John Bigg of Cranbrook and Family

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Preserving Our Family History Award

1. Parent of John¹ Bigg of Cranbrook⁽¹⁾ (#1832) was born in probably, Kent, England.

The parents of John Bigge, clothier of Cranbrook, Kent, have not been identified. John Insley Coddington (NEHGR, Oct. 1938) said John "may well have been a descendant of Richard Bigge of Cranbrook, clothier, whose will, dated 4 November, 24 Henry VIII [1532], and proved 5 Aug. 1533 (P.C.C., 5 Hogen), was printed in Emmerton and in Waters' `Gleanings,' p.11." The author has examined the wills of that Richard Bigge and his son Gervase, and leans toward John, the son of Richard's son James, as the best candidate. However, James is not known to have had a daughter Elizabeth, and did have a daughter Susanne. James did have only two other known children, named John and Mary.

Parent of John Bigg of Cranbrook had the following children:

• + 2 i. John² Bigg.

• + 3 ii. Elizabeth Bigg.

• + 4 iii. Mary Bigg.

2. John² Bigg (Parent of John¹) (#1687) birth date unknown. His remains were interred August 13, 1605 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽²⁾

He married Rachel Martin September 14, 1583 in Tenterden, Kent, England.⁽³⁾ (Rachel Martin is #1686.) Rachel was born before June 17, 1565 (chr. date) in Lydd, Kent, England. Rachel was the daughter of James Martin and Joan Adam. Rachel died circa 1647 in Dorchester, Suffolk Co, MA. She was christened June 17, 1565 in Lydd, Kent, England.⁽⁴⁾ Rachel's estate was probated November 17, 1646 in Suffolk Co, MA.⁽⁵⁾

John was employed at as a clothier. John's estate was probated October 30, 1605 in Consistory Court, Canterbury, Kent, England.⁽⁶⁾

John Bigg and Rachel Martin had the following children:

• 5 i. Anna³ Bigg (#1688) was born in Cranbrook, Kent, England before August 16, 1584 (chr. date). Anna died in childhood, probably.⁽⁷⁾ She was christened August 16, 1584 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽⁸⁾

• 6 ii. Smalehope Bigg (#1689) was born in Cranbrook, Kent, England before August 29, 1585 (chr. date). His remains were interred September 6, 1638 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽⁹⁾ He married Ellen French. (Ellen French is #1690.) Ellen was born 1582 in Rye, Sussex, England. Ellen was the daughter of William French and Agnes Pylcher. Her remains were interred December 26, 1638 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽¹⁰⁾ Ellen's estate was probated February 12, 1638/9 in Archdeacon Court, Canterbury, Kent, England.⁽¹¹⁾

  Henry F. Waters abstracted her will (NEHGR, Jan. 1884):

  "Ellen Bigge of Cranbrook, widow of Smalehope Bigge, of Cranbrook, clothier, 24 November, proved 12 February, 1638. To be buried in Cranbrooke Cemetery, near my husband. To Samuel Bigge, son of my brother John Bigge, of Maidstone. Lands and tenements at Rye in the County of Sussex to my only sister Mary, wife of Edward Benbrigg, jurat, of Rye, for her life, remainder to her son John Benbridge; to Anne Benbridge, alias Burrish, and Elizabeth and Mary Benbrig, daughters of my aforesaid sister Mary. To John Benbrigg, clerk, Thomas Benbrigg and Samuel Benbrigg, sons of my deceased sister Elizabeth; also her daughters Anne Benbrigge, alias Puttland, and Elizabeth Benbrigg ( the last named under age). My said sister Mary Benbrigg and her son John Benbrigg to be executors. To Peter Master, son of my brother Peter Master, of Cranbrook; to my sister-in-law Katherine Master. To William Dallett (son of my dec'd sister Bridgett) and his son (under age). To William Edwards, son of my sister Mercy. To Thomas Pilcher, Elizabeth Pilcher alias Beinson, Judith Pilcher alias Burges, and Anne Pilcher, son and daughters of my uncle John Pilcher of Rye, deceased. To Mary, wife of Robert Cushman and their son Thomas (under age). James Holden of Cranbrooke, clothier, and my brother-in-law Peter Master of Cranbrooke, mercer, to be overseers. Archdeaconry, Canterbury, Vol. 70, Leaf 482."

