Page 211 DURGIN, “2 William”76
His house at Lubberland was a garrison; paid in 1695 for boarding soildiers. (Topography from the front of the book states “Lubberland, the region in Durham north of the Lamprey River”)76
NEGHS vol 4, pg 249, vol 6, pg 37516
The Durgin Scroll: The complete records were given to John Worthen Durgin by a friend who found them in an attic in Kittery, Maine. The records were contained in a brown cylindrical tube 2-7/8 inches diameter and 13-7/8 inches long. On the green portion of the tube was stamped the name Charles C. Durgin. "A scroll, forty feet in length, recording Durgin family genealogy beginning with William Durgin, who was living in Oyster River in 1663 and ending in the early 1850's, the property of Charles Clifford Durgin, was found in an attic in Kittery, Maine and presented to John Worthen Durgin of Portsmouth, NH, who in turn is presenting it to the New Hampshire Historical Society". 491,501
Possibly: (Ancestry World Tree) John Durgin of Devon, England b. btw 1560 & 1590 and d aft 1643, wife unknown, had a son William Durgin, born Kent Eng, 1630. There is an entry in the IGI 2.16-British Isles, LDS: John Durgin, event: Christening, Date: 1561; Place: Devon, Devonshire, Eng:
Ted Durgan states that William's first wifes name was Martha (Not Cross). The information was found in an old Durgin Bible, whereabouts currently unknown. She was prob born in England, was the mother of William's son William, she may have died in childbirth or left the family
There is evidence available that points to William Durgin & William Durgee/Dirkee being two seperate individuals. Durgee was born abt 1630 and dies abt 1712 in Ipswich, MA. Durgee married, 20 Dec 1664, Martha Cross, b. 1643. She dies after William Durgin, William Durgee and Catherine Matthews. William Durgee was a Catholic in England who left England due to religious persecution. He went to Barbadoes, then to Ipswich, MA. Many records are available in/on Ipswich, MA, (including witness in depositions) that show that he and Martha lived there and conducted themselves amongst the town people for many years. Martha follows her son to CT sometime after death of husband. Martha dies and is buried in CT. Durgee would have had to live a double life or not believe in the faith he followed, if he were to be the same person as Durgin. For Martha to be the mother of Durgin's two sons, William & James, she would have to spend time in two different locations, leaving one set of children in the care of someone else for extended periods of time. Durgin's son William marries Elizabeth Pinder 1698 and raises a family in NH. Durgee/Dirkee's son William marries Rebecca Gould 1704.
The Soc of Gen of Durkee: William, b. about 1632, Ireland and may have been the first Irishman to settle in Mass Bay Colony. He arrived in America, 9 Nov 1663, as the indentured servant of Thomas Bishop, having been in Barbadoes, probably as a slave of Cromwells. Martha Cross, b. 14 Feb 1643, daughter of Robert Cross and Anna/Hannah Jordon. She was probably employed in the household of Thomas Bishop. William and Martha mrd, 20 Dec 1664, after Robert sued William for abusing his daughter and William countersued Robert for withdrawing his consent to marriage after giving it. Two weeks later, their first child, John, was born on 3 Jan 1665. Then followed: Thomas b. 1666, Martha b. Aug 1668, Elizabeth b. 1670, William, 1672, Anna b abt Oct 1680, Mercy b. 1684. William and Martha were the likely parents of, Jane b. Jan 1674, Mary b. Apr 1678 & Henry b. May 1682. William could not own land because he would not renounce his catholicism. The name Durgee is found spelt several different ways in court documents but never as Durgin. The first William Durgee does not name a son James or Francis. His son Thomas does have a son James, b. 1721 in Windham, CT. Durgee could not possibly be Durham, NH being taxed 1663-4. He had just arrived from Barbaodes, in Nov 1663, as a penniless indentured servant of Thomas Bishop and could not own land or be taxed.
NEHGS: Durgie, William, came to Ipswich Nov 09 1663 and was then 33 years old. Had been in the West Indies and came here from thence. Wife Martha.
Passengers to America by Michael Tepper, pg 468: Durgie, William came to Ipswich, Nov 9 1663 and was then 33 years old. He had been in the W. Indies and came here from thence. Wife Martha. "Perhaps" his name is that since written "Durgin" This would make Durgie's birth year abt 1630. William Durgin, in a NH deposition, states his age as 35 in 1677-78, leading one to believe he was born in 1643. Tepper's text lead some to believe that Durgie and Durgin are the same individual. Savage also makes similar comment about the two men. 275,443,491,487,512,501,511,514,489
What Do We Know About William Durgin - research paper by William Pasquina (retired lawyer) - excerpts: "William Durgin was born in 1643, some say in Kent, England and others say Ireland. He died in 1701 in Durham, NH. The town granted him 100 acres in an area called Lumbberland on what is called Oyster Creek. The town of Durham first taxed William in 1663 (Note that Dirgee/Durkee is only just arriving in Ipswich, MA, from Barbadoes, in Nov 1663). [Excerpts From Butler & Kinfolk, Elmer Ellsworth Butler as reported by Pasquina] Durkee was a servant to Thomas Bishop, of Ipswich. William Durkee was an Irish Catholic Soldier captured on the battlefield by Cromwell's forces and sold into virtual slavery in Barbados, where he toiled on sugar plantations. Being among the thousands freed by proclamation of Charles II and having no means of support, he sold his services to Bishop, Ipswich mechant, and was taken to that settlement. There he married Martha Cross in 1664, shortly after his arrival. Durkee was fined for not attending church, fine paid by Bishop. Sentenced to 25 lashes or pay a fine of 5 pounds for running away. Questioned by the Court as to his ability to support a wife.
