James Treworgye (abt. 1589 - bef. 1650)

Born about 1589 in Devon, England [uncertain]

Husband of Catherine (Shapleigh) Hilton — married 16 Mar 1617 in Kingswear, Devon, England

Descendants

Died before 2 Jul 1650 before about age 61 in Newfoundland [uncertain]

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Toby Rockwell [send private message], Douglas Henry [send private message], S Willson [send private message], and Puritan Great Migration Project WikiTree [send private message]

James Treworgye migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). (See The Directory, by R. C. Anderson, p. 341) Join: Puritan Great Migration Project Discuss: pgm

Biography

This is the profile for James Treworgye who married Catherine Shapleigh, emigrated to New England by 1640 and lived on the Piscataqua River near what is now Kittery, Maine.

Date of Birth

The list of mariners of Kingswear in "The Duke of Buckingham's Survey of Mariners and Ships in South Devon, 1619" contains an entry for James Tewoorgy that lists his age as 30,^[1] which means that James was probably born about 1589.

Place of Birth

James married Catherine Shapleigh in Kingswear, Devon and there are records of Treworgyes in both Kingswear, Devon and Brixham, Devon (less than 5 miles from Kingswear) in the early 1600s.^[2] Kingswear parish register records do not begin until 1600, but there are records for a number of Treworgyes there starting in 1605. Brixham parish register records begin a bit earlier and there is a record of the baptism there of John, the son of John Treyworgey, on April 1, 1593 and then additional Treworgye records starting in 1605. It is therefore reasonably likely that James was born in Kingswear or possibly in Brixham.

Parentage

Online family trees variously claim that James was the son of a James Treworgye, a John Treworgye, a Nicholas Treworgye, a Robert Treworgye or a blended John Robert Treworgye. No records have been found of a Robert Treworgye or John Robert Treworgye who could plausibly have been James' father. There is a record of the marriage in Kingswear, Devon of a James Treworgye and a Mary Porter on May 20, 1605, which could possibly be the second marriage of an older James Treworgye who was perhaps James' father. There is also a record of a John Treworgye who had a son named John who was baptized in Brixham in 1593 who could possibly have been James' father.^[2] Based on James' naming his first son John, it is perhaps most likely that his father's name was John. Of the identified candidates, the most likely one most likely to have been James' father is probably the John Treworgye who had a son named John who was baptized in Brixham in 1593. However, absent additional evidence, that parentage should be considered speculative. Since there are no parish register records for many of the baptisms that occurred before 1600, the fact that John Treworgye of Brixham is the only adult Treworgye who appears in Devon parish register records before 1600 does not mean that John was the only Treworgye in the area at the time. However, based on all of these facts there remains a possibility that John Treworgye was not the father of James. Further research is needed.

Relationship to Other Treworgyes

The will of Nicholas Treworgye of Kingswear made on July 6, 1622 and proved on September 13, 1622 made a bequest to his son Nicholas Treworgye and appointed "wel beloved frriende Alexander Shapley, & my brother James Treworgye" as overseers.^[3] The will, together with other evidence in the profiles of the elder Nicholas Treworgye and the younger Nicholas Treworgye establish that James was the brother of the elder Nicholas Treworgye who died in 1622 and the uncle of the younger Nicholas Treworgye who appears in New England records in 1640-1650.

Marriage and Childen

James married Catherine Shapleigh on March 16, 1616/7 in Kingsweare, Devonshire.^[4]

James and Catherine/Katherine had the following children who were mentioned in Katherine's will:

1. John, bpt. September 30, 1618 in Kingswear, m. January 15, 1646/7 Penuel Spencer at Hingham, Massachusetts, d. after 1660 most likely at Dartmouth, Devonshire. (See discussion and sources in John's profile.)
2. Joane/Joanna, bpt. August 15, 1620 in Kingswear,^[5] m. John Ameridith^[6]
3. Samuel, b. about 1628, m. after 1666 Dorcas Walton^[7]
4. Lucy, b. say 1632, m. 1st by 1653 Humphrey Chadbourne, m. 2d Thomas Wells/Wills, m. 3d Elias Stileman^[8]
5. Elizabeth, b. about 1639, m. June 30, 1657 John Gilman at Exeter, Massachusetts Bay Colony, d. September 8, 1719 at Exeter. (See discussion and sources in Elizabeth's profile.)

The Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire states that Katherine and James also had a son named Nicholas. No evidence has been found, however, establishes that Nicholas was their son, and he may instead have the son of the older Nicholas Treworgy. No son named Nicholas is mentioned in Katherine's will, while all other children are mentioned.

