Bridget Worden

Notes:

PETER WORDEN, the son of Robert Worden (b. 1534, d. 1580) and Isabel Worthington, was born about 1576 in Clayton-le-Woods, Lancashire, England during the reigh of Queen Elizabeth I (1558 to 1603). He died in February 1639 at Yarmouth, Massachusetts. He was the first of the English to die in Yarmouth. He married Margaret Grice, daughter of Thomas and Alice Grice, and widow of Anthony Wall, about 1603, according to a 1607 Palatine Chancery Court action (PRO-PL6/1, No. 37). She was born between 1566 and 1571, probably in Warrington, Lancashire. She died early in 1612. She had five children by her first husband, who died in 1601.

Peter Worden was listed as "Gentleman" in several documents, and he was a member of the Town Council of Preston, Lancashire, England, which is located about five miles from Clayton. He was a "Foreign (outsider) Burgess" in Preston, and he leased a shop in the Guild hall, located next to the Preston Market Place, on 01 October 1617. He was last recorded in Preston on 21 January 1629, when, according to the early archives of Preston Borough, he loaned 8 shillings to the Borough for a project concerned with common lands.

In 1630 the Plague, which had already ravaged London, struck Preston, and 1069 people out of a population of 3000 died within the year. Peter Worden, his son, and their families probably left Preston because of the plague, as did many of the other survivors, because he next appears in the American Colonies in the mid 1630s. He was probably one of those who came "On Their Perticulers" (not belonging to any general group of emigrants from England sharing a common sectarian religion--such as the Pilgrims.)

It is believed that Peter Worden was first in Lynn, Massachusetts before moving to Yarmouth in 1639. In The History of Old Yarmouth, by Charles F. Swift, is the following: "At the extreme easterly part of the Town, Peter Worden [sic] the elder and younger have established themselves, in spite of the opposition of some of their associates, and here the former died the first year of settlement."

Peter Worden's will was probated on 5 March 1639. It is the first will printed in the Plymouth Court Records. A copy of the will remains in the Barnstable Probate Court. In his will Peter Worden left most of his real and personal property in both England and America to his son, Peter Worden. Both he and his son are buried in the Worden Cemetery, overlooking Cape Cod Bay. The cemetery is located on the south side of Route 6A in the Town of Dennis near the border of the Town of Brewster. Diectly across Route 6A, in a pasture, is a small foundation said to be from the house of the elder Peter Worden. The barn in the pasture is said to be built on the original foundation of the house of his son, Peter Worden.

CHILDREN

1. Elizabeth, died in July 1635 in Kirkham, Lancashire. she had a child, John Lewis Jr, out of wedlock, by John Lewis (a "King's Preacher" who "fledd out of the country"). She married Hugh Swansey.

2. Bridget, died 19 November 1628 in Preston, according to the Preston Parish records. She was not married.

3. Peter, born in 1609 in Clayton-le-Woods, died in 1681 in Yarmouth, Massachusetts, married Mary in England.

Born in 1569 in Clayton. Lancashire, England son of Robert and Isabel ( Worthington) Worden. Married Margaret Grice a widow in Lancashire, England. Peter left England maybe on the 9th ship ~1636 and was a sqartter in Lynn, MA. His will was first written and died about March 9, 1638 in Yarmouth, Massachusetts.

Peter married Margaret Grice in 1590 in Clayton Manor, Lancashire, England. Margaret was born on 9 Jun 1569 in Warrington, Lancashire, England; died on 2 Jan 1612. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Robert married Lady Isabel Worthington in 1560 in Clayton Manor, Lancashire, England. Lady was born in 1547 in Blains Cough, Lancashire, England; died on 11 Sep 1580 in Clayton Manor, Lancashire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]