< o o > 1 c5* n a° *<*> * o » » » y o > ^ • « . r\ . iV . i • ' r *2 ■5- rail ^ ** •»■ v^ ^ °|o ,0 c ° ° iV>, •> v x - <* A ,w- ?■ a-* <^„ "- s a-* : r ,^ <. o 4 o * £ & e Vivian asserts that John Edgecombe of Plymouth, cooper, whose will was proved in 1711 was son of Nicholas Edgecombe. Although giving his burial from Charles parish register 20 July 1711, he does not seem to have found his baptism or other data to prove his assertion. It is doubtful if he had seen the will following: John Edgecombe of Plymouth, cooper, will dated 19 May, 1711, proved 30 August, 1711 by Catherine Gennys, wife of John Gennys, etc. . . To the poor of Landulph, co. Cornwall 40 sh. To brother in law Richard Sowdon and his brother John Sowdon. Sister Temperance wife of said Richard Sowdon. Grandson John Hawkins my tenement in Landulph. Granddaughter Mary Hawkins £100. Grandson John Gennys, granddaughter Elizabeth Gennys, each £25. Sister Thomasine, wife of Walter Raine of Landulph, yeoman, £20, and to her daughter Elizabeth, £3. Her daughter Katherine, £3. Late servant Elizabeth Cundy. Brother-in-law William Gennys, of Plymouth, mariner, and my sons-in-law John Hawkins of Quethiocke, co. Cornwall, gent., John Gennys of Plymouth, merchant, a messuage wherein William Spureing lately lived situate in Plymouth, to the use of my daughter Katherine Gennys. Messuage where I now dwell, and the cellars and key belonging situate at Foxhole Key in Plymouth, to my said trustees for the benefit of my son Will- iam Edgecombe in case he return to England, and be reformed and live a sober life, I give him £100. Residue to said daughter Katherine Gennys who sole executrix. P. C. C, Young 165. The inference drawn from this will cannot be other than that John Edge- combe was one of the Cornish Edgecombes, and that in all probabilities his birthplace was Landulph, that he was at least seventy five years of age and could by no means be the son of Nicholas Edgecombe of Plymouth, especially by the marriage with Elizabeth Tyack. It is also noteworthy that he fails to name any relatives by the name except his son, nor do any of the legatees in this will appear by any of the numerous wills or otherwise to be connected with any of the Devonshire branches. In the face of the definite statement by John Edgecombe of New London that he was the son of Nicholas Edgecombe of Plymouth and as most careful research has failed to develop any other Nicholas Edgecombe of Plymouth than the one who appears in the Visitation, with the exception of a Nicholas, son of a John Edgecombe who was buried 24 May 1693, — the year prior to the election of the elder Nicholas as Alderman, — Col. Vivian's assertion, hitherto unchallenged, must be acknowledged to be incorrect. The Lay Subsidies for Devonshire for the period covering the birth of Nicholas Edgecombe and his youth are unusually complete. From these valuable contemporary records of persons taxed for land and goods we are able to obtain a very fair idea of the families of Edgecombe living in Devon- shire in his time. The Subsidy for 1609-10 for the Hundreds of Lifton, Plimpton, Erming- ton, Roborough, and Tavistock, P. R. O. 101-452, supplies the following information as to individuals: John Edgecombe of Kelley, for goods. John Edgecombe of Ravelstock, for lands. Margaret Edgecombe, widow, of Ugborough, for lands. Oliver Edgecombe of do, goods. William Edgecombe of Ermington, lands. Robert Edgecombe of do, goods. Thomas Edgecombe of do, goods. John Edgecombe of Harford, lands. John Edgecombe of Buckland Monachorum, lands. Christopher Edgecombe of do, lands. William Edgecombe of do, goods. Mathew Edgecombe of Tavistock, lands. Agnes Edgecombe, widow of do, goods. Richard Edgecombe (?jr.), of do, goods. Thomas Edgecombe of do, goods. lE&oecombe The Subsidy for 1625, P. R. 0. 102-463 m. 78, for Plymouth does not pre- sent the name of Edgecombe. The Ermington family, the only case of a Nich- olas Edgecombe contemporary with him of Plymouth has already been alluded to. Tavistock, the home of the Edgecombe family until the settlement of representatives in Plymouth, is an ancient parliamentary borough on the Tavy, fifteen miles from Plymouth and thirty three miles from Exeter. It was one of the Stannary towns and was early the seat of woolen manufacture. The Abbey was formerly of importance. Adjoining Tavistock, and six miles between the villages, is Milton Abbot. In this parish is the hamlet of Edgecombetown. The Tavistock family were represented in the commercial life of Plymouth, and the more important branch seated at Mount Edgcumbe by reason of their proximity and position were also important factors in the town life. It was from Plymouth that Raleigh, Gilbert, Drake