James Warren Sr. (abt. 1620 - bef. 1702)

Born about 1620 in Berwick, Scotland [uncertain]

Descendants

Died before 24 Dec 1702 before about age 82 in Berwick, York, Maine

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Jack Wise [send private message] and Serena Stackpole [send private message]

Research Note

There is no evidence or source material posted for the marriage to Margaret Richards. There is also no evidence that Margaret Richards was the daughter of Thomas Richards as she does not appear in Anderson's The Great Migration Begins.

In addition, we lack evidence and source material to support the theory that his James Warren's father is James Cavalier.

Biography

James Warren was born in England or more likely Scotland, perhaps around 1630. His parentage and birth have not yet been discovered.

Family tradition says he was among the prisoners that Oliver Cromwell sent to New England after his victory over the royal troops at Dunbar in the north. Recently published research, after extensive study, views it as probable that he was one of the 150 Scottish prisoners exiled to Boston on the ship Unity.^[1]

The Battle of Dunbar and its Consequences for James Warren

"Having defeated the Royalists in England and Ireland and beheaded the king in 1649, (in 1650) Cromwell . . . was aroused by a new challenge. . .. The Scottish Parliament had proclaimed the youthful Prince Charles, then a fugitive at the Hague, as their king. . . . This situation created a new menace to the Commonwealth and to Cromwell . . . (who) . . . marched his army to Dunbar, a town on the east coast of Scotland just south of the Firth of Forth. . . . (The Scottish troops, under) General David Leslie, . . . outnumbered Cromwell's army, but they were undisciplined clansmen unused to war in its technical aspects. . . . (Leslie tried to attack,) descending from the heights of Lammermoor which overlooked Cromwell's camp . . . . Cromwell . . gave orders for an immediate attack in force and though greatly inferior in numbers his disciplined troops soon showed their superiority over the untrained but brave clansmen. Leslie's army was routed. . . Three thousand Scots fell in this disaster . . . , 10,000 were taken prisoner. About half of the latter were so exhausted and disabled by wounds that Cromwell immediately released them. He wrote that he had lost only twenty men in this battle and he had every reason to believe that the Lord had given him the victory.

Of the 5,000 able-bodied prisoners that marched down to Durham cathedral only 3,500 survived the march. . . . (Those) Highlanders were destined to spend an indefinate period as captives of war. Their disposition was a problem both from a sanitary and political standpoint.

An opportunity was presented to the officials of the commonwealth in London. Laborers were greatly needed in the new American colonies and on 19 Sept. 1650, sixteen days after the battle, there was an order in council passed to deliver 900 prisoners for transportation to Virginia and 150 for New England. James Warren was one of 150 survivors selected as "well and sound and free of wound" on behalf of John Becx & Co. of the Saugus Iron Works to be delivered to Augustine Walker of Charlestown master of the "Unity" which sailed 11 Nov. 1650. Sixty of the prisoners were destined for the iron works in Saugus and the remainder were distributed throughout numerous towns in Massachusetts and New Hampshire in (indentured service, for 7 or 8 years.) . . . In (the colonies) they were looked upon as aliens and their Gaelic accent was scarcely understandable."(17)

James Warren's Estate

. . . Five years later, (many of the . . . servants (were) freed and . . . granted land in Kittery. In Newichawannock between Thompson's Brook (Shorey's) and the Great Works River, James was granted land 15 Aug. 1656. He received 50 acres with 48 poles (660') fronting Cow Cove, now part of the South Berwick Vaughn Woods Memorial. In Vaughan Woods Memorial State park there is a plaque marking the home site of James and Margaret Warren. ^[2]

Before 1656, James had settled in the upper part of Kittery, Maine which is now the town of South Berwick.

"I John Daves of York have Sold to James Warren, forty Acres of Upland lying betwixt ye sd Daves Marsh & the bridge, And ye sd Warren is to have halfe ye breadth of ye fourscore Acres which ye town of York gave to the Said Daves & William More & John Harker, that is to Say halfe ye breadth by the water Side... 6. of 8. Month 1662...
John Daves
the mark of Mary MD Daves
Witness...
ffrancis Johnson
Timothy Yeales
John Penwill
Benjamin Whitney".(7)

James probably never occupied this land, however, he may have cultivated it and harvested whatever crops he planted. James retained this property for 40 years until it was bequeathed to his son Gilbert.

