The American Peckhams

            Now we will take up and study the descendants of our ancestor, John Peckham, and our direct ancestors.  John Peckham was a minister of the Church of England, and was Chaplin to the Earl of Hertford (afterwards, Duke of Somerset) in 1634.

            From all appearances he became estranged from his people and the Earl of Hertford, through religious differences and came to Boston with Sir Henry Vane in 1634.  It is supposed that he became acquainted with Sir Henry Vane through his religious relationship with the Earl of Hertford, and that he went to London to the Coleman Street Baptist Church, where Dr. John Clarke was pastor, and took passage to Boston with Sir Henry Vane.

            We next hear of John Peckham in Rhode Island in 1638.  In the meantime Dr. John Clarke and his sister Mary Clarke had come from England to America.  It is not known if  John Peckham and Mary Clarke had met in England or not, but it is supposed that they married in Boston, sometime during the administration of Sir Henry Vane as Governor of the Massachusetts Colony.  Dr. John Clarke became the first Elder of the Baptist Church in America, in Newport, Rhode Island.

            John Peckham settled, with others, on the Island of Aquidneck, or Isle of Rhodes.  His residence was in that part of Newport that finally became Middletown, and a stone marked “JP”, is supposed to mark his grave.

            In order to show the character of the men and women who first settled there, a point that every descendant of that Colony can always be proud, it will be well here and interesting to show how Rhode Island was first colonized.  This fact cannot be better proven than by the quotation, which follows, from the “Ridpath’s History of the World”

            “The founding of Rhode Island was the work of the celebrated Roger Williams, a young minister of Salem Village, north of Massachusetts Bay.  To him belongs the imperishable honor of being first in America, or in Europe, to proclaim the full gospel of religious toleration.”

            “He declared to his people that the conscience of man may in no wise be bound by the authority of the Magistrate, that civil government has only to do with civil matters, such as the collection of taxes, the restraint and punishment of crime, and the protection of all men in the enjoyments of equal rights.”

            “For those noble utterances he was obliged to quit the ministry of the Church at Salem Village and retire to Plymouth.”

            “Finally in 1634 he wrote a paper in which the declaration was made that the Grants of Land, though given by the King of England, were invalid, until the natives were justly recompensed.  This was equivalent to saying that the Colonial Charter itself was void, and that the people were living upon the land of the Indians.”

            “Great excitement was occasioned by this publication, and Williams consented that for the sake of public peace, the paper should be burned.  But he continued to teach his doctrines, saying that compulsory attendance at religious worship, as well as taxation for the support of the ministry, was contrary to the teachings of the gospel.”

            “When arraigned for these doctrines, he crowned these offenses by telling the Court that a test of church membership, in a voter, or a public officer was as ridiculous as the selection of a doctor of physic, or a pilot of a ship on account of his skill in theology.”

            These assertions raised such a storm in Court that Williams was condemned for heresy, and banned from the Colony.”  “In the dead of winter he left home and became an exile in the desolute forest.  For fourteen weeks he wandered on through the snow, sleeping at night on the ground, or in hollow trees, living on parched corn, acorns, and roots.  He carried with him one priceless treasure, a private letter from Governor Winthrop, giving him words of cheer and encouragement.”

            “Nor did the Indians fail to show their gratitude to the man who so nobly defended their rights.  In the Country of Wampanoags, he was kindly entertained.  The Indian Chief, Massasoit, invited him to his cabin at Pokanoket, and Canonicus, the King of the Narragansetts, received him as a friend and a brother.”

            “On the left bank of the Blackstone River, near the head of the Narragansett Bay, a resting place was at last found.  The exile pitched his tent, and with the opening of spring planted a field and built the first home in the village of Seabonk.”

            “Soon the information came to him that he was still within the territory of the Plymouth Colony, and another removal became necessary.”  With five companions who had joined him in banishment he embarked in a canoe, passed down the river  and crossed to the west side of the Bay.  Here he was safe, his enemies could hunt him no longer.” 

            “A tract of land was honorably purchased from Canonicus, and in June 1636, the illustrious founder of Rhode Island, laid out the City of Providence.”

            “The leader of the new colony was a native of Wales, born in 1606, and liberally educated, the pupil of Sir Edward Coke the friend of Milton, a dissenter, a hater of ceremonies, a disciple of truth in its purest form, an uncompromising advocate of freedom, exiled by the Massachusetts, he brought to the banks of the Narragansett the great doctrine of perfect religious liberty, and equal rights to all men.”           

            “If the area of Rhode Island had corresponded with the grandure on which she was founded, who could have foretold its destiny.  It was among men and women of this character that our American ancestors mingled and sought a home.”

            It is well to note here that while other New England Colonies were at warfare with the Indians for years, The Rhode Islanders always lived in peace and harmony with them.                                

