An early settler to New England was William Cann in Salem Harbour Mass. In 1628.   His descendants after the 6th generation are found Canns ofCanadaand Nova Scotia   (pending).  After the War of 1776 most of his decedents movedto Nova Scotia and were ship owners, ship builders and merchants there.    Note: ALL of the information, connections, and originalsourcesof information contained here in this chapter have been lost, in erroror,in question.  The proven items are in bold print. The other is initalicand some correction notes have been added in small  print.

                       The Descendants of William Cann
                            ofSalemMass, c 1628

        1     William Cann, (1st.of New England) was born in Bristol,Gloucester,England,1614; place of death: Mass.. He is thought to be uncle to John Cann who came to Delaware in 1675 and may have been a son of Sir William Cann and Margaret Yeamans of Bristol.  William was a settler in New England before 1628; RESIDENCE: Was living on Island in Salem Harbour, Mass. in 1628,
        There are 3 children of William Cann,1st.of New England: [no provenconnection]
      2    i.  Nathaniel Cann
  +    3   ii.  John Cann, 1st. of Salem
  +    4  iii.  Timothy Cann

        4  Timothy Cann date of birth: ABT 1637; married Phillipa ? on
     1662at Boston,Mass .;
           Timothy Cann had 2 children:
        6    i.  William Cann date of birth: 12 Jul 1663;
        7   ii.  Elizabeth Cann date of birth: 12 Jul 1663;

                                  Generation 4
      8  John Cann, 3rd. of Salem date of birth: ABT 1692; married
   Jane (English?) on 12 JAN 31 at Marblehead,Mass.; place of death:
    Salem,Mass.; RESIDENCE: Marblehead,Mass.;
 
          John Cann and heirs bought the "House of Seven Gables" for 70 pounds
    from John Masury and his wife 13 Dec. 1741 (Book 71 Leaf 69 and Book 22,
    Leaf 55- Essex County Salem Mass.- April2 1742 signed by Heziah Masury)
    Re-"House of Seven Gables"- sale on April5,1784 by John Cann(son) and his
    wife Thankful; Hugh E. Cann; Jesse Rice(Physician) and wife Sarah;
    Elizabeth Flint; and Jane (Cann) Foster as heirs with Jane English Cann
    for85 pounds to Philip English (Jane's uncle).-(source Essex South Dist.
   Registry,Book139,page 213)((all questioned see three generations from Art Staples))

Notes for John Cann by Art S.:

  John Cann of Salem, Taylor, as stated in the deed, purchasedproperty in 1742, from John Masury and Keziah Masury, wid. See "Essex County,Salem Deed's, Vol 82,page 55: This property was owned by the Cann familyuntil 1784, (see notes,under Hugh English Cann). John Cann’s connectionto the two Cann children and(wife) Jane, listed in the VR of Marblehead,Vol 1, p88,is an assumption.  

I can find no proof that the John CAEN who marriedJane English was a CANN.

"VR of Marblehead, Essex Co., MA, Vol 2,Marriages;” Note; Both entries spelled CAEN.
CAEN (see Cain), John and Jane English, (m) Jan 12,1726, C.R. 3., p69
ENGLISH, Jane and John Caen, Jan 12, 1726, C.R. 3.,p138  

Although the Caen family attended the same church as aJohn and Jane CANN, and Hugh Cann’s middle name is English, there is no proofthat theyare the parents of  Janeand JohnCANN listed in the VR of Marblehead, Vol I, p 88.

"VR of Marblehead, Essex Co., MA, Vol 1, p88" (C.R.3= St. Michaels (Episcopal) Church Records.)
CANN,Jane, d. John and Jane, bp.Sept 5, 1731. C.R. 3.
             John, s. John and Jane, bp. at Salem, Sept 26, 1734, C.R. 3. .

Associated names found with records; ( CAEN, CAIN,CAINE, CANE.) or (CANN, CAN, CANNY, CANNS.) I have not found CAEN associatedwith CANN in any records.

Notes for Jane Langlois or English; (b. 20 Dec 1693,Island of Jersey, England; d. Salem, MA; Lived with her Uncle Philip English,(GBC)), b 1651, d 1735/36, m 1st^{, 1675}, Mary Hollingworth, 2^nd,1695, Sarah, wid. of Capt. Sam Ingersoll. A number of accounts of the life ofPhilippe Langlois, (L’Anglois (Hist of Salem)) or English and Jane Langlois orEnglish, his niece, have been written, but I cannot find any mention of theCANN family. (A note in Turk’s book for “John Caen, see De Caen, 1726Marblehead?”)   

