Mr Thomas Skillings

• Birth Notes
  • May have been born in 1624 in Topsfield, Essex, Ma
    
    Other Source:
    
    "Descendants of Thomas and Deborah (?) Skillings of Cumberland County, Maine," Arlene L. Brown Ackermann, alafl@adelphia.net, http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~arlene/Skillings/index.htm, June 22, 2003.
    This covers Arlene Louise Brown, Edward Brown, Vera Bertha Blackwood, Carrie Estelle Skillings, Albert (Bert) Henry Skillings, Samuel Skillings, Cpl Josiah Skillings, Edward Skillings, Josiah Skillings, John Skillings, Thomas Skillings

• Death Notes
  • Died on the shores of Back Cove, Protland, ME
    
    Source:
    
    "Thomas Skilling of Falmouth, Cumberland County Maine and some of his Descendants," Charles Wainwright, 10 Pine Street; Topsfield, MA 01983, cwain@attbi.com, http://www.wainwrightfamily.org/skillingsfhr.html, July 16, 2003.
    
    Other Source:
    
    "Descendants of Thomas and Deborah (?) Skillings of Cumberland County, Maine," Arlene L. Brown Ackermann, alafl@adelphia.net, http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~arlene/Skillings/index.htm, June 22, 2003.
    This covers Arlene Louise Brown, Edward Brown, Vera Bertha Blackwood, Carrie Estelle Skillings, Albert (Bert) Henry Skillings, Samuel Skillings, Cpl Josiah Skillings, Edward Skillings, Josiah Skillings, John Skillings, Thomas Skillings

• General Notes
  • He emigrated, bef 1640. Point of origin: ENG.(5) He resided in Salem, Essex, MA 1640.(6) He resided in Wenham, Essex, MA 1644.(7) He resided in Gloucester, Essex, MA bef 1648.(8) Savage says as early as 1642; Yates says his land there was near the ancient burying ground
    
    He resided in Falmouth, Cumberland, ME 1651; 1658/9.(9) purchased farm at Back Cove from George Cleeves 25 Mar 1658 where he lived till his death 9 years later
    
    He made a will in Falmouth, Cumberland, ME, 14 Nov 1666.(10) 7th will recorded in ME (see old York records)
    
    The last Will & testament of Thomas Skelling, being very Weake In body, but in Prfect memory/ I giue to my sun Thomas one Cow, & a young steare & a Calfe / further I giue to my sun John one Cow / & I giue my Towles to bee deuided between them both / further it is my will to make my wife executrix to receiue & pay my debts, and all the goods yt I have to bee at her dispose dureing her Widdows estate, & if shee marry she shall haue but the thirds, & the rest to bee diuided aequally to all my children. Dated the 14th of Novembr 1666 / The Marke of THOMAS //%// SKELLING.
    
    Thomas's will was probated in Falmouth, Cumberland, ME, 2 Oct 1667.(11) The name Skillings, Skilling, Skillin, Skillen, Skellen, Skilline, Skillion, Skelling, or whatever spelling you prefer, is perhaps Gaelic or Saxon in origin, very possibly from the Gaelic "sgillin," which, roughly translated, means "a coin." Some sources say the family traces back to one "Skallin," which means scholar; another says it means "skilled folk." What it all boils down to, is that no one really knows. One explanation for the surname Skillin can be explored in the UK and Ireland Genealogy dicussion list at http://searches.rootsweb.com/cgi-b...ndices/G/GENU KI+1997+54037267941+F.
    
    Thomas Skillings, the American immigrant from whom I descend, couldn't write - he made his mark (:T:S). In early MA and ME, the emigrant Thomas Skillin was variously referred to as Cillon, Skillen, Skilling, Skillings. The old records primarily use Skillin, later on Skillin and Skillings have survived as the most common. In the late 1700, early 1800s, other individuals with the surname Skilling arrived in ME (Rev. John Skilling, Sr) from co Down, Ireland. Some say he continued on to NY, while his son John, Jr stayed in the southern Maine area. There are also descendants of Thomas Skillin in Quebec, Canada.
    
