Francis Billington (abt. 1606 - 1684)

Born about 1606 in Spalding, Lincolnshire, England [uncertain]

Husband of Christian (Penn) Billington — married Jul 1634 in Plymouth, Plymouth Colony

Descendants

Died 3 Dec 1684 at about age 78 in Middleborough, Plymouth Colony

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Francis Billington was a passenger on the Mayflower. Join: Mayflower Project Discuss: mayflower

Biography

Francis Billington was about 14 years old when he arrived in Plymouth on the Mayflower; he was the youngest son of the notorious Mayflower passenger John Billington -- one of the Strangers, one of the rebels aboard the Mayflower, and the first Englishman hanged for murder in the colonies -- and his wife Elinor.

The Billington family -- including young Francis -- were troublemakers in early Plymouth Colony. Before even disembarking from the Mayflower, Bradford tells us of an incident where one of the sons (almost certainly Francis, since Bradford erroneously gives "Francis Billington" as the father's name, rather than "John" ) nearly destroyed the ship:

"We, through God's mercy, escaped a great danger by the foolishness of a boy, one of Francis [sic] Billington’s sons, who, in his father's absence, had got gunpowder, and had shot off a piece or two, and made squibs but there being a fowling-piece charged in his father's cabin, shot her off in the cabin; there being a little barrel of [gun] powder half full, scattered in and about the cabin, the fire being within four foot of the bed between the decks, and many flints and iron things about the cabin, and many people about the fire; and yet, by God's mercy, no harm done." ^[1]

A month later, Francis Billington climbed a tall tree and claimed to have found a “great sea.” It was, in fact, a lake which still has the name of the “Billington Sea.”

"This day Francis Billington, having the week before seen from the top of a tree on a high hill a great sea, as he thought, went with one of the master's mates to see it. They went three miles and then came to a great water, divided into two great lakes; the bigger of them five or six miles in circuit, and in it an isle of a cable length square; the other three miles in compass, in their estimation. They are fine fresh water, full of fish and fowl. A brook issues from it; it will be an excellent place for us in time. They found seven or eight Indian houses, but not lately inhabited. When they saw the houses, they were in some fear; for they were but two persons and one piece." ^[2]

Not to be outdone in May 1621 his older brother John Billington wandered off and got lost in the wood for a week but

"y^e Gove^r caused him to be enquired for among y^e Indeans, and at length Massassoyt sent word wher he was, and y^e Gove^r sent a shalop for him, & had him delivered."^[3]"

Francis Billington settled down and married Christian Penn, widow of Mayflower passenger, Francis Eaton.

Francis Billington and Christian had nine children who were all born in Plymouth. The five oldest children were bound out at young ages by court order.

• Josheph was bound to John Cook
• Benjamin was bound to John Winslow
• Martha was bound to Gyles Ricket
• Mary was bound to Gabriel Fallow and would have only been three years old at the time she were bound out on 5 Jan 1640/1

On 14 Jan 1642 there was a town meeting to decide who the children would go to

At a town meeting holding at Plym the xiiii th Day of January in the xvii year of his mate now Raigne 1642

"Concerning the placing and disposing of ffrances Billingtons children according to the Act and older of the Court,

"It is ordered and agreed to that John Cook the younger shall have Josheph until hee shallbe of the age of Twenty and one year (being now about vi or vii years old) and find him meat drink and apperall during said terme.

"It is ordered that Benjamin Eaton his eldest Boy shallbe with John Winslow upon these conditions until he shall accomplish the age of xxi years beeing about xv years in March next and is to find him meat drink and apperall during said terme and pay ten pounds for his service or xxxiiis iiiid yearely pvided that if he dye before thend of said terme that then the said John Winslow shall Paypportionally to the tyme he lives and no more and the Payments to be made in Countrey pvided that if any man els will take him upon these condicons he may with the approbation of the Governor and Mr. Prence.

"It is ordered and agreed also that Gyles Rickett shall take another of his children a gerle about five years of age and shall shall keepe her and find her meat drink and apparell until she shall accomplish the age of twenty years so she marrie with the consent of the magistrart And shall have xxxs in hand with her towards the apparelling of her payd him wthin a month after she comes to him.

