This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: SOUTHWORTH, ALDEN, PADDOCK Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/FO.2ADI/159 Message Board Post: This is a bit off-topic, since my subject, Constant Southworth, came to the Plymouth Colony probably in 1828, eight years after the Mayflower, but you're all so knowledgeable that I hope someone can answer my questions: First, what was an "assistant" in Plymouth Colony? Constant Southworth was appointed Assistant for the latter years of his life, and I've seen deeds of gift or property that were sworn before him, so it must have been somet kind of court position -- but assistant-what? Second, Constant Southworth is sometimes called "ensign". Would that have been ensign of the militia? Finally, Alice Alden, Constant's granddaughter (and she IS on-topic, because her father, David Alden, was a son of John & Priscilla) married Captain Judah Paddock (1681-1770). I had thought Judah was a militia captain until I read somewhere that he was a whaling captain. He and Alice lived in Yarmouth during their marriage, and she was buried in Dennis - isn't that on Cape Cod? (apologies for not being a New Englander!) My whaling questions are these: a) What sources of information describe 17th & early 18th century New England whaling -- and is are they accessible via Internet? b) Where could I confirm that Judah Paddock actually was a whaling skipper? c) What would the likely whaling ports have been for someone who lived in Yarmouth? I hope these questions are of enough general interest to prompt some kind souls out there to answer them. Thanks and regards, Mignon Cameron (MABCam@aol.com) P.S. Please email directly if you like.
I suspect that anyone living in Yarmouth would sail out of New Bedford or Fall River but many also sailed out of Boston. Perhaps the site below will help you. This is a great site for anyone looking for crew members that sailed on the whaling ships and in some instances gives a description of them and their rank. click on Whaling and crew lists at top of left hand menu. good luck. The New Bedford Free Library has an internet listing of Whale Ship Crews. The library is only two blocks from the Whaling Museum. http://www.ci.new-bedford.ma.us/services/library/library2.htm Muriel FLorida