bpt. 16 Oct. 1597 Farthinghoe, Northamptonshire
int. 21 Mar. 1618 Leiden, Holland, TAMSEN BRIKE (d. 26 Feb. 1682 Yarmouth, MA
d. 3 May 1676 Yarmouth, MA

Magdalen Hall- Oxford University c.1707

John Mayo of Northamptonshire, a commoner's son, matriculated from Magdalen Hall, Oxford University on 28 Apr. 1615 age 17. John suposedly left the university without obtaining his degree, which was not unusual in this time of religious unrest where you were required to take an oath of conformity to the established church in order to graduate. Mather, in his "Magnalia", says that he was "in the exercise of his ministry previous to emigration."

John was part of the group of Puritans who went to Holland and he and Tamsen were married there: "Jan Meyer of England, baize worker, accompanied by Thomas Smeth, his acquaintance, was betrothed March 21, 1618 to Timmosijn Breyck of England, accompanied by Susanna Breyk, her mother, and Marytgen Duijck, her sister."(13) A baize worker was someone who worked with coarse wool fabric which was used to make curtains, tablecloths, etc. Unfortunately, the baptismal records for the Lyden church are lost.

John and Tamsen were living in North Newington, Oxfordshire prior to emigrating. The family arrived on the "Truelove" from London in 1635 with Robert Dennis, master.(11) John moved to Barnstable, MA in 1638 and was ordained a teaching elder in Rev. Joseph Hull's church 2 Apr. 1640: "Apr. 2, 1640, At the investing of my Bro. Meo into the office of Teaching Elder, upon whome myselfe, Brother Hull, Brother Cobb Lay on hands, and for the Lord to find out a place for meeting, & that wee might agree in it, as also yet wee might agree about the division of lands."(1) He was admitted a freeman by the court at Plymouth 3 Mar. 1639/40: "At a General Court, William Bradford, Governor Thomas Prence, Captain Myles Standish... assistants, Mr. John Mayo of Barnstable and Job Cole, admitted ffreemen this Court & Sworne."(12) By the time of the 1643 census there were 3135 people in the Plymouth Colony of whom only 230 were freemen. Barnstable had 300 inhabitants along with 500 Indians.

The Puritan version of Calvinism asserted the basic sinfulness of man, but also declared that some will be saved through Christ despite their sins. Nobody could be certain in this life what your eternal destiny would be, but, the experience of conversion in which the soul was touched by the Holy Spirit so that you were turned away from sinfulness to holiness was some indication that you were one of the "chosen people". The Experience of Conversion was central to Puritan thinking and much of their preaching revolved around this theme. Their spiritual life stressed self-discipline and introspection through which one might determine whether or not particular spiritual strivings were true marks of sainthood. The Puritans had an intense commitment to a morality, a particular form of worship and a civil society strictly conforming to God's commandments (as they interpreted them).

John built himself a home on lot No. 5 "containing 12 acres of upland, more or less, with the meadow adjoining, was the Reverend John Mayo's before his removal to Eastham. It was bounded westerly by lot No. 4, northerly by the harbor, easterly by the lot that was J. Casly's and southerly by the highway."(12)

After the arrival of Rev. John Lathrop and 41 families on 21 Oct. 1639 they held a fast on 31 Oct. seeking "for the grace of our God to settle us here in Church Estate, and to unite us together in holy Walking, and to make us Faithful in keeping Covenaunt with God and one to another". On Forefather's Day, 11 Dec. 1639, there was "Thanksgiving at Barnstable. At Mr. Hull's house, for God's mercye in bringing us hither safely, keeping us healthy & well in our weak beginning & in our church Estate. The day being very cold our praises to God in publique being ended, we divided into three compainies to feast togeather, some at Mr. Hull's, some at Mr. Maos, some at Brother Lombards Senior."(12)

On 17 June 1641 John and Thomas Dimmack were appointed arbitrators to settle the differences between Nicholas Simpkins and William Chase. On 5 Sept. 1641 the constable, Carsley, was "a vain and self conceited vulgar fellow" and "was excommunicated & cast out of the church at Barnstable for carnal carriages &c... The sentence pronounced by Bro. Mao. William Carsley tooke it patiently."(12) In Aug. 1643 his name was second on the list after Rev. Lothrop of men able to bear arms.