            Like Roger Williams, John Peckham was driven from the Massachusetts Colony, and by the formers advice, and invitation, he settled on the north end of the Island of Aquidneck.  He, and his children, and grand-children acquired extensive holdings which at one time extended from New Bedford, Massachusetts, to Stonington, Connecticut.

            John Peckham married twice, as already mentioned;  His first wife was Mary Clarke, by whom he had the following children: -

1.      - Mary, married Tobias Saunders.

2.      - John, married Sarah Newport.

3.      - William, married (1) ? Clarke, (2) Phoebe Weeden.

4.      - Thomas, married (1) unknown, (2) Hannah Weeden Clarke.

5.      - James, died unmarried.

                        His second wife was Eleanor, whose surname was supposed to have been Peckham, and a distant relative of his.  The children of this marriage were:

6.      - Rebecca, married John Spooner

7.      - Stephen, married Mary.

8.      - Clement, married Lydia.

9.      - Deborah, married Robert Taylor.

10.  - Phoebe, married Thomas Gray.

11.  - Elizabeth, married Peter Taylor.

12.  - Sarah, married William Weeden.

            These twelve children are the ancestors, and the 2^nd generation, of the American Peckhams, and their allied relation.  Thomas Peckham (2^nd generation in America) fourth child of John Peckham, is our direct ancestor.  The date of his birth is not given.  He lived in Newport, and was a weaver.  The name of his first wife is not known.  His second wife was Hannah (Weeden) Clarke, daughter of William Weeden, and widow of William Clarke.  After the death of Thomas Peckham, in 1709, she married as her third husband, Joseph Clarke, of Westerly, Rhode Island, and brother of her first husband.  Thomas Peckham was one of the original Proprietors of East Greenwich, Rhode Island, in 1677, and was a Deputy from Newport to the General Assembly, which met May 4, 1708.  Very little is known of the events in the life of Thomas Peckham.  The Town Records of Newport, where he lived, were placed on a vessel for safe keeping during the Revolutionary War, and the vessel was sunk in “Hell Gate”, Long Island Sound.  Later, the Records were recovered, but so badly mutilated that many of them were undecipherable.  He had by his first wife, a son named (1.) Philip.  By his second wife Hannah (Weeden) Clarke, he had the following children: -

2.      - Daniel, born 1692;  married Mary Ross.

3.      - Thomas.

4.      - Uriah.

5.      - Hannah.

6.      - Sarah.

7.      - James.

            Philip and Daniel removed to Westerly, Rhode Island, and had many descendants, whose history is supported by both public and private records.

            Daniel, 3^rd generation, is our direct ancestor.  He was born in 1692, date of death was 1777.  He married February 11, 1720, Mary Ross.  She was born May 21, 1700, and died in 1768.  He was admitted a freeman in 1713, and lived at Westerly, Rhode Island.  Children were: -

1.      - Hannah, b. 1720.

2.      - Mary, b. 1722.

3.      - Daniel, b. 1726.

4.      - Sarah, b. 1729.

5.      - Abel, b. 1732, m. Rebecca Burdick;  Rev. soldier.  Died 1825.

6.      - James, b. 1736.

7.      - Ann, b. 1742.

8.      - George.

            Abel, 4^th generation in America, and fifth child, is our direct ancestor.  He married Rebecca Burdick.  “Abel Peckham, Charlestown, Rhode Island, and Rebecca Burdick, married by Joseph Crandall, Justice, February 24, 1754.”  “Rebecca, wife of Abel Peckham died October 22, 1799. (Hopkinton Seventh Day Baptist Church Record).  He was a “Minute Man” in The Revolution.  Their Children were: -

1.      - Braddock, b. 1758.

2.      - Peleg, b. 1762;  m. Elizabeth Stetson.

3.      - Rebecca, b. 1768.

4.      - Joshua, b. 1770;  m. (1) Sarah Stetson,  (2) Sarah Burdick.

5.      - James, b. 1776.

6.      - Susanna, married (1) Cross,  (2) Johnston.

7.      - Abel, b. 1779, d. 1832;  m. Hannah Harvey.

8.      - Amy, b. 1791, m. Thomas Hull.

9.      - Lodowick.

10.  - Lydia, died unmarried, and aged.

            Joshua, 5^th generation, and fourth child of this family, is our direct ancestor.  He was born at Westerly, Rhode Island on April 10, 1770, and died at Grafton, New York, April 14, 1851.  He married (1) about 1793 Sarah Stetson, who was born October 5, 1771, and who died April 29, 1808, and he married (2) Sarah Burdick, who was born in 1775 and who died in Albany, Wisconsin in 1864.  He removed to Grafton, Rennsselaer County, New York in 1800.  He was a ships carpenter.  Children by first wife: -

1.      - Sarah, b. 1794.