In his will dated 9 Feb. 1683/4, Alexander Cooper made arrangements for his only son, John: "It is my will & desire to Commit under god, both my sonn, & my estate left him untill hee come to age, unto my Loveing freinds vidzt Richard Nason Senjor, James Warrine Senior, & Peter Grant whome I leave as feofees in trust, faithfully to take Care both of my sonn & Estate, & for the Improvement & security there of, for my sonns best advantage..." (14)

Civic Activities in Kittery and Berwick

James was the Commissioner for Kittery 5 July 1664.(18) He was on the grand jury 28 Dec. 1665(3) and also 12 June 1666.(4) He was again on jury duty 19 Aug. 1668.(5) In 1670 Margaret and other Scots were admonished for using profane language and in 1674 James was bound to good behavior and was disiplined for abetting Richard Gibson.(6)

He signed a Kittery petition as a selectman 13 Apr. 1697.(8) He signed a Berwick petition again as a selectman 4 Sept. 1697(9) and another 20 May 1698 requesting £20 for the maintenance of the ministry: "whereas the circumstance of the parish of Barwick continues as bad as, or rather more grievous than hitherto by reason of the not ceasing of the wars & the extreme deadness in trading." They were granted £15 for the maintenance of the ministry for the year beginning Sept. 1698 on 2 Dec. 1698.(10) James then signed a Berwick petition for a township as a Berwick selectman 26 July 1700.(11)

Deaths and Wills

James Warren's will was dated 9 December 1700 and proved 24 December 1702. His wife Margaret was born in Ireland and her will was dated 13 December 1712 and proved 15 October 1713. ^[3]

"James Warren Senr of Barwick in Kittery... In consideration of ye Naturall affection that he beareth toward his son Gilbert Warren... Hath given.... unto his sd son Gilbert... a certain parcel of Land containing forty Acres Scituate in York near the Bridge comonly called York Bridge on ye Eastward side of that branch of York River... ye sd Gilbert... to pay yearly as long as his father or mother shall live ye Sum of thirty Shilling... And in case sd Gilbert or his heires During sd James his life or his present wifes, shall refuse to make sd paymt Sd James shall have power to reenter on thirty Acres of ye Premisses Lying together most unimproved And have as good a title as before... this twenty fifth day of March in ye year... One thousand Seven hundred and one... James X Warren, Gilbert X Warren... in ye presents of us James X Stackpole, John Wade".(16)

"In the name of god Amen: James warren Sinr of the parish of Barwick in the town of Kittrey... Do make & ordain this my last will & testement as foloweth being sick & week of bodey but in good & perfect memory Viz...

1- I do give unto my son Gilbirt warren all yt tract of land which I bought of John Davis liingy in ye town ship of York to him & to his haires forever
2- I do give unto my son James warren all my other Lands marshes medoes buldings of all sorts Liing in ye town shep of Kettrey or elce whare to him & his haires for ever
3- I do Give to my Daughter Margrat Stagpole five Shiling
4- I do Give to by Daughter Grizel five Shilings-
5- I do Give to my Grandaughter Jane Grant five Shilings
6- I do Give to my Grandson James Stacpole- one hefer & one Ewe & a young fold-
7- I do Give unto Margrat waren my loveing wife all ye rest of my of my Estate it being moveabels for her Comfertabel mantainance and no legusi before mentioned to be demanded til her decse
8- I do Constitute & Appoint My liveing wife Margrat & my son James waren to bee Executrix and Executor to this my will & testement made this ninth day of December one thousand seven hundred as wittness my hand-
James X Waren
his mark-
witnesses
Robert: X : Gray
his mark
James: A : Stacpole
his mark
Nicolas Gowen

An Invatary of the Estate of James Warren Late of Kittrey deceased
Imp: to his waring Cloathes........................... 03-00-00
to two Cows & two Hiffers of three years.... 12-00-00
to fourteen Sheep.......................................... 04-04-00
to Six Swine and Six piggs............................. 05-08-00
to the Dwelling house and the barn:
and ye home Lot of Land............................... 80-00-00
to hundred Acres of Land and ten Acres of Marsh
Lying at whits Marsh...................................... 40-00-00
to two barrels & one hogshead.......................... ( )
to one half bushel.......................................... 00-01-00
to two Brast Chaines and Apees and
one Cleaver……............................................…. 00-16-00
to tooles and old Iron..................................... 01-07-00
to Brass But Saw............................................. 00-07-00
to one barrel Sider......................................... 00-10-00
to Indian Corn................................................. 02-05-00
to A grind Stone.............................................. 00-05-00
( ) from Richard ( )........................................... 05-10-00
to two ( ) and two pichfork tynes................. 00-03-00
to Linning yarn and wooling Cotton wool
and Sheep wool:............................................ 04-10-00
to beding: and one feather bed bolster
and pillows……............................................…. 08-00-00
to four sheets:................................................. 03-00-00
to new Cloath: Linning and woling............... 02-10-00
to one brass Kittel.......................................... 02-00-00
to Hachet......................................................... 00-01-08
to forty Acres of Land by york bridg............. 30-00-00
to puter:........................................................... 01-06-00
to Spoones: woodin Trayes A ( )......................... 03-00
to one Iron Kittel one pott one fryen pan one skillet
one tramel A pare of pot Hoks..................... 01-01-00
to one Hamer one trowel pare of fire tongs: and som old
Iron and A pare of pincers............................ 00-06-00
to A Chamber pot and: eight pounds flax... 00-05-06
to four bushels pase:six bushels barley
and A Cooler….............................................…. 02-01-00
to A barel and: half of beef............................ 02-10-00
to A ( )............................................................... 00-08-00
to money:........................................................ 11-16-04
to one bushel mault: one bushel Sault........ 00-06-00
to two Chests.................................................. 00-04-00
Aprised December:ye:15:1702
Peter Grant
his O mark
William Goodin"(12)^[4]

