James Keith Sr.
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James Keith Sr. (abt. 1643 - 1719)

Reverend James Keith Sr.
Born about in Aberdeenshire, Scotlandmap [uncertain]
Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of — married about 1666 in Bridgewater, Plymouth Colonymap [uncertain]
Husband of — married 1707 in Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Province of Massachusetts Baymap [uncertain]
Descendants descendants
Father of , , , , , , , and
Died at about age 76 in Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Province of Massachusetts Baymap
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Profile last modified | Created 30 Aug 2010
This page has been accessed 10,515 times.


Note: Per the discussion in "Parentage" below, no reliable evidence has been found that establishes James Keith's parentage. Please do not connect any parents without first posting a comment and providing reliable evidence.

Contents

Biography

Date of Birth

Jame Keith's date of birth is uncertain. Various sources suggests a variety of dates:

  • "Keith: Collected Genealogies" and "Edson Family History and Genealogy" state that James Keith was born "about 1643,"[1][2] while "A Genealogy of the Descendents of Benjamin Keith" states that he was born in 1644.[3] None of these books, however, provide any sources or discuss the evidence for their assertions regarding his date of birth.
  • According to "History of the Early Settlement of Bridgewater," James Keith was about 18 when he came over in 1662,[4] which would mean that he was born about 1644. This is consistent with the James Keith monument in Scotland Cemetery in Bridgewater, which states that he was born in 1644,[5] and the published Bridgewater vital records which relied on that monument.[6]
  • The Bridgewater town records state that, at a town meeting on February 18, 1664/5, the town granted the minister's house and grounds to Mr. Keith in accordance with an agreement previously made between Mr. Keith and the town.[7] This suggests that James had very probably reached the age of majority (21) before February 1664/5, which would mean that he was born prior to February 1643/4.
  • The engraving on James's tomb in the Old Cemetery in Bridgewater, which states "Here lies the body of the Rev. Mr. James Keith died July 23, 1719 aged 76 years,"[5] which would mean that he was born sometime between July 24, 1642 and July 23, 1643.
  • An entry in Marischal College records that probably relates to James indicates that he entered the college in 1657.[8] Since the most common age of matriculation at that time seems to have been 15, this suggests that James was born in 1642. However, since some students entered at a younger age, it is also consistent with James being born in 1643 or 1644.

In sum, the evidence indicates that James was born sometime between 1642 and 1644, but does not firmly establish any particular year in that range as his year of birth.

Place of Birth

Scottish flag
James Keith Sr. was born in Scotland.

"History of the Early Settlement of Bridgewater" states that James was a "Scotchman,"[9][4] and the James Keith Monument in Scotland Cemetery in Bridgewater states that James was born in Scotland.[5] Many family trees state that he was born in Aberdeen. However, while sources indicate that he was educated in Aberdeen,[10] there is no evidence that he was born there. As most students educated at that time at Marischal College in Aberdeen (where James most likely studied) were from Aberdeenshire, it is perhaps probable that James was from that county. However, since some Marischal students of that era were born in other parts of Scotland, it is also possible that James was not born in Aberdeenshire.

Parentage

No reliable evidence has yet been found that establishes James Keith's parentage.

Many trees list his father as Robert Keith, born about 1612 in Aberdeen, but no reliable source supporting that assertion has been found. Geni.com lists James's father as Alexander Keith, son of George Keith, 4th Earl Marischal, and Margaret Home.[11] However, the bio for George Keith in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography states that, although George had a son named Alexander, he was the son of George and his second wife, Margaret Ogilvy, and that Alexander died young.[12]

The following records have been found for the baptism of a James Keith in Scotland in 1640-1645:

  • James Keithe, christening date: September 10, 1640, christening place: Saint Nicholas, Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, father: Gilbt. Keith, mother: Agnes Norie[13][14]
  • James Keith, christening date: December 22, 1642, christening place: Uphall, West Lothian, Scotland, father: Alexander Keith[15][16][17][18]
  • James Keyth, christening date: March 19, 1645, christening place: Aberdeen, Scotland, father: Alexander Keyth, mother: Cristane Kempt[19]

Aspects of each of the records, however, make them at least somewhat unlikely to relate to this profile's James Keith. The record for James Keithe christened in 1640 at St. Nicholas in Aberdeen is unlikely because (i) it suggests a birth date outside of the 1642-1644 estimated birthdate range and (ii) there is a marriage record showing that a James Keith was married at St. Nicholas in Aberdeen in 1665.[20] The record for James Keith christened in 1642 in Uphall West Lothian is somewhat unlikely because Uphall is near Edinburgh and roughly 125 miles south of Aberdeen, where this profile's James is believed to attended college. The record for James Keyth christened in March 1645 in Aberdeen is somewhat unlikely because it suggests a birth date outside of the 1642-1644 estimated birthdate range. Moreover, no reliable evidence has been found that links any of these baptismal records to this profile's James Keith. Since the online records for Scottish births during that time period are highly incomplete, it is quite possible, if not probable, that none of the baptismal records listed above relates to this profile's James Keith.

Marischal College

"History of the Early Settlement of Bridgewater" states that James was educated at Aberdeen.[9][4] Of the two colleges in Aberdeen at the time -- King's College and Marischal College -- Marischal would have been the far more likely place of James's education because (i) Marischal was founded by a Keith (George Keith, 5th Earl Marischal of Scotland)[21] and was naturally the preferred college of members of the Keith clan in that time period (between 1647 and 1670, at least 12 Keiths attended Marishcal[22] versus 4 for Kings[23]) and (ii) Marischal was more sympathetic to Presbyterian/Covenantor/nonconformist/Puritan beliefs, while Kings was more sympathetic to Episcopal/Royalist beliefs.[24] In fact, an entry in the records of Marischal College shows a "Jacobus Keith" being admitted to the first class in 1657.[25] "Jacobus" is a latinization of James, and it is quite likely that that entry relates to this profile's James Keith.

The Marischal College records are incomplete and there is no corresponding record of the graduation of a James (or Jacobus) Keith. However, from the records of the year of entry into the first class and graduation of other Marischal students during the same time period, it can reasonably be surmised that the standard course of study was four years.[26] As a result, it is likely that a Jacobus Keith who was admitted to the first class in 1657 would have graduated in 1661, which fits in well with James Keith's reported emigration to New England in 1662.

While Marischal records provide no direct information as to James's date of birth, the dates of birth of other prominent Marischal students of the era suggest that the most common age of matriculation was about 15,[27] which would suggest that James was born in 1642. Some notable students, however, matriculated at a younger age,[28] so it is possible that "Jacobus Keith" was younger than 15 at the time of his matriculation 1657 and thus born in 1643 or later. Therefore, Jacobus Keith's matriculation in 1657 is consistent with James Keith being born sometime in 1642-1644.

