AMERICA THE GREAT MELTING POT
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| Robert Shelley | Immigrant Ancestor | see FAMILY TREE (Brooke) see FAMILY TREE (White) |
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| Born: Abt. 1611(age listed on marriage record) (Judith
listed as born in 1615)
probably born in England |
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| Married: 26 Sep 1636 Scituate, Plymouth, MA |
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| Death: 06 Sep 1692 Barnstable, Barnstable, MA |
Robert Shelley
WIFE
1st Judith Garnett
2nd Susanna
CHILDREN
from genealogy by Susan P. Canney
"Robert Shelly came to New England on the ship Lion which sailed 21 June 1632
and landed in Boston on 12 September 1632. Judith Garnet came in the ship
Frances which sailed from Ipswich, England, the last of April 1634. Her age is
given on the ship's list as twenty-six. In September 1634 she was admitted to
the first church at Boston as "our brother John Coggeshall's maidservant."
Robert and Judith were living in Scituate, Plymouth Colony, MA, soon after Rev.
John Lothrop arrived. Lothrop kept careful church records, of which the
following relate to the Shelleys: "The Houses in the plantation of
Situate...since my coming...No. 39 was Robert Shellyes, 1636." "Goodman Shelley
joyned 14 May 1637." "Isaac Robinson & Margaret Handford contracted at Mr.
Hatherlyes 27 June 1636, and by him Robert Shelly and his wife from Boston
marryed here 26 September 1636."
Robert had a farm in Scituate in 1636, on the Third Cliff near Gillson's
windmill. Plymouth Colony records show: Nov. 5, 1638m "Robert Shelly & John
Winter desire to be admitted freeman at the next Genral Court." 1 Feb. 1639/40,
Robert Shelly of Scituate took oath of allegiance and fidelity." In October
1639, he, with Mr. Lothrop and other members of the church, moved to Barnstable,
where he was living in 1670.
Another record shows that he was listed among those able to bear arms, in 1643.
On 5 Jan. 1643/4, Thomas Hinckley, Thomas Lothrop, Henry Cobb and Isaac Robinson
drew up a list of those who were then inhabitants of Barnstable, and among the
forty-five householders was "Robert Shelley, from Scituate 1639." Mr. Lothrop's
Barnstable church records state: "Judith Shelly joyned by dismission from the
church att Boston, 25 August 1644."
Otis says in Barnstable Families: "Robert Shelly was an easy, good-natured man
and cared little how the world moved. He was however, an honest man, a good
neighbor and a sincere Christian." Judith, on the contrary, was "proud,
tenacious of her own opinions." These conclusions of course are based upon the
records of John Lothrop, whom Judith defied: "Goody Shelley excommunicated 4
June 1649 & cast out of the church, though absent for she would not come,
setting att naught the messenger of the church sent to her, principally for
slaundering of 2 systers, Syster Wells & Syster Dimmock, saying Sister Dimmick
was proud & went about telling Lyes, but could never prove anythinge by any
Testimonye. And also affirming that myselfe & Brother Cobb, to my syster Wells
at her house didd talk of her...Continued from tyme to tyme to affirme as
cpmfodemt;u as of sje jadd jadd a s[orot pf Reve;atopm. saying also that I had
confessed it, and after did denye it; and that all the church knew it was soe,
but durst not or would not speake. And that I deserved rather to be cast out
then shee, for shee was innocent but I was guilty. She would never be convinced
of any of her conceived Jealousyes, and was wondrous perremptorye in all her
carriages, many times condeming the Breathren that they dealt not with her in a
way of God. Wee had long patience towards her & used all the courteous
intreatyes & persuasians, but the longer wee waited the worse shee was."
Reverend Lothrop goes on to say that Judith was resentful because some of the
church women had not invited her to one of their "Christian meetings."
Nothing further can be found concerning Judith after her excommunication by Mr.
Lothrop, whose stern Puritanism is well known. In 1653 he had fifteen-year-old
Hannah Shelley and David Linnell whipped, which Otis says was because David had
courted her without her father's permission. Judith's name is not mentioned, but
Otis did once use the word "parents." David and Hannah were married the next
year by John Lothrop, and raised a large family.
In 1634 Robert was made a freeman of Barnstable. In 1669 his wife, then Susanna,
was a witness to the will of Richard Foxwell in Barnstable, and was apparently
on good terms with her sister-in-law, Anne Shelly. Lothrop says Anne "came into
the land in 1632." She married Richard Foxwell in 1634 as his second wife.
Robert Shelley's will of 11 March 1688/89, was recorded on 22 October 1692.
"In the name of God Amen. I Robirt Shelley of Barnestable in New England being
at this present in health and of perfitt memory do make my last will. 'Testament
in manner and form following, disannulling and making void inefectual All former
wills made by me. First I bequeth my soul to God that gave it and my body to the
earth to be buried. And as for that small estate I am possessed of I leave it
wholy to my wife after my decease for her support and them that I leave with
her: AND for the preventing of further Trouble I thought good to Inseart in this
my last will that the two Acres of Land that I exchanged with Henry Taylor for
the Land that my house now standeth on that my son John Shelley truly gave it to
me. AS witness my hand and seal this eleventh of March one thousand six hundred
and eighty-eight: eighty nine."
Robert Shelley, his mark.
Witnesses were Henery Taylor and Jabez Lumbart.
Joseph Lothrop, clerk and recorded.
Susanna Shelley, widow, Robirt Shelley late of Barnstable, deceased, made oath
to the inventory in court, 19 October 1692. Amount of inventory, £41.18.
Sources:
Author: Anderson, Robert Charles
Title: The Great Migration Begins, Immigrants to New England 1620-1633. 3 Vols.
Abbrev: The Great Migration Begins, Immigrants to New England 1620-1633.
Publication: New England Historic Genealogical Society
Page: p. 1662
Author: Sumner, Edith Bartlett
Title: Ancestry and Descendants of Amaziah Hall and Betsey Baldwin
Abbrev: Ancestry and Descendants of Amaziah Hall and Betsey Baldwin
Publication: 1954"
.