Have you ever wondered why you were born in America? Why did your family decide to leave their home to come here? And, what was their life like when they got here? This is the true story of one family that emigrated to the New World and has expanded into the Twenty-first Century. The Chamberlain story begins with Francis Chamberlain and Agnes Hayden in England during the 1600s, when the world was a different place.
Francis Chamberlain and Agnes Hayden
1580 Francis Chamberlain was born, I presume, in England. Francis contributed to our family gene pool a sense of adventure, entrepreneurship and bold risk taking. His connection, as father of Thomas, Edmond and William, is based on circumstantial evidence and can not be proved. However, unlike other prominent Chamberlain American immigrants, his connection can not be disproved.
Francis Chamberlain married Agnes Hayden. 16th Century red brick tower of Church of St. Peter, Parish of Ugley, Essex. England.
1614 Francis Chamberlain married Agnes Hayden in Ugley, Essex Co., England,1 a small, (and quite lovely) village about 30 miles north-east of London. Agnes Hayden was a wonderful choice for our family. She seems to have brought a balance to our genetic base with her contribution of spirituality, integrity and moral courage. Francis and Agnes are likely my eighth great-grand parents.
I spell Agnes Hayden with a “y” even though it was spelled Haiden on the marriage record which reads: “CHAMBERLAIN, Francis & perhaps Agnes HAIDEN; m 1613/14 Ugley, Essex”. I believe the “perhaps” was recorded because someone was not sure how to spell her name, (I do not believe this means “perhaps” they were married, or “perhaps” Francis married someone else!). Anyway, her father’s name was spelled Hayden, so I will go with that.
The date on the record 1613/14 is from the old/new calendar systems. To avoid confusion, I have adjusted all my dates to the new calendar system.
Y-DNA study rules out Henry and Richard as father of the three brothers
Genealogist Prentiss Glazier stated that Francis is “presumably the father of Thomas, Edmond and William.”2 This statement is given greater credibility by our family (my brother Martin’s) Y-DNA test results.3
What is Y-DNA? There are two things that a father passes down directly to his sons. His surname and a small chromosome called the Y chromosome, which determines that the child will be a male. The haplotype profile in my family closely matches those of documented descendants of Thomas, Edmond and William Chamberlain which proves that we are indeed direct descendants.
On the other hand, our Y-DNA does not match descendants of Henry Chamberlain or Richard Chamberlain. This shows that they are not closely related to, and disqualifies them as parents of the three brothers. So, sorry Henry, “you are not the father!”
This leaves Francis as the possible father. The time-line for Francis Chamberlain, Agnes Hayden and their three possible sons is smooth and without contradiction. Nevertheless, the evidence is circumstantial and a direct connection remains elusive.
1615 their first son Thomas Chamberlain was born
1617 their second son, Edmond Chamberlain was born
1619 their third son, William Chamberlain was born
The Voyage of Francis Chamberlain to Virginia
Francis Chamberlain came to Virginia on the Marmaduke, 1621
On July 12, 1621 Francis Chamberlain set sail from London on the Marmaduke,4 probably arriving in Virginia in October or November. Of course we cannot be certain that this Francis Chamberlain is the same Francis who married Agnes Hayden.
We do not know what happened to Agnes Hayden. However, if the Francis Chamberlain sailing the Atlantic on the Marmaduke is the same one who married her, the three brothers were apparently left in her care and/or the care of servants.
The only evidence we have for this being the same Francis is the time line which shows no contradiction at this point as his departure is about two years after the birth of William.
The glaring question is why would Francis leave his wife Agnes and three small sons behind? As you read on, the plot thickens and a possible motive is manifest.
Powhatan Indians attack the English settlements
On March 22, 1622 a few months after Francis Chamberlain arrived in Virginia, Chief Opechancanough led the Powhatan Indians in a campaign of surprise attacks on the English settlements and plantations, mostly along the James River. Using clubs, knives or any tool available they killed about 347 men, women and children, almost one third of the 1200 colonists.
Jamestown was saved by the warning of a young Indian living in the home of one of the colonists, Richard Pace. The Indian woke Pace and told him of the planned attack. Living across the river from Jamestown, Pace secured his family and rowed to the settlement to spread the alarm. Jamestown increased its defenses and was not attacked. Survivors flocked to the protection of the more fortified Jamestown.5
Indian Massacre of 1622, a woodcut by Matthaeus Merian, This massacre occurred a few weeks before Rebecca Chamberlain and her new born baby, Francis, arrived in Virgina.
