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Francis Kendall (abt. 1620 - abt. 1708)

Francis Kendall aka Kendall alias Miles
Born about in Englandmap [uncertain]
Son of and [mother unknown]
Brother of
Husband of — married 24 Dec 1644 in Woburn, Middlesex, Massachusetts Baymap
Descendants descendants
Father of , , , , , , , and
Died about at about age 88 in Woburn, Middlesex, Province of Massachusetts Baymap [uncertain]
Problems/Questions Profile managers: Puritan Great Migration Project WikiTree private message [send private message], T Stanton private message [send private message], Julia Howard private message [send private message], Ezra Gillett private message [send private message], and Joyce Weaver private message [send private message]
Profile last modified | Created 27 Jul 2010
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There are disproven, disputed, or competing theories about this person's parents. See the text for details.
The Puritan Great Migration.
Francis Kendall migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). (See The Directory, by R. C. Anderson, p. 192)
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Contents

Biography

This profile is part of the Kendall Name Study.

In his Great Migration Directory, Anderson gives the origin of Francis Kendall as Westmill, Hertfordshire, England, however, has acknowledged that this is a misprint that will be corrected when a full sketch is published in the Great Migration Series.[1] A brief examination of other points of origin which are seen is necessary as they continue to be encountered to this day. Various histories and genealogies give his origin as the county of Westmoreland, England however this is based upon nothing more than there being a town of the name Kendall in the county. That he originated in Norfolk, England stems from the will of one William Yonges of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk dated 1611. This somewhat circuitous explanation for a point of origin is examined in Dawes-Gates (footnote on page 376).[2] The parents of Francis Kendall are unknown and parents should not be attached to this profile absent primary source documentation and consultation with PGM Project.

Francis Kendall's date of birth may be fixed between 1615-20 based upon depositions he made later in life.[2] He was a miller[3] who came to New England by 1640, perhaps before, who may have initially resided in Charlestown.[2] The first extant record of him in the colony is dated 19 Dec 1640 when he signed "Town Orders" prior to moving to a new settlement which in 1642 was formally named Woburn. Title to the new town of Woburn was held by seven men who then granted tracts, one for a house and one for tilling, to about sixty families the poorest of whom had six or seven acres nearer the meeting house and twenty-five "upland" acres for farming.[4] Francis spent the remaining sixty-eight years of his life in Woburn, the last of the original founders save one to pass away in 1708.

Francis Kendall, alias Miles, married Mary Tidd on 24 December 1644 at Woburn, Massachusetts Bay Colony.[5] She would be his wife for the next sixty-one years.[6] In many 19th and early 20th century genealogies the fact that the marriage record records his name as "Francis Kendall, alias Miles" led to exceptional flights of fancy that he had fled England under an assumed name for a variety of reasons. This frequently repeated family lore appears to have originated with Dr Rev Kendall of Weston, Massachussets in the early 19th Century who was apparently unfamiliar with the English system of names dating from the transition to formal surnames and extending well into the 17th Century. All of these stories should be discounted, lack any factual basis, and the most succinct address on the topic may be found in Dawes-Gates (footnote page 376).[2]

It is believed that Francis suffered some physical incapacity in his mid to late thirties for in 1657 he was released from all "ordnary traynings." He served as a selectman of the town for eighteen years between 1659-1688.[3][7] Francis' time as selectman included years under the tyranny of marshal Andros for which his later depositions survive.[2]

Francis' wife Mary passed away at Woburn in 1705[8] following what appears to have been a painful illness attended by her three daughters.

Francis precise date of death is unknown but in or prior to May 1708 based upon estate documents. Francis will was signed 9 May 1706[9][3] and contains twenty separate articles containing bequests to four sons, four living daughters, the children of his deceased daughter, five grandsons and two granddaughters. His extensive land holdings allowed him to leave farms to each of his living children and grandson Ralph. In the division of his "corne mill" he gave clear direction that if any of the four sons should be financially negligent in its upkeep their share immediately reverted to the others. Sons John and Thomas served as executors of the estate.

Note: Francis' will mentions the "eight children of my brother Thomas Kendall that were living when my brother died." [10] Appears suggestive Wikitree's Kendall-28 is the Thomas Kendall referenced. (Nov. 1, 2021)

As Mary Walton Ferris points out in her extended treatment of the Kendall family[2] the Kendall family was prolific with Francis having at least eighty-four recorded grandchildren, all but six born before his death. Son Jacob alone had twenty-one children.