  Smalehope was employed at as a clothier. He was christened August 29, 1585 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽¹²⁾ Smalehope's estate was probated October 8, 1638 in Consistory Court, Canterbury, Kent, England.⁽¹³⁾

  His will was abstracted by Henry F. Waters (NEHGR, Jan. 1884): "Smalehope Bigg, of Cranbrooke in the County of Kent, clothier, 3 May, 1638, by John Bigg. Brother John Bigg, of Maidstone, to be executor. To the poor of Cranbrooke ten pounds. To my Aunt Mary Bridger of West Peckham and her two sons, Robert and Thomas Betts; to my kinswomen, the wife of William Hunt of Brenchley, Anne Bottinge of Brenchley, widow, and the wife of John Saxby of Leeds; to Judith, wife of Thomas Tadnall, late of Dover; to Godfrey Martin of Old Romney and his sisters; to the children of Robert Pell of New Romney, jurat, deceased. "To my kinsfolk Thomas Bate, of Lydd, James Bate, Clement Bate, the wife of William Batchelor, John Compton, Edward White and Martha his wife, all of which are now resident in New England, twenty shillings each. I give ten pounds to be distributed to them or to others in New England by my mother and my brother John Stow. To Peter Master of Cranbrook who married my sister. To my mother Rachel Bigg one hundred pounds. Lands &c. at Rye in County Sussex to my wife Ellin. To my sisters Patience Foster and Elizabeth Stow in New England. To Hopestill Foster, son of my sister three hundred pounds. To Thomas and John Stow, sons of my sister Stow two hundred pounds each. To Elizabeth Stow and the other three children (under age) of my sister Stow. Lands in Horsmonden to my brother John Bigg. Lands at Wittersham, Lidd and Cranbrook to Samuel Bigg, my brother's son, at the age of twenty-three years. My friends John Nowell of Rye, gentleman, James Holden and Thomas Bigg the elder, of Cranbrook, clothiers, to be overseers. To my cousin Hunt's children and John Saxbey's children; to the two sons of my Aunt Betts; to my cousin Bottenn's children; to my cousin Pell's children, viz., Joan Pell, Elizabeth Pell, Richard Pell and Thomas Baytope's wife." Mr. Waters continued, "After a hearing of the case between John Bigg, brother and executor of the one part, and Hellen alias Ellen Bigg (the relict), Patience Bigg alias Foster, wife of Richard Foster, and Elizabeth Bigg alias Stow, wife of Richard (sic) Stow, testator's sisters, of the other part, sentence was pronounced to confirm the will 4 April, 1639 (the widow having previously died, as shown by date of probate of her own will which follows). Consistory Court, Canterbury, Vol.51, Leaf 115."

• + 7 iii. Patience Bigg was born circa 1588.

• + 8 iv. Elizabeth Bigg was born before November 1, 1590 (chr. date).

• 9 v. James Bigg (#1693) was born in Cranbrook, Kent, England before January 28, 1592/3 (chr. date). His remains were interred January 12, 1593/4 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽¹⁴⁾ He was christened January 28, 1592/3 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽¹⁵⁾

• + 10 vi. Rachel Bigg was born before October 20, 1594 (chr. date).

• 11 vii. Anna Bigg (#1702) was born in Cranbrook, Kent, England before January 30, 1596/7 (chr. date). Her remains were interred May 16, 1597 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽¹⁶⁾ She was christened January 30, 1596/7 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽¹⁷⁾

• 12 viii. John Bigg (#1703) was born in Cranbrook, Kent, England before June 25, 1598 (chr. date). His remains were interred December 18, 1598 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽¹⁸⁾ He was christened June 25, 1598 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽¹⁹⁾

• 13 ix. Mary Bigg (#1704) was born in Cranbrook, Kent, England before May 18, 1600 (chr. date). Her remains were interred April 24, 1610 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽²⁰⁾ She was christened May 18, 1600 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽²¹⁾

• + 14 x. John Bigg was born before December 19, 1602 (chr. date).

• 15 xi. Thankful Bigg (#1709) was born in Cranbrook, Kent, England before February 17, 1604/5 (chr. date). Her remains were interred August 14, 1605 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽²²⁾ She was christened February 17, 1604/5 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽²³⁾

3. Elizabeth² Bigg (Parent of John¹) (#1833) birth date unknown. Elizabeth died before 1605 in maybe, Brenchley, Kent, England.

