Ask most RAYNORs about their knowledge of the first RAYNORs to reach
America and if they know anything, it will probably be a hazy recollection
that Thurston and Edward came to Boston in the early 1600's and then came
over to Southampton, NY. Even some books print this. A very
few folks may remember that Edward lived in Raynortown, now Freeport.
However, these few years between arrival in Massachusetts and arrival
in Southampton, NY are fascinating. These two RAYNORs, Uncle and
Nephew and 30 other families went deep into the wilderness of dangerous
Indian territory, founded, from scratch, the village of Wethersfield, Connecticut,
moved on to Stamford and once again from scratch founded a new village,
then three years later again moved, this time to Long Island, New York.
Here they helped found the town of Hempstead, before Thurston moved on
again to help develop a settlement in Southampton. All this was done
in about 15 years.
No chain saws available, no hardware stores or lumber yards, no
earth moving machinery; no stores for food or clothing, just bare hands,
a strong back and a great desire to be free.
So, why did they leave civilized England and endure years of hardship
in a foreign land ?
In my last article, I covered some high spots of the thousand years
in East Anglia until the Normans finally got complete control of England
in 1066.
The next 500 years saw 23 changes in the rulership as the Kings
and Queens came and went. A few, like Henry VIII and Elizabeth I
made a mark in History. Most were incompetent, or unwilling to take
responsibility and allowed "Favorites" to run things as they saw fit.
Some were not even English, and usually there were wars going at tremendous
expense.
Many of the intellectuals of the time joined the clergy. Because
of this, and the continuity of long term plans to rule the church, they
often had more influence than Royalty.
Henry VIII discarded the Vatican influence, but the Church of England
remained tremendously powerful and amassed great wealth and property.
When the Reformation started, the working class flocked to it as an escape
from some of the oppression around them from both government and church.
Our first known ancestor, Robert was living in 1555 under Queen
Mary, when a very well liked parish priest at a church a short distance
away was burned at the stake for refusing to return to the Latin mass.
In 1603 a Protestant Scottish King was seated on the throne of England,
much to the joy of the reformists. He promptly reverted to the Church
of England with the idea of restoring Roman rule, opposed not only by the
people, but also Parliament and most other Royalty. It was hard to
evade the crossfire of all these factions and time to get out, so the exodus
to Massachusetts began.
The people coming over here were not the paupers and released prisoners
of later times, but respected intellectuals, business men, tradesmen adept
at their calling and of course adventurers and entrepreneurs. All
were Puritans looking for freedom, equality and a place to start a new
life.
These colonists had to have adequate financial backing in order
to buy passage for themselves and their families. Any supplies they
would need for the voyage must be brought on. Any tools of their
craft must be carried, even livestock and supplies to carry them on in
America until they could establish themselves if they survived the month-long
crossing. The idea of freedom seemed to be worth the risk.
Sometimes a group intending to stay together would charter a vessel.
Otherwise it was just several independent family groups and a single or
two, who had managed to get government permission after months of waiting,
often at the point of departure.
Apparently, Thurston was not a part of a larger group when he, his
family and nephew, Edward sailed from Ipswich, Suffolk, on the "Elizabeth"
in the spring of 1634. They arrived after a few weeks at sea at Watertown,
near Boston. They soon joined a group heading out west into Indian
territory to establish a new settlement on a large river. It was
a slow difficult 2 week journey to reach the spot about 40 miles up the
Connecticut River from New Haven.
To start the new village, arrangements had to be made with the English
who claimed the area, and hoping the local Indian chief would be willing
to cooperate. Money for adventures like this was put up the "Proprietors"
who advanced the funds and would share in ownership of the property.
Usually, the total expense was divided into "100 shares", sometimes also
in "50's". The number of shares you owned depended on your contributions.
From that time on, whenever new areas were opened up, only "Proprietors"
were eligible and then in proportion to the number of shares they owned.
The preacher probably got a share or two, and, whoever was hired
to be the "Captain" and supervise the military training and defense.
Trades people, who agreed to settle there and follow their craft, might
be given a "Home spot" of an acre or so. Proprietors could sell part
of their holdings if the Town leaders and clergy agreed.
The craftsman might be tailors, coopers, potters, millers, blacksmiths,
teachers, ship builders, carpenters, glass blowers, etc. all vital to the
new community.
To
view Part II click on the picture below
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