An Early American Immigrant and a Connection to the Salem Witch Trials

On March 11, 1635 a ship known as the Susan and Ellen, captained by Edward Payne, set sail from London for New England. The 94 passengers were a part of the Great Migration that brought more than 30,000 people on dozens of ships from England to New England in the 1630s. Among these passengers was John North, age 20. It seems like most of the ships passengers settled in and around Ipswich, Mass. John was granted 3 acres of land in Ipswich. He later sold his house and property in Ipswich and moved to Farmington in Hartford County, Connecticut. I admit I got a little excited about a connection to Hartford, being a long time fan of the show, Gilmore Girls, based in a fictional town in Hartford.

How I learned about John North
This line is very new to me and I have only read a tiny fraction of all that is available on this family. I have known about my 5 great grandmother, Hannah Woodruff, for years but I've never been able to get past her. New documents are constantly being made available and that combined with my DNA I was able to bust through this genealogical brick wall. I just didn't realize that behind the wall was river of information. Hannah's parents were Isabella Yale* and Ransom Erastus Woodruff. What a name. Ransom was born in 1783 in Farmington, CT, where his family had been for over 150 years. Ransom's mother was Lois North, great, great granddaughter of the John North who immigrated from England.

John North's Famous Co-Passenger
As I was researching this family, I found the passenger list for the Susan and Ellen. Reading the list one name jumped out at me: John Proctor. Where did I recognize that name from? A quick Google search confirmed that John Proctor who was just 3 years old when he arrived in America would one day be accused of witchcraft along with his wife, Elizabeth. What must John North have thought about the events that were happening in Salem? Surely he remembered the toddler he shared a ship with for those months. Either way, I am sure he was glad he wasn't in Massachusetts any longer.

John North's Impressive Pedigree

Dudley, Third Baron North.
My 12th great grandfather

John North's father was John Dudley North, 3rd Baron North. Dudley was the son of Sir John North and Dorothy Dale, daughter of Sir Valentine Dale. He inherited his title from his grandfather, Roger North, 2nd Baron North. Roger was the son of Edward North, 1st Baron North, and so it keeps going all the way back to Godwin, Earl of Wessex (1001-1053), father of King Harold II who was eventually killed by William, Duke of Normandy, also known as William the Conqueror. Whether John North was descended from Harold or one of his brothers seems to be a source of debate.

My Connection to John North
John North is my 2nd great grandmother, Beulah Mae Spees, 7th great grandfather. My 11th great grandfather.

*Isabella Yale - Also of interest in this family is Hannah Woodruff's mother, Isabella. This line has been traced back all the way to Ryddrech Rhodri ap Euddigan born 210 A.D. in Powys, Wales. I have not researched this other than a quick look through the sources and a look at Welsh history to make sure this is possible and it looks legitimate!

Sources:

• Whittemore, Henry, Genealogical Guide to the Early Settlers of America, Reprinted in Baltimore, MD, Clearfield Company, Inc 1906
• Heritage Consulting, Millennium File, Provo, UT, Ancestry.com Operations, 2003
• Ancestry.com, New England, The Great Migration and The Great Migration Begins, 1620-1635, Provo, UT, Ancestry.com Operations, 2013
• Ancestry.com, North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000, Ancesty.com Operasion, Provo, UT 2016
• Geni.com
• Findagrave.com
• wikitree.com