She married John Scotchford. (John Scotchford is #1834.) John died 1600 in Brenchley, Kent, England. John was employed. John's estate was probated January 16, 1600/1.⁽²⁴⁾

Elizabeth Bigg and John Scotchford had the following children:

• 16 i. Elizabeth³ Scotchford (#2254) was born in maybe, Brenchley, Kent, England after 1578/9.

• 17 ii. Anne Scotchford (#2255) was born in maybe, Brenchley, Kent, England after 1579/0.

• 18 iii. Margaret Scotchford (#2257) was born in maybe, Brenchley, Kent, England after 1580/1.

• 19 iv. Mary Scotchford (#2258) was born in maybe, Brenchley, Kent, England after 1581/2.

• 20 v. Martha Scotchford (#2259) was born in maybe, Brenchley, Kent, England after 1582/3.

• 21 vi. Thomas Scotchford (#2260) was born in maybe, Brenchley, Kent, England before 1600.

4. Mary² Bigg (Parent of John¹) (#1835) birth date unknown.

She married twice. She married John Bridger.⁽²⁵⁾ (John Bridger is #2028.) She married John Betts circa 1600.⁽²⁶⁾ (John Betts is #2027.) John died in maybe, West Peckham, Kent, England.

Mary Bigg and John Betts had the following children:

• 22 i. William³ Betts (#2190). His remains were interred September 6, 1607 in West Peckham, Kent, England.

• 23 ii. John Betts (#2188) was born in West Peckham, Kent, England before January 4, 1600/1 (chr. date). John died after 1618/9. He was christened January 4, 1600/1 in West Peckham, Kent, England.⁽²⁷⁾ Conflicting evidence states that he died before 1638.

• 24 iii. Alexander Betts (#2189) was born in West Peckham, Kent, England before December 18, 1603 (chr. date). His remains were interred August 28, 1605 in West Peckham, Kent, England.⁽²⁸⁾ He was christened December 18, 1603 in West Peckham, Kent, England.⁽²⁹⁾

• 25 iv. Mary Betts (#2192) was born in West Peckham, Kent, England before March 28, 1610 (chr. date). Mary died after 1618/9. She was christened March 28, 1610 in West Peckham, Kent, England. Conflicting evidence states that she died before 1638.

• 26 v. Robert Betts (#2193) was born in West Peckham, Kent, England circa 1613. He married Margaret Topley May 21, 1639 in Harrietsham, Kent, England.⁽³⁰⁾ (Margaret Topley is #2194.) Margaret was born about 1609 in maybe, Hothfield, Kent, England. Margaret⁽³¹⁾ was the daughter of Thomas Topley. Margaret was baptized in 1609 in Hothfield, Kent, England.⁽³²⁾ Margaret applied for a marriage license to wed Robert Betts May 15, 1639 in Harrietsham, Kent, England.⁽³³⁾

  Robert applied for a marriage license to wed Margaret Topley May 15, 1639 in Harrietsham, Kent, England.⁽³⁴⁾

• 27 vi. Thomas Betts (#2195) was born in West Peckham, Kent, England before December 3, 1615 (chr. date). Thomas died 1688 in Norwalk, CT, at 72 years of age. He married Mary (Betts) circa 1643 in probably, Connecticut.⁽³⁵⁾ (Mary (Betts) is #2196.) Mary died after 1722/3 in probably, Norwalk, CT.

  He was christened December 3, 1615 in West Peckham, Kent, England.⁽³⁶⁾

7. Patience³ Bigg (John², Parent of John¹) (#2347) was born in probably, Cranbrook, Kent, England circa 1588.⁽³⁷⁾ Patience died in maybe Dorchester, MA.

She married Richard Foster in probably, Kent, England.⁽³⁸⁾ (Richard Foster is #2346.) Richard was born circa 1585 in Biddenden, Kent, England. Richard was the son of Thomas Foster and Dorothy Austen. Richard died 1630 in Biddenden, Kent, England, at 45 years of age. Richard's estate was probated May 3, 1630 in Prerogative Court, Canterbury, England.⁽³⁹⁾ NEHGRegister v.47 p.36 says he was son of Thomas Foster and Dorothy Austen; married Patience Bigg, who with son Hopestill went to New England, implying Richard's prior death in England.

Patience Bigg and Richard Foster had the following child:

• + 28 i. Hopestill⁴ Foster was born circa 1620.

