USA > Massachusetts > History of the Military company of the Massachusetts, now called the Ancient and honorable artillery company of Massachusetts. 1637-1888, Vol. I > Part 23
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
Elder Bowles was a leading member of the Massachusetts company for colonizing New England, and was a warm friend of the apostle Eliot, who said of him, " Prudent and gracious men set over our churches for the assistance of their pastors, such helps in government had he [Eliot] been blessed withal, the best of which was the well- deserving Elder Bowles [1645]. God helps him to do great things among us." The family of John Bowles ( 1645) was prominent in town affairs for nearly a century.
John Bowles (1645) married (1) Dorothy, who died Nov. 3, 1649 ; (2) April 2, 1650, Elizabeth, a daughter of Elder Isaac Heath, who died July 6, 1655, and (3) Sarah, widow of Francis Chickering (1643), who died May 23, 1687.
Sergt. John Bowles (1645) was confirmed as ensign of the Roxbury company Sept. 9, 1653. He was one of the petitioners to the General Court, Oct. 25, 1664, when there was a constant struggle for colonial rights under the charter, requesting the honored court to "stand fast in our present liberty's," and assuring the members that they will pray the Lord to " assist them to stere right in these shaking times."
Daniel Gookin (1645), of Cambridge, emigrated with his father from the County of Kent, England, to Virginia in 1621, whence, in consequence of religious persecutions, or flying from the Indian massacre, he came to New England May 20, 1644. On the Sunday following, he was admitted a member of the First Church, and May 29 of the same year was admitted a freeman. In both records he is called "Captain." He resided in Boston and Roxbury a short time, but in 1647 removed to Cambridge, where he resided until his decease. In Mather's Magnalia, he is regarded as one of the converts of Thompson, - a missionary from New England to Virginia in 1642.
"Gookin was one of them: by Thompson's pains, Christ and New England, a dear Gookin gains."
He was dismissed by the Boston church to the church at Cambridge, Sept. 3, 1648. He married for his second wife Hannah, widow of Habijah Savage ( 1665) and daughter
John Bowles (1645). AUTHORITIES : Savage's Gen. Dict .; Drake's Hist. of Roxbury; Records of Mass. Bay; New Eng. Hist. and Gen. Reg, IS48, pp. 192-3; 1852, P. 372; Copp's Hill Burial-Ground, by Bridgman, p. 206.
Daniel Gookin (1645). AUTHORITIES: New Eng. Hist. and Gen. Reg., 1847, 1848, 1849, IS77, 1879; Eliot's Gen. Dict .; Hurd's Hist. of Middle- sex Co .; Paige's Hist. of Cambridge; Savage's Edi- tion of Winthrop's IIist. of New Eng .; Records of Mass. Bay.
"[1686-7] March 18. . . . I go to Charlestown Lecture, and then with Capt Hutchinson to see dying Major Gookin. He speaks to us.
" March 19, Satterday, about 5 or 6 in the morn, Maj Daniel Gookin dies, a right good Man." - Sewall Papers, Vol. I., p. 170.
He was buried Tuesday, March 22.
1 " M 7 day 21. 1680 beloved Elder Bowles deceased having bene Elder of the church 5 years & 3 months he was killed by a cart wheele running over his body.
" M 7 day 24. Deare Bro. Bowles was buried, he hath bene Elder above 5 yeare." - Roxbury Church Records, by Rev. John Eliot.
In the inventory of his estate, Nov. 10, 16So, Suffolk Probate Records, Vol. IX., folio 2, are in- cluded " Armes and Ammunition."
150-
HISTORY OF TIIE ANCIENT AND
[1645-6
of Edward Tyng (1642). Capt. Gookin (1645) for about forty years was one of the most active and useful citizens of Cambridge. He was licenser of the printing-press in in 1663 ; selectman from 1660 to 1672 ; representative, 1649 and 1651, being speaker the latter year ; an assistant from 1652 to 1686, excepting 1676, in which the prejudice against the Praying Indians, whom he befriended, prevented his election.