As mentioned above, Marischal and Kings College records show that at least 16 different Keiths matriculated at those colleges between 1647 and 1670.[22][23] While one was the son of a Marischal (John Keith (Joannes Keithe), admitted in 1647, later 1st Earl of Kintore, son of William Keith, 6th Earl Marischal, and Lady Mary Erskine) and another was a grandson of a different Marischal (George Keith (Geo. Kethus) of Crichie, admitted to the first class in 1670, son of George Keith of Beildistoun or Bailliestoun afterwards of Crichie, son of William 4th Earl of Marischal),[22] most of the others were probably more distantly related to the Marischal line. The 16 Keiths who attended Marischal and Kings colleges between 1647 and 1670 were probably mostly from different families because (i) there were a lot of men with the same first name,[22][23] who could thus not have been from the same family, and (ii) Marischal and Kings College were both colleges for training ministers[21] and it is unlikely that it would have been common for families to have had multiple sons trained for the ministry. The probability that most of the 16 Keiths were from different families suggests that there was a large number of different Keith families that could have sent sons to be educated in Aberdeen and makes it difficult to identify any particular Keith family as the origin of this profile's James Keith.

Emigration to New England

Various sources say that James arrived in Boston in 1662. All these sources, however, are ultimately based on the unsourced statement to that effect in Mitchell's "History of the Early Settlement of Bridgewater." For example, Ancestry.com's U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s database[29] cites Dobson's "The Original Scots Colonists of Early America Supplement: 1607-1707,"[30] which in turn cites "Aberdeen Journal Notes and Queries, Volume 1, page 73,[31] which in turn cites Mitchell's "History of the Early Settlement of Bridgewater," which states that he "probably came to Boston about the year 1662."[9] Since most ships to New England during that period arrived in the summer, James probably arrived in the summer of 1662, about 1 year after his graduation from Marischal College and about 18 months prior to being appointed as minister of Bridgewater.

According to "History of the Early Settlement of Bridgewater," Bridgewater records describe James prior to his appointment in February 1664, as "a student in divinity, having some competent time improved his gifts amongst them in the work of ministry, and having also due approbation by the testimony of the Rev. Elders of other churches of Christ, to whom he was known."[9] This suggests that, between his graduation from Marischal in 1661 and his appointment as minister of Bridgewater, James had continued his training for the ministry as an assistant to established ministers, probably, first, in Scotland or England and, later, after his arrival in Boston in 1662, in the Boston area.

Reasons for Emigration

Several factors probably led to James' emigration in 1662. One was the resurgence of Anglicanism following the English Restoration, which culminated in the Act of Uniformity of 1662, which required all ministers in Great Britain to swear adherence to the Episcopal rights and scriptures.[32] The Act was, naturally, abhorrent to the Presbyterians and Puritans and led over 2,000 to refuse to take the oath and be expelled from the Church of England.[32] One of the "nonconformists" who refused to take the oath was Increase Mather, then a minister on the island of Guernsey. Like many other Keiths and graduates of Marischal, and as someone with religious views that were apparently compatible with Increase Mather's, it is quite likely that James also found conformity with the Episcopal rights and scriptures repugnant and would have been receptive to an invitation to become a minister in Puritan Massachusetts. A second, complementary factor was the demand for ministers in the New England colonies. As the New England colonists multiplied and spread out, they created new townships, each of which desired its own church and minister. There was thus substantial demand for trained Puritan ministers, so that even a young recent graduate would have been warmly welcomed. In the case of Bridgewater, in order to entice a minister to reside there, the town voted to build a house for a minister in 1661, but was unable to find a minister to live there until James' settlement there in 1665.[9]

Ministry in Bridgewater

The "History of the Early Settlement of Bridgewater" states that February 18, 1664 was the date of James "settlement."[9] The Bridgewater town record book, however, indicates that the chimneys and hearths for the minister's house were still under construction in the summer of 1664 and that the actual date of the town meeting at which the town voted to grant James occupancy of the minister's house was February 18, 1664/5.[7]

In return for agreeing to live and minister in Bridgewater, James was granted a double house lot with a house on it, a generous salary, and a supply of various provisions.[9] James served as minister of Bridgewater for over 55 years, until his death in 1719. He is most noted for influencing authorities to spare the life of King Philip's wife and child after their capture at the end of King Philip's War.[33] For a more fulsome description of his professional life and his homestead and properties, see pp 42-44 of "History of the Early Settlement of Bridgewater and pp 238-243 of "Epitaphs of Old Bridgewater".

Uncertainty of Date of First Marriage and Birthdates of Children

While the identity of James' wives and children are not disputed, there is much doubt about the date of his first marriage and the dates of birth of his children. There are no primary sources for the date of his first marriage and the only primary sources that exist for the births of his children are gravestones for James' sons Joseph, Samuel, TImothy and John.[34] The generally reliable "History of the Early Settlement of Bridgewater" does not provide any dates for James' first marriage or the births of his children, which suggests that the author could not find any records that established the date of the other events. In addition, the quite reliable "Epitaphs of Old Bridgewater" states that "We have never been able to find any record of the date of the birth of Rev. James Keith, nor the date of his marriage to Susanna, daughter of his Dea. Samuel Keith, or the date of birth of his children, except Joseph."[35]

The secondary sources that provide dates for James' first marriage and the births of his children do not cite any sources and, with limited exception, should not be considered reliable. The May 3, 1688 date of his marriage and many of the dates of birth for his children that appear in secondary sources seem to have first arisen in C.E. Keith's 1873 pamphlet "Memoirs of Royal Keith."[34][35][2] Unfortunately, the dates of marriage and birth in that pamphlet seem to have been mere guesstimates by the author and inconsistent with what reliable evidence we do have. The quite reliable "Epitaphs of Old Bridgewater" states that the May 3, 1688 marriage date in "Memoirs of Royal Keith" "was acknowledged by the author to be conjectural and without authority, and we have no confidence in that date"[35] and that the dates of birth for the Keith children in "Memoirs of Royal Keith" were "wholly incorrect, without authority, as was altogether conjectural."[34] An analysis by Ms. Elaine Nichols of Salt Lake City, published in Volume 19, Numbers 1 & 2, 1991 of the Genealogical Journal of the Utah Genealogical Association pointed out that the life dates in the Royal Keith pamphlet for sons Joseph, Samuel, Timothy and John are wrong, "thus casting suspicion on the entire list," and the dates of birth given for the daughters are inconsistent with their ages at marriage.[36]

For the dates of births of Joseph, Samuel, Timothy and John, the best evidence we have is their gravestones. Unfortunately, while gravestones tend to be very reliable for dates of death, they are less reliable for dates of birth. There is, for example, reason to believe that the age of death on either Susanna (Keith) Edson's gravestone or her son John's gravestone is incorrect, because if both are correct, she would have been at the improbable age of 48 when she gave birth to him., which, as discussed above, are not certain to be accurate. The dates of birth of James' other children must be deduced based on secondary facts, such as their date of marriage, the dates of birth of their children, and the dates of birth of their siblings, with perhaps some skeptical consideration being given to their dates of birth in secondary sources.