"It is ordered and ageed likewise That Gabriel ffallowell shall have another of his children a gerle about Years of age and have her until she accomplish the age of Twenty yeares or be marryed (first happening) so that she marry with concent of the Magisttart then being and shall fynd her meate and drinke and apparell during the said term. And shall have will her xxx s. payd him within one month after she is come to him towards the apparelling of her and shall also have xxxiiis. iiii d for the first three years next after the takeing of her to be payd out of thti weh John Winslow is to pay yearely for Benjamin ^[4]

* Elizabeth was bound to "John Barnes and Mary, his wyfe" on 18 April 1642 ^[5].

Even this caused the Billingtons legal troubles, because their children kept running away from their bond placements. Francis and Christian were both warned they would be put in the stocks every meeting day if their children did not remain with their masters.

Francis and Christian later moved to Middleborough, where they both died in 1684.

Birth

Born: Francis Billington, son of John and Elenor Billington, was born about 1606, most likely in the area around Cowbit and Spaulding, in Lincolnshire, England.

Francis Billington deposed on 10 July 1674 that he was 68 years of age.^[6][7] That the Billington family originated in Lincolnshire, England comes from the fact that Francis Billington was named on a "three-life lease" granted to Francis Longland in 1612.^[8][9] Francis Billington named in the lease was later said to be living in New England proving the document refers to the Mayflower passenger. Francis Billington was almost certainly a nephew of Francis Longland, though the family connections have not been proven. See his father's page for a more complete discussion.

Marriage and Children

Married: Francis married Christian Penn, widow of Mayflower passenger Francis Eaton in July 1634, in Plymouth, Plymouth Colony.^[10] Together they had 9 children.

Children of Francis Billington and Christian Penn:^[11]

1. Elizabeth Billington. Born on 10 July 1635 in Plymouth.^[12][13] She married three times, first to Richard Bullock by whom she had 4 children, second to Robert Beere and had 1 son, and finally to Thomas Patey. Elizabeth died after 1 August 1707 when she and her sisters signed a deed.^[14][15]
2. Joseph Billington. Born about 1636/7 presumably in Plymouth (ae 6 or 7 in Jan 1642/3 when he was bound out). He married Grace Unknown and had 3 children. Joseph died after 7 January 1685 when he leased land.
3. Martha Billington. Born about 1638 presumably in Plymouth (ae 5 in 14 Jan 1642/3 when bound out). She married twice to Samuel Eaton and Robert Crossman. Martha died between 9 June 1704 and 2 March 1722/3.
4. Mary Billington. Born about 1640 presumably in Plymouth.(under 5 in Jan 1642/3 when she was bound out.) She married Samuel Sabin and had 6 children. Mary died after 28 June 1717 presumably in Rehoboth, Massachusetts.
5. Isaac Billington. Born about 1644 presumably in Plymouth (age 65 in 1709). He married Hannah Glass and had 6 children. Isaac died 11 December 1709 in Middleboro.
6. Rebecca Billington. Born on 8 June 1647 in Plymouth.^[16] No further records and she presumably died young.
7. Dorcas Billington. Born about 1650 presumably in Plymouth. She married Edward May and had 4 children. Dorcas died after 1 August 1707 when she signed a deed with her sisters.
8. Mercy Billington. Born on 25 February 1651/2 in Plymouth.^[17] She married John Martin and had 4 children. Mercy died on 28 September 1718 at Rehoboth.
9. A ninth unnamed child died young.^[18] See research notes.

Death

Died: Francis died December 3, 1684, in Middleborough, Plymouth Colony.^[19][20]

Timeline and Records

Below are listed most, but not all, of the dealings Francis had with the authorities of Plymouth during his life, recorded in the Records of the Colony of New Plymouth of New England.

