John Wallis of Gloucester, Massachusetts was born about 1626, possibly in Cornwall England.[1] He may be the John Wall[is] christening on 23 March 1626, at St Ewe Parish, Cornwall, but sources demonstrating the link are needed.[2]
He has been said to be the brother of Nathaniel Wallis who died in Beverly, Massachusetts on 18 October 1709, aged 77 years. This is unproven. Nathaniel's death record states that he was born in Cornwall, England, which likely accounts for the belief that John was also from Cornwall. Five of John's children were established in Beverly and a son of Nathaniel owned land in Gloucester, but this is the closest thing we have to an association between John and Nathaniel.
He was a fisherman and plied the waters Falmouth and Purpooduck, Maine as early as 1650. He appears in court records in Falmouth and there is a land sale to him in Purpooduck in 1667. He served as selectman in 1674 and 1680. During the Indian Wars, he returned to Salem and Gloucester for safety.
Dorcas Wallis. Born about 1658. She married John Lane and had eleven children. Dorcas died on 9 February 1751 "in her 93rd year" in Gloucester.
Josiah Wallis. Born between 1660 and 1663 (age 66 in 1727; 67 in 1730; 72 in 1734; near 80 in 1739), probably in Maine. He married first Elizabeth Unknown; he married second Mary Stanford who died in 1703; he married third Elizabeth Unknown. Josiah died 9 February 1741.
James Wallis. Born about 1668 (age 62 in 1730), probably in Maine. He married Martha Stanford, sister of Josiah's wife Mary. James died between May 1739 and March 1744.
Daughter Wallis. She married Matthew Pauling before 1700. She died without surviving children.
Benjamin Wallis. Born say 1675, probably in Massachusetts. He married first Elizabeth Morgan on 23 March 1695/6, she was killed by Indians along with three children in 1703. He married second Sarah Sallows. Benjamin died before 15 January 1724/5.
Elizabeth Wallis. Born on 12 September 1678 in Gloucester. She is the only child for which we have an actual birth record. Elizabeth died on 10 August 1703 in Purpooduck, Maine.
Joseph Wallis. Born say 1680. He married Elizabeth Black. Joseph died between 1721 and 1727.
Rebecca Wallis. Born say 1683. She married John Groves in February 1703/4. She married second Joseph Foster.
Susanna Wallis. Living and unmarried in 1724.
John Wallis died in Gloucester, Massachusetts Colony on the 13 Sep 1690.[3][7] His burial is described in church records and it is believed he is buried in the First Parish Burying Ground, Gloucester.[8]
John Wallis has been supposed to be a brother of Nathaniel Wallis who died in Beverly, Essex, Massachusetts 18 Oct 1709, aged about 77. While members of John's family lived in Beverly, insufficient information is found to establish the connection.[9]
John Wallis died on 13 September 1690, at Gloucester, Essex, Massachusetts.[10][4] He left a will probated on 29 march 1691; however, this will has been lost.[11]
Research Notes
A deposition of Rebecca Sayer of Falmouth in 1749 included some accounting of the Wallis family. She mentioned John Wallis, her sister Mary (Stanford) who married Josiah Wallis, Josiah, James, Joseph, and Benjamin Wallis (sons of John), Joseph Morgan with his wife.
Sources
↑Arthaud. "John Wallis Family of Cape Ann," in NEHGR, (1986): page 286.
↑ 3.03.1 John Bradley Arthaud, “The John Wallis Family of Cape Ann, Massachusetts,” New England Genealogical Register, Vol 152, continuing in Vol 153, July 1998 pages 286-310, October 1998 pages 391-410; January 1999 pages 29-51, April 1999 pages 183-206.
↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915." Database. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 14 June 2016. Index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City.
↑Arthaud. "John Wallis Family of Cape Ann," in NEHGR, (1986): page 288.
↑ "Massachusetts Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910." FamilySearch 14 June 2016. Index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City.
↑ John Bradley Arthaud, "The John Wallis Family of Cape Ann, Massachusetts," in New England Historic and Genealogical Register, 152:287.
↑Vital Records of Gloucester, vol. 3: Deaths. (1924): page 315.
↑ Essex County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1638-1881. (AmericanAncestors.org online database). Probate #28850, John Wallis.
Source list:
Arthaud, John Bradley. "The John Wallis Family of Cape Ann, Massachusetts," in New England Historic and Genealogical Register, volume 152. (July 1998): pages 286-310.
Arthaud, John Bradley. "The John Wallis Family of Cape Ann, Massachusetts (part 2)," in New England Historic and Genealogical Register, volume 152. (October 1998): pages 391-414.
Arthaud, John Bradley. "The John Wallis Family of Cape Ann, Massachusetts (part 3)," in New England Historic and Genealogical Register, volume 153. (January 1993): pages 29-51.
John Wallis in entry for Elezabath Wallis, "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915"
U.S., New England Marriages Prior to 1700
Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988
Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s
Web: Netherlands, GenealogieOnline Trees Index, 1000-Current
Legacy NFS Source: John Wallis - Published information: birth-name: John Wallis Wallace
Jacobus, Donald Lines. The Phippen Family and Wife of Nathan Gold of Fairfield, Connecticut, The American Genealogist (1940) Vol. 17, Page 7.
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Wallis-1910 and Wallis-375 appear to represent the same person because: same dates, same wife (also duplicated, son Josiah is already in proposed merge, source information from Gloucester added to Wallis-1910 matches bio in Wallis-375