For the date of marriage of James and Susanna, the best guidepoint we have is an estimate of the date of birth of their first child, so the best we can do is an estimate based on an estimate.

First Marriage and Children

James married, first, Susanna Edson, daughter of his deacon, Samuel Edson.[4] Torrey's suggests, with uncertainty, that they perhaps married on May 3, 1668 or May 3, 1665.[37] "Edson Family History and Genealogy" and "Genealogy of the Descendants of Benjamin Keith" both say they were married on May 3, 1668,[2][3] while "Keith: Collected Genealogies" states that they were married about 1668.[1]. As noted above, however, the May 3, 1668 date seems to have been just a guess by the author of "Memoirs of Royal Keith." Based on the likelihood that James and Susanna had five children by early 1675 (when the gravestone of son Joseph says he was born), it is most likely that their first born child was born about 1667 (with dates of birth in 1667, 1669, 1671, 1673 and 1675), suggesting a date of marriage about 1666. Since both James and the Edsons lived in Bridgewater at that time, they were probably married there.

James and Susanna had the following children, all born in Bridgewater:

  1. Susanna, b. probably sometime 1666-1669 (probably 1st born daughter), m. January 8, 1688/9 Jonathan Howard probably in Bridgewater, d. probably 1689 without children
  2. James, b. probably sometime 1666-1673 (perhaps December 5, 1669), m. September 3, 1695 Mary Hodges/Thayer probably in Bridgewater, d. October 21, 1739 in Mendon
  3. Mary, b. probably sometime 1668-1671 (probably after Susanna but before Margaret), m. about November 1688 Ephraim Howard in Bridgewater, d. February 1760 in Bridgewater
  4. Margaret, b. probably sometime 1671-1673 (probably after Mary), m. about 1693 Joseph Hunt in Bridgewater, d. July 4, 1750 in Milton
  5. Joseph, b. February 14, 1675, m. about 1694 Elizabeth Fobes, d. September 27, 1730
  6. Samuel, b. about 1677, m. January 20, 1702/3 Bethiah Fobes, d. February 3, 1757
  7. Josiah, b. probably about 1678, m. January 6, 1703 Mary Lathrop, d. February 4, 1754
  8. Timothy, b. about 1683, m. February 1, 1710 Hannah Fobes, d. November 8, 1767 in Bridgewater
  9. John, b. perhaps about 1688 although possibly earlier, m. April 18, 1711 Hannah Washburn,[2][38] d. June 11, 1761[2][38]

James' first wife, Susanna, died in Bridgewater on October 16, 1705.[39][2]

Second Marriage

James married, second, Mary (Macy) Williams, widow of Thomas Williams of Taunton, in 1707.[4][40]

Will; Death; Estate

James made his will on July 30, 1718. In his will, he made bequests to his wife Mary, his six sons, James, Joseph, Samuel, Josiah, Timothy and John, and his two daughters, Margaret Hunt and Mary Hayward. He named his sons James and Joseph as co-executors. The will was witnessed by Edward Fobes, Ephraim Fobes and Benjamin Fobes.[41]

There is inconsistent evidence regarding James' date of death. The report of the inventory of his estate states he died on July 22, 1719.[41] However, the inscription on his tomb in the Old Graveyard in West Bridgewater states that he died on July 23, 1719.[5] (For a description of the history and construction of his tomb, see p 238 of "Epitaphs of Old Bridgewater".)

James' will was proved August 6, 1719 in Plymouth. His moveable estate was taken on August 25, 1719 by John Field, Isaac Johnson and John Ames Jr. and totaled £167.11.[41]

