2. Joshua Peck Convict Was NOT the son of John Peck and Mary Drownes

 

Joshua Peck Convict Was NOT the son of John Peck and Mary Drownes

John and Mary did have a son named Joshua Peck and he did serve in the Revolutionary Army. He served in fact, with the 16^th Regiment. Initially he served with General Lee’s regiment.

This Joshua married a lady named Diadama.  They were granted land in Maine, due to his being in the Army.  They had two daughters, Sally and Esther.

 Joshua died in 1833, and Diadama in 1843.  The girls married

 Sally married Michael Casey and Mr Quinley.  Esther married Patrick Bowler.

 

The Peck Family to America

There are several different members of the Peck family who settled in America in the early 1600’s.

They include:

Rev. Robert Pack and his wife Anne Lawrence, and his brother Joseph Peck who married Rebecca Clarke, who came from Hingham, in Norfolk.

A second family lineage includes

William Peck and his wife Elizabeth Davis and Paul Peck and his wife Martha Hale, and Henry Peck.

This line came from Eltisley is a village and civil parish in South Cambridgeshire, England

The distance between both these towns is not far, and no doubt there were common ancestors in the Saxon times.

 

 

The Lineage of Joshua Peck of the 16^th Regiment, died Maine 1833

 

America was settled post 1608.  Many English families felt persecuted, and re-settled in America.  Those same families had relatives who remained in UK. DNA matches with Peck families in places other than England, will have common ancestors in the UK.

The beginning of the Peck lineage in America is attributed to the descendants of Henry Peck and Margery Leek from Suffolk.

 

Descendants of Henry Peck and Margery Leeke

This lineage begins with Henry Peck 1475 – 1525 who married Margery Leeke 1476 – 1525.  They lived in the area known as Beccles in UK.  Finding those common ancestors can be an enormous challenge.  Hopefully this research, which has taken the lines back to Norfolk in England will assist in some way.

The Peck Family is extensive, and old writings provide an insight into the different family members.

They had a son Robert Peck 1508 – 1556 who married Johan Walters 1520 – 1556

Robert Peck 1508 – 1556      - Biography

Robert Peck was from the branch of the family that lived in Halesworth and South Elmham, both in Suffolk county. He was born in the vicinity of Beccles, moving into the town in 1525. In 1529 he was made executor of his grandfather, John Leeke's will, making him at least twenty one at that time, so he was probably born as early as 1500.

Robert Peck of Beccles, who in 1537 deposed that he had resided in Beccles for twelve years, probably was related to the Peck families of Halesworth and Southelmham, co. Suffolk.

He married twice. His first wife was a daughter of Walter Norton of Halesworth, and Walter Norton was a native of one of the Southelmhams, namely, Southelmham St. Margaret, and was therefore connected with the only two places, Halesworth and the Southelmhams, in Suffolk, in the environs of Beccles, in which Peck families resided at that time and had resided for generations past.

Before Robert Peck went to Beccles, it is likely that he was known to Walter Norton, who in the lay subsidy in Suffolk in 1524 was taxed at Halesworth in goods [valued at] £20. The names 'Richard Pek' and 'Maryon Pek' also are found at Halesworth in this subsidy. In the same subsidy, at Southelmham St. Margaret, Walter Norton was taxed in lands [valued at] £1. 13s. 4d., while at Southelmham St. James William Pek was taxed in goods [valued] at £9. 3s. 4d. and Robert Pek in goods [valued at] £2. (Suffolk Green Books, vol. 10).

Whether the last-mentioned Robert Pek was identical with the first Robert Peck of Beccles is unknown; but in 3 Edward VI, 14 March 1549/50, mention is made of three acres of land and pasture, in Southelmham St. James, in the tenure of Robert Pecke and Anne Carre, widow. (Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward VI, vol. 2, p. 278.)

