Sarah Shearman's Ancestors |
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Philip Shearman was baptized on February 5, 1610/11 at St Mary the Virgin Church in Dedham, Essex, England, the last of seven children born to parents Philipp and Samuel Shearman. He was well educated, as he could read and write upon arrival in the New World. In the book, The Sherman Family, Rev. David Sherman tells us that in 1634 he emigrated to New England, and settled in Roxbury, Massachusetts. But in the Rev. John Eliot's Record of Church Members, Roxbury, Eliot states that Philip came into the Land in the yeare 1623. Being that he became a Freeman on May 14 , 1634, he probably arrived just a few years prior, 1632/3, as Thomas Townsend Sherman, suggests in his Sherman Genealogy book. Shortly, after his arrival, he married Sarah Odding, probably in 1634, in the Roxbury Church (see her bio for their children). She was the step-daughter of John Porter, who had a great influence on Philip against the current church practices. They were among those who broke from the Roxbury church, following the dissident minister, Reverend John Wheelwright and his sister-in-law Anne Hutchinson during what is known as the Antinomian Controversy or the Free Grace Controversy. Rev. John Eliot's Record continues his entry above with a description of Philip and of what happened: “a single man, & after married Sarah Odding, the daughter o the wife of John Porter by a former husband. this man was of a melancholy temp, he lived honestly & comfortably among us severall years. upon a just calling went for England & returned againe wh a blessing: But after his fathr in Law John Porter was so caryed away wh these opinions of familisme & siszme he followed them & removed h them to the Iland, he behaved himselfe sinfully in these matters (as may appeare in the story) & was cast out of the church.” (It is believed that Philip returned to England for a short time in 1635, but for what reason is not known.) The government and laws, at that time, were based on Puritan beliefs of predestination, a covenant of grace-a person was chosen at birth either to receive God's grace of eternal life or to suffer the fiery torment of the pit. Thus to show they were one of the chosen, strict dress codes and conduct were enforced. The History Project’s website tells us that “Hutchinson and her followers believed that until a person had a direct religious experience with God, he or she could not know if they were saved, Thus, for Hutchinson, an inner experience replaced the outward appearance used by Puritan ministers to judge the saintliness of their flocks. One ramification directly followed from Hutchinson's position. If a person knew he or she were saved, then outward appearance and conformity with laws were not necessary.” (The term antinomian literally means one who is against the law.) The Records of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay in New England tells us that on November 21, 1637, Philip was among those to be disarmed, who had to hand over all guns, In volume 1 of the History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, we learn that by 1639, Philip was one of the seven assistants chosen “for the help and ease of conducting public business and affairs, and to lay out lands” and that “These officers were constituted a court for settling any dispute involving less than forty shillings.” This assignment lasted for many years and he is referred to in the records as Judge Sherman. In May of 1648 Philip was chosen as the first General Recorder, what we call a secretary today, and served in this roll until 1651. From 1649 to 1656, he also served as Town Clerk and sat on the Portsmouth Town Council until 1657 and again in the 1670’s. James T. Holmes in his book, The American Family of Rev. Obadiah Holmes, states that “During the devastating events of King Philip's War (1675-1678), the Rhode Island General Assembly sought the counsel of 16 prominent citizens of the colony with the following resolution, ‘Voted that in these troublesome times and straites in this Collony, this Assembly desiringe to have the advice and concurrance of the most juditious inhabitants, if it may be had for the good of the whole, doe desire at their next sittinge the Company and Councill of [the following]…’” Philip was one of the signers of this document. Philip wrote his will on July 31, 1681, it reads as follows (text is from various sites): “In the name of God Amen, I Philip Shearman, yeoman, aged seventy-one years, of the Town of Portsmouth in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in New England, being of good memory, praise be therefor given to Almighty God, do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in the manner and form following: (that is to say); first and principally I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God and my body to the earth to be decently buried by my executor hereafter named. And as for the disposition of my wordly estate, it is in manner and form following; first I give to Sarah my loving wife the use and her dwelling in the first room at the west end of my now dwelling house & the bed and bedding with the furniture thereto belonging now standing in the aforenamed room. Also I do hereby ordaine and appoint my son Samuel my sole Executor to see this my last will and testament truly performed; and to bind himself, heirs, Executors and Administrators for the true performance hereof; furthermore my will is that my executor shall sufficiently maintain my loving wife with food and raiment and all necessaries whatsoever during her natual life and at her decease decently to bury her; furthermore I do give unto Sarah my wife ten good ewe sheep to be marked out of my flock for the sole use and dispose both of bodies and wool yearly. wch said number shall be kept by my said Executor during the natural life of Sarah my said wife freely and without any charge to my wife. Item: I do give unto Eber my Eldest son that which I have already given him, ten acres of land in the bounds of Portsmouth aforesaid at a place called Briggs swamp joining to a parcel of land of his own to him and his heirs forever. And all my horse flesh in the Narragansett country excepting one mare, the second best; such excepted mare, I give to Thomas Mumford and Peleg Mumford my Grand children. Item: I give unto my son Peleg five ewe sheep. Item: I give unto to my son Edmund a quarter share of meadow and sixteenth part of a share of upland lying in Ponagansett within the Township of Dartmouth in the colony of New Plymouth in New England with all the privileges there tobelonging or any wards appertaining. And also my whole right in the purchase of Squamscutt now called Westerly by the Collony to the said Edmund and his heirs. Item: I give unto my son Samson after the decease of my said wife his half of the breadth of my farm wch I now dwell upon from the westward end to the sea and three Rood more in breadth of the whole length of the aforesaid land and bounded southward upon a straight line Eastward from the south west corner of that orchard now called Sampson's upon a straight line to a lande marke about a rood short of the cart way that goes from my dwelling house to my barn in Portsmouth aforsaid. And from the said land marke upon a sloap line five Rood westwardly of my barn until it comes to the line of the aforesaid half-breadth of the aforesaid farm to him and his heires forever and to have the third part of any hay and grass yearly of the aforesaid farm. And my son Sampson and my son Samuel to have equal privileges in the arible land of the aforesaid farm during the natual life of Sarah my wife. Item: I give unto my son Samuel all the remaining part of my aforesaid farm with my now dwelling house and all the other buildings upon the said part of the land lying southward of the other part of my farm now given to my son Samson as aforesaid to him and his heirs forever after the decease of Sarah my wife and to have two parts of the grass and the hay during the natural life of Sarah my wife. Item: All my neat cattle, hors kind, sheep kind and swine I do give unto my son Samuel aforenamed Executor, (excepting two oxen and a fatting cow.) And also all my moveable goods (Excepting two great chests with lock and key to each of them, which said chests I give unto Sarah my wife) he my aforesaid executor paying the several legacies herein this my will