Sources

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Laurence A. Keith, "Keith: Collected Genealogies of Keith, Keath & Keeth Families in North America," Gateway Press, 1997, p 52
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Edson, Carroll Andrew, "Edson Family History and Genealogy: Descendants of Samuel Edson of Salem and Bridgewater, Mass., Vol. 1," Ann Arbor, Mich., Lithographed by Edwards Bros., 1969, p 42
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Ziba Keith, "A Genealogy of the Descendants of Benjamin Keith Through TImoty, son of Rev. James Keith," G.A. Goodall, 1889, p 11
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Nahum Mitchell, "History of the Early Settlement of Bridgewater," 1897, p 214
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 16 September 2020), memorial page for Rev James Keith (unknown–22 Jul 1719), Find A Grave: Memorial #205967354, citing Old Graveyard, West Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, USA ; Maintained by Shellie Harrington Karol-Chik (contributor 47108772) .
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Vital Records of Bridgewater, Massachusetts to the Year 1850, Volume I - Births," New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1916, p 186
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Puffer, Loring W. Records of John Cary, the First Town Clerk of Bridgewater, Mass., from 1656 to 1681. Wm. L. Puffer, Brockton, 1889. p 8. Link to page at archive.org.
  8. ↑ See "Marischal College" in this profile.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 Nahum Mitchell, "History of the Early Settlement of Bridgewater," 1897, p 42
  10. ↑ See "Marischal College" in this profile.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Alexander Keith," geni.com
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "George Keith, fourth Earl Marischal," Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XY6L-PG3 : 8 December 2014), James Keithe, 10 Sep 1640; citing SAINT NICHOLAS,ABERDEEN,ABERDEEN,SCOTLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 991,134.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Ancestry.com. Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950 (database on-line). Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XTPM-JPL : 2 January 2015), James Keith, ; citing Uphall, West Lothian, Scotland, reference 2:1811VR2; FHL microfilm 1,066,638.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Ancestry.com. Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950 (database on-line). Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.
  17. ↑ "Church registers - Old Parish Registers Births and baptisms" database, National Records of Scotland, ScotlandsPeople (https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/: accessed 31 Mar 2021), James Keith, son of Alexander Keith, 22 Dec 1642, Uphall or Strathbrock; citing Parish Number 672, Reference Number: 10 73.
  18. ↑ "Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950", database, FamilySearch (11 February 2020), James Keith, 1642.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Keyth, James (Old Parish Registers Births 168/A 30 355 Aberdeen) Page 355 of 396. Scotlandspeople.gov.uk.
  20. ↑ "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Banns and Marriages" database, National Records of Scotland, ScotlandsPeople (https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/: accessed 30 Mar 2021), James Keith and Barbra Boyes, 06 Jan 1665, Aberdeen; citing Parish Number 168/a, Reference Number: 120 499.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 "Marischal College," wikipedia.org
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 Free Space Page: Keiths Attending Marischal College 1647-1679
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 "Roll of Alumni in Arts of the University and King's College of Aberdeen, 1596-1860," Peter John Anderson, ed., 1900, p 241
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Carol J. Summerfield, Mary Elizabeth Devine, Anthony Levi, "International Dictionary of University Histories," 1998, p 414
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "Fasti Academiae Mariscallanae Aberdonensis: Selections from the Records of Marischal College and University of Aberdeen MDXCIII-MDCCCLX, Volume II Officers, Graduates, and Alumni," Peter John Anderson, MA, LLB, editor, Aberdeen, 1908, p 225
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 See,e.g., the class admitted in 1654, most of whom graduated in 1658. "Fasti Academiae Mariscallanae Aberdonensis: Selections from the Records of Marischal College and University of Aberdeen MDXCIII-MDCCCLX, Volume II Officers, Graduates, and Alumni," Peter John Anderson, MA, LLB, editor, Aberdeen, 1908, p 221-2
  27. ↑ For example, mathematician James Gregory, born in 1638, matriculated 1653, graduated 1657, and Quaker controversialist George Keith, born 1639/9, matriculated 1654, graduated 1658.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 "Fasti Academiae Mariscallanae Aberdonensis: Selections from the Records of Marischal College and University of Aberdeen MDXCIII-MDCCCLX, Volume II Officers, Graduates, and Alumni," Peter John Anderson, MA, LLB, editor, Aberdeen, 1908, p 220
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Ancestry.com. U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s (database on-line). Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2010.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 David Dobson, "The Original Scots Colonists of Early America Supplement: 1607-1707," Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1998. p 90
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "Aberdeen Journal, Notes and Queries, Volume 1," 1908, p 73
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 "Act of Uniformity 1662," wikipedia.org
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Nahum Mitchell, "History of the Early Settlement of Bridgewater," 1897, p 43
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 Williams Latham, "Epitaphs of Old Bridgewater, Massachusetts," 1882, p 3
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 Williams Latham, "Epitaphs of Old Bridgewater, Massachusetts," 1882, p 240
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Nichols, Elaine. "Family Group Record Fraud," Genealogical Journal of the Utah Genealogical Association, Volume 19, Numbers 1 & 2, 1991. Reproduced on America's First Families website. Link to article at web.archive.org.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 Torry, Clarence A. New England Marriages Prior to 1700. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2004.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 Nahum Mitchell, "History of the Early Settlement of Bridgewater," 1897, p 215
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 Find A Grave: Memorial #21757258
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 Emery, Samuel Hopkins. "History of Taunton Massachusetts", Syracuse, NY, D. Mason & Co., 1893, p 742
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 41.2 41.3 "Massachusetts, Plymouth County, Probate Records, 1633-1967," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-997D-FNVB : 20 May 2014), Probate records 1717-1724 and 1854-1862 vol 4-4Q > image 113 of 485; State Archives, Boston.

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Comments: 35

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Colin Aumann
Mr. James Keith was admitted a freeman at the court session on 8 June 1664 in the Colony of Plymouth (Records of Plymouth Colony Court Orders Volume 4 1661- 1668. Page 61). James Keith's admission as a freeman was 12 days after Increase Mather's ordination on 27 May 1664 (The autobiography of Increase Mather by Mather, Increase, 1639-1723, page 287). It seems logical therefore if Rev James Keith was younger than Increase Mather he would be ordained after him, which would have taken place either in the latter half of 1664 or in early 1665 or at the very least once James was admitted a freeman as following these two events, he was recorded as taking up residence in the Ministers house at Bridgewater from 18 February 1664/5 (from the Bridgewater Town Records).

James Keith's christening at Uphall on 22 December 1642, was at the Church where his father and grandfather were both Ministers. Both were named Alexander Keith, and both attended the University of Edinburgh. It seems that Mr. Alexander Keith senior and the previous minister to him, Mr. Patrick Scharp was assisted by Earl George Keith in gaining a position at the parsonage (A Protestant Lord in James Vi's Scotland: George Keith, fifth Earl of Marischal (1554-1623), page 202). Patrick Scharp's father John Scharp of Houston was also one of the major landholders in the area (Strathbrock; or The history and antiquities of the Parish of Uphall. page 55), which would have also assisted his son following him graduating from the University of Edinburgh.

Is there a record of James Keith from Uphall having attended University or College near to where his father and grandfather both named Alexander Keith attended? Other than the record of James Keith having commenced his studies at Marischal College in 1657 and secondary sources indicating he attended there in 1658 and 1659 are there any other references of a James Keith having attended University or College in Scotland during that period?

posted by Colin Aumann
edited by Colin Aumann
Kingman-271 John Kingman
Removed father (Robert) since no sources for the addition were supplied.
posted by John Kingman
Colin Aumann
Potential parents of the Rev James Keith that might be worth listing in the discussion above.

The primary source www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk has a James Keyth baptized on the 19/03/1645 in Aberdeen to parents ALEXANDER KEYTH and CRISTANE KEMPT. James' appears to be one of up to nine siblings who were baptized in Aberdeen between the years of 1618 to 1645 to parents Alexander Keyth (or Keith) and Christane Kempt (or Kemp).

To add further confusion, Christane Kemp was shown to have married William Keyth on the 2 March 1617 at Saint Nicholas, Aberdeen and had a son named Robert who was baptized fourteen months later to Christiane and Alexander Keyth.

Regarding James entering Marischal College in 1657, he may have been only 12 years of age upon entry, which was not unusual for this College compared to other Scottish Colleges where the usual age of entry was 14 years in the early 1820's (Classical Education in Britain 1500–1900, p.146).