The first Robert Peck of Beccles may have held lands in Southelmham St. James or elsewhere long after he settled at Beccles about 1525; but, if he held such lands as late as March 1549/50, he probably disposed of them of them before his death seven years later. The name of the first Robert Peck of Beccles does not, of course, appear under Beccles in the subsidy of 1524, for he was not then a resident of Beccles. Since, however, he was living in Beccles as early as 1525 and in 1529 was one of the executors of the will of John Leek, it is evident that he was then a man of mature years, and, considering the tender years at that time of the children of John Peck of Wakefield, co. York, Esq., who died in 1559, that he was not a son of John Peck of Wakefield by his wife Joan Anne.

Probably this first Robert Peck of Beccles was born in the vicinity of Beccles. The surname is common both to Norfolk and to Suffolk from a very early date. The lay subsidy tax for Suffolk for 1524, as already stated, is in print (in volume 10 of the Suffolk Green Books), and with this as a guide it is possible to enumerate all the Peck families living at this time in Suffolk, in the neighborhood of Beccles. Beccles, however, lies on the Waveney River, which separates Norfolk from Suffolk, and the list of the Peck families residing in the neighborhood of Beccles but across the Waveney in Norfolk must remain incomplete until a lay subsidy for Norfolk of the same period has been examined. It is evident, nevertheless, that the Pecks in that section of Norfolk, near Beccles, were not very prolific, as no testators of the name have been found there in the records of the Norfolk probate courts."

"A few years before his death the first Robert Peck of Beccles was one of the defendants in another suit in Chancery, brought by one William Rede of Beccles against John Waters, father of Robert Peck's second wife, and Robert Peck himself. Below is given the Bill of Complaint in this suit, in so far as possible in its original form and spelling.

Although this Bill of Complaint is undated, it is addressed to the Right Honorable Sir Thomas Wryothesley, who was appointed Lord Chancellor of England on 3 May 1544, in the reign of Henry VIII, and ceased to be Lord Chancellor on 5 March 1546/7,when the great seal was taken from him. He never was Lord Chancellor again, although he was readmitted for a while to the Privy Council; and therefore the following Bill of Complaint must have been addressed to the Lord Chancellor not earlier than 3 May 1544 and not later than about 5 March 1546/7. . .

The Bill of Complaint in the case of Rede v. Water and Peck is an interesting old document, which, unfortunately, in many places has crumbled to pieces or is illegible, and is very difficult to read. One William Robard [sic, ? roberts] of Beccles and Robert Peck were churchwardens of Beccles at the time of this dispute about the custody of the property of St. Michael's Gild in Beccles, and John Waters, father-in-law of Robert Peck, was one of the aldermen of the Gild."

He had six children by his second wife (three sons: John, Robert, and Thomas; and three daughters: Margaret, Olive, and Anne) were living on 31 Oct. 1556, and that his sons John and Robert and his daughter Margaret were born before 28 May 1547, when they were named as legatees in the will of their grandfather, John Waters, the two sons and their sister Margaret being under twenty-one on that date.

His Will dated 31 October 1556 - My body to be buried in the churchyard of Beccles, near unto the grave of Joan, my wife. To every one of my household servants 12d. To John Peck my son, my messuage wherein I dwell and my tenement "late Mayster Rede" and the two meadows lying next the meadow in the tenor of Mathew Prynte and my little garden "late Philippe Doddes," my close "sometyme Helyn Churches," my "fryttlell as the further Wynde Myll late Richard Tyde," and three acres of land "late William Marshes" upon condition that he shall pay to Thomas Pecke, my sons, and to my three daughters Margaret, Olyve, and Anne. To Robard Pecke, my son, my other two meadows in Barstun (?Barsham) "late Churchmans" and the meadows late "Doctor Rede sometyme Baldewyns," my close at Ingate church, one acre of land "late Tyde at Ingatefelds" and the "three roode acres called Bells acre." To Thomas Pecke, my son, my two tenements I purchased of John Walter and my tenter yard. To my daughters Margaret, Olyve, and Anne, to each £6.13s.4d. To every one of John Water's and William Water's children 4d. To every one of my godchildren 4d. Executors: Richard Crampton and Thomas Hagas. Supervisors: John Waters and Robert Bradley. My little "pyctell called Caves pyctell" lying in Ingate shall be sold. To Joan Meriman, my daughter, a gown and a petticoat that were her mother's and the worser paire of Corall beads." Witnesses: Sir John Bymbyn, Robert Tower, Robert Grene, Thomas Goodwyn, and John Waters. Proved 20 November 1556.