He succeeded William Spencer (1637) as lieutenant of the Cambridge train-band, and on Capt. George Cooke's (1638) departure to England was elected captain, being 'afterward promoted to be sergeant-major of the Middlesex Regiment. He commanded the first regiment of Middlesex on the division in 1680, and May 11, 1681, succeeded Gov. Leverett (1639) as sergeant-major-general, being the last person elected to that office under the old charter. He was described by Johnson as a " Kentish souldier," " a very forward man to advance martial discipline and withal the truths of Christ." In 1676, when major, he was very active in raising and furnishing troops for King Philip's War.
" He was trusted by Oliver Cromwell as a confidential agent, and was selected by him to assist in executing his favorite project of transplanting a colony from New England to Jamaica. He visited England twice, partly at least on public service. On his last return to this country, the two regicides, Goffe and Whalley, were his fellow- passengers, and accompanied him to Cambridge, where they arrived in July, 1660. He was therefore denounced by Randolph as their friend and protector. In the troublesome contest which commenced soon afterwards, upon the restoration of Charles II., Major Gookin [1645] was among the foremost defenders of the chartered rights of the colonists. He was as resolute in the maintenance of religious as of civil privileges, and when the Quakers disturbed the peace of the church, he was among the sternest of their judges."
He was an intimate friend of Rev. John Eliot, the apostle to the Indians, and for many years acted as a general superintendent of Indian affairs, visiting their villages, holding courts among them, and endeavoring to provide for their welfare. "His reputa- tion," says Savage, " in the present age stands justly higher than it did during a part of his life, when his benevolent attempts to serve and save the Indians were misinterpreted, much obloquy was uttered against him, and he said on the bench of justice, that he was afraid for his life in walking the streets."
He resided in Cambridge, on what is generally called the Winthrop estate, on the southerly side of Arrow Street, near the easterly angle of Bow Street. He died March 19, 1686-7, aged seventy-five years.
Mr. Whitman (1810) seems to estimate him very justly. Major-Gen. Gookin (1645) "was in disposition lively and active, which, united with generosity, prompted him to noble actions. Although somewhat tinctured with party spirit, both in religion and politics, yet he was a firm, dignified republican, and prized religious freedom as invaluable. As a magistrate, he held the sword of justice with effect, to protect the rights of his brethren ; and as a soldier, was ever ready to wield the same sword against the enemies of his country. Piety and morality shone conspicuous in his character ; he had firmness in a just cause to stem the torrent of popular invective, and convince his opponents of the wisdom and integrity of his conduct."
Robert Hinsdale (1645), of Dedham, was one of the founders of the church in that town, Nov. 8, 1638, and became a freeman March 13, 1639. He was among the first
Robert Hinsdale (1645). AUTHORITIES: Tilden's Hist. of Medfield; Dedham Records.
15I
HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
1645-6]
thirteen who took up house-lots at Medfield, and his homestead was upon North Street. He built his house there in 1652. In 1659, he purchased a bell and " brought it up for the use of the town." Soon after, the town granted him forty-six acres of land near what is now Collins' Mill, in Millis. He built a mill there, which, it is believed, was burned by the Indians in 1676. He was active in organizing the Medfield church, was one of the first board of selectmen in that town, and held the office six years.
He removed from Medfield to Hadley, and thence to Deerfield. He was harvesting in the cornfield, when he and three of his sons were killed by the Indians, at the same time, Sept. 18, 1675, when Capt. Lothrop (1645), with the " Flower of Essex," fell at Bloody Brook.
