Francis Champernowne (bef. 1614 - 1687)

Born before 16 Oct 1614 in Dartington, Devon, England

Ancestors

Husband of Mary (Hall) Cutts — married after 18 Jun 1674 in Province of Maine

Died 1687 after age 72 in Champernowne's Island, Maine, Dominion of New England

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Francis Champernowne migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). (See The Directory, by R. C. Anderson, p. 60) Join: Puritan Great Migration Project Discuss: pgm

Biography

Francis Champernowne was born about 1614 and baptized 16 October 1614 at St. Mary’s Church in Dartington, Devon, England, the son of Arthur Champernowne and Bridget Fulford. ^[1] He was related to Sir Humphrey Gilbert and Sir Walter Raleigh. ^[2]

Around 1639, he arrived in the Province of Maine, purchased a farm, and built a house “in the Swamscot, or Hilton Patent, in what is now Greenland.” He lived there with occasional absences until July 1657, then selling and likely moving to Kittery, Maine. ^[3]

In March 1647/8, “At a Maine Provincial Court held at Pacataquack,” he sued Mr. John Treworgy of Mr. Willim Paynes of Ipswich.^[4]

“By 1682, after 1674”, he married, in Maine, Massachusetts Bay Colony, Mary (Hole/Hoel), widow of Robert Cutts, no children.^[5][6]

His will was dated 16 Nov 1686, leaving the home to his wife and her daughter, Elizabeth, the wife of Humphrey Elliot. Champernowne's island, now known as Cutts, was conveyed to his wife's son, Richard Cutts.^[6][7]

He died in early 1687, at age 73, and was buried in Kittery, Maine, Dominion of New England, once called Champernowne's Island.^[6]

Often joining with others, he contended strongly throughout his life with the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay pursuing the separation of New Hampshire and Maine from the Massachusetts Bay Colony.^[6]

Research Notes

His will, sworn to 28 Dec 1687, and recorded 18 Aug 1698, also mentions:

• daughter-in-law Bridget Scriven
• daughter-in-law Mary Cutt
• daughter-in-law Sarah Cutt
• servant maid Elizabeth Small
• grand-child Champernoun Elliot, son of Humphrey Elliot

Sources

1. ↑ Baptism: "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch Record: NBSQ-68Z (accessed 31 March 2023),
2. ↑ “Report and Transactions of the Devonshire Association for the Advancement of Science, Literature, Art.” [Exeter, July-August], 1901, Vol. XXXIII, Plymouth: W.Brendon and Son, Printers, President’s Address, p. 56, Online at: Google Books.
3. ↑ “Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society : Containing Province Records and Court Papers from 1680 to 1692, Notices of Provincial Councilors, and Other Articles Relative to the Early History of the State : New Hampshire Historical Society.” Internet Archive. Concord, Mass. : Printed for the Society by McFarland & Jenks, January 1, 1866. Online at: Archive.org.
4. ↑ “Records of the Courts of the Province of Maine.” Vol 1, Book A, 1636-1671 (transcribed copy). pps. 105-106. FHL Film #005654542, images 111-112. Online at: familysearch.org,” (contributed by Chase Ashley)
5. ↑ Torry, Clarence A. “New England Marriages Prior to 1700.” Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2004. Online at: Ancestry.com.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3} Tuttle, Charles Wesley. “Capt. Francis Champernowne, the Dutch Conquest of Acadie, and Other Historical Papers.” [Microform]. Internet Archive. [Boston? : s.n.], January 1, 1889. pps. 120-122. Online at: Archive.org.
7. ↑ York County, Maine Probate Records, No. 1, 1687-1707, database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89JS-L9ZS-2  : 6 April 2021), FHL microfilm 007600380, image 65-67.

See also:

• Montgomery, Gabrielle Montgomery. “Eldon R. Loomis:Information about Arthur Champernowne.” Online at: Genealogy.com.
• The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. Volume 28 1874 By Albert H Hoyt NEHGS Staff, New England Historic Genealogical Society Staff. pps. 81-82. Online at: Google Books.
• Find A Grave: Memorial #97541497: Cutts Island Cemetery, Kittery, York, Maine
• Sargent, William. Maine Wills, 1640-1760 (Brown Thurston & Co., Portland, 1887) Page 121-23.

Acknowledgments

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