ISSN: 1061-9992 Price: $4.50 (US) Issue Eighteen: July 1995 A Worldwide Resource for SUTTON Researchers
The SUTTON, Peterson, Abbott Saga
Written and submitted by Gordon A. Sutton, 23084 Springcreek Road, Titusville, PA 16354
Sometime prior to 1800, three brothers; James, Abraham, and Thomas left Salem County, NJ and came to what is now Crawford Co., PA. All three young men used the surname Abbott, but only one of them, Thomas, kept the name throughout his lifetime. The other two, Abraham and James, reverted to their original surname of Sutton, James by 1810, and Abraham by 1820, as verified by both family legends and by Crawford County tax records as well as census information and other data. (Brown's History of Crawford County, PA, 1885, page 554)
John, another Sutton, came to Crawford County from NJ by wagon bringing his son, John, with him. Although more proof is needed, it seems highly likely that the elder John also used the surname Abbott as in the January term of court in Crawford County in 1802 (Appearance Docket 1:227 #91), four Abbott men are listed singly as plaintiffs in what appears to have been an effort on the part of several individuals to conduct a "land grab". The Abbotts are named as Edward (quite likely James Edward Sutton), John (quite likely the John Sutton mentioned previously), Thomas (quite likely Thomas Sutton), and Daniel (most likely Abraham Sutton as family legends and records state that he was known as either Daniel or Abraham).
At any rate, present day Geneva was originally known as "Sutton's Corners" (Brown's History of Crawford Co., PA, page 556). This was where John Sutton settled and remained throughout his lifetime, and it is quite obvious that he was closely tied with the 3 brothers first mentioned. This connection is indicated by variations in the family legend stemming from the various branches of the family, and by their dealings in proximity with each other. The relationship is quite likely either that of brother or first cousin.
Still another Sutton, James, came from NJ via Fayette Co., PA (Brown's History of Crawford Co., PA, page 554) and used the surname Peterson throughout his life. He built the first grist mill in the eastern portion of the county and his son, Ezra, the first saw-mill at Custard's Post Office or Glendale (Brown's History of Crawford Co., PA, pages 554, & 555). James married Elizabeth Abbit, daughter of Abdon Abbit Sr. of Salem Co., NJ, and was identified by earlier researchers as the son of Thomas Coates Sutton (AFN: KRQC-53, Ancestral File of the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter Day Saints). That James Sutton and James Peterson were indeed one and the same is verified by family legend and by both his and his wife, Elizabeth's, wills wherein reference is made to Elizabeth's share of an estate in NJ (James: Will Book B: 13 and Elizabeth: Will Book B:178 Crawford County, PA Courthouse). Further verification is found in the will of Abdon Abbit Sr. (Salem Co., NJ, 1790, #1992Q) which is the estate in question.
Thomas Sutton (Salem Co., NJ, Deed Book SS:295, May 20,1836), Abraham Abbott (Salem Co. Deed Book SS:503, August 17, 1836), John Sutton and Elizabeth (Sutton) Parvin wife of Daniel (Salem Co. Deed Book R:485), and others are listed as heirs of John Abbott. Thomas and Abraham both made their marks indicating that they appeared in Salem Co. in person. This substantiates the family legend which states that the brothers returned to NJ later in life to finalize an inheritance. It appears that James, Abraham, and Thomas, at least, were grandsons of Thomas Coates Sutton via one of his sons who married an Abbit. Thomas seems the most likely to have been the father of the 3, but more hard evidence is needed since at least 3 of the sons of Thomas Coates Sutton married Abbots: James m. Elizabeth, daughter of Abdon Abbit Sr.; Jacob m. Mary, also Daughter of Abdon Sr.; Thomas m. Edith, apparently the daughter of Benjamin and Hannah Burroughs Abbot (See L.D.S. Ancestral file, Thomas Coates Sutton, AFN-KRQCL2).
Thomas Coates Sutton and his son were listed as Tories, but for whatever reason, at least James Sutton Peterson and Moses Sutton deserted the British Camp, James on June 25, 1778 and Moses in November of the same year. (Copied from files of earlier researchers). One son, Jacob died on June 26, 1778 as a Cpl. in the loyalist Army (also copied from earlier research) which raises the question, "Was he caught deserting with his brother, James, and executed as a result?" Jacob's widow, Mary, later m. as 2nd husband, Ephraim Garrison, apparently the brother of Rachael who was m. to Moses Sutton, Jacob Sutton's brother. Abdon Abbit Jr., brother-in-law of James and Jacob, deserted along with James and others. Abdon Jr. was sentenced to hang by the NJ authorities but was pardoned on condition that he leave the colony (Salem Co. In The Revolution by Frank H. Stewart). The Sutton boys property, along with others, was confiscated and sold by the State of NJ (Salem Co. In The Revolution, page 85). Moses, at least, was imprisoned for a year (Salem Co. In The Revolution, page 83).