Note; Many families descending from the John and Elizabeth (Ellingwood) Cann follow the path of John & Jane (English) Caen,married Jan 12, 1726; to > John Cann, of Salem, b. 1662, Boston, MA,   m. abt 1689, Elizabeth ? of   Salem; to > John Cann, of Salem, b.abt 1636, Bristol, Gloucester, Eng., m. 30 Jul 1661, at Boston, Esther Read, atBoston, Suffolk Co., MA,dau of William Reed or Read of Boston; to > WilliamCann, b. 1614, Bristol, Eng., d. MA. Thought to be uncle to John Cann who cameto Delaware in 1675 and may have been a son of Sir William Cann and MargaretYeamens of Bristol. William was a settler on an island in Salem Harbor, MA, in1628; (The information on William comes from a book by John Ferris Cann, but nosource is given).

The parental connection of John Cann, (m Eliz[Ellingwood] ) to John Caen, m Jane English is very controversial. In my maternal grandmother Cann’s lineage I have broken the Cann line at this point as I have not been able to find any primary or secondary source evidence to supporta family connection or support any connections between the various family units beyond. [Art Staples]. 

         There are 2  children of John Cann, 3rd. of Salem:     [no proven connection]                    
        9    i.  Jane Cann date of birth: 5 Sep 1731; married Jonathan
                 Forster on 6 Apr 1780 at 1St.Parish Unitarian Ch.;
   +  10   ii.  John Cann

"VR of Beverly, Essex Co., MA", Marriages, p54;
       CANN, John, of Salem, and Eliza[beth] Ellingwood, Nov23, 1757.
"VR of Salem, Essex, Co., MA", Vol 3, p 187;
       CANN, John and Elis[abet]h Ellingwood of Beverly, atBeverly, Nov 23, 1757;
“Essex Massachusetts Probate Records, 1638-1840:”
       File # 4576; John Cann; Salem; Date: 5 Oct 1767, Adm& Bond; 4 Apr 1768,Inv; 6 Dec 1768, Acct:   WillIntestate, signed & recorded, 5 Oct 1767, states(in part) "Mariner";"Elizabeth Cann who gave bond with John(Mascol) and Andrew Ellingwood assurities to (exibition) Inventory"

Residence, Salem, MA; to Yarmouth in April 1771 withher girls, the boys came later; Some refer to Hannah/Elizabeth; diff Spelling,Ellinwood; (GBC)
"VR of Essex County, MA", Beverly Marriages,p 54;
CANN, John of Salem, and Elizabeth Ellingwood, Nov 23,1757;
"VR of Essex County, MA"; Salem Marriages,Vol 3, p 186;

Notes for Jeannie Cann by Art S:

Is this Jeannie Cann, Jane Cann and why the Mrs.? Or isthis Mrs. Jane (unknown) Cann wid. of John Cann, who purchased the CannProperty in 1742. If so then she would of married another Jonathan Foster, notJonathan Foster, b 1758.  

VR of Beverly, MA", Marriages,” Vol 2;
CANN, Jane (Mrs. Int.), and Jonathan Foster, Apr 6,1780. C.R. 1; p 54
Foster, Jonathan, and [Mrs. Int.] Jane Cann, Apr 6,1780. C.R. 1; p123
C.R. 1 = Church Record, First Parish Unitarian Church.

Notes for Jonathan Foster and Jeannie Cann:

"Yarmouth NS Gen." by GS Brown; Forster, p77, 163; Foster, p 42, 43, 213; Cann, Jeannie, p42 & 163; Jennie, p 43
Is this the Jonathan Foster that married Jeannie orJane Cann?
VR Essex County, MA, Beverly, births, Vol 1, p 138;

                                        Foster, Jonathan, s Jonatha[n] and Mary, Dec 17, 1758.
                                        Beverly, Marriages, Vol 2, p 122;
                                        Foster, Jonathan, and [Mrs. int.] Jane Cann,Apr 6, 1780.

"Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the War ofthe Revolution" Vol 5,p 913;
Foster,Jonathan, Beverly, Mate, brigantine"Freedom" commanded by Capt.Benjamin Ober;
descriptive list of officers and crew sworn to Sept 11, 1780; age 24yrs;stature, 5 ft. 9in.,
complexion, dark; residence,Beverly.