and, later, the Pilgrims sailed. There were fitted out the expeditions of Gorges and the ships of Trelawny. It was the port of departure of innumerable parties of emigrants for America and the destination of ships from America. No community in England was better informedof theactual conditions existing in New England, and the opportunities afforded there for advancement. For further details concerning the Mount Edgecumb family and the minor branches of the Edgecomb family in England the reader is referred to Vivian 's Visitations of Cornwall and Devon- shire, to the Dictionary of National Biography edited by Sidney Lee, to the printed visitations of Devonshire in the Harleian Society publications, and to printed collections relating to the peerage and gentry of England. Westcote describes the mansion at Mount Edgecumb. See also Jewett and Halls Stately Houses of England, and Luke's History of Plymouth^England.j The first appearance of John Edgecombe, Senior, of New London was about 1673.* His marriage was in February, 1673-4, and that he was a new comer there can be no doubt. f New London was much alarmed upon the outbreak of King Philip's War, with the attack upon Swansey, and when the scene of hostilities moved toward the Narragansett country, succeeding the campaign in central Massa- chusetts and the Connecticut valley, an order was issued (Oct. 1676) desig- nating six points to be immediately fortified. The second of these were the "houses of Mr. Christophers and Mr. Edgecombe" for defence of that neigh- borhood. J The courtesy title of "Mr." given him thus early in his residence proves that his social status was recognized. The times called for rigid dis- tinctions and no man obtained the dignity of "Mr." unless a minister, magis- trate, or of recognized social position. A law case reported in the Colonial Records of Connecticut in 16S1 shows that he carried on a tanning business in addition to his other interests. ♦Miss Caulkins, History of New London. fRidlon in Saco Valley Settlements erroneously states that he had a grant of land from the Connecticut Assembly in 1663. JMiss Caulkins, who adds that this locality was in Main Street each side of Federal Street. Efcgecombe New London Records contain the following references to his family: John Edgecomb son of Nicholas Edgecomb of Plymouth, Old England, mar- ried to Sarah daughter of Edward Stallon, 9 Feb. 1673. Children:* John, born 14 Nov. 1675. Sarah, born 29 July 1678. Joanna, born 3 March 1679. [She married (intention, 2 Sept. 1716) Henry Delamore, and died 26 Jan. 1746-7. Hempstead Diary]. Nicholas, born 23 May, 1681. „ , } births not recorded. Samuel > John Edgecombe, Senior, married Elizabeth, widow of Joshua Hempstead, and 1 April 1704, John unites with his wife, administratrix of Joshua Hemp- stead's estate, in selling land. John Edgecombe died 11 April 1721, leaving a will dated 30 March 1721, proved 14 April 1721. To wife Elizabeth if she surrender her dower rights, etc. Eldest son John and his wife, who are to quitclaim all rights in his estate resulting from his "meddling" with the estate of Joshua Hempstead. To son Thomas. To daughters Sarah and Joanna. To son Samuel his dwelling house. Executors: said son Samuel and Capt. Christopher Christophers. New London Probate, Book B, page 401. The dower was set off to widow, and division of land made to daughters Sarah Bowles and Joanna Dilmore, 20 June 1723. In 1713, Massachusetts appointed a commission to enquire into and settle the claims to eastern lands vacated by the settlers during the Indian wars com- mencing in 1676. Among the most important claims was that of the heirs of Sir Richard Edgcumbe under a grant from Sir Ferdinando Gorges of 1637. John Edgecombe of New London appeared for these heirs. The entry in the record is as follows: "Mr. John Edgecumb, of New London in New England in behalfe of ye heires of Sir Richard Edgecumbe of Mounte Edgecumbe in the county of Devon Knt: Claimes all that Certain parcell of Land woods and Wood ground in Cascobay begining at the point and Enterance of the next River unto Sachadehock Tending towards the west and from ye Said Enterance by a direct line to Extend Two miles up into ye Inland parts thereby the western side of sd River, and from the Said point or Enterance of ye Same River to Extend along the Sea Coast of ye sd Bay by the Space of Two miles West- ward, and from ye End of ye Same to Extend up into the Inland by the Space of Two miles more and from ye End of that Two miles to cross over unto ye Said River To meet wth the End of ye Two miles up ye River as aforesaid To be in ye manner of a Square. Together wth all that Island or Islands and parcell of Land in Casco bay aforesd Called The Two Twins, or