Fresh from the trauma of the Revolutionary War period, at least some of the sons and/or grandsons of Thomas Coates Sutton changed their surname and attempted to re-establish themselves in the frontier wilderness area. The three brothers mentioned earlier were active in Crawford County, PA, and, in the case of James, other states as well. Thomas m. Mary (Polly) McFadden and left a numerous posterity. His cabin was the first polling place in Greenwood Township, Crawford Co. in 1829 (Crawford Co. History, page 552), and along with John Sutton, Thomas was among the first members of a Methodist congregation in Geneva, PA (Crawford Co. History, page 556). Abraham Sutton and wife Bersheba (Appearance Docket 6:201, #3 Crawford Co., PA) are named in a legal action ads William and Mary Taylor, while Abraham Sutton is listed as married to Catherine (Crawford Co. Census 1850). It is believed by this writer that Bersheba and Catherine are one and the same, as both family records and legend state that Abraham or Daniel m. Catherine Peterson, and no mention is made of another marriage. Earlier researchers listed Abraham as married to Rhoda, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Abbit) Sutton /Peterson (KRQC-S3 Ancestral File Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). That this is in error becomes more probable in light of the information and sources previously quoted and the following information concerning, James Sutton Abbott Sutton.
Sometime before or around 1830, James left Crawford County and was eventually lost to the Crawford Co., PA portion of the family. Our Family Legend stated that "... one of the boys went west and did well, having a town named for him somewhere near the Canadian border, probably in or around present day Montana." Imagine the excitement when James was recently rediscovered via L.D.S. Ancestral File #AFNQ3CH-3N as married to Rhoda (no pedigree listed). This matches data in Crawford Co., PA, i.e., James Abbott is m. to Rhoda (Appearance Docket 2:99, #24), and James Sutton is m. to Rhoda (Deed Book N:295). A submitter of the James and Rhoda Sutton Ancestral File was contacted, and the writer is indebted to her for a wealth of material dealing especially with the children of James and Rhoda. She is descended from this line and reported that James and Rhoda migrated via Trumball Co., Ohio to Fulton Co., Illinois. [It is interesting to consider that two daughters of James and Elizabeth (Abbit) Sutton/Peterson married Thompsons. One of them migrated to Brown Co., Illinois, adjacent to Fulton Co., as did the family of the other daughter. (LDS Ancestral file KRQC-S3)] She also reported that all three of the daughters of James and Rhoda lived and died in Coos County, Oregon.
One of James and Rhoda's two sons lived and died in Franklin County, Kansas, while the other traversed the Oregon Trail and after a short stay in Oregon, lived and died in Columbia County, Washington.
The longevity of the descendants of James and Rhoda causes one to suspect that Rhoda was from the James and Elizabeth (Abbit) Sutton/ Peterson line as longevity was characteristic of both families. [An interesting side to the aspect of longevity is that so far no burial site has been identified for either Abraham or Catherine Sutton, but an "Old Mrs. Sutton" is buried in the Blooming Valley Cemetery in Crawford County, PA. If this burial is indeed that of Catherine, she would be about 102 years old (Census 1850 Crawford Co. lists birth date as 1780) as death was listed in cemetery records as occurring in 1882. This fits with our family legend that Abraham's wife lived to a "great age". This grave site is beside Abram Sutton Jr.] Earlier researchers working with the Peterson family files found a daughter of James and Elizabeth named Rhoda who was listed as married to a Sutton (no first name given). The places of death and/or burial sites of James and Rhoda Sutton are unknown to this writer.
It is interesting to note that near the area of Washington where James' son, Lott, died, there is a town of Sutton less than 160 miles, "as the crow flies", from the Canadian border, and roughly 60 miles from Idaho. The history of this town is as yet unknown to the author, but it makes the legend of, "... one of the boys went west..." seem plausible at this time, especially when coupled with the fact that the original "Washington Territory" included the present state of Washington, northern Idaho, and western Montana, and the fact that Lott, son of James and Rhoda died 2 months before Washington became a state in 1889.
