Thomas Tupper

Notes:

The Tupper Family
The birthplace of THOMAS TUPPER, the emigrant ancestor of the Tupper family of America, was the Parish of Bury in County Sussex, England. The name itself is of Anglo-Saxon origin of the earliest form, derived from the occupation of the person known. During the 8th Century, a male sheep or ram was a tupp, and the breeder of tupps or rams was a tupman or tupper.
One of the most important occupations of South Downs in West Sussex, was the breeding of sheep, and in later years they were famous for the fine quality of mutton. There is a farm on the fringe of South Downs, overlooking the Isle of Wight, still owned by Tuppers.

THOMAS TUPPER'S father was HENRY TUPPER and his grandfather was RICHARD TUPPER, both of County Sussex. It was possible to identify them by the study of biographies (1563-1624), recorded deeds and wills, tax rolls, post mortem, and other documentary evidence. The records of the Parish of Bury exist only in manuscript form in the British Museum at London, and are not readily accessible, so that it is not possible to present a complete record of the families of Henry and Richard Tupper.

Wills on file and other probate documents in the Ecclesiastical Courts of Canterbury and Winchester, wherein it was the custom to mention the deceased's occupation or station in life, reveal the TUPPERS were yeomen, husbandmen, fishermen, shoemakers, weavers, wool-combers, shepherds, etc. While none of the immediate progenitors of Thomas Tupper were classed as "GENTLEMEN" there is abundant evidence that they were property and landowners on the tax rolls as men of means. The University of Cambridge record that several Tuppers of an earlier generation matriculated there. Richard Tupper, grandfather of Thomas, was pastor
of the Church at Bury.

HENRY TUPPER was a Puritan, but was not a fanatic and maintained friendly relations with those of his acquaintance, who still stayed with the Church of England. Through one William Greer, Merchant of London, Henry Tupper met Thomas Hampton, Cordwaiver of St. Sepulcher's of London, to whom he apprenticed his son Thomas from 1592 to 1599. Thus for 7 years Thomas Tupper was a worker in leather and learned his trade of shoemaker.

It was while in London that Thomas Tupper became acquainted with prominent London Merchants who sponsored the first settling of what is now New England. The first departure from England came about 1621, when he was one of the crew with Captain William Prince, and sailed for the West Indies, for Browne and Cradock of London. During this voyage he learned the craft of carpentry to add to his trade of shoemaker. He made 3 trips and in these sailings, Thomas Tupper was listed as one of the crew, worked at his trade, and received wages as well as a part of the profits. Thomas Tupper, from all data obtainable did not marry until he was 44 years of age. He was married twice in England, losing both wives by death before 1635.

THOMAS TUPPER was born at Bury, County Sussex, England in 1578 and died 1676. He married Katherine Gator, of Parich Chelmsford, England in 1622. There were 2 children -- Katherine and Robert. Robert died in infancy. After his wife Katherin's death Thomas married Susan Turnar, in 1628 -- there were also 2 children -- Thomas and Robert. Thomas also died in infancy and his wife Susan died in 1634. After her death Thomas was left with a girl of 12 and a boy of 2. Just when and how they came to America is not known. Thomas married a third time in America -- a widow of Topsfield, Mass., Ann Hodgson (Hudson). She was born
about 1585 and died 1676. There was one child Thomas II.

http://genealogy.fagens.net/fagen/thetupperfamily.html 7/8/2013
In 1637 permission was obtained from the government of New Plymouth to begin this settlement and in their oft quoted words: "--agreed by the court that these ten men of Saugus viz: EDMUND FREEMEN: HENRY PEAKE: THOMAS DEXTER: EDWARD DILLINGHAM: WILLIAM WOOD: JOHN CARMAN: RICHARD CHADWELL: WILLIAM ALMY: THOMAS TUPPER: GEORGE KNOTT: -- shall have liberty to view a place to sit down and have sufficient lands for three-score families upon the conditions propounded by the Governor and Mr. Winslow." The result of this action was the settlement of what came to be called SANDWICH, the first town on Cape Cod, and the 10 men named known as proprietors of the new town were soon on the ground. The grant was made to the 10 men on the assumption that they were all Church members and free men, and that
being such they would receive unto the township when organized only such persons as already were Church members or fit to become so. The portion to THOMAS TUPPER was six and one-half acres and his rank 18th.