Children[11]

  1. John - b 2 May 1646 m1 Unknown wife m2 Elizabeth Comey, m3 Eunice (Brooks) (Carter) Parker
  2. Thomas - b 10 January 1648/49 m1 Ruth Blodgett m2 Abigail (Rayner) Broughton
  3. Mary - b 20 January 1650/51 m Israel Reed
  4. Elizabeth - b 15 January 1652/53 m1 Ephraim Winship m2 Joseph Pierce
  5. Hannah - b 26 January 1654/55 m William Greene
  6. Rebecca - b 21 March 1657/58 m Joshua Eaton
  7. Samuel - b 8 March 1659/60 m1 Rebecca Mixer m2 Mary Locke
  8. Jacob - b 25 January 1660/11 m1 Persis Hayward/Hayood m2 Alie (Hassell) Temple widow of Christopher
  9. Abigail - b 6 April 1666 m William Reed

Research Notes

Family and Origins: Recent research by the WikiTree Puritan Great Migration project has concluded that in all probability Francis is the brother of Thomas Kendall (abt.1618-1681) of Reading. In Francis will (made in 1706) he leaves 20 shillings each to "The Eight Chilldren of my Brother Thomas Kendall, that were living when he my said brother dyed ... and this I do in remembrance of the (illegible) I had for, and from, my said loving Brother Thomas Kendall."[12] Francis Kendall's will is transcribed in a Free Space Page here

The latest (published mid-2023) research on the origins of Thomas and Francis Kendall by Keri-Lynn Kendall finds that in all probability they are from Buckinghamshire and the sons of Raphe Mylles alias Kendale.[13] This research with citations may be found here. This information has been given to and acknowledged by Robert Anderson and a profile of the brothers is included in a forthcoming publication.

Whether John Kendall (abt.1585-abt.1660) of Cambridge is brother to Francis and Thomas is unresolved but appears unlikely in light of recent research. Francis (b 1620) and Thomas (b 1616) of Buckinghamshire had a brother John but he was born 1623 (not in 1585), there are English deeds involving him in 1654 and his will is found in England in 1666. These records would appear to negate the idea that John Kendall of Cambridge is the John who is brother to Francis and Thomas in Buckinghamshire.

Other versions of the profile have shown Francis to be the son of John Kendall and Elizabeth Sacherell. Although this claim is made on the internet and other secondary sources, there is no documentary evidence for this claim or the existence of John and Elizabeth (Sacherell) Kendall. For more information see the Disputed Origins section on Mabel (Unknown) Summers (abt.1605-1690).

Note: the following text left on the profile without identification of who left it. Family legend is that he had to conceal his identity from his parents to leave England and he used the alias surname "Miles" also see Woburn marriage record, Volume 3, p.151 - "Ffrances Kendall, alias Miles, and Mary Tedd maryed the 24th of 10 mo 1644." per Steele & Related Lines Book II (2000) p39. Note: this family legend appears to stem from nothing more than his marriage record reading "alias Miles" which is, to date, the only place this is found and there are no other references to this. This lore appears to have originated with Dr Rev Kendall [19th Century?] of Weston, Massachusetts according to the Josiah Kendall Memorial (linked under See Also and Cautions).

Sources

  1. ↑ See Comments and Keri-Lynn Kendall, "Francis and Thomas Kendall in New England" June 15, 2023 on Ancestor Quests
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Ferris, Mary Walton, Dawes-Gates Ancestral Lines, Milwaukee, Cuneo Press (privately printed), 1943. pp 375-95 citing Savage II:9-10; Pope's Pioneers, 1900, p 266; Vital Records of Woburn I:138-39; II:104; III:151-2, 284
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 NEHGR, Vol. 39, Pg. 17-23 Subscription
  4. ↑ Hurd, History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts (1890) Vol I:346
  5. ↑ Johnson, Edward Francis, Woburn Records of Births, Deaths, and Marriages (Woburn, Mass. : Andrews Cutler & Co., 1890), Part 3, page 151. "Francis Kendall, alias Miles, and Mary Tidd, Dec. 24, 1644."
  6. ↑ Wyman, T B, Genealogies and Estates of Charlestown, Boston, Clapp, 1879, p 569
  7. ↑ Sewall, Samuel, History of Woburn, Wiggin & Lunt, 1868, [1]
  8. ↑ Vital Records of Woburn
  9. ↑ Probate records 1648--1924 (Middlesex County, Massachusetts); Author: Massachusetts. Probate Court (Middlesex County); Probate Place: Middlesex, Massachusetts. Middlesex County File No 13111.
  10. ↑ https://www.americanancestors.org/databases/middlesex-county-ma-probate-file-papers-1648-1871/image?volumeId=14463&pageName=13053:5&rId=38306489
  11. ↑ NEHGR, Vol. 39, Pg. 17-23 Subscription
  12. ↑ Will of Francis Kendall, in Middlesex County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1648-1871 (subscription required) Online database. AmericanAncestors.org > case 13053 > pages 2-5. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014. (From records supplied by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Archives. Digitized images provided by FamilySearch.org
  13. ↑ England, Buckinghamshire, Sherington, Bishop’s Transcripts for Sherrington, 1576-1839, children of Raphe Kendall als. Miles, 1613-1638, FHL microfilm 1,999,452 items 4-6; digitized images, Family Search (www.familysearch.org : accessed 13 April 2023).
  • Sewall, Samuel, History of Woburn, Wiggin & Lunt, 1868, pg 619
  • Holman, Mary Lovering, Ancestry of Colonel John Harrington Stevens and his wife Frances Helen Miller, Concord NH, privately printed, 1953, pp 116-24
  • Notes from the family bible of Charles Kendall as transcribed by his grand daughter – Ken Gillett has a copy as of 2015.
  • Johnson, Woburn Marriage Records, Vol. 3, Pg. 136
  • Crane, Ellery Bicknell, ed., Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester County, Massachusetts, New York, Lewis Publishing, 1907, p 44
  • Hurd, History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts (1890) Vol I:346
  • Middlesex County Court Records, Vol. 1, Pg. 143
  • NEHGR, Vol. 87, Pg. 286 Subscription, short lineage of Edith Kendall (1859-1933)

