Tobias
Saunders
Born before in England
Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of
Mary (Peckham) Saunders
— married
1661 in Westerly, Washington, Rhode Island
Descendants 
Father of
Elizabeth (Saunders) Babcock, John Saunders, Mercy (Saunders) Crumb, Edward Saunders, Stephen Saunders, Benjamin Saunders, Sarah Saunders and Susannah (Saunders) Wells
Died
after age 68
in Westerly, Kings County, Rhode Island
Profile managers:
United States Project WikiTree 
[send private message], Steve Culmer [send private message], and Carl Crumb [send private message]
[send private message], Steve Culmer [send private message], and Carl Crumb [send private message]Profile last modified
| Created 6 Aug 2010
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Contents |
Biography
Tobias Saunders was one of the first settlers of Misquamicut (one of several Native American names including "Swampscott" for what is now Westerly, settled 1661) in Rhode Island and one of the early members of the Seventh Day Baptist church.[1]
Baptism/Birth
- Several potential baptismal candidates have been found for Tobias of Taunton, Massachusetts and Westerly, Rhode Island but his parentage and origins are not known with certainty. Some valuable discussion and research is on the wikitree g2g forum here. and comments on this profile and the profile of one possible father, Tobias Saunders of Amersham should be reviewed. Tobias "should" have been born 1627 or earlier to appear in Taunton, MA as an (at least) 16-year old. More detail is given in the Disputed Origins section.
Immigration
- When Tobias immigrated is not known but his first documented appearance in America was on the military rolls of Taunton, Massachusetts in August 1643 where he was listed among non-commissioned officers and privates between 16 and 60 years of age able to bear arms (Taunton Company, William Poole, Captain).[2]
Marriage
- His wife Mary was the daughter of John Peckham and Mary Clark(e) of Newport.[1] Although no marriage record has been found yet, Tobias' will referred to his wife's uncle John Clark and his own "cozen" John Clark (cousin being used arbitrarily in those days, this John was apparently his nephew). They are estimated to have been married about 1661/62 in Rhode Island based on births of children and other records described below.
Children
- Per the NEHGR Vol 63 article[1] the below listed children of Tobias & Mary appointed Peter Barker of Newport, RI to represent them as heirs in the settling of the estate of their uncle James Peckham, brother of their mother Mary Peckham Saunders. The primary source with original images (Bristol County Deeds Volume 8 pages 68, 70 and 71) is available here.[3]
- Elizabeth, born 1663, died March 3 1730, married Capt James Babcock of Westerly, RI
- Susannah, apparently married to the above Peter Barker
- John
- Edward
- Stephen
- Benjamin
- Note that one of the witnesses to the deeds above was Thomas Burdick, further reinforcing the Saunders/Burdick connection of 1661 mentioned below.
- Further note that birth or baptism records for these children have not been found in the Rhode Island Vital Extracts Volume 4 (Newport and other towns)[4] or Volume 5 (Westerly and other towns)[5] (compiled by James N. Arnold) although they may have been found elsewhere as some genealogy sites provide specific dates for the children but without sources.
- Some of these children on wikitree indicate various birth date sources which may require subscriptions or book purchases such as "Moriarty, G. Andrews. Additions and Corrections to Austin's Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island, The American Genealogist, vol. 24 (1948), page 72" or "OLD TOBE:Some lines of descent of Tobias SAUNDERS of Westerly Rhode Island Author:Earl Perry".
Colonial Life
- Tobias was still in Massachusetts in 1649 and 50, working at the Saugus Iron Works about 50 miles north of Taunton, 10 miles north of Boston. He was among a list of men attached by employee Quinton Pray as part of a dispute.[6] as shown in the 11 Apr (2nd month) 1649. He appeared again (image 406, page 197) on 24 Sep (7th month) 1650 when he assaulted a woman who threw a cup of water on him apparently to tease him. He deposed in another case at the same session in reference to the Iron Works so he still seems to have worked there.
