of good and lawfull money of England, to be payed unto him when he shall come to ye sixteenth year of his age.
Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Marie the wife of Joseph Lumis of Branetree, one pewter platter.
Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth the wife of Willm Goddinge of Bockinge the summe of fortye marks of like lawfull monye within one yeare next after my departure, to be paid unto hir.
Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Bridgett White the sum of one hundred marks of like lawfull moneye, to be payd unto hir upon the day of hir marriage, provided that she my said daughter Bridgett shall not bestow hir self in marriage without the approbation and consent of my two sonnes in law Joseph Lummys and William Goodinge formerly mentioned and of my wife Bridgett White or the consent of two of them whereof my wife to be one of the twaine. But if it happen that shee marrye without the consent aforesaid then I give hir only the summe of thirtye pounds of like lawfull monie.
Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Anna White the summe of one hundred marks of like lawfull mony, to be paid hir upon ye day of hir marriage, if soe be she shall bestow hir selfe in marriage, accordinge to the likinge and consent of my two forenamed sonnes in law, and my wife as is aforesaid. But if it soe fall out, as that she my said daughter Anna shall marrye without the consent and approbation formerly mentioned then I give and bequeath hir only the summe of thirty marks of like lawfull monie.
Item I give and bequeath unto my sonne Nathaniel White the summe of fortie pounds of like lawfull monye, where of my will is that twenty pounds shall be paid within one year next after my departure, and the other twentye pounds to be paid unto him within two years next after my departure oute of this natural life.
Item I give and bequeath unto my sonne John White the summe of two hundredth pounds of like lawfull monie to be paid him when he shall come to ye years of one and twentye of his age; yett provoded that my said sonne John shall not bestow himself in marriage with the approbation and consent of my aforesaid two sonnes in law, Joseph Lummys and William Goodinge, and my wife his mother. And yf it soe fall oute that this my sonne John shall mathch him selfe contraye to the good liking and consent aforesaid, then I give and bequeath unto him onlye as his full portion the summe of one hundred pounds of like lawfull monye.
Item my mind and will is that yf any of my aforesaid children that are unmarried shall depte this naturall life before the tymes appointed for the paymt of their portions; or yf any of them shall marrye contrarye to the consent and approbation mentioned then such summe or summes (as shall remaine and accrew, eyther by their death or disobeydience), shall be equally devided amongste the rest of my children, whither marryed or unmarried, pte and parte like.
Item I give and bequeath unto my said son John White the joyned standinge bedstead which is in the parlour, with the featherbed flock-bed bolster coveringe with other furneyture thereunto belonginge; also the presse cupbourd the cupbourd table and newest chest, all which are in the said parloure to be delivered to him after the death of said wife Bridgett White, or thereof the summe of twentye marks of like lawfull monye.
Item I constitute and ordaine my aforesaid sonnes in law Joseph Lumys Willm Goodinge supvisors of this my last will and testment and doe give unto each of them the severall summes of forty shillings of like lawfull mony; towards their charge and pains in seeinge this my last will executed according to my minde.
Item I give and bequeath unto Ralph Bett the younger my kinsman and servant the summe of five pounds of like lawfull monye to be payed unto him within one yeare next after my departure.
Item all the rest of my goods unbequeathed I give and bequeath unto my wife Bridgett White; and my sonne Daniel White whome I constitute and ordayne joynte executors of this my last will and testament, hoping they will faithfullye execute this my will accordinge to the trust reposed in them. In witness whereof I have hereunto sett myne hand and seale the day and year first mentioned
In presence of us
John Christmas ye elders marke
Willm Levett
Probatu fuit Testamtu apud Kelvedon vicesimo Die mensis Junii 1617.

