Thomas Ensinge of Rye and Descendants

• Surname List
• First Generation
• Second Generation
• Third Generation
• Index

1. Thomas¹ Ensinge⁽¹⁾ was born in Sussex, England, EST 1570. Thomas died 1631 in probably, Rye, Sussex, England, at age 61.

He married Constance Pilcher May 27, 1594 in Brightling, Sussex, England.⁽²⁾ Constance was born on an estimated date of 1575 in probably, Sussex, England. Constance died at age unknown.

Thomas's estate was probated March 27, 1632 in Prerogative Court, Canterbury, England.⁽³⁾ Although the will of this man clearly connects him to the New England immigrants, the earlier details of his life given here, while factual in event, are speculative in connection. No link, other than circumstance of name and county, connects the Mayor of Rye with the later religious dissenter and testator of 1631.

One can only speculate about his ancestry. Perhaps his grandfather was an earlier Thomas Ensinge, Mayor of Winchelsea, who died in 1561. Maybe he was the posthumous son of Thomas Ensing of Wherever, whose will mentioned no son.

The parish church of Rye seems to have been beset by tension between the Anglican establishment and a reformist curate. The Ensing family and their relatives were firmly in the camp of the rebellious curate. Some incidents from Walter Renshaw's "Notes from the Act Books of the Archdeaconry Court of Lewes" are illustrative.

On August 11, 1618, at the Archdeaconry Court of Lewes, Thomas Warren, curate of Rye, was presented "for admitting and suffering on Mr. Hubbard, a stranger not shewing any sufficient authority in that behalf, to preache foure or five tymes in the church there, contrary to the constitutions in that case made and provided." Mr. Renshaw continued, "Mr. Hubbard had been cited in the same Court `for that he hath preached diversy tymes, and held private conventicles, in the private houses of Mr. John Pilcher and Mr. Joseph Benbricke in Rye'." The latter two names are mentioned in the 1638 will of Mrs. Ellen Bigge of Cranbrook.

Evidently, the dispute between Anglican and Puritan was not only theological, but procedural. Mr. Renshaw notes a citation, on May 29, 1621, of Rye: "Thomas Warren, cler., curate there, `for the administering the sacrament to many sitting and not kneeling'."

Such transgressions seem to eventually have led to the replacement of Mr. Warren. But, on March 16, 1623/4, Mr. Renshaw recorded this presentment from Rye: "Thomas Warren, cler., `for that he did in a forcible manner keepe Mr. James Whitaker, who is appointed o'r curate by Mr. Bryan Twyne o'r vicar, out of the pulpit when he was going to preache a funerall sermon the xxi'st of February last past; And for assembling with many others in a mutinous disordered manner the xxii of February being the sabboth day in the church, and keeping Mr. James Whitaker o'r minister out of his seat by a forcible manner from going to read divine service and preaching the word of God'."

Mr. Renshaw continues, "On the same Court day Thomas Ensing, gent., John Palmer, gent., John Benbrick, gent., Alan Cribbell, gent., and nine others were similarly charged and several persons were accused of violence and indecent speeches toward Mr. Whitaker, on name John Whitehead being further cited `for saying that Mr. Whitaker preached false doctrine'." John Benbrick is another name that appears in the will of Mrs. Ellen Bigge.

Douglas Richardson (TAG, Oct. 1980) quoted his will:

