Hi cousins, It occurred to me that perhaps some of us might be able to tackle our brick walls from both ends ... present-day back (the proper way), and back-to-the-present. Some of us have been researching so long that another avenue could be reversing the proper procedure and researching an immigrant's sons to see where they ultimately set the setting for our current families. Does anyone happen to know who our first U.S. immigrants were? The only Bower[s] I know of is shown below and there are probably others I'm not aware of. I don't know anything about the Bauer, Baur, Brower or Brouwer first immigrants. U.S. cousins, we need to help each other with this. Please dig through your data and let's see what we can all come up with. If we Americans can get back to all the immigrants and their native countries, not only will we help ourselves, we just might be able to help our international cousins as well! :) Since this is important to all of us, each message posted regarding this particular subject will be cross-posted to ALL SIX research groups. Only in this way will none of us miss the opportunity to break through a wall. Colleen --| | \ / | The only first Bower[s] immigrant I know of is George Bower[s] who came to Plymouth, MA from England in 1639, then moved to Cambridge, MA. His first wife, Barbara, died d. 25 Mar 1644. On 15 Apr 1649 George married Elizabeth Worthington. He made his will 8 Nov 1656 and it was proved 22 days later, on 30 Nov. Children of George and Barbara were: 1. Jerathmeel, b. 2 May 1650, resided in Chelmsford, MA. 2. Benanuel, m. Elizabeth Dunster, lived in Charlestown, MA in 1656 3. John, attended Harvard College in 1649; resided in Derby, MA. He was a schoolmaster in Plymouth, then in 1653 moved to New Haven, CT and taught there until 1660. John was the preacher in Branford 1667-Feb 1673, and afterwards moved to Derby where he died 14 June 1687. His will, recorded in Derby, bears the date 8 Jan 1685. John married Bridget, daughter of Anthony Thompson of New Haven. Their children: i. Ruth, bap New Haven, CT 20 Dec 1657 ii. Ruth, m. (1)John Frisbie, (2)William Hoadly iii. Mary iv. Samuel, bap New Haven, CT 5 Nov 1665; m. (1)Ruth Wooster 1687, (2)Lydia French in 1691. He died after 1717. v. John, b. Guilford, CT 3 Dec 1667 vi. Ann, m. 1703 Francis French. 4. Patience 5. Silence