Disputed origins of Abraham Toppan of Newbury, Mass.

Question

Brandon Fradd published in the April 2007 edition of the NEHGR Vol. 161:92-94, an article "Abraham Toppan was not a Yorkshire Man," in which he stated:
"In conclusion, the identification of Abraham Toppan as a Yorkshire man is entirely without foundation and must be abandoned. His ancestry is currently unknown." 

He disputed an 1879 article in the Register based on the work of the "notorious Horatio Gates Somerby." He makes the point that the baptisms cited for Abraham in 1606 and supposed sibling Cecilia in 1608, and burial of Isaac in 1612 in the Coverham, Yorkshire parish records are fictitious as the Coverham registers do not begin until 1707; that there are Bishop's Transcripts, but none mentions anyone named Toppan/Tophan/Topham. He continues on and shreds the 1879 article completely. 

I suggest, based on his research and publication in a venerated Journal that the connection with the current parents be removed, the birth date and place be changed to "about 1606" in England, and a disputed parents section be added to the wikitree profile.

Comments

This sounds like the correct way to handle things.

Answer 1

Abraham Toppan

Find A Grave Index

Name	Abraham Toppan
Event Type	Burial
Event Date	1672
Event Place	Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts, United States of America
Photograph Included	Y
Birth Date	10 Apr 1606
Death Date	05 Nov 1672
Affiliate Record Identifier	6880755
Cemetery	First Burying Ground

Citing this Record

"Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVVQ-V7ZW : 13 December 2015), Abraham Toppan, 1672; Burial, Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts, United States of America, First Burying Ground; citing record ID 6880755, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

Comments

Thanks Frank. Unfortunately that grave marker is a later addition, not the original, but a memorial added well after his death. And it doesn't give a birth date, but the birth year of 1606. As a "source", I think it's pretty weak.

Answer 2

Abraham Tophan

mentioned in the record of Elizabeth Tophan

Name	Abraham Tophan
gender	Male
Wife	Susan
Daughter	Elizabeth Tophan

Other information in the record of Elizabeth Tophan

from England Births and Christenings

Name	Elizabeth Tophan
Gender	Female
Christening Date	11 Jan 1634
Christening Date (Original)	11 Jan 1634
Christening Place	Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England
Father's Name	Abraham Tophan
Mother's Name	Susan

•  
•  
• No image available

England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975

Indexing Project (Batch) Number	I06508-2
System Origin	England-EASy
GS Film number	1526327

Citing this Record

"England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NXKH-3LB : 30 December 2014), Abraham Tophan in entry for Elizabeth Tophan, Elizabeth Tophan; citing Norfolk, England, reference ; FHL microfilm 1,526,327.

Comments

Thanks Frank, I'm working on Elizabeth now, though her records don't seem to indicate anything about her father's origins or parents.

---

Elizabeth may have had a brother, Peter, born Yarmouth, Norfolk, England, Christened in 1633. Christening dates, rather than birth dates are possible as the Christening dates are only 5 months apart.

My paternal line also traces back to Norfolk County, England, but near Norwich. Earlier generations were traced back by my cousin who used church records. The earliest record found was of Daniell Gill born est. 1650 at Tivetshall St. Margaret, Tivetshall St. Margaret, Norfolk, England. He died 1715/16. His wife's first name was Elizabeth.

---

There's definitely a brother Peter, as both Elizabeth & Peter (and Jacob) are named in their father Abraham's will in New England, along with Susan their mother.

Answer 3

Peter Topham

England Births and Christenings

Name	Peter Topham
Gender	Male
Christening Date	11 Aug 1633
Christening Date (Original)	11 Aug 1633
Christening Place	Yarmouth, Norfolk, England
Father's Name	Abr. Topham
Mother's Name	Su.

•  
•  
• No image available

England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975

Indexing Project (Batch) Number	I06508-2
System Origin	England-EASy
GS Film number	1526327

Citing this Record

"England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J9PW-B4F : 30 December 2014), Peter Topham, Peter Topham; citing Norfolk, England, reference ; FHL microfilm 1,526,327.