"Will of Thomas Ensigne (PCC Audley 34, Probated 27 March 1632): In the name of God Amen, The ffourteenth day of December in the yeare of the incarnacon of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ One thousand six hundred thirtie one And in the yeare of our Soveraigne Lord Kinge Charles by the grace of God Kinge of great brittayne ffraunce and Ireland the Seaven defender of the true and auncient and Apostolicke faith I being in good remembrance, I thank god for it, doe make this my last will and Testament in manner and form following ffirst I bequeath my Soule unto Allmighty God my Creator And to Jesus Christ my Redeemer, and to the holy ghost, my Sanctifier, three persons, one true and everliving God, Concerning my body I committ it to the Earth to be buried at the discrecon of my Executor not doubting but at the great day of the generall resurreccon I shall receive it againe by the mightie power of Allmightie God, not a weake fraile, and mortall body as it now is, but an imortall santified body, through the meritts of Jesus Christ, Concerning my worldly goods Item first I give unto the poore of the Towne of Rye Twenty shillings Item I give unto my sonne Thomas Ensing tenne pounds currant money Item I give unto my sonne David Ensinge five pounds of money my grograine gowne and my best cloke lying at my Cosin Biggs at Cranbrooke in Kent Item I give to my daughter Marie five pounds, and to her sonne Thomas Couchman my godsonne three pound and to Constance and Elizabeth Couchman Twenty shillings either of them Item I give unto my daughter Constance Ensing five pounds All the rest of my lands and goods wheresoever it lyeth I give unto my sonne James Ensing whom I make my Sole Executor of this my last will and Testament Provided allway that if my sonne Thomas Ensinge doe pay to his brother Jeames Ensing one hundreth and twenty pouns of good and lawfull money of England at or beforre the end of one yeare next after my decease, then Jeames shall resigne to his brother Thomas that land I bought of Anne Wyborne before my sonne Thomas did marry with the said Anne Wyborne, but if my sonne Thomas doe fayle in paying the hundreth and twentie pounds as is above menconed Then my sonne Jeames to hold that land to huimselfe and his heires for ever, he performing the payment of my debts and legacies as above menconed I doe intreat my faithfull and loving Friend Mr. Small hoppe Bigge to be my Overseer to this my last will, and he to have for his paynes Twenty shillings. In witness of the truth that this is my last Will I have hereunto sett my hand and seale. [signed] Thomas Ensing the elder. Witnesses hereof: Humfrey Streete, John Bishipp. Probated the 27th day of March 1632 by James Ensing son and executor."

Thomas Ensinge and Constance Pilcher had the following children:

• 2 i. John² Ensinge was born in Rye, Sussex, England, before June 8, 1595 (chr. date). John died 1620 in London, England, at age 25. He was christened June 8, 1595 in Rye, Sussex, England.⁽⁴⁾

• + 3 ii. Thomas Ensign was born before April 15, 1599 (chr. date).

• 4 iii. Edward Ensign was born in Rye, Sussex, England, before May 10, 1601 (chr. date). Edward died date unknown at age unknown. He was christened May 10, 1601 in Rye, Sussex, England.⁽⁵⁾ His fate is unknown. No Ensigns have been found in England after the emigration of his brothers.

• 5 iv. David Ensign was born in Rye, Sussex, England, before July 3, 1603 (chr. date). David died after 1630/1 in maybe, Rye, Sussex, England, at age unknown. He was christened July 3, 1603 in Rye, Sussex, England.⁽⁶⁾ His fate is unknown. No Ensigns have been found in England after the emigration of his brothers.

• + 6 v. James Ensign was born before June 1, 1606 (chr. date).

• 7 vi. Constance Ensign was born in Rye, Sussex, England, before November 13, 1608 (chr. date). Constance died after 1630/1 at age unknown. She was christened November 13, 1608 in Rye, Sussex, England.⁽⁷⁾

• + 8 vii. Mary Ensinge was born before 1609.

3. Thomas² Ensign (Thomas¹ Ensinge)⁽⁸⁾ was born in Rye, Sussex, England, before April 15, 1599 (chr. date). Thomas died 1663 in Duxbury, MA, at age 64.

He married twice. He married Anne (Hanna) Wyborne April 27, 1629 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽⁹⁾ Anne was born date unknown in Kent, England. Her body was interred January 20, 1638/9 in Biddenden, Kent, England.⁽¹⁰⁾ He married Elizabeth Wilder January 17, 1638/9 in Plymouth Colony.⁽¹¹⁾ Elizabeth was born before 1619 in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England. Elizabeth⁽¹²⁾ was the daughter of Thomas Wilder and Martha Keene. Elizabeth died 1688 in probably, Marshfield, MA, at age 69.

Dr. Edwin Wilder has pointed out that she married two months after her presumed mother's arrival in New England.