by wt other name the Same be Called &c. Also all that part or prcell of Land at or near ye Lake of New Summersett which is Conceived to be fouteen miles Distant from ye Shore of Casco Bay by a Northerly Line into the Inland parts wch parceil of Land is to Contain Eight Thousand acres, with all mines &c, as pr a Deed thereof from Sir Ferdinando Goges To sd Sr Richard Edgecumbe — Dated *The names of the children are suggestive. The eldest son and daughter named for the parents. The next named respectively for the father and mother of the father. The only name not found in the Plymouth family being that of Samuel. E&gecombe July the 3d, in ye Thirteenth year of King Charles &c anno Dom — 1637 — and sufficiently proved and attested. ' '* The wording of this claim follows closely the original grant, although certain phrases not necessary to record at that time are omitted. Not until 1727 was the grant recorded. Moreover in the copy preserved in the Suffolk files, made from the original, probably forty years later, certain words given in the claim are indicated as lost showing conclusively that John Edgecombe must have been supplied with an exact copy, if not the original, on which to base his claim. The history of this grant is interesting and as it may have had much to do with John Edgecombe's settlement in New England, a brief resume 1 is here given. Williamson has noted it, but even the History of Brunswick, Me., by Wheeler, who gives an extended sketch of the Pejepscot proprietorship, makes no mention of it. The grant was of two distinct tracts, the most important in the eyes of the proprietors being the 8000 acres on the shore of what is now called Merry Meeting Bay, one of the most lovely sheets of water, and amidst the finest of scenery to be found in America. It extended according to a map supplied by the Pejepscot proprietors who acknowledged its legality, between the Abajagussett and Cathance rivers, embracing a large portion of the present town of Bowdoinham. The other "parcell" of two miles square cannot be so definitely located. Gov. Belcher located it in what is now the present town of Freeport and this appears to be the best adaptation of the boundaries. In which case it would have been to the south of and clear of the patent of prior date granted to Purchase and Way and in which Belcher Noyes was interested. Sir William Pepperrell, however, included Small Point, many miles to the east, in its limits which does not seem a proper location especially as it would have conflicted with the grant to Purchase. The river next to the Sagadahoc to the west, is a sufficiently vague description. Until one reaches the main coast south of Maire Point where Maquoit Bay forms an "enter- ance" for the little river Bunganock, which tends to the west, there is little opportunity to meet the requirements of the grant. The Twin Islands is so common a name as to be of little use in locating the grant. There are more than 300 islands in Casco Bay. At Maire Point, however, was settled before *Miss Caulkins in the History of New London mentions the Edgeumbe grant. She suggests that Nicholas Edgecombe who "was actively engaged in establishing a settlement on the bay (Casco), and himself visited in it 1658" was the father of John Edgecombe of New London. For erroneous surmises of earlier date regarding Nicholas Edgecombe of Casco Bay see History of Scarboro, Vol. Ill, Me. Hist. Soc. Col. and Folsom's History of Saco and Biddeford. Ridlon in Saco Valley Settlements devotes manv pages to the Edgecombes but failed to realize the fact that the imaginary visitor of 1658 was no other than the humble follower of Trelawny then called upon to acknowledge the supremacy of Massachusetts. The reader is referred to the Dictionary of National Biography, Jewitt's History of Plymouth, and Prince's Worthies of Devon, the principal sources apparently fo* Mr. Ridlon 's account of the Mt. Edgeumbe family. In 1658 Nicholas Edgecombe of Casco Bay had been twenty years in New England. He had served Trelawny at Winter Island as a fisherman from 1638 to 1642 and either the latter vear or earlv in 1 643 married Wilmot Randall, another employee of Trelawny . See Trelawnv Papers, Baxter, pp. 190, 325, 327. He settled at Saco in 1660 and became a small landowner there, dying in 1681. His widow Wilmot was appointed administratrix on his estate. In 1678 she signed her name as Wellmeath Edgcome but elsewhere signed by mark She was jEfcaecombe 1660 George Phippen,* whose father David had settled at Hingham in 1635, and whose uncle Rev. George Phippen in his will of 1650 bequeathes his right in a field in England held of Mr. Peirs Edgcumbe. The Phippens were an armorial family and it is barely possible