Francis Wainwright (abt. 1620 - 1692)

Born about 1620 in Chelmsford, Essex, England [uncertain]

Husband of Philippa (Sewell) Wainwright — married 23 Nov 1647 (to 1669) in Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts Bay Colony

Husband of Hannah (UNKNOWN) Epes — married about 1669 (to 1692) in Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts Bay Colony

Descendants

Died 19 May 1692 at about age 72 in Salem, Essex, Province of Massachusetts Bay

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Francis Wainwright migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). (See The Directory, by R. C. Anderson, p. 353) Join: Puritan Great Migration Project Discuss: pgm

Biography

Francis Wainwright was born in England, and arrived in Ipswich, Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1636 as the servant of Alexander Knight (see references below). They came from Chelmsford, Essex, England, but the actual birth location and parents of Francis are not known. Francis is mentioned in a list of early Charlestown inhabitants as originating in Halstead, Essex, England. The authors provide a list of sources they used, but do not cite at the individual person level^[1]. This is suggestive, as his future wife Philippa originated in Halstead.

Francis first appears in New England records in 1637 as a soldier in the Pequot War, for which service he received a grant of land in 1639.^[2] He served under Captain Underhill. In Philip Vincent's eyewitness narrative of the Pequot War, Francis is described as "a pretty sturdy youth of new Ipswich, going forth, somewhat rashly, to pursue the savages...". Francis is mentioned because he simultaneously engaged two Pequot warriors in hand-to-hand combat, killing both of them. That narrative also has Francis as coming to New England as the servant of Alexander Knight, "that kept an inn in Chelmsford".^[3] Alexander Knight is listed in the Great Migration Directory as arriving in Ipswich 1636, so that would also have been the year that Francis came to New England.

Francis was probably about 18 years old in 1637, as he is described above as a "youth", so his birth year has been approximated as 1620. Per his memorial stone discussed below, he may have been born in 1616, if he was indeed 76 years old when he died in 1692. He married a woman who had an inheritance (see below), and later became a successful merchant.^[4]

Francis was on the Ipswich tax list of 1648.^[5]. In 1669 Francis purchased a house and land on the Isles of Shoals from William Sealy.^[6] He was on the list of freemen, 31 May 1671.^[7] In 1675, in a nod to his social standing, Francis was given permission to set up a family pew in the Ipswich church in a socially prominent location.^[8] In 1678 Francis was on the list of Ipswich men having the right of the Commons.^[9]

Francis married, first, Philippa Sewell, daughter of George and Sarah (Unknown) Sewell, of Halstead, Essex, England. They were married in Ipswich^[10]. Torrey's references: "WAINWRIGHT, Francis (-1692) & 1/wf Phillippa [SEWALL] (-1669); by 1648; Ipswich {Sibley's Harv. Grad. 3:350; GDMNH 708; Reg. 67:269; Hammatt: Ipswich 388-9; Bancroft etc. 88; Davis-Bancroft 48; Cogswell 24; EIHC 4:188}".

George Sewell died in England in 1644, bequeathing land and tenements to his six daughters when they each married or turned 24 (see his will on Philippa's profile). Francis and Philippa were married before 23 November 1647, when a notarial record finds them engaging a William Norton to help them secure Philippa's legacy:^[11].

23. (9) 1647. ffrancis Wainewright & Phillip his wife of Ipswich in N: England. did constitute Wm Norton Merchant theire lawful Attorney to recover and receive for them a Legacie given the said Phillip by the last will and testamt of Georg Sewell of Hasted in the County of Essex deceased wth power to compound sue acquit & generally all acts concerning the prmisses. also to receive Rents & sell or alien such lands as are given to the sd Phillip by her said father Georg Sewell. Ratifying irrevocably whatsoever shalbe by him so done. Unto wch (bearing date 20th November 1647).

Francis and Philippa had children, all born in Ipswich,^[12]

1. John Wainwright, born about 1648; married Elizabeth Norton in 1674.^[13]
2. Sarah Wainwright, born about 1650; married Jacob Perkins in 1667.^[14]
3. (probably) Jacob Wainwright, born about 1652; served under Lathrop February 1675, killed by Indians in 1675.^[2]
4. Mary Wainwright, born about 1657 (age at death), died 1710, age 53; married by 1675 (baptism of child), Jeremiah Shepard.^[15][16]
5. Martha Wainwright, born 24 June 1658;^[17] married by 1677 (birth of child), as his first wife, Joseph Proctor, born in Ipswich, about 1649 (deposition), son of John and Martha (Harper) Proctor.^[18]
6. Simon Wainwright, born 20 November 1660;^[19] married (1) Sarah Gilbert (against Francis' wishes).^[20]
7. Mehitable Wainwright, born 4 December 1662;^[21] married John Atwater.
8. Francis Wainwright, born 25 August 1664;^[22] married Sarah Whipple.
9. Benjamin Wainwright, born 16 September 1666, died 25 September 1686.^[23]
10. Elizabeth Wainwright, born 19 July 1668;^[24] married Jonathan Cogswell.