Prior Marriage to Mary Porter?

There is a record of the marriage in Kingswear, Devon of a James Treworgye and a Mary Porter on May 20, 1605.^[9] This marriage record could relate either to this profile's James Treworgye or a different James Treworgye, possibly a second marriage of James' father. No records have been found of either Mary's burial or the baptism of any children of any children of a James Treworgye in 1605-1617. The lack of baptism records suggests that the marriage may have been a later marriage to an older James Treworgye and that Mary was over childbearing age when they got married.

Emigration to New England

James came to New England prior to June 1640, as there is record establishing that he was at a court at Saco in June 1640.^[10] He may have come as early as 1637, as in 1679, John White testified that about "two and forty years agoe Mr. Alexander Shapleigh and Mr. James Treworgie did agree with the Neighbors dwellint at and about Sturgion Creek that there would be always a high way from Nicholas Frosts house down to Sturgeon Creek and so along to the Cedars"^[11]

Land Transactions with Alexander and Nicholas Shapleigh

James engaged in a pair of confusing land transactions with Alexander Shapleigh and his son Nicholas Shapleigh in 1641 and 1642. By deed dated April 2, 1641, in consideration of £1500 paid by Nicholas Shapleigh, James assigned to Nicholas all his estate real and personal in New England.^[12] Then, by deed dated May 26, 1642, in consideration of James agreeing to satisfy £700 in debts of Alexander Shapleigh, Alexander assigned to James Treworgy all his estate real and personal in New England.^[13] On the surface, these transactions appear to be two mortage assignments: one by James to Nicholas Shapleigh to secure a loan of £1500 and one a year later by Alexander Shapleigh to James to secure a obligation for £700. However, court records from 1650 involving Nicholas and James' widow, Katherine, suggest that, contrary to the dates of the two deeds in York Deeds, first, Alexander Shapleigh conveyed his estate to James for £700 and then James later conveyed the same estate back to Nicholas Shapleigh for £1500.^[14][15][16] It is possible that these land transactions were related the claims raised by Nicholas Roupe in a July 1641 lawsuit that Alexander Shapleigh and James Treworgie had failed to pay certain large debts in England and had transferred their assets to various friends and family members, including Nicholas Shapleigh, in order to avoid having them seized to satisfy the debts.^[17]

Residency at Pascattaway

The records for James set forth below under the "Chronology of Records" indicate that James lived on the north side of the Piscataqua River near Sturgeon Creek. This area became part of Kittery in 1647, but became part of the town of Eliot when Eliot split off from Kittery in 1810.^[18]

Death

James' date and place of death are uncertain. An 1851 NEHGR article states "[n]ot long after [James transferred his estate to Nicholas Shapleigh for £1500], Mr. Treworgye, it is said, went to New Foundland, where he probably died."^[19] Citing the NEHGR article, the 1869 Gilman Family states that he died in Newfoundland before 1650.^[20] It is certainly plausible that James did, in fact, die in Newfoundland, as the Darmouth, Devonshire port books show that the Shapleigh family had engaged in the Newfoundland fishery throughout the century and James' son John was appointed as a commissioner for Newfoundland in 1651.^[21] However, no primary source establishes James' place of death.

James certainly died before July 2, 1650, when his wife was order to turn over the properties in her possession to her brother Nicholas Shapleigh.^[15][16] He may well have died a few years before then, as suggested by a court record that states that James Bunker (then about 14-15) lived with Mrs. Trueworthy (not Mr. Trueworthy) about the year 1648 and 1649.^[22][23]