Record show that in 1658 Thomas and his son Thomas were among the largest land owners and tax payers in Sandwich. He farmed to some extent but legal documents always state his occupation as 'shoemaker.' He served in the General Court in 1644, was a Deputy for 20 years, served on juries, local boards and commissions and was Selectman for 3 years. He conducted Religious services and was deeply interested in Religious work among the Indians. He was a shrewd trader and invested heavily in real estate and had large holdings at his death. The Old Tupper House in Sandwich -- construction of which began in 1637, when the
settlement was not yet a year old was so sturdily built that is stood for nearly 300 years, until destroyed by fire. It was a monument to the character of Thomas Tupper. The history of this house, one of the very few really old houses in America testifies to the worthy lives lived by the original owner and his wife Ann. The first wedding in this house was his daughter Katherine, who married Benjamin Nye. Robert was also married in America -- Deborah Perry, but they returned to England.

THOMAS TUPPER II was born at Sandwich, Mass., in 1638 and died in 1706. He became a freeman at the age of 20. He served on a jury in 1664, was an Exciseman in 1677 and Town Constable in 1669. He was a Selectman for 14 years, Town Clerk for 10 years, Deputy to General Court at Plymouth for 11 years. A Representative to the Court of Boston and in 1680 was appointed Lieutenant of the Military Company in Sandwich, becoming Captain in 1790. He had strong religious convictions and for many years was a Missionary among the Indians. In 1645 he and Miles Standish, among others, were members of an arbitration board to determine Civil action. He married Martha Mayhew in 1661. She was the daughter of Thomas Mayhew, Governor of Martha's Vineyard and neighboring Islands. There were 11 children. MARTHA: THOMAS: ISREAL: ELISHA: JANE: ICHABOD: ELDAD: MEDAD: ANNE: ELIAKIM: BERTHA.

ELIAKIM TUPPER was born in Sandwich, Mass. He was a man of prominence in Sandwich and was a Selectman for 12 years. In 1712 he was elected one of a committee "to supply the pulpit". In 1722 he was a large land holder and a 'shop keeper'. He did not agree with the doctrine preached and in 1732 was one of two contractors who built a new meeting house for the opponents of the established minister. He married Joanna Gibbs (daughter of Benjamin Gibbs, Sr.,) in 1707. In 1736 he moved his family to Lebanon, Connecticut where he died about 1758. There were 13 children. RUTH: ANN: ELIAKIM: ABIA: ELIAS: ABIGAIL: HANNAH: JOANNA: JOANNA: NATHANIEL: DEBORAH: CHARLES: SOLOMON. All were born in Sandwich, Mass.
NATHANIEL TUPPER was born in 1726 and died at Salisbury, Conn. in 1790. He married Elizabeth Gager, daughter of Rev. William and Elizabeth (Whiting) Gager. There were 3 children. ELISHA: WILLIAM: ELIZABETH. He married the 2nd time, Sarah Hanchett of Suffield, Conn, daughter of Ebenezer and Sarah (Fuller) Hanchett. There was one child Samuel.

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The first Census in the United States was taken in 1790. In that Census there
were only 2 men by the name of Tupper, listed in New York State. NATHAN TUPPER -- of Westchester County, N. Y. with only one male over 16 - including the head of the family. WILLIAM TUPPER - Albany County, N. Y. with 2 males over 16 -- including head of family.