See Also & Cautions:

  • Stearns, Ezra S. Genealogical and Family History of the State of New Hampshire (Lewis Publishing Company, 1908) Vol. 2, Page 828 "...in order to conceal from his parents his intention to emigrate to this country, he embarked in England under an assumed name, Miles." Note: there is nothing to support or document he left England under an assumed name and other information in this source is derivative of earlier work.
  • The Kendall Genealogy (1920 Boston, C.E. Goodsped 7 Co.) by Irma A Rich. Note: absent any documentation this proposes his origins are in Kendall, Westmoreland County.
  • Kendall, Oliver, Memorial of Josiah Kendall, Providence, RI, privately printed, 1884. Note: claims the family is from Kendall, Westmoreland but not Francis specifically. Perpetuates the claim that Kendall came to the colony under an assumed name.
  • Mackenzie, George Norbury, Colonial Families of the United States of America: In which is ..., New York, Grafton Press, 1908. pp 327-38. Note: perpetuates the undocumented claim that Kendall came to the colony under an assumed name.
  • Steele & Related Lines Book II (2000) by Robert Vernon Steele p38 (and following bibliography from that source) Sources cited: The Kendalls of Kennebec, by Brown & Brown (929.273 K331a -Salt Lake City. Note: includes the following sources in its bibliography but appears to be a self-published genealogy, and contains errors, including mistranscriptions of names.
    • Jonathan Kendall memorial by Sylvia Richards (929.273 A1 #3080- Salt Lake City
    • Woburn Record of Births, Deaths & Marriages from 1640 to 1873 - Marriages, p291, by Edward F Johnson (974.44/W3 Vol. 3 -Salt Lake City
    • History of Woburn, MA, Pt II (974.43M1 H2b - Salt Lake City
    • Family Group sheets - Salt Lake City,
    • International Genealogical Index, MA - Salt Lake City

Acknowledgments

  • Profile re-sourced and rewritten by descendant T Stanton June 2020




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Comments: 54

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Scott Kendall
Are they so many chefs in the kitchen that no one has the authority to add Rafe aka Ralphe Kendall als Mylles (Milles) as the father of Francis and Thomas Kendall? There is no better argument https://ancestorquests.com/2023/07/finding-francis-and-thomas/
posted by Scott Kendall
Stanton-3574 T Stanton
Scott, I see you have gone ahead and made this change by changing the Unknown Unknown father profile to Ralphe. Usually we wait for the Project Leader to approve a change on a project protected profile but I know the PGM people are swamped. Are you going to add the various information and primary source record citations to it?

At this point, we need a consult with England Project on which spelling of "Miles" is going to be used under their guidelines (which are not the same as for PGM). My preference would be that we use the spelling found in the period records.

posted by T Stanton
Babcock-8628 Kent Babcock
The Family Tree Kendall DNA Project now has six descendants who have Big Y 700 tested from the Woburn, MA settlement. Most of the descendants have Francis Kendall as their earliest known ancestor (EKA). Interestingly the descendant from the parent clade (and currently the sole occupant of that clade) of the two subclades of Kendalls is a Mill with an EKA noted to be a Mill. This is one more bit of Y-DNA genetic evidence to corroborate the alias ‘Myles’ being associated with the Kendalls of the time and place in England that was referenced on one occasion in the Colonies. Refer to the elegant and insightful findings of Keri-Lynn and Celia at the URL posted by Celia in her comments below for the supporting genealogical information.

The noted above Mill descendant is hierarchically grouped by Y-STR data with the Kendalls from Woburn, MA and is *distinct* (by Y-STRs and SNPs) from all the Mills and Miles in those two Family Tree projects.

