596327

[phelps.FTW]

[Brøderbund WFT Vol. 1, Ed. 1, Tree #0988, Date of Import: Oct 22, 1998]

John Beebe of Broughton (1600)

A casual review the of period of time in which John Beebe and
his family lived indicate that the country in 1649-50 was in a
turmoil; Charles I had been executed in Jan. 1649, and in Feb. the
monarchy and the House of Lords had been abolished. The nation had
turned from a Kingdom to a Commonwealth by Autumn of the same year.
Cromwell had overthrown opposition in Ireland and in the Spring
of 1650 he had proceeded to Scotland. During this period anarchy
prevailed to a large extent; public morals were at a low ebb.
"Every man seeking his own ends under a cloak of piety which
covered much knavery." False notaries and witnesses abounded.
It was in such an environment of social and political upheaval
that in April, 1650, the time of the "Great Immigration," witnessed
the departure from England for America of John Beebe and his family
of children. Whatever other inducement controlled him in this bold
move, it surely was a propitious time to escape from the tumult and
confusion of Civil War and seek the peace and comfort which the
American Colonies offered.
His home was in Broughton, Northamptonshire. Today it appears
as one of England's loveliest villages. Many of its houses are
thickly covered with thatch and surrounded by trees of luxuriant
foliage. Probably in the 17th Century the houses and homes were
more humble in character, and we can readily imagine the excitement
and worry among the members of this little family as they pursued
their preparations for departure to a foreign country. The
journey from Mid-England to the distant sea coast by crude
conveyance, and the still more uncomfortable and dangerous voyage
of many days on a small craft in treacherous seas, were probable
sources of fear, tempered by bright hopes of future days and the
novelty of the adventure.
John, was probably about 50 years of age and had married about
1627, Rebecca Ladd of Broughton, by whom he had eight children. It
has been learned that John and Samuel, his two sons, had preceded
the family to America by a few months, and that the mother and
daughter, Hannah, either died before the embarkation or were left
behind - probably the former, as no mention of them is made in the
will of John, the father. The name of the sailing vessel is not
known.
The immigrants reached their destination in the latter days of
May, 1650, but during the voyage, on the 18th of May, occurred the
death of the father, John. It must have been a sad and pathetic
occasion to those young children, as they were approaching unknown
shores, to be deprived of their beloved parent and guardian.
Alone, to whom could they look for comfort and help? I can well
believe that Rebecca, the faithful sister, responded bravely to the
task.
The will that John made on shipboard, however, gives evidence
of the love and care he had for his young children, for he
particularly mentions "loving friends, William Lewis and John Cole,
be overseers of the Will and that all my said children be advised
and counselled by them for their future disposal, etc., for the
bbbbgood of my said children."
It is probable that the ship reached port in the neighborhood
of Cape Ann, MA, for it is recorded that Mr. Blinman administered
to the spiritual interests of this Colony and that he, with a party
including the Beebes, went to New London, CN., by Mar.,1651, where
they were prominent in the early settlement of that place. The
political and social condition of the American Colonies at this
time, although more reassuring and peaceful than those existing in
England, were not so completely calm and unruffled as might have
been desired.

Sources:
John Beebe of Broughton England by Clarence Beebe. (1921) FHL
929.273 B391bc.
See also the family group sheets at the FHL in the CRA section in
the FHL.