"Abstract of Graves of RevolutionaryPatriots",   Vol. 2 p. -serial:11912; Vol; 4
Name,Foster, Jonathan; Location,Beverly MA 55;

"DAR" p 72; DAR # 90217; (in part),

   +   15    i.  Sarah Dennis
   +  16   ii.  Jane Dennis
       17  iii.  John Dennis born in Twp. of Yarmouth, N.S., 23 Jan
                 1790; died infancy 6 Feb 1790;
   +  18   iv.  Tabitha Dennis
       19    v.  Elizabeth Dennis born in Twp. of Yarmouth,N.S., 10
                 Dec 1793; married John Piper, Jr.;
       20   vi.  Ambrose Dennis, 3rd. Capt. born in Twp. of Yarmouth,
                 N.S., 4 Aug 1796; married (1) Sophia Jenkins; married
                 (2) Elizabeth Jenkins; OCCUPATION: mariner;
                 RESIDENCE: Yarmouth Twp. 1838;
       21  vii.  Mary Dennis born in Twp. of Yarmouth, N.S., 5 Feb
                 1799; married John Tilley on 3 Jan 1833;
   +  22 viii.  Hannah Dennis

       12  John Cann, 1st. Capt. born in Salem/Beverly,Mass., 1761;
    married Thankful Corning on 15 Jul 1783 at Yarmouth,N.S.; died
    Yarmouth,N.S.; AE 65y. 6 May 1826; OCCUPATION: Farmer-Shipbuilder;
   RESIDENCE:Marblehead,MA to Yarmouth,N.S.
 
          Mormon Crosbys says he was born in 1762 and died in 1824? Yarmouth
    Poll Tax of 1793-96 -John Cann-3. Mentioned in Atlantic
    Canadians(1600-1900) in 1821.
          In 1782 John came to Yarmouth and settled in Overton, at the end of
    Grove Road, next to Stephen Rose. His parents had lived in the 'House of
    Seven Gables' in Salem,MA for 40 years. After John & Hugh went to Nova
    Scotia in 1782, they returned to finalize the sale of this property on
    Apr. 5,1784.
 
          Aug.30, 1793-Mr. Cann from "Capersue" reports that a French
    Privateer was at the Tuskets on Sunday. She had been there about a week,
    having 6 guns and about 40 men.-Liverpool transcript info.
          John settled in Overton and had a considerable farm, wharf and
   sailingvessels. On his death, with no will having been left,  his farm
   was splitamong his children.

Notes; for John Cann, Capt by Art Staples:

Buried 1826, Frost Pk, Mountain Cem. East Yarmouth, NS;Occupation, Farmer Shipbuilder; residence, Marblehead, MA to Yarmouth, NS 1782;Had 7 schooners (1788-1814) 223 tons; no will and land divided among heirs anddeceased son Hugh's Children in 1827- notes Yarmouth Twp 1938 Census -tot=2 inhouse.

12 children, listed p 163, Yarmouth NS Gen. by GSBrown;

Is this John Cann Soldier of Salem, John Cann, b abt1761?

"Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the War ofthe Revolution"  

Vol 3, p 68; Cann John, Salem. Return of men enlistedinto the Continental Army from 1st Essex Co. regt., sworn to at Salem, Feb 17,1778; residence, Salem; enlisted for town of Salem; joining Capt. Brown's co.,Col Putnam's regt.; enlistment, 3 years or during war; also, Private, Colonel'sco., Col. Rufus Putnam's (5th) regt.,; Continental Army pay accounts forservice from March 18, 1777, to May 15, 1777; reported transferred to Col.Smith's regt. May 15, 1777; also, Capt John William's co., Col Putnam's regt.;muster return dated Albany, Feb 9, 1778; mustered by John Cushing, Esq.

Vol 3 p 68; Cann, Thomas. Private; certificate ofservice dated Danvers,Jan 26, 1779, signed by Capt. Hattfield White, statingthat said Cann belonged to Capt. William's co., Col Rufus Putnam's regt. fromJan -, 1777, and was not absent up to date except on furlough.  

