RICHARD(#1) SINGLETARY, Immigrant Ancestor

RICHARD SINGLETARY
Immigrant Ancestor

RICHARD SINGLETARY appears to be the first known documented ancestor of our SINGLETARY and DUNHAM (alias SINGLETARY) lines in America. There is a legend/myth associated with Richard's birth, then his transportation to America as a child. The legend claims that the child, Richard, was a missing DUNHAM heir whose life was spared by a nursemaid who was to kill him. Having a change of heart she brought the child to America, and there he was given to the care of the ship's captain with the nursemaid returning to England. The story unfolds from there in early written books with him being named Single-tarry. The nursemaid confesses the story on her deathbed. It is said that an attempt was made to claim his legal inheritance, but the evidence did not satisfy the English court...so the legend continues. Harman Clark, a long-time researcher of many New York/New Jersey families, in his assessment of this situation, believes this story to be a myth, as do many other SINGLETARY-DUNHAM researchers. However, others believe as with all family legends, perhaps there is an ounce of truth hidden deep within the story, and that the truth then needs to be ferreted out.

"Singletary is a most unusual name and sources seem to agree that Richard's family is the only source for the name in America and references to individuals with this name are his descendants. It does not seem to be antiently a patronymic name nor a toponymic name since I find no place name in England."

(Source: Internet, 22 February 2004, Dunham-Donham@rootsquest: Patricia Judkin)

Searching for the origin of Singletary, still.
Latin to English of French......
de SANCTO GELASIO - Singlis
THEODORICUS - Terry; Derrick
(Source: Internet, 17 March 2004, SINGLETARY-DUNHAM@Yahoogroups: Patricia Judkin)

Now...if the above legend is deemed to be a myth then could Richard's parents be Francis Singletary (b ca 1559) and Agnes ??? as found in British research work shared by Lloyd Dunham, 24 Feb 2004. One Richard Singletary (OURS?) is given by researcher, Perry Donham, at My Singletary-Donham Line and by researcher, Jerry Bishop, at Re: European Origin of the Singletary Name as a son of Francis & Agnes of Surfleet, England along with Richard's other siblings. Yet, we find no documentation of birth, baptism, or other vital record for Richard being s/o Francis & Agnes. Lloyd Dunham's letter from a British researcher gives a lineage for Francis & Agnes which includes Richard, but the British researcher does not give his resource for making that family connection. If no one is quite sure of Richard Singletary's nativity and true surname (some say perhaps Dunham or Singleton), how can Francis and Agnes be correct? Is there some documented evidence to support his parentage? So, in researching Richard and his family connections we must be careful to seek out more documented primary records, if possible, to validate the family line. Most documented evidence will be found in vital records (aka primary records...birth, death, marriage, court, censuses, etc.), and yet at times, some are no longer existing and even then, we know there can be errors in the found ones depending upon the person recording or reporting the information.

1580-1599 or 1599-1618
Richard Singletary, s/o undocumented parents, was born.
[NOTE: Birthdate varies and is questionable at this time.]
Richard Singletary (HOYT: Richard Singleterre), of unknown parentage, was born abt. 1599 (HOYT). Richard is said to have died at 102 years (HOYT), which would make him born in 1585. However, court depositions in 1662 concerning Jonathan, his son, places his birthdate between 1592-1599.

1635-1639
Richard Singletary is believed by some researchers (Patricia Judkin, Audrey Hancock, Gratia (Dunham) Mahoney, and others) to have married a first wife in this time period or even perhaps earlier. It would seem that Richard certainly would have married by the time of his 35th birthday if he was born in 1599. If born in abt. 1618 he would have been of normal marrying age for that time period. His first wife is believed by some to have been the "Goodwife Singletary" who died abt. 1638 in Newbury.
(HOYT: Newbury Records) (TORREY: Newbury, p. 676 per Gratia Dunham Mahoney).

"Just to be sure we are all on the same page, it was my understanding that the phrase "Goodwife" was usually a title meaning mistress of the household and not a proper name. If the term is used, such as in the recording of the death of the wife of Richard Singletary, it is the same as writing Mrs. Singletary. From the way the record is transcribed in Torrey, it looks like her first name and maiden name were unknown and her death was recorded as simply Goodwife [Mrs.] Singletary.
Marcia Briggs
(Source: Internet, 21 Feb 2004, DUNHAM-DONHAM@rootsquest: Marcia Briggs)
[NOTE: Susan Williams and Gratia (Dunham) Mahony agree that "Goodwife" was a word of respect given to a married woman.]