He was christened April 15, 1599 in Rye, Sussex, England.⁽¹³⁾ Thomas's estate was probated June 9, 1664 in General Court, Plymouth Colony.⁽¹⁴⁾

Some authors have given him another daughter, Elizabeth, said to have married Nicholas Wade, but no such name appears in the wills of Thomas Sr. and Jr. As mentioned in TAG 61:47, the author Mary Lovering Holman has convincingly argued that Nicholas Wade actually married Elizabeth Hanford.

Thomas Ensign and Anne (Hanna) Wyborne had the following children:

• 9 i. Hannah³ Ensign was born in Biddenden, Kent, England, before September 11, 1631 (chr. date). Hannah died date unknown at age unknown. Her body was interred November 5, 1631 in Biddenden, Kent, England.⁽¹⁵⁾ She was christened September 11, 1631 in Biddenden, Kent, England.⁽¹⁶⁾

• 10 ii. Thomas Ensign was born in Biddenden, Kent, England, before November 4, 1632 (chr. date). Thomas died date unknown at age unknown. His body was interred January 15, 1632/3 in Biddenden, Kent, England.⁽¹⁷⁾ He was christened November 4, 1632 in Biddenden, Kent, England.⁽¹⁸⁾

• 11 iii. Thomas Ensign⁽¹⁹⁾ was born in Biddenden, Kent, England, before March 26, 1634 (chr. date). Thomas died 1657 in Cranbrook, Kent, England, at age 23. He was christened March 26, 1634 in Biddenden, Kent, England.⁽²⁰⁾ Thomas's estate was probated March 24, 1657/8.⁽²¹⁾ His will gives important clues about the origin of his father:

  "This third date of September 1657, I Thomas Ensigne of Cranbrook in the Countie of Kent, Yeoman, being sicke and weeke in body do make this my last will and testament:

  I give and bequeath unto my uncle William Austen 20 s; to my aunt, his wife, 20 s.; to my cousins Hannah Miller, William Austen, Sarah Austen and Mary Austen 20 s. a piece; to my cousin Sarah Johnson widow, relict of Ambrose Johnson, late Biddenden Co., Kent, cloth worker deceased 6 s 6d; to my cousins Martha Woodall, and ----- Woodall, the two daughters of Richard Woodall of Biddenden, clothier 6 s 8 d a piece. I ordain and make my cousin John Austen, son of my uncle William Austen, sole executor of this my last will, unto whom I give full power to take up the yearly rents of my lands situate in Staplehurst and Cranburke, now in the occupation of Lawrence Tyler for me during the term of five years, to pay my legacies aforesaid and also to pay to Christopher Barnes of Biddenden, yeoman 77 pounds when the same shall become due.

  I give and bequeath unto my dearly beloved father, Thomas Ensigne in Nue England all the rents and profits of my message, barn, garden, orchared, close and six pieces of land containing 26 acres being the same mentioned before now in the occupation of Lawrence Tyler to the use and behoof only of my said father and heirs, assigns during his natural life. After the end of five years next after my decease; and as for the fee simple of my said messuage and land, as I expressed in one deed of division bearing the date 1632/3, I give the same to my brother John Ensign, his heirs and assigns forever provided always that my said brother do pay out my two sisters, Hannah and Sarah ten pounds a piece at their several days of marriage or ages of twenty years which shall first accede. And further my mind and will that what goods shall be sent to me from New England which I shortly expect my executor and my loving friend, Mr. Harman Sheaf whom I make overseer of this my will shall sell the same to the best of advantage and make return thereof to the use of my brother and sisters in New England.

  Pr. 24 Mar. 1657/8________________________________________Thom as Ensign

• + 12 iv. John Ensign was born before April 3, 1636 (chr. date).

Thomas Ensign and Elizabeth Wilder had the following children:

• + 13 v. Hannah Ensign was born before July 6, 1640 (chr. date).

• 14 vi. Sarah Ensign was born in probably, Hingham, MA, after 1640. Sarah died after 1663/4 at age unknown.

6. James² Ensign (Thomas¹ Ensinge) was born in Rye, Sussex, England, before June 1, 1606 (chr. date). James died 1670 in Hartford, CT, at age 64.