Chronology of Records

• 1616. James Treworgye married Catheryn Shapleigh on March 16, 1616/7 in Kingsweare, Devonshire.^[4]
• 1618. John, the son of James Treworgy, was baptized on September 30, 1618 in Kingswear, Devonshire^[24]
• 1619. The list of mariners of Kingwear in "The Duke of Buckingham's Survey of Mariners and Ships in South Devon, 1619" included an entry for James Trewoorgy, age 30.^[1]
• 1620. Joane, the son of James Treworgy and Catherine his wife, was baptized on August 15, 1620 in Kingswear,^[5]
• 1622. The will of Nicholas Treworgye made on July 6, 1622 and proved on September 13, 1622 appointed "wel beloved frriende Alexander Shapley, & my brother James Treworgye" as overseers.^[3]
• 1638. At a General Court at Boston on March 13, 1638/9, the Court ordered that letters should be written to Captain Wiggen, Capt. Champenoone, Mr. Williams, Mr. Wannerton, Mr. Edward Hilton, Mr. Treworthy and their neighbors, and that Mr. Bartholomew carry the same and have instructions.^[25] (Note: This record may relate to Jame's son John rather than to James.)
• 1640. At a General Court held at Saco in the Province of Mayne on June 25, 1640, Mr. James Treworthy was listed as one of the inhabitants of Pascataway who made their appearance at the Court.^[26]
• 1640. At the same General Court held at Saco, James Treworgey was presented for having been a member of the grand jury, divulging its secrets to John Winter and absenting himself from the grand jury to drink wine at the house of William Scadlocke,^[27] and was fined 20s for those abuses.^[28]
• 1640. At the same General Court held at Saco, a warrant was granted by the Court to Mr. James Treworgey and Phillip Swaddon of Pascattaway to levy 50s by way of a rate upon those Inhabitants there who had not appeared at the Court, towards the expenses of those who did appear.^[29]
• 1641. By deed dated April 2, 1641, "James Treworgy now Resident in New England", in consideration of £1500 paid by "Nicholas Shapleigh of Kingsweare in the County of Deavon Marchant", assigned to Nicholas Shapleigh all his estate real and personal in New England. Witnessed by Edward Godfrey and Roger Garde. Seisen was delived to Mr. Edward Godfrey in behalf of Nicholas Shapleigh on April 22, 1641.^[12]
• 1641. In July 1641, Nicholas Roupe filed a complaint in the Court of Chancery against Alexander Shapley and Lucie his wife, James Treworgie and Katherine his wife, Roger Mallack, Nicholas Shapley, Henry Shapley, Elizabeth Shapley widow, William Harries, and John Annesley alias Angelo, accusing Alexander Shapley and James Treworgie of transferring their assets to the other defendants and removing themselves overseas in order to avoid having their assets seized to satisfy debts owed to Roupe.^[17]
• 1641. In a Court of Chancery case in 1641, involving "money matters, Devon", with John Bickford (presumably the John Bickford who had married Alexander Shapleigh's daughter Elizabeth in 1626) as plaintiff, and Roger Mallack, Alexander Shapleigh, Lucy Shapleigh his wife, Nicholas Shapleigh, John Angels, James Treworgey and another, as defendants.^[30]
• 1642. By deed dated May 26, 1642, "Alexsander Shapleigh of Pascattaquacke in the Province of Mayne Marchant" in consideration that "James Treworgy my sonne in law standeth bound to me to severall psons in England for the sume of seaven Hundred pounds and hath taken Upon him selfe to satisfie the same" assigned to James Treworgy all his estate real and person in New England. Witnessed by Roger Garde, Mighaell Taynter, Nicholas Treworgy.^[13]
• 1647. At at General Court held at Wells in the Province of Mayne on June 30, 1647, Mr. John Treworgy brought an action of trespass against John Heard for unlawfully possessing marshland on the Pascataway River by force, per the blows given to Mr. James Treworgy by Heard's wife, and for failing to deliver possession of the marshland to Mr. Allexander Shaply and Mr. James Treworgy as he had promised. Jury found for the defendant.^[31]
• 1679. John White, aged 70 years, testified on May 5, 1679 that about "two and forty years agoe Mr. Alexander Shapleigh and Mr. James Treworgie did agree with the Neighbors dwellint at and about Sturgion Creek that there would be always a high way from Nicholas Frosts house down to Sturgeon Creek and so along to the Cedars and the said high way hath bin held ever since without Interuption."^[11]

^{[17] [30] [1] [3] [25] [5] [23] [22] [21] [20] [19] [18] [14] [15] [16] [31] [29] [28] [27] [26] [4] [8] [6] [7] [11] [13] [12] [24] [9] [10] [2]}