Nathaniel Morton, secretary of the Colony, published "The New England Memorial" in 1669 and stated that: "the Lord was pleased of his great goodness to accomplish and adorn the Colony of New Plimouth... with a considerable number of godly and able Gospel-preachers... who gave light in a glorious and resplendent manner, as burning and shinning lights... some of the specialist of them... Mr. Chauncy, Mr. Lathrop, Mr. Mayo, Mr. Rayner, Mr. Patridge and other bright stars in the Churches Firmament."(12)

In 1643 Gov. Willis of Connecticut wanted John to move there to minister to the people, however, after consulting with his wife, Rev. John Lothrop and the church elders he decided to stay in the Plymouth Colony:

John Mayo to Gov. George Wyllys.

Grace, mercy, and peace
from God the Father and
or Lord Jesus Christ be
multiplyed to you and yors
Much honoured Sr

Whom I heartily Love and kindly salute in or Lord would be pleased in his wise providence to afford me that mercy; yor letter of the 2d of the 3m came to my hands upon the first of the 7m, soe that I could not returne an answere of it any sooner. Soe that these few lines are in my remembrance of my respective Service to you, and unfained thankes for all yor many and great favours to me and mine, and yor present remembrance of me. I should account no smale mercy, nor little portion of my happynesse to have been ( if god had so dispossed me ) settled in yor pts that I might have enjoyed good by yor Communion, with others of my deare friends with you, but my unworthynesse did justly debarre me that benefitt, the Lord in mercy humble me by itt, and sanctifie all his dispensations to me and dealings with me, concerning yor lettr, if i were free I should ( if I might see the Lord going before me ), not only manifest my willingnesse but readynesse, to live soe neere you, not looking after any call for publike service for I find the calling of ministry soe great the charge so weightie that I were out of office, I should not easily imbrace a call, but as yet I am in office though unworthy and unable , being privie to the deceit of my owne heart and my great weaknesses. Whereupon I have desired or Church that I might lay downe my office, but I cannot prevayle with them, they are through gods mercy and goodnesse a good and so godly and playne hearted people, for the most pte, with whom ( as yet I see it is the mind of God I should stay )the Lord of his grace make me serviceable to him and to them. I am great ingaged to you as for the formr soe for this prsent fruit of yor Love to me in desiring me in yor pts. But to goe to a new plantation couraged in casse I were at Libertie, for I have wrestled through many difficulties by going to a new on at the first, and have not as yet recovered breath, and if I should goe to a new on now it might breake my wind, though I hope it would not impaire my inward man if the Lord of his grace will be pleased to strengthen me. I beseech you to help me by yor prayers in yor neerer approaches to the throne of grace. I shd have come downe into the Bay at the beginninge of the Synod had the Lord dispossed other wayes by wch I did see it was not his mind to let me be there. I heartly to see you and yors.I hope the next Springe will give me an opprtunitie. I and my wife do earnestly desire yor prayers and remembr or respective Service to yorselfe and Mrs. Willis and or kind respects to yor daughters, Mr. Whiting, Mr. Welles, and to their wives, and to goodman Westly William Gibbins and their wives, with my best respects to Mr. Hooker, Mr. Stone, and Mr. Huitt and their wives, with my commending to the faithful keeper of Israel,

Barnstable; the 2d of the 7m 1643.

In whom I rest
Yors to be Commanded in
for the Lord Jesus
John Mayo

( Superscribed ) To his much honored friend
Msr George Willis at
Ciniticut these be presented
Wth Speed
Leave this lettr at Captain
Gibbins in Boston to be
delivered as above.

