John Alcock (1604 - 1673)

Born 1604 in Mancetter, Warwickshire, England

Husband of Elizabeth (Wrightman) Alcock — married 1 May 1627 in Mancetter, Warwickshire, England

Descendants

Died 21 Jun 1673 at about age 69 in York, Maine

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John Alcock migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). (See The Directory, by R. C. Anderson, p. 3) Join: Puritan Great Migration Project Discuss: pgm

Biography

John Alcock was born in England.

The story of John Alcock's life before he arrived on North American soil is shrouded in mystery. What is known that he was born in England around 1604 and his father was John Alcock. In May of 1627 he married a woman by the name of Elizabeth Wrightman.

In the 1630s, he and his wife set sail for North America and arrived in Connecticut before finally arriving in what is now York, Maine. ^[1] He and his wife lived there thirty years and by June 16th, 1643 he acquired his own land. Over the years, the family grew to include the following nine children:

1. Lydia Alcock
2. Elizabeth Alcock
3. Joseph Alcock
4. Hannah Alcock
5. Mary Alcock
6. Sarah Alcock
7. Job Alcock
8. Samuel Alcock
9. John Alcock

He passed away on June 21st, 1673 and his son ,Joseph, was granted administration over his estate. ^[2][3]

Early days in New England

John supposedly arrived on the "Assurance" in 1635 and became one of the largest landholders in York. His name was always written in the records as "Mr." or even "Esq." and he is frequently mentioned as "Farmer" Alcock. This last title denoted a person who advanced money to the town for the taxes or "farmed" them as was the English term for this transaction. It indicates that he was a man of wealth as determined in that era.^[4][5]

"A servant of John Alcock (John Smith), for running away from his master, and other abuses is sentenced to be whipped and returned to his master" 9 Sept. 1640.^[6]

John purchased "fivety acres Neare the Marshes" from William Hooke 16 June 1643 but, that did not comprise all of his holdings there.^[7] He owned more probably in "dividends" which were not recorded as he sold quite a bit more than that to several persons over time.^[8]

Positions in the Colony

John was called one of Henry Simpson's "beloved friends" when he along with Edward Johnson, Abraham Preble and Richard Banks were chosen to be overseers of Simpson's will 18 March 1646. ^[9] John was also one of the supervisors of the will of George Puddington dated 25 June 1647 along with Robert Puddington, Edward Johnson and Abraham Preble. For his trouble, he received 10/. ^[10]

John was a joint lessee in equal shares with John Heard 16 July 1650 of half of Cape Neck from William Hooke "for pasture & feeding Cattle &c." with Hooke retaining the other half for himself. The Neck offered an excellent location for a cattle range as it could be easily fenced off across the shore end. In 1680 Heard's grandson John Heard of Dover with Job Alcock sold their rights in it to Sylvester Stover.^[11]

On 18 October 1651, Mr. John Alcocke was granted letters of administration on the estate of Thomas Brooks alias Basil Parker perhaps as a creditor or a friend. Thomas may have lived with John as he witnessed several deeds with him, his wife Elizabeth and with his son Joseph.^[12]The following year on 22 Nov. John signed the submission to Massachusetts.^[13]

Before 1639, the land between Brave Boat Harbor and Godfrey's Cove had been assigned to George Burdett as minister of the parish. This property was transferred by him along with his farmhouse and cattle then in possession of farm manager John Alcock to widow Ann Messart to repay funds borrowed from her while she was his housekeeper.^[14]

In 1653 the town began to grant tracts of land above Bass Creek to the northwest limits of the Patent. John received one tract which he later sold to Arthur Bragdon.

Notable Purchases

Thomas Moulton purchased 70 acres from John in "Scotland" 22 Mar 1654/5 and lived there about two years. ^[15] John also owned ten acres adjoining the Ministerial lot which he purchased from Godfrey 20 Apr 1655 and later sold to Peter Weare.