In the will of James & Margaret's grandson, James Stackpole, dated 11 Nov. 1706 is the following:
"Item. I Give and bequeath unto my Honoured father James Stagpole... a piece of Broad Cloath of two yards, three quarters with the lineing and triming belonging thereunto left in the Custody of my Grandmother Magaret Warrin, and also Seaven yards & halfe of homespun drest wolen Cloth, and also all the Wages due to me from the Province as a Souldiar in her Majts Service.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my Uncle James Warrin, my young horse bridle and sadle..." (15)

Children of James and Margaret Warren

James and Margaret had, in Maine:^{[3] [5][6]}

• Gilbert, b. about 1654 in York; d. 1733; m. at Kittery by 1698, SARAH (EMERY) THOMPSON.
• James, b. 1658 in York; d. in Berwick about 1725; m. at Kittery 1 Nov 1691, MARY FOST/FOSS.
• Margaret, b. about 1660 in York; d. about 1748; m., JAMES STACPOLE Sr (Later Stackpole).
• Grizel, aka Marie Madeline b. 6 Mar 1662 in York; d. about 1750 in Canada; m. (1)RICHARD OTHEYS/OTIS. m. (2) at Montreal, 15 Oct 1693 PHILIP ROBITAILE.
• Jane, b. about 1664 in York; d. about 1695; m. on 4 Aug 1690, WILLIAM GRANT, son of Peter Grant, another Dunbar prisoner, and Johanna/Joan ______.

Sources

1. ↑ Scottish Prisoners of War Society, citing Gerrard, Christopher M.., et al. Lost Lives, New Voices: Unlocking the Stories of the Scottish Soldiers at the Battle of Dunbar 1650. (Oxbow Books, 2018), p. 252.
2. ↑ Maine Trail Finder. Vaughan Memorial State Park Maine Trail Finder
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Warren Orin. Warren; a genealogy of the descendants of James Warren who was in Kittery, Maine, 1652-1656; Haverhill, Mass., The Chase press, 1902. Archive.org
4. ↑ York County, Maine Probate Records, No. 1, 1687-1707, database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89JS-L9Z4-8  : 6 April 2021), FHL microfilm 007600380, image 96-98. Difficult to read. Adjust image using tools.
5. ↑ Stackpole, Everett Schermerhorn. History and Genealogy of the Stackpole Family. Lewiston, Me., Journal Printshop and Bindery, 1920, p. 61,
6. ↑ New England Marriages to 1700. (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.

• (3) York Co. Court Records- Vol. III, p. 42
• (4) Ibid- p. 54
• (5) Ibid- Vol. IV, p.61
• (6) Genealogical Dictionary of Maine & New Hampshire- p.721
• (7) York Deeds- Vol. IV, fol.159
• (8) Mass. Archives- Vol.3, pp.385-6
• (9) Ibid- Vol.11, pp.125-125a
• (10) Ibid- p.127a
• (11) Ibid- Vol.3, p.394a
• (12) York Co. Probate- I, 85
• (13) Ibid- II, 66
• (14) Maine Wills- p. 77, quoting York County Deeds- Vol. V, fol. 27
• (15) Ibid- pp. 148-9, quoting York County Probate- Vol. I, fol. 130
• (16) York Deeds- Vol. VI, fol. 97
• (17) History of York, Maine- Banks, Vol. I, pp. 206-9
• (18) York Co. Court Records- Vol. II, p. 205

• Warren,Orin A Genealogy of the Descendants of James Warren (Warren, Haverhill, Massachusetts, 1902)
• Stackpole, Everett S. A History and Genealogy of the Stackpole Family (Stackpole, Lewiston, Maine, c1899)- pp.61-2
• Adriel Warren of Berwick, ME: His Forebears and Descendants- Vanetta Hosford Warren, Boston, 1969
• Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society- Vol. LXI, pp.16-29

See also:

• Yates Publishing, U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004), Ancestry.com, Source number: 755.001; Source type: Pedigree chart; Number of Pages: 5. Record for James Warren.

• Cutter, William. Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of the State of Massachusetts (Lewis Historical Pub. Co., Massachusetts, 1910), Volume 4. Lewis historical publishing Company, 1910 - Massachusetts, p 2637.

• Cutter, William. Genealogical and Family History of Western New York (Lewis Historical Publishing Co., New York, 1912) - New York. p. 136

Acknowledgement

This profile was created through the import of MASTER2011WIKITREE.GED on 27 January 2011.