( Indorsed ) Letter Jno Mayo to G. Wyllys 1643. (8)

There evidently was some discussion about how to perform a baptism and Rev. Lathrop supposedly published (or one of his congregation published) a pamphlet in London, a copy of which is in the John Carter Brown Library at Brown University:

Upon the restoration Gov. Thomas Prence was hoping for a gracious reply to Plymouth's petition to the King. He sent it to John Winthrop Jr. who was in London and asked him to present an enclosure which "The Honorable Colonell Temple and Reverend John Mayo, out of their special love and favor, have written in our behalf to the Right Honorable Lord Say... craving his lordship's help and furtherance".

John was one of the ministers who attended the Synod which met 10 Mar. 1662 and which adopted the novel policy of allowing the children of non-communicants to baptism. Eliot reported that at the meeting on 8 Oct. "a protest was made by some of the most eminent characters of the ecclesiastical body; ministers whose praise was in all the churches". A preface to testimony submitted to the Court was signed by President Chauncy of Cambridge, Mr. John Mayo of North Boston, Ezekiel Mather of Northampton, and Increase Mather of Dorchester. On 10 Mar. 1664 Increase Mather became a member and on 27 May was made a Teacher of the Old North Church. He wrote in his diary: "This day my ordination. My father & Mr. Mayo imposed hands."

The Royal Commissioners attended the service at the Second Church on 24 July 1664. While they were in Boston numerous petitions were circulated asking that the Colony's "Libertyes be still continued". The Court in Aug. asked "the reverend elders now in town to afford this Court their best advice forthwith." John's signature is attached to some of these petitions.

There are many entries in Increase Mather's diary to show the great influence John had over his friend. The diaries also make mention of the numerous times Mather had supper at John's house which is either a good comment on their friendship or a statement about Tamsen's cooking! Often Mather's letters to his friend would close "with respects to Mrs. Mayo." Mather was Teacher at the Second Church for many years before becoming the minister.

On 6 Sept. 1665 John Farnum, an original member of the church, was charged with breaking the ruler of truth, rash and sinful judging, breaking Covenant, schism, holding communion with excommunicated persons, contumacy, and hardness of heart. On the 15th a charge of having spoken falsely against the Teacher was added. Farnum refused to admit guilt and on 30 Mar. 1666 Rev. John and the church concluded that he must be excommunicated unless he repented by 22 April. On this occasion Farnum seated himself in the upper gallergy. The Pastor asked him to come down and he replied: "you may speak to me here... I can here you well enough". He denied any guilt stating that they "cast him out... only because he was against infant baptism". He was told that "he might be of that opinion still, if he would walk as did become the Gospel". Farnum replied: "Much good may your baptism do you!" And walked out, whereupon the censure of excommunication was imposed.(12) The controversy over baptism continued and n 1675 Increase Mather wrote: A Discourse Concerning the Subject of Baptisme and in 1680 The Divine Right of Infant Baptisme Asserted and Proved From Scripture and Antiquity.

Harvard College- 1767- engraving by Paul Revere

On 5 Dec. 1667 the first recorded meeting of the Board of Overseers of Harvard College was held with Governor Bellingham heading the magistrates, and Mr. Ri Mather, Mr. Jno "Mayhew", Mr. Jno. Elliot, Sr., Pres. Chauncy, and other elders present. The Jno "Mayhew" was John Mayo as Rev. John Mayhew of Chilmark was never an overseer but lived on Martha's Vineyard.

