Purrington (Puddington)
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 from two brothers, George of York and Robert of Portsmouth. It is probably that they were the sons of Robert Puddington, the elder, of Tiverton, Devon whose will “expressed 10 Feb, 1630” is recorded in Prerogative Court of Canterbury, (St. John, 49); George the son, renounced executorship 25 April, 1631, and administration was granted to Anne, the widow, and to George Puddington, brother of the testator. (Putnams History Mag. N.S. VII, 41-53, 140-144). The spellings of the name in early records varied-Puddington, Podington, Purrington, Purinton, prior to 1700 when the “Pud’ is usually dropped.
George Puddington was at York as early as 1639 and became active in the civic affairs of the town and Province, was Deputy to the Provinical Court for Agamentious, 1640, Alderman of Georgeanna 1641; made several purchases of land, 1640 and 1641, (111, 85-6), but did not long survive; will dated June 25, 1647, (Maine wills; 99); his wife was Mary (Pooke?) of whom an unsavory record is left in connection with the Rev. George Burdett in 1640, resulting in the conviction of both; after Puddingtons’ death she married John Davis, Esq., of York, and was living as late as 1691. Children of George and Mary were:
- John born 1635
- Mary born 1637, m. Peter Weare
- Elias born 1639
- Frances born 1641
- Rebecca born 1643, married James Gooch?
TRURO CAPE COD by Shebnah Rich, Published by D. Lothrop and Co, 32;
Franklin St., Boston, 1884. Page 552
Purington-Deacon Hezekiah came from Dover Point to Truro, 1704; was an active man; a ruling elder. Deacon Moses Paine mentions in the diary, January 8, 1717, “This morning Deacon Hezekiah Purington departed this life. The Lord sanctify such an awful dispensation of Providence to us all.” Age 42. By the marriage of Humphrey Purington to Thankful Harding, 1724, Mary, to Deacon Barnabas Paine, 1729; Sarah to Solomon Lombard, 1725; and Mercy to Nathaniel Harding, 1730, not a small proportion of Truro families share in the name and blood. The land where the church stood at Dover Point in now owned by A.D. Purington. A monument has been proposed for the spot.
- Robert Puddington of England,
- George Puddington of York in Maine,
- John Purrington of York, in Maine,
- Hezekiah Purington
From the Mormon Library Film D 41871 010374 PIONEERS OF MAINE AND NEW HAMPSHIRE
Purinton
Hezekiah-Hezekiah (John, George, Robert) was without much doubt a son of John as he is found at Wells and Salisbury and other evidences of relationship appear in the naming of the son of Saunders Carr “Hezekiah”, an unusual name; soldier at Wells 1676 and credited to Salisbury; later resided in Dover and from thence to Truro, Cape Cod, 1704. With him went a wife and one child (oldest). He became one of the leading citizens in the civil and religious life of the town and one of the founders of the church gathered there in 1710. He served as its deacon until his death which occurred Jan. 8, 1718. (Diary of Moses Paine); estate divided July 21, 1718, (Barnstable Probate 111;460). He married Mary Scammon, probably the daughter of Humphrey Scammon of Dover, Saco, and Kittery. She was born 1682 and after his death married Jonathan Paine June 29, 1719. She died May 17, 1760 aged 78 years. Children as follows: Division of the estate of Deacon Hezekiah Purrington, late of Truro and made 21 July, 1718 between the widow Mary and five surviving children. (Barnstable Probate 111-460)
- Humphrey, b. 1703, the oldest son, double portion, 132
- Mary, b. 1707, m. Barnabas Paine June 25, 1724
- Sarah, b. 1709, m. Solomon Lombard 1729
- Mercy, bapt. 3 Feb. 1712, m. Nathaniel Harding 1730
- Elizabeth, bapt. 6 Dec. 1713, died young
- Hezekiah, bapt. Oct. 14, 1715, died May 30. 1765, m. Oct. 7, 1735,
- Mercy Bates
- Abial, bapt. April 6, 1718
John-Father of Hezekiah, born 1635, resided in York and later Cape Porpoise before 1670; was prominent in civil and military affairs being town clerk (V, pt. 2, 69) trustee, selectman, and lieutenant of the militia 1688. Next year in command of troops and garrison at Wells, he signed petition against the sale of Maine to Mass., 1679, also a petition to the King 1680; granted permission to build mills on Batsons’ River 1680, took oath of allegiance 1680. He lived at Intervale Point and was called fisherman, (Bradbury, 43-4-48, 50-51-52, 60-61), also owned a tract situated at Merriconeague, Casco Bay, 1672. (Merriconeague now Harpswell Neck area). He left this town when it was partially abandoned to the Indians and removed to Salisbury, Mass., where he died Jan. 1692/3. His son James administered the estate. His wife was Mary Barton, possibly sister of William of Cape Porpoise. In 1690 he named his loving cousin (nephew) Joseph Weare, (V. 116) calling himself “sometimes of York”. Children:
- John, born 1661, resided in York, Cape Porpoise, and finally Salisbury, Mass.