Patricia Junkin believes:
Richard Singletary married perhaps Humility Dunham (perhaps aka the one known as "Goodwife Singletary").

[According to Gratia Dunham Mahony, Humility, dau/o John Dunham & his first wife, Susan/Susanna Kaino, was b 1616-1618. There is no record of her death. Humility apparently was still living at the time of her father's 2nd marriage in Lyden, Holland on 22 Oct 1622 to Abigail Ballou. Gratia believes that Humility probably died in Holland before 1629-30 when John and Abigail (Ballou) Dunham came to Plymouth, but there is no documented source as this time to validate this theory.]

Patricia Junkin [14 Mar 2004] believes Richard Singletary perhaps married Humility Dunham, dau/o John Dunham & #1 Susan/Susanna Kaino. She was perhaps the "Goodwife Singletary" whose death is recorded in Vital Records, and thus perhaps the first wife of Richard Singletary.

Richard Singletary & "Goodwife Singletary" being Humility (Dunham) Singletary possibly had these children:

Susan Singletary [according to naming patterns of the day, Susan, if a daughter, could have been named for her maternal grandmother...ash]

Jonathan Singletary (aka Jonathan Dunham)

Patricia cites: "Copies of depositions of Susan Singletary and Susana Singletary sworn, Nov. 22, 1662." [Court Records: Excerpt below...pj]

Excerpt from University of Virginia: Salem: Witchcraft: Essex: Vol. 3
"Copy of evidence in the action, John Godfry v. Jonathan Singletary, taken from Salem court records of 25:9:1662, made by Hillyard Veren, cleric.

John Wooddum, Theophilus Wilson and Robert Lord, marshal, testified that when Jonathan Singletary and John Godfry were in said Wilson's house, Singletary was answering the said Godfry for the executions for which he was put into prison and agreed to end all, but Jonathan said, 'if I answer for all it may be when I com to haverell the counstable will serve them.' Godfry said he would give him an acquittance for them, so when the goods were delivered to John Godfry, Singletary put an attachment upon them in an action of review. Sworn in court.

Richard Singletary and Susanah, his wife, deposed 20:1:1662-3, that John Godfre being occasionally at their house said, concerning the corn in controversy, that he thought he should never get it of Goodman Clarke for he would pay him in papers as he did the last year. Godfry said several time, 'I would rather it were in a heape in y^e street & all y^e towne hogges should eate it then he should keepe it in his hands.' Sworn 27:1:1663 before Simon Bradstreete

Copies of depostions of Susan Singletary and Susana Singletary, sworn, Nov. 22, 1662, before Simon Bradstreet, taken from Salem court records by Hilliard Veren, cleric."

[NOTE: It would appear that there are two depositions, one signed by a Susanah Singletary and one signed by a Susan Singletary. However, could these have been two different depositions given by the same person and signed by that same person spelling her name two different ways? ASH]

1637

22 Feb 2004, Patricia Judkin wrote,
"1637 Richard was admitted as inhabitant in Salem r'cd land in first division [Brunton] and Newbury the same yr.[Old Families of Salisbury and Amesbury]. In a discussion of the Multon family by Joy Wade Moulton in NEHGR Vol. CXLIV, July 1990, she writes of the immigration in 1637 from Ipswich [Eng.] to Boston stating the lists reflect 122 from Norfolk, 27 from Suffolk [seat of the Bloomfields] and one from Worcestershire....in an analysis of men made inhabitants of Salem, Newbury and Hampton.....although Moulton was not on the passenger list he was admitted as an inhabitant of Newbury with Richard Singletary, Abraham Tappan and others. ...."