Edward Taylor a schoolmaster from Leicestershire states in his diary the he "came into New England early on the Lord's Day, July 5, 1668... In the morning, going to deliver a letter to Mr. Mayo, minister of God's word to his people in the new meeting house, I dined with him, and lodged at Mr. Mather's the two following nights."(12)

Richard Mather died in Apr. 1669 and Increase was distraught over his father's death and wrote in 1670 The Life and Death of That Reverend Man of God, Mr. Richard Mather. In addition his brother was laid low and he "took the long trail for Northampton to guide his brother's steps to eternity, and falling ill himself was detained many month." Ezekiel died in July. Rev. John performed the work of the church by himself until the still ailing Increase returned the following spring and then left Rev. John again in August 1670 to take "the Waters" at Lynn "having delayed the time too long already". Increase went back to Mineral Spring Pond in Lynn in an attempt to recover from his last illness in 1723.

On 22 and 29 Dec. 1670 elder John Mayo with other elders as well as the selectmen, magistrate and the governor, were present in Boston when Ezekiel Cheever was made head master of the free school.(9)

On 25 Mar. 1675 Increase wrote in his diary: "Of late Times I have found more respect & esteem among men, and with ye Lord's servants than formerly..." "In the beginning of the year 1670, Mr. Mayo, the pastor, grew very infirm. On the 15th of April he removed his person, and his goods also from Boston to reside with his daughter in Barnstable, where since he hath lived a private life not being able, through infirmities of age, to do the works of the ministry. The day of the 3d month 1676 he departed life, at Yarmouth, and was there buried." (3)

Mather was a bit off with regards to his dates as the Church dismissed him due to his poor health on 15 Apr. 1672/3. The church pensioned John for the work he had done for the parish. He attended his last meeting of the Board of Overseers of Harvard on 20 June 1673, sold his house on Middle St. to Abraham Gording and returned to his family on Cape Cod.

John was taxed in Yarmouth in 1676 "toward the charges of the late war" for �2 4s. 3d.(9) However, a horse owned by Mr. Mayo went and was killed, the damages offsetting the war tax. The year John died the original Old North Church burned to the ground and was rebuilt in 1677. A new brick church was built in 1719 and the old church was torn down by the British in 1776 for firewood.

Mr. Hinckley, Mr. Freeman, and Mr. Huckens are appointed by the Court to take course about the estate of Mr. John Mayo, deceased, to make devision and settlement of the said estate, both with reference unto his wifes pte and amongst his children, and therin to acte. If it may be, to theire satisfaction; and incase they can not, then to make report therof to the next Court, that soe further maybe taken for settlement therof.(9)

"An Inventory of the estate of Mr. John Mayo Late of Yarmouth Deceased.

Aprissed this 1 of June 1676 by us
Edmund hawes
Thomas huckens"(4)

"Witnesseth These presents an agreement between Mistris Tamisin Mayo: viz: and Relict of mr. John Mayo Late of Yarmouth Deceased; and the Children of the said Mr. Mayo in the prsence of and with the Concurrence of Mr Thomas hinkley Captaine John ffreeman and Thomas huckens; appointed by the Court to be healpfull to them in the Division of the estate of the said Mr Mayo: viz: The said mistris Tamison Mayo is according to her Desire to have eighteen pounds in Money and five pounds in such other prte of the estate, as shee shall Choose, which accordingly shee hath Received in full satisfaction of her thirds, and whole Right into her said estate; onely shee is to pay all the Country Rate; and the one halfe of the Rate Due to mr Thornton from the said estate and alsoe shee is to pay the one third prte of whatsoever Debts shalbe made appeer to be Justly Due, and payable from the said estate and the three surviving Children of the said Mr Mayo to pay theire proportionable prte to the said Debtes according to their Respective prtes and Interest in the said estate; which is to be Divided in three equall prtes, to each of them alike; as neare as may be in speciue or equivolent to it; provided alwayes that John Mayo have first alowed to him over and above his prte one bed and furniture; thereunto belonging Inventoryed att six pound and ten shillinges; and all the sheep to Samuell Mayo hannah and Bathshebah the Children of Nathaniell Mayo Deceased and 40s a peice to the eldest sonnes of all the Children of the said Mr Mayo which have not yett Received the same; and then the Resedue of the estate to be equally Devided as aforsaid; In witness whereof, the prties Concerned which were hee prsent; have heerunto sett their hands this 15th of June 1676