specified both the aforementioned and what shall hereafter be exprest in this my will. Item: All my neat cattle, hors kind, sheep kind and swine I do give unto my son Samuel aforenamed Executor, (excepting two oxen and a fatting cow.) And also all my moveable goods (Excepting two great chests with lock and key to each of them, which said chests I give unto Sarah my wife) he my aforesaid executor paying the several legacies herein this my will specified both the aforementioned and what shall hereafter be exprest in this my will. Item: I give unto my son Samson aforenamed one white faced mare with her foale and all those four Indians wch we jointly bought. Item: I give unto my son Samson and my son Samuel my draught horse and two draught steers equally betwixt them. Item: I give unto my son John my bay mare. Item: I give unto my son Benjamin all the remaining part of my land at Briggs' Swamp whereupon the said Benjamin's house now stands, being by estimation twentie acres be the same more or less to him and his heires forever. Item: I give unto my daughter Sarah ten ewe sheep to be paid her the year after my decease. Item: I give unto my daughter Mary ten ewe sheep to be paid her the year after my decease. Item: I give unto my daughter Hannah five pounds of New England silver money for the proper use of her selfe and children to be paid the year after my decease. Item: I give unto my daughter Hannah five ewe sheep to be paid to her the year after my decease. Item: I give unto my daughter Philip ten ewe sheep to be paid to her the year after my decease. Item: I give Benjamin Clarke to my son Edmund until he comes of age of one & twenty years, the said Edmund finding the said Benjamin with sufficient food and clothing during the terme aforesaid. Item: I the abovesaid Philip Shearman do ordain and appoint this to be my last will and testament, making void all former wills and testaments heretofore by me made. In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seal this one and thirtyeth day of the month commonly called July, Anno Domini one thousand six hundred and Eightie one. Philip Shearman (Seal) Before the signing and sealing of this my will and testament, I the aforesaid Philip Shearman do declare that whereas the word Assigns is omitted in the giving of the several parcels of land to my children: That it is my true intent and meaning that I do give the said several parcels of land specified in my above written will to my children to their heires and Assigns forever. Signed and sealed in the presence of Job Almy, Philip Phettiplace, & Elias Williams. Philip’s will was proved on March 22, 1686/7 and is recorded on page 260 of Land Evidence, 2nd Book, No. 1, Town of Portsmouth, R.I. (SG p180; DPS p26). Although some researchers claim there wasn’t an inventory in his estate papers, Robert Charles Anderson in his Great Migration Begins states, “The inventory of the estate of Philip Sherman dated 19 March 1686/7, and totaled £100, with no real estate included. [Portsmouth Scrapbook 17].” |
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Sarah Odding was born to Margaret and William Oddyn, probably about 1610, in Braintree, Essex, England. (Her surname Oddyn became Odding in New England.) Her mother’s maiden name is unknown, but Sarah and her mother are mentioned in her father’s will dated October 21, 1612. What is certain is that she was under the age of 21 when he wrote his will, so her birth year is just an estimate. Sarah’s father died that same year, and her mother remarried, so she was raised by her step-father, John Porter.
There are no records that confirm Sarah’s death date, but some researchers say she died in 1681. What is certain, is that she was alive on July 31, 1681, the date her husband wrote his will and included her name in it. She most likely died in Portsmouth, and may be buried on their land or in the Portsmouth Friends Churchyard. |
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Samuel Shearman was baptized on January 11, 1572/73, at St Mary the Virgin Church, in Dedham, Essex County, England, the third of at least twelve children born to Susan Lawrance and Henry Shearman. He was well educated and worked as a clothier in Dedham. He was the last Shearman in our line to live his whole life in England. Samuel married Philipp about 1597, possibly in Colchester, but not in Dedham, as no record of their marriage exists in the Dedham registers. They had at least seven children together (see Philipp’s bio for details). In the Dedham Manor Court Rolls (Duchy of Lancaster Court Rolls) we find that at a Court held at Dedham, on the day of Samuel’s first child’s baptism, October 2, 1599, his father, Henry and George Cole, “surrender to the use of Samuel Sherman and heirs, the third part of one parcel of land called Pepers field, containing 3 acres, which they took at a Court here holden 4 October 1591, on the surrender of John Wrenck.” Samuel was mentioned in his grandfather Henry Sherman’s will dated January 20, 1590; in wills of his father and mother; in the will of his brother Nathaniel Sherman dated January 13, 1615; and he shared overseer duties with his father Henry in the will of Simon Fenn, his sister Phebe’s husband, dated Jan. 16, 1609. The family must have spent part of their lives on Samuel’s property in Ardleigh, which was about 2 1/2 miles southwest of Dedham, as when he wrote his will he stated Samuel Sherman of Dedham & Ardley, but he crossed out the word Dedham in the handwritten copy that is available from the Essex Record Office. (Mouse over image right.) His will was dated January 20, 1615/16, and it reads as follows (text is from both the handwritten copy and on-line versions-format added): “In the name of God Amen the twenty daye of January anno domini, 1615, I Samuel Sherman of First & principallie, I give & bequeath my soule into the handes of almithtie god my maker & to Jesus Christe, my most mercifull redeemer praying assuredly to have pardon & remission of all my sins through his death & bludshedding & to enjoye a joyfull resurrection. And my body to be buried where it pleases God to call. And touching that earthly substance wch it hath pleased god to bestowe on me, I doe will & devise in manner followinge, that is to say: I doe give & devise unto Philipp my well beloved wife all my landes, tenements, houses, edifices, buildings, yardes orchards, gardens wth the appurtenances whatsoever, both free copy or customary sette, lying & being within the parishe of Dedham, in the countie of Essex, or elsewhere, to have & to holde to her the said Philipp & her assigns for & during her natural life, for such endes & purposes as are here after expressed in this my will. Item: I give & devise to Henry, my sonne all that my copieholde or customary messuage called Hardinges in Dedham afforesaide wth the houses & barnes, yards, orchards, & gardens where Thomas Cole now dwelleth, together wth twoe acres of lande belonging & neere adjoining unto the same mesuages lying on the northe side thereof & twoe fieldes, parcel of the sayde tenement, Hardings, one of them lying next the heath caled Dedham Heath containing by estimation foure acres and the other lying betwene the last recited fields & a close or fielde called Poppes field containing likewise by estimation foure acres more or lesse to have & to hold the saide messuage, landes & buildings & other the premisses wth their appurtenances with the parcells of lande above devised to the sayde Henry, my sonne, to the sayde Henry & his heirs for ever from & after the decease of the said Philipp, my wife. I give and bequeath unto Phillipp, my sonne, and to Samuel my sonne after the decease of my sayde wife, all that messuage or dwelling house wch was sometyme John Wrenches where I late dwelt in Dedham afforesaide wth all the houses, edifices & buildings, yardes & gardens, barnes, & outhouses wth their appurts to have and to hold to them the sayde Phillipp & Samuel, their heyres & assigns, for ever. I will & bequeath to Mary & Martha, my daughters to eyther of them the sum of X £4, of lawful English moneye, when they shall accomplish their ages of XXI yeres. And I will & bequeath further unto the sayde Philipp my wife, all those my goodes & cattalls, householde stuffe moveable & unmoveable, corn, cattell, money, plate & leases whatsoever the better to enable her (wth the profit of the sayde landes & tenements beforementioned) to paye my debtes