Rev John (Roger Sherman line-signer of Dec of Ind)) Sherman

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: 1634, "Elizabeth," Ipswich, England; to New England
• Residence: 1640, Milford, New Haven, Connecticut
• Will: 06 Aug 1685, Sudbury (since of Salem), Massachusetts

Notes:

JOHN SHERMAN of Milford, Conn., and Watertown, Mass., was one of the most highly honored of the early ministers of New England. A sketch of his life can only state its principal events.

Rev. John Sherman was the son of Edmund Sherman of Dedham, Essex County, England, where he was born December 26, 1613, and baptized the 4th of the following month. At an early age, he was sent to Emanuel College, Cambridge, took the degree. A. B. in 1629-30, and his second degree in 1633. He came to New England in 1634, sailing from Ipswich in the ship "Elizabeth" and arriving in the month of June. He was assistant to Rev. George Phillips of Watertown for about a year, removing to Wethersfield, Conn., with the company who settled that town in 1635. At the latter place he had a house lot. He remained there until 1640, when he moved to Milford, Conn., being admitted to the church there on the 20th of November. In 1641, he was chosen magistrate, and Deputy in 1643. Although he was urged to remain in Milford, he preferred to accept a pastorate at Watertown and returned thither in 1647.
The remainder of Mr. Sherman's life was spent in the service of the church at Watertown, where he was honored and respected. It is said of him, he was "one of the most learned men of his day and an able and eloquent preacher." He died August 8, 1685. His will, made two days before his death, names thirteen children.

sources:
Savage's Genealogical Dictionary, IV: 79-82;
Mather's Magnalia, I: 511-518;
Sprague's Annals, I: 44-46;
Bond's History of Watertown;
Cothren's History of Woodbury, I: 679ff.

It is not probable, says Savage, that John Sherman was married when he came to New England. The Christian name of his first wife was MARY, whom he is thought to have married in Watertown or Wethersfield about 1638. She died at Milford, September 8, 1644. She was the mother of the four older children. He married, 2nd, in New Haven about 1645, Mary Launce, a great-granddaughter of Thomas Darcy, Earl of Rivers, who died March 9, 1710.

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Rev. John Sherman was known as the "College Puritan" in the University of Cambridge.

"He was Pastor of the Congregational Church of Watertown Mass.: Fellow of Harvard College; delivered lectures there for many years, and was a popular preacher and an eminent Mathematician. In 1682 he delivered a discourse before the convention of the Congregationalist ministers in Massachusetts the first sermon on that ocassion that is now upon record. He published several almanacs to which he appended pious reflections."

from "Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography", p. 501.
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His will is found in the Damon Memorial-1882. Copy at the scrapbook.
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The will of John Gibbs of New Haven, dated Nov. 27, 1685 proved --, inventory Jan. 1, 1690, names 'Cousin Daniel Shearman; his eldest daughter, Abigaile Serman. Wife, Hanah, only daughter Margaret Gibbs. (N.H. probate records Vol. 2) "Cousin" at this period usually meant nephew. If Daniel Sherman was a nephew of John Gibbs it suggests a clue to the surname of the first wife of the Rev. John Sherman.
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http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=artcohan&id=I00514



Immigration:
A family that shows up periodically is the Palmer family. A John Palmer was also a passenger on the "Elizabeth" with Sherman. This family is not related where it can be included in this file, but traces of the Palmer family show up in various places.

Notes found on John Palmer state:

John Palmer arrived in America on the ship 'Elizabeth' from England in 1634. This ship was one of the ships of the Winthrop Fleet, led by John Winthrop, first Governor of Massachusetts. For more information see the notes in the file of John Winthrop, Governor (1587-1649).
John Palmer age 24 ship Elizabeth, 1634 (Roll 49 ), Winthrop Fleet Registers
He appears to have been travelling alone. Judging by the christening date for his first child, John, his wife may have been with child at the time of his departure, and she and son John may have come on a later ship, perhaps with other FAM members of a different surname (a common occurrence).

- wife: Margaret Evans b 23 Dec 1611 in Hill Croome, Worcester, England.

Son John, born 27 Sep 1635 in Norton Juxta Kempsey, Worcester, England, d 17 Jun 1695 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts

Although John Palmer and his mother do not appear to have travelled to America with his father in 1634, possibly because his mother was pregnant with young John at the time of the crossing, he would undoubtedly have arrived within a year or two. There were several voyages of the ship 'Lyon' in the years 1635-1636 which are referred to by Governor John Winthrop in his letters, for which there are no known remaining passenger lists; this may have been the mode of travel for young John and his mother, perhaps with other Palmers for whom no travel record is currently available.

