Three Generations of a CANN Family of Massachusetts

GenerationNo. 1

1. John Cann; He married Jane (unknown).

Notes for John Cann:

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

Notes for John Caen:

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 they are the parents of Janeand John CANN 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?”)

Children of John and Jane (unknown) CANN are;

2 iJane Cann, bp Sep 5, 1731, Marblehead, MA.

+ 3 ii John Cann, bp Sep 26, 1734, Salem, MA;

Note; Many families descending from the John andElizabeth (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 mymaternal grandmother Cann’s lineage I have broken the Cann line at this pointas 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 unitsbeyond.

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Page 2 of 7

Generation No. 2

3. John Cann was bp Sep 26,1734, Salem, Essex, MA, and died Bef. Oct 05, 1767 in Salem, Essex, MA. He married Elizabeth Ellenwood or Ellingwood Nov 23, 1757 in Beverly,Essex Cty, MA, daughter of Andrew Ellingwood and Elizabeth Wallis. She was born Jun 28, 1739 in Beverly,Essex, MA, and died Dec 03, 1803 in Yarmouth, NS, Can.

Notes for 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: Will Intestate, signed & recorded, 5 Oct 1767, states(in part) "Mariner"; "Elizabeth Cann who gave bond with John(Mascol) and Andrew Ellingwood as surities to (exibition) Inventory".

John’s father was the John Cann, which purchased theCann residence in Salem in 1741. (See notes for Hugh English Cann.)

Notes for Elizabeth Ellenwood or Ellingwood:

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;

CANN (see also Can), Elizabeth [wid. int.], and ThomasFlint [of Marblehead, int], Mar 24, 1771.

Children of John Cann and Elizabeth Ellingwood are:

4 i. Jeannie ³Cann, born Jan 18, 1760 in Salem, MA; died Mar 29, 1842 in Prob Yarmouth,NS. She married (1) JonathanFoster Apr 06, 1780 in Beverly, Essex Cty, MA; born in Beverly, MA; died Bef.Nov 1781. She married (2) AmbroseDennis, 2nd Nov 17, 1781 in Yarmouth, NS, Canada; born Aug 21, 1757; died Jun04, 1822 in Prob Yarmouth, NS.

Notes for Jeannie Cann:

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

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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);

Benjamin Ober (1752-1780) was master of theMassachusetts brigantine "Freedom". He was lost at sea. (Was JonathanFoster, Mate, also lost at sea in 1780?)

Notes for Ambrose Dennis, 2nd:

"Yarmouth NS Gen." by GS Brown; p 43, 8Children;

5 ii. John Cann,Capt, born Abt. 1761 in Salem/Beverly, MA; died May 06, 1826 in Yarmouth, NS,Canada. He married ThankfullCorning Jul 15, 1781 in Yarmouth, NS, Canada; born 1763; died Jul 27, 1859 inYarmouth, NS, Canada.

Notes; for John Cann, Capt:

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.

Vol 3, p 68; Cann, William, Groton (also givenShirley), Private, Light Infantry co., Col Bigelow’s regt.; Continental Armypay accounts for service from May 15, 1777, to Dec 31, 1779. ----

Notes for Thankfull Corning:

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)

"Death Announcement" - Thankfull Cann diedJuly 27, 1859 at Yarmouth aged 96 years. Widow of Capt John Cann. She had 12children, 100 grand children, 237 great grandchildren and 14 great greatgrandchildren. (Presbyterian Witness); (GBC)

+ 6 iii. HughEnglish Cann, I, Capt, born May 11, 1762 in Salem, MA; died Sep 1837 inLexington, MA.

+ 7 iv. Sarah Cann,born Abt. 1764 in Salem/Beverly, MA.

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GenerationNo. 3

6. Hugh English³ Cann, I, Captwas born May 11, 1762 in Salem, MA, and died Sep 1837 in Lexington, MA. He married Elizabeth Porter Apr 28, 1785 in Yarmouth, NS, Canada,daughter of Josiah Porter and Sara Bradstreet. She was born 1767 in Lexington, MA, and died Sep 16, 1863 inYarmouth, NS, Canada.