my legaceys & to bring up my sayde children in good & decent manner. But if it should happen the sayde Philipp my wife to depart this life before all the sayde children shall accomplishe the full age of XXII yeres, that then I will my other executor mentioned in this will shall enter uppon all suche landes, tenements & hereditaments as those children should have & enjoye (by virtue of this my will) whiche at the tyme of the decease of the sayde Philipp, my wife have not accomplished theyre sayde ages of XXII yeres. And my sayde other executor to hold & enjoye the same & take the issues & profits of them & every of them until they, my children shall severally come to their sayde ages of XXII years for the better perforamce of this will & bringing up of so many of my sayde children, as shall be then under the sayde age of XXII yeres. And of this my presente last will & testament I make and ordeyne the sayde Philipp my wife & John Uppeheire of Dedham, my brother in lawe, my executors, whome I desire to see this my will performed in all thinges as I have reposed my trust in them. I give to the poor of Ardley XVs. Item: To Mr John Rogers, of Dedham XXs to be payde & delivered to them by my executors wth in convenient time after my decease. In witness whereof hereunto I have sett my hande & seale & do publishe this for my last will & testament, revoking all former wills whatsoever in the presence of us-- Rob't Warde, Henry Sharman, John Ward, Ezekiel Sherman, George Hudson. I do allso appoynte my wellbeloved friend, Nathaniel Hecksor, of Ardley, yeoman, overseer of this my will and testamente. (signed) Samuel X Sherman The signatures of the witnesses to the will follow. Thomas Townsend Sherman, in his article titled “Additional Facts about the English Shermans,” published in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Volume 67, tells us, from the information he received from Prof. Frank Dempster Sherman, that “This will is sealed with a seal which seems to be the sea-lion of the Sherman crest.” Samuel must have died shortly after writing his will as it was proved on March 2, 1615/16, in the Archdeaconry of Colchester. A burial record for him in either Dedham or Ardleigh could not be found. |
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Philipp’s exact ancestry is undocumented. Her given name has been spelled in many different ways, including Philip, Phillipp, Phillippa and Philippa, but the ‘a’ does not appear in original documents. Apparently, Philip was both a male and female name used in England at this time. Most researchers believe she was born about 1575-77 in either Colchester or Dedham, Essex, England, one of four children born to Lancelot Ward and his unknown wife, possibly a Springe. In the 1586 will of Alice Spring of Westhersfield, she mentions her daughter Lilie Clarke and her son Lancelot Ward, who also witnessed the will. She left Lancelot the same amount she left her daughters, only 40s, while she left her sons, Henry Livermore and Robert Springe, a minimum of 3£’s. This tends to make this researcher believe that Alice just may be the mother of Lancelot Ward’s deceased wife, maybe Joan Springe, thus calling him her son. No birth or baptism records have been found to prove this, but there are strong ties between the known sons of Lancelot Ward and Philipp’s husband, Samuel Sherman. Carl Boyer in his book, Ancestral Lines, states “Samuel Sherman and Robert Ward both called John Upcher of Denham, ‘brother-in-law’ and had children named Samuel, Mary, Martha and Sarah. Perhaps John Upcher married a Ward.” Another strong tie is that in the will of John Ward Jr, grandson of Lancelot, he calls Samuel and Philip Sherman his cousins. Lastly, and probably the strongest tie to the Ward’s, is that Phellep Shearman was a witness to Robert Ward’s 1616 will. Researches believe this Phellep is our Philipp, and her relationship to Robert, must have been close, as females were not common witnesses to wills in those days. But these ties in no way proves Philipp was a Ward. There is a chance she may be Philip Clarke, the sister mentioned in the 1590 will of Henry Youngeman alias Clarke of Westhersfield, that Lancelot Warde is a witness to. In Robert Ward’s 1616 will, mentioned above, he also mentions a servant named Philip Clarke, whose gender is not known. Could she have worked for Robert as a young woman, and witnessed his will as an older married woman? This researcher concludes that the surname and ancestry of Philipp is for now, unknown. Philipp married Samuel Sherman about 1597, possibly in Dedham or Colchester and they had seven children together, all baptized at the St Mary the Virgin Church in Dedham, on the dates shown – Mary on October 2, 1599; an unnamed son baptized on October 20, 1601*, probably a twin to Henry who died at birth; Henry, who probably was born on October 20th, but baptized on November 20, 1601, married Mary Fisher on February 1, 1626, in Fersfield, Norfolk, England, went to New England and died about 1651 in Boston; Martha on January 24, 1603/4; Sara on February 11, 1605/6, who died at age 6 and was buried on December 5, 1612; Samuel born about 1607*, married twice in Denham, went to New England and died in Boston about 1643; and ancestor Philipe. (*It should be noted that the parish register for a baptism on this date is for a son of Samuell Sharman, no given name is listed. The register note states: “First name not in register. Might be a mistake and the only son was Henry, baptised 20 Nov?” Some researchers have assumed it is son Samuel’s baptism date, but this researcher believes it could be another son who died at birth. What is certain, is that the two boys were not born a month apart! It also should be noted that in their father Samuel’s will, son Henry is mentioned first, then sons Philip and Samuel together. In the next paragraph he bequeathes to Samuel in detail before Philip and lastly his daughters. This seems to indicate that Samuel was younger then Henry, but older than Philip. If this is so, the only times son Samuel could have been born was in 1602 or most likely between 1607 and 1609.) Philipp was alive when her husband wrote his will on January 20, 1615/16. Researchers say she died in 1617, and is buried in the St Mary the Virgin churchyard in Dedham, but no documentation can be found to support this. |
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William Oddyn’s ancestry is unknown. He was probably born about 1587, in England, maybe in Braintree, Essex County, where he lived and worked. A few researchers suggest that he was sometimes called George, and that his father was John Odding, who was born in 1556 in Germany and died in England in 1596. Unfortunately, this researchers hasn’t found documentation to support any of this. What we do know of him comes from the research of Patricia Law Hatcher, CG, FASG, in her paper called Reconstructing Sarah (Odding) Sherman, Wife of Philip Sherman of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, that was published in The American Genealogist, Volume 73. Hatcher attempted to uncover William’s ancestry, but could not. She printed his will, which was written on October 21, 1612, and serves as confirmation of his marriage and daughter. In it, he calls himself a webster, which is an alternate term for weaver. William must have been young and ill, when he wrote his will, as he only has one underaged daughter. “In the name of god amen the one and twentiethe day of October in the yeres of the Raigne of or Sovraigne & lord James by the grace of god of England France & Ireland King defender of the faythe &c the tenthe, & of Scotland the six and fortiethe I William Oddyn of Braintree in the Countye of Essex webster doe make & ordeyne my lost will and testamente in manner & forme followinge, His will was proved on December 3, 1612, which means William died some time between October 21st and December 3rd of that year. If his wishes were carried out, he is buried in the Braintree Churchyard, which today is St. Michael’s. |