that some prior acquaintance with the Edgcumbs had led to a settlement on land presumed to be within the Edg- cumbe grant. Sir Richard Edgcumbe, the grantee of Gorges, was one of the patentees named in the Great Charter of New England 3 Nov., 1620 (printed in full in Me. Hist. Soc. Col., 1900, page 21). His name is found mentioned in the records of the Council for New England, under date of July 5, 1622, as one of a com- mittee to which was referred the "businesse of Admittance of some of the Westerne Merchts to take into their consideracon ye election of six and who they shall bee. ' ' The share or adventure of a member was £ 1 10. This was for a " partner- shipp in ye Maine Land of New England' ' and did not include ventures in the ships building for the trade, nor could it have bought a share in trading profits. There is on file in the Suffolk Court among the evidences introduced in the law suit a century and a half later a copy of a letter addressed to Sir Richard Edgcumbe : "After our hearty commendations. We percieve by account of certain moneys paid in to the hands of Sir Ferdinando Gorges, for the imployment and affairs of New England, that among others of us therein nominated, there is disbursed by you 501b for the first payment of your adventure of £110, according to the Proposition made in the beginning of the Business, and for that we have found the charge, to be by much the greater, by reason that some of the first undertakers have failed in their p?rformance contrary to expectation, divers of us have since been willing to make a Supply of £50 more, rather than it should suffer any maner of unnecessary delay. By which means we have so far prevailed, as that we are in expectation to send away our main Plantation this present year. And therefor do earnestly desire that yourself whom We have found so worthily affected alreadv will be pleased to cause the remainder of your said Adventure to be sent to Doctor Goche the Treasurer for that Business with as much speed living in 1685. See York Deeds, printed. Nicholas was unable to write, and affixed his mark to several documents in which he appears. When he died it is stated by witnesses that he wished his son Robert to have his lands and car? for his mother. His estate was small. In 1688 John Edgcomb petitions Gov. Andross for liberty to enlarge his holdings to 100 acres and for confirma- tion of land at Saco \vh»rg he had 25 acres bought about six vears since from John Bonighton, two acres of marsh left him bv his father deceased, ten acres he bought of Philip Foxell, etc. Mass. Archives, 128, 220. In 1752 a suit was brought bv heirs of Ambrose Boden formerly of Spur- wink against John Rackley and others for trespass. Various depositions on file give valuable genealogical information. Nicholas Edgecombe, merchant, of Marblehead, and son of Susannah one of the daughters of Ambrose Boden, jr., was one of the plaintiffs. Suffolk files, 69, 418. Am- brose Boden was driven away by the Indians in 1700 and that same year a John Edgecombe is taxed in Salem (Salem records). Other children of Nicholas of Saco were Christopher and Michael (not Miles as stated by Ridlon), the latter aged 25 in 1676. All four sons were in the Black Point Garrison in Oct. 1676. (Bodge, King Philip's War, pp. 333, 336, 339.) A daughter Marv married, in 1664, George Page and later John Ashton and settled in Marblehead. Another daughter is said to have married a Pvncheon of Boston. The son Robert married Rachel daughter of James Gibbons. He died in 1730, his wife in 1724. (See Ridlon: Saco Valley Settlements.) ♦See Waters' Gleanings, page 996, also Maire Point papers in Putnam's Historical Magazine, Vol. IV, N. S., page 8. j£t>Gecombe as possible you may. We shall give a Bill of receipt under our common Seal for the same, with a Confirmation of such Conditions for your further Satis- faction as appertaineth to any of ourselves even so not doubting of your speedy answer hereunto We Committ you to God and rest Lenox Your very Loving Friends Holdernes. Arundell & Surrey White Hall Ferd Gorge. 