This following is disputed by recently found records in England but is included here: The earliest information obtained of James Cole whose name stands at the head of the family in America, dates from 1616, when he was living at Highgate, a suburb of London, England. He is spoken of a great lover of flowers, "...and it is probably due to this fact that he became acquainted with and married Mary Lobel, a daughter of the noted botanist and physician, Mathieu Lobel. Mathieu Lobel was born in Lille in 1538. He was the son of Jean De Lobel, a distinguished lawyer. Mathieu was a physician nt Montpelier, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland; he also practiced medicine in Antwerp, being attached as physician to William of Orange; from Antwerp he came to London, and became physician to James I. He was a great student of vegetable physiology, and was the author of a number of books upon medicinal plants. It was he who first discovered the medicinal qualities of the plant Lobelia, and gave the plant its name, using his own name and adding the letters "ia." He died in Highgate, London, March 2 1616."
James Cole and ...Mary Lobel...[disputed] were married in 1624. Their first children, James and Hugh, were probably born in London. They came to Saco, Maine, in 1632, and the following year, 1633, located in Plymouth, Mass., where he was admitted as freeman the same year. He was known as a sailor. His name appears upon the tax list of Plymouth in l634; Jan. 2, 1636, he had a grant of ten acres of land; Jan. 2, 1637, the court deeded him seven acres of land to belon to his dwelling house. Three acres of land probably included all the land on the south side of Leydon Street, from tbe corner of Warren Street to the westerly line of the lot opposite the Universalist Church. His dwelling stood on the lot next below the Baptist Church. He was the first settler of and lived upon what is still known as "Cole's Hill," the first burial ground of the Pilgrims. This land probably included the ground upon which rests Plymouth Rock. In September, 1641, he had a grant of fifty acres of land at Lakenham meadow. In October, 1642, he had a further grant of land at the same place. In l662 a grant of land at Sacconet Neck. In l665 he had thirty acres of land on the west side of the Namuet River. He was surveyor of highways in the years, l64l, 42, 5l, and 52; was constable in 1641 and I644. In 1637 his name appears upon a list of volunteers against the Pequot Indians.
Soon after his arrival at Plymouth he opened the first inn or public house of plymouth, and one of it not the first, public house in New England. This house was kept as a public house by him and his son James until 1698. In 1668 he sold to his son James the land down to and including the lot upon which stands the Baptist Church. In 1689 his son James sold it to William Shurtliffe.
He was married to Marye TIBBES on 8 May 1625 in Barnstaple, Devonshire, England. Barnstaple Parish Register of Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538 to 1812OCCUPATION: "sayler", inkeeper, shoemaker. Best known as proprietor of Cole's Tavern on Cole's Hill in central Plymouth (Stratton)
IMMIGRATION: Came on Ship Anne - landed Plymouth MA 1633
REF: The Great Migration Begins - eliminates Lobel and Saco ME info of earlier works and gives origins.
REF: Stratton, Plymouth Colony
NOTE- in Plymouth in 1633 where he was a freeman the same year. was a sailor in Plymouth in 1634. Surveyor of highways in 1641 and 1644. Volunteer against Pequot Indians in 1637. Kept the first public house or Inn in Plymouth and one of the first in New England. It was conducted from 1633-1698 being run afterwards by his son James and then his son James.
NOTE: Family story about shorting someone in a transaction..selling ale short weight.. Stratton says:.. fined for selling less than legal measure, presented for breach of the peace, fined for selling wine to an Indian etc. Wife Mary was fined with him on 2 Mar 1668/69 for sellinf strong liquors to an Indian and 3 pounds for allowing people to drink on Sunday during public worship (PCR-5:15)
REF: Gentle Pioneers: shoemaker, innkeeper Plymouth. Taxed in 1633, freeman 1633. Proprietor, town officer. Kept the famous tavern. Lived on the side of the hill which still bears his name.A website in tribute:
I find our immigrant Cole ancestor to be one of the most colorful characters I have found in my family tree. In reading the second-hand accounts of his appearances in public records I would characterize James Cole of Plymouth, Massachusetts as intelligent, respected, prominent, business-oriented, politically astute, and notorious.
James Cole arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1633. Although some published accounts of his arrival in the colonies place him first in Saco, Maine, later published records show that a different James Cole most probably settled in Saco, Maine.
The most comprehensive information on the descendants of James Cole is found in an extensive genealogy, The Descendants of James Cole of Plymouth 1633, by Ernest Byron Cole, published in 1908. Several later published articles have corrected and amplified Ernest Byron Cole's work.
Although an early "myth" about James Cole claimed he married the daughter of a famous botanist, whose surname was Lobel, more recent published information cites records from Barnstaple, Devonshire, England that identify Mary Tibbes as the wife of James Cole. His first two children, James and Hugh, were likewise baptized in Barnstaple, Devonshire.
James Cole had at least two more children for whom records can be found: John and Mary.