http://genealogy.fagens.net/fagen/thetupperfamily.html 7/8/2013
The Presbyterian Church of Schenectady, New York, states that RUFUS TUPPER died there Nov. 9, 1811 at the age of 41 years. Therefore we can place the birth of Rufus Tupper in 1770, so he would have been over 16 in 1790 and his father would have to be WILLIAM. Further data places William Tupper in Watervliet Town, then called West Troy. Later records show Rufus Tupper to be in Blooming Grove, Orange County, N. Y. in 1800, with all children under 10 years of age. A Troy newspaper published in 1825 " Sylvanus Tupper of Goshen (Blooming Grove is just a few miles from Goshen) New York was appointed guardian of Isaac N. born March 24, 1811 -- son of Rufus Tupper -- late of Schenectady County, New York." It seems logical to assume William Tupper is the father of Rufus, but as yet I have been unable to
find any further record of William. RUFUS TUPPER married ABBIE (Abba--Abbe--Abigail) COOPER. The children were SALLY POLLY: ISAAC NEWTON: ARTAMIS: SYLVANUS: ISAAC NEWTON: (2nd) ABBY or ABIGAIL: HILA ANN. (born Troy, New York 1806) [hand written] Hila Ann married Oct 26, 1826 to John Smith Carris - Born Feb 6, 1804 - New York - Family History continued in Carris Genealogy.

After the death of Rufus Tupper, Abba married Abraham Bancker of Goshen N. Y. He was a farmer in Westchester County, N. Y. He sold his farm in 1811 and moved to Orange County, N. Y. and settled near Goshen. He was a cabinet maker. There were 2 children. George and Charles. She survived him, dying in 1855. TUPPER LAKE and the town of TUPPER LAKE were both named after a surveyor by the name of Tupper, who discovered the Lake while surveying. The given name is unknown.
Hazel (Campbell) Gerbich
MAR 5 - 1956

Thomas married Katherine Gator on 29 Apr 1622 in Chelmsford, Sussex, England. Katherine (daughter of John Gator and Joanne) was born in 1581 in Chelmsford, Essex, England; died in 1627 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Thomas married Susan Turner on 25 Jan 1628 in Topsfield, Essex, Massachusetts, USA. Susan was born in 1600 in Topsfield, Essex, Massachusetts, USA; died in 1633 in Topsfield, Essex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Thomas married Martha Anne Hodgson on 21 Dec 1634 in Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts, USA. Martha was born in 1588 in , , , England; died on 4 Jun 1676 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Katherine married Benjamin Nye on 19 Oct 1640 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. Benjamin (son of Thomas Nye and Agnes Rye-Walter) was born on 4 May 1620 in Biddenden, Kent, England; died on 30 Apr 1714 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA; was buried in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Katherine married John Burgess on 8 Sep 1657 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. John was born in 1628 in , , , England; died in 1701 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Jacob Burgess on 1 Jun 1660 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. Jacob (son of Thomas Burgess and Dorothy Waynes Goodman) was born in 1633 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA; died on 17 Mar 1719 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 18 May 1690, Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA

Family/Spouse: Easter (Esther) Nye. Easter was born in 1650 in Braintree, Norfolk, Massachusetts, USA; died in Jun 1726 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA; was buried in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ebenezer married Sarah Gibbs on 17 Dec 1675 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. Sarah was born on 11 Apr 1652 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA; died on 4 Nov 1688 in Falmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ebenezer married Sarah Newcomb on 13 Jan 1719 in , Tolland, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 8 Oct 1691, Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA

Notes:

Records of Plymouth Colony 1633-1689
listed on page 205 as: Received & admitted as Freemen at ye Generall Court held at Plimouth the first Tuesday of June, 1689, these underwritten. Sandwich: Jonathan Nye

And on page 242 under Births. Nye, Johathan, Sandwich, born 20 November, 1649

Jonathan married Hannah Bearse on 4 Jul 1678 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. Hannah (daughter of Austin Augustine Bearse and Mary " Little Dove" Wilder Hyanno (Wampanoag Tribe)) was born on 11 Apr 1652 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA; died on 4 Nov 1688 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jonathan married Patience Burgess on 4 Jul 1691 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. Patience (daughter of John Burgess and Mary Worden) was born in 1660 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA; died on 7 Jul 1744 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mistaken Identity

Mercy NYE From "Genealogies of Mayflower Families, G-Pa, Nye-Snow Family Record:""Mercy Nye and Mercy, Wife of Lt. Matthias Ellis":'The following case of mistaken identity is a perfect example of how an error, once it has appeared in print, can have a life of its own