- James, born 1664, married (1) Elisabeth, (2) Lydia Mirray. He died at sea July 12, 1718
- Hezekiah, born 1673
- Joshua, born 1677, resided in Hampton, N.H.
- Elisabeth, born 1667, married John Conner Ma 1691
- George, born 1670, died Jan. 1692
HISTORY OF YORK, MAINE By Charles Edward Banks, Published by Calkins Press, Boston, Mass. 1931
George Puddington
100-104 He was the son of Robert Puddington, a clothier of Tiverton, Devon, and Jane his wife, probably born 1600 or thereabouts. The father was an owner of mills that were burned, bringing him into financial difficulties shortly before his the reason for the emigration of the brothers George to Agamenticus and Robert to Portsmouth sometime before 1640, the year both are first found on the records. Robert, the father, made his will February 10, 1630-1 (nuncupative), and administration of the estate was granted to the widow, Anne, his second wife, May 16, 1631. The house on Brampton Street, Tiverton, was left to George who was probably the eldest son. It is probable that George Puddington came to Maine some years before 1640 but the first time his name appears is in the list of aldermen of Agamenticus and as deputy from the borough to the Province Court. Evidently impressed with the importance of this honor, he was charged by Parson Burdett with the saying that “the power of the combination at Agamenticus was greater than the power of the Kind,” but the jury ignored the complaint. As he was fined for being tipsy at the same Court, the source of his boasting may be inferred. He brought with him to Maine a wife and young family of children. She was Mary Pooke, whom he married at St. Peter’s church in Tiverton, February 5, 1630, whose parentage has not been ascertained. Like Puddington it was a common name in Devon and there is a small parish called Puddington in that county. The home lot where Puddington settled was purchased of Henry Simpson in 1640 and his house stood at the mouth of Meeting House Creek. It is probably that he carried on the business of an innkeeper there, as after his death, his widow continued that business. In 1664 he was fined for exaction in selling victuals which seems to bear out this surmise (G.R.vll, 228). He died between July 3, 1647 and June 5, 1649, aged about fifty years. His will dated June 25, 1647 but not recorded for nearly half a century on June 18, 1696 is as follows:
In the Name of God Amen/
The xxvth of June in the year of our Lord, one thousand Six hundred Forty Seven, I George Puddington, the inprofitable Servant of God, weake in body but strong in mind doe willingly and with a free heart render and give again into the hands of my Lord God and Creator my Spirit which he of his Fatherly goodness gave unto me when he first fashioned me in my Mothers Wombe, making me a living and a reasonable Creature, Nothing Doubting but that for his infinite Mercye, Set forth in the precious blood of his Dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ our only Saviour and Redeemer he will receive my Soul into his Blessed Saints
And as concerning my body Even with goodwill and free heart I give over, recommending it to the earth whereof it came nothing doubting but according to the Article of my faith at the great day of general Resurrection when we shall appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God whereas he is able to subdue all things to himself, Not a corruptible Mortall weak and vile body as it is now but an incorruptible, immortall, Strong and perfect body in all points.
First as concerning my wife with whome I coupled my Selfe in the fear of God refuseing all other women I linked my Selfe unto her, living with her in the Blessed State of Honourable Wedlock, by whome also by the Blessing of God I have now two Sons and three daughters, John & Elias Mary Frances and Rebecca. And albeit I doubt not that God after my departure according to his promise will be unto her a husband yea a father and a Patron and Defender, and will not Suffer her to lack if she Trust fear and Serve him diligently calling upon his holy name, yet forasmuch as God hath Blessed me with Worldly Substance and She is my own flesh, and whoso provideth not for his denieth the Faith and is worse than an Infidell/
I therefore give and bequeath unto John my Eldest son, and Elias my youngest Son all my land and houses and out houses which are now in my possession where I now dwell in Gergeana in New England and alsoe all my Marsh ground or land, in Gorgeana aforesaid with the appurtenances thereunto belonging to them and to their heires forever Equally to be Devided, but if any of my Sons doe Die without heires of his body lawfully begotten that then land and Marishes aforesaid remain to the longest liver and to the heiresfor ever. But if it shall please God that both my Sons doe die without heires of their bodyes lawfully begotten that then I give and bequeath the aforesaid land and Marish ground unto my three daughters Mary Rebecca & Frances, and to their heires for Ever/ And if any of them shall die without issue of their bodies lawfully begotten then the longest liver and their heirs for ever/ but if all my Children doe die without heires that then I give and bequeath my aforesaid land and Marish ground unto my brother Robert Puddington and his heires for Ever Provided always that Mary my wife shall have the aforesaid land and Marish ground during this her Mortall life for the bringing up and Maintenance of my said Children/
Moreover I give and bequeath unto Mary my Eldest daughter one cow called or known by the name of Ladd and five pounds Starling when She shall come unto the age of Sixteen yeares/
I doe give and bequeath unto my Second Daughter Frances one Cow called or known by the name of Young Finch, and five pounds of money, and the which is to be paid unto her at the age of Sixteen yeares/
Further I doe give and bequeath unto my youngest daughter Rebecca one heifer called or known by the name of Young Ladd and five pounds of money and the said 5 lb to be paid unto her at the age of Sixteen yeares/