Of particular interest is James Cole's apparent lack of church membership among the scores of early prominent settlers whose places of prominence in the community were usually parallelled by leadership roles within the church. Not only did James Cole appear to avoid church, but also operated a rather rowdy tavern - almost reminiscent of those which gave the old west a notorious flavor.
James Cole became a freeman in Plymouth about 1634. He obtained from the colony a license to operate a public house, and by 1637 his first violation of the liquor control laws was recorded in the court records. A later account describes the throwing of stools and general disturbance until early morning hours. By 1640 the court withdrew James Cole's license to sell liquor, after which he was fined for selling liquor without a license. His license was not restored until 1645.
James continued to operate an inn even without his liquor license. He was apparently financially successful and acted as surety on bonds at various times and loaned money. He undoubtedly won the respect of the townspeople. He was elected constable in 1641/2 and again in 1644. He was also appointed highway surveyor several times beginning in 1642.
James Cole, as well as his wife, continued to experience problems in operating the tavern within legal boundaries after his license was restored. James and Mary were fined for allowing drunkenness in the tavern, selling liquor on Sunday, and selling liquor to Indians. In 1652 one of his tavern patrons was up all night drinking in Cole's house before he went out fishing and accidentally drowned.
James himself was cited three times by the court for being drunk, the last time in 1671. In defense of his third offense he claimed to have an infirmity which caused him to appear drunk, and was not fined. He was also charged with battery in 1650, but cleared of the offense.
Despite the rowdy reputation of Cole's tavern, the court in 1653 decided to pay James Cole for his expense of operating an "ordinary," and provided him with "necessaries" for entertaining strangers. In 1659 the court again paid Cole 10 pounds for improvements in his "ordinary."
James Cole also appeared numerous times in court records as either plaintiff or defendant in various actions involving business contracts and debt collections.
In 1670 the operation of the tavern succeeded to James, Jr., who was not charged the excise tax that year because he was beginning a new business. The operation of the tavern went smoothly after James, Jr. took it over, and there were no more fines for license and liquor violations, although one of the patrons was charged with "drinking, gameing and uncivil revelling" in 1671 when he brought a mare into Cole's parlor. Although James, Jr. was not held responsible he was cautioned to "keep good order in his house . . . " with "no revelling there."
There apparently is no record of the deaths of James and his wife Mary.
Hugh's brother John, born 21 November 1637, was also one of the original proprietors of Swansea, but was not as active and prominent in town affairs as his brother. He Married Elizabeth Ryder, daughter of Samuel Ryder of Yarmouth. They had four children. John died in 1677 in Swansea. His daughter Elizabeth married our ancestor William Hammond of Swansea on 10 Jan 1695.
Possibly by other marriage?
This following is disputed by recently found records in England but is included here: The earliest information obtained of James Cole whose name stands at the head of the family in America, dates from 1616, when he was living at Highgate, a suburb of London, England. He is spoken of a great lover of flowers, "...and it is probably due to this fact that he became acquainted with and married Mary Lobel, a daughter of the noted botanist and physician, Mathieu Lobel. Mathieu Lobel was born in Lille in 1538. He was the son of Jean De Lobel, a distinguished lawyer. Mathieu was a physician nt Montpelier, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland; he also practiced medicine in Antwerp, being attached as physician to William of Orange; from Antwerp he came to London, and became physician to James I. He was a great student of vegetable physiology, and was the author of a number of books upon medicinal plants. It was he who first discovered the medicinal qualities of the plant Lobelia, and gave the plant its name, using his own name and adding the letters "ia." He died in Highgate, London, March 2 1616."
James Cole and ...Mary Lobel...[disputed] were married in 1624. Their first children, James and Hugh, were probably born in London. They came to Saco, Maine, in 1632, and the following year, 1633, located in Plymouth, Mass., where he was admitted as freeman the same year. He was known as a sailor. His name appears upon the tax list of Plymouth in l634; Jan. 2, 1636, he had a grant of ten acres of land; Jan. 2, 1637, the court deeded him seven acres of land to belon to his dwelling house. Three acres of land probably included all the land on the south side of Leydon Street, from tbe corner of Warren Street to the westerly line of the lot opposite the Universalist Church. His dwelling stood on the lot next below the Baptist Church. He was the first settler of and lived upon what is still known as "Cole's Hill," the first burial ground of the Pilgrims. This land probably included the ground upon which rests Plymouth Rock. In September, 1641, he had a grant of fifty acres of land at Lakenham meadow. In October, 1642, he had a further grant of land at the same place. In l662 a grant of land at Sacconet Neck. In l665 he had thirty acres of land on the west side of the Namuet River. He was surveyor of highways in the years, l64l, 42, 5l, and 52; was constable in 1641 and I644. In 1637 his name appears upon a list of volunteers against the Pequot Indians.
Soon after his arrival at Plymouth he opened the first inn or public house of plymouth, and one of it not the first, public house in New England. This house was kept as a public house by him and his son James until 1698. In 1668 he sold to his son James the land down to and including the lot upon which stands the Baptist Church. In 1689 his son James sold it to William Shurtliffe.