Is it possible to add those clade defining SNPs (‘terminal SNPs’) to the DNA connection for Francis Kendall perchance?

posted by Kent Babcock
Celia Danforth
To add briefly to the comments I left here recently, I've written a slightly light-hearted post to my own blog about Newport Pagnell, which mentions Francis Kendall alias Miles. It can be found here: https://morgansite.wordpress.com/2023/06/23/newport-pagnell/.
posted by Celia Danforth
Celia Danforth
My colleague Keri-Lynn Kendall is still in the process of preparing more articles about Francis Kendall alias Miles of Woburn, and his brother Thomas, so it will pay to follow her blog https://ancestorquests.com/. She has posted an article about Maud, the supposed sister of Francis and Thomas, showing beyond little doubt, she was not a sister of their but related by marriage. You can see it here: https://ancestorquests.com/2023/06/who-was-mabel-reed/. I don't know if Bob Anderson has made public his mistake about Westmill, Herts but I have on file the email he sent to my colleague on 7 October 2018 (shared by her with me) because it was me who raised the flat about it, having failed to find any trace of Francis in Westmill, Herts. I won't share the actual email unless Bob gives permission, so watch this space! Celia Renshaw in Stirling, Scotland. Family history blog: www.morgansite.wordpress.com
posted by Celia Danforth
Celia Danforth
[flat should be flag of course!]
posted by Celia Danforth
Celia Danforth
In a private email to an American co-researcher of mine, Bob Anderson admitted that he had made a mistake stating Westmill, Hertfordshire as the origin of Francis KENDALL (alias MILES) of Woburn. Francis was not from there. It is now close to certain he was baptised at Sherington in Buckinghamshire as follows: Franncis MYLLES alias KENDALL the sonne of Raph MYLLES baptized the 19th of November 1620. A brother Thomas was baptised there too: Thomas MYLLES the sonne of Raphe MYLLES baptized the xxiiii th of November 1616. These baptisms are from the only available source for Sherington, ie. the Bishops Transcripts (BTs) as no PRs are extant until 1698. This is my own research in collaboration with Keri-Lynn Kendall of Pennsylvania, whose husband descends from Francis. You can read her articles about this research here: https://ancestorquests.com/. I hope this helps. I'm happy to answer any questions. Celia Renshaw in Stirling, Scotland
posted by Celia Danforth
M Cole
Thank you, Celia. That's an exciting discovery. I've removed the Westmill info and noted that it's a misprint. There are a number of descendants who are very interested in this profile...I will leave it to them to review and update the new information on origins.
posted by M Cole
Scott Kendall
https://ancestorquests.com/2023/07/finding-francis-and-thomas/
posted by Scott Kendall
Scott Kendall
What is the source used for Francis' birthplace?
posted by Scott Kendall
Stanton-3574 T Stanton
Hi Scott. As it reads above, "In his Great Migration Directory, Anderson gives the origin of Francis Kendall as Westmill, Hertfordshire, England" however he does not cite a source which is way PGM has marked this Uncertain. One of the project PCs or Leaders has suggested they thought this might actually be a typographical error (I guess meaning it was used in the wrong place) and has made inquiry. As far as I know there has not yet been a response. It could certainly be worth asking the Great Migration project at NEHGS this question again. Since he is likely brother to the Kendall named above who is known to be "of Reading," is that a more likely point of origin? I don't know.
posted by T Stanton
Ashley-1950 Chase Ashley
The GMD cites as one source: Sarah Hidreth Anc 25-27. https://archive.org/details/ancestryofsarahh00davi/page/24/mode/2up?view=theater Those pages discuss the Richardsons of Westmill, Hertfordshire, including son Samuel who settled in Woburn. The only Francis I found were a Francis Wyman and his son Francis. The book contains no references to Francis Kendall. I wonder if the GMD reference to Westmill is an error.
posted by Chase Ashley
edited by Chase Ashley
Stanton-3574 T Stanton
Chase, see this which is posted in a thread way down the page: M, published today at AncestorQuests is an article which contains this, "The Great Migration Directory has no origin for either Kendall brother, though Francis was mistakenly given the location of Westmill, Hertfordshire. Robert Charles Anderson has since corrected this and explained Westmill was the origin of Francis Wyman of Woburn, a location accidentally assigned to Francis Kendall as well." I don't know where the correction has been published...article does not say. Link to article: https://ancestorquests.com/2023/06/francis-and-thomas-kendall-in-new-england/#more-1255
posted by T Stanton
Ezra Gillett III
Will find file this week - belive my source is from the Woburn library.
posted by Ezra Gillett III
Ezra Gillett III
could not delete birthplace for kendall-5
posted by Ezra Gillett III
Mercer-3834 Brian Mercer
I'm not saying this is going to clear anything up, but I'd like to suggest a book; "Kendall genealogy : the descendants of Thomas and Francis Kendall of Charlestown and Woburn, Mass." at https://archive.org/details/kendallgenealogy1920rich/page/16/mode/2up

