| Arthur Howland migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). (See The Directory, by R. C. Anderson, p. 171) Join: Puritan Great Migration Project Discuss: pgm |
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Arthur Howland was born probably at Fenstanton, Huntingdonshire, England, about 1590, son of Henry Howland.
Some claim he was baptized on 16 Jan 1602 in Holy Trinity, Ely, Cambridge, England. This date actually belongs to the baptism of John Howland in Ely, Cambridge, England; apparently, it causes confusion from the internet for Arthur Howland's baptism date. There is no baptism or birth record for Arthur Howland in the parish registers of Fenstanton. The parish registers of Fenstanton do not start until 1612, but Bishop’s Transcripts exist for the years 1604-1605, 1608, and 1610, providing a few extra years of coverage not available in the surviving original registers. [1]
Arthur Howland was the brother to John Howland of the Mayflower,[2] Henry Howland and Humphrey Howland, draper in London. The evidence is found in the will of Humphry Howland, a member of the Draper Company, and he mentions his three other brothers, Arthur, Henry, and John, who are in New England. Henry also administers his brother's estate, that of George Howland.[3]
Another evidence is found that Humphrey has been documented as a son of Henry Howland of Fen Stanton (mother's name not clarified). “According to the records of the Draper Company, Humphry's father was Henry Howland, of Fen Stanton, Lancashire [later corrected to Huntingdon], England.”[4][5][6][7][8][9] Therefore, with the evidence of Humphrey Howland's will, Arthur Howland was the son of Henry Howland of Fen Stanton as well.
The DNA results have proved that Arthur Howland is genetically related to both John Howland and Henry Howland; therefore, they are sons of Henry Howland of Fenstanton.[10]
Some believe he had two wives and did not marry Margaret until after 1640. Robert S. Wakefield and Robert M. Sherman published their article, "Arthur Howland of Plymouth, Mass., 1640" in the 71st volume of National Genealogical Society Quarterly in 1983, and they said, "He [Arthur Howland] married before 6 June 1643, possibly long before, either in England or in Plymouth, Margaret (—?—) Walker.... It would appear likely, based on a deed of 1663..., that the marriage occurred while Arthur and Margaret were still in England, and hence before 1640; but no supporting evidence has yet been found. Although Davis claims she must have been Howland's second wife, he provides no evidence and the authors have found nothing to indicate this in Plymouth Colony. Unfortunately we have no evidence to show that all of Arthur's children were born to Margaret, only for sure the youngest, Arthur Jr., but perhaps some or all of the others. In any event, Margaret married, first, probably in England, [—?—] Walker, by whom she had at least one child before 1628."[11]
However, in 2015, the Pilgrim John Howland Society Board voted to hire Mayflower scholar Caleb Johnson and British records researcher Simon Neal to conduct research to find more information on Arthur Howland's family. Henry Howland of Fenstanton, Huntingdonshire: Father of Mayflower Passenger John Howland by Caleb H. Johnson is online.[1] He said in the following words:
"Arthur Howland was born about 1591, and may have been the eldest son, although it is not possible to determine this conclusively since no baptism records exist. His age is estimated based on the fact he buried a child, Azariell, at St. Giles Cripplegate, London, on 31 December 1616, at which time he would have likely been about 25 years old. While no baptism or marriage records exist in this parish for any Howlands, the family burials are recorded, and his occupation (glover, leather dresser) is given in those. His wife Grace was buried there on 4 December 1635, with a marginal note “Excomuni,” suggesting either she or her husband (or both) had been excommunicated.[12] The names of some of his children that were buried (Azariell, Zoheth) hint he may have taken on some religious viewpoints that differed from the Church of England, which the excommunication record would seem to further confirm. The last family burial recorded at St. Giles Cripplegate, London, was 30 May 1639 for daughter Martha."
