From the Mormon Library Collection
Film D 41871 – Pioneers of Maine and New Hampshire
There were two families of Puddington, or Purrington, who settled in the adjoining Provinces of Maine and New Hampshire, doubtless descended from two brothers, George of York and Robert of Portsmouth. It is probable that they were the sons of Robert Puddington, the elder, of Tiverton, Devon, whose will, dated 10 February 1630, is recorded in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury (St. John, 49). George, the son, renounced executorship on 25 April 1631, and administration was granted to Anne, the widow, and to George Puddington, brother of the testator (Putnam’s History Magazine, N.S. VII, 41–53, 140–144).
The spelling of the name in early records varied—Puddington, Podington, Purrington, Purinton—prior to 1700, when the “Pud” is usually dropped.
George Puddington of York, Maine
George Puddington was at York as early as 1639 and became active in the civic affairs of the town and Province. He was Deputy to the Provincial Court for Agamenticus in 1640 and Alderman of Georgeanna in 1641. He made several purchases of land in 1640 and 1641 but did not long survive. His will was dated June 25, 1647.
His wife was Mary (possibly Pooke). An unsavory record remains regarding her involvement with Rev. George Burdett in 1640, resulting in the conviction of both. After George Puddington’s death, she married John Davis, Esq., of York, and was living as late as 1691.
Children of George and Mary Puddington:
- John, born 1635
- Mary, born 1637; married Peter Weare
- Elias, born 1639
- Frances, born 1641
- Rebecca, born 1643; married James Gooch (possibly)
Purington Family of Truro, Cape Cod
Source: Truro, Cape Cod by Shebnah Rich, published by D. Lothrop & Co., Boston, 1884, p. 552
Deacon Hezekiah Purington came from Dover Point to Truro in 1704. He was an active man and a ruling elder. Deacon Moses Paine recorded in his diary on January 8, 1717: “This morning Deacon Hezekiah Purington departed this life. The Lord sanctify such an awful dispensation of Providence to us all.” He was aged 42.
Through marriages among the Purington, Paine, Lombard, and Harding families, many Truro families share the Purington name and bloodline. The land where the church stood at Dover Point was later owned by A. D. Purington, and a monument was proposed for the site.
Line of descent:
- Robert Puddington of England
- George Puddington of York, Maine
- John Purrington of York, Maine
- Hezekiah Purington
Hezekiah Purrington
Hezekiah (John, George, Robert) was almost certainly the son of John Purrington. He resided at Wells and Salisbury and later moved to Dover, and then to Truro, Cape Cod, in 1704. He became one of the leading citizens in both the civil and religious life of the town and was a founder of the church gathered there in 1710. He served as deacon until his death on January 8, 1718.
He married Mary Scammon, likely the daughter of Humphrey Scammon of Dover, Saco, and Kittery. After Hezekiah’s death, she married Jonathan Paine on June 29, 1719, and died May 17, 1760, aged 78.
Children of Hezekiah and Mary (Scammon) Purrington:
- Humphrey, born 1703
- Mary, born 1707; married Barnabas Paine
- Sarah, born 1709; married Solomon Lombard
- Mercy, baptized February 3, 1712; married Nathaniel Harding
- Elizabeth, baptized December 6, 1713; died young
- Hezekiah, baptized October 14, 1715; married Mercy Bates
- Abial, baptized April 6, 1718