Francis' daughter Abigail married Capt. William Reed whose Grandmother was a Mabel Kendall, and in the book "HISTORY of THE REED FAMILY In Europe and America" by Jacob Whittemore Reed, pg. 65 says that William Reed was Francis's cousin, so there must be a connection between Francis and Mabel Kendall if the book is correct. https://deriv.nls.uk/dcn23/9479/94790630.23.pdf

posted by Brian Mercer
Stanton-3574 T Stanton
Hi Brian. I wanted to add some notes to your observations. The Irma Rich "Kendall Genealogy" is one of the books listed on this profile under "See Also and Cautions" for being undocumented. Likewise, the Jacob Reed work is cited on the Mable Unknown profile (grandmother of Capt Wm Reed, wife of Abigail) as having been discounted for offering no documentation for its assertion that Mabel was a Kendall. No one has yet found documentation to support this maiden name theory of Mabel.
posted by T Stanton
edited by T Stanton
Scott Kendall
There is a new article about Mabel Kendall. https://ancestorquests.com/2023/06/who-was-mabel-reed/.
posted by Scott Kendall
M Cole
Thanks, Scott. Nice article. Just for clarity, the article is actually about Mabel Read, since it concludes there's no evidence to support the last name Kendall.
posted by M Cole
Scott Kendall
Yes, I understand. I think the author wanted to address the long standing "tradition" of the connection to the Kendall brothers. I believe this will be a series of articles on Francis Kendall and his ancestry. In my opinion, its groundbreaking.
posted by Scott Kendall
Babcock-8628 Kent Babcock
Greetings! I'm rather new to WikiTree and still getting my bearings, so my apologies upfront for any missteps on my part. I did want to share that the Kendall DNA Project on Family Tree is now up to 6 Big Y 700 testers for the Woburn, MA group, all of whom have been assigned R-FT137574 as their terminal SNP. This SNP defines the clade for the Woburn, MA settlement of Kendalls. In addition, all of these test taker descendants are very likely to be connected to Francis Kendall's lineage — one by a likely non-paternal event (NPE) granted.

My own Kendall lineage ends when my 3rd great grandmother marries a Babcock. However, genealogically I am in the Frances > Samuel > Isaac (and on) line. Not being pre-1700 certified I was not able to add a will to Samuel's (1659-1749) profile as I did not see a will noted in Sources for him. Consequently I added a comment and am awaiting a profile manager or someone to respond.

Though the large group of Kendalls of VA/NC are also in the ' R ' haplogroup like the Woburn, MA set of Kendalls, the two groups are quite disparate from a genetic standpoint and, for all intents and purposes, not related to one another.

posted by Kent Babcock
Isaac Taylor
Hello folks.

If we don't know who this man's parents were, how do we know where he was born?

posted by Isaac Taylor
Madison-125 Bobbie (Madison) Hall
First paragraph of the biography points you to Anderson and Dawes-Gates.
posted by Bobbie (Madison) Hall
Isaac Taylor
And what do they say?

I've read Dawes-Gates. It appears not to say what we imply it says, or on the page we cite. Check it out.

Does Anderson name a primary source artifact?

Thanks for your work and time replying here, I appreciate it.

posted by Isaac Taylor
Stanton-3574 T Stanton
Anderson cites in GMD: WoTR 2 (which I believe is a typo for WoVR = Woburn Vital Records); Stevens-Miller 1:116-24; Dawes-Gates 1:375-95; Sarah Hildreth Ancestry 25-27. I now don't recall his reasoning for the location but when the profile was last reviewed regarding often seen false information, the decision was made to stick with Anderson's point of origin. I believe his reasoning was circumstantial based on secondary source information. He generally doesn't give a point of origin without being confident.

Edit: I don't see that the profile states Dawes-Gates as the source for point of origin, it is citing Anderson as the authority on that (and his underlying research). The most important contribution of Dawes-Gates is the footnote on p 376.

posted by T Stanton
edited by T Stanton
Isaac Taylor
I'll clarify my comment which might have sounded rude because terse.

Here's what we say to our readers, in the origins paragraph of bio:

  • "In his Great Migration Directory, Anderson gives the origin of Francis Kendall as Westmill, Hertfordshire, England." I'm sure this sentence is true... but absent the primary source he relies on, or summary of rationale for his assessment and conclusion, it is (respectfully) merely an appeal to authority. A good one, but still, not evidence. Is it? Then,
  • "A brief examination of other points of origin which are seen is necessary as they continue to be encountered to this day. Various histories and genealogies give his origin as the county of Westmoreland, England however this is based upon nothing more than there being a town of the name Kendall in the county." OK this is super helpful to me (and other readers) by warning us that a Westmoreland origin is not evidenced, but appears online so caveat lector. Duly noted! But still doesn't explain why we agree with Anderson, or what his source is. Leaving our last bit about Dawes-Gates:
  • "That he originated in Norfolk, England stems from the will of one William Yonges of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk dated 1611. This somewhat circuitous explanation for a point of origin is examined in Dawes-Gates (footnote on page 376).[2]" OK, I'll go follow that citation to the source...

Checking the cited page 376, here is the text (OCR so caps and some typos likely introduced, but not important this purpose) of that footnote:

  • *At his marriage in 1644 Francis was recorded for some unknown reason, as "KENDALL alias Miles”. Perhaps as a consequence of this record a tradition has grown and persisted that Francis had been stolen from a Ralph Miles in England, and brought over to the colony; but this seems quite unlikely since his acknowledged brother Thomas' of Reading bore the name of Kendall without an alias. Another theory which is advanced is much more probable, namely, that the parents of FRANCIS may have objected to his leaving England and that he may have sailed under the assumed name of "Miles” to avoid controversy. If that were true, he might have used both his assumed and his actual names at marriage for a completer identification.