In the prsence of                The mark of Tamison Mayo
Thomas hinckley Assistant               John Mayo
John ffreeman Assistant                Joseph howes
Thomas huckens             In the behalfe of hannah Bacon
                                         I assent therto, Thomas huckens

The abovemensioed John Mayo and Joseph howes being hereby alowed to Adminnester on the said estate."(5)

On 17 Mar. 1679/0 Increase Mather preached "to the Second Church in Boston in New England" on "whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth". He said of Rev. John: "Your Reverend Pastor, God continued as a blessing upon you, for a considerable time, even since as well as before the Lord was pleased to call me (an unprofitable Creature) amongst you, so that (through the grace of Christ) we both lived together in love & peace for the space of eleven years; Albeit, his years, before his course was finished in this world; so that I have been left alone (yet not alone, if the Lord be with me) in the work of Christ for these eight years last past." Increase obviously missed his friend.(6)

Increase Mather by John van der Spriett- London 1688

The historian Samuel Eliot Morison wrote: "I always supposed that Mayo was quite a person, but not a really outstanding one like Increase Mather. But I dare say he has not had justice from the historians- quiet people of good character who mind their own business seldom do."(7)

Issue-

Ref:

(1) Church record quoted by Mayo, p.7
(2) Mayo Genealogy- p.10
(3) Church record written by Increase Mather- quoted by Mayo, p.2
(4) Plymouth Colony Wills- III; I; 165
(5) Ibid- 175
(6) Mayo Genealogy- pp.19-20
(7) Ibid- p.20
(8) Letter quoted on Cape Cod History web site at: http://capecodhistory.us/genealogy/wellfleet/i3229.htm#i1923
(9) Ibid
(10) Plymouth County Deeds- p. 155
(11) Boston Transcript- 1 Nov. 1926
(12) Rev. John Mayo, First Minister of the Second Church in Boston, Mass- Philip Tillinghast Nickerson- NEHGR
(13) Marriage Register for the Reformed Church in Leiden- N.H. Vol. H. folio 216

Nathaniel was able to bear arms for the first time in Barstable in 1643.(1)

In 1655 Nathaniel was a representative to the General Court, however, as he died a young man there is little else to find on record. He died before his father and his children were provided for in the division of Rev. John's estate.

Nathaniel's will is dated 19 Dec. 1661 and provided legacies as follows:

to my eldest son Thomas a bridled three yeare old heiffer in lue of an old Cow that was killed and alsoe a yeare old and vantage mare Colt that Came of the mare that Died and two yeare old bulls and alsoe a gun and a sword

To Nathaniell and Samuell a yeare old mare Colt being a Rid one that Came of the old Mare

To Theophilus and my Daughter hannah the first two Coults that the two young mare bring

To my loveing wife hannah Mayo three mares three Cowes two three year old heiffers two oxen two steers one bull two yeare old heiffers two Calves and the land both upland and meddow Dureing her widdowhood to bee solely att her Dispose and then afterwards one third to the eldest son; and the Remainder to bee Disposed of amongest the Rest of the Children; further I give all my household goods to bee att my wives Disposall; my desire is that if it please god to blesse my wife and to give her to enjoy the life of that which she is now Reddy to bring Forth that shee bee mindfull to bestow something upon it as a token of my love and also my will is that my Children bee all brought up to write and Read

my loveing hannah Mayo to bee my sold exequitor; and my loveing father Mr. Thomas Prence and my loveing brothers John Freeman and Nathaniel Bacon to bee my overseers of this my last will.

Then inventory was taken at Eastham 24 Feb. 1661/2 by John Doane and William Merrick and presented to the Court at Plymouth 4 Mar. 1661/2 "on the oath of hannah Mayo widow"(2)

Hannah married Jonathan Sparrow after June 1667 (the last time she was mentioned in the records as "widow Mayo"). Jonathan was a deputy representative and magistrate for many years as well a being a captain in the militia.