Comparison, by William Pasquina
William Durgin...............................................................................William Durgee
born: 1643 (deposition, age 35 in 1678)........................................1632
Drogedha: 6 yrs old...(Drogheda Under Cromwell in Ireland)......17 yrs old
mrd: first unknown
......25 June 1672, Durham.....................................................1664, Ipswich, MA
.....Katherine Matthews, wid of Thomas Footman......................Martha Cross
Taxed: 1663, 1664 to 1677
Add'l Evidence:
.....Court Petition in Durham, NH 25 June 1675...................1664, deposition at Ipswich
.....1695 signed Petition for troops............................ .29 Mar 1673 Witness to mortgage in Ipswich
.....1695 signed Petition for food for troops........................17 Nov 1679 Surety in Ipswich
.............................................................................................9 Jun 1680 Witness at Ipswich in rape case
............................................................................................17 Mar 1683 in Ipswich, Witness deposition
...................................................................................................1683 - Witness on a Will filed at Ipswich
Death: abt 1701, as evidenced by court.............................unknown
.....documents about admin of estate in
.....1702 & 1703
Notes added by Debra Wilmes
Catherine Matthews Footman Durgin d. abt......................Martha Cross Durgee follows some of her
.....Sep 1705, Strafford Cnty, NH......................................children to CT, where she later dies on 11
Jan 1726/1727, Windham, CT
Quoted comment from William Pasquina's report
"I don't deny the fact of bigamy, which was punishable by death under the Puritan laws, but I can't conceive how a man could live and maintain two farms, two families and fight the Indians while living 60 miles apart, in those days. It was a three day trip by foot from Durham to Ipswich, although you could sail it in a days trip. The Durgee/Durgin name was spelt at least 10 different ways. In the cases I have provided, the court scribe spelled it five ways in the same case. The Untied States didn't regonize standardized spelling until Noah Webster, in the 19 Century. Durgee definitely stayed in Ipswich, becoming what appears to be a respectable citizen. Durgin kept himself busy in Durham. I render this verdict to date." Sworn in court in Ipswich, are several statements about Martha Cross & William Durgee: Writ dated Feb 22 1664: Margaret Bishop, Grace Searl, Thomas Bishop, Mary Bishop testified as to the ongoing relationship of Margaret Cross and William Durgee Writ dated Sept 22 1664: Goodman Storie, William Nelson, John Bishop testified as to the relationship of Margaret Cross and William Durgee Ipswich Public Library; Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Vol 9, Durgey, Dergey, Durge, Durgee, William, 148, 180-185, 191
148: 1683-84 William Durgey was a witness on a will of Killecresse Ross. He was in Ipswich this date.
180: Thomas Bishop vis. John Brown, Writ 3-17-1683-84 (see case) - William Durgey aged about 52 years, deposed in this case. Sworn in court 3 Feb 1670: Mortgage deed from Thomas (his mark) Bishop Sr. of Ipswich to Thomas Deane of Boston....his farm on the South sideof the river in Ipswich wherein he fomerly dwelt, now in occupation of Thomas Bishop Jr., Cornelius Kent and William Durgee...
191: Thomas Bishop vis John Andrews, et al...William Durgey, aged about 52 years, testified. Sworn in Court vol 8, p 15: William Nelson was complained of by Abraham Martin on July 9, 1680...He was bound with John Andrewes, Sr., William Butler, William Durgey and Thomas Marshall as sureties
Vo 8, p 310: 11-17-1679 - Rates of Taxation on Durgey
Vol 7, p 379: 4 May 1689-Along with others William Durgee is mentioned as witness to this case
Vol 7, pg 380: above case cont. William Durgey, age 48 years, deposed in the case
Vol 5, pg 136: Court at Ipswich 25 March 1673 - William Durgye testified. Sworn in Court
Vol 4, pg 77: Court held at Salem 24 Sep 1668: Petition dtd 24 Nov 1668...William (his mark) Durgy, and his wife, asking clemency of the court in behalf of Benjamin Marshall, their neighbor at Chebacco.
William lived on the north shore of Great Bay, next west of Crommett's Creek, Oyster River 1661 - taxed 1663, 1664 to 1677. "William Durgin, the first known of in this country, settled in the Oyster River Plantation of Dover now Durham, NH before, or during the year 1663; as his name appears on the Oyster River tax list that year for the first time. The writer of this has seen a bond given by him in 1694 which has been handed down through his descendants & in the Autumn of 1845 was in the possession of Mrs. Lettice, widow of Zebulon Durgin of Durham. She was then residing with her daughter Susan, wife of John Crogan, Esq. of Sandwich, NH. His name on the bond was written with a full strong hand, "William Durgin". He had a house at Lubberland, located on the north shore of Great Bay, next west of Crommet's Creek.
Age 35 in 1678 depositon, when he testified about a meadow near Goddards Creek. (NHEGSvol 6, pg 251)
The Durgin Scroll states that, he (William) having died in 1701-02, his widow Catharine was appointed administratrix of his property 30 Dec 1702. She was to have her thirds. His son James is mentioned as being indebted to his mother-in-law and father's estate. Landmarks of Ancient Dover, NH gives the following account of his death: he was killed by Indians and his seven daughters were taken to Bloody Rock where they were barbarously killed. Additional evidence of this event and records of these supposed daughters has not been found outside of the comment in the above noted book. His wife was appt admin of estate 30 Nov 1703 - this date conflicts with that given in the Durgin Scroll. Early Mrgs of Strafford Cnty, NH says he was living in 1694, dead in 170389,275,443,491,487,512,501,489,510,506,509,514,511