In fact, it appears from a 1663 deed that his marriage to Margaret occurred in England, but no additional evidence has been found of that either. On 19 May 1663, Arthur Howland deeded twenty acres to his step-son John Walker, in consideration of £17 : 14 : 10 paid by his wife Margaret Howland for his use in old England, which money Margaret had given, or probably promised, during her widowhood to her son.[13] He was excused from paying rates in 1669, “respect to his age and low condition.“[14] Mrs. Margaret Walker became a widow sometime before she married Arthur Howland in England. Before June 6, 1643, when John Walker was called his son-in-law, Arthur Howland married Margaret Walker, a widow.[15] She must have been his second wife.[16]
Confusion about Margaret's name has also abounded. A 1643 agreement by John Walker ”sonn in law of Arthur Howland” and Walker's marriage to Lydia Reed has been interpreted to mean that Margaret was the mother of Lydia Reed, and therefore widow Reed before her marriage to Howland. BUT Lydia Reed did not marry John Walker until 1654, eleven years after John Walker was called "son-in-law" of Arthur Howland.
"The term son-in-law had a broader meaning in the seventeenth century... including step-son. The fact that John Walker was a step-son of Arthur Howland is revealed in a deed dated 19 May 1663."
It said, "Arthur Howland Senir of the towne of Marshfield... in Consideration of moneyes payed for my use in old England by my wife Margarett Howland... which said some was given by the said Margaret in the time of her widdowhood unto her son John Walker..."[17]
Bottom line: the maiden name of Margaret, who married first a Walker, then Arthur Howland, remains unknown. She was never a Reed.
Arthur’s brother John sailed to the New World on the Mayflower in 1620. His brother Henry came later (as early as 1633), because Henry appeared on Plymouth Freemen list in 1633,[18] but Arthur did not appear with John and Henry on the list in 1633. He buried his daughter, Martha in London on 30 May 1639, and it was last record of his name in England, so he had remained in England since 1633, and then he came later to Plymouth Colony sometime between 1639 and 1640.
Arthur's earliest known appearance in New England is 1640.[19][20]
The first mention of Arthur is on 6 August 1640, where he is described as a planter in Duxbury, Plymouth Colony, when he is referenced in the notebook of Boston attorney Thomas Lechford.[21]
The records of Plymouth Colony imply that sometime before 1640 in England, Arthur was a non-conformist, perhaps a Puritan, as were his brothers, John and Henry. [22][23] He later settled at Marshfield from Duxbury in Plymouth Colony sometime between 6 August 1640 and 2 November 1640.
He received a land grant of 50 acres and some meadow in what is now Marshfield on 2 November 1640.[24]
He became a Plymouth Colony freeman on 1 March 1641/2.[25]
He did military service in 1642 in Lieut. Thomas' Co., Colonial Wars.
He was on the list of men able to bear arms in Marshfield in 1643.
After the death of his first wife, Arthur Howland married his second wife, Margaret, the widow of a Walker possibly long before 6 June 1643 when John Walker was called his son-in-law (step-son).[15] Either he married her in England or Marshfield, Plymouth Colony sometime before their son, Arthur Howland, was born about 1640.