I am a distant descendant of the Rev James Keith and so I too thought that I might contribute to this discussion. I have several autosomal DNA matches to descendants of the Rev James Keith, but do not have his paternal Y DNA. Perhaps two male descendants of this branch of Keith's will undergo Y DNA testing and determine whether James descended from the Keith's of Aberdeen or Dunnottar or somewhere else in Scotland.

posted by Colin Aumann
edited by Colin Aumann
Ashley-1950 Chase Ashley
The Parentage section already discusses some potential parents, include a brief reference to Alxander. What source is the www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk info based on? I checked again on familysearch.org, ancestry.com and findmypast.com and none of them show a baptismal record that matches that description. Happy to add a discussion of the baptismal record if reliable evidence of its existence can been found. However, even assuming it does exist, a 1645 baptism seems unlikely to relate to the baptism of this profile's James Keith, since he was ordained in February 1644.
posted by Chase Ashley
edited by Chase Ashley
Colin Aumann
Alexander Keyth / Christine Kempt could either have children born from 1618 to 1644/45 or be two different couples with similar names. However, the Alexander Keith in the earlier version of the Bio was possibly the father of James Keith from Uphall and not from the couple I have referred to in this discussion.

www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk details exact copies of baptismal and birth records for those occurring in Scotland, whereas the other websites that you have listed are more focused on USA and other UK areas. As for Ancestry quite often searches lead you in the wrong direction due to incorrect family tree being uploaded.

As all images from www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk are crown copyright I cannot upload their image on this website. I suggest you do a search for James Keyth baptized in 1645. The website will ask you to become a member to view the information (that will cost you nothing). At least then you will see the record and then you can decide to pay for some credits and download an exact copy of the original baptismal record for yourself that none of the other websites you mentioned have access to.

As for James' ordination it has been suggested that this occurred in 1664 in the USA. The James Keyth that I have listed was baptized in March 1645 in Aberdeen. If we assume that he was born around 1644 going on the USA record, then this would mean that he was most likely aged 12 or 13 years of age when he commenced studies at Marischal College in 1657. James' emigration is shown as 1662 (but not verified), which means that he was possibly aged 18 years old when he arrived in the USA. His appointment as a Minister or entry to the Ministers house was reported as in February 1664.

posted by Colin Aumann
edited by Colin Aumann
Ashley-1950 Chase Ashley
Thanks, Colin. I found the baptismal record. I still don't think the date is a great fit. And there seems to be no evidence beyond name, location and approximate date that links the record to the immigrant James Keith. Since there were a ton of Keiths in the Aberdeen area at the time, the name James was common, and the available baptismal records quite incomplete, so I don't think we can take much confidence based on name, location and approximate date absent additional evidence. The baptismal record is, however, well worth discussing in the profile and I have revised the Parentage discussion to add a discussion of it. If you are aware of (or find) any additional corroborating evidence, that would be great and might justify attaching Alexander and Christane as his parents.
posted by Chase Ashley
Colin Aumann
Hi Chase. Having considered your response, I do not think there is sufficient reason to dismiss the proposal that Alexander Keith and Christane Kemp are the parents of James. I agree we do need more evidence, and if you have any to suggest they are not please let me know.

I think many of the age related dates shown in the biography are highly speculative. That is not to say they are incorrect, but they are not from primary sources either. There is no proof of James being aged 21 years at his ordination in Bridgewater in 1664. And the plaque on his grave showing him born in 1643 and aged 76 years from what I can gather was placed there over 100 years after his death.

James Keyth was baptized on the 19/03/1645, which is in agreement with the birth date of 1644. In the American colonies the new-year was celebrated on 25th March up until 1752, and being born between 25/03/1644 until 24/03/1645 in Scotland meant that you were born in 1644 in New England.

Even the reliable reference ‘’Epitaphs in Old Bridgewater’’ has two different ages for James at death. Page 19 has him aged 76 years and was in the ministry in the town for 56 years (plaque dated A.D. 1826, p.19). On page 30, a Table shows his age as 75 years (born in 1644).

Generally there is a story behind why someone does not record their past for posterity and nothing in James biography raises this question. A family tradition not shown in the biography was that he had gained his education "at the expense of a maiden aunt".

James Keyth was most likely one of the last born children of Alexander and Christane Keyth, since he was baptized over 26 years after their first born child. Christane would probably have been a teenager when she had her first born child. Potentially James as the youngest child adds credence to the maiden aunt story. Primogeniture traditionally meant education and inheritance went to the eldest son ahead of their younger siblings. Considering James as being the youngest child could have even meant that he was orphaned by the time he commenced his studies at Marischal.

In the biography, the typical commencement age of students at Marischal College is assumed as being 15 years old and misleading. Gilbert Burnet graduated from Marischal College in 1657, the same year that James began his studies there. Gilbert was born at Edinburgh on 16 September 1643 and commenced his studies at aged 9 years in 1652. Being only 14 years old when he graduated, he travelled overseas before entering the ministry. He was ordained on his return in the Church of Scotland in 1665. How did James' aunt support herself and nephew in the mid 1600’s? Realistically she would have been from a wealthy family or had inheritance for support. In the early to -mid 1600’s the likelihood of support for an unmarried woman was unlikely. It seems for reasons unbeknown to us that James shared this information with his descendants but not of his parents. The biography tends to suggest that James was probably not connected to the Earls of Marischal, however I am not convinced.

The surname Keith was not a license to have learnt ability or attend a Scottish University either. I doubt whether there were tons of Keith's in Aberdeen having the likelihood of a tutor to prep them for University at 12 years of age. It would seem very likely that James was from an educated family.

If one or both of James parents had died when he was young, this could explain his lack of reference to them later. Evidence of a Jacobus Keith at Marischal College in 1657 indicates that this was likely his name. Then why would he not divulge his family background? Was he born out of wedlock or illegitimate? At least Alexander and Christine Keyth give him parents and a baptism record. For Alexander Keyth we are less sure, but perhaps like James he might have been a younger sibling too.

The biography indicates that brothers appear to not have attended Marischal College as it was unusual to have multiple sons train in the ministry. It then indicates that the Earls of Marischal line were generally distantly removed from those attending during the period from 1647-70. Why was this period chosen for discussion when it results in a misleading conclusion? It creates the impression that James Keith probably had no siblings attend there. And that he could be assumed to not be related to the Earls of Marischal. I think these assumptions might in future be misplaced.

Having briefly scanned the alumni list of Marischal College, I see that William Keith, the future 7th Earl of Marischal was a Bajan there in 1631 and his younger brother, John Keith commenced his studies there later in 1647. The list shows Robert Keith, later the 8th Earl and his brother William were in attendance in 1635. Added to these were the 9th and 10th Earls who were Bajans in 1676 and 1708 respectively. It is likely cousins of the Earls were in attendance during that period too.

