AMERICA THE GREAT MELTING POT
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CHILDREN
One of the first Mallory's to arrive in this country was Peter Mallory. The
exact date is unknown, but the year is usually given as 1637. He signed the
Planter's Covenant in the New Haven Colony in 1644.
It is believed that Peter Mallory came to this country by way of Virginia. By
1639, there was heavy traffic between New Haven and Virginia, and the young
Mallory may well have decided to move North, leaving his older and wealthier
relatives behind. There are a number of descendants from the Virginia Branch,
including many Nathaniels. There are many Nathaniels in Peter's descendants as
well.
He married an unknown Mary, usually thought to be Mary Preston of New Haven.
There is recorded, on Feb 6, 1648, this report:
"Peeter Mallory and his wife was called before the court and was charged with
the sinn of vncleaness or fornication, a sinn wch they was told shutts out the
kingdome of heaven, without repentaine and a sinn wch layes them open to shame
and punishment in the court. It is that wch the Holy Ghost brands with the name
of folly, it is that wherein men show their brutishness, therefore as a whip is
for the horse and asse, so a rod is for ye follish backs. They confessed their
sinn, and desired the court to show them mercy in respect of their bodies, she
being weakely, and for ought is known, with child, and he subject to
distraction, haueing sometime bine distempered that way. Wch things the court
considereding, thought it most meete to punish by fine and not by corporall
punishment, and therefore ordered that they pay 5 pounds as fine to the town,
and that they be brought forth to the place of correction that they may be
ashamed and that it appeare the corporall punishment is remitted in respect of
mercy to their bodies, but with the shame of the sinn as if the correction was
laide on."
The "sinn" is without doubt pre-marital sexual relations. It is not uncommon for
young people to be called into court for this, and there are many similar
instances in the old records.
Peter became successful and was a large land owner. He died between 1697 and
1701, leaving ten children. The family prospered and a great many descendants
have been documented. With the advent of the Revolutionary War, many Mallory's
emigrated from Connecticut to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. They settled on
land along the St Lawrence River and founded what is now Mallorytown there. They
also settled in New Brunswick as well.
Source:
Brent Hooton
[email protected]
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