    Although the spelling can be different, any any individual may spell his name however he chooses, because my great-grandmother was named Skillings, this is the spelling I have chosen when I do not know the spelling the individual preferred. Many times I will also add the alternate spelling in parentheses after the surname. This does not mean that I agree or disagree as to the spelling of the name, only that I have chosen to use one spelling for this particular database.
    
    Most of the documented evidence I have relied upon comes from The Skillings Family by William Sargent, Skillings Memoirs by Robert F. Skillings, the Maine Historical and Genealogical Recorder, The Skillin Book by Edgar Yates (s/o Edward M. and Rose Ann (Skillin) Yates), The Descendants of Edward Small by Underhill, the US Census Records, and most especially to those individuals who submitted their databases to Ancestral File and to those who published their findings, queries (and replies), and databases on the Internet. All of these researchers have contributed greatly to the compiling of this Skillings' database.
    
    Primarily, I wish to extend my thanks and gratitude to Tom Henley of Portland, ME for his commitment and dedication to unearthing as much information as possible to identify and document all known descendants of Thomas and Deborah (?) Skillings - a project very close to my heart. Tom's newest book on this family is due out the summer of 2000 and I, for one, plan to obtain a copy of this publication as quickly as possible.
    
    I also wish to publicly thank Dorothy M. Skillings for her invaluable assistance and the information she provided in her book, "Ancestry and Descendants of Willard Woodbury Skillins/Skillings," a copy of which I currently have in my possession.
    
    Abstract from MHGR, Vol ?, pp 100-101, The Skillings Family by W.M. Sargent, Esq:
    
    Some years since the writer was professionally employed to investigate titles to lands that were then or had previously been in the possession of this family. Current rumors of a claim to portions of the same, now held by others, contemplated by the heirs upon the expiration of an ancient lease, led to close investigation of not only the recorded conveyances, but also the heirships of the family, and carried such search back much further than the customary time. In that way a familiarity was obtained that rendered apparent the serious faults and omissions of the article printed in the last "Recorder."
    
    Thomas Skillings deserves better of the record-makers of today, than to be handed down to coming readers with such an imperfect list of his many energetic and enterprising descendants whose labors have so much contributed to the establishing of this community. The further considerations that they are the only persons bearing that name in all our broad land, and that they furnish a striking example of continuity and length of tenure of the ancestral patrimony, supplies the zest to the very considerable labor of arranging copious notes.
    
    While confessing apparent incompleteness at the end of this long descent, for life is all too short for a stanger to the blood to follow out all the ramifications of such numerous progeny, it is asserted that in the earlier generations, susceptible of record proof, substantial accuracy has been attained; and the accompanying foot notes will, beside showing the method and supplying the sources, carry conviction.
    
    It has been considered more servicable, and it is hoped more stimulating to co-workers in this field, to add the names of such as could not be conveniently placed, that those who may have the inclination to further aid, may be spared some of the troubles of discovery. The quaint and concise will of Thomas, Senior, has already been contributed to the "Recorder," and will in time appear among "Gleanings from the County Files."
    
    Thomas and Deborah (?) Skillings - Note: Mr. Willis at p 179 n., in his "History of Portland," throws doubt upon her Christian name; but it is proven to be correct, for the widow of that name presents the Inventory of Thomas' estate (York Probate Office). Children:
    
    1. Thomas, b Nov 1643, m Mary Lewis (of these children, Thomas is given first in his father's will and was without doubt the eldest - York Records). 2. John, b 1644, m Elizabeth (?) (mentioned next in order, was prob b the next year as he signs the petition of those would could not submit to Gorges 1 Aug 1665 together with his father and brother Thomas - MA Arch) 3. Deborah, b 1648, unmarried (her birth is recorded 1648 at Gloucester - Babson. She was living still unm in 1715, when she makes oath in support of her brothers Joseph's and Benjamin's claims - Eastern Claims) 4. Abigail, b 1652, m John Curney, 18 Nov 1670 (Abigail, who was of marriageable age in 1680, prob came next. She d at the age of 70 in Gloucester 16 Feb 1722) 5. Elizabeth b ?, m Edmund Clark (Elizabeth, who m Edmund Clark, and conveys part of the farm at Back Cove to John Wass, 1 Aug 1719, it is probable from the dates came next - York Reg) 6. Joseph, b ? 7. Benjamin, b 1664, m ? (Benjamin, was the youngest as Joseph states, and is supported by his sister Deborah's testimony - Eastern Claims. Benjamin himself, buried 11 Dec 1764, "reckoned he was in his 100th year" - Smith's Journal, p 202)
    