• 20 Mar 1637: Francis inherited all of his father's and mother's properties from his widowed mother.^[21]

• 7 Jul 1637: The Names of the Souldiers that willingly offer themselues to goe vpon the sd Service, wth Mr Prince & the Leiftent.^[22]

• 4 Dec 1638: Fined for Drinking tobaccoe in the heighway... xij^d.^[23]

• 2 Jan 1640: It is ordered by this Court, that Francis Billington & Christian, his wyfe, shall giue Jonathan Brewster & Louc Brewster possession of her thirds the lands bought of them; & then Jonathan Brewster to pay him in corne the remaynder, which is xxxviij^s vj^d.^[24]

• 18 Apr 1642: Memorand, the xviij^th day of Aprill, 1642 : that Francis Billington and Christian, his wyfe, haue put Elizabeth, their daughter, apprentis to John Barnes and Mary, his wyfe, to dwell w^th them and to do their service vntill shee shall accomplish the age of twenty yeares, (shee being now seaven years of age the x^th of July next,) the said John Barnes & Mary, his wyfe, finding her meate, drink, & cloathes dui'ing the said terme.^[25]

• 4 Jul 1643: WHEREAS Joseph, the sonn of Francis Billington, according to the order of the Court, was by the towne of Plymouth placed with John Cooke the yonger, and hath since beene enveagled, and did oft depte his said masters service, the Court, vpon longe heareing of all that can be said or alleadged by his pcnt^, doth order and appoynt that the said Joseph shalbe returned to his said master againe immediately, and shall so remaine with him dui-ing his terme ; and that if either the said Francis, or Chiistian, his wyfe, do receiue him, if he shall againe dept from his said master without his lycence, that the said Francis, and Christian, his wyfe, shalbe sett in the stocks euery lectm-e day diu-ing the tyme thereof, as often as he or shee shall so receiue him, vntill the Court shall take a further coiu'se w"^ them ; and also, that if Benjamin Eaton, now liueing with the said Francis Billington, shall counsell, entice, or enveagle the said Joseph from his said master, that then he shall haue the same punishment with his father and mother.^[26]

• 3 Feb 1656: Concerninge the controversye betwixt Francis Billington and Edward Gray about two iron wedges.^[27]

• 1657: Swears Oath of Fidelity as a Freeman to Plymouth.^[28]

• 23 July 1661: Served on a jury to enquire into the death of John Bond of Plymouth.^[29]

• 3 June 1662: Received a grant of land as one of he first born children Plymouth.^[30]

• 31 Oct 1666: Mentioned in reference unto the complaint of Elizabeth, the wife of Gorge Vaughan. Francis Billington att the same time, whoe was sent for to rescue the said weomen from liis violence and wickedness. Against an Indian called Sampson, allias Bump, for most insolent and intollorable carriages towards them.^[31]

Research Notes

• Ninth Child: Francis Billington is usually said to have had nine children though only eight can be clearly documented in the records. This comes from the fact the William Bradford writing in early 1651 wrote that Francis was living and that he had eight children.^[32][33] It follows then that the child born on 25 February 1652 was the ninth.
  
  
• Son Francis? In 1719, a Francis Billington in a deed named his "father Francis", and his honored grandfather (Francis Billington).^[34] This implies that Francis Billington of the Mayflower had a son Francis. If so, this Francis Billington, the son, occurs in no Plymouth Vital Records, no Plymouth Colony Records, no probate records, no court records, and no records of Middleboro. There are also no records where a Francis Billington was ever called Sr or Jr as you might expect if there were a father and son both named Francis. A 1722 court case stated that the land of Francis Billington was split among 7 children (all named) leaving no room for a son Francis.^[35] It may be that the deed of 1719 is a clerical error and that Francis Billington of the deed was the son of either Isaac or Joseph.

• Petition of Isaac Billington: In 1704, Isaac Billington petitioned the court to have his father's land settled on him as recompense for having taken care of his father.^[36] He states that his father had become impoverished following the Indian wars and had begged him to move to Middleborough. He did this, uprooting his family from a comfortable life in Marshfield, and cared for his parents in sickness and health for 7 years until their death.

• Daughters Deed: On 1 August 1707, the daughters of Francis Billington all gave up their rights to land in Middleboro; from this we learn and confirm their married names and where they were living.^[37] Elizabeth Patte of Providence, Rhode Island, Mary Sabin of Rehoboth, Dorkos May of Plymouth, and Mercy Martin of Rehoboth all surrendered their rights to their father's land in Middleboro to Desire Billington, the daughter of their brother Isaac Billington.