John Hutchinson (1645) has not been positively identified. There were then two families of Hutchinsons in the colony. John, of the Salem family, was not born nntil 1643. John Hutchinson, of Alford, England, was born May 18, 1598. He married, Oct. 1, 1618, Elizabeth Woodthrope. He probably married a second wife. His last child, born in England, was born Feb. 4, 1641-2. Rev. John Wheelwright was his brother-in-law. William, Samuel (1652), Richard, and Edward Hutchinson, Sr., were his brothers, and Edward (1638) his nephew, all of Boston. Whether he followed his relatives to America is a matter of uncertainty.1
Isaac Johnson (1645), of Roxbury, was the eldest son of Capt. John Johnson (1638), of Roxbury. Capt. John (1638) came in the fleet with Winthrop, bringing his wife and sons, Isaac and Humfrey. Isaac was admitted to be a freeman March 4, 1635, and became a member of the Roxbury church. He married, Jan. 30, 1637, Elizabeth Porter, of Roxbury, who died Aug. 13, 1683. He was ensign of the company in Rox- bury previous to 1653 ; on June 13 of that year was elected captain, and represented that town in the General Court in 1671. He was lieutenant of the Artillery Company in 1666, and its captain in 1667. On July 6, 1675, a body of fifty-two Praying Indians, Rev. John Eliot's converts, marched from Boston for Mount Hope under the intrepid Capt. Isaac Johnson (1645), of Roxbury, who afterwards certified that the most of them acquitted themselves courageously and faithfully. He, with five other captains, was killed while storming the Narraganset stronghold, when that fierce tribe was destroyed at the famous Fort fight, Dec. 19, 1675.
Daniel Kilhen (1645) should probably be Daniel Kilham (1645), whom Mr. Savage locates in Wenham, Mass.
Clement Koldom, or Coldam (1645), of Lynn in 1630, was a miller, born in 1622, and died April 8, 1675. He took oath, May 26, 1661, that he had known William Longley at Lynn for twenty-three years. "His recollection of matters pertaining to [Lynn's] very early days," says Mr. Newhall, of that city, " seems to have been much relied on in after years, his testimony having great weight in several important lawsuits. Not much is known of his military achievements."
Isaac Johnson (1645) .- AUTHORITIES: Sav- age's Gen. Dict .; Drake's Hist. of Roxbury; Rec- ords of Mass. Bay; New Eng. Hist. and Gen. Reg., 1885, P. 74.
Clement Koldom ( 1645). AUTHORITIES : Whitman's Hist. A. and II. A. Company; Savage's Gen. Dict.
1 New Eng. Hist. and Gen. Reg., 1847, 1865.
152
[1645-6
HISTORY OF TIIE ANCIENT AND
Thomas Lothrop (1645), of that part of Salem now Beverly, became a freeman May 14, 1634 ; was lieutenant of the Salem train-band in 1644, under Capt. Hathorne, and succeeded him in command in 1645. He represented Salem in the House of Deputies in 1647, 1653, and 1664. In 1654, a colonial force proceeded to Acadia and captured Port Royal and St. John. Capt. Thomas Lothrop (1645) was a captain under Gen. Sedgwick (1637) in that expedition. He brought home a bell, taken from a church in St. John, for the use of the people at Cape Ann Side (Beverly). In 1662, he took command of the military company at Cape Ann Side. He was one of the founders of the church there, in 1667, and represented the town in the Legislature for four years. He was active in military matters, and served as captain for years. He held that office in King Philip's War, and, with about seventy of his men, was slain at Bloody Brook, Sept. 18, 1675. Increase Mather calls him "a godly courageous commander."
He married Bethia Rea, of Salem, but left no children. His property was inherited by his sister, Ellen, the second wife of Ezekiel Cheever, the famous school-master.
William Lyon (1645), of Roxbury, came to America in 1635, aged fourteen years, in the " Hopewell," and became a freeman in 1666. He, with John Bowles (1645) and others, signed the Roxbury petition, Oct. 25, 1664, to the General Court, praying it to "stand fast in our present liberty's." Bellevue Street, in Roxbury, was formerly Lyon Street, in honor of this early settler, on which stood the old homestead. He died May 21, 1692.
Henry Parkes (1645).
Thomas Rashley (1645), of Boston, was admitted to the First Church March 8, 1640, and is called "a studyent." The next year he was in Gloucester for a short time as a preacher. His child, John, "being about six weeks old," was baptized at Boston May 18, 1645. He was settled in Exeter in 1646. Soon after, he returned to England, and was minister at Bishop Stoke, where, May 4, 1652, he baptized Samuel Sewall (1679), first of that name, chief-justice of Massachusetts. Rev. Thomas Rashley (1645) was afterward settled in Wiltshire, England.