April 1622 William Newce, had previously made an offer to pay the expense of 1000 colonists’ voyage to Virginia by the summer of 1625. The massacre, however, brought this enterprise to an abrupt halt. Captain John Smith wrote: “This lamentable and so unexpected disaster drave them all to their wits end. It was twenty or thirty daies ere they resolve what to doe; but at last it was concluded all the petty Plantations should be abandoned, and drawne only to make good five or six places.”6
April 1622 Some time in April there was a second massacre of between twenty and thirty persons. Much sickness followed the uprising. A period of intermittent warfare continued through 1632.
Rebecca Chamberlain arrives in Virginia after deadly Indian attacks
Rebecca Chamberlain arrived in Virginia from London in April on the Bona Nova. Her emotions were intense as land appeared on the horizon. She had not seen her husband Francis since he left England in July! Two of Francis Chamberlain’s servants accompanied her and cared for her on the journey. Rebecca had given birth to a new baby boy during the voyage. She named him Francis after his father.
When she stepped off the ship with her new baby, she was horrified to find her new home settlement still reeling from the horrific disaster that had struck a few weeks earlier. The residents were still in a state of shock and panic.
Two surveys give information about Francis Chamberlain in Virginia
16 February 1623 Francis Chamberlain had survived the attack. A survey of the living and dead in Virginia listed Francis and Rebecca Chamberlain as living in Elizabeth City.
7 February 1625 Francis Chamberlain Muster at Elizabeth City, Virginia.7 This census ordered by the Crown in June 1624 was taken, showing a total population of 1232 settlers and included numbers of weapons, livestock, grain, etc.. Virtually all information we have about Francis Chamberlain and his family in Virginia comes from this census. The muster lists Francis age 3, as born in Virginia. *However, If the child was actually age 3 by the date of the muster, his birth occurred during the voyage on the Bona Nova.
Francis Chamberlin age 45, Marmaduke 1621; Rebecca Chamberlin age 37, Bona Nova 1622; Francis Chamberlin age 3, Born in Virginia.*
Servants: John Forth age 16, Bona Nova 1622; William Worlidge age 18, Bona Nova 1622; Sionell Rolston age 30, God’s Guifte 1623; Richard Burton age 28, Swan 1624.
Events in England
King Charles 1 by Gerrit van Honthorst, oil on canvas, 1628
In England, the reign of King Charles 1 began on March 27, 1625. Charles believed in the divine right of kings and governed according to his own desire. Many of his subjects opposed his policies, especially the levying of taxes without parliamentary consent, and perceived his actions as tyrannical. His religious policies and his marriage to a Roman Catholic generated the antipathy and mistrust in reform groups of Puritans and Calvinists. They grew increasingly dismayed by Charles’s diplomacy with Spain and his failure to effectively support the Protestant cause abroad.8
1633 King Charles 1 began a series of reforms that attempted to ensure religious uniformity by restricting non-conformist preachers. He prosecuted those who opposed his reforms.
1634 King Charles 1 imposed a feudal levy known as ship money on the coastal counties. This proved to be a very unpopular tax.
Thomas and William Chamberlain set sail for Virginia
June 1635 Thomas Chamberlain age 20 embarked on the Thomas & John from Gravesend, England to Virginia.10 The port at Gravesend served all of southeastern England. Thomas likely lived in or near Billericay, Essex Co, England about twenty miles north of the port and which was considered a “hot bed for dissent”.11
August 21, 1635 William Chamberlain age 16 embarked on the Thomas from Gravesend, England to Virginia.12
April 1644 The Chamberlain family was growing. Thomas had found a wife, a beautiful young woman named Mary Parker,14 who at age 15 arrived in Virginia on The Constance, October 24, 1635.15 She was now 24. They had two small children they named Thomas and Anne. Thomas’ brother William was still single at the age of 25.
We don’t know if Francis and Rebecca had any more children. Their son Francis was now 22 years old.
On April 18, 1644, an Indian massacre in Virginia was again staged by Powhatan Chief Opechancanough. The attack killed about 500 colonists, about ten percent of the population. This leaves us the question: What happened to the Chamberlain family?
Thomas and William’s relationship to the Spencer Chamberlain Family
With the arrival of Thomas and William in Virginia, the emigration of our Spencer Chamberlain line to the New World is complete. Thomas is the great grandfather of “Paugus” John Chamberlain who for at least 90 years was believed to be a direct ancestor of Spencer Chamberlain. This is our traditional family line and will always be an important part of our family history.
Spencer Chamberlain is from the family line of William, Daniel and Thomas. Thomas, the grandson of William Chamberlain, left many descendants in the vicinity of Westmoreland NH and Stockbridge VT.13
To be continued.…..
See Chapter 2- Thomas and William Chamberlain Leave Virginia Or, see where I believe Francis Chamberlain went. (See Chapter 3).
If you got this far, please click Goodbye or Table of Contents. This will simply tell me that someone looked at this post. Thank you! Dennis Chamberlain
© Copyright Dennis D. Chamberlain, The Chamberlain Story, 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of the written content of this site without express and written permission from the author and owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided credit is given to Dennis D. Chamberlain and direction to www.thechamberlainstory.com.
References:
- Supplement to Torry’s New England Marriages Prior to 1700, p. 51.
- Prentiss Glazier, Chamberlain Families of Early New England, The American Genealogist, July 1975 p.151
- Study the Y-DNA of Ernest Martin Chamberlain Jr., conducted through The Chamberlain Association, Certificate signed by David E. Rothschild, M.D., October 28, 2003.
- John Camden Hotten’s Original Lists, p. 254.
- www.historyisfun.org/jamestown-chronicles/timeline.html
- Fredrick William Gookin, Daniel Gookin 1612-1687, His Life and Letters, Chicago 1912, p. 42
- John Camden Hotten’s Original Lists, p. 254.
- wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles I of England
- Index Project Batch Number PO1675-1, Familysearch.org.
- John Camden Hotten’s Original Lists, P. 84
- Prentiss Glazier, Chamberlain Families of Early New England, The American Genealogist, July 1975 p.151
- John Camden Hotten’s Original Lists, P. 127
- Prentiss Glazier, Chamberlain Families of Early New England, The American Genealogist, July 1975 p.153
- Abid., p. 151.
- John Camden Hotten’s Original Lists, p. 137.
Great discovery, just found your Chamberlin story. My name is Randall Chamberlin,(changed by Moses Chamberlain in 1800s.) I have discovered my ancestry back to William Chamberlain. I have traveled my Chamberlain family from Billerica, William, son Clement, to grandson Joseph born in Tolland Ct. to his son Colbe Chamberlain. Colbe Chamberlain move to Amelia NY. He raises his son Coonradt Chamberlain (my 4th great grandfather). Coonradt has a son Moses and that family moves through south central New York and Moses finally settled in Allegany New York. Four more generations are in this area of Western New York. I am now trying to get information and stories on each of my great grandfather’s to pass on to my family. Thanks again Randy
Great family line research. If you ever do your DNA on Ancestry or 23&me be sure to let me know.
Thank you,
Dennis Chamberlain
Hello, Randy! I have researched my line of Chamberlains back to my 6X great grandfather, Dr. John Chamberlain – brother to Colbe. I have written a book, “Three John Chamberlains and Cornelius Atherton” that follows the lives of Dr. John Chamberlain, his son Sgt. John, and grandson John, and trusted friend (related by marriage through the Delano line) Cornelius Atherton. My book won the 2017 Wisconsin Historical Society’s genealogy book award. The history of these brothers – including brother William who owned a tavern on the Oblong between Amenia, NY and Sharon, CT – during the Revolutionary War leads me to believe that perhaps they were working with or actually were members of General ‘Washington’s spy groups. The ‘Chamberlain Farm’ in Amenia sat next to the ‘Winegar’ farm – Coonradt’s mother was Catherine was a Winegar. I know that Colbe Chamberlain was a member of the King Solomon’s Masonic Lodge in Poughkeepsie – I have the membership records from its inception. I have been trying to find out what happened to Sgt. John Chamberlain after the war – it’s a mystery. After reading your post, I’m wondering if he went into hiding in the Allegheny’s with his cousins??? It’s kind of a long story, too long to post here, but if he was one of Washington’s Spies, he wouldn’t have wanted to be found after the war for a few reasons. I’m willing to share what research I have compiled. I’ll be traveling to England next spring and hope to find something about the origins of the three Chamberlain immigrating brothers. Warm regards, Katherine
Hi I have been searching for the connection between William Chamberlain b. 1619 and his ties to England after reading the William of Woburn papers compiled by David Chamberlain at http://worldchamberlaingenealogy.org/dcc_fgr/dccfgr/ln06177.pdf. In these papers the compiler expresses disbelief that Francis Chamberlain is, in fact, his father for a multitude of reasons. I was wondering what evidence there is linking the two? At the website of compiled Y chromosome data https://www.familytreedna.com/public/Chamberlain?iframe=yresults I found that other relatives of William Chamberlain b 1619 (William of Woburn) share my father’s Y chromosome (which is known through the 23andme service). Since there is no connection as far as I can tell between Thomas, Edmund, and William Chamberlain and Francis and Rebecca, I was hoping that you could share whatever evidence you have found that links them.
Hi Sydney,
You are quite right, Francis Chamberlain and his wife Agnes Hayden cannot be proven to be the parents of Thomas Edmond and William. Neither can it be proven that the Francis who married Agnes Hayden is the same Francis who came to America in 1621. However, the time line, marriage of Francis and Agnes 1614, approximate year of birth from the ages of Thomas 1615, Edmond 1617, and William 1619 and then Francis leaves for America in 1621 followed by his pregnant new wife a few months later makes a very intriguing story. A story which unfortunately can neither be proved or disproved.
Here are a few of my thoughts on this:
1- YDNA proves Thomas, Edmond and William are not related to the other American immigrants Henry and Richard.
2- YDNA also proves that TE&W are brothers or at very least cousins. My DNA study of chromosome 9 in my Chapter D2 shows they are almost certainly brothers.
3- I do not believe that Francis “next but one to Daniel Gookin” means they were neighbors. My interpretation of this is that Francis Chamberlain was exceeded in wealth only by Daniel Gookin.
4- Thomas and William were Puritans, why did they go to Virginia instead of directly to Massachusetts? Was it to seek their father for some reason?
5- David Chamberlain makes a good point that none of TE&W named their sons Francis. However, would you name your son after a father who abandoned you when you were a child?
6- Both William Chamberlain and his wife Rebecca lived in Boston before they moved to Woburn.
Does your father have a YDNA kit # on the familytreedna website? If so let me know what it is. Or what 23&me information are you talking about?
Hope this helps. Contact me by email if you wish. mtopublishing@aol.com
Thank you, Dennis Chamberlain
I am going over things again and again [if] the three brothers were born by 1619 [William the last at July 1619] and their mother died in [abt]1619 either in childbirth or shortly there after. We have Francis setting sail on the Marmaduke July 12 1621. This would lead me to believe that he married Rebecca abt 1619 /20 if her son Francis was born en-route or just prior to leaving England. She or he [Francis Sr had to have arranged for family to watch the 3 toddlers left behind [Thomas, Edmund and William]. I wonder who. It seems the 3 brothers came to VA on the ship Thomas in 1635 making them 16, 18 & 20. I have Thomas Chamberlain [1564-1633] as Francis’ father and Dorothie Jackson [1565-1533] as his mother. Can anyone confirm this or at least have the same.
Lucille,
That is an excellent question. I really should write a post to review what we know and what we don’t know about Francis Chamberlain. Did Agnes Hayden die in 1619? I have seen no record of her death and would love to see it if one exists. As to the parents of Francis, I have seen no records. One big problem is that there may be many Francis Chamberlains and it is almost impossible to be sure that we are always talking about the same one.
Dennis Chamberlain
Just wanted to check in …just found your web site as I’m working on my family tree. 🙂 I’m related through the son Edmund but a little confused with a few “Edmund’s” … more things to work on 🙂 Thank you for sharing your wonderful web site. I look forward to reading it and learning more about our family!
Lisa, California
Hi Dennis,
I believe (“believe” being the operative word), that Rebecca’s maiden name was Shelley. I base this on another belief I have that her sister was Sarah Shelley, who married an Addington (Isaac, I think, but I’d have to consult my records). I think that’s where the confusion with the names stems from.
I’m pretty sure that in-laws back then were simply known as brother or sister, and not brother-in-law or sister-in-law. That being the case, both Isaac and Sarah would be referred to as brother and sister by Rebecca – just as both Rebecca and William would be referred to as sister and brother by Sarah.
That’s my theory, anyway,
Walter
Hi Walter,
My post on Rebecca Chamberlain and the Salem Witch Trials is by far my most popular post. There is also much interest in her maiden name. I have tried to come up with a profound explanation to show that it is either Shelly or Addington. However, I always find arguments both for and against both names. I would like to write a blog post on this but the best I can do is say “I just don’t know which name is correct”. If I decide to write a post on this I will be sure to review your theory.
Thanks for your comments,
Dennis Chamberlain
Francis and Agnes Chamberlain’s son William married Rebecca (Shelley) Addington.
I must be missing something, somewhere.
I am seeking her parents’ names. She is my 9th great grandmother.
How is the “Shelley” tied in with her? Addington is her last name, correct?
Some call her Rebecca Addington and some call her Rebecca Shelley. The reason is the clues that give us her last name could be one or the other, but know one knows which one is correct. I should study this again. Good idea for a post in my blog. Thanks, Dennis Chamberlain
Dennis, the Rebecca in your story is not Rebecca (Shelley) Addington, or is it? I have the same as Sheldon – Rebecca (Shelley) Addington married William Chamberlain, son of Francis and Agnes.
Hi Maria, When all the evidence is studied we are left to guess whether Rebecca’s maiden name is Shelley or Addington. (I have not seen it as Sheldon) Yes, her husband was William Chamberlain. There is circumstantial evidence that Francis Chamberlain and Agnes Hayden were his parents. Whether the same Francis is the one who came to America is also based on circumstantial evidence. I would like solve these mysteries. It would be great to find information that came through someone’s family down through the generations. Thanks, Dennis
one of my great grandmothers was a Lovina Chamberlain (married to a Chesley)…….she appears to be linked to William and Rebecca Shelley Addington……from what I read it seems plausible that Rebecca had a step father or some relation that was a Shelley and explains why she is referred to with both names.
Hi Aaron,
Rebecca Chamberlain, the wife of William Chamberlain was born either Rebecca Addington or Rebecca Shelley. In Sarah Shelley’s last will and testament she left her estate to the families of her brother Isaac Addington Sr. and her “sister” Rebecca Chamberlain. Therefore if Sarah Shelley was married, Rebecca’s name was Addington. If Sarah was never married Rebecca’s name was either Shelley, (if Rebecca was Sarah’s biological sister), or Addington if Rebecca was Isaac’s biological sister. No one knows for sure, however, it was either Addington or Shelley but not both names.
Also, (for the benefit of readers of this post) The Rebecca who came to America with Francis Chamberlain is a completely different person than Rebecca the wife of William Chamberlain. (This can get very confusing)
Thanks for your comment.
Dennis Chamberlain
It would be wonderful if there were anyway possible that we could try to locate a proven ancestor of the Francis Jr (who you are pretty certain went to Barbados) to do a YDNA test. I really wonder if we would be able to locate a male descendant…It would be so cool to prove your theory. I believe you are on track. The new YDNA has really moved us ahead ions in proving connections to the right ancestor!! Are you aware Dennis if any Chamberlains now living on Barbados would be willing to test? Or…perhaps they too came to the US later and his(Francis Jr’s) descendants
are somewhere out there?
Penny Kresl
Hi Penny, I believe most of Francis Chamberlain’s family left Barbados by the 1680s. They may have gone back to Virginia or back to England. I would like to find some descendants of Francis Jr also. Some Chamberlains settled around Norfolk Virginia but not sure their parentage. Dennis Chamberlain
Kuddos to your excellent and extremely interesting blog! I have always ben curious as to some of the conflicting info out there re parentage to the 3 brothers – Many state Agnes Hayden as Mother, while the ship record you mention indicates the Mothers name is Rebecca. Are these women one in the same? Is the latter a second wife and Francis Jr could be a half sibling?
I believe Agnes Hayden is the mother and Francis is the father of the three brothers. It cannot be proven absolutely that the Francis who came to America is the same Francis. However, he came to America with a different wife, Rebecca. Why this is so can only be left to our imagination.Thomas and William grew up in England and came to Virginia 14 years later. Very glad you enjoyed the chapter.