On 5 November 1644, whereas "there was a suit commenced by Arthur Howland against Rob[er]te Mendam's wife brought for the said Arthur Howland out of England, and did not deliver them, but sold them, and converted the money to her own use, as was proved in court; and whereas the said Rob[er]te mendam hath authorized Thomas Clark, of the Eele River, to sell a parcel of land the said Rob[er]te Mendam hath at Duxborrow, viz. ten acres of upland, and two acres of meadow, the which the said Thomas Clark had performed for him, and made sale thereof unto Will[ia]m Hiller, of Duxborrow, for one Dutch cow, valued at six pounds, and hath confirmed the same unto the said Will[ia]m Hiller...; and that the said Arthur Howland commenced his suit as aforesaid by attaching the said cow," the court granted judgment upon the cow to Howland, and confirmed the land to Hiller.[26]
Three hundred acres of upland in Marshfield were granted on 2 July 1638 to Capt. Myles Standish and Mr. John Alden, “lying on the north side of South River, bounded on the east by Beaver Pond, and on the west by a brook,” which later for a consideration of £21 sterling was conveyed to Arthur Howland (13 pounds in money and the balance in corn & cattle) on 20 January 1647[/8].[27][28]
On 20 January 1647[/8], "Mr. William Paddy of New Plymouth, merchant, in the behalf of Mr. Edmond Freeman Senior of Sandwidg, gent." sold to Mr. Arthur Howland of Marshfield, planter, "one half of a certain tract of upland and marsh meadow being estimated at about three hundred acres... which was formerly granted unto Captian Miles Standish and Mr. John Alden lying on the north side of South River."[29]
In 1650, Arthur Howland sued Walter Baker and won a verdict.[16]
Arthur Howland was in court on 7 October 1651 for not frequenting the public assemblies on the Lord's day.[16]
Arthur Howland's last public service was performed on 6 February 1654/5 with his nephew, John Howland, Jr, when he was foreman of a coroner's jury inquiring into the death of a boy named John Walker, apparently not his stepson of that name. The boy had been a servant of Robert Latham, and the jury decided that he had died from cruelty and hard usage, the evidence being distressed indeed.[16][30]
Arthur Howland had difficulties with Thomas Doggett over the bounds of the Freeman purchase, where he was then living. He petitioned that the court define the bounds on 3 July 1654. A surveyor was appointed and the matter did not reach an agreement until 3 July 1656.[16]
Arthur Howland at first was dissatisfied with the teachings of the Church of England and was perhaps labeled as non-conformist in England sometime before 1640, but in Plymouth Colony. And again sometime in 1651, he was dissatisfied with the teachings of the Puritans.[16] By 1657, that's how he invited an itinerant Quaker in his home and became a member of the Society of Friends, the Quakers.[16] Despite the fact that most of the Pilgrims emigrated to America to avoid religious and other persecution in England, they were intolerant of other religions in their midst in Plymouth Colony and especially intolerant of the Quakers, against whom they passed specific laws and carried out punishments (fines & jail time) against anyone who even associated with a Quaker. That brought troubles from the Puritan government.
On 19 December 1657, Robert Huchin, an itinerant Quaker, held a meeting at Arthur Howland's house. William Collyare saw their practices and went over to tell Capt. Josias Winslow about what he saw. He made a warrant to give to John Phillips of Marshfield, who was the constable to arrest Robert Huchin. After that, John Howland, Jr. went to warn Arthur Howland that Capt. Josias Winslow sent John Phillips of Marshfield, the constable, on his way to break up the gathering and arrest. Arthur Howland managed to help Huchin's escape. On Sunday, the 20th of December, the constable went to Arthur Howland's house and found no man at his house. The next day, on Monday, the 21st of December, Capt. Josias Winslow gave a warrant to John Phillips to go over to Arthur Howland's house to warn him to appear personally tomorrow at the house of John Alden, the magistrate. He took Joseph Rogers and his brother with him and went over to Arthur Howland's house again. He found Robert Huchin inside his house. He told Arthur Howland to appear personally tomorrow at John Alden's house to answer him why he entertained with the Quaker, suffered and invited sundry to hear the Quaker into his house.[31] He was about to arrest Robert Huchin, but Arthur Howland would not let him and hindered his arrest. He pushed him out of his house and told him that he would have either a sword or a gun in his belly. Joseph Rogers refused to assist him in bringing him away so he could not bring him away with him. John Phillips went down to the mills to get more assistance, and when he came up again, Robert Huchin was gone. The next day, 22nd of December, Tuesday, he was given up and taken before Mr. John Alden, the magistrate.[16][32][33]
Arthur Howland was sentenced to give bonds for his appearance at the General Court to be held at Plymouth the first Tuesday next in March, and in the meanwhile to be of good behavior toward all manner of people, he refused to give his own single bond and was committed to the custody of the chief Marshall,[34] and he was lodged in jail.
