General Notes

PORMORT FAMILY

    Visitation of Lincolnshire 1562-4, coat of arms, argent on chevron between 3 leopards faces, Sable, as many mullets of the field.
    Burk's General Armory 1883, Argent, white or silver, signifies peace or sincerity. Chevron, darker space in which are seen stars, signifies protection. Granted as reward for notable enterpise -church builder, fortess or faithful services. Leopard signifies valiant warrior in British heraldry; Mullet is a 5-point star denoting virtue or learning.
    The name Pormort is of French Huguenot origin. Pilomen came from Alford, Lincolnshire where 9 generations proceeded him. 1.Rober, 2. John3, William,4,Lawrene, 5,William,6, George,8, Thomas,9, Philomen. He married Oct. 11, 1657, Susanna, daughter of William Billingham. She was born Sept. 1, 1601. They came direct to Boston and were admitted to the first church of Boston, June 26, 1634. Pilomen was a FreeMan, May 6, 1635 and the first school master of the town. A tablet in Boston on School Street in front of the City Hall reads `On this spot stood the first school house, erected for the use of Boston Public Latin School. This school has been constantly maintained since established by the following vote of the town `At a general meeting upon Public Notice, it was agreed upon that Brother Pilomen Pormort shall be entreated to become school master for the teaching and nurturing of children with us Apr. 13, 1635.'
    He taught school until the end of 1638 when he went with Mr Wheelwright, brother in law of Ann Hutchinson, to Wells. He returned to Boston in 1642, where his wife Susanna died Oct 1642. He then married Elizabeth ---- June 16, 1643. He died 1655.