OK, this says nothing relevant to Hertfordshire origin.

Scrolling to the end of the piece, no later footnote seems relevant. Scrolling back to the beginning of the article, there are two separate footnotes on page 375 (not 376) both relevant to origin question, but neither confirms nor denies any particular point of origin or supports the birthplace we give in this profile now:

  • *It is claimed,28 though without submission of proof, that a John Kendall of England was the father of three (or possibly four, see note p. 371 of Jennison) emigrants to New England, the earliest being22 Mabel Kendall, born about 1605 who had married in England about 1628 William Reade (see Addendum, p. 392) and emigrated with him and their three eldest children on the “Defence”, arriving at Boston in July, 1635, and residing there and later at Woburn. She married secondly, November 21, 1660, as his second wife, Henry: Somers. This second husband by his will left substantial legacies to his step- children, and his own heir brought suit, during the course of which, testimony included the statement that Francis Kendall was Mabel's brother.22 Incidentally, her son Israels Reade married his first cousin Mary Kendall (FRANCIS); her son George Reade married29 Elizabeth Jennison (ROBERT) and their son William Reade married his father's first cousin Abigail Kendall (FRANCIS).22
  • **Though Francis, as shown, is first recorded in the colony in 1640 and Thomas his brother of Reading in 1642, they may have come over together and have visited their sister in the vicinity of Boston while deciding where they would settle. An item which might lead to knowledge of the English origin of these Kendalls is seen in the wills of a William Yonges of Great Yarmouth, co. Norfolk, England, dated in 1611, wherein mention is made of a Frances Kendall as one of the testator's kindred. Moreover, John Tids of Woburn (whose daughter married our FRANCIS KENDALL) acquired the right to one hundred acres in Woburn through the right of a Richard Youngs of London. 375

So, Mary Beman (Gates) Dawes has informed us of some useful information:

  1. Explicitly: there exists a certain William Yonges of Great Yarmouth (in Norfolk not Hertfordshire) whose 1611 will names a certain Frances Kendall as kin to a certain testator.
  2. Implicitly: When she published (1931/43?) she was not aware of any evidence linking that Frances Kendall of Norfolk, still living in 1611, with our Francis Kendall the emigrant to Woburn... and she kindly points others to look into it, but she either didn't or couldn't connect them, yet. (Q: has anybody connected these two Kendalls since? That was a long time ago and searching is much easier now.)
  3. Explicitly: Our Francis the emigrant's father-in-law Tidd knew a certain Richard Youngs, then of London (again not Hertfordshire) who may or may NOT be related to the William Yonges of Norfok (again not Hertfordshire). But she had no idea at the time. (Q: Do we, now?)

Map of above-mentioned places:

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Great+Yarmouth,+UK/Westmill,+Buntingford,+UK/London,+United+Kingdom/

These places are ~150 miles apart. More than it sounds now, in that time, and culture. Could all these people be connected, of course yes. But we have no evidence of that, no, not per Dawes-Gates.

So, we come back to the beginning: what did Anderson say, or explain? I can't check myself to see.

Thanks!

Edited: to correct the maps link after realizing the brother is Reading Mass not Reading, England. And for formatting for the quotes and footnote quotes.

posted by Isaac Taylor
edited by Isaac Taylor
Isaac Taylor
Separately,

This page probably explains (ie refutes) the Westmorland garble as sloppy GED fill-in-the-blank-ification by the undiligent:

"KENDALL: Transferred use of the surname, which is at least in part a local name, either from Kendal in Cumbria (formerly the county town of Westmorland), so named because it stands in the valley of the river Kent, or from Kendale in Driffield, Humberside, where the first element is Old Norse keld ‘spring’. The surname may in some cases be derived from the Welsh personal name Cynddelw, which is of uncertain origin, perhaps from an Old Celtic word meaning ‘high, exalted’ + delw ‘image, effigy’). Dictionary of First Names © Patrick Hanks and Flavia Hodges 1990, 2003, 2006."

The ancient word-origins of the surname are obviously irrelevant to the place-origins of one emigrant! He could be from anywhere in the British isles, is all Hanks and Hodges have told us as genealogists. ;-)

posted by Isaac Taylor
Stanton-3574 T Stanton
The Puritan Great Migration Project follows the research of Anderson unless it finds evidence to the contrary. That’s a tenet of the project, not me (and I am not a PGM project leader). The project has numerous times found evidence to the contrary which is shared with the project at NEHGS (and they make correction as warranted). Given the short citations found in the GMD (I don’t believe this man appears in the initial series of books), I don’t always find it possible to understand all of Anderson’s reasoning in this short form directory. However, given his track record I don’t think the project will remove a point of origin he has given absent something concrete showing it to be in error.