8. Elizabeth³ Bigg (John², Parent of John¹) (#1691) was born in Cranbrook, Kent, England before November 1, 1590 (chr. date). Her remains were interred August 21, 1638 in Roxbury, Suffolk Co, MA.⁽⁴⁰⁾

She married John Stowe September 13, 1608 in Biddenden, Kent, England.⁽⁴¹⁾ (John Stowe is #1692.) John was born before January 14, 1581/2 (chr. date) in Biddenden, Kent, England. John died October 26, 1643 in Roxbury, Suffolk Co, MA, at 61 years of age.⁽⁴²⁾ He was christened January 14, 1581/2 in Biddenden, Kent, England.⁽⁴³⁾

She was christened November 1, 1590 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽⁴⁴⁾

Elizabeth Bigg and John Stowe had the following children:

• 29 i. daughter⁴ Stowe (#2238) was born in Biddenden, Kent, England March 1609/0.⁽⁴⁵⁾ Her remains were interred March 15, 1609/0 in Biddenden, Kent, England.⁽⁴⁶⁾

• 30 ii. Elizabeth Stowe (#2240) was born in Biddenden, Kent, England before September 13, 1612 (chr. date). Her remains were interred September 21, 1612 in Biddenden, Kent, England.⁽⁴⁷⁾ She was christened September 13, 1612 in Biddenden, Kent, England.⁽⁴⁸⁾

• 31 iii. twin daughter Stowe (#2239) was born in Biddenden, Kent, England September 1612.⁽⁴⁹⁾ Her remains were interred September 10, 1612 in Biddenden, Kent, England.⁽⁵⁰⁾

• 32 iv. Thomas Stowe (#2241) was born in Biddenden, Kent, England before April 2, 1615 (chr. date). Thomas died circa 1684 in Middletown, CT.⁽⁵¹⁾ He married Mary Griggs December 4, 1639 in Roxbury, MA.⁽⁵²⁾ (Mary Griggs is #2242.) Mary died August 21, 1680 in Middletown, CT.⁽⁵³⁾

  He was christened April 2, 1615 in Biddenden, Kent, England.⁽⁵⁴⁾

• 33 v. Elizabeth Stowe (#2243) was born in Biddenden, Kent, England before August 31, 1617 (chr. date). She married Henry Archer December 4, 1639 in Roxbury, MA.⁽⁵⁵⁾ (Henry Archer is #2244.) Henry was born in England.

  She was christened August 31, 1617 in Biddenden, Kent, England.⁽⁵⁶⁾

• 34 vi. John Stowe (#2245) was born in Biddenden, Kent, England before October 10, 1619 (chr. date). John died 1643 in Cranbrook, Kent, England, at 23 years of age.⁽⁵⁷⁾ He was christened October 10, 1619 in Biddenden, Kent, England.⁽⁵⁸⁾ John's estate was probated December 2, 1643 in Archdeacon Court, Canterbury, Kent, England.⁽⁵⁹⁾

• 35 vii. Nathaniel Stowe (#2246) was born in Biddenden, Kent, England October 7, 1621.⁽⁶⁰⁾ Nathaniel died May 30, 1684 in Concord, Massachusetts Bay Colony, at 62 years of age.⁽⁶¹⁾ He married twice. He married Elizabeth (Stowe).⁽⁶²⁾ (Elizabeth (Stowe) is #2247.) Elizabeth died June 8, 1661 in Concord, Massachusetts Bay Colony.⁽⁶³⁾ He married Martha Bignell August 20, 1662 in Concord, Massachusetts Bay Colony.⁽⁶⁴⁾ (Martha Bignell is #2248.) Martha died in Massachusetts.

• 36 viii. Samuel Stowe (#2249) was born in Biddenden, Kent, England before February 8, 1623/4 (chr. date). Samuel died May 8, 1704 in Middletown, CT, at 80 years of age.⁽⁶⁵⁾ He married Hope Fletcher circa 1649.⁽⁶⁶⁾ (Hope Fletcher is #2250.) Hope died before 1704 in probably, Middletown, CT.⁽⁶⁷⁾

  He was christened February 8, 1623/4 in Biddenden, Kent, England.⁽⁶⁸⁾ Samuel graduated from in Harvard College 1645.⁽⁶⁹⁾

• 37 ix. Thankful Stowe (#2251) was born in Biddenden, Kent, England before March 29, 1629 (chr. date). She married John Pierpont.⁽⁷⁰⁾ (John Pierpont is #2252.) John was born circa 1618 in England. John died December 7, 1682 in Roxbury, MA, at 64 years of age.⁽⁷¹⁾

  She was christened March 29, 1629 in Biddenden, Kent, England.⁽⁷²⁾

10. Rachel³ Bigg (John², Parent of John¹) (#1694) was born in Cranbrook, Kent, England before October 20, 1594 (chr. date). Rachel died before 1638 in Kent, England.