17 Aprilis 1623. To our verv loving Friend Sir Richard Edgcumbe (words "Baronett and" erased) Knight, at Mount Edgcombe near Plymouth." The records of the Council are extant for this period and show great activity among those most interested in the Patent but an equal lack of interest from others. In order to stimulate the dying interest in the plan of colonization it was voted to divide the whole territory among the patentees who had made their adventure good. On the 29 June 1623 the patentees drew lots for their shares. As the original charter provided for forty adventurers, and not that number were then participating, and yet as there were more than twenty the following order was passed the day preceding "itt is thought fitt that the land of New England be devided in this manner vizt. :-by 20 lotts and eache lott to conteyne 2 shares. And for that there are not full 40, and above 20 Adven- turers, that onely 20 shall drawe those lotts. And the rest that are already, or shall hereafter become Adventurers, shall have one of these shares butt the proprietor shall first chuse one of those shares and leave the other." Sir Richard Edgcumbe 's name is not among those who drew lots at Green- wich. What further part Sir Richard may have taken in Gorges' schemes is not known. The records of the Council for many years are lost. Nor is it known whose lot he shared. The plans of the original patentees failed and the settlement of New Eng- land took place under very different auspices. A brilliant and well ordered scheme for placing the country under Royal control was devised. A reorgan- ization was affected ; the great charter surrendered and the remaining eight patentees divided the whole territory, of which Gorges was to be royal gover- nor. In the last division of 3 Feb. 1635 Gorges received Maine as his share; he already held a patent for that part between the Sagadahoc and Piscataqua. It was under this grant that he in turn granted the territories mentioned above to Sir Richard Edgcumbe, perhaps in recognition of his original adventure, or more probably as suggested by Baxter to repay advances to Gorges.* Sir Richard Edgcumbe was buried at Maker 11 April 1639. The Civil War was about to open and his son and. successor Peirce Edgcumbe, a royalist, if interested was in no wise equal to making an attempt at colonization. He died in 1666. His son, another Sir Richard, married Lady Anne Montague and added to the family fortunes and influence. It was during his lifetime that John Edgecombe went to America and it is not unreasonable to suggest *It is probablv fortunate that the plans of Gorges failed. He will always receive the great credit due him for his earnest efforts in New England colonization and exploration. As Governor of the Fort and Island of Plvmouth he enjoyed the best of opportunities of interesting wide awake men of business in his colonial projects. The trading element of Plymouth represented many of the old and well established families in the west of England. Robert Trelawny, man of wealth and courage, who suffered for his loyalty to his King with his life, was most energetic in his devel- opment of his plantation at Winter Island in Casco Bay. io j^cjecombe that his going had something to do with the Edgcumbe grant. In 1683, Richard Wharton acknowledged the validity of the conveyance from Gorges,* evidently in the expectation that by so doing he would strengthen his own claim to the lands he had bought of the heirs of Purchase and Way. In 1714, Wharton 's title was conveyed to a small company who styled themselves the Pejepscot Proprietors, who soon found themselves involved in a controversy with the Kennebec Company who held under the old Plymouth Colonv grant, as to the extent of their lands especially to the westward, and which was finally compromised by accepting the southern boundary of Bowdoinham as their limit. Sir Richard died in 1688 in his forty ninth year and His next heir, a younger son, did not attain his majority until 1701. This long period in which there was no one to act, following King Philip's War and the virtual aban- doning of Eastern Maine for nearly forty years, would be sufficient cause for inaction by John Edgecombe if he held an agency from the Mount Edgcumbe family, t In 1720 John Usher, late Lt. Governor of New Hampshire, was in London and on the 10 Dec. 1720 Francis Nicholson, formerly Lt. Gov. of New England under Andros and since holding military and administrative offices in the Colonies, wrote to Richard Edgcumbe enclosing extracts from papers he had of John Usher then ''lodged at Mr. Peteets, barber, in Charles Court in the Strand, near York building and ready to give what account he can." Usher was the agent for the Massachusetts Bay Company in the transac- tion by which that company bought the Province of Maine from the Gorges heirs in 1677, much to the King's discomfiture, who was himself negotiating for its pur -hase, and Nicholson notes the part Usher took. He asks that information concerning the Edgcumbe claim be sent to him as soon as possible at Plymouth. Usher died at Medford in 1726,. and if his intention in calling Lord Edgcumbe 's attention to the matter of the Maine lands was to obtain tSee endorsement on map of 1755. Suffolk Files 139, 354. *The fortune of the Mount Edgcumbe family, a junior branch from the original sto k, and now represented by