He married Sarah Elson date unknown. Sarah was born date unknown. Sarah died May 1676 in Hartford, CT, at age unknown.⁽²²⁾

He was christened June 1, 1606 in Rye, Sussex, England.⁽²³⁾ James immigrated to destination unknown 1634. James's estate was probated March 2, 1670/1.⁽²⁴⁾

James Ensign and Sarah Elson had the following children:

• 15 i. Sarah³ Ensign. Sarah died June 23, 1659 in Windsor, CT, at age unknown.⁽²⁵⁾ She married John Rockwell May 6, 1651.⁽²⁶⁾ John was born date unknown. John died date unknown at age unknown.

• 16 ii. Mary Ensign. Mary died July 1, 1723 in Suffield, CT, at age unknown. She married Samuel Smith date unknown. Samuel was born date unknown. Samuel died date unknown at age unknown.

• 17 iii. David Ensign was born in Hartford, CT, November 26, 1644. David died date unknown at age unknown. He married Mehitable Gunn October 22, 1663.⁽²⁷⁾ Mehitable was born date unknown. Mehitable died date unknown at age unknown.

• 18 iv. Hannah Ensign was born in Hartford, CT, circa 1646. Hannah died date unknown at age unknown. She married Joseph Easton date unknown.⁽²⁸⁾ Joseph was born date unknown. Joseph died date unknown at age unknown.

• 19 v. Lydia Ensign was born in Hartford, CT, before August 19, 1649 (chr. date). Lydia died date unknown in childhood, at age unknown. She was christened August 19, 1649 in Hartford, CT.

8. Mary² Ensinge (Thomas¹) was born in probably, Rye, Sussex, England, before 1609. Mary died before 1641 in maybe, Rye, Sussex, England, at age unknown.

She married Robert Couchman before 1627 in probably, Kent, England. Robert was born date unknown in maybe, Cranbrook, Kent, England. Robert died date unknown at age unknown.

Mary Ensinge and Robert Couchman had the following children:

• 20 i. Thomas³ Couchman was born in Cranbrook, Kent, England, before October 7, 1627 (chr. date). Thomas died after 1637/8 at age unknown. He was christened October 7, 1627 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽²⁹⁾

• 21 ii. Constance Couchman was born in Cranbrook, Kent, England, before January 25, 1628/9 (chr. date). Constance died date unknown at age unknown. She was christened January 25, 1628/9 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽³⁰⁾

• 22 iii. Elizabeth Couchman was born in Cranbrook, Kent, England, before January 1, 1630/1 (chr. date). Her body was interred July 22, 1637 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽³¹⁾ She was christened January 1, 1630/1 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽³²⁾

• 23 iv. David Couchman was born in Cranbrook, Kent, England, before September 29, 1633 (chr. date). David died date unknown at age unknown. He was christened September 29, 1633 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽³³⁾

• 24 v. Robert Couchman was born in Cranbrook, Kent, England, before October 11, 1635 (chr. date). Robert died date unknown in infancy, probably, at age unknown. He was christened October 11, 1635 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽³⁴⁾

• 25 vi. Mary Couchman was born in Cranbrook, Kent, England, before June 17, 1638 (chr. date). Her body was interred June 30, 1638 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽³⁵⁾ She was christened June 17, 1638 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.⁽³⁶⁾

12. John³ Ensign (Thomas², Thomas¹ Ensinge) was born in Biddenden, Kent, England, before April 3, 1636 (chr. date). John died March 26, 1676 in battle, Rehoboth, MA, at age 39.

He married Elizabeth (Ensign) circa 1668. Elizabeth was born circa 1645 in maybe, Scituate, MA. (Additional notes for Elizabeth (Ensign)⁽³⁷⁾) Elizabeth died before 1676 at age unknown.

He was christened April 3, 1636 in Biddenden, Kent, England.⁽³⁸⁾ He was killed in the Battle of Rehoboth, in King Philip's War. His will, made a few days before going to fight the Indians, left all to his daughter Hannah; his wife had previously deceased.

John Ensign and Elizabeth (Ensign) had the following child:

• 26 i. Hannah⁴ Ensign was born in Second Church, Scituate, MA, before May 29, 1670 (chr. date). Hannah died date unknown at age unknown. She married Steven Otis January 16, 1685/6 in Scituate, MA.⁽³⁹⁾ Steven was born date unknown. Steven died date unknown at age unknown.