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Margaret’s surname and ancestry is unknown. Some researchers say she was the daughter of John Lang and Joanna Van Aelst, but documentation hasn’t been found to support this. The information about her life in England comes from the research of Patricia Law Hatcher, mentioned above. Margaret was probably born about 1589-90, in England, possibly in Braintee, Essex County, where she lived in 1612. She married William Oddyn sometime prior to 1610, and they had only one daughter, ancestor Sarah. Her husband died late in 1612, and probably in the 1620’s, she married John Porter, likely in Braintree. John and Margaret had a daughter, Hannah, probably born in Braintree. According to The Winthrop Fleet of 1630: An Account of the Vessels, the Voyage, the Passengers, and Their English Homes from Original Authorities by Charles Edward Banks, six Porters are listed on the manifest—John, Margaret, his wife, and four unnamed Porters, each listed only as Child of John. Two of these children are Sarah and probably Hannah, but the other two are unknown. They could be John’s children from a previous marriage, or John and Margaret’s children, as they had plenty of time to have other children. It should be remembered that the Winthrop Fleet consisted of eleven ships, with seven of them carrying about 700 passengers. The others carried freight and livestock. The ships left their ports beginning March 29, 1630 and landed between June 12th and July 6th at Salem, in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Many passengers (200 is estimated) died during the voyage and many (over 200 is estimated) died within eight months of the landings. These unknown children of John Porter may have been two of those who died. The Porter’s moved on from Salem and settled in Roxbury, Suffolk County, about 1633, where they joined the church. John and his son-in-law ancestor Philip Sherman, husband of Sarah Odding-daughter of Margaret, were among those who broke from the Roxbury church, following the dissident ministers John Wheelwright and Anne Hutchinson during what is known as the Antinomian Controversy. John was a signer of the Portsmouth Compact, establishing the first government in what became the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. By 1638 Margaret was living in Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island. John Porter was a wealthy, powerful, and respected man in Portsmouth, but by mid 1664, he had abandoned Margaret, moving to Pettaquamscutt and taking up with another woman 20 years younger than him, Herodias Long Hicks Gardner. Herodias was already separated from husband #1, John Hicks and was about to be separated from husband #2, George Gardner. On June 5, 1665, the same day that George and Herodias Gardner were declared separated, Margaret, the wife of John Porter appears in the records to petition the court for relief, which was the last mention of her in the Rhode Island Colonial Records: “Wheras ther hath ben a petition presented to this presant Asembly margrett porter the wife of John porter of This jurisdicyion of Rhod Iland &c; in which The said margrett doth most sadly Complaine that her said husband is destitute of all Conjugall Love towards her, and sutable Care of her; is gone from her and hath Left her in such a nessesetous stat that unavoydably she is Brought to a meane dependance upon her Children for her Dayly suply, to her very great griffe of heart. and the Rather Considering that ther is in the hands of her said husband a very Competant Estat for both ther subsistance; and Thervpon the said margrett hath most Earnnestly Requested this gennerall asembly to take Care of her and to take her deplorable Estate Into your serious Consideration, as to make some sutable provition for her Reliefe out of the Estate of her husband, and that spedily before both hee and it be Convayed away. On June 27, 1665, John was released had satisfied the court because, “he having settled on his wife for life, such an estate as doth fully satisfy her.” When John abandoned his wife to move to live with Herodias, his reputation suffered a severe blow. He was now 60 or 70 years old and he knew he could buy back his good reputation because of his wealth and he did. John and Herodias were summoned to court many times for living together, but they just ignored the summons until May 11, 1668, when John appeared and was found not guilty! Herodias never appeared in court, but was represented by John Porter, and on October 21, 1668, the jury found her not guilty also. By January 1, 1670, Herodias was using Porter as a surname. On September 26, 1671, John sold the land that he had given Margaret for her support. A few days later on the 30th, Hurrud Porter consented to the sale stating, “notwithstanding my jointure or dower made me by my now husband before marriage with me.” Being that John was free to marry Herodias, seems to indicate that Margaret Porter had died about 1670/71. Unfortunately, no records exist to confirm her death. |
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Henry Shearman was born about 1546 in Dedham, Essex County, England, the eldest son of seven children born to Agnes and Henry Shearman, Sr. He inherited his father’s trade as a clothier, and in those days that meant he probably made or oversaw the creation of clothing and also sold them. Henry married Susan Lawrance on June 14, 1568 in Moze, a parish in northeast Essex County overlooking the Walton Backwaters. Today Moze is called Beaumont-cum-Moze and is about 14 miles by car, southeast of Dedham. Henry and Susan had twelve children together (see her bio for details). (Mouse over Henry's signature below for more info.) Henry wrote his will on August 20, 1610. From it you can see he was a wealthy man, who had a very large estate. The will has been summarized in most books, but can be found in its entirety in a few, as follows: “In the name of God, Amen, the one and twentieth day of August in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand six hundred and tenne, I Henry Sherman and elder of Dedham in the County of Essex, Cloothier, being in good remembrance (the Lord be praysed) do make and ordaine this my last Will and Testament in manner and form as followeth; first I give and bequeath my soule unto Almighty God who infused it into my mortal and corrupt body and hath washed and purged it from all the defilements of sinne orignall and actual with the whole punishment therefore due unto me in and by the precious Blood of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and my body to be buried at the discretion of myne Executor. Item: I give and bequeath unto Susan my wife all that my house wherein I now dwell and the land with the Oadhouse and all the appurtenances thereunto now belonging holding of the Manner of Dedham Hall by estimate 20 acres more or less which I had the surrender of my father, I give them to her during her natural life, and my will and meaning is that my wife shall keep the said houses in good lawful and sufficient reparacons as conveniently as she may during all her said terme and that she make no strippe nor waste upon the pmises and that she leave at the end of her terme in the dwellinghouse the pannes and leads and in the Oadhouse the leads to them and to eyther of them fastened and belonging and yff my sd wife shall not keep the sd houses in reepacons as aforesd and shall make strippe and waste upon the sd houses and lands at any tyme above and beyond the valewe of 20s, then my will and meaning is that my son Henry Shearman shall enter upon said houses and lands within two monthes after such edfault made and then and from thenceforth shall pay during her life to the sd Susan yearly the full summe of L16 of lawful money of England at four several times and quarters of the year the accompt for the year and every quarter thereof being made for the first day of the sd Henry Shearman his entrance into and upon the prmses as aforesd and that by even and equal porcons the whole sum being divided into 4 parts. Provided that at the full end of every quarter also the sd Henry (or his assigns) shall bring the sd money as aforesd to the then dwelling house of the sd Susan and for everie default thereof whensoever it shall happen to bee shall forfeite to the sd Susan 20s. Item: After my wives decease I give and bequeath all the aforesaid houses and land with their appurtenances with my two taynters unto my son Henry Shearman and his heirs forever. Item: I give and bequeath unto Henry Shearman my sonne the joyned bedstead and the bed on it as it now standeth in the guest chamber and the cubboards in the same chamber and the long table in the Hall with the six jonyed stooles, to have them after my wife's decease and until then my will and mind is that my wife