Joshua Scottow (1645), of Boston, "chirurgeon," came to America with his widowed mother, and he joined the First Church May 19, 1639. He never took the oath of a freeman, but was appointed by the General Court, in 1645, a commissioner for regulating the exportation of powder. He was clerk of the Artillery Company in 1650 and 1651, and its ensign in 1657. Capt. Scottow (1645) was one of the founders of the Old South Church in May, 1669. His garden, consisting of about one half an acre of land, and his house were situated on Sudbury Street. He owned several other pieces of real estate in the town. He was a selectman of Boston from 1657 to 1667
Thomas Lothrop (1645). AUTHORITIES: Felt's Annals of Salem, Vol. II., p. 504; Bodge's King Philip's War.
William Lyon (1645). AUTHORITIES: Re- port of Boston Rec. Com., Vol. VI .; Drake's IIist. of Roxbury.
Thomas Rashley (1645). AUTHORITY : Sav- age's Gen. Dict.
Joshua Scottow (1645). AUTHORITIES: New Eng. Hist. and Gen. Reg., 1851, 1889; Savage's Gen. Dict .; Boston Records; Memoir of Joshua Scottow, by Hamilton A. Hill; Hill's Hist. of Old South Church.
153
HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
1645-6]
inclusive. Of his daughters, Elizabeth married Lieut .- Col. Thomas Savage (1665), Lydia married (1) Benjamin Gibbs (1666) and (2) Anthony Checkley (1662), and Mary married Samuel Checkley (1678).
Joshua Scottow (1645) was a captain in the militia, the confidential agent of La Tour in transactions with the colonial government, 1654-7, and after King Philip's War had a large property at Scarborough, (now) Me. He was captain of the garrison there, and held the office of magistrate. From Oct. 25, 1675, to May, 1676, he was actively engaged in the Indian war, and his journal in manuscript, covering that period, is in the library of the Massachusetts Historical Society.
In 1681, he was cruelly charged with the murder of a Mr. Bedford, who was proved to be accidentally drowned.1 He was the author of two curious tracts concerning the early history of New England, which were published in Boston in 1691 and 1694.2 He was an original, thoughtful, liberal man, a friend of the murdered Mrs. Hibbens. He died Jan. 20, 1698, aged eighty-three years-so his gravestone relates, which was transferred from the burying-ground to the inside of the tower of the "Old South,"3 and thence to the New Old South meeting-house.
Judge Sewall (1679) records : "Jan. 21 [1697-8]. It seems Capt Scottow died the last night. Thus in New England men drop away. Jan 22 [1697-8] Joshua Scottow is buried in the old burying place. Extream cold. No minister at funeral ; no wife nor daughter."
Elias Stileman (1645), of Salem, son of Elias, perhaps came in the fleet with Higginson in 1629. Elias (1645) was then twelve years of age. He was admitted to the Salem church Aug. 18, 1639, and became a freeman May 18, 1642. He removed about 1659 to Portsmouth, and represented that town in the House of Deputies for six years, 1667-72. He was authorized by the General Court to hold court in Dover and Portsmouth in 1667, and in York County in 1668; was a counsellor under President Cutt in 1680; a captain, then a major in the militia; representative again in 1690; secretary of New Hampshire, and died Dec. 19, 1695, aged seventy-eight years. His residence was for some years at Great Island, now Newcastle, N. H.
Israel Stoughton (1645), of Dorchester, eldest son of Lieut .- Col. Israel Stoughton (1637), was born in England. Mr. Savage adds, " There is no more mention of him, and he died before May, 1665." When admitted to the Artillery Company he was called " Mr. Israel Stoughton," and his surety was Lieut. Savage (1637).
In the Records of the First Church in Roxbury, Mass., written by Rev. John Eliot, is found the following entry : " 1647. This spring we of Roxbury wth some of Dor-
Elias Stileman (1645). AUTHORITIES: Sav- age's Gen. Dict .; Records of Mass. Bay.