1. Per the Genealogies of the Mayflower family HER PARENTS ARE NOT BENJAMIN NYE & KATHERINE TUPPER As listed in the ancestral file, Benjamin's daughter Mercy Nye didn't marry Lt. Matthias Ellis or anyone else! It is now clear that the identity of Mercy Nye Ellis is still to be found. See below

George H. Nye and Frank E. Best, the compilers of "A Genealogy of the Nye Family" published in 1907, stated that the Benjamin Nye of Sandwich and his wife Katherine (Tupper) Nye's daughter Mercy Nye, born 8 Apr. 1652, married about 1678 Matthias Ellis. The compilers of "Thomas Tupper and His Descendants (The Register, 99:59), repeated the allegation (1945) and Mrs. Lydia Brownson and I in our "Lt. John and Elizabeth Ellis of Sandwich" also wrongly assumed that the identification of Mercy, wife of Matthias Ellis was correct.

Conclusive proof has come to light which shows that Mercy Nye did not marry Lt. Matthias Ellis or anyone else! It is now clear that the identity of Mercy Ellis is still to be found. The proof lies in the wording of an original deed which is now in the possession of Mr. Lindsay Armstrong of Sandwich, Mass., who has furnished me with a Photostat. This document is a conveyance by "Benjamin Nye of the Town of Sandwich in the county of Barnstable in New England", dated 9 June 1704, in which the grantor gives all his lands, mills, and appurtenances in Sandwich to his son Jonathan Nye. This gift was subject to the restriction that the grantee Jonathan Nye was to continue to care for, "relieve and support" the father "and Katherine my now wife and Mercey Nye my daughter who have not been able for some years last past to relieve and support ourselves by reason of weakness and other infirmities." Benjamin Nye gave also in this deed to his son Jonathan land in Middleborough in Plymouth Colony.

As if it were not fortunate enough that the actual deed has itself been preserved, an additional oddity, worthy of a Ripley "Believe It Or Not", appears here. On the back of the original document is the notation, "June the 9th 1704 then received this deed to be recorded, and is accordingly recorded in Barnstable County. Recorded in the fourth Book of Evidence of Lands folio 151 and herewith compared per me Wm Bassett Regr." But this volume, of course, was consumed in the Court House fire of 1827. And so, below the first notation there is a second note on the original deed's back page: "Barnstable SS received Aug. 24, 1909 at 12 M and is entered with Barnstable County Deeds in book 297, pg. 221. Attest John A. Holoway, Register."

One wonders how many instances may exist of a deed, recorded and destroyed and re-recorded more than two hundred years later, so that it can be seen to-day, along with the original from which both copies were made!

Another curious facet of this misidentification of Mercy, wife of Lt. Matthias Ellis, is to be found in the "Nye Family Of America Association Proceedings At The Second Reunion", published by E. Anthony and Sons, Inc., New Bedford, Mass., in 1904, a Mrs. Jerome Holoway read a paper which shows that the original Benjamin Nye deed, here referred to, had been found, and was then in the hands of a descendant, Samuel H. Nye of East Sandwich. Although Mrs. Holoway does not seem to have noted that the instrument proved that Mercy Nye was unmarried in 1704, she actually provided additional proof. She stated that by a deed dated 1713 Jonathan Nye gave considerable land to his son Jonathan, provided that the latter care for "my sister Mercy who is feeble in body and mind."

Therefore, we know now that Mercy Nye--unmarried and unable to care for herself in 1704--was still in feeble health in 1713. In contrast, Mercy, wife of Lt. Matthias Ellis, mother of ten children, was still sufficiently vigorous by 13 Nov 1744 so that in her husband's will of that date he made her co-executrix!

One final note, although at their second reunion the Nye Family Association were already aware that Benjamin Nye's daughter was not married in 1704, strangely enough, George H. Nye and Frank E. Best, op. cit., made the misidentification in 1907. And in "A Genealogy of the Nye Family, Vol. II" (1965), although the writer contributed numerous additions and corrections, the error about Mercy Nye was once again overlooked. Mia culpa!--Pittsburgh, Pa; Maclean W. McLean

Sources

1 Lorna Borman, The Descendants Of The Nye Family In Denmark, England, and America.

2 Tupper Family Association, Thomas Tupper and His Descendants.

3 Roberts, Gary Boyd, Genealogies Of Mayflower Families, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1985.(Genealogy Library, genealogy.com, 2001).