2.      - Dorcas, b. 1795.

3.      - Joshua, b.1797, d. 1798.

4.      - Abel, b. 1798, m. Adah Brown.

5.      - Rebecca, b. 1800.

6.      - Mary (Polly), b. 1801.

7.      - Stephen Stetson, b. 1803, m. Cornelia Brown.

8.      - Hannah, b. 1805, d. 1850.

9.      - Samuel, b. 1806, m. (1) Roxy Crandall,  (2) Caroline Scriven.

By second wife: -

10.  - Nancy, married Justua Allen.

11.  - Katherine, m. (1) Samuel Bruner,  (2) Charles Benjamin.

12.  - Harrison, b. 1818, m. Tamsen Verien.

            Abel, 6^th generation in America, and child #4, is our direct ancestor.  He was born at Westerly, Rhode Island August 7, 1798, and died at Albany, Wisconsin September 23, 1864.  He married at Petersburg, New York January 14, 1821, Adah Brown, daughter of Nathan and Willoughby Brown.  He resided at Petersburg, Rennsselaer County, Trenton, Oneida County, and Stockton, Chautauqua County, all in New York state, and later removed to Albany, Greene County, Wisconsin.  He was a cooper by trade.  Their children were: -

1.      Sally W., b. 1822, d. 1906;  m. Isaac T. Armsbury.

2.      Rhoda D.,  b. 1824,  d. 1890;  m. Michael M. McDermott.

3.      John T.,  b. 1825  drowned while washing sheep, Sugar River, near Albany, Wisconsin.

4.      Nelson A.,  b. 1827,  d. 1903;  m. Ann Jones.

5.      Winfield Scott,  b. 1829,  d. 1898;  m. (1) Helen Chamberlain,  (2) Mrs. Eleanor (Bailey) Turner.

6.      Adah Brown,  b. 1831,  d. 1906;  m. Voltaire D. Burt.

7.      Joshua Stetson,  b. 1833,  d. 1917;  m. Ann Atkinson.

8.      George O.,  b.  1835;  m. Ann Curtis.

9.      Lucy J.,  b. 1837,  d. 1884;  m. John W. Brewer.

10.  Mary R. (Polly),  b. 1839,  d. 1919;  m. John C Atkinson.

11.  Halsey G.,  b. 1842,  d. 1906;  m. Mrs. Paulina (Bailey) Carpenter.

            Nelson A., 7^th generation in America, and Child #4 is our direct ancestor.  He was born at Trenton, Oneida County, New York January 27, 1827, and died at Peck, Kansas October 15, 1903, and is buried at Enid, Oklahoma, beside his wife, who is also buried there.  He married in October 1821 at Albany, Wisconsin, Ann Jones, who was born in Wales, England December 12, 1834, and who died at Enid, Oklahoma, March 28,1908.  He was one of the first to homestead in Ness County, Kansas.  His son-in-law, Pete Drummond, editor of the Enid Eagle, said of him in his obituary, “He was ever restless and energetic; a true type of American frontiersman.  Mr. and Mrs. Peckham had the satisfaction of seeing the vast west transformed from a wild Indian ground to a land of civilization”.  Their children were:

1.      Louella Elnora, b. 1854, d. 1879;  m. Henry J. Mandeville.

2.      Emma Andrena,  b. 1855,  d. 1923;  m. George W. Fear.

3.      Abel Jay,  b. 1857, d. 1945;  m. Birdie Viona Schreiber.

4.      John Nelson,  b. 1858,  d. 1943;  m. Mary Josephine Slover.

5.      Eva Ann, b. 1860, d. 1927;  m. Z. K. Johnson.

6.      Ida Olea,  b. 1862,  d. 1928;  m. Lowell E. Turner.

7.      William Henry,  b. 1863,  d. 1938;  m. Ella Shugars.

8.      Frank Jones,  b. 1865,  d. 1944;  m. Rosa Mae Hellar.

9.      Charles Edward,  b.  1867 d. 1928;  m. Mabel Smith.

10.  Hiram Daniel,  b. 1869,  d. 1935;  m. Clara Bogue.

11.  Mary Ellen Mayme),  b. 1871,  d. 1914;  m. W. I. (Pete) Drummond.

12.  Sarah Adah, b. 1874, d. 1942;  m. Truman (Doc) Floyd.

13.  Maggie May, b. 1877, died in infancy.

14    Harry Thomas,  b. 1881,  d. 1955;  m. Ida Bell Kinder.

            This is where Wallace Peckham’s version of the family tree continues with details about his father, Abel Jay, 8^th generation, and child #3. 