Philippa died on 6 October 1669, in Ipswich,^[25] leaving Francis with several very young children.

Francis soon married Hannah (Unknown).^[10] Torrey's references: "WAINWRIGHT, Francis (-1692, Salem) & 2/wf Hannah ____, m/2 Daniel EPES 1693?; 1669?; Ipswich {Reg. 67:269; Sibley's Harv. Grad. 2:266; Hammatt: Ipswich 386; Davis-Bancroft 48; EIHC 4:189, 41:182}." They had no known children together, and she outlived him.

On 23 August 1687, a town meeting was called to select a commissioner to assist the selectmen in levying taxes on the inhabitants of Ipswich. The meeting objected that the imposition of taxes violated Magna Charta, and only an assembly of freeholders of the town was empowered to levy taxes. On 14 September the despised Governor Andros had the town meeting records seized, and warrants for the arrest of town leaders were issued over the next few days, Francis among them. On 24 September Francis "humbly" apologized for advocating the town meeting's resistance to the taxation^[2][8].

Francis was living in Ipswich, but he died suddenly on 19 May 1692 while on business in Salem.^[26][27] Note that Find A Grave has a picture of the slab over Francis' grave which has his death year as 1699, age 76: Find A Grave: Memorial #40053385. The memorial notes that the stone was restored in 1894, and the original death year was mis-guessed by the restorers. However, the Salem vital records have the 1699 death year, so the fault may lie there.^[28]

Francis wrote his will on 8 April 1692, in Ipswich. He left a large estate. He bequeaths his house and land to his wife Hannah, in lieu of her one-third dower, except for his warehouses (the bequeath in lieu of dower was probably to prevent her or her kin from claiming any of his business interests). He also gives her "my Little Negro Girl by Name Sarah". Francis gives to daughter Mary, wife of Jeremiah Shepherd; to daughter Martha, wife of Joseph Prockter; to "Mahetable" wife of John Attwater; to daughter Elizabeth, wife of Jonathan Cogswell; and to the children of his daughter Sarah Perkins, deceased. All of his grandchildren are individually mentioned. Mehitable was also given "my Negro Woman by Name Maria", so Francis owned two slaves at the time his will was written.

Francis also gives to John Attwater, if Francis dies in Salem, all of his wearing apparel he then has in Salem. This seems to indicate that his business activity in Salem required more than a day's worth of clothing.

Francis' three surviving sons John, Simon, and Francis, are to each receive a third of the remaining estate - "Housing, Lands, Tenements, goods, Chattles, Creditts, Bills, Bonds Deeds Mortgages Shipping Floatage Fishery..." - the list indicating the size of his considerable business interests.^[29][30]

The estate that Francis gave to Hannah was for her "natural life", to revert to one of his grandsons upon her death. He goes through a rather detailed waterfall of surviving heirs as to who will eventually come into possession of his "Mansion". Somewhat surprisingly, his will does not contemplate the remarriage of his widow. The will was proved on 15 July 1692.

Hannah entered into a prenuptial agreement, in the form of a deed, with Daniel Epes of Salem on 1 May 1693. In preparation for a marriage that was to occur "shortly" after the agreement was signed, Hannah gave 300 pounds and her house and land to Daniel, in exchange for her "better maintenance". Daniel also sold his Salem properties to Stephen Sewall as part of the agreement. In the event that Daniel predeceased Hannah, Hannah would have the use of the money and land (her dower), but it would be administered by Stephen Sewall for Hannah's benefit. Were Hannah to predecease Daniel, she could bequeath up to 150 pounds to her beneficiaries. Daniel appeared in Salem on 24 August 1693 to confirm the agreement.^[31][32] Torrey's references: EPES, Daniel (1649-1722) & 2/wf Hannah [WAINWRIGHT], w Francis; aft 1692, 1693; Salem {Salem 2:92; Bancroft 88; Davis-Bancroft 48; EIHC 4:189; Sibley's Harv. Grad. 2:266}.

Hannah was alive when Daniel wrote his will in 1720; he died in 1722. Hannah probably remained on the property that Francis had originally bequeathed her.

Research Notes

Directory. Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Directory: Immigrants to New England, 1620–1640: A Concise Compendium (Boston, Massachusetts : New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2015), 353, for Francis Wainwright, immigrated from Chelmsford, Essex, England, 1637, to Ipswich; works consulted as "ITR 43; MHSC 3:6:41; ChTR 29; HmTR 49; Aspinwall 112-13; GDMNH 708; Hammatt 384-87; SPR Case #1954." See Sources used in the Great Migration series.