- Exactly when Tobias moved to Westerly, RI is not known but he is first seen in Rhode Island on 22 March 1653/54 when Tobias and Lawrence Turner bought a parcel of land from William Jefferies, described as 67 rods by 56 rods in the "Eastern part of the lands of William Jefferays of Newport"[7]
- In 1661, Tobias and Robert Burdick apparently declared their allegiance to Rhode Island and were:
- ...seized by the authorities of Massachusetts, taken to Boston and imprisoned until they paid a fine of 40 pnds and gave further security of 100 pnds for their future good conduct[8]
- although this speech given at a Seventh Day Baptist event did not quote a primary source. 140 pounds was a significant sum at that time.
- However, this transgression was described as arrested by the Massachusetts authorities for trespassing upon their jurisdiction by Rhode Island historian JD Champlin[9] Vol 14 pg 24 who seemingly had access to Westerly town records so exactly what they were arrested for may be subject to interpretation.
- He may have been a freeman of Newport in 1665 and of Westerly in 1669 (which would seem to bracket the date he moved to Westerly).[9] Vol 16 pg 64. To be accepted as freeman of a town, you typically had to own property and be a member of church so presumably he would have lived in Westerly well prior to 1669.
- For many of the years 1670-1690 Tobias was also a representative from Westerly to the Rhode Island General Assembly.[2] page 138. He appears various times in Westerly town records, many of which were the source for Champlin's "Early Settlers". For example, at a town court on 17 Sep 1679 Tobias and others gave their oath of fidelity to the King (Charles II if you're keeping score).[10] Vol. 3 pg 68.
- Tobias appears on a list of Westerly town early settlers as of 18 May 1669 and on 22 March 1682/83 he was appointed assistant to the town clerk in writing down the town's "laws and orders"[9] Vol 12 pg 238.
Death/Estate
- Tobias Saunders made his will on 9 August 1688.[1] and [9] Vol 16 pg 64. The will mentioned his son John, his wife's uncle John Clark of Rhode Island, and sons Edward and Benjamin. John Maxson Sr and "my cozen Joseph Clark" were to assist his wife as administratrix gave bond to the Town Council of Westerly for 294 pound and 4 shillings. The will was recorded on 19 January 1695/96.[1]
- His death is dated to about August 1695 based on a town meeting of 23 August 1695 which notes included the phrase "That whereas Mr. Tobias Saunders is deceased...etc"[9] Vol 16 pg 64. He was, according to the same source, a moderator at the 4 July 1695 town meeting.[10]
Research Notes
- Some family trees claim military service for Tobias in England prior to emigration, this is unproven so far.
- His burial is claimed as 2 Sep 1695 but without sourcing.
- A brief note on the source "Early Settlers of Westerly, Rhode Island" by J.D. Champlin of Stonington, Connecticut which was presented in the NEHGR, Volumes 12 (July 1858 pages 237-238), Volume 14 (Jan 1860 pages 23-26 and April 1860 pages 166-168) and Volume 15 (Jan 1861 pages 63-66). Champlin appeared to have access to original town meeting records as he quotes from them extensively and used the phrase "a literal transcript from the first volume of town meeting records". These NEHGR articles are all freely available online from a consolidated list.[9] Champlin stated in Volume 14 that most of the early records of Newport were lost which may account for the failure to find Saunders family baptismal and marriage records but states that his information was put together from the records of Westerly and surrounding towns. The bulk of the information on Tobias Saunders is in Volume 16 on page 64.