Marilyn Mangano Mistaken Identity: In The N.E. Historical Genealogical Register, July 1965, I found that Matthais's will was witnessed by Elisha & Elad Tupper, Jr. and Sumuel Jenning. Barnstable County Probate, vol. 8 page 215-6. I didn't see the name of Burgess mentioned. I also saw that he left Joseph Nye, Jr. L4. 18s.

Mercy married Matthias Ellis in Jan 1679 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. Matthias (son of John Ellis and Elizabeth Freeman) was born on 2 Jun 1657 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA; died on 30 Aug 1748 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Probate: 17 Apr 1704, , Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA

Caleb married Elizabeth Atwood on 10 Jul 1685 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. Elizabeth was born on 24 Apr 1658 in Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA; died on 17 Apr 1704 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Mercy Nye. Mercy was born in 1663; died on 8 Oct 1728 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA; was buried in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From A genealogy of the Nye family, Volume 1, Pub. 1907, Page 51-53
"BENJAMIN NYE (John, Benjamin), born at Sandwich, Mass., November 25, 1673. He resided in Falmouth where he died April 22, 1750. He married (1st), February 23, 1698 or 9, Hannah Backhouse (Backus) of Barnstable. The date of her death is not given on the records. His second wife as Katherine Nickerson whom he married December 28, 1735."

His will has been fully transcribed in this book which can be found in Google Books

Eight Children noted:

1. Ebenezer, b. Dec. 23, 1699; d. 1731
2. Ichabod, b. Aug 3, 1703
3. Dorcas, b. Jan 28, 1706
4. Esther, b. Feb 4, 1707; m. Nov 13, 1735, Isaac Robinson of Falmouth. She died before 1744 leaving five children
5. John, b. April 1, 1710
6. Joshua, b. Aug 23, 1713
7. Seth, b. Feb. 19, 1714-158. Benjamin, b. Mar 5, 1717

Benjamin married Hannah Backhouse on 23 Feb 1699 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. Hannah (daughter of Francis Backus, II and Rebecca Cross) was born in 1671 in Ogunquit, York, Maine, USA; died on 21 Apr 1758 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Isaac Holmes on 21 Nov 1705 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. Isaac (son of Rev John Holmes and Mary Atwood) was born in Oct 1673 in Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA; died on 11 Apr 1736 in Kingston, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA; was buried in Kingston, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Patience married Benjamin Freeman on 30 Jan 1713 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. Benjamin (son of Edmund Freeman and Sarah Skiffe) was born on 6 Jan 1686 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA; died on 23 Feb 1773 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA; was buried in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

FAMILY OF STEPHEN AND EXPERIENCE ELLIS CHURCHILL

Stephen Churchill was born February 16, 1685, the son of Eliezer and Mary Churchill. In 1708, he married Experience Ellis, who was the daughter of Matthias, from a place called Sandwich. Stephen and Experience had six children. Stephen died in 1750.

Ephraim, born October 15, 1709. Married on March 27, 1730, to Priscilla Manchester, and had eight children. Ephraim died December 14, 1749. In the family tree materials, he is referred to as "Ephraim I" because he had a grandson also named Ephraim.

Nathaniel, born December 19, 1712. Married on January 2, 1733, to Mary Curtis and had 4 children.

Mary, born April 29, 1716, and died December 13, 1716.

Stephen, born August 24, 1717. He married Hannah Barnes on July 4, 1738, and had seven children.

Zaccheus, born October 30, 1719. He died November 18, 1732.

Benjamin, born August 19, 1725. He married Ruth DeLong on November 3, 1746 and had nine children.

Source: http://www.marthachurchill.com/family/ChStephEliez.htm

Experience married Stephen Churchill on 2 Dec 1708 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. Stephen (son of Eleazer Pontus Churchill and Mary Mercy Bryant) was born on 16 Feb 1685 in Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA; died on 6 Oct 1750 in Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]