Many questions remain unanswered and many points need firm verification. It is hoped that this report will fine its way to someone who can help verify (among other things):
1. Rhoda's pedigree.
2. Catherine/Bersheba's pedigree.
3. The death dates and burial sites of James and Rhoda.
4. The burial site of Abraham Sr., Catherine, and their son, Daniel Jr. (from whom I am descended). (Abraham d. 1855, Daniel d. 1849 at age 36 of blood poisoning.)
5. The death date of Catherine.
6. The pedigree of James & Abraham Sutton Abbott Sutton, Thomas Sutton Abbott, and John (Abbott?) Sutton of Crawford County, PA via NJ. Were they brothers of - Elizabeth Sutton Parvin? (Parvin Family Bible in possession of Cumberland Co., NJ History Society, Bridgeton, NJ, states that Elizabeth was the daughter of Thomas Sutton.)
7. The relationship of Abraham, James, Thomas, and others to John Abbit and Abdon Abbit Sr.
8. The pedigree and descendency of Thomas Coates Sutton.
The Daniel Jr. mentioned as part of "Hope #4" above was the writer's great grandfather. After his death, his widow, Angeline (Culver) Sutton, m. as 2nd wife, Henry Kelley and had four more children bringing her total to twelve. Therein lies another saga, and so it goes.
Submitted by: Nicholas M. Sutton, The Moyne, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Ireland.
As an introduction to the Irish Suttons we will begin by having a look at the Suttons of Co. Wexford. Most of this columnist's research has been into that country's various families of Suttons so future contributions to the Suttons Searchers newsletter will be influenced by my findings thereof. Indeed future articles will look at some of the individuals mentioned below in a little more detail.
Roger de Sutton is credited with being the first Sutton to arrive in Ireland in the 12th century. The Suttons have become inveterated in the country in the 800 years since then and have, as the old saying goes, 'become more Irish than the Irish themselves'.
The following article which was published in a local newspaper, namely 'The People' of Saturday 4th September 1909, summarises adequately the Sutton dynasties of Co. Wexford. The article incorporated an earlier essay of the Suttons which a John D'Alton penned in 1863.
Some of the old County Wexford Normans
The Sutton family, in times gone by, were a very influential family in the county of Wexford. In the pre-Cromwellian period they had numerous estates, and built castles upon them. Their chief abode was Ballykeerogue Castle, in the Barony of Shelbourne, a substantial pile whose ruin may still be seen there; in fact that parish, so extensive were the Suttons possessions and families there, became known in the course of time as Sutton's parish. They also had castles and lands at Oldcourt, and at Great Clonard, near Wexford, and other places, from the latter the Counts Sutton de Clonard take their title. The Sutton Castle at Clonmines was also a large structure and this branch of the family, though deprived of their estate, managed somehow to cling to the old paternal home as mere tenants to the Annessleys until the late forties, [1840's] when the last of them was evicted soon after he had taken down the upper portion of the walls and re-roofed the old tower, which he converted into a dwelling house. The three principal castles at Clonmines were owned by the Suttons, Purcells, and Fitzhenrys; other ruins there are principally ecclesiastical remains. The late Caesar Sutton, of Long Graigue, who had his burial place in the cemetery attached to the old parish church of St. Nicholas's at Clonmines, was also of the Clonmines Sutton family. His branch became Protestants, and were, therefore, more opulent than his Catholic kindred.
The Rev. Mr. Sutton and his wife, Sarah, who lived in the old house at Taulaught, and was Rector of Clonmines and Tintern and Clongeen, is also interred at Clonmines. Theirs is the only lettered tombstone of the Suttons that I remember to have seen in the cemetery. Patrick Sutton of Clonmines, as well as the Colcloughs of Mohurry, or Duffry Hall, and Colclough of Rosegarland one the Tintern Abbey family, who married Miss Leigh, and resided for some time at Rosegarland are given as security for many of the priests of the diocese of Ferns under the cruel act of Queen Anne, which enacted that the pastors of the parish should be registered and should have no curates and no successors in the hope that when those priests would die the Catholic clergy and consequently the Catholic religion would disappear from Ireland. How sadly were those hopes disappointed?