shall have the use and occupancy of them and after to leave them in ye house to my sonne Henry as aforesd bequeathed and to his heirs. Item: I give to Susan my wife six of the best of my silver spoones and to Henry my son six other silver spoones of the best next to them before to my wife bequeathed. Item: I give and bequeath to Susan my wife the summe of three score pounds in lawful English money. Item: I give more to Susan my wife my tapestrie coverlett, my best silver salt, 8 of my best milch kine, the bedstead in the parlor on which I used to lye with the beds on it and all things thereunto belonging with the cubboard in the same parlour and 2 chest in the same place, the one a Danske chest and the other a joyned chest with a little cofer 2 needlewroought cushions in the hall and one silver cup. Item: I give and bequeath to my sd wife fower seames of rye that is to say 2 seames presently after my death to be delivered and 2 seems more within fower monthes after both by myne Executors. Item: My will and meaning is that my wife shall have perceivee and take everie yeare during her life six loads of wood in and upon the lands at this time to me belonging and in my occupacon-- Provided that she taketh indifferently upon one part as upon another to whomsoever bequeathed and as the wood shall be of most fitt growth for that purpose with ingrease and eggresse into all and every parcel of sd lands to fell and carrie the sd six loads of wood as afore bequeathed; also I give unto Susan my wife halfe my hoggs with the halfe of all my household stuffe whatsoever before unbequeathed as halfe of the linnen and draperie, halfe of the brasse pewter and dayrie vessells brewing vessels and other things fitt and needful for house keeping. All the residue of household stuffe and cattells not bequeathed my mynde and will is shalbe equally divided among all my children. Item: I give and bequeath unto Nathaniel Shearman my sonne the house wherein now William King now dwelleth with the lands thereto belonging called Scotts by estimation 5 acres more or less with the appurtenances to him and his heirs forever upon condicon that he shall pay unto my son Daniel Shearman or his heires the sum of £10 or lawful English money within 2 yeares after my decease. Item: I give unto Nathaniel Sherman my sonne my broad loome which is now in the occupation of John Orvis of Lawford with the furniture thereto belonging. Item: I give and bequeath unto John Shearman and Ezekiel Shearman my sonnes all those my lands which were late Doctor Shearman's called the Heckells and Goldings Acres to bee equally divided betwixt them by myne Executors, to them and to their heires forever. Item: I give and bequeath unto John Shearman my sonne one field called Waylands by estimate seven acres more or lesse to him and his heires forever. Item: I give and bequeath unto Ezekiel Shearman my sonne 3 acres of meadow lying in broad Meddowe holding of the Manor of Dedham Hall and 3 roads of meddowe holding in the Manors of Over Hall and Neather Hall of Dedham to him and his heires forever. Item: I give and bequeath unto Edmond Shearman my sonne all my lands holding of Faytes and Wades called by the name of Garlicke feild and Ardley lands and Boremans acre or any other name to him and his heires forever. Provided that my futher mynde and will is concerning all and the severall lands to my sonnes John, Ezeckiel, and Edmund aforesaid bequeathed that if theis my three sonnes John, Ezekiel, and Edmund or anie of them shall lett sett over or sell their lands to them given as aforesaid that then they and every one of them shall lett sett over and sell their lands to them given as aforesd to Henry Shearman my sonne if he will at a reasonable rate and price as shall be thought by two men chosen by my cousin Edmund Galloway. Put and yff they or any of them shall otherwise than according to this my meaning will lett sett over to sell the lands aforesd, then my full will and mind is that they and everie one of them making default contrary to my will in this case shall pay unto my son Henry Shearman £5 of lawful English money everie one so offending £5 for himself as a legasie to the sd Henry by me given out of those lands. And the sd legacies by them and everie of them to be paid as aforesd within one weeke after the letting and setting over or selling the sd lands contrary to this my will. Item: My minde and will is that my 3 sonnes John Shearman, Ezekiel Shearman, and Edmund Shearman shall enter upon and enjoy their lands given them as aforesd pntly after my decease. Item: My mind and will is that my 8 acres of land in the Hall field shall be sold within 2 years after my decease to the best advantage and the money received of the same and disposed as followeth. Item: I first give to thereof unto Henry Fenne son of Simon Fenne £5 of lawful English money. All the residue of the money which shall remaine of the sale of the land I give equally to be divided amongst my childrens children to be paid within 4 months after the sale of the sd land. And the sd legacies so given unto the sd children to be paid unto their parents in lawful English money the sd parents laying security to my Executor for their discharge. Item: I give and bequeath unto Mr. Rogers Preacher of Dedham the summe of £8 of lawful English money to be paid him by myne Executor within 4 years after my decease, that is to say 40 shillings a year for 4 years. Item: I give and bequeath to the increasing of the pores stocke of the towne of Dedham 40 shillings of lawful English money to be paid by my Executor. Item: I give and bequeath unto Henry Shearman my sonne my woods lying in Ardley that I bought of William Baldwin to him and his heires forever. Condiconally that my sd son Henry Shearman pay or cause to be paid unto my sonne Daniel Shearman or to his heires ye sum of £12 of Lawful English money within 6 months after my decease, and also 20s of like lawful English money to be paid by my son henry Shearman to Phebe Fenn my daughter within 6 months after my decease. Item: I give and bequeath unto Daniel Shearman my sonne the sum of £20 of lawful English money to be paid by myne Executor within 6 months after my decease to him and to his heirs, the sd £20 as also the above bequeathed £12 to be paid him upon condition that he shall decharge my Executor of the sum of 5 and 20 pounds which he received to use of me and my son in law Symon Fenne deceased for which we stand bound to Mr. Boads as also that he discharge myne Executor of other £20 for which I stand bound with him. Item: I give unto my daughters in law to each of them 10s. to be paid by my Executor. Item: I give unto Anaa Pettifeild of William Pettifeild 40s of lawful English money to be paid by my Executor within one year after my decease. Item: My will and mind is that my Executor shall pay unto Anne Shearman my Brother Doctor Shearman's daughter £5 of lawful English money which was the gift of her Grandfather and in discharge thereof at her full age of two and twenty years, it was once before paid unto her father's hands yet fearing that she would be voyd of it for want of provision of his part I will that it be paid as aforesaid. Item: I give unto Mr. Dowse of Stratford 10s; to Mr. Richard Ravens Parson of Wattfeild Xs; to Mr. Sage Curate of Dedham XXs; to Calvin Humphrey son of Mr. Humphrey Scholemayster of Dedham Xs; and to Gilbert Hills my brother in law Xs; all the sd five legacies to be paid within six months after my decease. Item: I give unto my brother Lawrence of Esthorpe my best cloake. Item I give unto James Hasset the elder of Dedham 6s. 8d. within 3 months after my decease. Item: My will and meaning is that my two sons Henry and Samuel Shearman shall sell my 8 acres of land in the Hallfeild to the best advantage of my Children's children as afore bequeathed within 2 years after my decease, and my meaning is that the mayne profit which shall arise of the sd land during the sd 2 years shall be paid by them to my sd son Daniel and his heirs. Item: My will and meaning is that the residue of all my goods unbequeathed; my debts and legacies being paid and my funeral charges being answerede both corne cattells and money and all other things whatsoever shalbe equally divided betwixt my children. Item: My will and meaning is that George Cole the elder William Cole, Edmund Shearman and John Pye shall indifferently divide my goods unbequeathed betwixt by children.
