Subject to use: 1718 Boston to Casco Bay, ME to Londonderry NH Pat Gregg - patgregg@mediaone.net I want to thank all of your who have shared information on this group of families. For all of you who found your families in the Governor Shute petition or in other information I have shared, I was happy to help. Through your efforts, I found many new books, resources, and other researchers who share the "need to know" about these particular emigrants. Since the 1718 emigration is the key to so many of the families, I would like to get those of you who have interest to keep sharing under the title I placed above. I get tons of email as well and this will help us find the relevant messages. I will also include sources where you can find the information. I hope you will do the same Their reasons for immigration 29. (L#17), Parker, Edward L., Rev. Late Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Derry, The History of Londonderry, Comprising the Towns of Derry and Londonderry, NH, Published by Perkins and Whipple, Boston, MA, 1851, Personal Library, New England Historical Genealogy Society, Boston MA, Book Reprint. P.34 "That such were their motives, we learn from a manuscript sermon of the Rev. James MacGregor, one of the four pastors who accompanied their flocks to America, and the first minister of Londonderry. It was addressed to them oil the eve of their embarking for this country. His discourse was from those very appropriate words of Moses, when conducting the chosen tribes to the Promised Land: 11 If thy presence go not with me, carry us not tip hence." In tile application of the subject to their emigration, lie states the following as reasons of their removal to America. 1. To avoid oppression and cruel bondage. 2. To shun persecution and designed ruin. 3. To withdraw from the communion of idolaters. 4. To have an opportunity of worshipping God, according to the dictates of conscience and the rules of his inspired Word" What I feel is the underlying reason. My take on this group: They were magnificent entrepreneurs 70. (L#151), Hanna, Charles A., The Scotch-Irish Vol. II or The Scot in North Britain, North Ireland, and North America, Vol. II, Originally Published: New York, 1902, Reprinted, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. Baltimore, 1968, 1985, 1995, 1902 reprinted 1995, Personal Library, Willow Bend Books & Family Line Publications, 65 East Main St. Westminster, MD 21157-5036, Book Reprint $37.50. "Having thus the opportunity of swelling unmolested in their own township, of controlling its civil matters, and with liberty of worship established they soon became a thriving, prosperous, and influential community. In 1723, they built a house for their minister, the Rev James MacGregor, and the next year, a meetinghouse. In six year they had four schools in the township, and within nine years of its first settlement, Londonderry-paid one fifteenth of the State tax." 29. (L#17), Parker, Edward L., Rev. Late Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Derry, The History of Londonderry, Comprising the Towns of Derry and Londonderry, NH, Published by Perkins and Whipple, Boston, MA, 1851, Personal Library, New England Historical Genealogy Society, Boston MA, Book Reprint. P.44 Those who first settles Londonderry, NH It began Eleventh day of April, old style, 1719 Those who first composed the settlement were the following sixteen men with their families, namely: James McKeen, John Barnett, Archibald Clendenin, John Mitchell, James Sterrett, James Anderson, James Alexander, James Gregg, James Clark, James Nesmith, Allen Anderson, Robert Weir (Wear), John Morrison, Samuel Allison, Thomas Steele, and John Stuart (Stewart). These pioneers of the settlement were most of them men in middle life, robust, persevering, and adventurous, well suited to encounter the toils and endure the hardships of such an undertaking. Most of them attained to advanced age. They lived to see their descendants settled around them, and the forest into which they had penetrated converted into a fruitful field. The average age of thirteen of the number, of whose age alone we have any record, was seventy-nine years; six attained to nearly ninety, and two surpassed it. John Morrison, the oldest of this company, lived to the advanced age of ninety-seven years. 24. The Historical Booklet Committee for 250th Nutfield Anniversary Committee, Glimpses of Derry New Hampshire 1719-1969, 1969, Derry Public Library, (can be checked out), Booklet Town. To these were added were soon added: ELIAS KEYES, JOSEPH SIMONDS, JOHN GOFFE, JOHN GREGG, REV. James MACGREGOR, and DAVID CARGILL I hope all of you with the same interest will continue to communicate and share. Have Fun! Pat