John m Margaret Ann Algar who was b 19 Apr 1640 in Wedmore, Somerset England in 1657 in Woburn, Midlesex Co, Massachusetts.

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=craigsharrow&id=I389596


Will:
Rev. John's will was dated Aug. 6, 1685; proved Oct., 6, 1685. No copy of this will is filed in East Cambridge, Mass. [Art's note: see below] The only record bearing upon the contents of the will is the account rendered by Rev. James Sherman, Dec 25, 1712.

"James Sherman, late of Sudbury (since of Salem( the surviving executor of the last will and testament of John Sherman, late of Watertown, clerk, deceased. Will named as executrix, Mary sherman. Accountant states that all debts and legacies have been paid and that all the remainder of his goods and chattels were used and spent by his mother and family and never came into my hands.
Legacies: to Mercy Barnard, wife of Samuel Barnard 20 pounds
to Elizabeth Gaskill, wife of Samuel Gaskill 20 pounds
to Grace Prout, wife of Ebenezer Prout 20 pounds
to Samuel Willard, by Abigail Willard 12 pounds
to the children of Bezaliel Sherman 12 pounds
to Daniel Sherman 15 pounds to Samuel Sherman 10 pounds
to Mary Allen 10 pounds to Mary Barron 10 pounds

The executor and his mother sold land on "Kings Common" for 60 pounds. Paid of it to Samuel Gaskill for debts due, 25 pounds. Spent by mother for her support, 35 pounds.
A farm "near" 100 acres sold for 25 pounds to pay debts due to Mr. Willar, of Boston, from father. All the rest of land of father, several parcels, sold to support mother and pay debts and legacies.
Accountant's mother lived a widow for 25 years and accountant supported her, paying 50 pounds.
Witnessed my hand, James Sherman, surviving exec."

Dec. 24, 1712. This paper filed by James Sherman, who prays for a citation to Samuel Barnard of Watertown, and Mercy his wife, to appear and make objections, if any.

Dec. 26, 1712. Samuel Barnard of Watertown, who married Mercy, a dau. of the aforesaid John Sherman, deceased, appeared and objected that said James Sherman had not full powers to make sale of land and that his wife had not received her full legacy of 20 pounds.

from the Middlesex, Mass. Probate Records. Account James Sherman executor Dec. 25, 1712. Vol. 6: p. 387.

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=artcohan&id=I00514
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John married Mary Launce about 1638. Mary was born in 1617; died after 1640 in of, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Mary Gibbs before 1639. Mary was born about 1615 in of, England or Massachusetts; died after 1644 in of, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He was pastor the church at Sudbury, 1677 to 1705
at Elizabethtown, NJ, 1706
at Salem, MA, 1708 to 1718

James married Mary Walker on 13 May 1680 in Sudbury, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts. Mary (daughter of Thomas Walker and Mary Stone) was born on 09 Aug 1661 in Boston, Suffolk Co, Massachusetts; died after 1690 in of, Sudbury, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Daniel Allen in 1658 in Lancaster, Worcester Co, Massachusetts. Daniel was born in 1638; died in 1705. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Henry Freeman on 27 Nov 1656 in Watertown, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts. Henry was born in 1639; died after 1657 in of, Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Extensive research undertaken by my Uncle, Brigadier Charles Sherman, records the following note:

Bezaleel Sherman of Milford, Conn., America, was the son of the Reverend John Sherman, by his first wife and is described as "Merchant". In 1676, he came home to England before sailing from Gravesend to India. From 1676 - 1680, Bezaleel Sherman was Surgeon to the East India Company, Fort St George, Madras, where there is a Monumental Inscription to him in St Mary's cemetery, shared with John William Sherman M.D. (1797 - 1866), Physician General to the Madras Army (Indian Medical Service) from 1852 to 1856.
See Monumental Inscriptions, Vol. 3 Madras "List of inscriptions on tombs or monuments in Madras".
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=============================
10/12/01 Nick Sherman

My Uncle devoted a lot of time as his hobby to researching our lineage during the 70s and 80s. He has left me all his research and papers and I want to keep his work going.

He had a very distinguished career in the Army and then in public life, and he would be delighted to know that his work had received a wider audience and had even crossed the pond! He was 90 when he died. My father, his surviving brother, is 86 and will also be thrilled to know about this.

I have actually input all my Uncle's data into FTM. His work was all paper based !
===========================
Nick wrote again:

Bezaleel's appointment in November 24th 1675 is confirmed as surgeon at fort St George, Madras on the same salary of 30 l per annum as the other surgeons. His fare is to be paid for by the EIC as is the fare of his wife, but he must pay himself for the fare and wages of his apprentice, John Hill.