  She was christened May 29, 1670 in Second Church, Scituate, MA.⁽⁴⁰⁾

13. Hannah³ Ensign (Thomas², Thomas¹ Ensinge) was born in Hingham, Plymouth Colony, before July 6, 1640 (chr. date). Hannah died March 14, 1697/8 in probably, Milton, MA, at age 57.⁽⁴¹⁾

She married Thomas Shepard November 19, 1658 in Malden, MA.⁽⁴²⁾ Thomas was born circa 1636 in Dedham, MA. Thomas was the son of Ralph Shepard and Thanklord Perkins. Thomas died September 29, 1719 in probably, Milton, MA, at age 83. The Shepard Families of New England Vol. I, "Ralph Shepard of Dedham", (1971), proves his parents by a deed in Middlesex County land records Book 14, pp.562-64, between Wm and Walter Power, sons of Trial Shepard, and "their two cousins vizt. Ralph Shepard and Jacob Shepard", of which the only two such were the sons of this Thomas. Thomas' gravestone at Milton says he died in his 87th year. This was apparently an exaggeration, as he wasn't on the 1635 ship that brought his parents. He testified at Ipswitch in 1684 that he was about age 48.

She was christened July 6, 1640 in Hingham, Plymouth Colony.⁽⁴³⁾

Hannah Ensign and Thomas Shepard had the following children:

• 27 i. Thomas⁴ Shepard was born in maybe Malden, MA, circa 1660. Thomas died April 18, 1726 in East Haven, CT, at age 65. He married Hannah Blanchard December 7, 1682 in Charlestown, MA. Hannah was born circa 1670. Hannah was the daughter of George Blanchard. Hannah died date unknown at age unknown.

• 28 ii. Hannah Shepard was born in maybe Malden, MA, circa 1662. Hannah died date unknown in maybe, Charlestown, MA, at age unknown. She married Joseph Blanchard April 13, 1681 in Charlestown, MA. Joseph was born circa 1653. Joseph was the son of George Blanchard. Joseph died October 24, 1694 in Charlestown, MA, at age 41.

• 29 iii. Ralph Shepard was born in Malden, MA, January 5, 1664/5. Ralph died January 26, 1721/2 in Milton, MA, at age 57. He married Mary (Shepard) date unknown. Mary was born circa 1665. Mary died date unknown at age unknown.

• 30 iv. John Shepard was born in maybe Malden, MA, circa 1669. John died March 9, 1690/1 in Quebec, Canada, at age 21. He married Persis Pierce March 26, 1690 in Charlestown, MA. Persis was born January 30, 1668/9 in Charlestown, MA. Persis died June 25, 1748 at age 79. Died of wounds received in attack on Quebec by the Phipps expedition against the French in Canada. John(3) Shepard of Stoughton claimed by right of his uncle John Shepard, who served under Major Wade, a grant of land in Ashburnham MA made to soldiers of the Canada expedition of 1691.

• 31 v. David Shepard was born in maybe Malden, MA, circa 1671. David died date unknown at age unknown. He married Rebecca Curtis April 12, 1699 in Taunton, MA. Rebecca was born circa 1675. Rebecca died date unknown at age unknown.

• 32 vi. Jacob Shepard was born in maybe Malden, MA, circa 1674. Jacob died 1718 in Dorchester, Massachusetts Bay Colony, at age 44. He married Mercy Chickering November 22, 1699 in Medford, MA. Mercy was born March 13, 1667/8 in Charlestown, MA. Mercy died March 1730/1 in Wrentham, MA, at age 63.

• 33 vii. Isaac Shepard was born in Charlestown, MA, May 1682. Isaac died June 4, 1724 in Norton, MA, at age 42. He married Elizabeth Fuller December 31, 1702 in Cambridge, MA. Elizabeth was born January 22, 1679/0 in Cambridge, MA. Elizabeth died June 29, 1761 in Weston, MA, at age 81.

Notes and References

Index

(Ensign)

(Shepard)

Blanchard

Chickering

Couchman

Curtis

Easton

Elson

Ensign

Ensinge

Fuller

Gunn

Otis

Pierce

Pilcher

Rockwell

Shepard

Smith

Wilder

Wyborne

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