Disputed Origins
- As described in comments on this profile and on Tobias Saunders of Amersham b.~1596 and in the g2g forum link above, despite the material on wikitree or anywhere else, there is no certainty on the parentage of Tobias Saunders of Westerly, Rhode Island. An excellent article in the "Connecticut Nutmegger" by Paul Saunders on July 18 1986 (back copies may be ordered form the magazine) forms the opinion that he is most likely to be a child of Tobias of Amersham and wife Isabel Wilde but "better" matching candidates seem to exist. However, Paul freely admits that he cannot prove this, and is simply trying to eliminate less likely candidates. The 1642 will of Tobias of Amersham says nothing that proves or disproves the issue and was probably written before emigration of his son Tobias (if any) although it does confirm that the 2 youngest sons, Tobias and Thomas, were under 22. The main problem, that Tobias baptized in Amersham on 6 Feb 1629/30 (extensive sourcing and context is on Tobias of Amersham and will not be repeated here) was too young to be on the rolls of Taunton in 1643, is handled by the suggestion that he was not baptized until about 4 years old. Given that this family was well established in the parish for several generations and had older children already baptized at the same church, this is an unusually long time to wait to baptize. Again, nothing can be proved or disproved but to be clear, Paul Saunders DOES NOT PROVE this relationship and freely and properly admits this.
- One final strike against Tobias, son of Tobias of Amersham is probably the record found specifying that person as an apprentice with the London Grocer's Association in 1645: Sanders Toby son of (the same) of Amersham, Buckinghamshire, innholder to James Hey 12 Nov 1645, Grocers' Company"[11] Significant time spent searching parish register records around Amersham has turned up no other "Tobias, son of Tobias" so it seems more likely that this profile is not, in fact, the emigrant to America.
- At least two other candidates who seem to be as good or better candidates have been found since 1996:
- Tobias Saunders baptized in 1624 in Compton Martin, Somerset to a father Edward. [12] As the immigrant Tobias named his second son Edward, he seems a more promising candidate and is 5-6 years older, resolving the Taunton age problem. This baptismal record is also viewable at any Family History Center on digital film 5849167 Compton Martin parish registers image 20 of 45.
- Tobias Saunders baptized 27 Apr 1615 All Saints, Weston, Somerset, son of Richard and Agnes has also been found who is of the correct age and could have been the emigrant.[13] This baptismal record is also viewable at any Family History Center on digital film 1526553 item 21-31 All Saints parish registers.
- Enough research has not been done yet to positively rule in or rule out these alternatives but the central point is there is no proven parentage of Tobias Saunders of Westerly, Rhode Island.
Sources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Bates, Louise P. Notes: Saunders-Peckham. The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, v. 63 (1909), page 198.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Peirce's colonial lists : civil, military and professional lists of Plymouth and Rhode Island colonies, comprising colonial, county and town officers, clergymen, physicians and lawyers ; with extracts from colonial laws defining their duties. 1621-1700 by Peirce, Ebenezer Weaver, 1822-1903 page 75 https://archive.org/details/peircescoloniall00peir_0/page/74/mode/2up?q=saunders
- ↑ Massachusetts Land Records, 1620-1986 Bristol Deeds 1713-1716 vol 8-9 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89ZS-BKT3?i=42&wc=MCBG-M6V%3A361612901%2C361844701&cc=2106411
- ↑ RI Vital Extracts 1636-1850 Vol 4 https://archive.org/details/cu31924098819976
- ↑ RI Vital Extracts 1636-1850 Vol 5 https://archive.org/details/cu31924098819984
- ↑ Records and files of the Quarterly courts of Essex county, Massachusetts; Dow, George Francis, 1868-1936; Massachusetts (Colony). Inferior Court (Salem) image 360 of 1017 page 174 https://archive.org/details/recordsfilesofqu01mass/page/360/mode/2up?