He arrived August 7th 1676. He subscribed a donation of 10 pags to the building of a church in Madraspatam. There are references to his children but nothing which identifies them. He died on August 25th 1680 and was succeeded by Dr John Heathfield. His wife Margaret then married Richard
Brereton (Merchant) in February 1681/2, who died in Madras in 1687.

Oct 3, 1767 Robert Sherman was appointed as a writer at the Coast and Bay at 10 l per annum by Sir Frederick, who appears to be the master of the company. On 28th March 1683, he was appointed Third at Balasor by Hedges (sic). He died in November 1684.

In November 28 1677, Edward Sherman is recorded as standing security for 500 l for Robert Sherman.

In February 28 1679, Christopher Sherman provides 500 l security for a John Penning.

In 1679, Samuel Sherman commanded a sloop called the Ganges, and was previously in the crew of the Company's ship Society. He was attacked by 20 Dutch seamen in the Hugli river. He married Jane Caldwall in June 1680 and died in 1685.

Other references are :

Soldier number 33 Richard Sherman, 1712 on the ship "Marlborough"
John Sherman 24 was a soldier on the Townsend in 1717
Anthony Sherman was a carpenter on the Chestergfield in 1755 as was William Sherman, a glass grinder.
In 1806 a David Sherman was a headmaster in Bengal.

I do not know the value of any of the above but hope it is interesting

===========================
Carolyn Sherman wrote, 18 October 2001

"The British East India Co., founded in 1603, was Britain's main trading organization with the Indies. By the time George went, the BEICO had at least three forts and 'factories' (depots for storage of goods) at Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras, which formed a 'tripod of power' for the British on the coasts of India on which they would build their empire in the 19th century. The company maintained its own army as well.
Since Bezaleel was a physician, he was probably in the privileged company of those who ran things, and may have made a great deal of money in the process. This may have enabled his family to return to England. Interesting that Bez himself only lasted 4 years there - conditions were horrendous and the little British graveyards are full of families who 'went out to India' and never returned... Madras as I remember it is a beautiful city - lots of India's movies are made there!"
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http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=artcohan&id=I49568

Notes:

A master mariner and a man of wealth.

Daniel married Martha Bradley about 1669 in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut. Martha was born in Oct 1648 in New London, New London Co, Connecticut; died on 07 Jan 1706 in Wallingford, New Haven, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Daniel married Abiah (Abijah) Street on 28 Sep 1664 in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut. Abiah was born in 1642 in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut; died on 09 Mar 1708 in New Haven, New Haven Co, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: 1711, Springfield, Hampden Co, Massachusetts; school teacher

Notes:

He taught school at Springfield, MA, during which time he studied medicine, and graduated as a Doctor of Medicine.

About 1722 he and other men took up land to the East of the Town of Springfield, and organized the town of Brimfield, and there he and his family settled.

The settlers organized the "First Committee of Brimfield," which set apart to each head of family a grant of 120 acres and to each son in each family a grant of 120 acres additional, which lands were called "First Grant Lands," and which grants were confirmed by "The Great and General Court of the Province of Massachuttes Bay" June, 1731.

(The lands set apart to John Sherman and his son Bazaleel are still owned by the Sherman family at Brimfield - CPS-22)

He was Proprietor's Clerk for many years, was Town Clerk from 1732 to 1761; was Doctor, Surveyor, Captain of Militia, Magistrate, and Representative..
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[from FDS # 3068, via RVS-68]
He removed to Springfield, Mass. by invitation of the town to become grammar-school teacher and taught from 1702-1716 became a doctor of medicine and was especially active in the settlement of Brimfield, Mass. bringing to the town his family of seven sons and a daughter, the oldest son Bezaleel being with himself a proprietor at the original distribution of lands. He was for a long time "Proprietors Clerk of Brimfield, he was Town Clerk, 1732-1761; was called "Captain John"; was a deacon of the Congregational Church; Justice of the Peace, 1730; selectman 1732-1756; Assessor 1732-5, 1740, 2, 6, 7, 8, 1750, 2. Representative

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=artcohan&id=I00533


Notes for Dr./Capt. John Sherman:
He was a teacher at Springfield, MA and the first physician at Brimfield, MA. Received a proprietor's grant of 190 acres bordering Sherman Pond where there is a tablet in his memory. He was elected selectman 19 times, and was a representative in 1740, 1753 and 1754. He had 12 sons and grandsons in the Revolutionary War.

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/l/a/b/Jean-Labrack/GENE4-0013.html



Occupation:
In 1711 a Frenchman by the name of John Mallefuild was traveling through Springfield, and a severe snowstorm made it impossible for him to keep on. He stopped at Eliakim Cooley's home. He was quite ill, and after ten days died, Nov. 26, 1711. The following references to him are found in Burt's History of Springfield:

Not much is known of his history beyond the brief reference to him in the Town Records. It appears, however, from the records of the Probate Court at Northampton, that he was a trader who came here from Boston with his goods, and that he died at the home of Eliakim Cooley, after a sickness of ten days...

