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Francis Kirby was born about 1590 in England;[1]the son of John Kirbie and Joane Cranfeilde who were married on December 23, 1576.[2]
He was a merchant of London whose primary work was forwarding supplies to the New England colonies of Massachusetts and Connecticut; also engaged in commercial transactions with the inhabitants of New England. However the records regarding Francis say he was a "skinner," which includes dealers in leather, hides, skins, furs and pelts; while he exported supplies of all kinds, his payment was mainly in beaver skins.[1]
His first marriage to Susan Downing occurred about 1616; she was the His mother of his children; also a sister of Emanuel Downing. Emanuel was married to the elder Governor John Winthrop's sister. So this connection through marriage probably was the reason that he had a close friendship with Governor John Winthrop and his son John Winthrop Jr. Susan (Downing) Kirby died in 1635.[1]
Kirby's 2nd wife was Elizabeth (Unknown surname) Carter, mother of Joseph Carter (the emigrant), whom he introduced to Governor Winthrop via letter on April 11, 1639 as "my loue-de-seruinge son and faithfull servant."[1]
Kirby's wealth seems to have declined during the time of the commonwealth, where upon he left his export business. Sometime before his death he was appointed by the common council of London, bridge-master of Old London Bridge, a position he held until his death. He received a salary and fees of about L100 per year and the use of a comfortable house at the Surrey end of the bridge in the parish of St. Olave, Southwark.[1]
Francis Kirby died Oct 1661and was buried in St Olave's Church, Bermondsey, Southwark, Surrey, England[3]on October 12, 1661. The regisry described him as "Francis Kerby, bridgemaster."[1]
His Will, dated 24th July, 1660 was proved in the prerogative Court of Canterbury 1st Novemer, 1661 by Joshua Kirby, the executor; wherein he is described as "citizen and skinner of London, now dwelling in the parish of St. Olave, Southark, Surrey;" Naming bequests to Mary, wife of son Joshua, their children Godsgift, Susan, Elizabeth, Phebe, Camdena and Welcome; to his sister Ruth Browne; to Elizabeth Turfett, daughter of George Turfett, the grandchild of late wife Elizabeth; Mary Nash, widow, widow of John Nash; cousin Joseph Alporter; cousin William Kirby, son of late brother William Kirby; to cousin Ruth Macham, sister of William; cousins John Kirby, William Kirby, sons of brother John Kirby; to cousin Elizabeth Goad; Eunice, Rachel and Sarah Carter, daughters of Joseph Carter; servant Mary Bradbury.[1]
Francis Kirby's step-son was Joseph Carter.[1]
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Francis is 22 degrees from Herbert Adair, 21 degrees from Richard Adams, 16 degrees from Mel Blanc, 21 degrees from Dick Bruna, 19 degrees from Bunny DeBarge, 32 degrees from Peter Dinklage, 20 degrees from Sam Edwards, 16 degrees from Ginnifer Goodwin, 21 degrees from Marty Krofft, 12 degrees from Junius Matthews, 14 degrees from Rachel Mellon and 19 degrees from Harold Warstler on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.
About the name of the 2nd wife, I don't think it's correct on this profile. Probably should be Elizabeth (Unknown) Carter, not surname "Turfett." There is an Elizabeth Turfett listed in the Will of Francis Kirby, it says "to Elizabeth Turfett, daughter of George Turfett, the grandchild of his late wife Elizabeth, deceased." However "Turfett" is not indicated as the surname of Francis Kirby's wife Elizabeth, since the mother of the granddaughter may have been the wife's daughter (Turfett may have been her son-in-law).
Also, the source (NEHGR35 says he had 3 children, Joshus, Francis & Sarah - no Elizabeth (Kirby) Staton; so I think she should be unlinked.
And one last item: Francis Kirby (according to NEHGR35) had 3 siblings: William, Joan, Ruth, John. I think William Kirby-106 should be detached, since he had only one brother William and Kirby-106 is unsourced.