To keep this as simple as possible, and help it load faster, I have left this text unformatted. The numbers in parenthesis refer to the sources listed at the bottom of the report.
First Generation
1. Capt Andrew Newcomb (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) was born in 1616-1618 in Devonshire,
England (2) and died on 31 Jan 1685-1686 at sea Near Boston (2, 3, 4).
* Biography: (5) From John Bearse Newcomb's book, published in 1874:
That he was born in England is quite certain; that he emigrated from
the "west of England", perhaps Devonshire or Wales, nearly all
traditions declare. Beside tradition, however, there are other reasons
that make it probable that he was among the earliest settlers of New
England. First mention of him is made in 1663, in Boston, Mass., when
and where he married his 2nd wife Grace, widow of William Rix or Ricks;
he was at that time a mariner or sea captain, and it is quite probable
that this had been his occupation from youth, although there is no
record to show it.
In completing this sketch of Capt. N so that some definite idea may be
formed of him, it will be safe to assume that he was a vigorous man or
he would not have chosen the calling of seaman, or have followed it so
long. That was a man of education is shown from the specimens of his
writing, still extant, that exhibit facility with the pen in times when
it was a common occurrence of men of prosperity and respectability to
sign their wills and deeds with a cross. And since it appears he was a
shipmaster for so many years on the Atlantic coast, it is clear he must
have been possessed of nautical skill. Nor would he have become a
mariner if he had not been a person of courage, for in those days even
more than at present, was it necessary for one to be brave to "go down
to the sea in ships".
That he was man of enterprise like all the New England pioneers needs
no proof, and that he was characterized by something of the same
uprightness that the author trusts still belongs to those who bear the
name of Newcomb, seems absolutely certain. Finally, that he was a
peaceable citizen, a good husband and father, occupied with the common
interests of mankind, as his descendant of today, is no mere
conjecture, but a reasonable certainty.
* Biography: From B.M. Newcomb's 1923 book. (6) The name of his first
wife and date of his marriage is unknown. He may have married first in
England or Virginia. He m. second, 1663, in Boston, Grace Ricks, b.
about 1620-1625, the widow of William Ricks who was the son of Robert
Ricks of Kenninghall, Co. of Norfolk, Eng. John Davys in 1641 agrees to
build a house in Boston, 16 x 14 ft., for this William Ricks, for the
sum of £21.
John Bearse Newcomb of Elgin, III., the author and compiler of
"Genealogical Memoir of the Newcomb Family, 1874." says: "Of the early
history of Capt. Andrew Newcomb comparatively little is known; but from
the records information has been obtained by which some idea may be
formed of the man who appears to have been the progenitor of the
largest branch of the Newcomb family in America. That he was born in
England is quite certain; that he emigrated from the west of England,
perhaps Devonshire or Wales, nearly all traditions declare. Beside
tradition, however, there are other reasons that make it probable that
such was the case. The date of his arrival in this country is not
definitely known, but it is quite probable that he was among the
earliest settlers of New England. First mention of him is made in 1663,
in Boston, Mass., when and where he married his second wife, Grace; he
was at that time a mariner or sea captain, and it is quite probable
that this had been his occupation from youth, although there is no
record to show it."
Later research inclines to the opinion that Capt. Newcomb came to
America as captain of a sailing vessel, making his first landing
perhaps at Barbados and from thence to Virginia. Absence of records in
Virginia makes it impossible to verify this opinion.
Records indicate that Capt. Newcomb had not obtained a residence in
Boston until after his second marriage, but that soon thereafter he,
with his wife, occupied the former residence of William Ricks. The
latter had children, born in Boston 1645-1656 --Elisha, Mary, John,
Thomas and Ezekiel. Suffolk Deeds, Vol. 8, p. 64-5, contain a copy of
Agreement, dated Feb. 14, 1672, in which Andrew Newcomb and wife,
Grace, are to enjoy during life the old dwelling-house, "now in the
tenure and occupation of the said Newcomb," formerly of William Ricks,
deceased; John and Thomas Ricks, sons of William, to have the new
dwelling-house adjoining the same, etc., near the water-mill in Boston,
half of land to each, they to pay Newcomb £20 . July 13, 1672, he
employed Samuel Bridge, carpenter, to build him a "Leantow one foote
wider than now it is and the length of his house and shingle it and the
back side of his house and find shingles and shingle nayles for the
work"; consideration £5: 15s: 0d; work to be finished by the last of
July, 1672. (From Suffolk Court files No. 1157.)