• ITR 43
• MHSC 3:6:41--Philip Vincent, A true Relation of the late Battell fought in New England … (1638) in Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, multiple series and vols. (Boston : The Society, 1792-1972), 3:6 (1837):29-43 at 40-41 (Wainwright); digital images, HathiTrust.
• ChTR 29;
• HmTR 49;
• Aspinwall 112-13--William Aspinwall, "Aspinwall Notarial Records from 1644 to 1651" in A report of the Record Commissioners of the city of Boston, multiple vols. (Boston, Massachusetts : Rockwell and Churchill, 1876-1909), 32 (1903:9-430 at 112-113 (Wainwright); digital images, HathiTrust.
• GDMNH 708--Sybil Noyes, Charles Thornton Libby and Water Goodwin Davis, Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire (Portland, Maine, Southworth Press [originally in 5 parts, paginated consecutively], 1928-1938; rpt, Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2012), 708 (Francis Wainwright; digital images, InternetArchive (borrow), "an early Hampton grantee"; also, son John testified November 1681 in "a Seavey case at the Shoals," then aged about 32
• Hammatt 384-87--Abraham Hammatt, The Hammatt papers, [nos.1-7] : the early inhabitants of Ipswich, Mass., 1633-1700, 7 parts. ([Ipswich] Press Ipswich Antiquarian Papers, A. Caldwell, A.W. Dow, 1880-99), 384-387 (Wainwright) at 384-385 (Francis Wainwright); digital images, FamilySearch, FSL film 14769 (item 1), digital collection (DGS) 8129627, images 212-213 of 289.
• SPR Case #1954--Francis Wainwright 1692 probate, case #1954 (5 pp.), "Suffolk County, MA: Probate File Papers"; database and digital images by subscription, AmericanAncestors. Also Francis Wainwright of Ipswich, probate case #1954 (5 pp.), "[Suffolk County, Massachusetts] Probate and Family Court Department file papers … 1636-1894," box 11:1954; digital images, FamilySearch, FSL digital collection (DGS) 102889992. image 827- of 1069, includes will dated 8 April 1692, proved 15 July 1692 at images 829-831

See also, _(page)_, “Knight, Alexander: Chelmsford, Essex; 1636; Ipswich [ITR 18; MHSC 3:6:41; WP 3:433; Waters 842-43; TAG 76:1-16; NEHGR 162:116-17; Dawes-Gates 1:397-99].”

Unknown Parents. FamilySearch (PID GV12-YYZ) reports Francis was born at Chelmsford, but we only know that is the location from which he emigrated. From time to time, that site reports parents/ancestors, but no records are shown in support. Parents should not be linked to the profile without further research and collaboration.

