Person talk:John Cogswell (1)

The source citation, "S3. NEHGR 37:117" isn't too helpful. Moreover, if that means volume 37, page 117, I don't see anything related to this family. Am I missing something? Thanks...

That citation refers to an unsourced article on Dr. William Cogswell that identifies his immigrant ancestor as John. I added the reference to the source cite.--Amelia 21:19, 4 March 2008 (EST)

Thanks Amelia! --jrm03063

This content does not come to a conclusion that makes any sense to me, so I have removed it to here.--Amelia 23:39, 15 February 2010 (EST)

Owners of the new Cogswell book may have noticed on page xx a perplexing question: "… why, other than to meet the obvious need to provide sustenance for his large family, did John become a farmer, rather than some sort of manufacturer, processor, or seller of goods?" John Cogswell, beyond any doubt, was one of the most successful "clothmen" in England, and his radical career change begs for some explanation. Hal Lieberman, among others, has questioned the Rev. Jameson’s assumption that the Cogswell family left their native land for purely religious reasons, although religion surely played some part in the decision.

Recently, C.F.A. member Joy [7586] (Smith) Starr has uncovered new information supporting Hal Lieberman’s theory! The Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire, by Sybil Noyes, states on page 595: James Rogers - "in 1661 he was in London, where he received cloth to be delivered to Mr. Cogswell of Ipswich and Mr. Raynes of York."

Next, on page 2, we have included an unnamed daughter as the first child of John and Elizabeth (Thompson) Cogswell, since neither the Rev. Jameson nor the present author was able to identify the daughter. Recall that the eldest daughter was visited, in London, by John [5] Cogswell in 1652, and his letter of 30 March 1653 to his parents in Ipswich made reference to the mysterious daughter, who stayed behind, but did not name her.

John was 23 when he married Elizabeth Thompson, daughter of the parish vicar. His parents died soon after the marriage and he inherited his father's business -- woolen mills. He apparently sold the business about 20 years later and he and his wife and eight of their nine children emigrated to America. They embarked at Bristol on 23 May 1635, aboard the "Angel Gabriel." The ship broke up off of Pemaquid, Maine, in the big gale of 15 Aug 1635. The family survived but many of their valuables were lost. They settled in Agawam (Ipswich), MA, where John was granted various parcels of land. In 1636, John built a log house with a thatched roof in a part of Ipswich, which is now Essex, MA. He later built a frame house on the same property. He lived the rest of his life there and the house stood for several generations in possession of descendants (still?). John was made freeman in 1636.

Fundamental Agreement of the New Haven Colony [2 November 2012]

New Haven Colony Records (1:17) and the web page of The Founders of the New Haven Colony both list one John Cogswell as a signer of the Fundamental Agreement dated 4 June 1639. To the best of my knowledge (and I am a descendant of John C. of Ipswich), this John is not associated with the New Haven people in any of the literature. Since his son John was only 17 in 1639, and there appears to be no one else of this or similar name available, I have to assume that John C. of Ipswich was the signer. Is it possible that he might have signed the agreement in Boston or vicinity prior to Rev. Davenport and company departing for New Haven with the intention of removing to that place or perhaps sending one of his sons? It is puzzling.--jaques1724 09:34, 2 November 2012 (EDT)