John Follett is believed to be the father of Robert William Follett who married Persis Black in Salem, Mass. in 1655.
There is much speculation about him, but because his name "John" is so common and used often in the Devon Folletts, it is difficult to be certain whether he was really the father of Robert or whether John might have been a brother or uncle to Robert.
A U.K. website who gained sources through Parish Records claims a John born about 1597 had four sons by an unknown wife: Robert, John, John and Edward. That site link is: www.uk-genealogy.org.uk.
Another source believes John (born about 1600), was married in England to a woman named Dorrothye Sandor. The Familysearch.org website claims their children were: Edward Follett and Nicolas Follett. Whether Dorrothye may have been also the mother of Robert is uncertain. It is suspected (by me) that John's wife (whoever she may have been)
died while he was still a fairly young man. I suspect he came to the new world with his sons.
Another contact of mine, Debra Follett, corresponded with a person in England who sent her a list
of ship owners in the early 1600's in the Devon area. On this list is a Robert
Follett who was listed three times as the owner of a ship. Their names are the
'Pellican', the 'William', and the 'Medusa'. The list was for Dartmouth in 1619. This Robert may have been a
father or brother or even an uncle of the Folletts who went to America.
There was also a Robert Follett listed as a South Devon Sailor, age 28, and a John Follett
as a sailor of Kingswear (near Dartmouth), age 30. If these lists were from 1619 also,
then this John might fit in very well as Robert Follett of Salem's father. Possibly Robert (the shipowner) could be
John's brother (or father or uncle?). As you can see, it is confusing.
Information is also available that a John Follett born in England in 1590
died in Dover, New Hampshire in 1640. This could be Robert Follett of Salem's father (or older brother?). There has been
much speculation that the original Folletts to America might have been three
brothers (Robert, William... and John or Nicholas?) who went their separate ways after arriving.
I have seen conflicting records indicating that John Follett (1590-1640) was father
of Nicholas Follett (born 8/15/1624 in Stratham, Rockingham, New Hampshire. Nicholas married Abigail (in 1634 in England per some records - but that would
make him 10 years old and seems unlikely) and he died "after 1663" in Dover, Norfolk, N.H. - Other information has shown the parents of this Nicholas were Benjamin and Debra Follett.
So, another question (besides which information is correct) is whether Nicholas Follett (1624-1663+) was a brother or a cousin to Robert Follett of Salem.
A quick aside: Nicholas and Abigail Follett had a son named *John Follett* :-) (born 1636 in England and died 1710 in Barbados).
Other possibilities re a John Follett that could have been father of Robert Follett of Salem:
A John Follett christened July 22, 1592 at Dartmouth, Saint Savior, Devon, England, whose father was also a John Follett; or:
A John Follett christened Sept. 10, 1597 also in Dartmouth, Saint Savior, Devon, with John as father.
Any clarifying information would be much appreciated. If anyone knows anything about John Follett, Nicholas Follett or WHO can be verified as the father of Robert Follett
of Salem, please let me know, along with a reference to the source of your info. Thanks.
I have been informed by a contributor that I may have the Robert FOLLETT who married Persis BLACK in my husband's family tree. What I have is:
John FOLLETT snr b abt 1560 of Dartmouth, Devon. He m ??
His son John FOLLETT jnr bap 10 Sep 1597 St Saviour Dartmouth. He m ??.
John Follett jnr's sons
Robert FOLLETT bap 8 Apr 1627 St Saviour Dartmouth
John bap 14 Oct 1632 St Saviour d bef 1641
John bap 3 Sep 1641 St Saviour
Edward bap 15 Dec 1642 St Saviour
This is all I have for this line as my husband was descended from Gilbert FOLLETT 1589 son of John snr.
Gilbert m Joan GOOLLE 10 Sep 1604 at Sidmouth, Devon. Both described as "youth" which I am told means of childbearing years!
Family was then of Sidmouth until they moved to Topsham, Devon, possibly because Topsham was to have a Presbyterian Chapel built.
They were probably mariners, & Dartmouth was a busy port in olden times. Later generations were merchant mariners mainly in the fishing trade to Newfoundland but also in timber.
They were Dissenters which might have meant that Robert felt he wanted to flee England.
I do not know if he is your Robert, all you descendants. It is worth a better look at Devon records but I cannot promise to do it all.