John Howland, Jr. summoned to appear at the court for giving intelligence to Arthur Howland and the Quaker with others met on the 19th of December on Lord's day.[34]
On 2 March 1657/8, Arthur Howland was fined £9 and bound for good behavior. While in jail, he had composed “a writing” which he presented to the court and which the magistrates said was full of factious, seditious, and slanderous passages. He refused to pay the fines, and he was again committed to prison, but on 1 June 1658, he admitted that he had done evil and was released. However, he continued his adherence to Quaker teachings.[16]
In 1669, he was arrested for neglecting to pay his Minister Tax, but due to his advanced age, he was excused from paying.
On this farm, Arthur Howland lived and died, as did five generations of his descendants. When he died, he was buried on his farm at Marshfield, October 30, 1675 in Plymouth County, Plymouth Colony.[35][36] His widow, Margaret Howland outlived him, and she died on 23 Oct 1683 in Marshfield. They are buried in unmarked graves.
However, on Winslow Cemetery Road, Marshfield, Massachusetts, there is a large monument dedicated to early settlers of Green Harbor, Massachusetts, and one of those listed is Arthur Howland and wife, Margaret. Arthur's daughter, Mary, and her husband, Timothy Williamson, are also listed.
The children of Arthur and Grace (---) Howland:
The children of Arthur and Margaret (---) Walker Howland:
(Dated 3 July 1674; Exhibited 7 Mar 1675/6)
The last will and testament of Arthur Howland deceased exhibited to the Court holden at Plymouth the seaventh of March Anno Dom: sixteen hundred seventy-five, and ordered by the said Court to be recorded.
"In the name of God, Amen. I Arthur Howland of Marshfield in the colony of new Plymouth in New England yeoman, being weak of body but of sound and perfect memory, thanks to almighty goods for the same: knowing the uncertainty of this short life and being desirous to settle that outward estate that the Lord has lent me; I do make this my last will & testament in manner and form following: that is to say, first and principally I commend my soul to almighty God my creator expecting to receive full pardon of all my sinnes and salvation by Jesus Christ my redeemer and my body to the earth: to be buried in desent manner by my executrix hereinafter named as shall bee thought meet & convenient; and as concerning such worldly estate which the Lord has lent me my will and meaning is the same shall be employed and bestowed; as hereafter in and by this my will is expressed.
Imp. I do revoke and renounce all and make void all wills by me formerly made and declare and affirm this to be my last will and testament. Item. I will that all the debts I justly owe to all manner of persons whatsoever, shall be well and truly paid, or ordained to be paid in convenient time after my decease by my executrix hereafter named, except only the debt thirty schillings which I owe Edward Wanton, which said debt I will that the same be paid by Timothy Williamson in manner and time hereafter expressed.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my son Arthur Howland his heirs and assigns forever, fifty acres of upland and alsoe meddow to sufficient to keep six head of cattle which said land is now in the tenure and occupation of my said son Arthur, and lyeth next to John Moshers land, and runneth from the boundmark that the jury made, which the land of mee the said Arthur Howland and the said John Mosher to the Ridge N.E. and S.W.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my grandchild Amadiah Smith the full sum of five pounds to be paid him by the friends executors administrators and assigns of my dear wife Margarett Howland immediately after her decease.
Item. I give and bequeath unto the three brothers of the said Amadiah the sum of five pounds to be equally divided among them, and to be payd unto them by the persons appointed administrators or executors of my said wife immediately after my decease, and should any of the said children die before my said wife, my will is that the five pounds shall be equally divided betwixt the rest of them.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Williamson, the sum of ten pounds to be payed her by the heires executors administrators or assigns of my said wife immediately after her decease.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Martha Damon, the sum of ten pounds to be payed her by the heires executors administrators or assigns of my said wife immediately after her decease.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Low the sum of ten pounds to be payed her by the heires executors administrators or assigns of my said wife immediately after her decease.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my wifes grandchild Mary Walker the sum of ten pounds to be payed her by the heires executors administrators or assigns of my said wife immediately after her decease.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my grandchild Timothy Williamson his heires and assigns forever after my said wifes decease a piece of meddow in the township of Marshfield above said, containing five acres, that lyeth between a certain creek that runs out of the river there and a great rock that stands in the grass, hee paying unto Edward Wanton his executors or assigns for the term of three years, the next after he comes to enjoy the said meddow the sum of ten shillings.
