James Northam (abt. 1618 - abt. 1660)

Born about 1618 in England

Descendants

Died about 1660 at about age 42 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut

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James Northam migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). (See The Directory, by R. C. Anderson, p. 242) Join: Puritan Great Migration Project Discuss: pgm

Biography

"James Northam, immigrant ancestor, was born in England. He settled in Wethersfield, Connecticut as early as March of 1639. Other references to him occur under dates of 1648/55/58.^[1] He was admitted a freeman in 1658. He was one of the seceders who agreed to leave Connecticut and locate at Hadley, Massachusetts, but he died before 1662."^[2]

Only one child by him is known: Samuel (ca 1650-1726). James married Isabel Ward, (widow of John Catlin). After James died, Isabel removed to New Jersey, but afterward returned to Hadley, where her stepson lived, and there married Joseph Baldwin. Isabel died on 8 Dec 1676 in Hadley, MA.^[2]

While "The Great Migration Directory" gives his origin as unknown,^[3] James Northam’s birth place and date are estimated as 1618 in England based on the dates of his first appearance in Connecticut and marriage to Isabel Ward.

The author, James Savage, is reputed to have said that Northam had migrated to New England by 1640 and was in Wethersfield by 1655.^[4]"The Great Migration Directory" however, says he migrated by 1639, lived first at Hartford then moved to Wethersfield.^[3] On March 5, 1639 he was summoned to appear in court, by Deputy Roger Ludlow, as a witness in a land dispute, but he did not show.^[1]

Will

On February 27, 1660-1 in Wethersfield, CT, his inventory was taken by John Lattimore and Thomas Hurlbut. It totaled £278-10-00. The following was stated:

“My will is that while my wife or Relict continues a widow shee is to have ye whole estate, but if shee marry again Two thirds of the Estate to be to her children. The Widdow doth declare it to be her minde that her eldest son by her first husband should have A lesser share yn any of the rest of the Children, & the Widdow did declare yt it was her husbands minde yt her eldest son by him should have a larger portion yn the rest of the Children, both wch the Court Judgeth equall and ought to be attended.”^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} The Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut (Hartford 1850-1890) Vol. 1, p. 35, 45, 165, 315 see at archive.org
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} "Genealogical Dictionary of New England Settlers," Volume 3, p. 289. see at archive.org
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Robert Charles Anderson. "The Great Migration Directory, Immigrants to New England 1620-1640, A Concise Compendium" New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston (2015). p. 242.
4. ↑ Henry Reed Stiles. "The History of Ancient Wethersfield, Connecticut." (New York 1904; rpt. Somersworth, New Hampshire, 1987) Vol. 2, p. 520 see at Hathitrust
5. ↑ Charles William Manwaring, comp. "A Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records" Hartford Probate Disrict, 1635-1700. (Hartford 1904) Vol. 1, p. 139. see at archive.org