Walter Palmer (abt. 1589 - 1661)

Born about 1589 in Frampton, Dorset, England [uncertain]

Husband of Unknown (UNKNOWN) Palmer — married before 1614 (to before 1629) in England

Husband of Rebecca (Short) Palmer — married before 1 Jun 1633 in Charlestown, Suffolk County, Massachusetts

Descendants

Died 20 Nov 1661 at about age 72 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut Colony

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Puritan Great Migration Project WikiTree [send private message], Lamar Ross [send private message], Rick Parrott [send private message], and Anne Baker [send private message]

Walter Palmer migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). (See Great Migration Begins, by R. C. Anderson, Vol. 3, p. 1379) Join: Puritan Great Migration Project Discuss: pgm

NOTE: Do not merge the Palmer family of Duxbury with this Palmer family of Stonington.

Disputed Origins

There are Internet family trees claiming that Walter Palmer was born in 1585 in Parham, Somerset, the son of William or John Palmer and Elizabeth Verney. There is no known evidence to support this claim.

There is a counter supposition that Walter Palmer, "probably the son of Walter and Elizabeth (Carter) Palmer was likely born in the village of Yetminster, Dorsetshire, England sometime around 1585."^[1] Apparently, the Palmer Family Association follows this theory.^{[citation needed]} Perry Streeter, in 2020, debunked the Yetminster origins and proposed the more likely Frampton as Walter's place of origins without identifying a specific set of parents.^[2]

In addition, to quote from this G2G thread: The book "Walter Palmer of Charlestown and Rehoboth, Massachusetts and Stonington, Connecticut (1986) ... agreed with Col. Charles Edward Banks' 1930's conclusion that Walter was likely a rural dairy farmer, after rejecting claims that he was the son of a Sir Thomas Palmer.... This book is refuting a different set of parents from what the Walter Palmer Society suggests is probable."

Some believe his family was connected to Sir Anthony Palmer - others believe John Palmer of Angmering may be Walter's ancestry. Many records needed for proof have been destroyed or are missing and any records discovered have probably disproved any possibilities.

For interested researchers continuing to link Walter to the John Palmer of Parham family, we have added a " PALMER MYTH " connection from John's family to the Walter Palmer now considered to be Walter's father. However, the Walter Palmer family of Stonington IS NOT FROM THE PARHAM AND ANGMERING PALMER FAMILY.

A previous version of this profile claimed, without source, that he was son of "John William" Palmer and Elizabeth Wheere. They have been detached.

Please use the attached G2G discussion thread to discuss evidence for his origins.

Disputed First Wife

While it is believed he had a wife (or wives) prior to his marriage to Rebecca Short in 1633, there is no evidence of the name of the earlier wife.

Please use the attached G2G discussion thread to discuss evidence for his wives.

Biography

Birth

There are many claims about his origins; Anderson estimates 1589 based on marriage date; location unknown.^[3] His Find-A-Grave memorial claims October 1585, but only the birth year (not month) is legible on the photograph of the stone.^[4]

Until more recent research reveals a more specific date, location and parents, WikiTree's Puritan Great Migration Project follows Anderson.

Unproven, possibly discredited, birth information includes

• 1585, Somerset County, England
• 1587, Parham, Somerset, England
• OCT 1590, Somerset, Yetminster Parish, England
• Christening: 09 OCT 1590, Moorlinch, Somerset, England

Emigration

Based on his presence in Massachusetts in 1629, it is believed he was on one of the six ships that came to Massachusetts in 1629 with 350 individuals, but it is not known on which ship.

Some claim he sailed on the Four Sisters.^[5]

Anderson names no ship at all.^[3]

“Now in this year 1629, a great company of people (The Higginson Fleet) of good rank, zeal, means and quality have made a great stock, and with six good ships in the months of April and May, they set sail from Thames for the Bay of the Massachusetts, otherwise called Charles River. The fleet consisted of, the George Bonaventure of twenty pieces of ordnance; the Talbot nineteen; the Lion’s Whelp eight; the Mayflower fourteen; the Four sisters fourteen and the Pilgrim four, with 350 men women and children, also 115 head of cattle, as horses, mares, cows and oxen, 41 goats, some conies (rabbits), with all provision for household and apparel, 6 pieces of great ordnance for a fort, with muskets, pikes, corselets, drums, colors, and with all provisions necessary for a plantation for the good of man.” ^[6]

Residences in New England

Salem Harbor and Charlestown

Walter disembarked at Salem Harbor in 1629 and resided Charlestown.^[7] He is listed as a Founder.^{[citation needed]}

Rehoboth

He removed to Rehoboth, 1644^[8] and is listed as a Founder.^{[citation needed]}

Rehoboth consisted of the "Ring of Green" ^[9] whose southern border was the Ten Mile River. Walter Palmer's property was South of the Ten Mile River connected to the "Ring of the Green" by "Palmer's Bridge". Some accounts mention that William Cheesbourough and Walter Palmer were there originally.

