John Hicks 
John was born about 1612 in Southwark, London, England.1 He died about May 1672 in Long Island, New York.1 General Notes
[Caleb Hicks.ged]
ID: I03386
Name: John Hicks
Sex: M
Birth: ABT. 1612 in Southwark, London, England
Death: ABT. MAY 1672 in Long Island, New York
Note: Ancestry of this John Hicks should be considered unknown. Many of the sources on John Hicks incorrectly state his ancestry. There is no proof that John Hicks, the progenitor of this line is the John Hicks, son of Robert Hicks, bpt 1605, or is descended from Sir Ellis et al. Genealogists who have seriously studied the original source material discount any relationship between the two. (See Robert Wakefield, "The Children of Robert Hicks", TAG 51:57-8; and Anderson, "The Great Migration Begins" Vol 2, p 927 and the most complete analysis, Seversmith, "Colonial Families of LI, NY, & CT, Vol 3, pp 1368-1384).
There was also a Stephen Hicks early at Flushing, who is usually claimed to be the brother of John. There is no proof of that claim (Seversmith, p 1373) At any rate, Stephen had no sons to perpetuate the Hicks surname. His will (dated June 8, 1688 & proved Aug 29, 1688) leaves his entire estate to his wife, Ann, and one daughter, also called Ann.
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John was probably born between 1610 and 1615 in England. He married at St. Faith's Church (the crypt of St. Paul's in London) in March 1636/7 Herodias Long. (Hodge, p 64 cites - Liscense 14, London Marriage Liscenses, p. 153. British Rec. Soc.). She later claimed to have been only 12 or 13 at the time.
He is thought to have emigrated about 1637, perhaps going first to Weymouth, MA. However he shortly removed to Newport, RI. He was listed as admitted as Freeman "since the 20th day of 3rd mo. 1638 - and again on a Court Roll of Freeman dated Mar 16, 1641. (NEHGR, 133:201). His RI period is noted particularly for the tempestous relationship between he and Herodias. (See notes under Herodias) This culminated in him taking the children and removing to Long Island where he obtained a divorce in the Dutch Court. Meanwhile she also sued for and obtained a divorce in the RI courts.
The two children are Hannah and Thomas. It is often suggested that there was a third child, a daughter Elizabeth, but that is based on a misreading of John's will. He mentions my son-in-law Josyas Starr (who married an Elizabeth) but the reference would be read today as step-son. The age of Elizabeth at the year of marriage precludes her being a child of John and Heroidas.
He married second, Florence (???) Carman, widow of John Carman, who had been a fellow landowner. His third marriage was to Rachel (???) Starr, widow of Dr. Thomas Starr, with whom he had a pre-nuptial agreement. She had 10 children by her first marriage.
In the Court Record of the Town of Hempstead, dated 3/5/1657/8, John Hicks is listed as a Magistrate. (Gen LI Fam, v II, p 694)
"Early in February, 1665, each town was invited to send two delegates, 'sober, able and discreet persons,' to settle good and well-known laws, called the 'Hempstead Convention' to be held Feb. 28, 1665, where many of the 'Duke's Laws' were enacted. Among the delegates were John Bowne from Gravesend, John Hicks from Jamaica, John Underhill from Hempstead, Daniel Lane from Brookhaven, and William Wells and John Young from Southold." (Frost Gen, p 356)
There are many more references to John's career, not yet recorded here. He was one of the original patentees of Flushing.
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The Testament of John Hicks, late of Hempstead, Justice of the Peace. (Surrogate Records of New York, Vol 2, p 91-2 - "Old Liber p. 164-5")
"Being weak in body but sound in understanding," makes son Thomas executor, and, referring to their premarital agreement, "he is to pay to my wife Rachel, L100 in cattle, according to wheat at 5 shillings a bushell." Leaves to wife household utensils, "besides her own wearing clothes, and what goods my said wife brought with her to me." I leave to each one of my daughter Haviland's children, a colt." Leaves to daughter Hannah L100, one-third in horses and two-thirds in cattle. Legacies to "children of my son Thomas," and to "my son-in-law Josyas Starr."
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Dated April 29, 1672. The will is also signed by his wife Rachel, "in token of her satisfaction." Witnesses, Jonah Fordham, Richard Valentine. Proved at Court of Sessions, held in Jamaica, June 14, 1672. Anthony Waters, Clerk. Letters of Administration granted to Thomas Hicks, June 17, 1672.
Marriage 1 Herodotus Long b: ABT. 1623 in Southwark, London, England
Married: ABT. 1637 in St. Faith's, London, England
Children
Hannah Hicks b: ABT. 1639 in New England
Thomas Hicks b: ABT. 1642 in Newport, RI
Marriage 2 Florence Fordham b: ABT. 1610
Married: AFT. JUN 1655 in Long Island, NY
Marriage 3 Rachel Unknown
Married: 1662
John and Herodotus were married in a religious ceremony about 1637 in St. Faith's, London, England.1 They had a son and a daughter, named Thomas and Hannah.
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