The outermost lot situated on the eastern bank of the Agamenticus River at York Harbor near Eastern Point was occupied by Nicholas Davis until his death. The point lying east of the Davis homestead was acquired by John Alcock from William and gave the area the name of "Farmer Alcock's Neck".^[16] One of John's shares in the divisions of townlands amounted to 200 acres. By his marriage with John's daughter Lydia, Shubael Dummer acquired a contingent interest in the large property of this wealthy family on Alcock's Neck and built himself a residence there. ^[17]

John along with many others was not satisfied with the division of Godfrey's land and they signed a petition to the general court in Boston stating their opinion. However, the awards were never changed. ^[18]

Role in Government

John was evidently satisfied with the Massachusetts government as he did not sign the petition to Cromwell which referred to the complaints presented to The Protector by "some gentlemen of worth" (i.e. Godfrey) for restitution of their right of jurisdiction. The petition asked that these "gentlemen" be not heeded, intimating that they were instigated by "professed Royalists whose breathings that way... have been so farre stifled."^[19]

John also signed the "govern or get out" petition in 1662 for which they expected "due & seasonable performance" of Massachusetts' obligations to maintain law and order: "Your tollerating such an inconsiderate number of opposers frequently to violate & trample upon yr authority & laws, as cannot be altogether unknowne to you, to the obstruction of Justice, infringeing our Lybertys, deviding our peace and if not speedily prevented by your Worships, may as the case stands, snarl us in the bonds of Inextricable & prejudiciall Injuries, upon whom, under God, & our dread sovereigne wee looke att our selves Ingaged att present to depend for our security & releife."^[20]

Jury Duty

John was a juror in 1647 ^[21] and a Selectman and grand juryman repeatedly from 1653 until 1674 except under the King's Commissioners, He was an alderman of Gorgeana in 1647/8. ^[22] John was also a Commissioner to End Small Causes in 1668 , a Referee, a Sergeant of the Militia in 1659 ^[23] and a witness of George Parker's deed 23 Nov 1648. ^[24]

Later Years and Estate

John was living as late as 21 June 1673 but, shortly after "he was suddenly surprised with death and had no opportunity to make his will or settle his estate."^[25] The distribution of his property was made by arbitration 11 Mar 1675 and approved by the court on that date. His eldest son Joseph was dissatisfied with the usual division as made officially. The inventory was returned at £256/9/0 and each heir was awarded £31/2/0 the eldest son having a double portion and he was required to pay the widow an annuity. Elizabeth survived until the Massacre of 1692 and it was testified that her will was destroyed in the house of Mr. Dummer her son-in-law.^[26][27]

As early as 1643, and probably before, Mr. John Alcock came to Gorgeana (York), Maine, presumably from England. Contemporaneous with him and his descendants there lived in Roxbury, Mass., a family of the same name, of considerable note, but there is not known to be any family connection existing between them. Our settler is always mentioned in the records with a prefix or suffix of respect, from which it is customary to infer that his social position was above the average of emigrants. His name first appears as a purchaser of land at Gorgeana, 16 June, 1643, when he bought a homestead of William Hooke, of Salisbury, formerly a resident of Gorgeana (York Deeds, i. 99). It is thought from certain facts that he lived at the boundary line of Gorgeana and Kittery, owning lands on both sides of the line. He had town grants in the latter settlement in 1659 and 1669, besides his original purchase at Gorgeana. He was on the grand jury 1649, signed the submission to Massachusetts in 1652, and was chosen sergeant of the train band of York in 1659. In 1656 he had granted to him a parcel of land in Gorgeana adjoining his other property, and in 1671, just before his death, 210 acres "in full of his dividend " (Town Records), showing that he was one of the early settlers.

His thirty years of residence in the town must have been devoted to his own private affairs, as he does not appear in the political arena during the exciting years from 1650 to 1680, and the large estate left by him confirms this view. Only once does he appear in court, and then as a defendant, 30 June 1647, being sued by Edward Godfrey, in behalf of Sir Ferdinando Gorges, for a debt of £50, which he acknowledged, and the complaint was dismissed. Between 1671 and July 6, 1675, he died, as on the latter date administration of his estate was granted to Joseph Alcock, Rev. Shubael. Dummer and Richard Banks. A portion of his estate was divided by Edward Rishworth, John Twisden and Abraham Treble, a committee agreed upon 29 October 1675, with whose award Joseph and Job Alcock and Richard Banks gave bonds in £200 to "rest satisfied." The following division was then agreed upon the same day: Joseph Alcock, "eldest son," double portion, £62 4 0; Mary Twisden, Job Alcock, Elizabeth Banks, Hannah Snell, Sarah Giddings, Mrs. Lydia Dummer, each £31 2 0; and ministers' rate for Mr Dummer, £1 13 0; Total, £250 9 0. (York Court Records, folio 36.) His widow Elizabeth was alive at this division of the estate, but it is not known how long after.

Research notes

Following record of marriage is quoted in various family trees. It is plausible by names (John's wife was Elizabeth but maiden name unknown), time and place, but uncertain that it is for the same John Alcock that emigrated to Maine.