- ↑ Rhode Island land evidences, vol. I, 1648-1696, abstracts by Worthington, Dorothy; Rhode Island Historical Society https://archive.org/details/rhodeislandlande00wort/page/28/mode/2up
- ↑ Dedication of Minister's monument, Aug. 28, 1899 by Stephen Babcock, Author First Hopkinton Cemetery Association. https://books.google.com/books?id=oo25bFYOXRIC&q=saunders#v=onepage&q&f=false
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 NEHGR online links for Early Settlers of Rhode Island https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/New_England_Historical_Genealogical_Register_Online
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Records of the colony of Rhode Island and Providence plantations, in New England Volume 3 1678-1706. Bartlett, John Russell, 1805-1886 https://archive.org/details/recordsofcolonyo03rhod_0
- ↑ findmypast subscription required, original research by Matthew Fletcher https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=ORIGINS%2FLONDONAPPRENTICE%2F198991%2F478911
- ↑ findmypast.co.uk search Tobias Saunders, 1824, Compton Martin subscription required for detailed results https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBPRS%2FSOMERSET%2FBAP%2F003955059
- ↑ freereg.org.uk search Tobias Saunders, 1615, Somerset https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/58181fb3e93790eca382c02a
See also:
- Genealogy of one branch of the Peckham family of Newport and Westerly, R.I. : and its allied families by Bentley, William Perry, 1880-; Bentley, John Earle, 1890- page 125 https://archive.org/details/genealogyofonebr1957bent/page/124/mode/2up?q=saunders
- Tobias Saunders in Wikipedia.
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DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships with Tobias by comparing test results with other carriers of his Y-chromosome or his mother's mitochondrial DNA. Y-chromosome DNA test-takers in his direct paternal line on WikiTree:
It may be possible to confirm family relationships with Tobias by comparing test results with other carriers of his Y-chromosome or his mother's mitochondrial DNA. Y-chromosome DNA test-takers in his direct paternal line on WikiTree:
- Anthony Saunders
:
AncestryDNA Paternal Lineage (discontinued) 46 markers, haplogroup I-BY63871, Ancestry member anthonymsaunders
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Featured National Park champion connections: Tobias is 11 degrees from Theodore Roosevelt, 19 degrees from Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger, 11 degrees from George Catlin, 11 degrees from Marjory Douglas, 20 degrees from Sueko Embrey, 11 degrees from George Grinnell, 24 degrees from Anton Kröller, 13 degrees from Stephen Mather, 20 degrees from Kara McKean, 14 degrees from John Muir, 13 degrees from Victoria Hanover and 22 degrees from Charles Young on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.
S > Saunders > Tobias Saunders
Categories: Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations | Westerly, Rhode Island | Seventh Day Baptists | Clark Ground, Westerly, Rhode Island | Rhode Island Project-Managed
Per the image, a better reader of old latin script could determine if one or both of them may have been residents of "Marshfield." If so, the parish of Marshfield, Gloucestershire is across the county line but close:
https://goo.gl/maps/C24aUzAR42meyD1g6
I hope these possibilities may eventually enable someone to rule them in or out as parents of Tobias-1 Saunders of Rhode Island.
Source Citation Somerset Heritage Service; Taunton, Somerset, England; Somerset Parish Records, 1538-1914; Reference Number: D\P\w.as/2/1/1
Source Information Ancestry.com. Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1531-1812 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016.
Original data: Anglican Parish Registers. Somerset Archives & Local Studies, South West Heritage Trust, Taunton, England.
edited by Perry Streeter
I should add that the my DNA matches extend to Babcock, Crumb, Burdick, Crandall, Belcher and many other names who married into the Saunders family of Westerly, R.I.
Matthew Fletcher, did you ever find out more about Tobias the son of Tobias who was with the London Grocers company in 1645? I don't have a findmypast subscription so I wasn't able to look at it.
I agree with disconnecting parents at this point, there seems to be too much evidence weighing against the son of Tobias of Amersham being the same as the emigrant to America. I wrote Tobias Sr. profile in that way, leaving the uncertainty but I will go back and tweak it a little after this one is finalized.
edited by Brad Stauf
1. Source Citation: Birth year: 1620; Birth city: Taunton County; Birth state: MA Source Information: Edmund West, comp.. Family Data Collection - Individual Records [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000.
The U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 also show a Tobias as being born in 1620, but again, he is listed as being born in Rhode Island. Also, married to Mary Peckham.