Sources

1. ↑ Crandall and Coffman, From Emigrants to Rulers..., The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. 131:211 Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1847-. (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001-2018.), by subscription, AmericanAncestors
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Felt, History of Ipswich, Essex, and Hamilton, 1834, pages 145-147, 321; Internet Archive
3. ↑ Mason, John, A Brief History of the Pequot War, 1736, Internet Archive
4. ↑ Elizabeth French, "Genealogical Research in England" (a continuing series) in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 67 (1913):248-270 at 268-269 (George Sewell); digital images, HathiTrust, for entry about child "ix. Phillippa …."
5. ↑ Luther Wait, "Ipswich Proceedings," The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 2 (1848):50-52 at 51 (Fran: Wainwright); digital images, HathiTrust, "At the generall Towne Meeting held the 19 of December 1648"; author writes, "copied from the old Books, the first list of names it contains ..."
6. ↑ The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. 85:79 Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1847-. (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001-2018.), by subscription, AmericanAncestors
7. ↑ Lucius R. Paige, "List of Freemen" (a continuing series) in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 3 (1849):239-246 at 241 (31 May 1671; ffr. Wainewright, Ips.); digital images, HathiTrust.
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} Waters, Thomas, Ipswich in the Massachusetts Bay Colony ..., 1905, pages 113-114, 246-247, Internet Archive
9. ↑ Vital Records from the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, v.7 p.77; Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014. (Compiled from articles originally published in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register.), by subscription, AmericanAncestors
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} New England Marriages to 1700. '"Torrey"', v.3 p. 1576 (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2008.) Originally published as: New England Marriages Prior to 1700. Boston, Mass.: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2015, by subscription, AmericanAncestors
11. ↑ Aspinwall, William, A volume relating to the early history of Boston : containing the Aspinwall notarial records from 1644 to 1651, 1903, page 112 FamilySearch
12. ↑ Wainewright and Wainwright births, Vital records of Ipswich, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849, 3 vols. (Salem, Mass.: The Essex institute, 1910-1919), 1:377-378; digital images, HathiTrust or by subscription, AmericanAncestors.
13. ↑ "Massachusetts State Vital Records, 1841-1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FH12-YXT : 28 December 2022), John Wainwright, 1674.
14. ↑ "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q29G-G7QN : 19 May 2022), Jacob Perkins and Sarah Wainwright, 1667; citing Marriage, Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts, United States, Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Boston; FHL microfilm 007009706.
15. ↑ Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration, Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volume VI, R-S (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2009), 273-281 (Thomas Shepard) at 278 (Jeremiah Shepard) ; digital images by subscription, AmericanAncestors, Jeremiah Shepard married by 1675 (citing "Rowley Fam 342," eldest child baptized Rowley, 2 January 1675[/6?], Mary Wainwright, referring to Wainwright's will (SPR 13:17-18) for bequest to "my daughter Mary wife of Jeremiah Sheppard."
16. ↑ New England Marriages to 1700. Torrey, v.2 p.1363 (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2008.) Originally published as: New England Marriages Prior to 1700. Boston, Mass.: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2015, by subscription, AmericanAncestors
17. ↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FHL2-KP6 : 15 January 2020), Martha Wainwright, 1658.
18. ↑ Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration, Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volume V, M-P (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2007), 540-544 (John Proctor) at 543 (son Joseph Proctor); digital images by subscription, AmericanAncestors, citing citing "ILR 5:531," Joseph Proctor married (1) by 1677 (eldest child born in Ipswich, 25 February 1677/8?), Martha Wainwright cites "SLR 13:34-36" and, referring to Wainwright's will, comments "Francis ... included a bequest to 'my daughter Martha the wife of Joseph Prockter"; Joseph married (2) after 1692, Sarah (Buckley) Ingersoll, citing "TAG 79:274-77."
19. ↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FHLP-Y93 : 15 January 2020), Symon Wainwright, 1660.
20. ↑ Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration, Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volume VII, T-Y (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2011), 516-522 (Edward Woodman) at 517; digital images by subscription, AmericanAncestors, citing "EQC 6:216-218" and relaying that on 29 November 1681, Mr. Edward Woodman was summoned to answer a complaint by Mr Francis Wainwright for "illegally marrying Symond Wainwright and Sara Gilbert against the mind and without the consent of Mr. Francis Wainwright"; court concludes the marriage was illegal ...
21. ↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FHLP-B23 : 15 January 2020), Mehittabell Wainewright, 1662.
22. ↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915", database, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FHLP-1QL : 15 January 2020), Francis Wainwright, 1664.
23. ↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915", database, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FHL5-94K : 15 January 2020), Benjamin Wainwright, 1666.
24. ↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915", database, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FHL5-SJ7 : 15 January 2020), Elizabeth Wainwright, 1668.
25. ↑ "Massachusetts Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FCMR-DJR : 17 January 2020), Francis Wainwright in entry for Phili..., 1669.
26. ↑ Francis Wainwright 1692 death, Vital records of Ipswich, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849, 3 vols. (Salem, Mass.: The Essex institute, 1910-1919), 1:377-378; digital images, HathiTrust, "[Wainwright] Francis, [sr. dup.], at Salem, May 19, 1692."
27. ↑ "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001," database with images, FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QG1K-31ZW : 18 October 2022), Francis Wainwright, 19 May 1692; citing Death, , Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Boston; FHL microfilm 007009714.
28. ↑ Massachusetts: Vital Records, 1620-1850 (Online Database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001-2016), by subscription, AmericanAncestors
29. ↑ SPR Case #1954--Francis Wainwright 1692 probate, case #1954 (5 pp.), "Suffolk County, MA: Probate File Papers"; database and digital images by subscription, AmericanAncestors
30. ↑ Francis Wainwright of Ipswich, probate case #1954 (5 pp.), "[Suffolk County, Massachusetts] Probate and Family Court Department file papers … 1636-1894," box 11:1954; digital images, FamilySearch, FSL digital collection (DGS) 102889992. image 827- of 1069, includes will dated 8 April 1692, proved 15 July 1692 at images 829-831 FamilySearch
31. ↑ "Massachusetts Land Records, 1620-1986," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89ZZ-17SM?cc=2106411&wc=MCBG-QP8%3A361613201%2C361861701 : 22 May 2014), Essex > Deeds 1701-1706 vol 16-18 > image 632 of 646; county courthouses and offices, Massachusetts.
32. ↑ New England Marriages to 1700. (Torrey v.1 p. 519) (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2008.) Originally published as: New England Marriages Prior to 1700. Boston, Mass.: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2015., by subscription, AmericanAncestors

See also:

• Early Settlers of Rowley, Massachusetts. George Brainard Blodgette and Amos Everett Jewett. 1933. Reprinted by the New England History Press, Somersworth, New Hampshire. 1981. Page 399. HathiTrust