FOOTPRINTS FOUND

My search for my ancestors whas just a simple goal to find out who these people were. Much of my research began with names found in a family bible or by talking with family members and the information that my Aunt had gleaned from years of research on her side of the family and the Jones/Miller family into which she had married. From there I was able to begin my research, step by step, year by year.

I definetly did not set out to connect to any historical set of events, nor did I have any family story in which to build on. Things have a way of happening that despite all delivers a very pleasant surprise.

In 1620 Edward Fuller, wife(unnamed) and son Samuel arrived on the Mayflower to Plymouth Colony.

Edward Fuller and his wife died soon after their arrival, this according to Bradford's Hist. (1952)

Samuel their son was about 12 years of age at the time and he was raised by his fathers brother Samuel Fuller, Physician to the Pilgirms, who also was on the Mayflower, and is credited with saving many people on the voyage.

Samuel Fuller b. England ca. 1608: d. Barnstable 1 oct. 1683. He married in Scituate * April 1635 Jane Lothrop, b. Edgerton Co. Kent, England 29 Sept. 1614: d. before Sammuel, daughter of the Rev. John Lothrop, pastor of the Church of Christ at Barnstable . Rev. John Lothrop's will dated August 10, 1653 probated march 7 1653/4, names daughter Jane as already having her portion.

Children of Samuel Fuller and Jane Lathrop:

Hannah b. Scituate Mass. 1636

Samuel b. Scituate Feb. 11, 1637/8

Elizabeth living October 29, 1683

Sarah b Scituate bp. August 1. 1614

Mary bp. Barnstable June 16, 1644

Thomas b. Barnstable May 18, 1650 d bef. October 29, 1683

Sarah b. Dec 14 1654 living October 29, 1683

John b. 1655

child b. Feb 8, 1658 buried 15 days later.

Hannah Fuller b. Scituate ca. 1636 d. Piscataway NJ after 23 August 1686. She posted bond as executrix of the will of her husband with Edward Slater as fellow bondsman. she married in Barnstable Jan 1 1658/9 Nicholas Bonham. b. England ca. 1630 d. Piscataway July 20 1684.

They had relocated to Piscataway NJ by May 6, 1667 . Nicholas signed the Oath of Allegiance in 1672 and served as a Sergeant in 1681.

The will of Nicholas Bonham of Piscataway was drawn Feb. 6, 1683 proved January 4, 1684/5 but witnesses testified on December 18 1694. His wife Hannah and son Hezekiah were named executors: mention was made of other children (not names); witnesses included Edward Slater and Isaac Smalley who were also overseers and too the estate inventory on July 28, 1684.

Hannah Fuller and Nicholas Bonham ahd the following children:

Hannah b. October 8 1689

Maryb. October 4, 1661

Sarah b. Feb 16, 1664/5

Elizabeth b. ca 1666

Hezekiah b. May 6, 1667

Samuel b. September 7, 1672 d. October 1 1682

Jane b. January 29, 1675/6 d. February 25, 1675/6

Pricillia b. November 11, 1677

Elizabeth Bonham m. Piscataway NJ January 9, 1684/5 Edward Slater b. 1644 d, Piscataway NJ January 28, 1702

He was married previously to a Mary ??? with whom he had a son Edward in 1683.

She also married John Drake Sr. who died between April 1740 and Sept 29 1741.

Elizabeth Bonham and Edward Slater had the following children

Philoreta b. Nov. 6, 1685 d. 2 September 1687

Elizabeth b. March 14, 1686/7 d. september 17, 1697

Philoreta b. February 23, 1690/1

Phebe b. July 28 1693

Caleb b. august 10, 1695 Caleb's name was changed to Edward after the death of his father and brother Edward in January 1702.

Elizabeth b. august 8, 1697

Abraham b. September 8, 1699

Aleeshia b. October 29, 1702

Philoreta Slater b. Piscataway NJ November 14, 1690 d. after 1755 married Benjamin Martin abt. 1707. Benjamin Martin was b. Piscataway NJ November 14, 1685, and d between July 1 1755 and May 3, 1757 son of Benjamin Martin and Margaret Rennals/Reynolds.

Philoreta Slater and Benjamin Martin had the following children:

Benjamin b. 13 February 1708/9

Elizabeth b. Jan. 9, 1710/11

Anna b. March 29, 1714

Esther b. Jan. 29, 1715/6

Hannah b. March 17, 1718

Peter

Zerviah

The will of Benjamin Martin of Piscataway NJ dated 1 July 1755 proved May 3, 1757 mentions wife Philerato, son Benjamin (to receive that lot of land I bought of my father Benjamin Martin (deceased) Grandson Nathaniel Martin (son of Benjamin, son Peter, Athanassus Martin (son of Benjamin) grandson Jeremiah Blackford (son of John and Hannah Blackford) grandson James Martin( son of Benjamin), grandson Zephaniah Blackford (son of John and Hannah Blackford), grandson Reuben Blackford (son of John and Hannah Blackford, dau. Zerviah Blackford, wife of Jeremiah Blackford: grandson Benjamin Bonham (son of Nehemiah and Elizabeth Bonham,) grandson Hezekiah Bonham (son of Nehemiah and Elizabeth Bonham) granddaughter Mary Blackford (dau. of John and Hannah Blackford0, grandson Luther Martin (son of Benjamin), grandson Isiah Blackford (son of John and Hannah Blackford), Benjamin blackford (son of John and Hannah Blackford) daughter Hannah Blackford, daughter Zereviah Blackford, executors son Benjamin Martin son -in-law John Blackford and cousin James Martin of Piscataway NJ