2. Source Citation:Source number: 15941.000; Source type: Electronic Database; Number of Pages: 1; Submitter Code: JJ2. Source Information: Yates Publishing. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA
FYI, West's family data collection is one of the unreliable sources we avoid. Especially for claims about origins. See https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:Puritan_Great_Migration_Project_Reliable_Sources
There is more on Tobias which I have not read through at : https://www.americanancestors.org/databases/essex-genealogist-the/image?volumeId=54118&pageName=23&rId=1424508800
So, still not a certainty by any means. On a side note, I would not put any reliance on the 'US and International Marriage Records' as a primary or even secondary source, that's one of those auto-aggregated "sources" that just combs through posted data and trees by other users which might or might not have any actual source behind it. Unless you can actually trace it to a true primary source, I would not put any stock in it. Just my opinion.
edited by Brad Stauf
edited by Brad Stauf
"Sanders Toby son of ..., Amersham, Buckinghamshire, innholder to James Hey 12 Nov 1645, Grocers' Company" https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=ORIGINS%2FLONDONAPPRENTICE%2F198991%2F478911
Tantalisingly, Toby's father's name was not able to be transcribed (and no image is available) but Amersham was not a big place and I can't find evidence of anyone else called Toby Sa(u)nders, or anything close, born around the same time. Inn-keeping was also mentioned on Richard Saunders profile so Tobias (Toby's father) could have inherited the role. Toby also appears some ten years later as a master to a new apprentice.
There was another Tobias Saunders baptised in 1624 in Compton Martin, Somerset to a father Edward. https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBPRS%2FSOMERSET%2FBAP%2F003955059 As the immigrant Tobias named his second son Edward, he is a more promising candidate.
edited by Matthew Fletcher
Brad has already volunteered to sort these profiles out. He may be in Salt Lake City as I write, reading Amersham parish register transcripts.
Edit: Seems I can't inspect the original records from which the apprentice records extract was made. They're at the Guildhall not the London Metropolitan Archives and a collection of many sources rather than documents.
edited by Matthew Fletcher
Given that there is dispute about his origins, he still needs to be project-protected. I will ask US Projects/Rhode Island to move the project management to them.
The data sections of the various profiles should be corrected and the profiles will need editing to explain why the that Tobias baptized in 1629/1630 is not this man.
Actually now that I read this, if he was born in 1630 then he wasn't over 16 in 1643. Hmm, more mystery.
edited by Brad Stauf
Elizabeth (Saunders) Babcock, eldest known child of Tobias of RI, died 3 March 1731 in the 69th year of her age.
If so, Elizabeth was born about 1662 and Tobias married Mary Peckham in say 1661.
If it was a first marriage for Tobias, he "should have" been about 25 years old and born say 1636.
But Tobias of RI was probably >= 21 when he purchased land on there 22 March 1653/54 so born say <=1632.
The unknown father of Tobias of RI was married <= 1631 and born say <=1606.
Tobias of MA was age 16-60 as of August 1643, so born anywhere between 1583 and 1627.
Speculation! Was Tobias of MA the father of Tobias of RI?
Similar challenges have been observed while attempting to sort out multiple generations of men named Francis Bates in MA & RI.
edited by Perry Streeter
Name: Tobye Sawnders Baptism Date: 9 Apr 1585 Baptism Place: Saint Michael Bedwardine, Worcester, Worcester, England Father: Tobye Sawnders FHL Film Number: 0962680 IT 3
Improbable match for Tobias Saunders of MA and/or RI but a potential parish of interest:
Name: Tobie Saunder Baptism Date: 7 Oct 1572 Baptism Place: St. Johns, Stamford, Lincoln, England Father: Jeffrey Saunder FHL Film Number: 1450474 Reference ID: item 2
Impossible match for Tobias Saunders of RI but a potential parish of interest:
Name: Tobyas Sanders Record Type: Baptism Baptism Date: 25 Jun 1637 Baptism Place: Marldon, Devon, England Religion: Anglican Father: Robert Sanders Ancestry.com. Devon, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812 [database on-line].
Since this profile has several experienced owners I'd greatly appreciate your thoughts on whether Tobias, father of this profile, was actually a son of a Richard Saunders.