15 March 2004, Patricia Junkin states in message to the Singletary-Dunham@Yahoogroups,
"In an NEHGS article I found----
€1637, 20 June, "Three ships arrived here [Boston] from Ipswich [Suffolk, England...PJ], with three hundred and sixty passengers.²

Charles Banks in The Planters of the Commonwealth (181,184), lists 8 June 1637 as the arrival date of the first two ships and 20 June as that of the "Mary Ann." The three lists, which name only 122 from Norfolk, 27 from Suffolk, and one from Worcestershire, thus fail to account for the approximately 200 passengers who arrived in Boston 20 June 1637. Although Thomas Moulton, William Palmer and William Eastow were not on the passenger lists, they were admitted as inhabitants of Newbury, 1 October 1637 (Newbury Town Records 1), along with Richard Singletary, Nicholas Busbee, Abraham Tappan, and John Moulton. The latter three were among the passengers listed on the ships bound for New England in 1637.²

The Moultons were from Norfolk where the family Bloomfield appears as early as 1509 when a suit is brought there by an Edward Blomefeld against Ede Billingford, Thomas Barrowe, and Robert Willeys for killing a swan."

Richard Singletary is said to have resided in Salem, Massachusetts in 1637, where he received a land grant (1637) for land in Salisbury as a part of the "first division." (HOYT) He was also said to be of Newbury the same year. (HOYT)

See: FIRST SETTLERS OF SALISBURY from The Old Families of Salisbury and Amesbury by David Hoyt.

50. Richard Singletary

1637 October
From Salem he relocated for a time in probably October 1637 to Newbury, Massachusetts.

"ADMISSION OF INHABITANTS" "In October [1637?], Richard Singleterry, William Palmer, John Moulton, William Easton, Thomas Moulton, Nicholas Busbee, and Abraham Toppan were received as inhabitants of the town of Newbury."

(CURRIER, John J., History of Newbury, Mass., 1635-1902, Boston, Damrell & Upham, 1902, p. 49)

1638 September 7

While at Newbury, Massachusetts, it is said the Richard Singletary took the oath of a freeman on 7 September 1638. The record below indicates his admission to the colony. He joined the church [What church?] there in 1638, having been admitted as an inhabitant of the community in October 1637.

22 Feb 2004, Patricia Judkin wrote, "1638 Richard in Newbury when he took the Freeman's oath [Brunton]. I cannot find reference in Coffin's History of Newbury to Richard before this, however, he says he had a son John as does Old Families of Salisbury and Amesbury."

Richard and others were granted permission to build a plantation at Merrimac according to the record excerpted below. Richard Singletary was one of those receiving a grant of land in the Town of Colchester, but evidently did not relocate there until later. This settlement was later renamed Salisbury.

"THE SETTLEMENT AT MERRIMACK RIVER":
"Name. Richard Singletery. Admitted. Sept. 7, 1638. Mass. Colony Records. Vol. i, p. 374"
(CURRIER, John J., History of Newbury, Mass., 1635-1902, Boston, Damrell & Upham, 1902, p. 99)

See: Newbury 1640 with location of Merrimack River

1638/9
A gravestone dated 1638/9 for a "Goodwife Singletary" is said to have existed in Newbury, MA.
(Monnette: Hoyt's Old Families of Salisbury)

Singletary, ____, Goodwife, ____, 1638 or 9

(Source: Internet, 20 Feb 2004, DUNHAM-DONHAM@rootsquest:
Courtesy of ??? Parkinson:
"Newbury Vital Records," Vol. 2, p. 721)

This should probably be recorded as 1638/9, representing the transitional times when there was a change from the Julian Calendar. Goodwife was a form of respect, as Mrs. is today. Goodwife Singletary is believed to have possibly been the first wife of Richard Singletary, but no other information has been found to validate the marriage. Some believe she may have been the mother of Jonathan Singletary who later became Jonathan Dunham alias Singletary and possibly others. Perhaps she died in childbirth, and soon after Richard Singletary married Mary Bloomfield. Yet others believe Jonathan to have been the child of Richard & Mary.

1639
Richard Singletary married Susanna Cook(e) according to some, while others believe he may have married Susanna later than 1639. Susanna Cook(e) was born abt. 1616 and died 11 April 1682 at Haverhill, Massachusetts. (Hoyt)

Susannah Cooke Singletary

"Richard Singletary married for his second wife (Goodwife Singletary having died in 1638/9} Susannah Cooke,..." who was the mother of his 7 children.