Sources

Peck, Allyn S., and Frederick Stanhope Peck. The English Ancestry of Joseph Peck, of Hingham, Mass. in 1638. New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Part I, v. 89 (1935), pp. 327-339. Part II, v. 90 (1936), p. 58. Part III, v. 91 (1937), p. 7.

Peck, Ira Ballou. A Genealogical History of the Descendants of Joseph Peck. 1868. Page 13.

Barbara Fleming's Genealogy (http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~barbpretz/index.html)

Ancestors of Thomas Wilson Martin, accessed 24 Sep 2005 (http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/c/o/n/Tom-Martin-TX/GENE4-0064.html)

Source: S205 Title: OneWorldTree Repository: #R2 NOTESource Medium: Ancestry.com

 

Robert Peck and Johan Waters son was Robert Peck 1546 - 1592

Robert Peck (Pecke) 1546 – 1592 who married Helen Babbs 1546 – 1614

Robert and Helen had the following children, proven by his will:

Richard Peck                1574 – 1615  m Rachael Young, no children

Nicholas Peck               1576 – 1648  m  Bridget Sayer

Robert Peck                  1580 – 1656   m Anne Lawrence 1582 – 1648, Martha Bacon (Widow)

Joseph Peck                  1587 – 1663   m  Rebecca Clark 1585 - 1637

Samuel Peck                 1589 - 1619

 

Robert Peck 1580, was a Reverend who settled in America.

Beccles - History Wikipedia)

The name is conjected to be derived from Becc-Liss* (Brittonic=Small-court). However, also offered is Bece-laes* (Old English=Meadow by Stream), as well as a contraction of Beata Ecclesia, the name of the Christian temple erected c. 960 by the monks of the monastery of Bury. Once a  flourishing Anglian riverport, it lies in the Waveney valley and is a popular boating centre. The town was granted its Charter in 1584 by Elizabeth I.

Sir John Leman (died 1632) was a tradesman from Beccles who became Lord Mayor of London.

Long associated with Beccles (including recent mayors) is the Peck family.  Among those Pecks who have made a place in history is the Rev. Robert Peck, described by Blomfield in his history of Norfolk as a man with a 'violent schismatic spirit' who led a movement within the church of St Andrew's in nearby Hingham, Norfolk, in opposition to the established Anglicanism of the day.

The Puritan Peck was eventually forced to flee to Hingham, Massachusetts, founded by many members of his parish, where he resided for several years, until King Charles I had been executed and Oliver Cromwell had taken the reins of government.

Robert Peck then elected to return to Hingham, Norfolk, and resumed as rector of St Andrew's Church. He died in Hingham but left descendants in America, including his brother Joseph Peck, who settled in Rehoboth, Massachusetts.

Robert's daughter Ann Peck (16 November 1619 – 30 June 1672) also remained in Massachusetts, and married John Mason, who led colonial forces in the Pequot War

 

The Will of Robert Peck, died 1592.

 

The son of Robert Peck died 1556 by his own hand.

Will of Robert Peck from “A Genealogical History of the Descendants of Joseph Peck pg 21-23” sourced from the original will found at Ipswich, England.

 

In the name of God Amen The XXIV day of March in the year of o’r Lord God according to the computation of the church of England 1592 and in the XXXVth yere of the Reigne of o’r moste gratious soveraigne Lady Elizabeth by the grace of god of England ffrance and Irelande Quene Defendor of the faith etc. I Robert Peck of Beccles in the countye of Suff hole of mynd and perfect of Remembrance thanks be to the maiestye of god therefore Although sick and weake of body at chemisfforde in the cowntye of Essex at this pr’sente of a pluresye not knowinge whither it will please god to take me awaye here or not, do for the better orderinge and dispocision of such goods cattels chattells plate lands tenements and other heriditaments with the appertences do make and dispose them as followeth ffirst I bequeath my sowle to the Infinite mercye of Almightye Gode trustinge assurealye to be saved by the meritts death and passion of Jesus christ his dere sonne, and my bodye to be buried where it shall please god to call me