• Land Division: A court case in 1722 brought by his granddaughter Desire Bonney gives some insight to the family of Francis Billington.^[38] It states that at his death he left 2 sons and 5 daughters, namely sons Joseph and Isaac, and daughters Elizabeth, Mary, Dorcas, Mercy and Martha. Note that this also leaves no room for a son Francis.

Sources

Footnotes and citations:

1. ↑ Cheever. Mourt's Relation. (1848): page 27.
2. ↑ Cheever. Mourt's Relation. (1848): page 36.
3. ↑ Bradford: History of Plymouth. pp 102,103
4. ↑ Records of the town of Plymouth. Vol 1 1637-1705. (Plymouth : Avery & Doten, 1889) p. 12
5. ↑ Records of the Colony of New Plymouth of New England. Printed by order of the legislature of the commonwealth of Massachusetts. Court orders Vol 1 https://archive.org/details/recordsofcolonyo0102newp/page/38/mode/1up
6. ↑ "Massachusetts Land Records, 1620-1986," Plymouth Colony Deeds 1664-1711, vol. 1. FamilySearch.org online database. Page 81, image 53 of 652. Image of original document.
7. ↑ The Mayflower Descendant, vol. 2 (1900): page 46. Plymouth Colony Depositions.
8. ↑ The term of a three-life lease lasted until all three of the named lessees died. Typically, the primary lease holder would name two of his children or other young relatives with the hope that the lease would remain in effect for many years.
9. ↑ NEHGR, vol. 124 (1970): pages 116-118. "Francis Billington and Lincolnshire,"
10. ↑ Shurtleff. Plymouth Colony Records, volume 1. (1855): page 31.
11. ↑ Arthaud, John Bradley. Mayflower Families Through Five Generations, Volume Twenty-one: Family of John Billington. Harriet W. Hodge (original compiler), Robert S. Wakefield (Revised 2001). (Boston: General Society of Mayflower Descendants, 2014.) p 14,
12. ↑ Shurtleff. Plymouth Colony Records, volume 1. (1855): page 38.
13. ↑ The Genealogist, vol. 2 no.2. (Fall 1982): pages 228-248). Some Descendants of Francis² Billington of the Mayflower, by Robert S. Wakefield.
14. ↑ Barclay, Mrs. John E. "Elizabeth Billington and Her Bullock and Beers Descendants." in The American Genealogist, vol. 39 (Apr 1963): pp 65-73.
15. ↑ Note: currently (6/7/2020) her page has three different death dates - 1707, 22 March 1709, and after 22 March 1710. This needs to be resolved.
16. ↑ Shurtleff. Plymouth Colony Records, volume 8. (1857): page 4.
17. ↑ Shurtleff. Plymouth Colony Records, volume 8. (1857): page 13
18. ↑ Caleb Johnson's Mayflower History Website. MayflowerHistory.com. (Accessed 6/6/2020). Biography of Francis Billington.
19. ↑ "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001," FamilySearch.org online database. Plymouth > Middleborough > Deaths 1682-1846 > image 2 of 54.
20. ↑ Merrick. Vital Records of Middleborough, volume 1. (1986): page 3.
21. ↑ Pulsifer. Plymouth Colony Records, volume 12. (1861): pages 28-29.
22. ↑ Shurtleff. Plymouth Colony Records, volume 1. (1855): page 61.
23. ↑ Shurtleff. Plymouth Colony Records, volume 1. (1855): page 106.
24. ↑ Shurtleff. Plymouth Colony Records, volume 2. (1855): page 6.
25. ↑ Shurtleff. Plymouth Colony Records, volume 1. (1855): page 38.
26. ↑ Shurtleff. Plymouth Colony Records, volume 2. (1855): pages 58-59.
27. ↑ Shurtleff. Plymouth Colony Records, volume 3. (1855): page 110.
28. ↑ Shurtleff. Plymouth Colony Records, volume 8. (1857): page 181.
29. ↑ Shurtleff. Plymouth Colony Records, volume 3. (1855): page 223.
30. ↑ Shurtleff. Plymouth Colony Records, volume 4. (1855): page 19.
31. ↑ Shurtleff. Plymouth Colony Records, volume 4. (1855): page 136.
32. ↑ Morison, Samuel Elliot ed. Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647 by William Bradford. (New York, 1952 edition): page 446.
33. ↑ Bradford, William, 1590-1657. Of Plimoth Plantation: manuscript, 1630-1650. State Library of Massachusetts Website "List of Mayflower Passengers," image of original in Bradford's Hand.
34. ↑ "Massachusetts Land Records, 1620-1986," > Deeds 1717-1720 vol 13-14 (see 14). FamilySearch.org online database. Page 255, image 524 of 545. Image of original document.
35. ↑ "Massachusetts Land Records, 1620-1986," > Plymouth Colony Deeds 1705-1711 vol 6-8 (see 7). FamilySearch.org online database. Page 326, image 341 of 504. Image of original document.
36. ↑ "Massachusetts, Plymouth County Probate Records, 1633-1967" > Probate case files 1686-1881 no 2001-2068. FamilySearch.org online database. Case #2001, Image 12 of 922. Image of original document.
37. ↑ "Massachusetts Land Records, 1620-1986," > Plymouth Colony Deeds 1705-1711 vol 6-8 (see 7). FamilySearch.org online database. Page 326, image 341 of 504. Image of original document.
38. ↑ Konig, David Thomas. Plymouth Court Records, 1686-1859, volume 5. (Wilmington, Del., 1978-81): page 102.