I’m not sure of the purpose in the detailed parsing of the various theories.

If you find fault with Anderson’s conclusion in this case, it’s easy to contact the project via NEHGS. Not at my desk presently but there’s a specific procedure and contact which perhaps another member can append.

posted by T Stanton
M Cole
I personally suspect that this is a misprint. I actually emailed the NEHGS project about this in September but didn't hear back, which is unusual. In the past, I've received a quick reply either explaining the entry, or agreeing that it's an error that they will correct in future editions. I suspect that they are preoccupied with finalizing the new book coming out this year.

I assume my inquiry is lost at this point. Isaac. you may want to try again.

posted by M Cole
Stanton-3574 T Stanton
M, published today at AncestorQuests is an article which contains this, "The Great Migration Directory has no origin for either Kendall brother, though Francis was mistakenly given the location of Westmill, Hertfordshire. Robert Charles Anderson has since corrected this and explained Westmill was the origin of Francis Wyman of Woburn, a location accidentally assigned to Francis Kendall as well." I don't know where the correction has been published...article does not say. Link to article: https://ancestorquests.com/2023/06/francis-and-thomas-kendall-in-new-england/#more-1255
posted by T Stanton
Scott Kendall
Did you know "Kendall alias Mills" was used as a surname for over a century in Buckinghamshire, England. There is some groundbreaking research being posted on Francis Kendall in the Facebook group: Kendall Surname Study
posted by Scott Kendall
edited by Scott Kendall
Jenkins-761 Dave Jenkins
Reference is made in this profile to Francis' estate papers, but that reference fails to mention the part about Thomas Kendall, brother of Frances. I believe 20 schillings were given Thomas' eight surviving children. In the interest of advancing this site's genealogical goals, it would appear to be a no-brainer regarding the connection of the two brother profiles. This is irrespective of the debate regarding their parentage. Thank you.

https://www.americanancestors.org/databases/middlesex-county-ma-probate-file-papers-1648-1871/image?volumeId=14463&pageName=13053:4&rId=38306488

posted by Dave Jenkins
edited by Dave Jenkins
Jenkins-761 Dave Jenkins
Transcribed PDF version of will.

https://www.gustafsonfam.com/genealogy/kevin/kendall_will.pdf

posted by Dave Jenkins
Brad Stauf
Editing my comment now that I see you sensibly posted a G2G question on it. It sounds like the consensus from PGM is to tweak the bios a bit to cite that will and describe the possible relationship and the concerns that Stu brought up.

Would you be willing to add a few sentences to each profile near the top about the possible relationshp sourced by that will? Thanks for your contributions!

posted by Brad Stauf
edited by Brad Stauf
Jenkins-761 Dave Jenkins
Yes. I'll add to each profile. Thank you.
posted by Dave Jenkins
Dobson-4309 Mike Dobson
A bit of wild speculation but I thought I'd toss it out here. While researching John of Cambridge and his second wife Elizabeth widow of Samuel Holly I stumbled across the following records in Whitkirk, Yorkshire, England:

Marriage 12 Nov 1611 John Kendall and Elizabeth Dickson 1st marriage of John of Cambridge whose daughter Elizabeth married Morris Somes?

Baptism 26 Dec 1613 Thomas Kendall son of Robert The Thomas of Reading?

Baptism 22 Jan 1620 Francis son of Robert The Francis of Charleston/Woburn of this profile?

Here we have three men of the same names and good matches in ages for the three Kendall immigrants of New England all in the same location in England. The John and Robert of Whitkirk are likely brothers,

Quite the coincidence at the very least and it of course contradicts the account of Francis' connection to William Younges of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk in Dawes-Gates.

The only record in Norfolk is a Francis baptised 1 Aug 1616 in Kettlestone son of Thomas and Maria. There is a record for a Thomas Kendale son of Thomas and Mary baptised 1620 in Great Yarmouth. If Kendale = Kendall and Thomas moved from Kettlestone to Great Yarmouth between 1616 and 1620 we might have a match there.

posted by Mike Dobson
edited by Mike Dobson
M Cole
The bio doesn't really discuss the Hertfordshire origin that is listed in the Great Migration Directory. From the GMD sources, the one that mentions Hertfordshire is the Sarah Hildreth Ancestry. See on Hathitrust. From glancing through that it seems to refer to Francis Wyman...I didn't see a reference to Kendall, but perhaps someone who is more familiar with this family would understand the connection, and how it leads to Francis Kendall being from Hertfordshire.
posted by M Cole
edited by M Cole
Dobson-4309 Mike Dobson
Could the connection be that Francis along with the three Richardsons and their nephews Francis and John Wyman all went to Woburn at about the same time as Francis Kendall because they were all from Hertfordshire? Kind of a stretch and needs strong support. Even if Richardson/Wyman children married into Kendall or vice versa (haven't looked that deep) that would not imply a common origin. But people from the same region in England often remained together in New England especially if their religious interests aligned and moving to a new town gave them freedom to practice their flavour of Puritanism.