Notes for Thankfull Corning: by Art Staples

Church, 9/13/1767, Church of Christ, Yarmouth, NS;Buried, 1859, Frost Park/ stone behind Library in NE field; Residence, YarmouthCounty; Had 12 children, 100 living gr ch, 14 gr gr gr ch @ her death(Novascotian); (GBC)

           There are 12 recorded children of John Cann, 1st. Capt.:

   +   23    i.  Hannah Corning Cann
   +  24   ii.  John Cann, 2nd, Capt.
   +  25  iii.  George Cann, Capt.
   +  26   iv.  Mary (Polly) Cann
   +  27    v.  Hugh E. Cann, 3rd. Capt.
   +  28   vi.  Elizabeth Cann
   +  29  vii.  Sarah (Sally) Cann
   +  30 viii.  Samuel Cann, 1st., Capt.
       31   ix.  Thankful Amelia Cann date of birth: 25 Nov 1800;
                 married William Bancroft; date of death: 2 Jan 1863;
   +  32    x.  Lyman C. Cann,1st
   +  33   xi.  Calvin Cann,Sr.,Elder
   +  34  xii.  Mahaleth (Mahalah) Cann

       13  Hugh English Cann,1st.Capt. born in Salem/Beverly,Mass., 11
    May1762; married Elizabeth Porter on 28 Apr 1785 at Yarmouth,NS;
    died Lexington,Mass.; AE95y. Sep 1857; OCCUPATION: mariner;
    RESIDENCE: Marblehead,MA-Yarmouth,N.S. Lex; CHURCH AFFILATION:
    ngton,MA;

          Hugh Cann,1st. settled at foot of Cann's Hill in Dayton, on the
    eastern side of the road (near Thomas D. Chipman's Brook-Robicheau's
    Grocery Store today?).The next property was owned by Jacob Tedford, 1st.
    whocame to Yar'th via Shelburne, and later married Anna
    Porter(Elizabeth's sister). Tedford's property ran up as far as the now
    Scott Rd.These two men had extensive farms. Hugh E. was one of the
    proprietors of the Inland Navigation Co. in 1811.
          He was a farmer, but owned the schooner 'Susan' in 1799, the
    'Randolph'(prize) in 1812, and the'Betsy' (a prize) in 1813, and used by
    hissons.

Notes for Hugh English Cann, I, Capt  by Art Staples:

In 1782 Hugh and his brother John came to Yarmouth, NS(where his mother had settled earlier with her second husband Captain ThomasFlint, who she hadmarried Mar 24, 1771). John settled in Overton. After Hughand John went toNova Scotia in 1782, they returned to Salem, MA to finalizethe sale of theirfamily’s property. (GBC). Hugh English Cann’s grandfather hadpurchased the property in 1741/42

Essex County Court House Registry of Deeds, Salem,Mass. Has the following on this property;

Vol. 71, p 67; (In part) May 5, 1736, Joseph &Ruth Verry, sold for the sum of 14 pounds, to Keziah Ma(z)ury, of Salem, Widow,half part of a dwelling house in Salem with the land thereto and adjoiningbounded in the whole Southerly on the Main Street there measuring 55 feet.Westerly on land of Benjamin Ma(z)ury there measuring 44 feet. Northerly onland of Benjamin Ma(z)ury there measuring 55 feet and Easterly on the sea orsalt water there measuring 44 feet. OnJune 15, 1737, Keziah Ma(z)ury, soldthis property for the sum of 14 pounds,toher son, John Ma(z)ury (Thistransaction is found on the page next to theMay5, 1736 deed.

Vol. 82, p 55; (In part) Dec. 30, 1741, Recorded April22, 1742, John & Mary Masury , sold for the sum of 70 pounds Bills ofCredit and Keziah Masury for the sum of 5 shillings, paid by John Cann of saidSalem, Taylor, – dwelling house of Keziah Masury with adjoining land situatedin Salem, bounded Southerly on the street or highway, Westerly & Northerlyon land of Benjamin Masury dece. & Easterly on the salt water or howeverotherwise bounded

Vol 137, page 213 (In Part); April 3rd & 5^th,1784 signed,recorded April 30, 1784. The deed of the sale of the property byJohn &Hugh English Cann et al to a Philip English, for the sum of 85pounds, statesthe location as "being bounded Northerly & Westerly onMasury land Easterlyon the sea or salt water and Southerly on the main street.