Probate Files, Boston, Andrew Newcombe, boatman, signs bond of
guardianship of Mary Ricks, 22 May 1680; John Ricks, guardian of said
Mary Ricks. Suffolk Deeds, Vol. 10, page 358, Andrew Newcomb, mariner,
for £67: 16s :3d, bought of Simon Lynde, merchant, and Sarah, wife of
Joseph Goodale, the administratrix of Thomas Ricks, the right to redeem
an estate in Boston mortgaged to Lynne by Thomas Ricks in 1677, date 13
Apr. 1681. Again, Vol. 12, page 46, Andrew Newcomb of Boston, and wife,
Grace, for £25, sold John Ricks all right in house near Mill Bridge
that belonged to Thomas Ricks, then deceased, date 14 Apr. 1681.
The old dwelling-house, where Capt. Newcomb lived 1663 to 1681, was
built in 1641 and was located upon the lot now numbered 182 Hanover
street; the new dwelling-house, where John and Thomas Ricks lived, was
upon the lot which is now No. 184; and the new house, built by Capt.
Newcomb upon land which he bought 13 April 1681 and where he lived from
1681 till his death, 1686, was located where is now No. 166 Hanover
street, Boston. Hanover street in a very early day was known as the
"Way to the New Meeting House" 2d Church), afterwards Middle Street.
Page 281 of Charlestown, Mass., Records shows shipment of cattle, etc.,
28 Feb. 1666-7 by John Page, of Boston, in Ketch (name blank), Andrew
Newcome, Master, for Virginia for account of John Fly and Eliakim
Hutchinson -- various horses described --avouched by Mr. Page, being
bought of Capt. Hutchinson and Samuel Gough.
Capt. Andrew Newcomb was defendant in a suit for damages, held in the
County Court at Boston, 25 April 1676, in which he was accused of
"Willifully or carelesley runinge upp on a smallboat with my Shallop."
The court decided against him and he appealed the case 31 Aug. 1676.
New York Col. MSS. at Albany, Vol. 29, page 13, date 28 Aug. 1679, show
"Andrew Newcombe" to have been "Master of ye Sloope Edmund and Martha,"
then in the port of New York and bound for "Boston in New England"
--probably from Virginia, a part of his lading being tobacco.
Suffolk Court files at Boston contain depositions of Philip Foxwell in
which the statement is made that Andrew Newcomb was with his
(Newcomb's) vessel in Saco River from Boston, Oct. 1684.
The signature of Andrew¹ Newcomb may be found upon several documents on
file in Boston, and, while there is considerable difference in
penmanship and also in spelling, his signature is readily distinguished
from that of Andrew². There is a family resemblance in the forming of
letters in the word Andrew but a difference in spelling of Newcomb;
Andrew¹ usually spelled the name Newcombe, but at other times he has
dropped the final e. In one document where he witnessed a deed, 20
Sept. 1686, Matt Mayhew to John Boult, both of Martha's Vineyard, the
name is written Andrew Nucombe. This signature is evidently that of
Andrew¹, as it corresponds closely to his signatures upon other known
documents. He was appointed administrator of the estate of his
daughter, Susannah Blague, 13 Oct. 1681, and upon this document he
wrote his name Andrew Newcombe, while upon a bond with his daughter
Susannah, in settling the estate of her first husband, Philip Blague,
he wrote Andrew Newcomb. (Both bonds are on file.)
That Capt. Newcomb was a man of education is shown from the specimens
of his writing, still extant, that exhibit facility with the pen in
times when it was a common occurrence for men of property and
respectability to sign their wills and deeds with a cross. And, since
it appears that he was a shipmaster for so many years on the Atlantic
coast, it is clear he must have been possessed of nautical skill. Nor
would he have become a mariner if he had not been a person of courage,
for in those days, even more than at present, it was necessary for one
to be brave to "go down to the sea in ships." That he was a man of
vigor and enterprise, like all the New England pioneers, needs no
proof, and that he was characterized by something of the same
uprightness that the author trusts still belongs to those who bear the
name of Newcomb seems absolutely certain. Finally, that he was a
peaceable citizen, a good husband and father, occupied with the common
interests of mankind, as his descendants of to-day, is no mere
conjecture, but a reasonable certainty.