The assumption as to why James' chose the New England area does not have supporting evidence. The relationship between John Forbes and Increase Mather resulting in James coming to New England seems highly speculative and gives them credit without evidence. A connection between James and the Forbes family at Bridgewater prior to his arrival seems hard to conclude, as John was born in Leydon, and almost forty years older than James. Scottish records show a few marriages between the Forbes and Keith’s at least half a century before James birth, but without James ancestry evidence of a family connection is inconclusive.

From what I have seen in the literature, not long after James graduation in Scotland many of his fellow countrymen were no longer able to preach in their parishes. Even members of Marischal College were essentially purged from their positions. James’ exodus to New England was not long after he completed his studies and like many graduates of his time he may have chosen to travel overseas upon the cessation of his studies.

The offer to go to Bridgewater seems to have occurred once he arrived in New England. Evidence of a connection between Increase Mather and James prior to their arrivals in New England seems unlikely as he suggested that James was a 3rd class non-conforming Minister from England. As James was from Scotland it seems odd that Increase would say this about him if he had known him earlier.

The Bridgewater ministry position for James appears more the result of Increase Mather not taking up the position and offering it to James rather than any connection with him or John Forbes. Increase Mather was to indicate on his return to New England in September 1661 that he had invitations from no less than 12 places. Since Increase could not accept many of these places it seems logical that James having arrived there was offered one, which was at Bridgewater. Increase evidently suggested James name as a candidate for the ministry at Bridgewater. The part relating to Minister Forbes role in getting James there does not seem based on evidence. James not having much experience, but with qualifications in divinity was offered the position where he reported as a student in divinity. He seems to have got half of his salary from Boston, which probably meant attending church services there and training under the watchful eye of the church elders.

Most sources indicate that James was very young and around 18 years old when he arrived in Bridgewater perhaps in February 1662. This age is in agreement with the presumption that he was born in early to -mid March 1644 according to the New England calendar. Since James was ordained at Bridgewater in February 1664, three months before Increase Mather was in Boston, it seems unlikely that he would have trained under Increase Mather.

Regardless of James Keith’s age when he entered the ministry at Bridgewater, he seems to have filled his role as a Minister admirably for the rest of his life.

posted by Colin Aumann
Colin Aumann
Increase Mather’s autobiography shows that he went to England at his brothers request to visit him in Dublin and complete some further studies (a). He was on the Island of Guernsey, and other towns in southern England. His first sermon was in New England at 18 years old (a). He did not indicate he visited Scotland nor met James Keith in England (a). He returned home on the 1 Sept 1661 and had offers to preach at 12 locations including Bridgewater (a). He rejected the Bridgewater position as he wanted to reside nearer to Boston (a).

The first minister of Bridgewater was a Mr. Bunker, who served in 1660-61 and part of 1662. He did not want to reside in Bridgewater (b).

James Keith was said to have arrived in New England in either February 1662 or in early 1662. The former indicates he arrived there in Feb 1663, or the latter means he arrived a month or two after 25 Mar 1662. This would be Spring or early Summer, which is more plausible than a Boston Winter. The dates mean that James arrived in Boston after Mather's arrival. He developed a lifelong friendship with Increase Mather, and to have trained in Boston under the watchful eye of Church Elders. Half of James salary was from Boston. There is no evidence as to why James travelled to New England, except the incoming Act of Uniformity, which was after his arrival. University students often travelled to further their education. Mather went to Trinity in Ireland. Other Keith's went to Geneva. James may have chosen New England to further hone his skills.

It seems plausible that James was a distant blood relative to George Keith, the 4th Earl of Marischal, and founder of the College but not guaranteed. His grandfather could have been the Rev. Alexander Keith a Minister at Dunnottar Castle. James' father and grandfather might have been murdered when each generation were at a young age. This might explain why no records of his parents, or his grandparents exist. He did not know them. His father, Alexander would have little knowledge of his father. The oral history that James was raised and educated by a dowager Aunt is supported under these circumstances. James no doubt was from an educated family to have gone to Marischal College. Opportunities such as this are rare, even for most of the Keith's in Scotland.

Joel Keith in 2002 proposed that Alexander Keith and Christine Kempt were his parents (d). A baptism record dated the 19 March 1645 in St Nicholas Church, Aberdeen supports this. According to oral history, his parents were killed in the English Civil War in 1645 (d). Skirmishes occurred throughout Scotland between the years of 1644-52. Many civilians were killed by the Irish Royalists troops at Aberdeen in September 1644, and many tenants of the Earl William Keith, who seemed to have Covenanters loyalties, had their homes destroyed by the Royalists around the Mearns in mid to late March 1645. James Keith's baptism in Aberdeen took place then. Baptisms at St Nicholas Church in Aberdeen were delayed for nearly a fortnight, when Minister Andrew Cant, along with another 15 others sought refuge at Dunnottar Castle to escape the Royalists where they stayed until the end of March (e).

James Keith gave his first sermon aged about 18 years old at Bridgewater (Pulpit rock shows year as 1663). He was supposedly ordained two years later (1664 or 1665?). His house at Bridgewater was not completed until 13 May 1664 and not occupied until 18 February 1664 (old style) (b, c). His ordination and time of residency were estimated to occur in February. The discrepancy in years has led to conjecture about his age and year of birth. James would have been at least one month off 20 years of age at his ordination if born on the day of his reported baptism in Aberdeen. There is no evidence to conclude that he was born within days of his baptism as these were paused for nearly a fortnight (previous was on 6 March). Implying that James baptism in 1645 would make him only 18 years old at his ordination is distorting the facts. James birth date, even if coinciding with the day of his baptism would be shown as 1644 in New England. Several secondary sources refer to the year of his birth as 1644 (the same as the primary source). Only after the 1750's did the days preceding the 25 March from 1st January be recorded as the new year. The presumption that James was born up to two years before 1644 has no evidence. The plate that has his age in years inscribed on his tomb was placed there over one hundred years after his death. At the time that James conducted his first sermon, it was said that he was considered young by his peers. The presumption of him being born in 1642, is at odds to this observation, and of him being aged around 18 years at his first sermon. James on the day that he gave this sermon included a passage from the Bible where he was quoted as saying, Behold for I cannot speak: as I am but a child. James was indicating he was young for the task ahead.