Item I give and bequeath to Hellen my welle loved wife (in consideration of the paiment of my debts the bringinge up of my children and the finishinge of the houses w’ch I am now in buildinge) All my houses Lands Tenements medowes pastures fedlings aswell free hold as coppeholde and all other my leases plate goods and cattles whatsoev’r or wheresoev’r ling w’th in the townes of Becces, Barsh”m Ingate or else where to haue and to hold all and singular the p’rmises w’th the apprtens to the said Hellen or her assignes for and duringe her natural life in concinderacion of the things above mentioned and also paienge such legacies unto my children as I shall appointe or otherwise leave it for want of tyme to her godly consideration where in I desire her in gods behalf to provide for the accordinge to her abillitye.

And for the better accomplishinge here of I do give unto her full power and authoritye to sell my woods in Barshm” or my medows in Barsh” or both if neede shall so require And I doe hartelye desire my very good ffriends Mr Bartholomew Stiles and Mr John Talbot to be aidinge and assistinte my said wife w’th there good counsell advice and labo’r about the execution of this my last will and Testament.

Item I give unto Richard Peck my sonne all that my houses where in I dwell in Blibergate street [Blyburgate today] my close at Ingate church, my pightill in the same field to have and to hold to him and to his heres forever And also all the lease lands adioyinge to the said close for and duringe the numbers of yeres y’t to come yf his mother will vouchsafe him such favo’r uppon condicon that he paye such legacies as his mother shall think good to appoint him to doe

Item whereas Thomas Peck my brother deceased by his last will and Tistament did give unto the said Richard my sonne two tennements ine Balligate street [Ballygate today] lately burnt and now againe one of them builded upon the same grownde and the other upon pcell of the said grownede and upon pcell of other free grownde w’ch I purchased of mine uncle Wm Waters I will therefore that the said Richard my sonne w’thin one month after that he shall be of his age of XXVth years shall make over astate in fee simple to such of my sonnes and there heirs as I shall hereafter bequeath the said teenements unto and also surrendo’r. And yf my saide sonne Richard shall not pform these things before assigned him I will that he shall loose the benefit of such houses landes and leases as I have before assigned unto him and the same to be to thoese of my twoe sonnes to whoeme I shall geve the foresaide newe tenments and to there heires and assignes forever

Item I give to Nicholas Peck my sonne my newe tenement ptely builded uppont the Tenement late Wm Waters and my medowes lienge in Barshm (if his mother shall spare the saide medowes) To have and To holde to him the said Nicholas and his heires for ev’r paienge out of the same such somes of money as his mother shall assigne him to doe.

Item I geve unto Samuell Peck my sonne the other newe tenement and little coppiholde yard to have and to holde to him & his heirs foev’r paienge out thereof to such of his brothers and sisters such money as his mother shall assigne him to doe

Item I will yf for the benefit of paienge my debres bringinge up my children findinge my sone Robert at Cambridge and providinge legacies for my twoe daughters and my sone Joseph That if my saide wife shall make a lease of all or any pcell of my sayde landes and Tenements That the same shall continue for so many years as she shall lease the same her saide death or any other legacies what soev’r before given or appointed to the contrary in any wise notw’thstandinge, The Residewe of all my goodes and chattells whatsoever. I give them whoelye to the saide Hellen my wife whoeme I make my sole executrix desiringe her in godes behalf to have care of thoese my children whoese legacies I have lefte to her consideracon.

And also of Joane Babb & Elisabeth Babb and Robert Meriman & my sister Note as she may Item I ordain Mr Bartholomewe Stiles clerk, Mr Roger Peirson and Mr John Talbot supervisoer hartelie desiringe them to Aide my wife w’th there beste helpe counsell and advice aboute the Execution herof Written w’th my owne hande The day and yere above saide By me

Robert Peck
Proved at Beccles 10 Nov 1598

Excerpt from the book “Genealogical History of the Descendants of Joseph Peck by Ira B. Peck 1868”

 

 

Robert Peck was the Register and Collector for the Archdeacon of Suffolk in 1582.  

