Descendants of William Christopher Wescott - Person Sheet
Spouses
Notes for Ralph SMITH
pg 366697
pg 17642
Vol 1- Pedigree # 3266644
Family 54-pg 50641
"Smith" is the most widespread name in the world. A "smith" in medieval times was a worker in metal. "Smythe" and "Smyth" are closer to the original spelling than "Smith". The name was introduced from Greece to Egypt and assumed as a personal name around 227 BC.
Ralph was born in 1610 in Hingham, Norfolk, which is only about 30 miles north of Walsham-le-Willows. Ralph was a Puritan, emigrating from Norfolk to Mass by way of the ship "Elizabeth Bonaventure" from Yarmouth, England on June 15th,1633. The ship sailed into a small harbour called "Bare Cove", so called because only the bare flats could be seen at low tide. In 1637 his name shows up in the Hingham, Mass, records as having drawn a house lot at Bachelor St in the town, at or near "Pea Tree Hill". In 1638, he married Elizabeth Hobart, in Hingham, Mass, and after her death in 1654, he married Grace, the widow of Thomas Hatch. As late as 22 Sep 1652, he is spoken of in the probate records of Sufflok County, Mass. About 1653 he moved to Eastham, was listed as a registered voter there on 22 May 1655, took the "oath of fidelity" on 25 Oct 1657, and was chosen constable of Eastham in 1660 and appointed to superintend the cutting of drift whales. Ralph was prosperous, being one of the wealthiest residents of Eastham. On 03 Mar 1662/63, Ralph was fined 10s for striking William Walker during a dispute over a whale, and his son, Samuel, was fined for saying that he "...could find it in his heart to stick a pen into William Walker...". In 1669, Ralph appeared in Plymouth Colony Court with his son, Samuel, to answer charges brought against them by Josias Cooke. He would have been in his 70's when he died in 1685. Ralph's second wife, Grace, and his son Samuel, were named administrators of his estate, the Court Order dated 27 Oct 1685 reading "...administration is granted by this court to Grace Smith, relict of Ralph Smith, and Samuel Smith, son of said Ralph Smith, all of the chattels of Ralph Smith..."
pg 17642
Vol 1- Pedigree # 3266644
Family 54-pg 50641
"Smith" is the most widespread name in the world. A "smith" in medieval times was a worker in metal. "Smythe" and "Smyth" are closer to the original spelling than "Smith". The name was introduced from Greece to Egypt and assumed as a personal name around 227 BC.
Ralph was born in 1610 in Hingham, Norfolk, which is only about 30 miles north of Walsham-le-Willows. Ralph was a Puritan, emigrating from Norfolk to Mass by way of the ship "Elizabeth Bonaventure" from Yarmouth, England on June 15th,1633. The ship sailed into a small harbour called "Bare Cove", so called because only the bare flats could be seen at low tide. In 1637 his name shows up in the Hingham, Mass, records as having drawn a house lot at Bachelor St in the town, at or near "Pea Tree Hill". In 1638, he married Elizabeth Hobart, in Hingham, Mass, and after her death in 1654, he married Grace, the widow of Thomas Hatch. As late as 22 Sep 1652, he is spoken of in the probate records of Sufflok County, Mass. About 1653 he moved to Eastham, was listed as a registered voter there on 22 May 1655, took the "oath of fidelity" on 25 Oct 1657, and was chosen constable of Eastham in 1660 and appointed to superintend the cutting of drift whales. Ralph was prosperous, being one of the wealthiest residents of Eastham. On 03 Mar 1662/63, Ralph was fined 10s for striking William Walker during a dispute over a whale, and his son, Samuel, was fined for saying that he "...could find it in his heart to stick a pen into William Walker...". In 1669, Ralph appeared in Plymouth Colony Court with his son, Samuel, to answer charges brought against them by Josias Cooke. He would have been in his 70's when he died in 1685. Ralph's second wife, Grace, and his son Samuel, were named administrators of his estate, the Court Order dated 27 Oct 1685 reading "...administration is granted by this court to Grace Smith, relict of Ralph Smith, and Samuel Smith, son of said Ralph Smith, all of the chattels of Ralph Smith..."