    Abstract from Memoir of Robert F. Skillings, pp 5-6:
    
    When the recorded facts and incidents relating to the lives and activities of the people forming a family tree are as limited as they are in this case, it becomes very difficult to write a connected and satisfactory narrative of genealogical history. In "Notes on the Skillings Family," Vol. 2, by William B. Lapham, we read: "The immigrant ancestor, who, Felt says, was in Salem prior to 1640, doubtless wrote his name Skellin." Thomas Skillin from Salem was among the early settlers of Gloucester (MA) - Savage says as early as 1642. His land was near the ancient burying ground. As early as 1651, he had moved to Falmouth, but had returned and was living in Gloucester in 1658 and that year came back to Falmouth and died there in 1667. In 1658, he purchased the farm at back cove, of George Cleeves, which he occupied till his death and which was held in the family for many years. It adjoins the Deering farm in Westbrook and is about a half mile from Deering bridge.
    
    His will, dated 14 Nov 1666 and proved 2 Oct 1667, mentioned only two children, Thomas and John, and provided that the bulk of his property should go to his widow - Deborah - during her widow's estate and if she marry she shall have but one third, and the rest to be divided equally to all my children." NOTE: William Sargent records 7 children: Thomas b 1643; John b 1644; Deborah; Abigail; Elizabeth; Joseph; and Benjamin. (See also MHGR, V 2, No. 2, 1885)
    
    In a footnote in "The Skillings Family," by William M. Sargent, Esq., he says: "Mr. Willis, at p 179, n., in his 'History of Portland," throws doubt upon her christian name; but it is proven to be correct, for the widow of that name presents the inventory of Thomas' estate." York Probate Office. The inventory of the estate, taken by Phineas Ryder, George Ingersoll, and Nathaniel Willis, was: housing and land 80 pounds; marsh 10 pounds; 4 steers 22 pounds; 5 cows 20 pounds; 3 younger cattle 6 pounds; 2 calves 1 pound 10 shillings; 11 pigs 3 pounds 6 shillings; wheat and peas in the barn 3 pounds 8 shillings; 18 bushels wheat in the house 4 pounds 10 shillings; 6 bushels indian corn 1 pound 4 shillings; 60 lbs cotton wool 3 pounds; household furniture 32 pounds 16 shillings - total 186 pounds 14 shillings.
    
    Abstract from ME/NH Gen Dict, p 636:
    
