It's a little risky writing a post on today of all days, especially about today, but nevertheless here we go... 1609 (OS): The Harwich St Nicholas burial register records the burial of Edward Trayforte, mariner of Shadwell (juxta Ratcliffe). Worth mentioning as it may be the final piece of the puzzle of some canny Googler's … Continue reading On This Day: April 1
Tag: otd
On This Day: December 3
1616 (OS): The will of Joan Man, widow of Harwich, was written. Joan was the sister of Thomas Thompson, making her the aunt of Christopher Jones by marriage. 1661 (OS): Martha Narburrow, the daughter of Edmund & Mary Narburrow, was baptised at St Nicholas. This is likely to be an early record of the Nalborough … Continue reading On This Day: December 3
Will of Thomasyn Standley
On this day (24 July) in 1611, a young woman by the name of Thomasyn Standley (Thomasine) dictated her will. It was highly unusual for a woman of her age to write/dictate a will, even more so as she was unmarried, but this rare example happens to exist as she was engaged to Hugh Branham, … Continue reading Will of Thomasyn Standley
On This Day: April 4
1806: Extracts from a letter sent by the tragic minister Thomas Spencer, at Harwich: “Once in a fortnight Mr. H preaches at the work-house [...] My situation is as comfortable, or more so, than ever, and I am considered like one of the family. We have a nice house, and here are only Mr. H, … Continue reading On This Day: April 4
On This Day: March 22
1583 (OS): Lancelot Russell, the son of Lancelot Russell senior, was baptised at Harwich St Nicholas. The name "Lancelot", like Josian, was one of those rare, localised forenames, which occasionally cropped up in Harwich around this time, but was usually associated with the Russell family. 1912: The edition of "The Builder" from this date explains: … Continue reading On This Day: March 22
On This Day: January 19
1549: As recounted by Len Weaver in The Harwich Story, Nicholas Diggens of Limehouse wrote a letter to the vicar in 1609, within which he stated he was baptised at Harwich on this date, and left an annual gift of £4 to the poor. Diggens was an Elder Brother of Trinity House. 1843: Captain John … Continue reading On This Day: January 19
On This Day: December 17
1588 (OS): An act of the Privy Council (P. 401) makes mention of Harwich mariner "Thomas Gray, one of the masters of her Majesties shippes", aka a Principal Master (later Masters Attendant) of the Royal Navy. 1683: Sir Anthony Deane was officially granted his coat of arms, the description of which is said to have … Continue reading On This Day: December 17
On This Day: October 15
1578 (OS): Christopher Jones, father of the future master of the Mayflower, was buried at the church of St Dunstan, Stepney. 1664 (OS): Anthony Deane was issued a warrant to move to Harwich and take on the role of master shipwright. 11 years later he would become Sir Anthony Deane. 1870: Ad in the Ipswich … Continue reading On This Day: October 15
On This Day: September 28
1550: Len Weaver, in his Harwich Papers, tells us: "On September 28th 1550, John Chapman and William Olyfe were chosen Churchwardens and served for fourteen eventful years". 1625: Gossip travels - a letter from Thomas, Earl of Suffolk, explains "I hope and pray that these great blusterings in our country about Harwich may come to … Continue reading On This Day: September 28
On This Day: September 12
1721: The excellent Essex & Suffolk Surnames site holds a marriage licence record from this date for John Batten of Harwich and Susanna Whitaker of Kelvedon; records show they married at Colchester St James on the same day. 1808: The National Archives holds a plan taken from a letter on this date, for a "circular … Continue reading On This Day: September 12
Harwicensis 