Henry Shearman” His will was witnessed by John Pye, Henry Young, Thomas Guyan and the mark of Henry Young. It is odd that he never mentioned his son, ancestor Samuel, by name in his will. (Mouse over image on right for ore info.) Henry Shearman died shortly before August 28, 1610, the date of his burial in St Mary the Virgin’s graveyard. The will was proved by George Cole, notary public, on behalf of Susan the relict of the deceased, on September 8, 1610. Four days later on the 12th, Henry’s wife Susan was recorded as being dead. |
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Susan Lawrance's ancestry is uncertain. There is a baptism record in the Moze Parish Register of Essex County in England, that many researchers believe is hers. It states, Ann ye Daughter of Jhon Lawrance was baptised ye 21 of May 1548. Susan had a brother named Thomas who settled and died in Easthorpe, whose baptism may have been on May 21, 1551, as recorded in the Moze Parish Register as Thomas ye sonn of Jhon Lawrance. For years she was thought to be the sister of Gilbert Hilles because of her reference to him in her will (see below). According to Michael Johnson Wood in part two of his article, “The Earliest Shermans of Dedham, Essex, and Their Wives,” subtitled “Henry Sherman the Younger and his Wife,” published in the January 2013 issue of The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, she was the daughter of John Lawrence, the reverend grave minister of South Elmham. (Wood’s spells the surname Lawrence.) What is certain, is that Susan Lawrance married Henry Shearman in Moze, in the summer of 1568 and there was a John or Jhon Lawrance living there. The Moze Parish Register states “Henry sherma & susan Lawrance were Maryed ye 14 of Junij 1568.” It should be noted that Moze is only about ten miles southeast of Dedham. Henry and Susan had at least eleven children, all baptized at St Mary the Virgin in Dedham. The names of the children and baptism dates are as follows – Phebe on May 1, 1570, married Simeon Fenn; Henry on August 26, 1571, married Mary; ancestor Samuel; Susan on August 7, 1575, who was married as Ann Sharman to Anthony Whiting, widowed and then married Thomas Wilson (note Susan/Ann names); Daniel was born about 1577-8, and married first Christian Chapman, and second Sara Mitchell; infant Nathaniel was baptized on June 19, 1580, died and was buried on June 21, 1580; another Nathaniel was baptized on July 11, 1582, married first Phebe and then Priscilla Anger; John on August 17, 1585, married Grace Makin; Ezekiel on July 25, 1589, married Rachel Alefounder and then Anne; Edmund was born about 1589, and married Judith Anger; and Mary on July 27, 1592, who nothing is known about, and probably died young, as she is not mentioned in her parent’s wills. Some researchers include another daughter named Elizabeth, who was born about 1587, but no documentation exists for her and she is not mentioned in Susan’s or Henry’s wills. Susan’s husband died in August of 1610 and three days after his burial, she wrote her will-as printed by Terry Charles Peet in his family’s Memoir book: “In the name of God Amen, the XXXI August, 1610, I Susan Shearman of Dedham in the County of Essex, who being sick of body but of good and perfect memory (God be thanked) do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and forme as followeth first I bequeath my soul into the hands of God that gave it and my body to be bestowed in Christian burial. Item: I give unto Henry Shearman my son my silver and gilt salt and my best tapestry coveringe. Item: I give unto Samuel Sherman my son my six silver spoons which my husband gave to me marked E and S. Item: I give more unto Samuel Shearman my sonne my feather bed in the parlour with the bolster a paire of blankets and a covering. Item: I give and bequeath unto Daniel Shearman my sonne the summe of £20 of lawful English money to be paid within three months after my decease. Item: I give and bequeath more unto my son Daniel Shearman foure of my 8 beasts which my husband gave me and are marked out for my use. Item: I give and bequeath unto Nathaniel Shearman my sonne the sum of £20 of lawful English money to be paid within 6 months after my decease. Item: I give unto John Shearman my son my cubbord standing in ye parlour. Item: I give and bequeath unto Ezekiel Shearman my sonne the summe of £10 of lawful English money to be paid him within 6 months after my decease. Item: I give and bequeath unto Ezekiel my sonne my new silver cup. Item: I give and bequeath unto Edmund Shearman my sonne the sum of £10 of lawful English money to be paid him within one moneth after my decease. Item: I give and bequeath unto Edmund my son my bed-stead in the parlour the flocke bed upon it and the flocke bolster and the yellowe rugg. Item: I give and bequeath unto Phebe Fenne my daughter one cow my least silver cup and one of my needlework cushions. Item: I give and bequeath unto Anne Whitting my daughter two beasts, one needlework cushion and my Danske chests in ye parlour. Item: I give unto my son Daniel's wief my best gowne. Item: I give unto my son Nathaniel's weif my Danske chest which standeth in the guest chamber. Item: I give unto Robert Salmon's son my great grandchild one cowe. Item: I give unto Mary Shearman my sonne Samuel's daughter my joyned chest in the parlour. Item: I give unto Susan Shearman my son Daniel's daughter my leaved table in the parlour. Item: I give unto my Brother Gilbert Hilles the sum of 10s. Item: I give and bequeath unto Mr. Rogers my black mare. Item: I give unto Susan Galloway daughter of cosin Edmund Galloway my best violet petticoat. All the residue of my goods unbequeathed shall be equally divided amongst all my children. Item: I ordain and make my son Henry Shearman my sole Executor to see this my last Will and Testament faithfully performed, and for his paines I give him the lease of the Rayes given me by my husband. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hande and seale the day and year above written. The mark of Susan Shearman In the presence of : Edmund Galloway John Pye” Notice that she names her sons and then her daughters in birth order in her will. Other interesting items are the mention of her great grandchild, the son of Robert Salmon; her brother Gilbert Hilles; and her cousin Edmund Galloway, who witnesses her will. Of these three men, we know that Robert Salmon married Susan Fenn, Phebe Sherman’s daughter; Gilbert Hilles is believed to be married to her younger, unnamed sister, as he is called brother in law in her husband Henry’s will; and Edmund Galloway is said to have been a nephew of her unidentified mother. Susan Lawrance Shearman’s will was probated on September 12, 1610, by her son Henry Shearman, as Executor. This means she died between the date she her husband’s will was probated on her behalf, September 8th and the probate date of her will, September 12th. She was buried on September 13, 1610 in St Mary the Virgin’s churchyard, probably with her husband, as her church burial record states “And his wife (referring to previous burial, that of Henry Sharman the elder).” (Mouse over photo on right for more info on the church.) |
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Henry Shearman’s ancestry is unknown. Genealogists, Michael Johnson Wood states in part 1 of his article, “The Earliest Shermans of Dedham, Essex, and Their Wives,” that “Exhaustive research, by myself and others before me, has yielded no clue to the true origin of the Dedham clothier.” What we know about Henry comes mostly from Wood’s research. On October 11, 1574, Henry gave a deposition where he states he was 62 years or thereabouts, that “he had lived in Dedham ‘for the space of 40 years’ and that he had been a copyholder of Dedham Hall for 20 years.” From this line alone, we learn that Henry was born about 1511/12, came to Dedham about 1534, and was a copyholder since 1554, meaning he owned land. From other records we learn that Henry was a prominent clothier in Dedham, married Agnes, and had seven children by her. Wood’s article goes into great detail about Henry and Agnes, and it is recommended that those interested should read both parts 1 and 2. We learn from Charles Alfred Jones in his book, A History of Dedham, that “Henry Sherman, the elder, and Henry Sherman and Edmund Sherman, his sons” were three of the twenty-four “original Governors of Dedham School, appointed by the charter of Queen Elizabeth.” This was a “Grammar School . . . to promote the study of good literature and the bringing up of the youth of Dedham. . . and for ever remain, and, that the charges of the said school as also of the poor and needy might be better supported. . .” It seems that education of the youth was important to Henry, as the school is mentioned twice in his will. Agnes died in the Fall of 1580, and eight months later, on June 5, 1581, in St. Mary the Virgin church in Dedham, he married Marion (recorded as Maryan) Smyth Wilson, who had already been widowed twice. Sometime after the wedding, they moved to Colchester, also in Essex County. It is believed that Marion died in the summer of 1584, as a Mrs Sherman was buried at St. James, there on August 4, 1584. Henry then married Margery, surname unknown, who was alive when he wrote his will and probably survived him. Most researchers agree that neither of these later marriages produced any children. Henry wrote his will on January 20, 1589/90, and added a codicil a month later on February 26th. (Mouse over and click on image to enlarge in a new window/tab.) The will reads as follows (formatting added):