* Will: 31 Jan 1682, Boston MA. (6) Capt. Newcomb's will is recorded
upon Suffolk Probate, Vol. 11, page 48, an exact copy of which is
hereafter given. His signature to it indicates an expert writer; it is
written with a worn quill pen, apparently with no hesitating or
faltering movement, and the ink has continued jet black though written
more than 230 years ago.
IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN the thirty first day of January anno Domi One
Thousand six hundred Eighty and Two 1682/3 Anno Regni Regis Caroli
Secundi Tricessimo Quinto I ANDREW NEWCOMBE Of Boston in the County of
Suffolk in the Massachusetts Colonie in New England marriner being in
competent Bodily health and of Sound and perfect memory praised be
Almighty god for ye same KNOWING the uncertainty of this Present life
and being desirous to settle that outward Estate the Lord hath Lent me
Doe make and Ordaine this my last will & Testament in manner and forme
following (That is to say) First and principally I comend my Soule into
the hands of Almighty God my Creator hopeing to Receive ffull pardon
and Remission of all my Sins and Salvation through the Alone meritts of
Jesus Christ my Redeemer And my Body to ye Earth to be buried in such
Decent manner as to my Executor hereafter named shall be thought meet
and convenient and as touching such worldly Estate the Lord hath Lent
me my will and meaneing is the same shall be Imployed and bestowed as
hereafter in and by this my will is Exprest
IMP I doe hereby revoake and Renounce and make void all wins by me
formerly made and declare and appoint this to be my last will and
Testament.
ITEM I Will that all the debts I Justly owe to any manner of person or
persons whatsoever Shall be well and truely paid or Ordained to be paid
in convenient Time after my decease by my Executor hereafter named
ITEM After all my Just debts are paid and funerall charges Satisfied I
give and bequeath unto my Grand child Newcomb Blake all that wch is
oweing to me from his ffathers Estate Either for his maintenance or
otherwise and also whatever I shall disburst on him in my life Time for
his maintainance and Education. Also I give unto ye said Newcombe Blake
Thirty pounds in money.
ITEM I give unto my wife Grace Newcomb the use benefitt and Improvemt
of my house and Land that is Scituate In Boston afforesd Betweene y"
house and Land of Gaudey James and the house and Land of John Jackson
neare ye Mill Bridge with the priviledges and appurtenances thereunto
belonging Dureing the tearme of her naturall life.
ITEM I give and bequeath the afforesaid house and Land unto my Daughter
Grace Buttler and to the heires of her Body Lawfully begotten or to be
begotten and to their heires and assignes forever. And my will is that
she shall have and Enjoy the same Immediately after my said wifes
decease.
ITEM My Will is that in case she dye without Such Issue that then the
sd House and Land shall be and remaine unto ye only proper use and
behoofe of the sd Newcomb Blake & his heires & assignes for ever.
ITEM I give and bequeath unto Each of my wifes Grand children ffive
shillings a peice in money.
ITEM I give & bequeath unto Samll' Marshall of Boston afforesaid Cooper
in consideration of his care and Trouble in and about the managemt of
my estate Three pounds in money
ITEM I give and bequeath the ffull Remainder of my Reall and personall
Estate whatsoever it is or wheresoever it may be found whether in
possession or in Reversion unto my sd Daughter Grace Butler & to ye
heirs of her Body lawfully begotten but If shee dye without Issue my
will is that the said Remainder of my Estate shall be and Remaine unto
ye only proper use and behoofe of the said Newcomb Blake and his heirs
& assignes for ever.
ITEM I do hereby nominate constitute & appoint my sd Grand Child
Newcomb Blake the Executor of this my last will and Testamt:
ITEM In Regard the sd Newcomb Blake is in his nonage I doe hereby
appoint and authorize ye said Samuell Marshall my Execr in Trust of
this my sd Last will and Testam" untill the sd Newcombe attaine ye age
of Twenty one yeares.