Source list:

• The Genealogist, vol. 2 no.2. (Fall 1982): pages 228-248). Some Descendants of Francis² Billington of the Mayflower, by Robert S. Wakefield.

• Shurtleff, Nathaniel ed. Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England, vol. 1: Court Orders 1633-1640. (Boston, 1855). Archive.org LINK

• Shurtleff, Nathaniel ed. Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England, vol. 2: Court Orders 1641-1651. (Boston, 1855). Archive.org LINK

• Shurtleff, Nathaniel ed. Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England, vol. 3: Court Orders 1651-1661. (Boston, 1855).

• Shurtleff, Nathaniel ed. Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England, vol. 4: Court Orders 1661-1668. (Boston, 1855). Archive.org LINK

• Shurtleff, Nathaniel ed. Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England, vol. 8: Miscellaneous Records 1633-1680. (Boston, 1857). Archive.org LINK

• Pulsifer, David ed. Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England, vol. 12: Deeds 1620-1651. (Boston, 1861). Archive.org LINK

• Merrick, Barbara Lambert and Alicia Crane Williams eds. Vital Records of Middleborough: Births to 1838, Deaths to 1800 and Marriages to 1772, vol. 1. (Boston: Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1986). AmericanAncestors.org Link

• Cheever, George ed. Mourt's Relation: The Pilgrim Fathers, or The Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, New England in 1620. (London, 1849). HathiTrust.org link.

• Roberts, Gary Boyd; Ancestors of American Presidents. Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2009.

• Regarding binding out the children to other families:"The Times of Their Lives:  Life, Love, and Death in Plymouth Colony,"  by James Deetz and Patricia Scott Deetz. pages 116-117.

• Bradford, William. History of Plymouth Plantation (Massachusetts Historical Society, 1856) p. 449 "John Billinton, and Elen, his wife; and 2. Sones, John & Francis." p. 453 "John Billinton, after he had bene here 10. yers, was executed for killing a man; and his eldest sone dyed before him; but his 2. Sone is alive, and maried, & hath 8. children."

• Morison, Samuel Elliot ed. Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647 by William Bradford. (New York, 1952 edition): page 446.

• Bradford, William, 1590-1657. Of Plimoth Plantation: manuscript, 1630-1650. State Library of Massachusetts Website "List of Mayflower Passengers," image of original in Bradford's Hand.

See also:

• Anderson, Robert Charles, The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-1633, vol. 1: A - F, (Boston: NEHGS, 1995): pages 173-175, biography of father John Billington. AmericanAncestors.org link.

• Pilgrim Hall Museum Website. PilgrimHall.org. (Accessed 6/6/2020): 17th Century records of Francis Billington.