the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, was established by Sir Richard Edg umbe or as the name was then spelled Edgecombe or Eggescome. He represented Tavistock in parliament in 1467. He took part in the rebellion of the Duke of Buckingham and was obliged to fly to France where he joined Henry Tudor Earl of Richmond, and followed him to England. He dis- tinguished himself at Bosworth Field, was knighted, given extensive lands, and much honored with public appointments. In 1487, he was sheriff of Devonshire. In 14S8, he was sent into Ireland and the following year on a mission to the Duke of Brittany and died at Morlaix 7 Sept. 1489. (Viv- ian corrects the generally accepted date of death as of 8 Sept.) By his wife Joan, daughter of Thomas Tremayne of Collacombe he had Piers, his successor, knighted in 1489, and who also was sheriff of Devonshire and engaged in the wars in France. He married Jane, daughter of Stephen Durnford, and through her obtained the extensive estates in Stonehouse. Piers died 14 Aug. 1539 and was succeeded by his son Richard, knighted in 1537, and who is stated to have studied at Oxford. He was much honored and beloved, and was something of a scholar, one of his accom- plishments as related by his grandson, quoted bv Prince in his Worthies, being the ability to indite an excellent letter. A portion of the Stonehouse estates he erected in 1550-1.556, the mansion now standing, much changed, and called his estate Mount Edgcumbe. It fell to his lot to enter- tain distinguished visitors to Plymouth. The mother of his children was Winifred, daughter of Sir William Essex. He died 1 Feb. 1561-2 and was succeeded by his son Piers, also sheriff of Devonshire, M. P. for Cornwall, who died in 1607. Sir Richard the grantee was his son. He married Mary Coteele and had Piers who married Mary, daughter of Sir John Glanville, of a famous Devonshire family. Piers was buried at Calstock 17 Jan. 1666. His son Sir Richard was buried lEfcoecombe n authority to act for him in that matter, it came to nothing. It is not unlikely that the letter of John Edgerombe of New London mentioned in Auchmuty 's letter quoted below was in reply to enquiries addressed to him at this time. When Jonathan Belcher was in England in 1729 as one of the agents of Massachusetts he met Richard Edgcumbe. Burnet dying at this juncture, Belcher obtained the appointment of Governor in his stead. Such appoint- ments were secured only through the aid of powerful friends, and it seems probable that Belcher had enlisted Edgcumbe in his support. He undertook to do something for him in the matter of the Maine lands, and under date of 18 Oct. 1732 writes from Boston that he "has not been idle in the matter com- mitted to his charge. ' ' He advises the erection of a building at Bunganock to hold that grant as settlers are beginning to encroach upon it, it being claimed by North Yarmouth. This is but a little earlier than the letter from Samuel Edgecombe of New London. Belcher lost his post in 1741, and in 1744 under date of 12 March we find Robert Auchmuty writing to Lord Edgcumbe from Boston, that he has just arrived and "cannot pursue his Lordship's right until the fate of this expedition is decided. ' ' His next letter gives an account of the Cape Breton expedition, mentioned in his last and, finally spurred to action he writes: Boston, Sept. 16, 1747. My Lord : In my sons packett I had the honor of receiving a copy of a letter from Mr. John Edgecombe to your Lordship dated 19 Sept. 1721 and another from Mr. Samuel Edgecombe dated 13 June, 1734: In less than a month I shall be in New London and make mvself master of all that can be gained from that familv respecting your Lordship 'a claims. To Richard Lord Edgecombe. Unfortunately there isno furtherreportfrom Auehmutynorare copiesof the New London letters on file. He had however, engaged the services of a "proper person" near the grant to look after the Edgcumbe interests. Probably this person was Sir William Pepperrell, the hero of Louisburg, who received a power of attorney in the matter 23 July, 1750 (Auchmuty* had died in April at Maker 6 April, 1688. Piers son of Sir Richard by Lady Anne Montague (daughter of the first Earl of Sandwich) died a minor and was succeeded by his brother Richard born in 1680, created Lord Edgcumbe in 1742 and who was buried at Maker 1 Dec. 1758. He it was who began active measures to prove his title to the Maine lands. Lord Edgcumbe married Marv Furnesse and had Richard, who died unmarried in 1761, and who was the friend of Horace Walpole and George Selwyn, and one of the most popular of young noblemen. At his death the title and estates passed to his brother George Edgcumbe, a brave and