He made his wife Helen sole executrix of his will.  He left her most of his property.  His son, Richard, had been left two tenaments which Richard had helped to build, so he instructed Richard to "make over" to his siblings after he reaches age 21.  His wife is instructed to "have care" for the legacies of his children.

 

Life of Rev Robert Peck 1580 - 1656

John Brooks Threlfall's Summary of the Life of Rev. Robert Peck

"Robert Peck (Robert, Robert), was born about 1580, probably in Beccles, Suffolk, England. The Parish Registers for Beccles do not begin until 1586. … Probably that year (1605) or the next, Robert Peck married his first wife, Ann Lawrence, the daughter of John and (Agnes?) (Herne) Lawrence of Saint James, South Elmham, Suffolk.

Reverend Peck served at Hingham, England for 30 years, until he was deprived of his living in 1636. He was excommunicated for nonconformity and then threatened with citation to the High Commission Court. But he had obviously become very popular with his parishioners in those 30 years, for when he escaped to New England in 1638, 132 others from Hingham and vicinity joined him. They arrived at Boston, Massachusetts on 10 August 1638 on the Diligent from Ipswich, Suffolk, England. Robert Peck and his wife, 2 children, and 2 servants in his household. The entire company apparently settled in Hingham, Massachusetts.

On 28 November 1638, Robert Peck was ordained a teacher in the Hingham church. His difficulties with the church authorities in England would have barred him from officially being the minister. He was admitted a freeman on 13 March 1638/9.

Winthrop records under 2 June 1641 that Parliament was engaged upon a general reformation of both church and state. Robert Peck no lo[n]ger needed to stay in America. He embarked for England on 27 October 1641 with his wife, son Joseph, and a maid. He never returned to New England and was reinstated in his former parish, serving from 1646-56.

Ann (Lawrence) Peck died in Hingham, England, being buried there on 30 August 1648. Reverend Peck married second Martha Bacon, widow of James Bacon, rector of Burgate, Suffolk.

Reverend Peck is said to have died in 1656, being buried in his churchyard at Hingham, England."^[1]

▼ Ira Ballou Peck's Summary of the Life of Rev. Robert Peck

"Rev. Robert Peck … was born at Beccles, Suffolk County, England, in 1580. He was graduated at Magdalen College, Cambridge; the degree of A. B. was conferred upon him in 1599, and that of A. M., in 1603. He was set apart to the ministry, and inducted over the church at Hingham, Norfolk County, England, January 8, 1605, where he remained until 1638, when he fled from the persecutions of the church to this country.

He was a talented and influential clergyman, a zealous preacher, and a nonconformist to the superstitious ceremonies and corruptions of the church, for which he was persecuted and driven from the country. Brooks, in his lives of the puritans, gives many facts of interest in relation to him. In particularizing some of the offences for which he and his followers were persecuted, he says, 'for having catechised his family, and sung a psalm in his own house on a Lord's day evening, when some of his neighbors attended, his lordship (Bishop Harsnet) enjoined all who were present to do penance, requiring them to say, I confess my errors,' etc.

Those who refused were immediately excommunicated, and required to pay heavy costs. This, Mr. Brooks says, appears from the bishop's manuscripts under his own hands. He says, 'he was driven from his flock, deprived of his benefice, and forced to seek his bread in a foreign land.'

Cotton Mather in speaking of him says, he was by the good providence of heaven fetched away into New England about the year 1638, when the good people of Hingham did rejoice in the light for a season; but within two or three years, the invitation of his friends of Hingham, England, pursuaded him to return to them, where being though great in person for stature, yet greater for spirit, he was greatly serviceable for the good of the church.

He arrived here in 1638. In relation to his arrival, the town clerk at Hingham here says: 'Mr. Robert Peck, preacher of the gospel in the Town of Hingham, in the County of Norfolk, old England, with his wife and two children, and two servants, came over the sea and settled in this town of Hingham, and he was a Teacher of the Church.' Mr. Hobart, of Hingham, says in his diary, that he was ordained here teacher of the church, November 28, 1638. His name frequently appears upon the records of the town. He had lands granted him.