Issue- all children born in Eastham.

Mayo Genealogy- Elna Jean Mayo, Pueblo, CO., 1965, pp.23-4,35,38

In his will 9 Apr. 1734 Samuel gave his sons Jonathan and Samuel most of the real estate but some of it to be shared by his daughters. The probate court ruled on 27 Nov. 1760 that the real estate could not be divided to the testators wishes without damage to its value and ordered it to be sold at public auction and the money distributed amongst the heirs including the daughters; Mercy, wife of John Cole, Mary, wife of Ralph Smith, Rebecca, wife of Stephen Cole, the heirs of deceased Hannah, wife of Judah Hopkins, the heirs of deceased daughter Sarah, wife of James Higgins, and grandson Thomas Mayo, son of Samuel.

d. 17 May 1768 Eastham, MA

b. 2 Apr. 1727 Eastham

m. 6 Jan. 1757 Harwich (int. 6 Nov. 1756), SARAH MAYO

The identity of Theophilus' wife Sarah remains uncertain. If you look at the list of possible Sarah Mayo's living in the Eastham area (including widows named Sarah Mayo) there are no sure candidates that I have been able to locate. Some genealogies have suggested that she was the daughter of Richard and Rebecca (Sparrow) Mayo, however, this is ruled out as she was not named in the list of children for her father's estate in 1744. She could have been the daughter of Samuel Mayo and Abigail Sparrow, b. 24 May 1727. But, who then married Samuel Paine in 1747? One genealogy states she is the daughter of Elisha and Martha Mayo. Who is this Elisha? I have been unable to locate any Mayo by that name who could possibly be a candidate for her father other than the Elisha, son of Nathaniel Mayo and Elizabeth Wixam who married Hannah Linnell. Now Early Chatham Settlers states that Hannah died and Elisha remarried and moved to Provincetown, however, Elisha and Hannah are named in a deed in 1734 concerning lands in Middleboro and Bridgewater.(2) Now there are no birth records in Middleboro for any further children of Elisha or any record of her dying and him remarrying somebody named Martha and he has no stray daughter named Sarah (who's looking for a husband named Theophilus). BUT, there is an Elisha and Martha in Provincetown having children with one named Sarah (see below). So it appears tht we are dealing with two different Elishas. But where did this Elisha come from? Looking at the names of Theophilus & Sarah's children (and given the naming conventions at the time) one would expect that her father's name would be Benjamin, however, no Benjamin Mayo is found who would fit the picture. If you look at the other male names for that family, Ebenezer, Heman and Samuel, only the above Samuel comes forth as being a possibility. Besides, they didn't name a daughter Martha after Sarah's supposed mother. And, of course, we still could be dealing with a widow Sarah Mayo who maiden name (and first husband's name) is unknown at this point. The marriage intention states Theophalus Mayo Jr. of Eastham and Mrs. Sarah Mayo of Harwich. The marriage intention in Eastham states Theopulas Mayo Jr. of Eastham and Sarah Mayo of Harwich. The term "Mrs." at this point in time could have been just a reflection of her status in the community and NOT a comment on her prior marital status... but it might have!(1) And then... maybe she's connected with John Mayo of Roxbury? But how did she get to Harwich? Besides... I can't find any connection with John of Roxbury either. My best guess at this point is that Sarah is the child of Elisha and Martha of Provincetown and that Elisha's origins are unknown at this point.

Theophilus and Sarah moved to Hampden, Maine c.1800.

Issue-

Vital Records of Eastham and Orleans
Records of First Parish Church, Brewster

Mayo Genealogy- Elna Jean Mayo, Pueblo, CO., 1965, p.45
Penobscot County Probate- Vol. 15, pp. 415-6
The Nickerson Family- p. 412