Rev. Alexander Keith, the presumed grandfather of Rev. James Keith was a Minister at Garvock, 1568- and of Kinneff, Caterline, Bervie and Arbuthnott; at Dunnottar, 1579-; and at Benholm, 1588-94 (f, g). Rev. Alexander Keith was murdered by Schoolmaster of Conveth, George Wishart in early June 1594 and he in turn was dead by 15 June (g). Wishart's assets were gifted to George Keith, the eldest son of Rev. Alexander presumably in settlement of blood feud. Rev. Alexander Keith's first wife Agnes Wishart died in 1583. He then married Isobel Lundy in 1584. His known children included George, William, Robert, Alexander, Isobel and Christian (h). The working relationship that Rev. Alexander Keith had with Earl George Keith probably resulted in many researchers wrongly concluding that Rev. James Keith had descended from the latter.

Rev. Alexander Keith was one of several illegitimate children that Robert Keith (Commendator of Deer) had fathered (i). It is not known whether his children were born to different mothers. Andrew Keith (Lord Dingwall) was the most well-known son of Robert and he along with Rev. Alexander Keith accompanied Earl George Keith to Denmark. Records of Rev. Alexander and Lord Andrew's other siblings are scarce due to their illegitimacy. Robert Keith died in 1551 and was buried in France. He was the son of Robert Keith (Commendator) and Lady Elizabeth Douglas. Robert Keith Snr was reportedly killed at Flodden in 1513, but subsequent records showed he died around 1524-25. Robert Keith may have been the Earl of Marischal, but for his father outliving him. His brother William succeeded his father and became the 3rd Earl Marischal in 1527. Robert and William Keith were sons of William Keith (2nd Earl Marischal) and Elizabeth Gordon. Earl William died at Dunnottar Castle in 1526-27.

References referred to and not from Biography Source:

posted by Colin Aumann
edited by Colin Aumann
[Living Bostick]
"James parents and his connection to Aberdeen and Marischal College are discussed. It seems plausible that James was a distant blood relative to George Keith, the 4th Earl of Marischal, and founder of the College he attended. James grandfather was possibly "The Rev. Alexander Keith who at one time was the Minister at Dunnottar Castle. James' father and grandfather were both murdered when each subsequent generation were at a young age. This might explain why no records of James parents or his grandparents exist today. He did not know any of them. Likewise, his father Alexander would have little knowledge of his father. The oral history that James was raised and educated by a dowager Aunt is supported under these circumstances. James no doubt was from a family that valued education to have gone to Marischal College. Opportunities such as this were rare, even for most Keith's in Scotland"-------------------------I completely agree, this is why I am glad they found his name in latin as an attendee, I was thrilled to learn that.
posted by [Living Bostick]
edited by [Living Bostick]
Colin Aumann
Having expressed my proposed views on James Keith’s potential parents, I also have some additional comments around the date as to when James terms of settlement for his ministerial house at Bridgewater occurred and the confusion around his year of ordination and from whence he was born.

The reference Epitaph of Old Bridgewater indicates that James Keith took possession of his house on 18 February 1664, old style or equating this date to the Scottish calendar from whence he was born was the 18 February 1665. This date is recorded as to when his terms of settlement occurred within the town and has no ambiguity.

The often cited reference, History of the Early Settlement of Old Bridgewater indicates that James was a Student of Divinity on the 18 February 1664 when he had supposedly taken possession of his house. However it does not cite the primary source from whence this record came from like the previous reference. The statement also suggests that James may not have been ordained prior to the date that he had taken possession of this house. However the same reference then cites several ambiguous statements including, one made by Increase Mather suggesting that Bridgewater had their first ordained minister in 1663 or two years prior to James having taken possession of this house. The assumption is that Mather’s statement was referring to James. Mather though further on in the same reference is quoted as saying that James was a 3rd class non conforming Minister from England, which is clearly not the case as this would imply that James was previously a Minister in England. James year of ordination in 1663 also seems quite unlikely given the timeframe around his likely arrival in 1662 and settlement later in Bridgewater. Further to this, Mather was not ordained until May 1664, and in James’ biography the general opinion expressed is that James was most likely junior to Mather. It being indicated that perhaps James had even “trained under” Mather. For this suggestion to have any validity it seems logical that James would have been ordained at least after Mather’s ordination (Mathers autobiography shows that he was ordained in May 1664). Hence the date of 18 February 1664 (old style) occurred after Mather’s ordination and one year after that date shown in James biography seems more plausible. And since James precise date of settlement shown on page 242 of Epitaphs of Old Bridgewater, which was copied directly from page 34 of the Town records book that his full terms of settlement were completed on the 18 February 1664, old style, which came after the 11 October 1664 when final repairs were made to the house prior to him residing there (on the same page). Hence the 18 February 1665 using todays or the Scottish calendar was precisely his final settlement date as to when he gained access to his ministerial residence.

As to when his ordination occurred, this appears to have been cited according to the incorrect date of settlement of 1664 shown in the History of Old Bridgewater and is somewhat estimated from what I can gather amongst other factors from his age as implied from the inscriptions on his grave. As a consequence a prediction of his likely birthdate is also provided based on the assumption that he must have been at least 21 years old at his ordination. Thus it seems that two estimated unknown dates are used to validate each other.

The photos of his tomb, it would seem have several inscriptions, one on a somewhat older piece of stone which may have been part of the original granite tomb indicating that James was born and educated in Aberdeen. The reference Epitaphs of Old Bridgewater discusses how the other pieces of stone (slate) with inscriptions are copies of the originals which were broken some years earlier than when the tomb was repaired, which was in 1827 (page 238). The two important facts here are that James was likely born in Aberdeen and we believe that a record shows that he was educated in Aberdeen. However the validity of the inscription is somewhat questioned in James’ biography, although subsequent records of Marischal College have recently proven that a Jacobus Keith commenced his studies in Aberdeen in 1657, and a baptism record on the 19 March 1645 indicates that a James Keith (spelt Keyth) was baptised in St Nicholas Church in Aberdeen (the same Church that several of the presiding Ministers that had fled to Dunnottar Castle on that very same week in March 1645). More importantly this baptism record from Scotland validates James Keith’s New England year of birth as 1644 (if he was born after 25 March 1645, his birth year would be shown as 1645). Thus two sources gives credence to his gravestone inscriptions of him being born and educated in Aberdeen.

The reliance placed on James age, as a result of his gravestone inscription though is somewhat confusing to me. As a matter of fact, using the exact words from his own biography and one assumes are the authors opinion is that there has been much controversy around his children's birthdates using estimations from the inscriptions on their gravestones. Added to this is the conclusion to be drawn that “gravestones tend to be very reliable for dates of death, (but) they are less reliable for dates of birth.” As for James gravestone, which one presumes in most instances precedes those of his children’s the age related inscriptions, which might infer a prior knowledge of his birth are used to predict a likely range in his birth dates. Although previously it was stressed that inscriptions are less reliable for estimating dates of births.