Husband: John Alcock

Wife: Elizabeth Wrightman

Date: 1 May 1627

Place: Mancetter, Warwickshire ,England ^[28]

Great Migration Directory entry: Alcock, John: Mancetter, Warwickshire; 1639; York [YLR 2:176-77, 4:20; Gorges 4; GDMNH 59-60; York Hist 1:114-15; NEHGR 36:400-1; NHGR 26:49-56].

Sources

1. ↑ Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s]. Author: Filby, P. William, ed. Publication: Farmington Hills, MI, USA : Gale Research, 2006, p. 192.
2. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/102318432/john-alcock
3. ↑ C. Banks, "The Alcock Family of Maine", in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Volume 36, p.400-401. https://archive.org/details/newenglandhisto27unkngoog
4. ↑ Genealogical Dictionary of Maine & New Hampshire"-pp.59-60
5. ↑ "History of York, Maine"- Banks, Vol. I, p. 114
6. ↑ History of York, Maine" v1- p.119
7. ↑ York Deeds- Vol. I, p.98
8. ↑ MA Archives- Vol.3 p.238, "History of York, Maine"- Banks, Vol. II, p.68
9. ↑ "History of York, Maine"- Banks, Vol. I, p.112
10. ↑ Ibid- p.103
11. ↑ York Deeds- Vol.3, p.100,107
12. ↑ "History of York, Maine"- Banks, Vol. I, p.116
13. ↑ MA Archives- Vol.3, p.199
14. ↑ "Pioneers on Maine Rivers"- Spencer, pp.135-137
15. ↑ York Deeds- Vol. I, p.63
16. ↑ "Pioneers on Maine Rivers"- Spencer, pp.135-137
17. ↑ "History of York, Maine"- Banks, Vol.2, p.127
18. ↑ MA Archives- vol. 3, p.237
19. ↑ Ibid- p.242
20. ↑ Ibid- p.269
21. ↑ "The Pioneers of Maine & New Hampshire"- Pope, pp.2-3
22. ↑ "History of York, Maine"- Banks, Vol. I, p.129
23. ↑ Ibid- Vol. 2, p.211
24. ↑ "The Pioneers of Maine & New Hampshire"- Pope, pp.2-3
25. ↑ MA Archives- Vol.3, p.149
26. ↑ "History of York, Maine"- Banks, Vol. I, pp. 114-5
27. ↑ THE ALCOCK FAMILY OF MAINE. By Dr. Charles E. Banks
28. ↑ FHL Film Number: 501436, 555355. England, Select Marriages, 1538–1973 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.

• Parish Registers for Mancetter & Nuneaton, Warwickshire
• New England Captives Carried to Canada- Coleman, Vol. I p.227
• Old Kittery and Her Families- Stackpole, p.275
• York Co. Registry of Deeds- Vol.I fol.98; II, 177; III, 100; IV, 20; V, 96
• Genealogical Dictionary of The First Settlers of New England- Savage Vol.I p.21

• Notes by Dawn Banks (Link via Wayback machine)

"John Alcocke, notes by Eleanor Banks Vines: "Probably before 1643, John Alcocke came from England to York, Maine. His name appears June 16, 1643 when he bought a homestead in York. He lived there thirty years, acquiring other land and devoting himself to private interests, rather than public office. Between 1671 and July of 1675 he died; on the latter date administration of his estate was granted to his son, Joseph, and sons-in-law, Shubael Dummer and Richard Banks. His wife, Elizabeth was living at this time, but was not listed among the heirs. Their children were: Joseph, Mary, Job, Hannah, Sarah, Lydia, Elizabeth (married Richard Banks), Samuel."

• Ancestry Family Trees. Online publication - Provo, UT, USA : Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. Individual trees accessed: Tree #1, Tree #2, Tree #3, Tree #4.

• American Genealogical-Biographical Index (AGBI) Author: Godfrey Memorial Library, comp. Publication: Middletown, CT, USA : Godfrey Memorial Library. Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999. APID: 1,3599::0

• C. Banks, "The Alcock Family of Maine", in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Volume 36, p. 400-401. https://archive.org/details/newenglandhisto27unkngoog/page/n441/mode/2up

• Find a Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/102318432/john-alcock

• Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s]. Author: Filby, P. William, ed. Publication: Farmington Hills, MI, USA : Gale Research, 2006, p. 192. Online publication - Provo, UT, USA : The Generations Network, Inc., 2006. DATA: Arrival date: 1638. Arrival place: Connecticut.

• New England Marriages to 1700. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2008.) Originally published as: New England Marriages Prior to 1700. Boston, Mass.: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2015. https://www.americanancestors.org/DB1568/rd/21174/14/426874349