He was married to Marye TIBBES on 8 May 1625 in Barnstaple, Devonshire, England. Barnstaple Parish Register of Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538 to 1812OCCUPATION: "sayler", inkeeper, shoemaker. Best known as proprietor of Cole's Tavern on Cole's Hill in central Plymouth (Stratton)
IMMIGRATION: Came on Ship Anne - landed Plymouth MA 1633
REF: The Great Migration Begins - eliminates Lobel and Saco ME info of earlier works and gives origins.
REF: Stratton, Plymouth Colony
NOTE- in Plymouth in 1633 where he was a freeman the same year. was a sailor in Plymouth in 1634. Surveyor of highways in 1641 and 1644. Volunteer against Pequot Indians in 1637. Kept the first public house or Inn in Plymouth and one of the first in New England. It was conducted from 1633-1698 being run afterwards by his son James and then his son James.
NOTE: Family story about shorting someone in a transaction..selling ale short weight.. Stratton says:.. fined for selling less than legal measure, presented for breach of the peace, fined for selling wine to an Indian etc. Wife Mary was fined with him on 2 Mar 1668/69 for sellinf strong liquors to an Indian and 3 pounds for allowing people to drink on Sunday during public worship (PCR-5:15)
REF: Gentle Pioneers: shoemaker, innkeeper Plymouth. Taxed in 1633, freeman 1633. Proprietor, town officer. Kept the famous tavern. Lived on the side of the hill which still bears his name.A website in tribute:
I find our immigrant Cole ancestor to be one of the most colorful characters I have found in my family tree. In reading the second-hand accounts of his appearances in public records I would characterize James Cole of Plymouth, Massachusetts as intelligent, respected, prominent, business-oriented, politically astute, and notorious.
James Cole arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1633. Although some published accounts of his arrival in the colonies place him first in Saco, Maine, later published records show that a different James Cole most probably settled in Saco, Maine.
The most comprehensive information on the descendants of James Cole is found in an extensive genealogy, The Descendants of James Cole of Plymouth 1633, by Ernest Byron Cole, published in 1908. Several later published articles have corrected and amplified Ernest Byron Cole's work.
Although an early "myth" about James Cole claimed he married the daughter of a famous botanist, whose surname was Lobel, more recent published information cites records from Barnstaple, Devonshire, England that identify Mary Tibbes as the wife of James Cole. His first two children, James and Hugh, were likewise baptized in Barnstaple, Devonshire.
James Cole had at least two more children for whom records can be found: John and Mary.
Of particular interest is James Cole's apparent lack of church membership among the scores of early prominent settlers whose places of prominence in the community were usually parallelled by leadership roles within the church. Not only did James Cole appear to avoid church, but also operated a rather rowdy tavern - almost reminiscent of those which gave the old west a notorious flavor.
James Cole became a freeman in Plymouth about 1634. He obtained from the colony a license to operate a public house, and by 1637 his first violation of the liquor control laws was recorded in the court records. A later account describes the throwing of stools and general disturbance until early morning hours. By 1640 the court withdrew James Cole's license to sell liquor, after which he was fined for selling liquor without a license. His license was not restored until 1645.
James continued to operate an inn even without his liquor license. He was apparently financially successful and acted as surety on bonds at various times and loaned money. He undoubtedly won the respect of the townspeople. He was elected constable in 1641/2 and again in 1644. He was also appointed highway surveyor several times beginning in 1642.
James Cole, as well as his wife, continued to experience problems in operating the tavern within legal boundaries after his license was restored. James and Mary were fined for allowing drunkenness in the tavern, selling liquor on Sunday, and selling liquor to Indians. In 1652 one of his tavern patrons was up all night drinking in Cole's house before he went out fishing and accidentally drowned.
James himself was cited three times by the court for being drunk, the last time in 1671. In defense of his third offense he claimed to have an infirmity which caused him to appear drunk, and was not fined. He was also charged with battery in 1650, but cleared of the offense.
Despite the rowdy reputation of Cole's tavern, the court in 1653 decided to pay James Cole for his expense of operating an "ordinary," and provided him with "necessaries" for entertaining strangers. In 1659 the court again paid Cole 10 pounds for improvements in his "ordinary."
James Cole also appeared numerous times in court records as either plaintiff or defendant in various actions involving business contracts and debt collections.
In 1670 the operation of the tavern succeeded to James, Jr., who was not charged the excise tax that year because he was beginning a new business. The operation of the tavern went smoothly after James, Jr. took it over, and there were no more fines for license and liquor violations, although one of the patrons was charged with "drinking, gameing and uncivil revelling" in 1671 when he brought a mare into Cole's parlor. Although James, Jr. was not held responsible he was cautioned to "keep good order in his house . . . " with "no revelling there."
There apparently is no record of the deaths of James and his wife Mary.
Last name may have also been spelled "Tibbes"