Notes for Hugh English Cann, I, Capt:

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 had married Mar 24, 1771). John settled in Overton. After Hughand John went to Nova Scotia in 1782, they returned to Salem, MA to finalizethe sale of their family’s property. (GBC). Hugh English Cann’s grandfather had purchased 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. On June 15, 1737, Keziah Ma(z)ury, soldthis property for the sum of 14 pounds, to her son, John Ma(z)ury (Thistransaction is found on the page next to the May 5, 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, states the location as "being bounded Northerly & Westerly onMasury land Easterly on the sea or salt water and Southerly on the main street.

This location places the property at the southwestcorner area of Collins Cove. I believe, as indicated through correspondencefrom the Salem Register of Deed’s, this location is in the area of theintersection of Forrester St., 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 wife of John Cann & Elizabeth Flint, formerly widow of JohnCann deceased”.

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

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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, a farmer as principal administrator, along with JohnSanders and Wm. Tadford Personal property = 60 pds, real estate= 290 pds, (60acres) for a total of 351 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)

Notes for Elizabeth Porter:

Residence, Lexington, MA, Hebron, Yarmouth Co. NS; ToYarmouth with parent’s cir 1773. (GBC)

Elizabeth (Porter) Cann's passing was reported in theYarmouth paper, and gave an insight into her younger days. Yarmouth Tribune - NLib Reel N-46078 - Wednesday, 16 Sept 1863 - At Hebron oon the 22nd Ultimo, MrsElizabeth, relict of the late Capt. Hugh E. Cann in the 96th year of her age.Mrs Cann was a native of Boston, MA and has lived in Yarmouth 90 years - havingremoved with her parents to this Province shortly before the break-out of theAmerican Revolutionary War. During the early part of her wedded life sheresided on the farm, since known as the "Fletcher Place", where thecellar of the dwelling she then occupied, though abandoned almost half acentury since, is still visible on the crest of the hill which overlooks theHarbor. She was the mother of 13 children, and the progenitor of 88grandchildren, 202 great grandchildren, and 36 great great grandchildren. Shedied in the full faith and assurance of a blissful immortality. (GBC)

Children of Hugh Cann and Elizabeth Porter are:

8 i. Edith⁴Cann, born Apr 15, 1786. She marriedJohn McKenna.

9 ii. Hugh CannII, 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.

Notes for Hugh Cann II:

Occupation, Farmer.

Notes for Sarah Perry or Parry:

Have seen this name as Sarah Perry. (ABS)

10 iii. ElizabethCann, born Aug 30, 1790. Shemarried Nehemiah Churchill.

11 iv. Jesse Cann,Capt, born Mar 18, 1791. Hemarried Martha Crosby.

12 v. John CannIII, born Jun 18, 1796; died Oct 17, 1856. He married (1) Martha Perry. He married (2) (Unk) Holmes.

13 vi. JosiahCann, 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.

14 vii. AndrewCann, born Dec 08, 1800.

15 viii. HarveyCann, Capt, born Mar 13, 1803. Hemarried Susanne Killam Abt. 1824.

16 ix. CynthiaCann, born Apr 19, 1805.

17 x. Loran D.Cann, born Aug 12, 1807. Hemarried Jane Goudey.

18 xi. Alden Cann,born Nov 04, 1811; died Feb 23, 1887. He married (1) Eliza Anne Harding. He married (2) Maria Shaw.

7. Sarah³ Cann, wasborn Abt. 1764 in Salem/Beverly, MA. She married Jesse Rice, MD.

Notes for Sarah Cann:

Residence, Minot, Maine. (GBC)

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Child of Sarah Cann and Jesse Rice is:

19 i. John C.⁴Rice, died in Lived at Minot, ME.

OTHER MASSACHUSETTS “CANN’S” TO THE YEAR 1800 THAT HAVE NOT BEEN CONNECTED

July 30, 1661, CANN, John,& Ester Read, married. “VR Suffolk County, MA”, Boston Document 130, Vol 9,p 82: This listing also in the “Gen Dict of NE” Vol 3, p 520, READ or REED; seeWilliam, Boston, then, Esther m. 30 July 1661, John CANNEY at B.;

“Gen Dict of New England”Vol I, p 332, CANN, John, Boston, m 30 July 1661, Esther, d of WilliamReed.