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Our direct 8^th generation ancestor is William Henry, child #7.  He married Ellen Shugars in 1885.  Their children were:

1.      Luella (Lola), b. 1887, d. 1965;  m. 1929 Bill Snowden.

2.      Percy Magdalene, b. 1888, d. 1924;  m. 1914 Charley Hawk.

3.      Andrew Jay, b. 1891, d. 1974;  m. 1919 Ethel Hitch.

4.      Henry Irvin, b. 1894, d. 1948;  m. 1919 Velma Hitch.

5.      Hiram Daniel, b. 1896, d. 1975;  m. 1918 Jessie James.

6.      Irene, b. 1899, m. 1921 Fred Hildebrandt.

7.      Cecil Dennis, b. 1902, d. 1905.

8.      Birdie Ellen, b. 1904, d. 1934.

9.      Leona Arvilla, b. 1907, d. 1951;  m. 1931 Leo Meadows.

10.  Mabel Clara, b. 1909, m. (1) 1935 Fred Bennett, (2) 1955 William Gray, (3) 1957 Wilbur Young.

11.  Mae Ida, b. 1909, m.1945 Tye Anderson.  

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More American Ancestry

by Wallace S. Peckham

            Our paternal grandfather, Nelson A. Peckham, was one of the first to homestead in Ness County, Kansas, at least by the year 1872, where he was a cattleman.  By 1878, he had removed to Raton, New Mexico, and then, again, when “NO MAN’S LAND” was opened to settlers, he removed to Beaver City, where he kept a horse and mule barn with livery.  I have stood a team in such a place for 15¢ per day, or 75¢ per week.  Other pioneer business which was operated by our kinsmen, included the general merchandise store.  In that store you bought anything you needed – nails, flour, pins, potatoes – infact if your mamma sent you to the store, it might have been for a gallon of coal-oil for the kerosene stove, which the merchant would fill, putting a raw potato, or a gum-drop on the spout, to keep it from splashing out on your rough and tumble way home.  Later, the gasoline pump was added, and you drove up, and filled your “gas buggy” from a visible tank that was pumped full while you watched, and then run down by gravity into your tank.  Our folk at Beaver City operated such a store.

            Every one of the thirteen children of the family of Nelson A. Peckham, settled in Oklahoma, with the exception of Aunt Louella (Peckham) Mandeville, who died near Ness City, Kansas, in 1879.  Of these, three brothers and a sister in Beaver County, two brothers settled in Kingfisher County, and the others in Garfield County.  Uncle Lowell Turner made the famous race for homes, in the Cherokee Strip, but did not homestead.  A year later he bought a relinquishment.  In other early day business beginnings of which we recall, Uncle George Fear pioneered in the steam-laundry business.  The building was full of steam – no fan – hot place, but we liked it.  Really wasn’t as hot as it was outside.

            Uncle Zack Johnson had an up and coming pioneer business known as the Z. K. Johnson, and Sons – Coal and Feed.  Coal, in those days, was a leading fuel for heating.  It was a good loafing place for me, and I’ll always remember that great sign board that he had in front of the store, advertising Conkey Poultry Remedies, with a picture of a sick, featherless chicken on it, and the slogan: “Don’t worry, Conkey will cure you!!”

            Uncle Pete Drummond was a newspaper man, and published a Pioneer newspaper in Enid.  In 1898 he purchased two Enid newspapers, combining them into one, and published the Enid (Weekly) Sun.  In 1899 he purchased The Eagle, which he combined, and published the Sun Eagle, which newspaper became The Enid Eagle, and eventually The Enid Daily Eagle, an evening paper with a Sunday Morning edition, about the year 1908.  Uncle Pete published this newspaper until 1912 when he sold it to Edmund Frantz and William (Bill) Taylor.

            We should not weary in learning about our ancestors who have traveled the paths of pioneers, faced with savages, cleared the forests, broken up the sod, and formed these fine productive fields.  Their life was one of hard, and long hours, a life of inconvenience.  Yes, a life of heavy burdens, so that we might have this life of luxury and happiness.

            This is our heritage.  That we live in a free country where we can worship in the church of our choice, own our own homes, and our business.  We have the privilege vested in us to vote at free elections to vote for whom-so-ever we wish to run our government, and to represent us, and, if this business is not to our liking, or our way of thinking, we have the privilege to speak up in protest, without fear of the firing squad.

            We are proud of our heritage, and of our ancestry, and we must keep our records true, for our children, and our descendants.

            Our grandparents of one-hundred years ago, who were the pioneers of our western part of the country, had the satisfaction of seeing this land of ours, transformed from a wild Indian hunting ground to a land of civilization.  Our parents witnessed still more change, and we – have seen the passing of the dug-outs – log cabins – and “soddies” with their home-made household furniture, tallow candles, spinning wheels, etc. to the modern home of expensive furnishings.