    2 THOMAS, Salem, Gloucester, Falm., wit. ag. James Smith sr. in Salem ct. 31:1:1640; had Salem gr. 1642, to be laid out in Wenham; sued Wm. Brown and w. of Glouc. for slander in 1652; of Clouc. 1657 when w. Deborah +/-34, wit. ag. Brown in behalf of Goodw. Prince. See Essex Q.Ct. Rec. i:286, 320. On 25 Mar. 1658 he bot from George Cleeve 55 a. at Back Cove betw. George Ingersoll and Richard Tucker, and liv. there. Wit. Cleeve to Munjoy 1665. Tr.j. 1662-1664, 1665 (did not appear); gr.j. 1663. Lists 22ac, 25, 225a. Will, very weak, 14 Nov. 1666 - 2 Oct. 1667, gives livestock and tools to sons Thomas and John, all else to w., but only 1/3 if she mar., the rest then to be eq. divided to all the ch. Inv. L186 (see Me. P. & Ct. Rec. i:329). Wid. Deborah m. 2d at Ipsw. 29 June 1668 George Hadley. Ch: Deborah, b. 22 Aug 1640 (pub. Glouc. rec.), but Babson who found the rec. illegible said '1640 or 1648.' She is the logical w. for John Ingersoll(5) but if the D.S. who wit. for Joseph's East. Claim, she was then unm. Thomas, b. Nov. 1643 (Salem rec.; see Essex Q. Ct. Rec. i:93). John. Abigail, b. 1652 (age at death), m. John Corney(1). Joseph, Marblehead, claimed for self and br. Benj. 100 a. at Back Cove given them by their fa. and posses. by their mo. and br. John until they were of age; Deborah Skillings, Elizabeth Clark and George Ingersoll his witnesses. He and w. Elizabeth sold half to Edmund Clark in Sept. 1719. No. ch. appear, unless it was a son and not he who m. Elizabeth Gott in Salem 22 May 1713, and unless Elizabeth Clark was his dau., not Benjamin's. Benjamin, youngest son, had a Rowley freehold, m. 1st one Susanna, m. 2d (int. at Ipsw. 24 Apr. 1708) Mary Jewett. Of Marbleh. in Sept. 1719, he and w. Mary sold his 50 a. at Back Cove to John Wass. Kn. ch. by 1st w: Elizabeth, b. at Ipsw. 25 Dec. 1693; one E. m. at Marbleh. 21 Dec. 1714 Edmund Clark who was of Falm. in 1719 when he bot and sold Joseph Skillings's 50 a. John, b. Ipsw. 29 Mar. 1704; of Marblehead m. Eunice Kimball (int. at Ipsw. 1727); ch. by 2d w: Nehemiah, named in gr.fa. Jewett's will; of Marbleh., m. Mercy Kimball, int. Ipsw. 1730; ch. Mary, bp. at Ipsw. 13 May 1711; one M. mar. John Brooks at Marbleh. in 1727.
    
    NOTE: Lt. George Ingersoll and Thomas Skillings were neighbors (LND ME/NH Gen Dict p 368); their children John Skillings and Elizabeth Ingersoll married in 1675.
    
    Abstract from Maine Historical and Genealogical Recorder, V1, pp 45-46:
    
    Thomas Skillins'(1) land was near an ancient burial ground. He moved to Falmouth as early as 1651, but returned and was living in Glouchester in 1658. He moved back to Falmouth the same year. In 1658, he purchased the land at "Back Cove" of George Cleeves, which he occupied until his death and which was held in the family many years. The land adjoins the Deering Farm in Westbrook and is about a half mile from Deering Bridge. His will, dtd 14 Nov 1666 and proved 2 Oct 1667, names only two children, Thomas and John, and provided the bulk of his property should go to his widow during her "widows estate" and if she marry she shall have but one-third and the rest to be divided equally among his children. the inference is that he had other children, but the only others on record were Abigail and Deborah (named for her mother) whose birth is recorded in Glouchester in 1640 or 48. Inventory of his estate taken by Phineas Ryder, George Ingersoll, and Nathaniel Wallis was as follows:
    
    House and land (80 pounds); Marsh (10 pounds); 4 steers (22 pounds); 5 cows (20 pounds); 3 younger cattle (6 pounds); 2 calves (1 pound 10 shillings); 11 pigs (3 pounds 6 shillings); Wheat and peas in barn (3 pounds); 18 bushels wheat in dwelling house (4 pounds 10 shillings); 6 bushels indian corn (1 pound 4 shillings); 60 pounds cotton wool (3 pounds); Household furniture (32 pounds 16 shillings); Total=186 pounds 14 shillings.
    
    Thomas and Deborah (?) Skillings children were: Thomas (2), John (3), Deborah (4), Abigail (5), Elizabeth (6), Joseph (7), and Benjamin (8).
    
    Abstract from Desc of Edward Small by Underhill, V 2, pp 1134-1139:
    
    Thomas1 Skillings was of Salem, Massachusetts, February 20, 1642-43, when he was granted, by Salem, fifteen acres at Enon (Wenham). It is probable that he remained but a short time at Salem, and removed from there to Gloucester. The precise date of his removal is unknown, but it is certain that he was among the earliest settlers of Gloucester. His wife, Deborah, was born about 1623 [Perley's History of Salem, Vol. 2:151]. At Gloucester, his land was near the ancient burying-ground. As early as 1651, he had moved to Falmouth, but had returned and was living in Gloucester in 1658, and that year returned to Falmouth and died there in 1667.
    