Research Notes

Baptism of son Daniel: The baptism of son Daniel on 24 June 1596 was apparently missed in the original articles on this family. This led to the presumption that he was the oldest son as the executor of his father's will, and therefore that Robert had an unknown first wife. Since his baptism has been found in the gap between Bridget and Anne, there is no reason to think that Robert had two wives.
Parish Record Extractions
Parish Register of Shalford, Essex, England:
- 1560 September 9 Mary Allgar, daughter of William baptized
- 1562 March 11 Bridget Allgar, daughter of William baptized
- 1565 April 8 John Allgar, son of William baptized
- 1565 August 1 John Allgar, son of William buried
- 1572 August 2 William Allgar the elder buried
- 1585 June 24 Roberte Whighte and Brydgette Allgar married
- 1585/6 March 8 Sara White, daughter of Robert baptized
- 1587 April 30 Nathaniel, son of Robert baptized
- 1590 August 24 Mary White, daughter of Robert baptized
- 1591 March 5 Elizabeth White, daughter of Robert baptized
- 1594 August 18 Bridget White, daughter of Robert baptized
- 1596 June 24 Daniell Whighte, son of Roberte Whighte[15]
- 1600 July 13 Anne White, daughter of Robert baptized
- 1614 June 30 Joseph Loomis and Mary White married
- 1615 Nov. 14 Matthew Bowtell son of James Bowtell baptized
- 1615 May 29 Matthew Bowtell son of James Bowtell buried
- 1616 Feb. 25 Matthew Bowtell son of James and Sara Bowtell baptized
- 1617 Sept. 30 John Bowtell son of James and Sara buried
- 1618 Jan. 1 Nathaniel Bowtell son of James and Sara Bowtell baptized
- 1620 Jan. 2 Stephen Bowtell son of James and Sara Bowtell baptized
- 1626 Aug 15 Sara Bowtell daughter of James and Sara Bowtell buried