John Sherman, the schoolmaster, testified: "Being at the house of Eliakim Cooley, Senr., tending of John Mallefueld, Frenchman, who being sick on his death bed, he being in his right mind, that his will & desire was that all his tenders and those that looked after him should be well satisfied & all charges & debts paid & the remainder he willed to the poor. He died November 26, 1711."

John married Abigail Wood Stone on 09 Nov 1701 in Sudbury, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts. Abigail (daughter of Deacon Daniel (Middlesex, MA) Stone and Mary Moore) was born on 13 Feb 1680 in Sudbury, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts; died on 09 Mar 1772 in Brimfield, Hampden Co, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He was a mariner. Called "Rev." in Stone genealogy.

James married Margaret Cutler before 1717 in Charlestown, Boston, Suffolk Co, Massachusetts. Margaret was born on 13 Mar 1689 in Charlestown, Boston, Suffolk Co, Massachusetts; died on 13 Jun 1758 in Charlestown, Boston, Suffolk Co, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Samuel married Lydia Hastings about 1704 in New London Co, Connecticut. Lydia was born on 30 Sep 1671 in New London, New London Co, Connecticut; died on 13 Mar 1732 in New London, New London Co, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Abigail married John Johnson about 1693 in New London, New London Co, Connecticut. John was born on 20 Jul 1667; died after 1694 in of, New Haven, New Haven Co, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Daniel married Mary Bassett on 21 Jan 1702 in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut. Mary was born on 14 Feb 1678 in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut; died on 25 Aug 1751 in New Haven, New Haven Co, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Note: She may be Love Sherman. Her first son was named Phineas, possibly named for his maternal grandfather, as was the custom. There was a Sherman family with the name Phineas appearing in the area at about the time she was there. More research is needed. jad 10/6/03
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=judywdavison&id=I1967

Love married Peter Haynes about 1723 in Brimfield, Hampden Co, Massachusetts. Peter was born on 20 Jun 1685 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts; died on 17 Feb 1779 in Brimfield, Hampden Co, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Bezaleel married Abigail Graves on 04 Feb 1731 in Brimfield, Hampden Co, Massachusetts. Abigail was born about 1705; died after 1746 in of, Brimfield, Hampden Co, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Beriah married Mary Burch on 26 Sep 1744 in Mendon, Worcester Co, Massachusetts. Mary was born about 1710; died after 1762 in of, Brimfield, Hampden Co, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Adonijah Russell on 13 Jul 1732 in Brimfield, Hampden Co, Massachusetts. Adonijah (son of John Russell and Rebecca Blodgett) was born on 25 Feb 1712 in Brimfield, Hampden Co, Massachusetts; died on 15 May 1778 in Brimfield, Hampden Co, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

James married Mrs. Mary (..) Sherman on 18 Jul 1749 in Brimfield, Hampden Co, Massachusetts. Mary was born about 1720; died after 1766 in of, Brimfield, Hampden Co, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He served in the Continental Army, Revolutionary War. At Town Meeting, Brimfield, Aug. 16, 1779 he was voted 6 (lb) for his services.
[FDS #3111 via RVS-74]

Phineas married Elizabeth Morgan on 12 Dec 1738 in Brimfield, Hampden Co, Massachusetts. Elizabeth was born on 16 Sep 1709 in Brimfield, Hampden Co, Massachusetts; died on 02 Aug 1772 in Brimfield, Hampden Co, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Thomas married Ann Blodgett on 12 Sep 1751 in Brimfield, Hampden Co, Massachusetts. Ann (daughter of Joseph Blodgett and Sarah Stone) was born on 10 Apr 1724 in Lexington, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts; died on 20 Mar 1820 in of, Brimfield, Hampden Co, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Abigail married Christopher Stebbins on 22 Dec 1720 in New London, New London Co, Connecticut. Christopher (son of Daniel Stebbins and Bethiah Comstock) was born on 07 Jul 1694 in New London, Connecticut; died on 18 Feb 1785 in Springfield, Hampden Co, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He was a Lieutenant in the Colonial Wars (1757-1758). Served as 1st Lt. in Capt. Amos Hitchcock's 3rd Co., 2nd Regt., Aug 1757, in the Alarm for Fort William Henry.

Amos married Elizabeth Rexford on 11 Feb 1741 in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut. Elizabeth (daughter of Arthur Rexford and Elizabeth Stevens) was born about 1719 in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut; died in Jul 1799 in Woodbridge, New Haven, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]