GREETINGS ALL: Friday 31 October 1997 As a decendant of John Washburn III, I wish to put to rest the issue of John(3) Washburn'a spouse who <bold>WAS</bold> Rebeckah LAPHAM. They both were married on April 16, 1679 in Bridgewater. Mass. I have photographic documentated proof and written documentated of proof of this marriage and death. This will help many family geneologists out there doing research. This issue continues to surface with people who are learning what research is all about. There is enough material published proving this data is factual with no reason to recreate the wheel. I have photographic proof of the fact that JOHN(3) WASHBURN was married to REBECCA LAPHAM. My Grandfather, Charles Marvin Washburn, had taken several photographs of the tombstomes of JOHN(3) WASHBURN and REBECCA (LAPHAM) WASHBURN during the 1930's. On John's tombstone it states he was married to Rebecca LAPHAM. I also have written documentation he aquired in 1927 from the Town Clerk of Bridgewater of the authenticity of their marriage. My photograph of John Washburn's gravestone stands to the "left" of his wife's (Rebecca). Also, there was a Dr. William Lapham, M.D. who kept a record of the Lapham's vital data. It was called "The Lapham Family Register." My question is....does anyone know of this family document?? I find it very sad that John III's gravestone had to be taken. My Grandfather had written to the Town Clerk of Bridgewater, Mass. in 1927 requesting information of the marriage of John and Rebecca. I have the letter response from the Town Clerk. With a actual photograph and the written record shows proof without any doubt who John Washburn III's spouse really was... He had accumulated our family record in the early 1920's through the 40's. He became an attorney for the SOO Line Railroad in Minneapolis, Minn when he was 54 years. Before that was a school teacher and served as principal in Minneapolis schools. He loved history and was very detailed in his recording of it. He lived to 84 years and was a person of great detail. =========================================================================================== From Charles Marvin Washburn's (my Grandfather) researched record as was recorded by the Mayflower Society I present you the following from his official Mayflower Society application record (as was approved) from the "General Society Copy": THE WASHBURN FAMILY IN AMERICA: 1. John Washburn II: Born at Bengeworth, England, son of John (England #8 ABOVE), married Elizabeth Mitchell, Dec. 6, 1645. She was the grand-daughter of Francis Cooke (of the Mayflower) and Jane Cooke. 2. John Washburn III: Born at Duxbury, Mass about 1646 and died at Bridgewater, Mass about 1719; married on April 16, 1679 to Rebeckah Lapham who was born on 1646 and died at Bridgewater, Mass on 1717. 3. Their son was William Washburn, born at Bridgewater, Mass on Feb. 16, 1686; died at Bridgewater, Mass on Mar. 16, 1756, married at Bridgewater on Jan. 13, 1715 to Experience Mann. 4. Their son was William Washburn, born at Bridgewater, Mass. on April 14, 1718, married on May 12, 1738 to Rebecca Curtis. 5. Their son was Philip Washburn, born at Bridgewater, Mass. on Sept. 30, 1743, died at Reading Township, N.Y. on April 23, 1829, married at Hardwick Mass. on Jan. 8, 1767 to Sarah Carpenter, born at Hardwick, Mass. on Aug 1747, died at Reading Township (near Watkins) N.Y. on 1826. ============================================================================================ MORE FACTUAL DATA.....there has been much written on this family issue: "Barbara Lambert Merrick, a previous historian for the Mayflower Society, has written an article published in the July 1996 issue of The American Genealogist regarding Rebecca, the wife of John Washburn (3rd), of Bridgewater. She discusses the previous article on the subject by Mrs. John E. Barclay, "Rebecca Lapham, wife of Samuel White or JohnWashburn?" and she provides ample and convincing evidence that Rebecca Lapham did, indeed, marry John Washburn, not Samuel White. The clincher is a deed where, on 1 July 1697, John Washburn, of Bridgewater, sold to Thomas Snell, a tract of land in the North Division of Bridgewater, ...... "falling by lot to my Brother in Law, Joseph Lapham, deceased and so from said Joseph Lapham to his Brother Thomas, is now mine." (Plymouth Co. Deeds 17:114-115.) Now, all descendants of the children of John and Rebecca (Lapham)Washburn, namely Josiah and Mercy (Tilson) Washburn; John and Margaret (Packard) Washburn; William and Experience (Mann) Washburn; and Josiah and Abigail (Washburn) Leonard, now have positive identification of their Lapham ancestry! ==================================================================== With reference to Brenton Washburn's book "The Washburn Family in America": Brenton is a wonderful and dedicated man. I personnally know him. I had met and discussed his first book with him soon after that publication. He had accumulated a lot of research by visiting many cemetery's throughout the eastern states. He had hoped to properly link up miscellanous branches in the future (with his new recent edition) on those generations that were in question. Regards, Chuck Washburn Member of: Mayflower Society and The Sons of the American Revolution