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Gray, Todd, ed. Early-Stuart Mariners and Shipping: The Maritime Surveys of Devon and Cornwall, 1619-35. Devon and Cornwall Record Society, 1990. p. 27.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} See Treworgye_Records_in_Devonshire_1550-1650
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} "Will of Nicholas Treworgye of Kingswear, Fuller." MUR1 (Oswyn Murray Collection of Wills, abt 1600-1800), Vol. 33. South West Heritage Trust, Devon, England. See image attached to this profile.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} Parish Register of Kingswear, Devon, England. South West Heritage Trust. Archive Reference 2994A/PR/1/1. Link to transcript and image at findmypast.com. See image attached to this profile.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} England, Devon, Kingswear, bishop's transcripts, 1608-1836. FHL Film # 005751153, image 7. Link to image at family search.org.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Torrey, Clarence Almon. New England Marriages Prior to 1700. Vol. I. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2015. p. 333. Link to page at americanancestors.org.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} Torrey, Clarence Almon. New England Marriages Prior to 1700. Vol. III. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2015. p. 1546. Link to page at americanancestors.org.
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} Torrey, Clarence Almon. New England Marriages Prior to 1700. Vol. I. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2015. p. 290. Link to page at americanancestors.org.
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1} Kingswear Parish Registers, South West Heritage Trust #2994A/PR/1. Link to transcript and image at findmypast.com.
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} Records of the Courts of the Province of Maine, Vol 1, Book A, 1636-1671 (transcribed copy). p. 50. FHL Film #005654542, image 56. Link to image at familysearch.org.
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1 11.2} York Deeds, Book VI. 1889. Folio 38. Link to folio at hathitrust.org.
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1 12.2} York Deeds, Book I. 1887. Part 1, Folio 1. Link to folio at hathitrust.org
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1 13.2} York Deeds, Book I. 1887. Part 1, Folio 7. Link to folio at hathitrust.org
14. ↑ ^{14.0 14.1} York Deeds. Book I. 1887. Part I, Folio 11. Link to folio at hathitrust.org.
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1 15.2} Records of the Courts of the Province of Maine, Vol 1, Book A, 1636-1671 (transcribed copy). pp. 149-150. FHL Film #005654542, images 155-156. Link to image at familysearch.org.
16. ↑ ^{16.0 16.1 16.2} Province and Court Records of Maine. Vol. I. Maine Historical Society, 1928. p. 143. Link to page at hathitrust.org.
17. ↑ ^{17.0 17.1 17.2} See Nicholas Roupe vs Alexander Shapley, James Treworgie, et al..
18. ↑ ^{18.0 18.1} "Eliot, Maine," wikipedia.com. Accessed 2 May 2022.
19. ↑ ^{19.0 19.1} Thornton, Mr. "Gleanings in the Early History of Maine and New Hampshire: The Shapleigh Family, &c." New England Historical & Genealogical Register. Vol. V (1851). p. 346. Link to page at hathitrust.org.
20. ↑ ^{20.0 20.1} Gilman, Arthur. The Gilman family traced in the line of Hon. John Gilman, of Exeter, N. H. : with an account of many other Gilmans in England and America. 1869. p. 40. Link to page at archive.org.
21. ↑ ^{21.0 21.1} "TREWORGIE (Tregwory, Trewerghey), JOHN, Dictionary of Canadian Biography, Volume I (1000-1700)
22. ↑ ^{22.0 22.1} Province and Court Records of Maine. Vol. I. Maine Historical Society, 1928. p. 164. Link to page at hathitrust.org.
23. ↑ ^{23.0 23.1} Province and Court Records of Maine. Vol. I. Maine Historical Society, 1928. p. 170. Link to page at hathitrust.org.
24. ↑ ^{24.0 24.1} Parish Registers of Kingswear, Devon, England. Page 50 of 175. South West Heritage Trust, Archiver Ref: 2994A/PR/1/1. Link to transcript and image at findmypast.com. See image attached to son John's profile.
25. ↑ ^{25.0 25.1} Shurtleff, Nathaniel, ed. Records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England. Vol. I. 1628-1641. 1853. p. 254. Link to page at hathitrust.org.
26. ↑ ^{26.0 26.1} Province and Court Records of Maine. Vol. I. Maine Historical Society, 1928. p. 42. Link to page at hathitrust.org.
27. ↑ ^{27.0 27.1} Province and Court Records of Maine. Vol. I. Maine Historical Society, 1928. p. 51. Link to page at hathitrust.org.
28. ↑ ^{28.0 28.1} Province and Court Records of Maine. Vol. I. Maine Historical Society, 1928. p. 52. Link to page at hathitrust.org.
29. ↑ ^{29.0 29.1} Province and Court Records of Maine. Vol. I. Maine Historical Society, 1928. p. 54. Link to page at hathitrust.org.
30. ↑ ^{30.0 30.1} "Bickford v Mallack", Reference: C 6/108/29, The National Archives, Kew. Link to description at nationalarchives.gov.uk.
31. ↑ ^{31.0 31.1} Province and Court Records of Maine. Vol. I. Maine Historical Society, 1928. pp. 106-107. Link to page at hathitrust.org.

See also:

• Stackpole, Everett S. Old Kittery and Her Families. Lewiston Journal Press, 1903. p.780. Link to page at hathitrust.org.
• Haseltine, Charles F. "Notes and Queries- Shapleigh and Treworgie." The New-England Historical and Genealogical Register. Vol. L (1896), pp. 219-220. Link to pages at hathitrust.org.
• Anderson, Robert Charles. The Great Migration Directory. 2015. p. 341.