Item. I give and bequeath the full remainder of real and personal estate whatever it is or wherever it may be found unto my dear and noble souled wife Margaret Howland, and to her executors administrators and assigns forever.
And doe hereby constitute and appoint my wife sole executrix of this my last will and testament in witness thereof I the said Arthur Howland have here unto sett my hand and seal the third day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred seventy and four. Anno, Regni, Regus, Secundiment Langlea 26.
Signed sealed and published by Arthur Howland as his last will and testament in the presence of us. Edward Pelham, Resolved White; And was att time of the ensealing acknowledged before Josiah Winslow.
Memorandum that before signing this will by the testator hee Revoaked the bequeath of five acres of meddow, alsoe of meddow intended to have been given to his grandchild Timothy Williamson.[41]
The inventory of Arthur Howland's estate was taken and appraised on 11 December 1675 in Marshfield, Plymouth Colony.[42]
His widow's will was dated 19 January 1683/4, sworn 5 March 1683/4 and mentioned grandson John Walker; three grandchildren, sons of my son Arther: Ebenezer, Thomas and Arthur (not yet 21); residue to my son Arther Howland. Her estate was inventoried on 25 January 1683/4.
Y-DNA Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Results
Confirmed DNA results through the three Big Y-700 tests reveal that Arthur Howland's Haplogroup and SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) is R-FT62874. His haplotree line is R-M269 >> R-U106 >> R-Z8 > R-Z1 > R-Z344 > R-Z6 > R-A96 > R-S10415 > R-A9701 > R-A9703 > R-A9708 > R-FT62874.[43] For additional information, see The Howland (Y-DNA) page of the Mayflower DNA Project and The Howland DNA project.
Three Howland patrilineal descendants (FTDNA kit #861275, FTDNA kit #934533, and FTDNA #93435) share two Y-DNA SNPs which are identified as FT62411 and FT62874 on the R-FT62874 block level on the Y haplotree.
These two unique SNPs occurred after the birth of Arthur Howland, and they were passed through his only son, Arthur Howland, Jr., and his male patrilineal descendants; however, more unique SNPs would have occurred through Arthur Howland, Jr's four sons.[44]
These two SNPs FT62411 and FT62874 are confirmed from the Big Y test results of three individuals who are descended from Arthur Howland, but two individuals (FTDNA kit #B587043 and FTDNA kit #37929) who are descended from Henry Howland, Jr., and two individuals (FTDNA #248837 and FTDNA #677188) who are descended from John Howland do not have two unique SNPs in their results.[10] Offically, two SNPs are grouped into a new clade R-FT62874 under the clade of R-A9703.
These two SNPs identify four generations starting with Arthur¹, Arthur², Jr., Thomas³, and Samuel⁴. Two SNPs prove that the relationship between Samuel Howland's two sons, Thomas Howland and Caleb Howland, was genetically related.
The patrilineal relationship is confirmed through Y-chromosome DNA STR and SNP testing. Anonymous Howland and Frank Howland match on 105 out of 111 markers and share 11 SNPs, as reported by Family Tree DNA. This confirms their direct paternal lines back to their most recent common ancestor, Henry Howland Sr.
A patrilineal male descendant of Arthur Howland is welcomed to take the Y-DNA SNP test at Family TreeDNA to discover where the two SNPs are found in this line.