IN TESTIMONY whereof I the said ANDREW NEWCOMBE have hereunto sett my
hand and seale ye day and yeare first within written.
[WAX SEAL.]
Signed Sealed & what is contained in these two pages was published by
the abovesaid Andrew Newcombe as his Last Will & Testamt in the
presence of us-
John Hayward Scr
Eliezer Moodey Scrv
8 Decembr 1686 This will being exhibited by the Executor the two
wittnesses Mr Jno Hayward & mr Eliezer Moodey made oath that they were
present & saw Andrew Newcombe Signe Seal & Publish this Instrumt as his
last will & Testamt & that when he so Did he was of sound mind & memory
to their best understanding.
Jurat Eoram preside Attestr
Tho. Dudley Cler
Enterd 9 Dec 1686
From the omission of either bequest or mention in his will of a son,
Andrew² Newcomb, a doubt has been expressed of his relationship, but
the fact that "Capt. Newcomb, at the time of the making of his will
held peculiar relations to his grandchild Newcomb Blague, who demanded
from his youth and condition as an orphan (then twelve years old, and
the only living child of his parents) his most conscientious
consideration, and that his child Grace² Newcomb, by his second wife,
had in her mother a watchful guardian or friend in presenting her
claims to the consideration of Capt. Newcomb; all of which easily and
plainly may account for the diversion of his property from his son
Lieut. Newcomb. It needs but to be added that in colonial times, where
bequests were not made to children of the testator, their names were
frequently omitted. This much is known, that both Capt. Andrew¹ Newcomb
and Lieut. Andrew² Newcomb were living in America at or near Boston at
the same time, and in command of sailing craft; and that at the time
Capt. Newcomb made his will Lieut. Newcomb was living at Martha's
Vineyard in circumstances of worldly prosperity, and in no need of
pecuniary aid. Other facts are given in the following pages, all of
which go to show that Lieut. Andrew Newcomb was a son of Capt. Andrew
Newcomb, by his first wife, and an own brother to Susannah²." No
inventory or settlement of his estate appears upon record or on file in
Boston.
Andrew married (First Wife).
Children from this marriage were:
+ 2 F i. Susannah Newcomb (4, 5, 7) was born cir 1645-1650 (7) and
died before 13 Oct 1681 in Boston MA (4, 5).
3 M ii. Lt. Andrew Newcomb . (Uncertain)
Research Notes: Although the tradition (apparently begun by J.B.
Newcomb in 1874) is that Capt. Andrew was the father of Lt. Andrew,
there is no real evidence to support this claim, and many reasons to
think that it is not true. For this reason, I am now listing Lt.
Andrew and his descendants separately.
Andrew next married Grace (2, 5, 6, 8) in 1663 (8).
Children from this marriage were:
+ 4 F i. Grace Newcomb (4, 5, 7, 9) was born on 20 Oct 1664 in
Boston MA (4, 5) and died in Aug 1713 (4, 5).
Second Generation (Children)
2. Susannah Newcomb (4, 5, 7) was born cir 1645-1650 (7) and died before 13
Oct 1681 in Boston MA (4, 5).
Susannah married Philip Blague,(4, 5) son of Henry Blague and Elizabeth (4).
Children from this marriage were:
+ 5 M i. Newcomb Blague (5) was born on 27 Jan 1670-1671 (5) and
died in Sep 1718 (6).
6 M ii. Benjamin Blague (5) was born on 13 Mar 1673 (5).
He never married.
7 F iii. Susannah Blague (5) was born on 26 Jun 1677 (5).
She never married.
Susannah next married Pritchett or Pritchard (4, 5) cir 1679-1680 (4).
4. Grace Newcomb (4, 5, 7, 9) was born on 20 Oct 1664 in Boston MA (4, 5) and
died in Aug 1713 (4, 5).
* Probate: 28 Aug 1713. (5)
Grace married James Butler,(5, 9) son of Stephen Butler and Jane, in 1682
(6).