Susannah was the sister of Phillip Cooke of Cambridge MA, who "was a proprietor at Cambridge 1646: freeman, May 26 1647, and when he died he left a will dated 18 Jul 1666; probated 2 Apr 1667; wife Mary; Samuel, eldest son; "children to be placed in family of friends and relatives if his wife approved." (Monnette's Reference: Paige’s History of Cambridge [MA], p. 514) Children: John, age 3 to sister Singletary of Haverhill; Phillip, age 5, to Richard Eccles; & Hannah, age 9 to John Cooper. He wanted his children "to be brought up in Christian nurture and honest employment."

Monnette stated that upon checking records, etc. at Cambridge, MA, that Joseph Cooke at Cambridge was an older brother of "Col. George Cooke, Gent., Freeman, March 3, 1635-6...", a Cromwellian soldier. According to other indications, Monnette states that Phillip Cooke was also brother of the above George and Joseph, who came to America together, and they are believed to have been related to Susannah (Cooke) Singletary. "An/d probably from his actual service, and as a Colonel in Oliver Cromwell’s army, gave the tradition to Thomas Bloomfield, through the Daughter Mary who became the wife of Jonathan Dunham", s/o Richard Singletary.

(4 Feb 2004, Courtesy of: Gladys Donham: MONETTE, First Settlers...," pp. 501-502)
(Paraphrased by Audrey from the file shared by Gladys.)
(Gladys said in e-mail sent 23 Feb 2004, "You may use the file in anyway you like = permission given = Gladys.")

Gladys Donham further notes that her research shows in an English Listing a Francis Cook(e) as a Mayflower passenger in 1620 with his oldest son, John. Wife and children were left in Leydon, Holland. She states, "I wondered since Susannah was born 1616 and was here early..." if she "could she be his daughter. About a five years gap in the children's births including 1616. He was still in Holland at that time." "Still looking for Denness Donham born January 1751; found in Maryland 1774." (Gladys Donham, 24 Feb 2004)

1638/1639
JONATHAN SINGLETARY, born 1638/1639 [Julian Calendar/Gregorian Calendar] at Salisbury, Massachusetts, is believed by many researchers to have been a child of Richard Singletary and a first wife, perhaps the "Goodwife Singletary." However, early vital records indicate his mother to have been Susanna Cook(e). Later in life, Jonathan adopted the DUNHAM surname and became known as Jonathan Dunham alias Singletary. Jonathan married Mary Bloomfield.

1640
Richard Singletary is again said to have received land in Salisbury in 1640. (Hoyt)

1642 January 7
EUNICE SINGLETARY was b 7 Jan 1640/41 or 1641/42 probably at Salisbury, Massachusetts. She married Thomas Eaton.

1644 Oct 28
NATHANIEL SINGLETARY born 28 Oct 1644 Salisbury, Massachusetts. He married 22 December 1673 at Haverhill, MA to Sarah Belknap.
(Source: Internet, Genealogy.com: SINGLETARY GenForum at http://genforum.genealogy.com/singletary/messages/82.html)

1648 April 30
LYDIA SINGLETARY was born to Richard Singletary & Susanna Cook(e). She married 24 November 1668 to Daniel Ladd, Jr.

1650
Richard is listed as a commoner and taxed. (Hoyt)
He is also listed as a "selectman" the same year. (Hoyt)

1651 April
AMOS SINGLETARY was born April 1651 probably at Salisbury, Essex County, Massachusetts. Researchers indicate he married Sarah (Currier) Rogers.

"AMOS SINGLETARY, b. April 1651, Salisbury, Essex Co, MA; d. November 01, 1724; m. SARAH ROGERS." (Walters)

ca 1653
Richard removed to Haverhill, Essex County, Massachusetts about 1653, where he is said to have been "a proprietor." (Hoyt)

See: PROKASY, Bill, Early Settlers of Haverhill: Richard Singletary from Salisbury
This will take you to a site listing The Descendants of Richard Singletary

1656 April 4
Benjamin Singletary was born. He married Mary Stockbridge.

"BENJAMIN SINGLETARY, b. April 04, 1656, Haverhill, Essex Co, MA; d. 1697." (Walters)

1662 January 24
"Richard Singletary, aged about seventy years, deposed that he and Thomas Bloomfield being at Ipswitch upon Feb. 18, last, as agents for Jonathan Singletary, who was then in prison upon several executions of John Godfres, they tendered said Godfre a parcel of land in satisfaction of said execution. 'John Godfre sd ye Land I will neuer medle wth except ye Law Constraineth me to take it & so turned his back nay staye John sd one of us & lett us haue a few words wth you or Coming is to make A full and fineall end bettwene Jonathan & you if we Can wthout any more law well sayed godfre as for ye land I will not medle wth but if you will fetch me or pay me in goods for these executions which he is now in prizen upon I will giue him a full & generall aquitance of all debts & deues & all things,' etc. Godfrey said he would take the goods whenever they were brought to him. Sworn, 24:1:1662, before Simon Bradstreete."