successful naval officer. Lord George Edg- cumbe served in the Mediterranean from 1739 to 1756, he was ordered thence to the American station and was at the reduction of Louisburg in 1758. It is probable that he mav have visited New England at this time. After 1770 he was not in foreign service. He died in 1795, a vice admiral. In 1789 he was created Earl of Mount Edgcumbe. He married Emma Gilbert, daugh- ter of the Archbishop of York. His descendant is the present Earl. An authenticated pedigree from Sir Richard who died in 1639 is filed among the evidences in the Maine land case, No. 139, 354. Other details are taken from the Dictionary of National Biography. *Auchmutv was one of the most capable lawyers in New England. He settled in Boston about 1716 and was Judge of Admiraltvin 1728, and from 1733 to 1747 when he was superseded, which he considered most unjust treatment. He had been agent to England in 1743 and was attorney general of Massachusetts. He died in April, 1750, leaving a son Robert later Judge of Admiralty, and Rev. Samuel of New York both of whom were loyalists and refugees. Robert Sr., was a brother of ' 'Dean" Auchmuty probably of London. 12 Edgecombe of that year), and that year we find a letter from Pepperrell alluding to his visit to Mount Edgeeumbe. He locates the Caseo Bay grant at Small Point and thinks the few settlers there will accept quitclaims of their lots. The conduct of the case was now in good hands, and although the deaths of both Lord Edgcumbe [Nov. 175S] and Sir William Pepperrell [6 July 17.59] took place soon after, causing delav, the claim was pushed under the power of attorney given to Nathaniel Sparhawk, Pepperrell's son-in-law. Thomas and Jeremiah Springer were placed on the grant at Merry Meeting Bay as tenants, who were immediately sued by James Bowdoin the holder of a grant of 3300 acres from the Kennebec Company, and in June 1769 the ease came to trial. at Portland, resulting in the victory of Bowdoin. This result was a foregone conclusion as soon as the Kennebec Company obtained an acknowl- edgment of their bounds in that direction as the title they held under took precedence of the grant to Sir Richard Edgeeumbe. Bowdoinham was incor- porated in 1762, and in 1766 the Pejepscot and Kennebec Companies reached an agreement accepting virtually the line between Topsham and Bowdoinham as their respective limits. Joshua Hempstead of New London kept a diary beginning as early as 1711 and extending nearly through the whole of the years in which these attempts were being made to secure the Edgcumbe grant, but nowhere does he mention the matter. He frequently alludes to his "father Edgcumbe" and to the other members of the family. It is a strange coincidence how the principal persons concerned in the dispute over the grant were more or less prominent actors in the campaign of 1745 which resulted in the fall of Louisburg.* Lord Richard Edgcumbe was at the time he took so active an interest in his American claim one of the Lords of Trade and hence in close touch with American affairs. At some time he became possessed of lands in York County to which Sir William Pepperrell alludes in one of his letters. Edgecombe, Maine, some distance east of the Edgcumbe grant perpetuates the name of this family which during the whole period of the existence of the New England colonies were so much in touch witli the principal actors in colonial affairs. John Edgecombe of New London was a fitting representative of the more distinguished family of Mount Edgcumbe. Beyond his connection with this grant comparatively little remains to be written about him. In 1702, 30 July, Gov. Fitz John Winthrop issued a commission to Mr. Richard Christophers, Capt. Benjamin Shaplv, Capt. John Prents, Mr. John Edgcomb, Lt. John Christophers, and Ensign John Hough ' ' to repair and put into a posture of defence" the fort at New London.! ♦According to Auchmuty the entire credit of originating the scheme lay with him, he hav- ing pressed his suggestion to a successful conclusion while in England on business of the Prov- ince in 1743. Sir William Pepperrell was the commander, and was created a baronet in 1746. He visited England in 1749. In 1746 James Bowdoin went to England to urge the claim of the provincial seamen to a share in the prize money withheld by Admiral Warren, and was accom- panied by Capt. Prentis of New London who had commanded the Connecticut Colony sloop at the siege, and who visited Mount Edgcumbe to take part in Christmas festivities there in 1746. John Edgecombe, a grandson of the first John of New London, died in the armv, at Louisburg, in 1746. Lord George Edgcumbe himself was at the second taking of the place in 1758. fMass. Hist. Coll., Winthrop Papers, Part V. EDgecombe is In the latter years of his life he became involved in a lawsuit concerning the estate of his second wife's former husband, Joshua Hempstead, whose daughter his son had married. There are many references to this case in the Hempstead diary but apparently no ill feeling resulted. Joshua Hempstead notes under date of 11 April 1721, " Father Edgecomb died," and under date of 4 Dec. 1727, that his mother, who had been sick, died in fifteen minutes after the recurrence of a sudden painful attack. He notes that she was born in 1652 and was aged "73 3/4 almost."