Finally I think that primary and secondary sources should take precedence over opinions in the biography section and the latter should be confined to the comments section until proven by reliable sources.

posted by Colin Aumann
edited by Colin Aumann
Ashley-1950 Chase Ashley
Thanks for all the info and analysis, Colin. I hope to digest it fully this weekend.
posted by Chase Ashley
Colin Aumann
I agree the baptism record for 1645 does not fit well for that of Rev James Keith of Bridgewater. And having considered all available information for James Keith from Uphall I think he is more likely the Rev James Keith in Bridgewater.

A statement in the Rev James Keith’s profile says, “The record for James Keith christened in 1642 in Uphall West Lothian is somewhat unlikely because Uphall is near Edinburgh and roughly 125 miles south of Aberdeen, where this profile's James is believed to attended college”.

Is “believed to have attended college” supported by any historical record or merely surmised?

We know James father Rev Alexander Keith migrated to Ireland in 1657, and later brought his wife and three daughters there in 1659. This is much further than 125 miles from Uphall, and naturally Bridgewater is even further in circa 1662.

Historical evidence indicates James Keith from Uphall descends from the Keith’s of Ravenscraig line, and whose grandfather Rev Alexander Keith possibly gained his education and the ministry at Uphall (Strathbrock) through Earl George Keith, Marischal of Scotland.

The same male line of Rev Alexander Keith albeit illegitimate at times is a distant family branch from Earl George Keith, Marischal of Scotland’s male line.

See also https://archive.org/details/MN5034ucmf_0/page/n205/mode/2up?q=Alexander+keith

https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue/details.aspx?reference=GD30%2f1992&st=1&tc=y&tl=n&tn=n&tp=n&k=Keith+Strathbrock&ko=a&r=&ro=s&df=&dt=&di=y

posted by Colin Aumann
edited by Colin Aumann
Ashley-1950 Chase Ashley
"Is 'believed to have attended college' supported by any historical record or merely surmised?" - There is reasonably good evidence that he attended Marischal College in Aberdeen. See the section in the bio entitled "Marischal College".
posted by Chase Ashley
Colin Aumann
I agree with the presumption this profile attended Marischal College in 1657.

An earlier version of the profile suggested a record of James Keith from Uphall was educated nearer to his place of birth rather than Aberdeen, which was 125 miles away. This suggestion of James Keith from Uphall place of education has since been removed.

posted by Colin Aumann
edited by Colin Aumann
Jennifer Waskow
I was fortunate to have gotten my uncle to provide a Y-dna sample on this line before he passed and have a kit in Familytreedna.com. I am descended from Rev. James' son Josiah. I've also found a 'cousin' that has also done a Y-dna kit and descends from his son Joseph. We are a family match and both are h-group E-M35. I'm interested in helping see if we can use this information to take the line back further.
posted by Jennifer Waskow
Jennifer Waskow
I was fortunate to have gotten my uncle to provide a Y-dna sample on this line before he passed and have a kit in Familytreedna.com. I am descended from Rev. James' son Josiah. I've also found a 'cousin' that has also done a Y-dna kit and descends from his son Joseph. We are a family match and both are h-group E-M35. I'm interested in helping see if we can use this information to take the line back further.
posted by Jennifer Waskow
Ashley-1950 Chase Ashley
Looks like the YDNA test results for the descendants of Rev. James Keith don't yet have a match with any descendants of any other Keiths. One of the non-matching Keiths claims descent from William Keith, 3rd Earl Marischal. However, without verifying that test taker's genealogy back to William Keith and having additional confirmatory test results for descendants of William Keith, it's impossible to know if that non-match is meaningful.
posted by Chase Ashley
Kelsey-745 Lisa (Kelsey) Murphy
Name: James Keith

Event Type: Death Birth Date: abt 1643 Death Date: 23 Jul 1719 Death Place: West Bridgewater, Massachusetts Death Age: 76

Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988: Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Vital and Town Records. Provo, UT: Holbrook Research Institute (Jay and Delene Holbrook).


Name: James Keith Event Type: Deed Record Date: 28 Jul 1702 Record Place: Bristol County Residence: Bridgewater

Mayflower Deeds and Probates, 1600-1850: Roser, Susan E. Mayflower Deeds and Probates: From the Files of George Ernest Bowman at the Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc., 1994.


Name: James Keith Birth Date: 1643 Birth Place: Scotland Death Date: 23 Jul 1719 Death Place: Bridgewater, Mass Occupation: Clergyman

Appletons' Cyclopedia of American Biography; Volume: Vol. III

posted by Lisa (Kelsey) Murphy
edited by Lisa (Kelsey) Murphy
Bronks-59 Jeff Bronks
https://www.wikitree.com/photo/jpg/Keith-1346 is another photo of the parsonage, but I'm not allowed to link it because it's protected.
posted by Jeff Bronks
Smith-35023 Sharon Smith
http://onebigfamilytree.com/getperson.php?personID=I11124&tree=OBFT

My family

http://nemasket.blogspot.com/2010/12/martin-keith-house-1807.html

posted by Sharon Smith
Smith-35023 Sharon Smith
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverend_James_Keith_Parsonage

My grandfather ancestor helped save King Philip's son and wife.

posted by Sharon Smith
Raber-23 Lynden (Raber) Rodriguez OCDS
Keith-204 and Keith-8 appear to represent the same person because: These two profiles are for the same person. Please merge.

Thank you, Lynden Raber Rodriguez

posted by Lynden (Raber) Rodriguez OCDS
Smith-35023 Sharon Smith
Descendants of Rev. James Keith (1644-1719) of Scotland and Massachusetts

E- Books on GOOGLE The Keith family were my ancestors Allen Washington KEITH B: 26 Oct 1828 Middleborough, Plymouth County, Massachusetts D: 15 May 1905 Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts

posted by Sharon Smith

Rejected matches › James Delmer Keith (1891-1955) › James Keith › › Leslie James Stuart Keith › James Corry Keith (1930-1956) › James Keith (-bef.1753)

Featured German connections: James is 16 degrees from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 18 degrees from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 21 degrees from Lucas Cranach, 17 degrees from Stefanie Graf, 18 degrees from Wilhelm Grimm, 21 degrees from Fanny Hensel, 23 degrees from Theodor Heuss, 15 degrees from Alexander Mack, 31 degrees from Carl Miele, 16 degrees from Nathan Rothschild and 19 degrees from Ferdinand von Zeppelin on our single family tree. Login to see how you relate to 33 million family members.

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Categories: Aberdeenshire, Emigrants to United States | Bridgewater, Massachusetts