His family as seen upon the chart consisted of nine children. His son Joseph and daughter Anne came over with him. He was twice married. His first wife Anne, died at Hingham, England, and was buried there August 30, 1648. His second wife was Mrs. Martha Bacon, widow of James Bacon, Rector of Burgate.

He remained here until the long Parliament, or until the persecutions in England ceased, when he returned and resumed his Rectorship at Hingham.

Mr. Hobart says he returned October 27, 1641; and Mr. Cushing, the town clerk, says his wife and son Joseph returned with him; his daughter Anne remaining here. She married Captain John Mason, 'the conqueror of the Pequots.' [Her children were, Priscilla, Samuel, John, Rachel, Ann, Daniel and Elizabeth. Samuel married for his second wife his second cousin Elizabeth Peck, daughter of Joseph Peck, of Rehoboth, Mass.]

He died at Hingham, England, and was buried in his churchyard there. His funeral sermon was preached by Nathaniel Joslin and published. [In Bloomfield's History of Norfolk is an allusion to Robert Peck, evidently prejudiced, and as incorrect in other respects as it is in its dates.]

His church (St. Andrews) at Hingham was a noble structure with a lofty tower, containing eight musical bells."

"The following is a copy of his will:

July the xxiiijth 1651

I Robert Pecke Minister of the word of God at Hingham in the countye of Norff beinge in bodilye health and perfect memory knowinge the unceartainety of mans life, doe dispose of that worldly estate God hath given me in manner and form followinge

Imprimus I give and bequeath unto Thomas my Sonne and Samuel my Sonne and their heirs forever All that my messuage wherein I now dwell situate and lyenge in Hingham a forsaid with all the edifices yards and orchards thereunto belonginge As alsoe the Inclose and Barnes adioyninge As olso one Inclose now devided called The Lady close conteyninge about eight acres be it more or less As olso one pightell at the end thereof conteyninge twoe acres and d,d uppon condicons followinge, and for the paiement of such legacies as are herein expressed

First I will and bequeath unto Robert Pecke sonne of my sonne Robert deceased the sume of 20£ at his age of 23 years

Item I give unto John Pecke sonne of the said Robert deceased 10£ To be paid to him at his age of 22 years

Item I give unto Beniamin Pecke the youngest sonne of the said Robert deceased at his age of 22 years 20£

Item I give to the children of Anne Mason my daughter wife of captain John Mason of Seabrooke on the river Connecticut in new England the sume of Forty pounds to be devided equally unto them and to be sent to my sonne John Mason to dispose of it for their use within 2 years after my death

Item I give to my sonne Joseph Dureinge his natural life the sume of 14£ yearlie to be in the hands of my Sonnes Thomas and Samuel as it shall arise out of my houses lands and chatties for his maintenance with necessarie foode and apparreil duringe the terme of his naturall life And I doe wholie comitt my said Sonne Joseph to the care of my twoe sonnes Thomas and Samuell to provide for him in such a way as he may not want things necessary for his livelihood [obvious from this wording that Joseph was not able to live independently]

Item I give to the children of Thomas and Samuell my sonnes which shall be liveinge at my decease the sume of Five pounds apiece at their severall ages of 21 years

Item I give to my now wife Martha Pecke 40£ To be paid wthin twoe months after my decease Item I give to the poore of Hingham 5£ To be destrubted at the discrecon of my Executors Thomas Pecke and Samuel Pecke whome I do ordeyne and make Executors of this my last will and Testament confiding that they will faithfully fulfill and perforame this my last will according to my trust reposed in them

All my other goods cattells debts moneys household stuffe or whatsoever ells belongeth unto me I give and bequeath to my said Executors toards payeinge of my legacies alrerdy bequeathed and towards the bringinge of my body to buriall which I desire if I depart this life in Hingham may be entered in the church yard near unto Anne my wife deceased

In witness whereof I have written this my last will and testament with my own hand the day and yeare above written

Robert Peck [his signature]

This will was proved at London before the judges for probate of Wills and granting of Administrations the tenth day of April in the year of our Lord God One thousand six hundred fiftye and eight"

https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:Robert_Peck_(33)