Children from this marriage were:
8 F i. Mary Butler (5) was born on 21 Feb 1683 in Boston MA (5).
Mary married Francis Brock (6) on 29 Jul 1698 (6).
9 F ii. Grace Butler (5) was born on 2 May 1685 in Boston MA (5).
Grace married Thomas Jackson (5) on 26 Dec 1706 (5).
10 F iii. Elizabeth Butler (5) was born on 23 Dec 1686 (5).
Elizabeth married John Welland (6) on 16 Jun 1709 (6).
11 M iv. James Butler (5) was born on 21 Aug 1688 (5).
James married Abigail Eustace (5).
Grace next married Andrew Rankin,(5) son of Andrew Rankin and Martha Merry,
on 15 Apr 1692 (5).
* Will: 10 Aug 1699. (5)
* He worked as a Mariner.¨
Children from this marriage were:
12 M i. Andrew Rankin (6) was born on 13 Jul 1693 (6).
Third Generation (Grandchildren)
5. Newcomb Blague (5) was born on 27 Jan 1670-1671 (5) and died in Sep 1718
(6).
* Misc: (6) Newcomb Blague was a commander and part owner of ships, and
was engaged in foreign trade, one reference being "In ye month of May,
1712-20th. Newcomb Blague of ye Ship Neptue from Barbades." He also
owned property in Boston, and his will, dated 4 Dec. 1715, probated 6
Oct. 1718, gave Inventory of property £1,251. 5s. 6d.
Newcomb married Mary (5).
Children from this marriage were:
13 M i. Newcomb Blague (6) was born on 27 Mar 1697 in Boston MA (6)
and died on 18 Jun 1697 in Boston MA (6).
14 M ii. Newcomb Blague (6) was born on 21 Apr 1698 (6).
15 F iii. Susannah Blague (6) was born on 19 Mar 1700 (6) and died
before 20 Sep 1750 (6).
Susannah married Jonathan Waldo (6) on 2 May 1721 (6).
16 F iv. Mary Blague (6) was born on 19 Mar 1702 (6).
Mary married Samuel Costin (6) on 17 Aug 1727 (6).
17 M v. Philip Blague (6) was born on 18 Aug 1706 (6) and died
young (6).
18 M vi. Philip Blague (6) was born on 3 Sep 1711 (6).
Newcomb next married Elizabeth Dyer,(6) daughter of Col. Giles Dyer and
Hannah, on 25 Feb 1713-1714 (6).
Newcomb next married Abigail Mather,(5) daughter of Increase Mather and Maria
Cotton, on 27 Apr 1715 (5).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sources
1. The Genealogy Forum: Surname Center,
(http://genealogyforum.rootsweb.com/gedcom/).
2. Frederick Adams Virkus, Immigrant Ancestors:
A List of 2500 Immigrants to America before 1750, (Excerpted and reprinted
from The Compendium of American Genealogy, Volume VII, Chicago 1942,
Reprinted: Genealogical Publishing Co. Inc., Baltimore 1963, 1972, 1976,
1978, 1980, 19086, 1998, Copyright © 1942, Copyright © renewed 1970,
Library of Congress card catalog numbert64-1935, ISBN 0-8063-0513-4).
3. William Addams Reitwiesner , Presidential Candidates
Ancestry Homepage, (http://members.aol.com/wreitwiesn/candidates2000/).
4. Ross D. Andrews, The Andrews Family Lines,
(http://www5.pair.com/vtandrews/).
5. John Bearse Newcomb, Genealogical Memoir of the Newcomb Family, (Elgin
Illinois, 1874).
6. Bethuel Merritt Newcomb, Andrew Newcomb and His Descendants: A Revised
Edition of "Genealogical Memoir" of the Newcomb Family by John Bearse
Newcomb, (New Haven CT, The Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor Co., 1923).
7. Renie Cervone, http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Valley/3266/, (Includes
information from:
Lebanon CT Vital Records (Newcombs) FHL Film #1312154
Copies courtesy of Jonni Schilaty
Transcribed by R. Cervone).
8. New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 1864 Vol. 18 p. 59.
9. American Marriages Before 1699, (Clemens, William Montgomery. American
Marriage Records before 1699. Pompton Lakes, NJ: Biblio Co., 1926.)