Item: I will and bequeathe to Doctor Chapman the preacher of Dedham Sixe pounde to be paied within sixe monethes after my Decease. Item: I will to Mr Parker ffortie shillinges to be paied at the same tyme. Item: I will to the poore of Dedham twentie pounde to be a contynewall stocke for the poore to the worldes ende and the vse and benefit of it to goe to the poore. ffurther my will and mynde is that it shalbe ordred at the discretion of the gouernoures of the free schools of Dedham or the greatest parte of them and they go take securities for the princypall. Item: I will and bequeathe vnto Henrye Shearman my sonne my Shearmans crafte to hym and his heires for ever. Item: I giue to Henrye Shearman my sonne all the householde which is in his house which he hathe alreadye. Item: I giue vnto my Sonne Henry Shearmans children that is to saye to Henry Shearman, Samuel Shearman, Daniell, John, Ezechiell, Phebe, Nathaniell and Anne Shearman to eache of them fyue pounde a peece to be paied to ths sonnes at the age of twoe and twentie. And yf any of them dye before they shall accomplishe the foresaied age then I will yt to be equallie devided betwixt the reste aliue and to the Daughters at one and twentie. And yf they die before this age then I will theire porcon to be equallie Devided betwixte my sonne Henryes children then alive. Item: I will and bequeathe to Edmunde Shearman my sonne tenne pounde. Item: I giue to Edmonde Shearman the sonne of my sonne Edmonde Shearman thirteene pounde thirteene shillings and fower pence to be paied vnto hym at the full age of twoe and twentie yeres. And yf he die before he come to the age of two and twentie then I will it to be devided betwene Richarde Shearman Bezaliell Shearman Anne Shearman the children of my sonne Edmonde Shearman. Item: I will and bequeathe to Richarde Shearman, Bezaliell Shearman, Anne and Sara Shearman the children of my sonne Edmonde Shearman to eache of them ffortie shillinges a peece to be paied to the sonnes at the full age of twoe and twentie and to the daughters at one and twentie. And yf any of them dye before they shall accomplishe theire full age then I will theire parte to be deuided amongeste the reste that lyue of Edmond Shearmans children. Item: I give to Edmonde Shearman my sonne my best cloake. Item: I will and bequeathe to William Petfeilde my sonne in Lawe twenty pounds to be paied within one whole yere after my Decease. Item: I give to the three children of my sonne in law Petfeilde that is to saye Richarde Petfeilde To Susan Petfeilde and Elizabethe Petfeilde to eache of them Sixe pounde thirteene shillings fower pence to be paied to the sonne at two and twentie yeres of age and to the Daughters at one and twentie. And yf any of them dye before the age beforesaied then I will theire portion to be equallye deuyded betwene the children of William Petfeilde then aliue. And my will and mynde is that my saied sonne Petfeilde shall have the occupyinge of that money untill the children shall come to theire full age putting in sufficient suertie to my executors to paye the money as ys abouesaied. Item: I giue to Margerye my wife twoe and twentie pounde to be paied within three monethes after my Decease. Item: I will that she shall haue all her househoulestuffe whiche she broughte me and that househoulde which we renewed and boughte synce we marryed. Item: I will that Margerye my wife shall haue all my Broome wood and logges which I haue at my Departure. Item: I will and giue to Margerye my wife twentie shillinge of money. Item: I giue to Margerye my wife that twelue pound which is due vnto me from Tendring yf my executors can recover yt of hym. Item: I will that Margery my wife shall have her dwellinge for twoe yercs in that parte of the house wherein we do nowe dwell that is in the lower parloure and the twoe chaumbers next Mr Ruddes and parte of the backehouse yf my sonne Robert do enioye the house But if it be redeemed and he do not enioye it then I will that my sonnc Robert shall paye vnto Margery my wife fower pounde for twoe yeres dwellinge. Item: I giue to Margery my wife my tipped pott tearme of her life and after her decease I giue it to Judithe my daughter Item my will is that yf Margerye my wife doe make eny clayme or title to the thirdes or any parte of that house wherein I nowe do dwell that then she shalbe frustrate of the twoe and twentie pounde before given her and I will the fore saicd twoe and twenty pounde to be Deuided betwen my three sonnes Henry Edmonde and Robert Shearman. Allso my will and mynde ys that she shall put in bonde to myne Executors before she shall receyue any parte of her Legacy that she do not troble or moleste myne Executors or my sonne Robert in any thinge this is giuen them. Item: I will and bequeathe to Robert Shearman my sonne three skore pounde which three skore pounde I gaue for the state of the house wherein I nowe dwell which was latelie Richarde Kinges Bcrebruer of Colchester. And yf it shall happen that the saied three skore pounde be not paied according to bargayne and sale at the tyme appoynted then I giue the foresaied house wherein nowe I dwell latelie Richarde Kinges with the yardes and appurtnunce to Robert Shearman and his heires for euer. Item: I giue to Robert Shearman my song all the coppiehoulde called the Hebell or knowe by any other name conteyninge by stimacon fnfteene acres more or less with the Barne and cotage to it and twoe acres called Byrdes nowe in the occupation of William Petfeild to hym and to his heires for euer. Item: I giue to my saied sonne Robert Shearman ffowcrtye xl pounde of good and lawful money to be paied vnto hym within sixe monethes after my decease. I giue it to hym and to his heires. Item: I giue vnto Jane Shearman and to Anne Shearman the daughters of my sonne Robert Shearman to eache of them ffyue pounde a peace to be paied vnto them at one and one and twentie yeres of age: And yf any of them dye before theire full age then I will it to be Devided betwene the children of Roberte Shearman then aliue. Item: my minde is that Robert my sonne shall have the occupyinge of the money vntill the children come of age, puttinge in sufficient suertie to my Executors for the principall. Item: I giue vnto Robert my sonne all my householdstuffe which I had before I marryed Margerye my wife that is to saye Beddes ffeatherbeddes Cubbardes Bedsteadles pillowes Brasse pewter hanginges together with the great cupbourd in the parlor and the Sealinge with the three tapestrie cushions. Allso I giue vnto hym three payer of sheetes and all othr ymplcmente of househoulde. Allso I giue vnto Robert my sonne my Silver and gilte goblett. Allso I giue vnto Robert Shearman my song my best gowne. Item: I giue vnto Robert my sonne one sword and a Byble. Item: I giue vnto Judith Petfeilde my daughter the cheste and lynnen vppon the Soller (three payer of sheetes excepted before giuen to Robert my sonne) Item: I giue vnto Henry Sherman my sonne twelue siluer spoones. Item: I giue unto my sonne in Lawe Nicholas ffynce ffortie shillinges. Item: I giue vnto the poore of Allhallowes parishe Sixe shillinges eight pence Item: I giue to Robert my sonne the typped pott which hathe. Item: I giue to Henry Shearman my sonne all my Armoure except that which I gaue to my sonne Robert Item: I will that yf the fortie pounde which is due vnto me by the heires or Administrators of Richarde Kinge beerebruer be recouered then I will the saied fortie pounde to be equallie devided between Henrye Shearman Edmonde Shearman Robert Shearman Judith Shearman my children Item: I giue vnto Judith Shearman my Daughter my Sydesaddell and cloathe to yt I giue to Robert Shearman my saddle. Item: I giue to William Petfeilde my best gowne save one. Item I giue to Henry my sonne my best cassocke hatte and nightcappe. Item: I giue to Christofer Stone a cloathe Dublet. Item I giue to Caser an olde payer of hosen To Richard ffycher my olde gowne Item: I giue to Edmonde Shearman Henry Shearman Robert Shearman my sonnes to eache of them xx s in goulde and to eache of theire wyyves twentie shillinges in goulde. I giue to Judithe my daughter twentye shillinges in goulde. Item: I will that the halfe yeres Rente due at my decease of all my landes and tenementes shall goe to the performance of my will. Item: I giue all my goodes vnbequeathed to be equallie Devided betwixt my three sonnes