She married twice. She married Moregift Starr March 4, 1616/7 in Biddenden, Kent, England.⁽⁷³⁾ (Moregift Starr is #1695.) Moregift was born in Cranbrook, Kent, England. His remains were interred December 18, 1617 in Ashford, Kent, England.⁽⁷⁴⁾ He was christened in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽⁷⁵⁾ Moregift's estate was probated December 30, 1617 in Archdeacon Court, Canterbury, Kent, England.⁽⁷⁶⁾ She married Peter Masters November 9, 1619 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽⁷⁷⁾ (Peter Masters is #1696.) Peter was born in probably, Kent, England. (Additional notes for Peter Masters⁽⁷⁸⁾)

She was christened October 20, 1594 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽⁷⁹⁾

Rachel Bigg and Peter Masters had the following children:

• 38 i. Elizabeth⁴ Masters (#1699) was born in Kent, England. Elizabeth died after 1645/6.⁽⁸⁰⁾

• 39 ii. Peter Masters (#1700) was born in Kent, England. Peter died after 1637/8.⁽⁸¹⁾

• 40 iii. a child of Peter Masters (#1701) was born in Kent, England. A died after 1639/0.⁽⁸²⁾

• 41 iv. Peter Masters (#1697) was born in Tonbridge, Kent, England before August 26, 1621 (chr. date). His remains were interred February 12, 1621/2 in Tonbridge, Kent, England.⁽⁸³⁾ He was christened August 26, 1621 in Tonbridge, Kent, England.⁽⁸⁴⁾

• 42 v. John Masters (#1698) was born in Tonbridge, Kent, England before November 17, 1622 (chr. date). He was christened November 17, 1622 in Tonbridge, Kent, England.⁽⁸⁵⁾

14. John³ Bigg (John², Parent of John¹) (#1705) was born in Cranbrook, Kent, England before December 19, 1602 (chr. date). John died circa 1641 in Maidstone, Kent, England.

John was employed. He was christened December 19, 1602 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽⁸⁶⁾ John applied for a marriage license to wed Mary Maplisden May 12, 1626 in Linton, Kent, England.⁽⁸⁷⁾ John applied for a marriage license to wed Sibylla Beacon September 16, 1634 in Otham, Kent, England.⁽⁸⁸⁾ John's estate was probated February 7, 1641/2 in Kent, England.⁽⁸⁹⁾

John Bigg and Mary Maplisden had the following child:

• 43 i. Samuel⁴ Bigg (#1707) was born after 1625/6. Samuel died after 1637/8 in Kent, England. Conflicting evidence states that he died before 1640.

28. Hopestill⁴ Foster (Patience³ Bigg, John², Parent of John¹)⁽⁹⁰⁾ (#2348) was born in probably, Kent, England circa 1620. Hopestill died in maybe Dorchester, MA.

He married Mary Bate.⁽⁹¹⁾ (Mary Bate is #2286.) Mary was born before November 21, 1619 (chr. date) in Lydd, Kent, England. Mary was the daughter of James Bate and Alice Glover. Mary died January 5, 1702/3 in Dorchester, Massachusetts Bay Colony, at 83 years of age.⁽⁹²⁾ She was christened November 21, 1619 in Lydd, Kent, England.

Hopestill Foster and Mary Bate had the following child:

• 44 i. Patience⁵ Foster (#2289) was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts Bay Colony before August 16, 1646 (chr. date). She married Thomas Brown.⁽⁹³⁾ (Thomas Brown is #2290.) Thomas was born May 22, 1645 in Sudbury, Middlesex Co, MA.⁽⁹⁴⁾ Thomas was the son of William Brown and Mary Besbeech. Thomas died in Sudbury, Middlesex Co, MA. His remains were interred May 9, 1709 in King's Chapel, Boston, MA.

  She was christened August 16, 1646 in Dorchester, Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Notes and References

Index

(Betts)

(Stowe)

Archer

Bate

Betts

Bigg

Bignell

Bridger

Brown

Fletcher

Foster

French

Griggs

Martin

Masters

Pierpont

Scotchford

Starr

Stowe

Topley

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