1 Maine Hist. Coll., III.
2 " Mr. Scottow [1645] was a merchant of much respectability, nearly contemporary with the Governor [Bradstreet], and, during his early life, took an active interest in all the affairs of the town. But he grew despondent as he grew in years; the change of dress, manners, and social customs, from those of the first generation, seemed to him the sure presage of destruction, and he poured out his sorrow in a book of lamentations called Old Mens' Tears for their own Declensions." - Quoted in Hist. Cat. of Old South Church, 1883.
Three years later, he published A Narrative of the Planting of the Massachusetts Colony.
3 "A Venerable Relic in a Curious l'lace. - As the workmen engaged in repairing the Old South Church were removing some bricks in the tower of that edifice, on Monday morning, it became neces- sary to take out a flat stone over the place in the wall through which the connecting-rod of the hands of the north dial of the clock passed. This stone proved to he a finely-chiselled gravestone, bearing the name of Joshua Scottow, who died Jan. 20, 1697-S." - Boston Atlas, October, 1850.
154
HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND
[1646-7
chester ventured to sea in a small vessell but the master wanted sufficient experience & the vessel overmasted & was over-sett, & many weeks after came whole allmost, ashore to shew the error of men to goe to sea so rawly : many wr cast away in her, mris Stoughton's eldest sonne [1645], M' Howards Eldest sonne wth many others."
He is called Mrs. Stoughton's son because Lieut .- Col. Stoughton (1637), his father, had died two years before, in England.
Thomas Venner (1645), a wine cooper, of Salem, was admitted to the church Feb. 25, 1638, and the next month became a freeman. Mr. Felt, in the Annals of Salem, says, under date of June, 1641, "Thomas Venner [1645] at the head of a com- pany, is zealous for emigrating to Providence, W. I., and strengthening a church there." He moved to Boston prior to January, 1645, at which time his daughter Hannah was born. She was baptized in the First Church, Feb. 2, 1644-5, and her father is called "- Venner member of Ch at Salem." He was in Boston in 1649-50 also, as recorded in the Boston Records. In 1650, " 10th of first mo.," " Mr. Venner and the neighbors there about had libertie to dig a Well and Set a Pumpe therein, nere the Shop of William Davis [1643]." Mr. Venner's (1645) place was on the water's edge, near State Street, on wharf property owned by Edward Tyng (1642), whose brewery probably received its barrels from the cooper shop of Mr. Venner (1645). In 1648, he was one of seven who asked the government to make a corporation of coopers.
He returned to London in October, 1651, and followed his trade of a cooper until about 1657, when he became a preacher to a sect of enthusiasts called Fifth Monarchy Men. After the Restoration in 1660, he attempted to renew the anarchy ; "to bring in the kingdom of Jesus Christ and to drive out Charles Stuart." He, with a small number of followers, variously estimated at from fifty to five hundred, raised an insurrection in the streets of London. The Lord Mayor marched at the head of forty thousand muni- cipal troops and volunteers to quell the disturbance ; but, failing to find Mr. Venner (1645) and his disciples, who had retreated to Caen Wood, the army pulled down the meeting-house. It is said that Venner's "rogues " "put the King's life-guard to the run," and "spread consternation through the entire collection of train-bands." Finally, the insurrection was suppressed, the fanatics were captured, the formality of a trial was granted them, and Mr. Venner (1645) and twelve of his associates, who declared themselves invulnerable, were executed in January, 1661.
William Wale (1645).
1646-7 The officers elected were : Edward Gibbons (1637), captain ; Hum- frey Atherton (1638), lieutenant ; Eleazer Lusher (1638), ensign ; Thomas French (1638), first sergeant ; Richard Sprague (1638), second sergeant ; James Oliver (1640), third sergeant ; William Hudson (1640), fourth sergeant ; Anthony Stoddard (1639), clerk; John Audlin (1638), armorer, and Arthur Perry (1638), drummer.
Thomas Venner (1645). AUTIIORITIES : Pal- frey's Ilist. of New Eng .; Diary of John IIull, pp. 200, 201; See New Eng. Hist. and Gen. Reg., 1893, illustrated article on Thomas Venner, the Boston Wine Cooper and Fifth Monarchy Man, hy Dr.