REV. JOHN LOTHROP/LATHROP

John Lathrop bap. Etton Yorkshire England December 20, 1584 died Barnstable, Mass November 8, 1653 m. October 10, 1610 Hannah House, d. 1634

The name was sometimes written Lathrop, other times Lothrop and originated in the town of Lowthrope, England. John Lathrop was born in Yorkshire England.
He first entered Christ Church College, Oxford in 1601 but transferred to the more liberal Queen's College from which he graduated with a B.A. in 1605 and an M.A. in 1609. He moved to Edgerton, Kent, a town 48 miles southeast of London, where he was curate of the parish church. He left Edgerton in 1623 apparently due to a distaste for the Church of England and became the minister of the First Indepdent Church of London, a church whose religion was not the same as the king's and thus illegal. On April 22, 1632 the church's gathering was invaded by the authoroties and forty-two members were taken into custody and were held in the old Clink Prison in Newgate. His followers apparently lingered here for months and released. He, being considered too dangerous to the church remained in Prison. While he languished in prison, his wife died, and left behind numerous children who appealed to the Bishop at Lambeth for his release. He being briefly permitted to "commend her to God", the Bishop granted him liberty, which appears to be limited, perhaps something akin to our contempory "parole." Suffice it to say, he, with reasonable haste repaired to New England. He arrived on the Ship Griffin, together with others of his "flock" Sept, 1634.

He received warm welcome, but later removed to Barnstable, due to differences with some of his people over baptism, of which he disapproved. He remained here for 14 years. He required no creeds, nor confessions of faith, believed that man is not responsible to fellow man in matters of faith and conscience, tolerated differences of opinion, and was, apparently, in all, an independent thinker who held opinions in advance of his times.

John Lathrop was made a freeman and took oath on March 7, 1636 in Scituate. On January 1, 1637 certain freemen of Scituate, including John Lathrop, complained to the Court that they were alloted such small portions of land that they could not subsist on them. The Court of Assistants granted them upland and a neck of land lying between The North and South Rivers provided upon the condition that they makea a township there and inhabit the said land.
John moved with others in October 1639 and this became the town of Barnstable on Cape Cod. He was granted a four acre lot in this town upon which he built a small house. A larger house was built in 1644. On March 7, 1653 Mars. Lathrop was granted letters of administration of the estate of Mr John Lathrop deceased.

After a dedicated, and apparently illustrious ministry, he died Barnstable, Nov 8. 1653.

Rev. John Lothrop was the father of Jane Lothrop/Lathrop who married Samuel Fuller of the Mayflower.

Rev. John Lothrop/Lathrop's house still stands in Barnstable and is part of the Sturgis Library. Among the artifacts of Rev. John Lothrop is his bible.

THOMAS ROBERTS and REBECCA HILTON

Thomas Roberts and Edward Hilton were the founders of Dover, Strafford County, New Hampshire. They headed a Fish Mongers Company and established themselves in what was to become Dover New Hampshire. The history of this family states that Thomas Roberts married Edward Hilton's sister Rebecca Hilton. All of the information researchers have recorded bears those facts. Thomas Roberts died and is buried in Hilton Head New Hampshire. It is said that the property he first settled and later built his home is still in the Roberts family. They came to New Hampshire abt 1632.

MARTIN/ROBERTS/HILTON FAMILIES

Thomas Roberts b. 1600 Woolaston Worchester England died Dover Neck NH September 27 1673 married Rebecca Hilton, b. 1602 assumed to be the sister of Edward Hilton. married abt 1627.
Thomas Roberts was a Member of the Fishmonger's Company of London
President of the Court - Bristol Company
One of 41 settlers who signed the "Dover Combination of October 22. 1642
Granted 20 Acres of land in Dover Lot #1 in 1642 and later an additional 30 acres
Regularly paid the highest amount of tax in town
Publicily rebuked his sons, constables of Dover for their harsh treatment of the local Quakers.
Rebecca Hilton born about 1602Wearmouth Durham England died September 1673 Boston Mass.
Rebecca and Thomas Roberts had the following child.
There are other children of this couple which I have not fully documented as of yet.

Hester Roberts b. abt 1628 Dover NH died December 12, 1687 Piscataway Middlesex Co.NJ married John Martin Sr. b. abt 1635
They had the following children
Mary Martin
John Martin Jr.
Joeph Martin
Martha Martin
Lydia Martin
Benjamin Martin
Thomas Martin
James Martin

Benjamin Martin b. 1659 married Margaret Rennals/Reynolds October 24, 1680 Piscataway Middlesex Co. NJ

They had the following children
Benjamin Martin died young
Esther Martin
Benjamin Martin b. 1685
Jonathan Martin.

Benjamin Martin married a second time to Margaret Ellston November 10, 1688

They had the following children
Mary Martin
Peter Martin
Benjamin Martin b. November 14, 1685 d. bef. May 3, 1757 married Philoreta Slater abt. 1707 see above lineages and the Blackford families link from my main page.