This location places the property at the southwestcorner area of CollinsCove. I believe, as indicated through correspondencefrom the Salem Registerof Deed’s, this location is in the area of theintersection of ForresterSt., Webb St., and Essex St., extension. Thislocation is not, as some suggest,that of “The House of the Seven Gables”. Thatproperty   borders Southerly onSalem Harbor.    

The deed of the sale was signed and sealed by; “JohnCann; Hugh English Cann; Jesse Rice & Sarah;, Eliz Flint; Jane Foster:Thankful the wifeof John Cann & Elizabeth Flint, formerly widow of JohnCann deceased”.

In Yarmouth, NS, when Hugh was first married theylived in a house on topof the back hill of the property later known as the"Fletcher Farm" on theeast side of the dyke) for a number of years.Presumably the young couplerented the farm from (Mattingley) the originalgrantee landowner. The stonesof the basement for that house still are visibletoday. About the time whenDr. Fletcher bought the property (1809), the youngcouple relocated to theDayton area.(GBC)

Thomas D. Chipman's Brook-Robicheau's Grocery Store istoday) The next property was owned by Jacob Tedford, 1st, who came to Yarmouthvia Shelburne, and later married Anna Porter (Elizabeth's Sister). Telford'sproperty ran up as far as now Scott Rd. These two men had extensive farms. HughE. was one of the proprietors of the Inland Navigation Co. in 1811. He was afarmer, but owned the schooner "Susan" in 1799, the"Randolph" (prize) in 1812, and the "Betsey" (prize) in1813, they were used by his son's. (GBC)

Estate papers of Hugh Cann the Elder, 26 Mar 1838,named his son Loran, afarmer as principal administrator, along with JohnSanders and Wm. TadfordPersonal property = 60 pds, real estate= 290 pds, (60acres) for a total of351 pds, 10 shillings.(GBC)

Yarmouth Herald & WesternAdvertiser-Administration Notices - 1) est.of Hugh E. Cann of Yarmouth,mariner, deceased - Loran Cann, Adminr. Yarmouth 26 March 1838. (GBC

           There are 11 recorded children of Hugh English Cann,1st.Capt.:

      35    i.  Edith Cann date of birth: 15 Apr 1786; married
                 Johnathan McKenna;
  +  36   ii.  Hugh Cann, 2nd., born Mar 30, 1788 in Yarmouth, NS, Can; died Abt. 1816 in Prob. Yarmouth,NS,                       Can.  He married Sarah Perry orParry Abt. 1811 in Yarmouth, NS, Canada;born Oct 05, 1789 in Yarmouth,                      NS,Can; died in Prob. Yarmouth, NS, Can.Occupation, Farmer.

  +  37 iii.  Elizabeth (Betsy) Cann, born Aug 30, 1790.   Shemarried Nehemiah Churchill.
  +  38   iv.  Jesse Cann, Capt.,born Mar 18, 1791.   Hemarried Martha Crosby.
  +  39    v.  John Cann, 3rd.,born Jun 18, 1796; died Oct 17, 1856.   He married (1) Martha Perry.   He married (2) (Unk) Holmes.
  +  40   vi.  Josiah Cann, Capt. (Westport),born Oct 09, 1798 in Westport, NS, Canada.  He married (1) Sophia McKenna.  He married (2) Maria McDormand; born Nov 30, 1818; died Abt.1857.
       41  vii.  Andrew Cann date of birth: 8 Dec 1800; place of
                 death: unmarried;
  +  42viii.  Harvey (Harry) Cann, Capt.,born Mar 13, 1803.   Hemarried Susanne Killam Abt. 1824
       43   ix.  Cynthia Cann date of birth: 19 Apr 1805; placeof
                 death: unmarried;
  +  44    x.  Loren D. Cann,born Aug 12, 1807.   Hemarried Jane Goudey.
  +  45   xi.  Alden Cann, born Nov 04, 1811; died Feb 23, 1887. He married (1) Eliza Anne Harding. He married (2) Maria Shaw.

       14  Sarah Cann born in Salem/Beverly,MA, ABT 1764; married Jesse
    Rice,M.D.; RESIDENCE: Minot,Maine.;
           Sarah Cann had one recorded child:
       46    i.  John C. Rice date of birth: ABT 1785; RESIDENCE:
                 Minot, ME;

This line continued in THE CANNS OF CANADA  (pending)

end chapter 5    CANN'S of  AMERICA by H Cann    next