Henry Edmonde and Robert Shearman. Item: I make and ordeyne Henry Shearman and Edmonde Shearman my sonnes Executors of this my laste will and testamente witnesses vnto this my will theise whose names be vnderwritten p me Ricam Symnell. By me Oliuer Pygge thelder. By me Nathaniel Bassackes p me Henrye Osborne. This ys Henry Shearmans marke made with his owne hand. A Codicell annexed to my will for some Respitt of payinge Legaceys by my Executors the xvj'h day of ffebruary. I will that the twentie pounde for the poore shalbe paied at oure Ladie day next twelve monethes. I will that Doctor Chapmans Sixe pounds be paied at the same tyme. I will that Mr Parkers fortie shillinges be paied at the same tyme. I will that Nicholas ffynces fortye shillinges be then paied. I will that my sonne Robert haue ffyue pounds paied hym this next Lady daye and tenne pounde at the next Mydsommer and thirtie fyue pounde at oure Ladie daye next come tweluemonth. I will that the Legaceys for my sonne Edmondes children be payed at our Ladie daye come tweluemoneth. I will that Petfeilde haue fortie pounde payed hym this next mydsommer. Item whereas the twentie pounde which I gaue to the poore was appoynted to be ordred by the gournours of the free schoole at Dedham. Nowe my minde ys that my sonne Henry Shearman shall haue the occupyinge of it tearme of his life putting in Sewertie for to paye the princypall and fortie shillinges a yere to theire vse to be bestowed in woollen and Lynnen cloathe. Item my will is that my Executors shall paye my sonne Robert vse for fyue and thirtie pounde for the latter halfe yere./ By me Oliuer Pigge thelder by me Nathaniel Bassockes Henry died some time between the date of the codicil, February 26 1589/90, and the probate date of the will, July 25, 1590, most likely in Colchester. Although he requested to be buried in Dedham, there isn’t a burial record for him in the Dedham, St. Mary the Virgin burial records. |
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Agnes, the wife of Henry Sherman was born sometime between 1515 and 1524. Her ancestry has never been confirmed. Many said she was a Butter or Butler, but Michael Johnson Wood, the most prominent Sherman researcher, in part 1 of his article, “The Earliest Shermans of Dedham, Essex, and Their Wives,” states “If she was a local girl, there seems to be no proof of the family into which she had been born. Nevertheless, there is circumstantial evidence that she was a daughter of Robert Perpoynt of Dedham.” He came to this conclusion based on his research into the Dedham Manor records and the Perpoynt family. But he is clear to point out that “The wives of Henry Sherman the elder are never mentioned in any manorial records, but there are interesting clues.” (Read his article for the details.) It is believed that Agnes was Henry’s first wife and she is the mother of all his children, or as Wood states, “she appears to have been the mother of most, if not all, of his children. In any event, she was the mother of his sons Henry and Edmund, from whom all New England Shermans are descended.” The seven children born to Henry and Agnes were all born in Dedham — Alice, born about 1540, was married to Nicholas Fince, she died in Dedham and was buried on October 20, 1580, in the St Mary the Virgin graveyard (St. Mary’s); Judith was born about 1543, was married to William Petfield, died in Dedham and was also buried in St Mary’s on April 9, 1601; ancestor Henry; Edmund was born about 1548, married twice, first to Anne Pellett and then Anne Clere, died and was buried on December 22, 1600, in St Mary’s; John was born about 1551, died unmarried, and was buried on October 16, 1576, in St Mary’s; Thomas was born about 1557, and died about 7 years-old, and was buried on March 16, 1563/64, in St Mary’s; Robert was baptized on February 6, 1559/60, married twice, first to Barbara Browne, and then Bridget Jenney, “he was educated at Cambridge University, and became a Fellow of the College of Physicians in 1599,” died between January 10 and 20, 1602/3, and was buried in St Stephen’s Coleman Street churchyard in London on January 14, 1602/3. Agnes died in October of 1580 in Dedham. She was buried there on October 14, 1580, in the St Mary the Virgin churchyard. Her burial record is in the name of Agnes Sharman, Wife of Henry Sharmn the elder. |
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John Lawrance’s ancestry is unknown. Not much is known about his early years except that Michael Johnson Wood, the most prominent Sherman researcher, states in part two of his NEHGR volume 167 article that John had at least one brother named James, who married Joan, the widow of William Thorpe of Dedham. Wood quotes the research of Thomas Tanner, Bishop of St. Asaph and the Suffolk historian Joseph James Muskett, compiler of the Lawrence Collection, stating that John “Lawrence, a famous preacher, a reverend grave minister who had been a preacher to those who fleeing from religion in Q. Marie's day [1553-58] met together in woods & secret places, as they could. He was a gentleman of a great estate & exceeding liberality to the poor. In the time of Q. Elizabeth he preached at Fressingfield. He owned St James Park in South Elmham.” Wood’s tells us that John Lawrance may have married a relative of John Burward of Debach, Suffolk, but no documentation exists to prove it. John was married at least once and fathered at least seven children, but no records exist to document their birth dates. The names and order of the children as Wood’s lists them is as follows — John is believed to be the eldest son, was also a preacher in Fressingfield, who married three times, the first being Anne Sammes; Alice, believed to be the eldest daughter, married William Garrard; James, owned land in Dedham in 1593; Margaret, married Richard Elmye; Thomas married twice, first Priscilla Alabaster and then Mirable, whose surname is unknown; ancestor Susan; and an unnamed daughter said to be the wife of Gilbert Hills. Unfortunately, nothing else is known about John, so our Lawrance/Lawrence line ends with him. |
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Sarah came with her family, as a Porter, to New England with the Winthrop Fleet in the Spring of 1630 and settled in Roxbury, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. It seems Sarah was close to her half sister Hannah Porter, as Hannah’s husband, Samuel Wilbore, left “To sister, Sarah Sherman, 200 acres in Narragansett.” She is listed in the Roxbury Church Records as “Sarah Odding. she was daughter in law to John Porter. & came wh her parents & was after married to Philip Sharman of this church.” Sarah married Philip Shearman about 1633/4 and they had thirteen children together – Eber, born in Roxbury in December of 1634, married twice and died about 1706; ancestor Sarah; Peleg, the first to be born in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island in May of 1638, married Elizabeth Lawton there on July 25, 1657, and died about 1719 in Kingston, Washington County, RI; Mary, born in November 1639, and died prior to her 5th birthday; Edmund born in April of 1641, married Jane Dorcas Hicks and died in Dartmouth about 1719; Sampson was born on March 4, 1642, married Isabel Tripp and died on June 27, 1718, in Portsmouth; William was born in 1643, and died young; John, born in August of 1644, married Sarah Spooner and died in Dartmouth on April 16, 1734; Mary, the second of this name was born in May of 1645, is believed to be the wife of Benoni Gardner, who died on January 16, 1729, in Portsmouth; Hannah was born in February of 1647, married William Chase; Samuel, born in April of 1648, married Martha Tripp in Portsmouth and died there on October 9, 1717; Benjamin, born about 1650, married Hannah Mowry on December 3, 1674, in Portsmouth and died there on September 12, 1719; and daughter Philip, who many researchers call Philippa, born on October 1, 1652, married Benjamin Chase about 1673, in Portsmouth. It should be noted that no birth records exist for any of these children. The above dates come from other researchers family data. See her husband’s bio for their life together. 
Michael Johnson Wood, in part two of his article titled “The Earliest Shermans of Dedham, Essex, and Their Wives,
Item: I do ordaine and make Susan my wife my sole Exectrix to see this my last Will and Testament performed, and I give unto her that part of the lease of the Rayes. Revoking all other wills formerly by me made, and futher I appoint my cousen Edmund Galloway Clerke the supervisor of this my will requiring his helpe in any controversie that any wais by occasion of this my last will and testament may arise betwixt my children or anie of them, and for his payne_ I will that he shall have 20s. of lawful English money to be paid by myne Executrix within one year after my decease. In wittnes whereof to these two sheetes of paper contayning my last will I have sett my hande and seale the day and yeare above written.