    In 1658, he purchased the farm at Back Cove, of George cleeves, which he occupied until his death and which was held in the family many years [Maine Historical and Genealogical Recorder, Vol. 2:103]. It adjoins the Deering farm in Westbrook, and is about half-a-mile from Deering Bridge. His will, dated November 14, 1666, and proved October 2, 1667, mentioned only two children, Thomas and John, but the reference to his property being divided, in case of the remarriage of his widow, among "all my children," implies that he had others.
    
    The book of "Eastern Claims" contains many informative references to the Skillings lands at Falmouth. His will, dated and proved as above-mentioned, bequeaths to son Thomas a steer and a calf; to son John a cow; "and my towles to be divided between them both; my wife to be Executrix & to have all my goods at her dispose during her widowhood & if she marry she shall have but the thirds & the rest to be divided aqually to all my children." [Maine Historical and Genealogical Recorder, Vol. 2:133] The estate was appraised at L186. The widow, Deborah, returned the inventory.
    
    Issue: (1) Thomas2, b. Nov. __, 1643 [Essex Quareterly Court Records and Files, Vol. 1:93]; m. Mary Lewis; (2) John2, b. 1644; m. Elizabeth ___, [Vide infra]; (3) Deborah2, b. Aug. 22, 1640 [Gloucester Vital Records, Vol 1:655]. She was living, unmarried, in 1715, when she made oath in support of the claims of her brothers John and Benjamin; (4) Abigail2, b. 1652; m. Nov. 18, 1670 John Curney [Gloucester Vital Records, Vol. 2:501] She died in Gloucester, aged 70, Feb. 16, 1722; (5) Elizabeth2, m. Edmund Clark; conveyed part of farm at Back Cove to John Wass, Aug. 1, 1719; (6) Joseph2; (7) Benjamin2, b. 1664. He was the youngest, as Joseph states and is supported by his sister Deborah's testimony [Eastern Claims]; Benjamin himself, buried Dec. 11, 1764, "reckoned he was in his hundredth year." [Smith's Journal, 202]....
    
    
    Abstract from The Skillin Book by Yates, p 1:
    
    Thomas Skillin, the founder, was of Salem, MA prior to 1640 says Felt. A lot was laid out to him in Whenham in 1644; a little later he was of Gloucester, his land there near the ancient burying ground. As early as 1651 he had removed to Falmouth (nka Portland, ME), but had returned and was living in Gloucester in 1658. That same year he returned to Falmouth and purchased from George Cleeve a farm on Back Cove, one-half mile beyond Deering Bridge, where he resided until his death nine years later (1667). His wife's name was Deborah (b 1623) and they had six children: Thomas (b 1643), Deborah , John (b 1649), Abigail, Joseph, and Benjamin. His will, dtd 14 Nov 1666 and proved 2 Oct 1667, is found on the old York records - the 7th will ever recorded in ME.
    
    Abstract from Winchester Notes by Fanny Winchester Hotchkiss, p 82:
    
    SKILLINGS LINEAGE OF PRUDENCE SKILLINGS, WIFE OF EDMUND WINCHESTER, SR.
    
    (Gen. I) The first ancestor in this country of the name of Skillings was Thomas Skillings, wife Deborah, an early settler of Gloucester, Mass., where some of his children were born. As early as 1651 he had moved to Falmouth (now Portland, Me.), where he died in 1667. Will dated Nov. 14, 1666; proved Oct. 2, 1667. He had seven children.
    
    Abstract from Ancestral Families of Lundstedt-Carew, Alan Paul Lundstedt (http://www.familytreemaker.com/uses/l/u/n/Alan-P- Lundstedt/).
    