1662 November 22
"Richard Singletary, aged about sixty-three years, testified, Nov. 22, 1662, that 'as I was goeing to Salsbury this lad munday past along wth John godfre he was in a great pashon against Jonathan Singletary att his hous a while agoe & I had forty or fifty shillings in mony about me & Jonathan would haue borowed it of me & I was two or thre times agoing to lett him hauv it but I considered yt I had often use for mony at law & so I did not lett him haue aney.' Sworn before Simon Bradstreete."

1663 February-March

"COURT HELD AT SALIBURY, 14:2:1663"
(Internet, 2004: Salisbury Quarterly Court: Records & Files)
March 1663
p. 56

"Grand jury: Rob. Page, Ant. Stanian, foreman, Tho. Ward, Jno. Clifford, Morris Hobbs, Ed. French, Jno. Hoyt, John Weed, Jno. Gill, Willi. Buswell, James Davis, sr., Rich. Singletary and Tho. King."

1668 November 24
Daniel LADD 2 (1642-) married Lydia SINGLETERY (1648-); 24 Nov 1668; no issue; Haverhill.
(Source: Internet, 21 Feb 2004, E-mail to ASH: Susan Bidwell Williams: TORREY, p. 447)
(22 Feb 2004, Permission to post received from Susan Bidwell Williams)

1682 April 11
Susannah (Cook) Singletary died at Haverhill, Massachusetts on 11 April 1682 at about 66 years of age.
Susanna Cook was born abt. 1616 and died 11 April 1682 at Haverhill. (Hoyt)

1687 October 25
Richard Singletary died at Haverhill on 25 October 1687 in his 102nd year. (Hoyt) However, if according to the depositions given in 1662 he was about 63 and about 70, he would have been between 83 & 90 years of age.

1688?
William ELLISON (-1707) married "Mary [SINGLETARY] (1663/4-); ca 1688?; Salisbury/Woodbridge, NJ"
(Source: Internet, 21 Feb 2004, E-mail to ASH: Susan Bidwell Williams: TORREY, p. 249)
(22 Feb 2004, Permission to post received from Susan Bidwell Williams)

1689/90 January 13
Ichabod ROGERS (1659-) married Sarah CURRIER, who "m/2 Amos SINGLETARY 1690 +/-; 13 Jan 1689/90; Haverhill/Salisbury."
(Source: Internet, 21 Feb 2004, E-mail to ASH: Susan Bidwell Williams: TORREY, p. 633)
(22 Feb 2004, Permission to post received from Susan Bidwell Williams)

1700 June 25
John EATON (1664-) & Mary SINGLETERY; 25 Jun 1700; Haverhill.
(Source: Internet, 21 Feb 2004, E-mail to ASH: Susan Bidwell Williams: TORREY, p. 241)
(22 Feb 2004, Permission to post received from Susan Bidwell Williams)

BELIEVED/KNOWN CHILDREN of RICHARD SINGLETARY, the IMMIGRANT Married perhaps #1 "Goodwife Singletary" (perhaps Humility Dunham)
Married #1 or #2 Mary Bloomfield

perhaps Susan Singletary (dau/o perhaps "Goodwife Singletary", perhaps aka Humility Dunham)
Jonathan Singletary (later aka Jonathan Dunham) (s/o "Goodwife Singletary" or Susanna Cook(e))
Eunice Singletary (dau/o Susanna Cook(e))
Nathaniel Singletary (s/o Susanna Cook(e))
Lydia Singletary (dau/o Susanna Cook(e))
Amos Singletary (s/o Susanna Cook(e))
Benjamin Singletary (s/o Susanna Cook(e))
Richard (#2) Singletary (s/o Susanna Cook(e))

E-mail: Audrey (Shields) Hancock

Webpage Created: 10 April 2001
Webpage Revised: 27 April 2004
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