EDIT: nothing anywhere in the ancestry to implicate Francis Kendall as being from Hertfordshire so only left with the conjecture above.

posted by Mike Dobson
edited by Mike Dobson
Celia Danforth
Mike, I have speculated about Woburn Francis Kendall travelling with the Richardsons and Wymans too. Francis would have been only about 20 or 21. He may have been apprenticed in Herts, or had relations there. As you say though, it would take some digging to see if this is true.
posted by Celia Danforth
Stanton-3574 T Stanton
When reworking and correcting this profile, I never came to a clear understanding of Anderson's identification of the probable point of origin. But, did find clear reasoning why the other points of origin often seen, as stated, are in all probability incorrect. In the absence of something showing Anderson is in error, his place of origin has been followed. It is possible there is additional information in TGM newsletters or if Alicia Williams has done further work but I have not done additional research since June 2020.
posted by T Stanton
M Cole
Its curious, as the conclusions are usually pretty easy to understand by looking at the sources. There certainly are some mistakes in the Directory, but I checked the errata page, and nothing on the Kendall entry. (Unfortunately, NEHGS has discontinued the separate Great Migration website, but its still in Internet Archive). I may write to the project....I just wanted to be sure that I wasn't missing something.
posted by M Cole
Stanton-3574 T Stanton
Profile has been re-sourced, rewritten, undocumented parent removed. Still tweaking a little. Wife profiles should now be merged.
posted by T Stanton
Baldwin-3428 Carol Baldwin PhD RN
Hello T Stanton, Your last paragraph about the number of grandchildren I think should read eighty-four rather than eight-four. As to 'alias', Pope (mine is a reprint, 1991, Pg 266) lists 'alias Miles' as well. Just back-up. My Pope source also indicates that Francis had a brother, Thomas, wife Rebecca (no LNAB for her) and a passel of children as well. Might have resided in Reading (abt 4 mi from Woburn) and might have been a proprietor? If not useful, just delete.
posted by Carol Baldwin PhD RN
edited by Carol Baldwin PhD RN
Stanton-3574 T Stanton
Pope is cited on the profile. Yes, his probable brother Thomas is well-documented.
posted by T Stanton
Chris Hoyt
And for some unknown reason someone created a duplicate wife for him just this week. We are getting a lot of dupes of late.
posted by Chris Hoyt
Smith-32867 Jillaine Smith
We've been in touch with the person; it appears there was a misunderstanding; we're now working with that person to get things cleaned up.
posted by Jillaine Smith
Smith-32867 Jillaine Smith
Kendall-6491 and Kendall-5 appear to represent the same person because: Same vitals. Do not bring parents over in the merge. Thank you.
posted by Jillaine Smith
Smith-32867 Jillaine Smith
If he was in New England by 1640, he qualifies for PGM. I'll add the template and project account for tracking. It looks like this profile is the result of many merges and needs one single narrative. Would one of the profile managers like to take this on? If not, I can find a project volunteer to work on it.
posted by Jillaine Smith
Smith-32867 Jillaine Smith
None of the profile managers took me up on my offer last fall to clean up this profile, so I am seeking a PGM project volunteer to bring this profile up to PGM standards please. Many thanks.
posted by Jillaine Smith
Stanton-3574 T Stanton
He appears to be a 9th ggf so I would be happy to take on the makeover. Please add me to the TL or if some of the PMs are inactive, add me in their stead. Thanks, Jillaine, always educational working on one of these ancestors.
posted by T Stanton
Reid-2564 Jo-Anne (Reid) Zeron-Benes
History of the Reed family in Europe and America by Reed, Jacob Whittemore, 1805-1869. 'from old catalog', page 65 claimed, William Reed married to Abigail Kendall (the daughter of this Francis Kendall), married his father's cousin! His father being George Reed the son of William Reade and Maybel Kendall.
posted by Jo-Anne (Reid) Zeron-Benes
Scott Kendall
Kendall-180 and Kendall-5 appear to represent the same person because: This appears to be the same person. To my knowledge, the ancestry of Francis has not been determine and no documentary evidence exists, besides family lore, to his father John. Is anyone aware of any original documents proving the relationship between Francis and his presumed father John? DNA analysis has not found any relationship with Francis' descendants and any other earlier Kendall families.
posted by Scott Kendall
Rutherford-448 Dave Rutherford
Kendall-2687 and Kendall-5 appear to represent the same person because: Same person. sources indicate that Francis was given name although aka Miles.
posted by Dave Rutherford
Smith-40964 Philip Smith
Kendall-5 and Kendall-1370 appear to represent the same person because: same
posted by Philip Smith

Rejected matches › Francis Kendall (1480-1561)

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Categories: Puritan Great Migration Project Needs Biography | Kendall Name Study | Middlesex County, Massachusetts, Kendall Name Study | Kendall DNA Group 02 | Kendall Y-DNA Group 2 | Puritan Great Migration