    Notes for Thomas Skillings: from Salem, was among the early settlers of Gloucester, MA. His land was near the ancient burying ground. As early as 1651, he had moved to Falmouth (Portland), but had returned and was living in Gloucester in 1658, and that year came back to Falmouth and died there in 1667. In 1658, he purchased the farm at Back Cove from George Cleeves, which he occupied until his death and which was held in the family for many years. The farm adjoins the Deering farm in Westbrook and is about half a mile from Deering Bridge. His will, dtd 14 Nov 1666 and proved 2 Oct 1667, mentioned only two children - Thomas and John. He also had two daughters. His emigrant ancestor was in Salem prior to 1640 and doubtless wrote his name Skellen.
    
    See also Ancestors of Annie Florce Berry by Nancy and Robert Kennoyer Neely of Cape Elizabeth, ME (nancyneely@aol.com) Ref No. 85, p 45 in FTM online report.
    
    Notes for Deborah: "Thomas Prince is called brother-in-law of Thomas Skillings. He came to Gloucester before 1650 (Hist of Gloucester, Babson, p 129), so Deborah could be sister of Thomas Prince, ... or ... more likely, Margaret, wife of Thomas Prince, could be the sister of Thomas Skillings.
    
    Abstract from Ethel Quimby's notes:
    
    Thomas Skillings died in Falmouth, ME in Sep 1667 (will dtd 14 Nov 1666; proved 2 Oct 1667). He was from Salem, MA - was among early settlers of Glouchester, MA; lived in Glouchester 1658; purchased farm at Back Cove of George Cleeves in 1658.
    
    
    
    Abstract from Ancestors of Dot Sayshi (http://www.dotsayshi.com/dotancestors/6/h/f/John_ SKILLINGS_(1644-1689).html)
    
    Thomas SKILLIN(GS) (1624-1667), b. ca. 1624 at Topsfield, Essex Co., MA, d. 2 October 1667 at Falmouth/Portland, Cumberland, ME
    
    "...from Salem, was among the early settlers of gloucester, MA...his land was near the ancient burying ground...as early as 1651, he had moved to Falmouth/Portland, but had returned and was living in gloucester in 1658, and that year came back to Falmouth/Portland, and died here in 1667...In 1658, he purchased the farm at Back Cove, of George Cleeves, which he occupied till his death, and which was held in the family for many years...it adjoins the Deering farm in Westbrook, and is about half a mile from Deering Bridge...his will dtd 11/14/1666, and proved 10/2/1667, mentioned only two children, Thomas and John ...also had two daughters...his emigrant ancestor was in Salem prior to 1640 and doubtless wrote his name Skellen..." --------------------------------- Ancestry.com data file Pioneers of Massachusetts THE PIONEERS OF MASSACHUSETTS, SKILLING, SKILLIN, SKILLINGS, THE PIONEERS OF MASSACHUSETTS, SKELLING, THE PIONEERS OF MASSACHUSETTS, Thomas, Salem, 1642, propr. Wife Deborah deposed in 1657, ae. about 34 years. Ch. Thomas b. Nov. 1643. [Es. Files.] He rem. to Wenham. Thomas Prince, Jr., of Gloc. calls Thomas brother-in-law, 1687. Spouse: Deborah Unknown
    
    poss last name Prince see Ancestry.com data file Pioneers of Massachusetts THE PIONEERS OF MASSACHUSETTS, SKILLING, SKILLIN, SKILLINGS, THE PIONEERS OF MASSACHUSETTS, SKELLING, THE PIONEERS OF MASSACHUSETTS, Thomas, Salem, 1642, propr. Wife Deborah deposed in 1657, ae. about 34 years. Ch. Thomas b. Nov. 1643. [Es. Files.] He rem. to Wenham. Thomas Prince, Jr., of Gloc. calls Thomas brother-in-law, 1687. Married ca. 1643 at MA/ME.
    
    Children:
    
    Deborah Skillings (1640- ), b. 22 August 1640 at Falmouth, Barnstable, MA John SKILLINGS (1644-1689), b. 1644, m. Elizabeth Mary INGERSOLL, ca. 1674/5 at Falmouth, Cumberland, ME, d. 1689 at Falmouth/Portland, Cumberland, ME Joseph Skillings (1646- ), b. 1646 at Falmouth, Barnstable, MA