Sources

Footnotes and citations:
  1. 1.0 1.1 NEHGR , vol. 55. (1901): pages 22-31. "Children of Robert White of Messing."
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Starr. Various Ancestral Lines of James Goodwin..., vol. 2. (1915): pages 395-419.
  3. Robert's widow was joint executor with son Daniel White, Daniel's baptism record was missed by early authors leading to the suggestion that Daniel may have been the eldest son, "possibly by a former wife," see "The Children of Robert White of Messing, Co. Essex, England, who settled in Hartford and Windsor," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 55 (1901):22-31; digital images, Hathi Trust (accessed 2014); see also Frank Farnsworth Starr [and James J. Goodwin], Various ancestral lines of James Goodwin and Lucy (Morgan) Goodwin of Hartford, Connecticut, 2 vols. (1915, reprint in 199?), 2:398 (in particular part); digital images, Hathi Trust (accessed 2014). This is now known to be incorrect and Robert White only had one wife.
  4. Citing an "August 1891 ... examination of the [Shalford] Church Register" by the author, Frank Farnsworth Starr [and James J. Goodwin], Various ancestral lines of James Goodwin and Lucy (Morgan) Goodwin of Hartford, Connecticut, 2 vols. (1915, reprint in 199?), 2:395 (in particular part); digital images, Hathi Trust (accessed 2014).
  5. "England, Essex Parish Registers, 1538-1997," FamilySearch online database. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XK85-2YK), Brydgette Allgar, 11 Mar 1562, Christening; citing Shalford, Essex, England.
  6. "England, Essex Parish Registers, 1538-1997," FamilySearch online database. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XK85-PW5), Roberte Whighte and Brydgette Allgar, 24 Jun 1585; citing Marriage, Shalford, Essex, England, Essex Record Office, England.
  7. "England, Essex Parish Registers, 1538-1997," FamilySearch online database. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XK85-P4P), Sara Whight, 08 Mar 1585, Christening; citing Shalford, Essex, England.
  8. "England, Essex Parish Registers, 1538-1997," FamilySearch online database. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XK85-P68), Nathanaell Whighte, 30 Apr 1587, Christening; citing Shalford, Essex, England
  9. "England, Essex Parish Registers, 1538-1997," FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XK85-5MW), Marye Whighte, 24 Aug 1590, Christening; citing Shalford, Essex.
  10. "England, Essex Parish Registers, 1538-1997," FamilySearch online database. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XK85-5WL), Elizabeth Whight, 05 Mar 1591, Christening; citing Shalford, Essex, England.
  11. "England, Essex Parish Registers, 1538-1997," FamilySearch online database. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XK85-5JQ), Bridgett Whighte, 18 Aug 1594, Christening; citing Shalford, Essex, England
  12. "England, Essex Parish Registers, 1538-1997," FamilySearch online database. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XK85-523 ), Roberte Whighte in entry for Daniell Whighte, 24 Jun 1596.
  13. "England, Essex Parish Registers, 1538-1997," FamilySearch online database. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XK85-RQ2), Anne Whight, 13 Jul 1600, Christening; citing Shalford, Essex, England.
  14. Starr Various Ancestral Lines of James Goodwin..., vol. 2. (1915): pages 396-398.
  15. "England, Essex Parish Registers, 1538-1997," FamilySearch online database. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XK85-523 ), Roberte Whighte in entry for Daniell Whighte, 24 Jun 1596,
Source list:
  • "The Children of Robert White of Messing, Co. Essex, England, who settled in Hartford and Windsor," in New England Historical and Genealogical Register, vol. 55 no. 1 (January 1901): pages 22-31. HathiTrust.org link, Google books link.
In his sketch of the immigrant John White, Robert Charles Anderson called this "an excellent article on the White family in England, and the connections to other New England immigrants" [The Great Migration Begins ... (1995), 3:1979].
  • Starr, Frank Farnsworth and James J. Goodwin, Various Ancestral Lines of James Goodwin and Lucy (Morgan) Goodwin of Hartford, Connecticut, volume 2. (Hartford, 1915): pages 395-419. ("The Family of Robert White"); HathiTrust.org link, Archive.org Link.
    In his sketch of the immigrant John White, Robert Charles Anderson called this the "best account in print of the immigrant and his children" [The Great Migration Begins ... (1995), 3:1979].
Includes abstract or extracts from the "[Shalford] Church Register which begins in 1558" from the author's visit to the parish in 1891. (p. 395)
Includes will of Robert White "as entered in the records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, volume Weldon, 40." (p. 396-398)
  • Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-­1633, Volumes I­-III, 3 vols. (1995), 3:1976-1979 (John White); digital images AmericanAncestors.org (accessed 2014). Reports immigrant John White born "about 1597," son of "Robert and Bridget (Allgar) White of Messing, Essex," citing "NEHGR 55:22-31."
  • Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-­1633, Volumes I­-III, 3 vols. (1995), 2:790-794 (William Goodwin); digital images AmericanAncestors.org (accessed 2014). Reports immigrant William Goodwin born "about 1591, based on date of first marriage"; citing "NEHGR 55:24," reports his first marriage 7 November 1616 to "Elizabeth White, daughter of Robert White of Messing, Essex." Elizabeth died "before January 1669/70" by which time William Goodwin had married again. For Goodwin's second marriage, Anderson references "FarmVR Barbour 58, citing FarmLR 2:141"; this second wife was "Susanna (Garbrand) Hooker, widow of Rev. Thomas ..."




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Comments: 31

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Per Family Search Robert Wright parent’s James Robert Wright and Alice Rich. I think his father went by the name Robert. He was born 1528 and died 1600. Alice was B 1542 D 1596.
Those parents belong to Robert White (1574-1641), a profile often confused with this one.
posted by S (Hill) Willson
Your thoughts,

I found this source on Family Search and wondering if perhaps this was another Daniel White born to Robert White. See source. "England, Essex Parish Registers, 1538-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XK85-523 : 12 February 2018), Roberte Whighte in entry for Daniell Whighte, 24 Jun 1596, Christening; citing Shalford, Essex, England, Essex Record Office, England; FHL microfilm 1,472,680.

posted by Katherine Cappon
Interesting Katherine. No, I do not think this was another Daniel. I think this baptism was just missed in the articles on this family. That Daniel was the oldest son and that Robert White therefore had an unknown first wife was just a presumption. There is also a gap in the baptism records between Bridget and Ann right where this baptism fits. It is clear to me that Robert made his younger son Daniel the executor of his will, and there is no reason to suppose that he had two wives.

I will fix the profile tomorrow with notes - it is late here.

posted by Joe Cochoit
I have updated the profiles.

................

posted by Joe Cochoit
[Comment Deleted]
posted by Sarah Slenker
deleted by Sarah Slenker
His parents are unknown. Your source is in error which is the reason for the Project Protection.
posted by Joe Cochoit
Sarah, thanks for starting to look for well-sourced information on this profile.