* * Diary of Joshua Hempstead, published by the New London Historical Society. 3aM0D3£M J--3TH0 1 l ] • . ■ ■ * ■r ' EDGECOMBE CSU til ho? CmEFLT FROM VlTUN's CHARTS: WITH CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS RELATING TO THE PlTMOOTH r.\MU.Y m Words in Italic appear in the Heralds' Visitations. •John de Edgecumbe 1 named in deed of 1324 [born about 1250J. ♦Richard Edgecombe 1 of Edgecombe in Milton Abbot 1292: built Edgcombe House. •Ancestors of the New London family James, eldest son. •Richard Edgecombe 3 , succeeded 1319, 2d son, named in deed of 1324. Reginald, a priest, 3d son. •John Edgecombe* s. £ h. living 1390. •John Edgecombe* b. & h. 1404. Deed 1425. •Richard Edgecombe* of Edgecombe 1465. Thomas, eldest son d. a. p. in lifetime of his father. Thomas of Milton Abbot 4th son. Robert of St. Erney 5th son. Roger of Meavy 3d son. John of Heddington [according to Vivian, will 1533. a.p. mj John of Lamerton bur. 1 June 1587 wife Alice d. 1589. Thomas 4th son. [See Visitation of Devoti 1620. Edgecombe of Tavistock.] Alice m. Thomas Hampden. Nicholas bp. 1552. *Peirae Edgecombe 9 2d son "who dwelt at Tavis- tock, ' ' called also Peter and 3d son by Vivian. John of Mary Tavy. I Walter George Willia r,h n Edgecombe™ o: Tavistock, a. & ft. " Joane dau, of 7 elawny. •John Edgecombe 7 of Edgecombe, 2d son and heir. *John Edgecombe 9 of Edgecombetown, par. of Milton. Vis. of 1620. *Richard Edgecombe* of Buckland Monachorum 2d aon. Richard of Edgecumbe aon & heir. [See Vis. of Devon 1620.J [See Vis. of Devon 1620. Edgcombe of Lamerton]. John 2d son, d. in Ireland. ter Edgecombe 11 ''avistock s. & h. ;iizb. A grits, wife 1 Alice 1 Richard 1 Matthew of Peter Edge- m. John a. & h. heir to his combe of Tavis- Hawkins. d. s. p.; bro. of Tav- tock, buried buried iatock, 1620; 4 Sept. 1625 at 20 June d. 1649. Tavistock. 1649. *Richard of Tavistock Will 7 Dec. 1677: prov. 5 Feb. 1578-9 P. C. C. Bacon 5: m. Agnes Durant. = [See Visitation Devon 1620. Edgcombe of Buckland Mona ■«* Eiii 1st dau. m. Geo. Gave of BarnBta- ble. Agnes 2d dau. wife of John Pointer of Kedley. Joane 3d dau. unm. 1620. "A aone not christ- ened ' ' 1620 [John bp. 3 Sept. 1620) bur. 1656; mar. 1653, Mary, dau. of Richard Edge- cumbe. Will P.C.C. Ruthven. Eli*. Julian m. d. y. Hum- Julian phrey bp. 1629; Dyer. m.l65S-9 Edw. Nos- worthy. Mary bp. 1631; m. 1664 Henry Torr. Agnes bp. 1634-5; d.y. John of Tavistock 3d aon m. Elizb. 2d dau. of Jo. Beard of Maudlin in Barnstable [bur. 7 Mar. 1649-50, Tavis- tock. Will P. C. C. Grey 6. Merchant.] Widow 's will 1 Joseph 2d son bp. 1626; bur. 1660 at Tavis- tock. *Peter Edgcomb™ of Plimouth, 2 ' eone living 1620. [Vis. of Devon, 1620 Edgcombe of Tavistock] Khz. au. oj A Coll ■)/ P ft, ni. S 1611 at S W rewe. Plyi Thomas of Tavistock s. & h. living 1620, m. Anne dau. & h. of Edm. Furse of Onkehampton Merchant ofTavistock. WiU 1642-3, Rivera, 46. Richard s. & h. aet. 21, 1620, d. 1661. Merchant. Robert 2d son bur. 1626. Matthew 3d son. Awdrye Will 1655. John bp. 1631; d. 1660. Francis bp. 1630. Mary Elitb. bp. 1628; bp. 1629. m. 1653 John Edge- comb, son of John of 1 avistocK. * Nicholaa Edgcombe™ aone tfr heyr aet. tf; 1620; bp. 21 June 1612. Will prov. 9 May 1702. P. C. 0. Hern 75. [married (1) niMrrie.l (2)1668. EliBb Tyacl. « of Xtoph. Tvack married (3) Mary Holditch I6'i Alderman of Plymouth 1P94. J? ran. 2 'iaont. Elizb. bp. 30 Nov. 1619. Peter a.& h. aet. it, 1630; living 1644. T Edmond Thomas John 2d eon 3d son 4th son living living 1643. 1643. d. s. p leaving nunc, will 1645. Probably of Piscata- qua 1640. (j) Agnes Dorothy bp, 1624. WUmot France? bp. 1629 (21 Ursula (l)M Margery bp.1619 J oh an. a. Vbrfthi oata 9. Mary bp. 1656. •John Edgecombe 1 * of New London. N. E.; married 1674; d. 1721; aged. Founder of the Connecticut family. Elixabet. d. 1669. ' 156 74 577 : /"V ■ps- .-. ' J* "ov* >°^ *3 °-« *° -^ ,o ' \* •*• A <^ • ** v % lip:- /\ A <. '-TV* 4 ,0 s " ^t, . , o » • . "V, •^ 0* *b V* T ++J ,*' -<"^ 0* *- ' v % .* * °-«. • " " A <5> • ' ' ^ °^ ' " ° A ^ ,<\ L% °o -^^ - -V ■^ •'•cr •^r^^* ok .^ 1 * ^ V * > "b P v ;'■■ 1 w LIBRARY OF CONGRESS