Job Clements, had Jane, b,16 Dec, foll.; Joseph, 14 Oct. 1674; and Mary, 25 July 1678. (This family is also listed as CANNEY;)

Thomas, Portsmouth 1631, sent over by Mason, the patentee, was of Dover1644, had Thomas, b bef. 1645; Joseph; Mary, wh m Jerremy Tibbets; and a d. wh.m. Henry Hobbs. (This family is also listed as CANNEY;)(Joseph also listed asCANNY)

July 21, 1663, CANN,William of Timothy & Phillippee

Elizabethof Timothy & Phillippee;

“VR Suffolk County, MA”, Boston Births, Doc 130, Vol 9 p 88

1675, King Philips War, Massachusetts Militia; John Cann; Nathaniel Cann:

Oct 18, 1704, CANN, Margaret and John Gloyde

“VR Essex County, MA”, Salem Marriages, Vol 3, p 187;

Apr 3, 1721, CANN, John,Marblehead, Mariner; Intestate, no other Cann’s mentioned, estate to JohnWalker.

“Probate Court, Essex County, MA, File # 4575;

Aug 5, 1723, CANN, Robertof Reading and Ruth White;

“VR Essex County, MA, Andover Marriages Vol 2, p 72;

Mar 28, 1726, CANN, John & Dorathy Mackmorro, int. reads [Mackmarro]

“VRSuffolk County, MA”, Boston Marriages, 1700-1751, Document 150, Vol 28, p 131;

June – 1798, CANN, Mary wJohn, Esq, a 78y, C.R. 5 (Mary would have been born 1720)

“VR Essex County, MA”, Lynn Deaths, Vol 2, p 450;

I - PRIMARY & SECONDARY SOURCES

NEHGS, Boston, MA

Early Massachusetts VitalRecords to the Year 1850, by Search and ReSearch Pub. Corp.

Essex County, Item #CD-MV4

Suffolk County, Item #CD-MV3

LDS Family HistoryCenter.

Area; Salem, EssexCounty, Massachusetts:

Title of Record – Date -Microfilm number:

Index to Deeds:

Grantors, A-Hac;1640-1799; 0862800

Grantees, A-Fly;1640-1799; 0866003

Index to Probate Docket:

Vols. 1-4, A-De;1638-1840; 0873023

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Essex County Deeds:

Vols. 71-73; 1735-1737;0866045

Vols. 81-82; 1740-1742;0866049

Vols. 136-137; 1776-1785;866077

Old Series ProbateRecords:

Vol. 313-314; 1710-1726;0875128

Vol. 342-344; 1764-1768;0875027

Vol. 345-346; 1768-1771;0875028

Broderbund Family ArchiveCD:

“Genealogical Dictionaryof New England, 1600-1700s”, Archive CD # 169:

Includes the four volumesof the Gen. Dict. of the First Settlers of New England by John Savage and Gen.Dict. of Maine & New Hampshire, by Walter G Davis, Sybil Noyes, and CharlesT Libby:

“History of Salem”, bySidney Perley; Vol I,1626-37; Vol II,1638-70; Vol III,1671-1716;

“The Quiet Adventures inNorth America” by MG Turk, pg’s 24,25 & 207.

“Yarmouth Nova ScotiaGenealogies”, by George S. Brown; Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. Baltimore,Maryland

Ancestry.Com (on linegenealogy books and data)

Massachusetts Soldiers &Sailors in the War of the Revolution

Abstract of Graves ofRevolutionary Patriots

Daughters of the AmericanRevolution (DAR)

II – OTHER SOURCES

Cann family lineage andnotes from George Brown Cann, Ontario, Canada; (GBC)

http://www2.ebtech.net/~canngb/

Cann’s of America, webpage by Howard E. Cann Jr., Maryland;

Chapter Five,Massachusetts to Nova Scotia:

http://www.geocities.com/cann_america/

There is a lot of Cannfamily research information on the internet, such as the “Ancestry World Tree”, “World Family Tree”, “Ancestral File” and “Individual Websites”, that cite nosources. Hopefully someone will point out the reliable sources that I was notable to locate to extend the Cann’s lineage beyond John, purchaser of the Cannresidence in Salem, 1741, and his son John who married ElizabethEllingwood.

Please let me know.

Apr 24, 2001; Compiled by Arthur B. Staples:

Please respond to; [email protected]