Apologies. I was unaware of the travel of the time. The sailor mentioned is a Capt. William WATHEN, master of the ship "Providence" which sailed, I believe, out of Bristol. As to whether he was any kin to my John WATHEN, the Immigrant, direct ancestor, I don't know. And the plot thickens. Kind regards, bill ----- Original Message ----- From: "Eliz Hanebury" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2008 11:19 AM Subject: Re: [GLS] WATHEN family in Bristol, 17th century ( was John WATHEN) > Bill I hate to say this, but realistic travel distance, even so far > back, was much bigger than you might think. It was not unknown for > people with wares to sell to walk the 50 miles to London (forget where > it was but the trip was 50 miles). If he was a drover they went all > over and if wealthy they would travel to kin folk all over (stay for > months *G*) and then back home. They were much more mobile than we > might think. > You have a sailor? if so, realistic is all over the Island > > On Wed, Dec 10, 2008 at 11:16 AM, bill waathen <[email protected]> wrote: >> Hi Josephine, >> >> Thank you for your information. It's a big help. In terms of "whittling >> down" areas where my John may have come from, I'm looking at Glousc., >> Heref., and Wales, at least for the short term. Here's my thought >> process.....given how recruitment was done for indentures during the >> period, >> mostly word of mouth, John must have been within a realistic travel >> distance >> from Bristol, from where he departed on the "Francis and Mary" in 1670. >> I >> doubt if the family has any Irish or Scottish roots. Can you tell me >> this: >> How strong was the Roman Catholic faith in these areas following the >> English >> Civil War? The Colony of Maryland, charted in 1634 by the Lords >> Baltimore >> (Baltemore), were of the Catholic faith, even tho' their soveriegn, King >> James, was of the Church of England. Apparently the Lords Baltimore >> (CALVERT family), had a positive relationship with good King James and >> were >> therefore granted the charter. An interesting sidebar to the story is >> that >> the Charter of Maryland was the second of such; the first one being >> granted >> in what is now Newfoundland. The early settlers in Newf. called their >> colony "Avalon." However, the climate in "Avalon" was too harsh for >> growing >> crops, etc., so the venture was abandoned. A few years later, the >> Charter >> of Maryland was granted. There were two ships that landed at St. >> Clement's >> Island, Maryland, in the fall of 1634, the "Ark" and the "Dove." Most of >> those on board were of the Catholic faith, including a priest to bless >> the >> newly arrived location. Altho' the colony was established primarily for >> Catholics trying to escape the wrath of the Church of England, those of >> other faiths were also welcome in the new colony. "John the Immigrant", >> my >> direct ancestor, was of the Catholic faith and that religious tradition >> has >> carried on to the present day. This Catholic tradition is important to >> me >> in my efforts to trace John's roots. John's "agent" the one who brought >> John to these shores, was a Hugh THOMAS, believed to be from >> Llanmadoc(g), >> Gla., Wales. That area remained strong Catholic even after the Civil >> War. >> If I could find a Roman Catholic Records Repository in the U.K., I might >> be >> able to find out more about John. >> >> And so it continues, >> >> Bill > _____________________________________________ > > Have you considered adding "postems" to "your" events on > www.freebmd.org.uk , giving your contact details? Other researchers will > then be able to make contact. Click on the info button to add your postem. > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >