Category Archives: History Timeline 1580-1945

The Chamberlain Story history-timeline category is a series of about 30 posts that form an unbroken chain of generations from Francis Chamberlain, who arrived in Virginia on the Marmaduke in 1621, to my father, Ernest M. Chamberlain, and his family during World War II. It is a study of our family’s interaction with local and national history.

Students connected with the Chamberlain family will get a glimpse of history through the perspective of their forefathers, and see that American history is also their history. My greatest hope is that this history-timeline will be used as a supplement by high school and college students in their study of American history.

This category will show our traditional line from the immigrant Thomas Chamberlain through “Paugus” John Chamberlain and the battle of Lovewell’s Pond in 1725. This was an important tradition of our family history for over 100 years. Chapter 7 presents evidence that John Chamberlain was indeed the one who shot chief Paugus.

New information found by The Chamberlain Story proves that Spencer Chamberlain was the step-son of Increase Chamberlain, Jr. in Westmoreland, NH, and Stockbridge, VT (1790 and 1800 US Census), and in Glover, VT 1802-1810. Therefore, Spencer is the son of John Chamberlain, son of Thomas of Westmoreland. It took my grandfather, my daughter and me over 80 years to put together this information!

Carefully study Chapter 10 and Chapter 15 to update your genealogy.  Virtually no other pedigree has information for the father of Spencer Chamberlain correct.

This new information shows that Spencer Chamberlain is a direct descendant of William Chamberlain, (the immigrant) and his wife Rebecca who was accused in the Salem Witch trials. We are also direct descendants of Thomas Chamberlain, pioneer of Westmoreland, NH.

Silas French, (father of Millie French Chamberlain) in the Revolutionary War,

5- Rebecca Chamberlain and the Salem Witch Trials

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In 1688 William and Rebecca Chamberlain and their growing family are now enjoying their homestead east of the Concord River in Billerica. I don’t know if they heard about the witch who was convicted and hanged in Boston, or if they paid it any attention. Yet, Salem Village is about to set off an explosion of evil caused by that incident. Dozens of the surrounding towns will feel the effect, including Billerica.

The witchcraft accusations of 1692 had a terrible impact on the William Chamberlain family. This chapter will attempt to uncover the experience of a family living in Billerica during these dark days. And, to separate myth from reality to discover what led up to this tragedy and what were the causes?

Witch trials throughout world history

Witch trials have been a part of world history since the middle ages. In Europe, when waves of persecution swept the continent from the 1400s century through the late 1700s, tens of thousands of people were executed for witchcraft.1

These trials apparently served a hideous need for a community to gang up on those vulnerable. An accused witch could take the blame for the ills of society or be exploited for personal benefit. They were blamed for sicknesses, crop failures or even personal problems. Old, often isolated women became useful scapegoats and victims of a bullying culture.2

Tests given to determine if one was guilty of witchcraft were ridiculous. There was very little that the accused could do to defend themselves. Those who would speak up in their defense were likely to soon find themselves among the accused.2

Witch trials and their cruel punishments were the result of governments giving some members of society unquestioned power over others. One needed merely to make an accusation. This phenomenon is not unique to witch trials of centuries past. The Stanford prison experiment in 1971, revealed “the ease with which (some) regular people, if given too much power, could transform into ruthless oppressors.” The surprising and severe results caused the Stanford study, scheduled to continue for two weeks, to be terminated after six days.3

In 1604 in England, King James 1 re-instated the witchcraft act of 1542.  Witchcraft, therefore, became a crime punishable by death. Trials of witches were transferred from the church to secular courts. In the south-east region of England, under these witchcraft acts, over 500 witches, usually poor, elderly women, were put on trial and 112 were executed.4

A witch trial in Boston

Many of the Massachusetts Bay Puritans were transplants from south-east England. They had been continually experiencing great and distressing fears such as Indian attacks, mysterious diseases with unknown causes and fear of losing their religious freedom. Nevertheless, they had managed to avoided the horrors of witchcraft trials for over 60 years. Until, one day in Boston, a Puritan Minister and the local government chose to reward and empower four children for bad behavior.

In 1688, Martha Goodwin, age 13, accused the laundry maid’s daughter of stealing fabric and then ran out of the house crying. This prompted the washer woman, Ann “Goody” Glover, to have words with Martha. The argument became heated to the point that Glover yelled at Martha so vehemently that Martha became ill and began exhibiting bizarre behavior. A few days later her younger brother and two sisters began to manifest similar type behavior.5,6

Cotton Mather

Ann Glover, an Irish Catholic immigrant, was arrested and tried for bewitching the Goodwin children. The court asked her to recite “The Lord’s Prayer” as her defense. Since Gaelic was her first language she could only do this in Latin. Glover was found guilty and hanged in Boston.6

The Reverend Cotton Mather who had testified in the trial of Glover, published Memorable Providences, in Boston in 1689. It was about witchcraft, the trial of Ann Glover and the behavior of the Goodwin Children.6

The Reverend Samuel Parris moved from Boston to Salem Village

Samuel Parris studied at Harvard until age 20. When his father died, he inherited a plantation and moved to Barbados. Because of the massive hurricane of 1680, he left Barbados. He changed his career and began working as a minister in Boston where Memorable Providences was published.6,7

On November 19, 1689, Salem Village named Reverend Samuel Parris as their new minister. He moved to Salem Village and brought with him his wife Elizabeth, their three children, a niece and two slaves. A serious and dedicated minister, Parris desired to use his evangelical enthusiasm to revitalize the church.

Residents of nearby towns described Salem as a quarrelsome and contentious place. He was aware of conflicts that had taken place in Salem, and that the three previous ministers had departed after having issues with the congregation.

The Reverend Samuel_Parris-275

The Reverend Samuel Parris

His ministry went smoothly in the beginning but, as he began to reveal his beliefs and traits, a number of Salem Villagers, including a few church members, did not like what they saw.7

In 1689, most Puritan churches were relaxing their standards for church membership. At the same time, many citizens were becoming more focused on obtaining wealth rather than devotion to the church.

Parris held rigidly to traditional requirements, and most village church members were happy with his unyielding standards. This set them apart and elevated their status above that of non-church members. Those who protested Parris’ requirements found allies among non-members, who were a large and influential part of the village.

The Reverend also hoped to, at some expense, refurbish the meeting house. This signaled to many that the Salem church was becoming more intrusive and expensive than some villagers wanted.7

Indian raids hit nearby Dunstable

In September 1691 two Indian raids hit the nearby town Dunstable, Massachusetts.  While the residents of Billerica paid little attention to the squabbles in Salem Village, they cringed at news of English colonists to the north being killed, and sold into captivity. The raids on Dunstable were too close to home. Therefore, the Billerica town militia began to fervently guard its borders.8

Samuel Parris brought slave Tituba from his plantation in Barbados

In Salem Village, the Reverend Parris’s strict orthodoxy and overbearing disposition was wearing on the town residents. As a result, on October 16, 1691 a “Committee of Five” chosen by the village disputed his contract. If his contract was terminated, his salary would have to come from local donations. This caused Salem Village to break into factions. The factional fighting began to be played out in the reverend’s passionate weekly sermons as a battle between God and Satan.7

Tituba

Actress Portraying Tituba18

One of the slaves whom Samuel Parris inherited with the Barbatos plantation was named Tituba. She was likely of South American Indian descent. Tituba sometimes tended to the three Parris children and would often entertain 9-year old Elizabeth (Betty) Parris and her cousin and some friends around the fire. She would play fortune telling games and tell them stories of magic and spirits from the Caribbean. This group of friends who gathered with her around the fireplace became known as the circle girls.9

20 Jan. 1692  Betty became obsessed with fortune telling and began to act in strange ways when her father would rebuke her. Her bizarre behavior included such things as falling on the ground, writhing in pain, barking like a dog and hiding under furniture. Her behavior was very similar to the behavior of the Goodwin children described in Cotton Mathers’ publication Memorable Providences.7,9

Samuel Parris believed that prayer could cure his daughter but her odd behavior only got worse. Her cousin Abigail Williams, and friend Ann Putnam also began to exhibit bizarre behavior, such as babbling, twitching, and convulsing. He consulted with three other ministers but they would not explain their actions. A local doctor, William Griggs suggested that their malady must be the result of witchcraft.7,9

Feb. 29, 1692  Since the sufferers of witchcraft were believed to be the victims of a crime, the community set out to find the perpetrators. Under intense adult questioning, Betty Parris and her cousin Abigail Williams named Tituba.7

Tituba loved little Betty and denied practicing witchcraft or hurting her in any way. The Reverend Parris beat his slave and demanded that she confess to the magistrates. He promising her freedom if she cooperated. She confessed to practicing witchcraft and claimed there were other witches in the village. She named two other outcast women Sarah Good and Sarah Osborne. Tituba was put in prison, but because she had confessed, she did not stand trial.9

The Contentions in Salem spread to nearby towns

Samuel Parris’ preaching greatly contributed to the creation of the divisions within the village that led to the accusations of 1692. The battle lines had been drawn and an unholy war began. The only weapon needed was a tormented child and an accusation. The only evidence required was spectral evidence, where an afflicted girl claimed the spirit of the accused had appeared in her dream.7

While the first accusations implicated misfits and social outcasts, the second wave were against the opposing factions of Salem Village often based on grudges, jealousy or revenge. The third wave of accusations targeted anyone who opposed the trials and dared speak out about them. John Procter called the “afflicted” girls frauds and liars. He was the first man to be accused. The battle soon spread to two dozen other nearby towns including Billerica, the home town of William and Rebecca Chamberlain.6,10

Many citizens of Billerica, which was about 20 miles west of Salem Village, soon found themselves accused. Sarah Carrier accused her uncle and aunt Roger and Mary Allen Toothaker. John Durrant and Rebecca Chamberlain, both of Billerica, were thrown into prison on accusations of witchcraft. Other Billerica residents were summoned to testify as witnesses. John Rogers agreed to attend, Captain Danforth refused, stating that he had nothing to say.10

10 May 1692 Sarah Osborne, one of the first to be accused died in prison.6

The Court of Oyer and Terminer

Ann Glover tried for Witch Craft

Court of Oyer and Terminer

On May 12, 1692 William Phips arrived in Salem from England as the newly appointed governor. He quickly attempted to take control of the situation and created the Court of Oyer and Terminer. This name was derived from French and Latin roots, meaning “hear and determine.”  He designed it specifically to try accused witches. Under less urgent circumstances, Phips would have waited for the legislature to pass a law defining a high court. Instead, he created his own charter under his authority. He appointed nine judges who were close to him and who were members of his council. These judges were also close with the Reverend Cotton Mather.11

10 June 1692 Bridget Bishop was hanged at Gallows Hill. After her execution, Judge Nathaniel Saltonstall resigned from the court. He didn’t believe the afflicted girls were really possessed, and found their spectral evidence unconvincing. The afflicted girls then claimed they saw Saltonstall’s spectre with the other witches, and that he was a witch himself.6,12

15 June 1692 Cotton Mather wrote a letter requesting the court not use spectral evidence as a standard and urged that the trials be speedy. The Court of Oyer and Terminer ignored the criticism of spectral evidence but hastened to speed the trials.6

16 June 1692 Roger Toothaker of Billerica died in prison a few weeks after his incarceration.6

19 July 1692 Sarah Good and four other women were hanged at Gallows Hill.6

19 Aug. 1692 Four men and two women including John Proctor and a former minister of Salem, the Reverend George Burroughs, were hanged on Gallows Hill. Elizabeth Proctor who also had been found guilty was not hanged because she was pregnant.6 John thought that his wife was to be executed at the same time, so he did not include her in his will. This left her penniless. John Proctor may be the cousin of Sarah Procter, the wife of Thomas ChamberlainT2.

The Reverend George Burroughs accusation was based on a grudge

The Reverend George Burroughs was the only minister to be executed. Some of the residents of Salem Village, including Ann’s parents, had a grudge against the former town minister. Ann Putnam and others accused him of being a witch.

George Burroughs was standing on a ladder before the crowd, waiting to be hanged, when he declared his innocence and then fervently and correctly recited the Lord’s Prayer. This was considered impossible by the Court of Oyer and Terminer for a witch. The spectators were thereby deeply affected and many brought to tears. Because of this reaction, it was feared that the spectators might rise up to halt the execution. Cotton Mather, being mounted upon a horse, addressed the gathering to impress the people of his guilt, saying that the devil often had been transformed into an angel of light. This somewhat appeased the people and the executions went on.13

Aug. 1692  Indians stunned the village of Billerica raiding two households killing two mothers and four children. (This occurred near the current site of the North Cemetery).8

Rebecca Chamberlain dies in Cambridge Prison

Cambridge Prison

Rebecca Chamberlain in Cambridge Prison.

19 Sep 1692 Giles Cory was pressed by weights because he refused to enter a plea to the charges of witchcraft. He died two days under the weight.6

22 Sep 1692 Six more women and two men were hanged. One escaped execution by confessing.6

26 Sep 1692 Rebecca Chamberlain, age 67, wife of WilliamW1 and mother of 13 children, died in Cambridge Prison. Rebecca Chamberlain was believed to be a victim of the Salem witch hunts.14

Public opinion turns against the witch trials

3 Oct. 1692 The Reverend Increase Mather, President of Harvard College and father to Cotton Mather, denounced the use of spectral evidence.6

8 Oct. 1692 As ministers in Boston and public opinion turned against the trials, Governor Phips ordered that spectral evidence no longer be admitted in witchcraft trials.6,17

29 Oct. 1692 Phips prohibits further arrests, releases many accused witches, and dissolves the Court of Oyer and Terminer.6

25 Nov. 1692 The General Court establishes a Superior Court to try remaining witches.6

3 Jan. 1693 Judge Stoughton orders execution of all suspected witches who were exempted by their pregnancy. Phips denied enforcement of the order causing Stoughton to leave the bench.6

Jan. 1693 Forty-nine of the of the fifty-two surviving people who had been brought into court on witchcraft charges were released because their arrests were based on spectral evidence.6

1693 Tituba is released from jail and sold to a new master. Samuel Parris did not keep his promise and refused to pay the fees to release Tituba.6

April 1693 Governor William Phips ended the special witchcraft court in Salem. Accusations soon abated and eventually stopped. At least twenty-five people had died. They executed nineteen by hanging, one tortured to death, and at least five died in jail due to harsh conditions. Over 160 people were accused of witchcraft, most were jailed, and many deprived of property and legal rights. Nearly fifty people confessed to witchcraft, most to save themselves from immediate trial.10

May 1693 Phips pardoned those still in prison on witchcraft charges.6

Three years later, Indians attack Billerica

John Rogers

John Rogers Marker, photo by Elizabeth Thomas (Flickr)

Aug. 1695 Another raid of Indians struck Billerica killing or taking captive 15 residents from four houses east of the Concord River in the northern section of town.  The Indian attack came at mid-day in broad daylight.  They first raided the home of John Rogers.  Rogers, reportedly, was asleep in bed when he was hit with an arrow through his neck. He ripped the arrow from his neck, and died holding it in his hand.  A woman who witnessing the attack escaped through a window and hid in a pile of flags in the yard. The Indians kidnapped Rogers’ son and daughter, four other children escaped.8

The raiders struck next at the home of John Levistone.  They killed his mother-in-law and his five young children and took captive his 11-year-old daughter.  The third house raided belonged John Rogers’ younger brother Thomas Rogers. The Indians killed him and his son.8

The ironic fate of Mary Toothaker

The last home raided by the Indians belonged to Mary Allen Toothaker. Her sister, Martha Carrier was hanged as a witch in Salem in 1692, and her husband, Dr. Roger Toothaker, had been accused of witchcraft and died in prison.

Mary Toothaker had confessed to practicing witchcraft in 1692 and said she had been a witch for about two years. Mary told the court that she was terrified of Indians and had fought with them in her nightmares. Therefore, she said she had yielded to the Devil, and signed the Devil’s book. For this, the Devil promised her that the Indians would not hurt her.

Mary admitted attending a witches meeting where others were present including the leader, Reverend George Burroughs. She thereby implicated Burroughs and at least five others. The court set her free for her testimony. The Indians killed Mary Toothaker in the raid of August 1695, and took her youngest daughter captive.8

New Salem Minister tries to repair reputation of the Church

In 1697, Salem ousted Samuel Parris as minister and replaced him with Joseph Green. Green spent the rest of his life trying to repair the reputation of the church.6,15

14 Jun. 1697 The General Court ordered a day of fasting and soul-searching for the tragedy at Salem. During this service one of the trial judges, Judge Samuel Sewall, stood up in the South Church and admitted to “blame, and shame.”  Also, twelve jurors stood and confessed that their actions were “sadly deluded and mistaken”.6,15

1702 The General Court declares the 1692 trials unlawful.6

2 Aug. 1703 Thomas ChamberlainW3 was born the son of Daniel ChamberlainW2 and his wife Mary at Billerica, Middlesex Massachusetts.16

In 1706, Ann Putnam, one of the leading accusers was extremely sorry.  She stood up in church and publicly apologized for her actions. She had accused sixty-two people of witchcraft and was the only one of the accusers to publicly apologize. Her statement concluded: “I have just grounds and good reason to believe they were innocent persons; and that it was a great delusion of Satan that deceived me in that sad time.”6,15

Common history views Ann and her “afflicted” young peers as selfish, vicious fakers. Apparently, at least in Ann’s case, her parents and several other adult accusers had a strong influence. Her parents, minister and many of the people fed Ann names of those with whom they had quarreled.”17

To be continued… 

Chapter 6- John Chamberlain and the Battle at Pequawket

Was Rebecca’s maiden name Addington or Shelley? You may be interested in Chapter E8- Rebecca Chamberlain and the Puzzle of Sarah Shelley’s will

If you got this far, please click “Table of Contents”, or “Good Bye!”  This will simply let me know someone read this article.

Thanks, 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. Use of excerpts and links is OK. However, please provide credit and direction to www.thechamberlainstory.com

References:

  1. Tim Lambert, Background to the Witch Trials, www.localhistories.com
  2. www.intriguing-history.com/witchcraft-act-1562
  3. Maria Konnikova, The Real Lesson of the Stanford Prison Experiment, http://www.newyorker.com/science
  4. www.parliament.uk/witchcraft/Witchcraft Act(1)
  5. Anti-Catholicism in the Salem Witch Trials http://www.unamsanctamcatholicam.com
  6. CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS RELATING
    TO THE SALEM WITCHCRAFT TRIALS, http://law2.umkc.edu
  7. The Reverend Samuel Parris of Salem Village, http://www.legendsofamerica.com
  8. Ryan W. Owen, When Eastern Massachusetts was the Frontier, 1695, https://forgottennewengland.com
  9. Tituba, http://school.discoveryeducation.com
  10. Witchcraft in Billerica, http://www.billericalibrary.org
  11. AllenJ, The Dissolving of the court of Oyer and Terminer, http://people.ucls.uchicago.edu
  12. From:Marion Starkey’s The Devil in Massachusetts, http://newenglandfolklore.blogspot.com
  13. Robert Calef, George Burroughs, https://en.wikipedia.org
  14. Rebecca Addington or Shelly Chamberlain, www.findagrave.com
  15. The Salem Witch Trials, 1692, https://www.geni.com
  16. Thomas Chamberlain, https://familysearch.org
  17. Salem Witch Trials, Ann Putnam, Jr., http://salem.lib.virginia.edu
  18. Note from reader: Regarding “actress portraying Tituba”….that’s Naomi Harris, in a character called Calypso, in the Pirates of The Caribbean movies. Just a FYI for accuracy.- Kirsten Crosson

 

 

4- Three Chamberlain Brothers in an Indian Storm of Fire

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In 1666, the three families of Thomas, Edmond and William Chamberlain live very close to each other in Middlesex Co., Massachusetts and share the experience of this time in history. Therefore, I will cover their history simultaneously in this post. 1656 to 1675 was a time of peace for the Puritans, with the exception of the 1668 dispute with the Ana Baptists. However, their tranquility abruptly ended and became a storm of fire with the beginning of the King Phillips Indian war.

In this chapter, names are marked with a superscript to identify parental line and generation number. Hopefully, this will help keep the identities of the different generations with the same name straight. A detailed list of the children of ThomasT1, EdmondE1 and WilliamW1 is at the end of this chapter.

The Spencer Chamberlain family

My own Chamberlain family is blessed with two lines of descendants from the three Chamberlain brothers to Spencer Chamberlain. Spencer was born in Westmoreland, New Hampshire in 1786.

Our traditional family line goes through “Paugus” John Chamberlain, famous for his duel with the Indian Chief Paugus. This John Chamberlain, a descendant of Thomas, was believed to be our family ancestor for over 90 years. The story of Paugus John has formed a special bond in our family tradition. Therefore, he will always be an important part of our family’s history. This is our traditional line: ThomasT1, ThomasT2, ThomasT3, “Paugus” JohnT4, JohnT5 and JohnT6,  the traditional father of Spencer Chamberlain.

However, new irrefutable evidence shows that Spencer’s family actually came through William. (See Chapter 10 ,  Chapter 15 and Chapter D3). This is our actual Line: WilliamW1, DanielW2, and ThomasW3 and JohnW4  the father of Spencer Chamberlain.

The TEW Chamberlain family 1666-1667

1666 ThomasT1 and Mary, Edmond and Mary and WilliamW1 and Rebecca are now settled in their new homes in towns named after those far across the sea that they had known in their youth, Chelmsford and Billerica. This was a generally peaceful time filled with farm work, family gatherings and religious activities and discussions.

New England Farm House

New England Farm House

10 Aug 1666 Thomas ChamberlainT2 now age 27, married Sarah Proctor. She is the daughter of Robert Proctor and Jane Hildreth.2 Robert Proctor had purchased part of the Dudley grant in Billerica from Thomas Chamberlain.T1 4

30 May 1667 The first son of ThomasT2 and Sarah Chamberlain was born in Chelmsford. They named him Thomas.T3  4

A public dispute with the Ana Baptists

14 April 1668 The hot topic of conversation this day was centered on the “public dispute” with the Ana Baptists being held at the meeting house in Boston.8 The Ana Baptists were Calvinists in theology, differing from the Puritans only in their denial of the validity of infant baptism. Their strict adherence to the letter of Scripture led them to reject the practice.

The Ana Baptist also were considering Roger Williams’ revolutionary new idea of having tolerance for the beliefs of others. Williams, though working within the limits of Calvinistic theology, helped to disseminate and implement his doctrine of soul liberty, and the concept of avoiding union with civil authority and coercion of the local church by secular authority.7

anti anabaptist

ANA BAPTISTS Exanin’d and Disprove’d

The Puritans had made a huge leap toward religious liberty by breaking ties with the Church of England. However, they had not yet grasped the concept that this freedom should be available to others. Especially, when a somewhat uneducated group disagrees with their highly educated ministers on a doctrine as important as the ordinance of baptism.

The debate with the Ana Baptists had been set to start at 9 o’clock that morning, “that it might be determined whither they be erroneous or not.” Six eminent clergymen had been nominated to manage the dispute on the Puritan side. It was an animated session. However, the Baptists were not able to convince their opponents.8

July 1668 Some of those who took part in the debate and denied the validity of infant baptism were imprisoned for heresy. The warrant for their arrest was signed by Daniel Gookin and five others.8

Chamberlain family 1669-1674

6 Dec 1669 Mary Turner Chamberlain, wife of Edmond died in Chelmsford.

20 Dec 1669 Three weeks later Mary Parker Chamberlain, wife of Thomas ChamberlainT1 died in Chelmsford, she was 49.4

1670 Edmond Chamberlain married his 2nd wife Hannah (Witter) Burdett at Chelmsford.1 They soon moved to Malden, Massachusetts where she had lived previously.11

27 Sep 1671 Daniel ChamberlainW2 was born in Billerica, the youngest of thirteen children born to the youngest of the three brothers, William ChamberlainW1 and his wife Rebecca.3

In 1673 William Chamberlain was town constable of Billerica. This note is signed “William Chamberlain, Constable”

Note signed in 1673, “William Chamberlain, Constable”

16 April 1674 Thomas ChamberlainT1 married another Mary Parker. She was his twice widowed neighbor Mary Jones Poulter Parker. Her previous marriages were to 1-John Poulter, Sr. of Essex Co. England. She had two children in her first marriage, but  none by John Parker or Thomas Chamberlain.T1 4

The King Phillips Indian War

On June 24,1675, in Plymouth Colony three Indian warriors were executed. They had been tried and found guilty of murdering John Sassamon, a Harvard educated Indian convert to Christianity.5

John Sassamon had served as an interpreter and adviser to the Indian chief King Philip, (the English name that had been given to Chief Metacomet). Philip had accused him of spying for the colonists. His murder and the subsequent execution of the three warriors ignited a tinderbox of tensions between Indians and whites that had been smoldering for 55 years over a number of issues including land claim disputes such as grazing of colonial livestock on Indian hunting and fishing grounds.5 This was the beginning of the King Philips Indian War.

attack on Villiage

Attack on Villiage

Immediately the Indians killed or wounded several Englishmen at Swansey and burned the town. Philip and his warriors spread themselves over the country, devastating, burning, and plundering keeping New England in a constant state of alarm. They moved with stealth from place to place and disappeared into the swamps and thickets when being pursued.6

July 1675 Fifteen English were slain at Taunton.  Middleboro, Dartmouth, and other neighboring towns and villages were also attacked and burned.6,9

Indian attack

Indian Attack on Taunton

Troops from Boston and Plymouth were hurried to the scene of action, but in less than a month Philip and his warriors had fled and taken refuge among the Indians in the interior. The terrible conflict had only just begun.6

About eight thousand of the English colonists were capable of bearing arms. Massachusetts made ready for service several cavalry companies, each composed of sixty men, plus officers. They were mounted, and armed with swords, carbines, and pistols. Training was always begun and ended with prayer.6

2 Aug 1675 Brookfield was destroyed 3 slain. Lancaster, Northampton, Deerfield, and Northfield also suffered during the summer.  Captain Beers was surprised and slain with most of his company.  Captain Lathrop and his ninety men were ambushed by about 700 Indians while marching to Deerfield. He and nearly all his men were killed at the place now known as Bloody Brook.6,9

Constable Edmond Chamberlain summoned

Aug 1675 Edmond Chamberlain, who had been elected constable of Malden was summond: “These require you in his majestys name on sight hereof to Impress ten able horses well shod with bridles and sadles… to Capt. Davis’ house in Boston by eight of the clock in the morning… not to faile at yor perrill.”

On the other side of the paper is written in fine clear hand writing: “I have imprest ten horses for the use of the centre according to the temer of the warrant”, signed Edmond Chamberlin11

 

 

The Indian war September and October 1675

18 Sept 1675 Captain Turner, with one hundred and eighty men, in a night ride across the country, surprised and routed about 350 Indians at some water falls in Connecticut. The Indians had congregated there to send out war parties from this location. Their ammunition and provisions were destroyed and Philip’s allies scattered every direction. Thirty of Turners men were lost in battle. This location was later named Turner Falls.6,9

5 October 1675 Springfield was assaulted. Lt. Cooper and several others killed. Thirty houses were burned and other buildings were destroyed.6,9

7 October 1675 This date was appointed as a day of general fasting and prayer which gave the people courage.9

19 Oct 1675 Hatfield, a small town on the West side of the Connecticut River, was furiously attacked by a swarm of 700 Indians. The place was preserved by the valor of the English. The Puritans saw this as a miraculous event and the act of Providence.6,9

(Note: My desire to place events in chronological order may have, for the first time, made a connection between the two previous events.)

After the Indians stunning defeat at Hatfield, Philip’s warriors dispersed. Some of them fled to their friends of the massive tribe called the Narragansets. The English demanded that they should be given up. The Narragansets refused. The English, fearing that they would join with Philip against them, were determined to prevent it.6

Thomas Chamberlain Jr. stationed at Groton

30 Nov 1675 Thomas ChamberlainT2 was stationed at the garrison in Groton, Massachusetts4

The Great Swamp Fight

The Narraganset had a large fort situated on an island in an extensive swamp in Rhode Island. Philip and his warriors intended to pass the winter there with all their women and children. There were about five hundred wigwams containing a population of about three thousand persons, as well as their grain and provision for the winter. The fort was strongly defended with sharp-pointed upright stakes and surrounded by a ditch. Tubs of corn, piled one upon another presented a bullet proof shield to the wigwams.6

Capture of the Indian Fortress

Attack on the Narraganset Fort

19 Dec 1675 The colonies of Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, and Connecticut sent fifteen hundred men. Their mission was clear. They must strike a blow at the fort while the warriors were gathered there, and before the return of spring which would again enable them to renew their attacks on the settlements.6,9

The English were required to run through a narrow causeway facing a blizzard of wind and snow to make the attack. Six captains and many soldiers had soon fallen from the intense shower of arrows coming from the thicket.6  Edmund Jr., the 19-year-old son of Edmond Chamberlain Sr., was a soldier in Capt. Samuel Moseley’s Company. He was one of those who perished in this battle.12

Once the English were inside the nest a terrible slaughter ensued which included men, women and children. No mercy was shown. The warriors fought with great energy driven by their desperate situation. The cabins were torched and all had to flee into the freezing thicket or perished in the flames.6,9

Philip escaped with many of his followers. The Narragansets were decimated. It is estimated that about seven hundred of them were killed. The enemy was deprived of some 700 bushels of desperately needed corn. The English lost over eighty men and an even larger number were wounded.6,9

Contempt for Indians, obsolete British tactics result in disaster

10 February 1676 Lancaster was burned to the ground, and fifty persons killed or captured. The Indians then struck at Medfield where fifty houses were burned, and twenty inhabitants slain.

2 March 1676 The Indians’ wrath was felt at Groton where 50 families deserted their homes and and when they returned only 15 were left standing. The destruction and loss of life soon followed in the towns of Chelmsford, Northampton, Springfield, Marlborough, Sudbury, Warwick, Rehoboth, and Providence.6,9

At Pawtucket, Captain Pierce was ambushed. He and almost all his party of seventy were slain. These disasters were repeated in part owing to their careless contempt for the Indians and adhering to obsolete British tactics. After this they were more cautious.6

26 March 1676 Two captains with seventy men while marching to Marlborough were attacked and both killed with more than half their men. The Indians set the dry grass and woods on fire driving the English into the open and then overwhelmed them.6,9

King Phillip shot by brother of John Sassamon

King Philip Shot

August 1676 At Mount hope, Philip was surrounded by Capt. Church’s Company. He was shot by John Arderman, who was a “praying Indian” (Christian convert), and the  brother of John Sassamon. The execution of Sassamon by order of Philip was the first spark that ignited the Indian war in June 1675.9

Captain Still’s march toward Indian headquarters at Pequawket

23 Sep 1676  Captain Joseph Sill’s company, including Thomas ChamberlainT2 marched on toward Ossipee and Pequawket.4 This was the headquarters for the Indians in the North. The company of men under the command of Capt. Sill, Capt. Hunting and Capt. Hawthorn consisted of 130 English and 40 Indians. These also combined with another company led by Capt. Frost and Major Waldren.9

26 Sept 1676  Major Waldren’s regiment captured a gathering of 400 Indians. They were “hamsomly surprized” and surrendered without a single life lost, neither Indian nor English.9 The Indians had been led to believe they were there to sign a truce, but SURPRIZE!!!10 They sent them to Boston for trial. Eight, with English blood on their hands, were executed, the rest were re-located.

Thomas Chamberlain’sT2 unit under Capt. Sill and the other units continued North until they came to four feet deep snow. They decided to abandon their objective and return because they had no “rackets under their feet,” (snow shoes).9  Ironically, Thomas’ grandson John Chamberlain under the leadership of Captain Lovewell with 34 men will complete this mission to Ossipee and Pequawket in Dummer’s Indian War fifty years later.  Chapter 6- John Chamberlain and the Battle at Pequawket.

King-Philips-War Map

Map of King Philips War

Greatest proportion of life lost in American History

Skirmishes continued between the two foe through 1677 until peace was finally established in 1678. The cost of this war in lives was the greatest in proportion to the population ever in North America. A dozen or more towns were completely destroyed, one in twenty of the able-bodied men had fallen, and one family in twenty had their home burned to the ground. In addition to this the colonies had incurred a debt of half a million dollars. This was an enormous amount for those days, but the war broke forever the power of the Indians in southern New England.6

A chronological history of the Indians of New England from 1604 through 1692 is presented in Chapter 14.

 

The children of Thomas Chamberlain and Mary Parker.

1-Thomas ChamberlainT2 born in Virginia in 1639, date inferred by age of baptism about seventeen in 1655.2 .
2-Anna Chamberlain b. probably in Virginia, date unknown.
3-Samuel Chamberlain b. 7 August 1645, Woburn, Middlesex, MA13
4-Mary Chamberlain b. 3 November 1648, Woburn, Middlesex, MA13

The children of Edmond Chamberlain and Mary Turner1

1-Mary Chamberlain b. 16 Apr 1648, Roxbury, Suffolk, MA. She likely died before 1675 as a second Mary Chamberlain was born to Edmond and his second wife.
2-Sarah Chamberlain b. 18 Oct 1649, Woburn, Middlesex, MA, d. 25 Dec 1717 Roxbury MA. She married Joseph Davis, 28 October 1670 at Roxbury, MA.13
3-John Chamberlain b. 12 Jan 1651; d. 3 Mar 1653, Woburn, Middlesex, MA.13
4-Elizabeth Chamberlain b. 11 Mar 1652, Wobrun, MA, d. 1678 Woburn, MA. Her birth record calls her “daughter of Edmond Chamberlin” Her baptism in 1656 with her siblings identifies her as “Elizabeth about 5 years old”. She married Thomas Wheeler, 5 May 1673 at Charlestown, MA.
5-John Chamberlain b. about 1654 Woburn, MA, d. 27 December 1721 Chelsea MA. He married Hannah, about 1677 probably in Middlesex Co. MA.
6-Edmund Chamberlain b. 30 May 1656, Chelmsford, Middlesex, MA. d. 19 December 1675 in “The Great Swamp Fight” (see story below). He was never married.
7-Jacob Chamberlain b. 15 Oct 1658, Chelmsford, MA. d. 7 Nov 1721 Roxbury, MA. Married twice: Mary Child, 24 Jan 1684, Roxbury MA and Sarah (Faxton) Weld, 29 April 1719, Roxbury, MA.

The children of Edmond Chamberlain and Hannah Witter Burditt12

1-Susanna b. June 1671 Malden, Middlesex, MA. d. 6 May 1672, Malden, MA.
2-Ebenezer b.1 April 1672, Malden, MA., d. 6 December 1672, Malden, MA.
3- Susanna b. June 1674 Malden, MA., d. 16 December 1713 Boston, Suffolk, MA. Married as his second wife to John Tuckerman, 14 November 1693, Boston, MA.
4- Edmund Chamberlain III b. 31 January 1675, Malden, MA., d. 18 December 1751 Woodstock, Windham, Connecticut. He married Elizabeth Bartholomew, 21 November 1699, Woodstock, Windham, Connecticut.
5- Mary Chamberlain bp. 22 September 1678, Roxbury, Suffolk, MA. Married James Leavens, 21 November 1699, Woodstock, Connecticut,

The children of William Chamberlain and Rebecca Addington (or Shelly)3

1-Timothy Chamberlain b. 13 Nov 1649, Woburn, Middlesex, MA13
2-Isaac Chamberlain b. 1 Oct 1650, Woburn, Middlesex, MA
3-William Chamberlain b. 9 April 1652
4-John Chamberlain b. 22 Jan 1654
5-Sarah Chamberlain b. 20 May 1655, Billerica, Middlesex, MA
6-Jacob Chamberlain b. 18 Jan 1657, Billerica, Middlesex, MA
7-Thomas Chamberlain b. 20 Feb 1659, Billerica, Middlesex, MA
8-Edmund Chamberlain b.15 Jul 1660. Billerica, Middlesex, MA
9-Rebecca Chamberlain b. 25 Feb 1662, Billerica, Middlesex, MA
10-Abraham Chamberlain b. 6 Jan 1664, Billerica, Middlesex, MA
11-Ann Chamberlain b. 3 Mar 1666, Billerica, Middlesex, MA
12-Clement Chamberlain b. 30 May 1669, Billerica, Middlesex, MA
13-Daniel ChamberlainW2 b. 27 Sep 1671, Billerica, Middlesex, MA

To be continued……

Chapter 5. Rebecca Chamberlain and the Salem Witch Trials. The William Chamberlain family and the town of Billerica, were greatly affected by what was happening in a nearby town called Salem Village in 1692. (Published, September 23, 2016).

For more Chamberlain history stories see “Table of Contents”.

© 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 that credit is given to Dennis D. Chamberlain and direction to  www.thechamberlainstory.com.

References:

    1. Prentiss Glazier, Chamberlain Families of Early New England, p. 152.
    2. Chamberlain Family – The First Six Generations
    3. Rebecca Addington or Shelly Chamberlain, www.findagrave.com
    4. George W. Chamberlain, One Branch of the Descendants of Thomas Chamberlain of Woburn, Worccester Mass, 1897
    5.  Jason W. Warren, King Philip’s War, Encyclopedia Britannica, www.britannica.com
    6. The King Philips War, www.heritage-history.com
    7. Herbert Lee Osgood, The Treatment of Baptists in Seventeenth Century New England, 1904. www.baptisthomepage.com
    8. Fredrick William Gookin, Daniel Gookin, His Life and Letters, Chicago, 1912.
    9. William Hubbard, Indian Wars in New England, Roxbury, Mass, MDCCCXV.
    10. Samuel Drake, Extensive notes: Indian Wars in New England, Roxbury, Mass, MDCCCXV.
    11. David C. Chamberlain, Sr., Edmund of Woburn, www.woosnap.com

    12. Familysearch.org Sources Listed:
      Chamberlain Association of America, Mss Gen., New England Historic Society, SG/CHA/49-14, Edmund of Roxbury [RC321-1 thru 4R, #1]. Chamberlain Families, by Prentiss Glazier, Vol. I, “Chamberlain Families in Connecticut, 1790,” P. 42; Vol. II, “Descendants of Edmund¹ Chamberlain of Roxbury,” pp. 27-28. The History of Woodstock, Connecticut, Norwood, MA, 1926, by Clarence Winthrop Bowen, Vol. III, P. 270 [RC 397]. A History of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, by W. Waters, 1917, Three Volumes, Vol. 1, P. 27 [RC 285]. History of Peter Parker and Sarah Ruggles, by J.W. Linzie, 1913, pp. 147, 371, 374, 541. Cutter’s book on early Connecticut familes. Also see, the histories of Roxbury, Chelsea, Malden, Revere, Dudley, and Hopkinton, MA. And other sources listed upon request.

    13. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L979-HYCF?i=8&cc=2061550

3- The Chamberlains of Barbados

5 Replies

When the Indian massacre stunned Virginia in 1644, Thomas and William Chamberlain and other Puritans were already preparing to leave. They arrived in Massachusetts Bay Colony a month later. But what happened to Francis Chamberlain, Rebecca and their son? They seemed to have disappeared from the face of the earth. We haven’t heard from them since 1625. This exclusive report is first to give an account of the Francis Chamberlain family after 1625.

Some pedigree charts claim that Francis went back to England and is buried there. This is possible, however, none that I have seen have presented any kind of documentation or even the reason for speculation. The Indian massacre in Virginia gave us cause to worry that they may have been among the casualties. Recently, however, I found evidence that Francis Chamberlain Jr., and most likely his entire family established residence on the Island of Barbados. I will explain why I believe they moved there several years before the Virginia tragedy of 1644.

barbados

Barbados

A brief history of Barbados from 1625 to 1660

May 14, 1625 Captain John Powell landed on an uninhabited island now known as Barbados and claimed it for England.

February 17, 1627  Captain Henry Powell (John Powell’s Brother) landed on Barbados with a party of 80 settlers and 10 slaves. They had captured the 10 slaves from a Spanish ship they met along the way. When they arrived on the island, they began to clear and prepare the land for tobacco and cotton plantations. More settlers followed and the population grew to about 2000 by the end of 1628.1 

In 1637, sugarcane was brought to the island by Dutch Merchants that had been defeated in Brazil by the Portuguese. They helped the  English colonists grow sugarcane to make a market for their slaves and sugar processing equipment. Sugar production in Barbados became very lucrative by 1645. By 1650, some described Barbados as the richest location in the New World.2

IMG_3717

Wood cut of a Slave Ship

Slaves were brought in large number from West Africa to work in the sugarcane fields, boiling houses and distilleries . Field slaves lived in huts without floors and worked 12 hours days, six days a week. Skilled slaves such as carpenters, blacksmiths, tailors, and also domestic slaves were treated somewhat better than the field slaves.3

30 Jan 1649  The Parliament tried King Charles for treason, and he was executed in England. Parliament was now in control and planters of Barbados were considered rebels. A fleet of ships under Sir George Ayscue blockaded the island to subdue it.4

Jan 1652 The Royalist governor of Barbados surrendered to Ayscue. The blockade was lifted when colonists agreed to recognize the rule of Parliament in exchange for continued self-government, free trade and return of their confiscated property. This formed the basis for the Charter of Barbados which guaranteed a freely elected local government and freedom from taxes without their consent.5

July 1660  The news reached Barbados that the Monarchy in England had been restored. Fortunately, the Barbados Charter provided them greater independence from the King than those of other British Colonies.6

Francis Chamberlain appears on Barbados Census List in 1679

December 20, 1679 Francis Chamberlain appeared on a census list. According to the list, he owned 20 acres and 16 negros in St. James Parrish, Barbados.7 It is highly likely that this census listing is the Francis Chamberlain Jr., the presumed little half brother of Thomas, Edmond and William. Therefore, Francis Jr. would be age 57 at time of the census.

West Indies Plantation

West Indies Plantation

The Chamberlain’s time of arrival on Barbados is a matter of examining available data blended with speculation. We have no information about this branch of the family between 1625 and the Barbados census of 1679. It is highly probable, however, that the family went together to Barbados in the 1630s or early 1640s when the white population of Barbados was rapidly increasing. The following chart shows the increase and decline of the white population and the steady increase of the black population.

Population of Barbados8
Year     White       %       Black         %          Total
1629    1,800      97%         50        03%       1,850
1643    37,200    86%     6,000      14%      43,200
1684    23,624    34%    46,502     66%      70,126
1724    18,295    25%    55,206     75%      73,501
1786    16,167    21%    62,115     79%      78,282

The time that the Chamberlains moved to Barbados was likely between 1629 and 1643 when some 35,000 whites stormed the island. If the Chamberlain move happened as late as 1640, the young Francis would be only 18 and very likely living with his parents. If so, of course, the whole family moved there together.

Map of Barbados, from Richard Lignon, 1657

Map of Barbados, Richard Lignon, 1657

Barbados parish records 1637-1887

These Christening, Marriage and Burial records are from the various parishes of Barbados in the 1600s and 1700s.9  The Chamberlain name is well represented. I took the liberty to standardize the spelling of Chamberlain. The variations found are: Chamberlaine, Chamberlane, Chamberlayne, Chamberlen, Chamberien.
SM= Saint Michael, CC= Christ Church, SJ= Saint James, SP= Saint Phillip, f= father, m= mother

Christenings/Baptisms
Elizabeth Chamberlain 16 May 1655 f John Chamberlain, m Sophia
John Chamberlain, 6 Sep 1657 f John Chamberlain, m Sophia
Mary Chamberlain, 7 Sep 1659 f John Chamberlain, m Sophia
Butler Chamberlain, 23 Sep 1662 f Edward Chamberlain, m Sarah
Sara Forth, 1 Apr 1663 f Alexander Forth, m Diana
Willoughby Chamberlain Nov 1664 f Edward Chamberlain, m Sarah
Dorothy Chamberlain, 5 Nov 1683 f William Chamberlain, m Dory
Thomas Chamberlain, 7 Feb 1702 f Thomas Chamberlain, m Ellenr

Marriages
Jno Chamberlain & Susan Chamberlain 21 Jan 1649
Stephen Wolridge & Joan 21 Dec 1652
Edward Chamberlain & Mary Scott 31 Aug 1655
Thomas Chamberlain & Elizabeth Harris 5 Aug 1686
Thomas Hewetson & Butler Chamberlain 5 Mar 1690
Wm Chambrlain & Eliza Saunders 2 Aug 1702
Will Chamberlain & Margaret Briggs 24 July 1726
John Robert Rolston & Rebecca Cadogan 24 Apr 1845
William John Chamberlain & Charlotte Louisa Parry 16 Aug 1860

