Recently a distant cousin revealed that the history passed down through their family for many years was that John Peterson of Plymouth County, Massachusetts was a Norwegian, a ships captain, and was shipwrecked on Cape Cod. Traditional records have John b. about 1636 and d. 26 Mar 1720 in Plymouth County. Although his life in Massachusetts is well documented, his origin is not. Years ago, one Peterson descendant family believed John came from the Isle of Man but we haven't had any success in that research. His being Norwegian is new info to me and so I'm off on another hunt. More than likely, but not overruled yet, his last name was not spelled Peterson before he arrived in the colonies and but so far, I've exhausted all my leads in that regard. So, if anyone has any knowledge of how I could research a John Peterson coming from Norway in 1660's or before (he was married in 1666 in Massachusetts) I would certainly appreciate the help and / or leads. Sincerely, Mike Peterson -------------------------------------------- Other info:The following is quoted from the 1860-1862 Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, Volume 3, By James Savage:"PETERSON, CORNELIUS, Boston 1685. HENRY, and JOHN of Lyme (Writer Note: Lyme was called East Saybrook before 1667), were of the train band (an organized group of trained citizen soldiers not in the regular army - short for trained band) 1678, and no more is kn. (=known) of either, exc. (=except) that John of Lyme, was aft. (=after) of Duxbury, and m. (=married) Mary, d. (=daughter) of George Soule; and that Henry by w. (=wife) Marah, m. (=married) 15 Apr 1683, had Sarah, b. (=born) 20 Oct 1686." Currently (December 2005) this is the only mention known of John's siblings if in fact the three are siblings and Lyme and Duxbury are the only residence's mentioned. There is recorded Henry Peterson of Lyme, Connecticut. (Note there are some who believe Lyme is a reference to a location in England). I've not been able to find any record of the Petersons in Lyme. There is a lot of information on the Henry Peterson from Boston but so far I haven't been able to find a connection to John.

At 04:15 PM 12/15/05, Mike Peterson wrote: >I've not been able to find any record of the Petersons in Lyme. >There is a lot of information on the Henry Peterson from Boston but >so far I haven't been able to find a connection to John. The spelling of the surname seems to have varied from PETERSON to PETTERSON to PETTERS to PETERS. Henry PETERSON was born about 1647-48, if his age at death is accurate. He died 5 Apr 1724 in his 77th year, according to his gravestone in the Duck River Cemetery, Old Lyme, CT. He married firstly, 1678, Saybrook, CT (published vital records, page 12), Elizabeth SHERMAN, of whom I know nothing further. He married secondly, 15 Apr 1683, Lyme (Land Records 1:85), Mary (WOOD) PERRIGO, dau. of George WOOD of Brookhaven, NY, and wid. of Robert PERRIGO, who was living 18 Nov 1701. He had three children that I know about: 1. child, b. 15 Oct 16[ ], Saybrook, d. 11 Jun 16[ ], Saybrook. 2. Sarah, b. 20 Oct 1686, Lyme (LR 1:83), d. 27 Sep 1748, Lyme, m. 11 Jul 1708, Lyme, Capt. Henry CHAMPION. 3. Abigail, b. about 1692-93, d. 29 Apr 1767, aged 74 years, m. say 1713, Josiah MACK. On 10 Feb 1671/2, Stephen DeWOLFE was granted 10 acres bounded by Henry PETTERSON and the mill brook (Land Records G:9). Henry PETERSON was granted land in Lyme 24 Oct 1672, 10 acres bounded by Henry ROWLAND (Land Records G:9). His occupation was\ cooper (Land Records 2:303). On -- --- 1673/4, John BRIGGS and Henry PETTERS were granted sunken meadow (Land Records G:10). John PETERS appears in Lyme only at the birth of his daughter "Marah" (i.e., Mary) on 18 Feb 167[9] (Land Records 1:46). This could be an error for Henry, or not. I know nothing further about him or this daughter. Regards, Robert Mr. Robert L. Ward 12236 Shadetree Lane, Laurel, MD 20708-2832 301-776-1659 rlward1 AT erols DOT com http://users.erols.com/rlward1/index.html