From: bill waathen <[email protected]> Subject: [GLS] John WATHEN To: [email protected] Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2008, 9:28 AM > I'm looking for any information on John WATHEN, who came to Maryland as > an indentured servant to a Hugh THOMAS, in 1670, aboard the ship > "Francis and Mary" out of Bristol. Hi Bill, There were WATHENs in Bristol in the late 17th century. In September 1661, William WATHEN, a pinmaker of St. Thomas, was named as a Bondsman on a Bristol marriage licence bond. In September 1662, Philip WATHEN, a shoemaker of St. Nicholas, was named as Bondsman on a Bristol marriage licence bond. On 1st June 1771, Thomas OPE (likely to be OPIE) and Ellenor WATHEN widdow (sic) were married at the church of St. Augustine the Less, Bristol. In July 1677, there was a Bristol marriage licence bond for James WATHEN, a cooper, of St. Nicholas and Joane WATKINS of St. Stephen. In 1696 John WATHEN, servant, was living in Fisher Lane in the parish of St. Stephen. In 1696, Margaret WATHEN, servant, was living in the parish of St. Augustine. There are references to WATHEN and WATHENS in 'A Calendar of Wills proved in the Consistory Court (City and Deanery of Bristol Division) of the Bishop of Bristol 1572-1792', which was edited by Edward Alexander Fry and published in 1897. Philip WATHEN 1676 Jane WATHEN 1701 James WATHEN 1721 James WATHENS 1683 Josephine -- Josephine's Books, Ian's Pages, The Clutton 'Do' and the Glamorganshire Canal. http://www.ianandjo.dsl.pipex.com

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 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Josephine Jeremiah" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2008 2:20 PM Subject: [GLS] WATHEN family in Bristol, 17th century ( was John WATHEN) > From: bill waathen <[email protected]> > Subject: [GLS] John WATHEN > To: [email protected] > Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2008, 9:28 AM > >> I'm looking for any information on John WATHEN, who came to Maryland as >> an indentured servant to a Hugh THOMAS, in 1670, aboard the ship >> "Francis and Mary" out of Bristol. > > Hi Bill, > > There were WATHENs in Bristol in the late 17th century. > > In September 1661, William WATHEN, a pinmaker of St. Thomas, was named as > a > Bondsman on a Bristol marriage licence bond. > > In September 1662, Philip WATHEN, a shoemaker of St. Nicholas, was named > as > Bondsman on a Bristol marriage licence bond. > > On 1st June 1771, Thomas OPE (likely to be OPIE) and Ellenor WATHEN widdow > (sic) were married at the church of St. Augustine the Less, Bristol. > > In July 1677, there was a Bristol marriage licence bond for James WATHEN, > a > cooper, of St. Nicholas and Joane WATKINS of St. Stephen. > > In 1696 John WATHEN, servant, was living in Fisher Lane in the parish of > St. Stephen. > > In 1696, Margaret WATHEN, servant, was living in the parish of St. > Augustine. > > There are references to WATHEN and WATHENS in 'A Calendar of Wills proved > in the Consistory Court (City and Deanery of Bristol Division) of the > Bishop of Bristol 1572-1792', which was edited by Edward Alexander Fry and > published in 1897. > > Philip WATHEN 1676 > Jane WATHEN 1701 > James WATHEN 1721 > > James WATHENS 1683 > > Josephine > > -- > Josephine's Books, Ian's Pages, The Clutton 'Do' and > the Glamorganshire Canal. > http://www.ianandjo.dsl.pipex.com > _____________________________________________ > > 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 >