Burials
Thomas Chamberlain 3 May 1643 CC
Edw Chamberlain 24 July 1673 CC
Edwd Chamberlain 19 Aug 1678 SM
Thomas Rolston 7 Oct 1681 SM
Seagrave Chamberlain 24 Aug 1683 SP f Will Chamberlain
Wm Chamberlain 13 Mar 1684 SM
Wm Woolridge 21 March 1685 SM
John Chamberlain 10 Dec 1687 CC
Henry Chamberlain 5 Aug 1690 CC
Thomas Chamberlain 6 June 1691 CC
Thomas Chamberlain 25 May 1692 SM
John Chamberlain 12 Oct 1696 CC
Eliz Chamberlain 1 Dec 1696 CC
Wm Chamberlain 16 Dec 1701 SM
John Chamberlain 4 July 1703 SP
Thomas Chamberlain 29 Aug 1707 CC
John Chamberlain 25 Jan 1707 or 08 SJ f Middleton Chamberlain
Granville Chamberlain 30 Apr 1708 SJ f Middleton Chamberlain
m Dorothy
Elizabeth Chamberlain 30 Mar 1710 SM f Middleton Chamberlain
Tauterville Chamberlain 22 Mar 1712 SM
Ricd Chamberlain 14 Feb 1715 SM
Wm Chamberlain 8 June 1717 SM
John Chamberlain 16 June 1741 SM
Thomas Chamberlain 16 Jan 1791 SM
Thomas Chamberlain 29 May 1810 SM
William Chamberlain 19 Nov 1821 SM
Hester Chamberlain 14 Jan 1828 SM
George Chamberlain 16 Sep 1856 SM

Chamberlain, Burton, Woolridge, Rolston and Forth Surnames

I found no direct connection to Francis in these church records. Nevertheless, I am very confident that Francis Chamberlain, the plantation master of 1679 Barbados, is one and the same person as the three year old child in the 1625 muster in Elizabeth City, Virginia. The reason for my confidence stems from the four servants of Francis Chamberlain Sr. who were also present in 1625: John Forth, William Worlidge (Wolridge or Woolridge), Sionell Rolston and Richard Burton.

Barbados Church records show all four of these surnames. The name Burton is very common. The other three surnames, not so much.

U. S. Surnames Ranked by Quantity.10
Burton (Rank 227)
Chamberlain (Rank 1,098)
Woolridge (Rank 8,866)
Forth (Rank 12,663)
Rolston (Rank 13,939)

Amazingly, I found all four of the servant’s surnames! There were ten pages of Burtons so I didn’t touch them. However, information about the three very uncommon surnames are included in my list. Undoubtedly, the winning entry of the above list is Wm Woolridge buried 21 March 1685, whom I believe was the servant of Francis Chamberlain. He died at age 81.

It is possible that some of the Chamberlains on the list from the church records are descendants of Francis Chamberlain Jr., and/or perhaps, unknown siblings, considering the possibility that Francis and Rebecca might have had more children.  When we observe the parish records, however, it is apparent that most of the Chamberlain family left Barbados going to locations unknown by the mid 1800s.

The Chamberlain Bridge

Chamberalin Bridge, Bridgetown Barbados

This beautiful bridge, located in Bridgetown, Barbados, was originally built between 1865 and 1872 as a swing bridge. A great hurricane badly damaged the bridge in 1898. British Colonial Secretary of State, Joseph Chamberlain generated funds to replace it.11 In 2005, the obsolete steel structure was dismantled and then rebuilt as a lifting bridge with state-of the-art modern technology.

Joseph Chamberlain (1836-1914) was born in London, the son of a prosperous shoe manufacturer.12  The relationship between Joseph Chamberlain and the Francis Chamberlain family of Barbados is unknown.

Thomas and William Chamberlain

Thomas and William Chamberlain apparently left England in 1635 on a quest for religious freedom in the New World. Yet, instead of heading directly for the Puritan haven of Massachusetts Bay, they chose to go to Virginia. Why? A possible reason for this choice was to find and get acquainted with their long lost father. (See Chapter 1 The Arrival of Francis Chamberlain in the New World)

We may never know If that connection was ever made, nor how that worked out for them. The only thing we certainly know is that Francis Chamberlain and his possible sons Thomas and William headed in different directions.

The Church of England considered the Puritans religious non-conformists and drove them out of Virginia. Thomas and William Chamberlain, and other Puritans led by Daniel Gookin, arrived in Massachusetts Bay on 20 May 1644. (See Chapter 2- Thomas and William Chamberlain Leave Virginia)

Thomas and William met up with their brother Edmond somewhere along their travels.  Within a few years, all three brothers were married and starting their families. And, for the first time, they were free to worship their God according to their own beliefs.  They were no longer required to follow the old litanies of the Common Book of Prayer and other rituals as decreed by the English church and its leader, His Majesty, King Charles 1. Life just seemed to good to be true. (See Chapter 4- The Chamberlains in the Storm of Fire)

In 1680, a massive hurricane hit Barbados. It killed many and destroyed plantations. It was devastating to plantation owners, and therefore, many of them left Barbados at that time. Ironically, this hurricane set off a chain of events that will also spell tragedy for the William Chamberlain family in Massachusetts. Samuel Parris, his plantation destroyed, will leave Barbados with his family and a slave named Tituba to start a new career as a minister in Boston. (See chapter 5- Rebecca Chamberlain and the Salem Witch Trials)

For more Chamberlain history stories see “Table of Contents”, or please click “Good Bye!”

© 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 that credit is given to Dennis D. Chamberlain and direction to  www.thechamberlainstory.com.

References:

  1. Brett Callaghan, 1625-1627-The Early Beginnings of English Settlement in Barbados, www.totallybarbados.com
  2. Elias & Elias, Cultures of the World- Barbados, MC Bench, NY, p. 21.
  3. Abid., p. 23.
  4. Abid., p. 22.
  5. Abid., p. 22-23.
  6. Abid., p. 23
  7. John Camden Hotten’s Original Lists, p. 501.
  8. James H. Stark, Stark’s History and Guide to Barbados and the Caribbee. Boston, p.70.
  9. Barbados Church Records 1637-1887, Familysearch.org.
  10. http://surnames.behindthename.com
  11. http://www.barbados.org/chamberlain-bridge-barbados.htm#.V605VpgrK1s
  12. www.britannica.com/biography/Joseph-Chamberlain
  13.  Jason W. Warren, King Philip’s War, Encyclopedia Britannica, www.britannica.com
  14. List of Atlantic Hurricanes of the 17th Century, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/