Rehoboth Ring of the Green Map

Stonington

Lastly, he removed to Stonington in 1653^[10] where he lived out his life. He is listed as a Founder.

Manslaughter Charges

On September 28, 1630 there was recorded a "Jury called to hold an inquest on the body of Austine Bratcher." It found

"that the strokes given by Walter Palmer, were occasionally the means of the death of Austin Bratcher, and so to be manslaughter. Mr. Palmer made his psonall appearance this day (October 19, 1630) & stands bound, hee & his sureties, till the nexte court."

At a court session of "a court of assistants, holden att Boston, November 9th 1630" numerous matters were taken up and disposed of, including the trial of Walter Palmer and one other item of interest: "it is ordered, that Rich. Diffy, servt. To Sr. Richard Saltonstall, shal be whipped for his misdemeanr toward his maister."

"A Jury impannell for the tryall of Walter Palmer, concerning the death of Austin Bratcher: Mr. Edmond Lockwood, Rich: Morris, Willm Rockewell, Willm Balston, Christopher Conant, Willm Cheesebrough, Willm Phelpes, John Page, Willm Gallard, John Balshe, John Hoskins, Laurence Leach, /The jury findes Walter Palmer not guilty of manslaughter, whereof hee stoode indicted, & soe the court acquitts him." ^{[citation needed]}

The above is the first discovered reference to William Chesebrough, one of Walter's closest friends.

Occupation and Public Life

Walter was a Farmer and Dairyman.

Walter became very prominent in the affairs of Charlestown, holding public office and is listed among the first group of men who took the Oath of Freeman of Massachusetts Bay Colony, Community of Charlestown (sic) on May 18, 1631. The original list included, "Mr. Roger Conant, John Balche, Ralfe Sprage, Simon Hoyte, Rick: Sprage, Walt (Walter) Palmer, Abraham Palmer, Mr Rich: Saltonstall, Rich: Stower, Czekiell Richardson, Wm Cheesebrough. ^[3]

Wives

Walter apparently had a wife or wives before coming to the Americas, her/their names are not yet known.

Walter's second wife was Rebecca Short as follows:

Reverend Eliot's records of the Roxbury First Church state: "Rebeckah Short, a maide srvant, she came in the yeare 1632 and was married to Walter Palmer a Godly man of Charlestown Church." Their marriage date 1 June 1633 is the same date Walter and Rebecca were admitted to the Church of Charlestown. ^[11]

Death

Walter died 10 Nov 1661 (Julian, equal to 11-20-1661 (Gregorian) at Stonington, ^[3] New London, Connecticut and is buried in Wequetequock Burial Ground, Stonington, New London, Connecticut.^[12][13]

Children

Palmer's will ^[14] identified 11 children; a twelfth, Elizabeth Palmer-69, was proved by the Diary of Thomas Minor. The seven children listed below were by wife Rebecca since the first 5 of those 7 were baptized sequentially at Charlestown 1 or more years after Rebecca married Walter. Children Gershom and Rebecca must have been born at Rehoboth. Children Grace, John, William and Jonas named by the testator were evidently older and thus by a different wife, name unknown.
<With wife Rebecca:

1. Hannah (1634-1681)
2. Elihu (1635-1665)
3. Nehemiah (1637-1717)
4. Moses (1640-1701)
5. Benjamin (1642-1715)
6. Gershom (1644-1718)
7. Rebecca (1647-1713)

Research Notes

Arms. A crest of arms has been associated with him:^[15]

Arms -- Or, two bars gules, each charged with three trefoils slipped vert, in chief 2 greyhound courant sable.

Crest -- A demi-panther rampant guardant, flames issuing from ears and mouth proper, supporting a palm branch.

Motto -- Palma virtuti.

Brother? Some say he came over with a brother Abraham Palmer:^[16]

WALTER Palmer, the progenitor of the family of his name, who first settled in Charlestown, came to New England as early as 1628, with his brother, Abraham Palmer, a merchant of London, England, and nine associates.

Other claims include Walter was a large man -- it was said he was 6' 5", weighing 200 to 300 lbs. ^[17]

Sources

1. ↑ The Palmer family of Long Island
2. ↑ Perry Streeter, "Walter Palmer of the Great Migration: Probable Origins in Frampton, Dorset," in New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 174 (Winter 2020):21–25, Link
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3} Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-1633, Volumes I-III. Walter Palmer
4. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #7158495 - Wequetequock Burial Ground, Stonington, New London, Connecticut
5. ↑ Anne Stevens, The Four Sisters (PackratPro).
6. ↑ The True Travels, Adventures and Observations of Captain John Smith - London 1630
7. ↑ Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-1633, Volumes I-III, 3 vols., paginated consecutively (1995), 1379-1383 (Walter Palmer), at 1379; digital images by subscription, AmericanAncestors.
8. ↑ Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-1633, Volumes I-III, 3 vols., paginated consecutively (1995), 1379-1383 (Walter Palmer), at 1379; digital images by subscription, American Ancestors.
9. ↑ Rehoboth Ring of the Green Map “Historic Bus Tour 2016: A map of the “Ring of the Green,” the original town center of Rehoboth, now located in Rumford, RI. “, Rehoboth Antiquarian Society Newsletter, March 2016, pp 3-4, original image accessed 25 Oct 2018 has been removed from the internet.
10. ↑ Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-1633, Volumes I-III, 3 vols., paginated consecutively (1995), 1379-1383 (Walter Palmer), at 1379; digital images by subscription, Hathi Trust.
11. ↑ I have seen a true copy of Reverend Eliot's record - Al Butchino; better source sought.
12. ↑ Minor, Thomas. Diary Of Thomas Minor, Stonington Connecticut, 1653 to 1684 (The Day Publishing Co., Conn., 1899) page 47 cited in GMB
13. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #7158495 - Wequetequock Burial Ground, Stonington, New London, Connecticut
14. ↑ Leavitt, Emily W., Groups of Palmer Families from Walter Palmer of Charleston and .... pp. 10-14 (1901), printed privately, available oniine
15. ↑ page 378, Volume of Colonial Families of the United States of America
16. ↑ Richard Anson Wheeler, "History of Stonington, Connecticut, 1649 - 1900", (Press of The Day Publishing Company,1900); link.
17. ↑ Haynes, William, Stonington Chronology 1649-1949 p. 12 (Pequot Press 1949)

See also:

• Derbyshire, England, Extracted Parish Records, Author: Ancestry.com Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2001. Original data - Electronic databases created from various publications of parish and probate records.
• Massachusetts Applications of Freemen, 1630-91, Author: Ancestry.com Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2000.Original data - Paige, Lucius R.. List of Freemen of Massachusetts. Boston, MA, USA: New England Historical and Genealogical Society, 1849.
• Connecticut Deaths and Burials Index, 1650-1934
• Find A Grave: Memorial #7158495
• Filby, P. William. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s (Gale Research, Farmington Hills, MI, USA, 2012)
• American Genealogical-Biographical Index, Godfrey Memorial Library, Middletown, CT, USA
• Ancestral File Number: 19PX-6NT
• Baldwin, John D. (1880). A Record of the descendants of John Baldwin of Stonington, Conn.: with notice of other Baldwins who settled in America in early colony times. Printed by Tyler and Seagrave, Worcester, Mass. (pg 13)
• Jackson, Ronald V., Accelerated Indexing Systems, comp. Massachusetts Census, 1790-1890 (Ancestry.com Operations Inc, Provo, UT, USA, 1999). Microfilmed schedules of the U.S. Federal Decennial Census, territorial/state censuses, and/or census substitutes.
• Family Search - needs more detail
• Early Families of New England, 2013. New England Historic Genealogical Society; Alicia Crane Williams, Lead Genealogist. Membership required. George Denison (m.1640)
• Palmer Palmer Surname Message Board (Ancestry.com)
• Walter Palmer (Puritan), Wikipedia
• Grow, William B. (1816-1913), "Eighty-five years of life and labor." Carbondale PA: Grow, William B, 1902), page 6-8
• Parsons, Gerald James, The Palmer family: Ancestors and descendants of Othniel Palmer (1743-c1798) revolutionary soldier of Stonington, Conn., and Saratoga and Cayuga Counties, N.Y. (Syracuse NY: Self-published, 1978; rev. 1985) ASIN: B0007BW5LE.
  • Walter Palmer (d.1661) immigrated about 1629 from England to Charleston, Massachusetts, married twice, and moved to Stonington, Connecticut. Othniel Palmer (1742/1743-ca. 1798), direct descendant in the fifth generation, married Silence Stevens, and moved from Rhode Island to Connecticut to Massachusetts, and then to Cayuga County, New York. Descendants and relatives lived in New England, New York, Indiana, Illinois and elsewhere.
• Streeter, Perry. Walter¹ Palmer of the Great Migration: Probable Origins in Frampton, Dorset, The New England Historical & Genealogical Register (NEHGS, Boston, Mass., Winter 2020) Vol. 174, WN 693, Page 21.