Charles E. Banks, of Portland, Me.
" lIc was hung, drawn, and quartered in Lon- don, 1661, as a Fifth Monarchy Man." - Felt's Annals of Salem, Vol. 1., p. 173.
155
HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
1646-7]
The popularity and efficiency of Sergt .- Major Gibbons (1637) were shown by his election for the third time as commander, while Ensign Humfrey Atherton (1638) was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Major Lusher (1638), of Dedham, who was elected ensign, was one of the few "husbandmen " who have belonged to the Company. He was known as the " nimble-footed captain," and Mr. Johnson (1637) says, " He was one of a nimble and active spirit, strongly affected in the ways of truth - one of the right stamp, and pure metal, a gracious, humble and heavenly minded man."
The North Battery, "att Walter Merry's Point," was commenced in 1646. Edward Johnson (1637) speaks of it as " a very strong battery, built of whole timber and filled with earth." It is now Battery Wharf.
In 1646, a number of those inclined to the Presbyterian faith, among them Thomas Fowle (1639), David Yale (1640), Dr. Robert Child (1639), Samnel Maverick (1658), and John Smith (1644), presented a petition to the General Court, in which they com- pliment the government for its " eminent gifts, continual care, and constant vigilance." There could be no question as to their "care and vigilance." The petitioners asked permission to publicly worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences.
This unexpected movement produced the greatest excitement, and the petitioners were at once cited to appear in person before the General Court. They were charged with " contemptuous and seditious expressions, and were required to find sureties for their good behaviour." The case came before an adjourned session of the General Court for final settlement, when the petitioners, having been convicted of violating " the rule of the apostle," which is, "to study to be quiet and to meddle with your own business"; and having been reminded of " that sin of Korah, and of the near resemblance between theirs and that," were fined respectively in sums varying from thirty to fifty pounds.
These petitioners then determined to appeal to Parliament, and Dr. Child (1639), one of their number, who had been engaged for some time in studying the mineral wealth of Massachusetts, was appointed to go at once to England and prosecute their appeal there. This, however, coming to the knowledge of the authorities, they arrested the doctor, took from him his papers, and kept him in confinement for two or three days until the ships were gone. Mr. Winthrop complains, with much sadness, that, on this occasion, Dr. Child (1639), "a man of quality, a gentleman and a scholar," as he terms him, mani- fested a somewhat undue amount of passion, and "gave big words."
Two other persons, in the meantime, - Mr. Vassall and Mr. Fowle (1639), - managed to slip away, with the obnoxious papers in their possession, and embarked for England. Just before they sailed, Mr. Cotton delivered a Thursday lecture, in which he took occasion to inveigh against the enormous wickedness that must possess the man who would dare to go abroad on such an errand, and warned such of his hearers as might be about to cross the sea, against the perils they might expect to encounter if these seditious documents should happen to be on board the ship; adding that they would prove to be a Jonas to the voyage. " A storm did arise," says Mr. Blake in his History of Boston, " and a certain woman on board, who had heard Mr. Cotton's sermon, ran about the ship in much consternation," anxious to find out if there was a Jonas on board. "She gave Mr. Vassal a call at midnight. He asked her why she came to him. Because, she said, it was thought he had some writings against the people of God. He told her that he had only a petition to Parliament, merely praying that they might enjoy the liberty of English subjects." She next paid Mr. Fowle (1639) a visit. He told her he had a copy of the petition which himself and others had presented to the court at
156
HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND
[1646-7
Boston ; and said that, if she and others judged that to be the cause of the storm, they might have it, and do what they would with it. She took the paper to her companions, who, after consultation, decided that it should be cast overboard. It was not observed, however, that the giving of the document to the sea was followed by any favorable change in the weather, although, after a perilous passage, she reached the shores of England in safety, where Messrs. Vassall and Fowle (1639) published the genuine papers with which they were charged, under the title, " New England's Jonas Cast Up in London."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.