To give one example of what Joe was talking about the "threefamilytrees" website gives conflicting information for his parentage, the two sources cited (Jacobus and NEHGR 55:22) assert no specific origin for him. The NEHGR article says simply there is a "suspicion" that he is from Messing, Essex based on his will bequeathing to the poor there. But, he also bequeathed to a minister in Wetherfield and his wife was from Shalford; there is no apparent primary source found for his specific birth date and location.

The "Ancestor Homestead" website that it points to has been disabled. So in summary, this website which has no primary sources, aggregates some professionally researched and vetted secondary sources which make no assertion about his parentage. For pre-1700 profiles per the WikiTree requirements, we need to dig in deeper than this. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:Pre-1700_Resource_Page

Hopefully this will help you on your research journey as you learn to identify reliable sources and continue to contribute to WikiTree.

posted by Brad Stauf
Robert White's parents were well off, Lady Helen (Ellen) Kirton (Girton) of White of Hill Farrance, Somerset, England and Sir Richard White of Minot, Somerset, England. (threefamilytrees.blogspot.com/2018/08/robert-white-1560-1617.html)
posted by Rod Schultz
Sadly that blog, does not list a legitimate source for those parents. The sources listed don't cover his parents.
posted by Anne B
This is my 10th great grandfather and I would like to know who he descends from. With so many people interested in this family, and so many people saying who he is not descended from, it is hard to believe that his parents are a complete mystery. Especially since his wife’s ancestors are pretty remarkable. Anyone?
posted by Abby White
The source and transcription for Robert's will (https://archive.org/stream/variousancestral02star#page/396/mode/2up), and is also transcribed here (not sourced though) (https://archive.org/stream/descendantsofjos00loom#page/102/mode/2up) cites the Prerogative Court Cantebury, volume Weldon 40.

I think this is the record in Weldon (probably quire 40, I can't find volumes):

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/5111/40611_311292-00139#?imageId=40611_311292-00139

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D899090

which is for a Robert White of Truro, Cornwall, will dated 14(?) Dec 1616, probate dated 27 May 1617.

It looks like the first author mistakenly sourced White-255's will?

The will might be in the Commissary Court of London for Essex and Herts.

posted by Thomas B
Abby, that findagrave link shows a false father for this Robert White. Please check the "disputed parents" paragraph on this profile -- two separate men named Robert White have been repeatedly mixed up on the internet. That findagrave profile incorrectly shows the GRANDfather of the other Robert White as the FATHER of this Robert White.
posted by [Living Schmeeckle]
this is the find a grave link that Jeff White posted. it adds a few more generations back. are those not correct?

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=34134683 here they are, we cannot add these? are they wrong? https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=138696291 Richard White Birth: unknown Death: 1578 Burial: Holy Cross at Hillfarrance Wellington Taunton Deane Borough Somerset, England

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=138696187 Thomas White Birth: unknown Death: 1551 Burial: St. Mary Parish Churchyard North Petherton Sedgemoor District Somerset, England

posted by Abby White
The following 4 U.S. presidents descend from Robert: John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Millard Fillmore and U.S. Grant, as well as myself.
posted by Joe Matte
Please notice that half of the children mentioned are duplicates due to previous merges that were not consolidated at the time. Most of the daughters are listed both as the maiden name and also as the married name.
posted by Jack Wise
Find-a-Grave (https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=34134683) lists this Robert White's grave, with 5 of the listed 8 children, but a reference to a brother and father Richard White.
posted by Jeff White
This may be related to Robin Lee's comment from Oct 2015, but there are an awful lot of children listed for Robert White - probably not all correct? From what I've been able to tell, the eight children listed in the 1915 Farnsworth text are correct for this Robert White of Shalford.
posted by Jeff White
White-24700 and White-255 appear to represent the same person because: same wife, however, please read all of the biography on White-255 before merging to assure that these are intended to be the same person. There are several distinctly different Robert Whites that have been mixed up on UNSOURCED family trees.
posted by Robin Lee

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Categories: Shalford, Essex | Messing, Essex | Puritan Great Migration Adjunct