The R-FT62874 Story R-FT62874's paternal line was formed when it branched off from the ancestor R-A9708 and the rest of mankind around 1550 CE. This date is an estimate based on genetic information only. With a 95% probability, the ancestor R-A9708 was born between the years 1340 and 1694 CE. The most likely estimate is 1542 CE, rounded to 1550 CE.[45]
The man who is the most recent common ancestor of this line is estimated to have been born around 1800 CE. This date is an estimate based on genetic information only. With a 95% probability, the most recent common ancestor of all members of haplogroup R-FT62874 was born between the years 1637 and 1886 CE. The most likely estimate is 1784 CE, rounded to 1800 CE.[45]
The most recent common ancestor is Samuel Howland (1711 - bef. 1797).
Y-DNA Short Tandem Repeat (STR) Marker Results Three patrilineal male descendants of Arthur Howland have shared one STR mutation in the 1-37 STR panel (from FTDNA): DYS464a=16.[46]
Identification of Arthur Howland
It is possible that Arthur Howland of this profile is identical to Arthur Howland, who was one of the recusants who willfully absented themselves from the Church of England. He was procceeded against indictment for recusancy. Here is the list as follows:
His three different residences at Finsbury, Grub Street, and Golding Lane are clearly near this parish of St. Giles Cripplegate, London, where his family burials are recorded between 1616 and 1639, and his occupation (glover, leather dresser) is given in those. Glovers' Hall used to be at EC2, Barbican - Cromwell Highwalk near this parish of St. Giles Cripplegate. The burial record shows his wife Grace was buried there on 4 December 1635, with a marginal note “Excomuni,” suggesting either she or her husband (or both) had been excommunicated. The names of some of his children that were buried (Azariell, Zoheth) hint he may have taken on some religious viewpoints that differed from the Church of England, which the excommunication record would seem to further confirm.
Arthur Howland, glover, who was indicted for recusancy, is identical to Arthur Howland, glover or leather dresser, who buried his family at St. Giles Cripplegate. Look at the Agas Map of the early modern London online to locate St. Giles Cripplegate and his three residences. The proximity and propinquity principles can allow to tie him to Arthur Howland.
Resources
We should examine "The John Howland Downloads, Howland Records" in the following link: https://pilgrimjohnhowlandsociety.org/downloads.php. It contains notes on research done on Howlands. It may be useful facts that could be used in the biography.
See also:
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Arthur is 23 degrees from Herbert Adair, 19 degrees from Richard Adams, 16 degrees from Mel Blanc, 21 degrees from Dick Bruna, 18 degrees from Bunny DeBarge, 29 degrees from Peter Dinklage, 18 degrees from Sam Edwards, 14 degrees from Ginnifer Goodwin, 20 degrees from Marty Krofft, 14 degrees from Junius Matthews, 12 degrees from Rachel Mellon and 19 degrees from Harold Warstler on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.
I would be happy to help my 10th grandfathers record but it is protected. Please add me to the trusted list. I would like to see him on my watch list. Thanks. Richard Barton-7380
Thanks for your post. Yes, the formatting of this profile needs some improvement. I removed the odd corporation libaries heading, though.
Although the profile is protected, formatting changes such as you are referring to can be made. If you would you like to make them, we would appreciate your help.
Thank you, S
POST NOTE: Got a lot of the problems cleaned up. Could not help, as I read, smoothing some of the writing. Did some reference consolidation. Fixed FAGM references. Cleaned up formatting in general. Changed no significant content. Still needs rewrites on some sections, just to smooth wording and remove duplicate ideas. Done for now.
Can we now remove improvement classification?
Early immigration statement says Arthur came to colonies as a Quaker. But verbiage says he was Puritian and then Quaker. Someone should rectify that. I did not because it would be a change.
edited by Richard Barton
The Howland materials were aggregated from a chapter in Walter Goodwin Davis, The Ancestry of Annis Spear, 1775-1858 ... (Portland, Me. : Southworth-Anthoensen Press, 1945), 103-107; digital images, Hathi Trust.
Page 293 of the aggregated source is page 103 of the Hathi Trust source.
Page 295 is ... page 105
Page 296 ... is page 106
edited by GeneJ X
Many thanks.
edited by Bobbie (Madison) Hall