Fethard Castle within a few yards of Fethard Church was also built by the Suttons. It was afterwards occupied by Alexander Devereux and other Bishops of Ferns as a sea-side residence. Today the old mansion is in ruin, the roof having become bad since Major Lymbery's residence there, and not having been attended to by the estate authorities, the house is now a wreck. Some members of the Sutton family seem to have settled in the penal times in Oylegate parish, and the inscriptions on their tombs may be read in the ancient cemetery of Edermine. A priest belonging to this family was curate in Enniscorthy during the 1798 troubles and soon afterwards became Pastor of Oylegate. Another branch settled at Wheelagower, near Kiltealy. They are in Wheelgower for many generations, and managed to pull through the penal times by some strategy. It is said that in the past one member of that family was obliged to put in an appearance at the Protestant church once or twice a year, so as to keep up the pretence of having conformed to the Protestant faith, which enabled the family to hold the property. The days of religious persecution of this kind, of course, passed with the Emancipation Act of 1829, incomplete as that measure was. The Sutton family are still respected residents of Wheelagower. Many respectable farming families claim kinship with the Suttons of Clonmines, and regard their relationship to that family with manifest pride. Well may they do so, for the Clonmines Suttons , through all the years fought the good fight, and kept the Faith. They always, too, were conscious of their high standing, and never were guilty of an act that would sully its fair fame - or would tarnish their escutcheon. The Doyles of Kilcavan and of Harristown, and the Kearns of Wilkinstown, of which there are various branches, are maternally kin to the Suttons of Clonmines.
We subjoin some notes compiled by the late Mr. John D'Alton for Mr. Michael J. Sutton, formerly proprietor of "The People". We also subjoin a number of additional notes by Mr. Sutton himself, compiled chiefly from the manuscripts of the lamented Mr. Herbert F. Hore, of Polehore, father of Mr. Philip H. Hore, editor of the monumental and valuable work, The County Wexford History, the sixth separate volume of which will be published shortly.
Notices of the Family and Surname, of Sutton, Suttun, De Sutton, De Suttoun, &C., &C., &C.
Extracted from Mr. D'Alton's Genealogical Indexes, MS,. and Illustrations of upwards of 2,500 Families of Ireland
This family surname is of record in all the above varieties of spelling, and, not-withstanding the French prefix of "de" as above, it appears to have been of Saxon origin, and to have preceded the invasion of William the Conquerer. When that monarch directed the politic survey called Domesday, of the various districts of his new acquired territory and their respective occupants and proprietors to be taken, one of the commissions held in persuance thereof, reported Richard de Suttuna, giving the name in the Norman parlance, as a landholder within the Exeter division, while in the Hundred of Ely were found located Tancred and Alured de Suttuna, as in that of Winchester were William and Humphrey de Suttuna.
Of its origin in Ireland it is said that Sir Roger de Sutton was one of the Knights who accompanied Strongbow to that country, and that he witnessed the first charter granted to Dunbrody Abbey by Harvey de Monte Maresco, as seneschal of Richard, Earl of Pembroke. That grant is preserved in Dugdale's Monasticon (last edition, folio, vol. Vii, P. 1130); and I do find that grant so witnessed exemplified as on inspeximus in a [sic] patent of 1404 in Chancery. The earliest distinct record of the name here that on present search I can discover, is in a patent of the 31st year of Edward the first (1303), whereby Gilbert de Sutton and Henry Esmund were joined in commission to provide shipping in Wexford and other places along the Irish coast, and to have same in readiness at Dalkey on a day named to transport Richard de Burgo and his armament to Scotland, in support of the English king's invasion of that country, and Gilbert was himself invited to do service in that war. In 1308, Henry de Sutton was one of the magnates summoned to attend the Coronation of Kind Edward 1 1 at Westminster; and the same authority shows the gallant services of Richard de Sutton in the Scottish war. In 1318, - Sutton was one of the captains who taught [sic] at Faughart, under the Lord de Birmingham, against Edward Bruce. In 1325 Herbert de Suttoun was sheriff of the county of Meath. This Herbert de Sutton was, in two years later, the King's escheater. In 1335, he was appointed constable of the King's Castle of Athlone, and was also summoned to do military service in the Scottish war. At this time a branch of the family was seized of estates in the County of Kildare, to which John, son of Thomas de Sutton, for some years the ward of John de Wellesley, succeeded in the last mentioned year (1335). Redmond his brother and heir succeeded to these estates in 1345. In 1347, Philip de Sutton had a confidential commission connected with Tintern Abbey in Wexford. In 1359, Gerald de Sutton was one of those who were appointed by King Edward to assess what military service should be rendered by Maurice, Earl of Kildare, against the incursion of the Irish enemy. In 1376, Gilbert de Sutton, precentor of Ferns Cathedral, sued out one of those political pardons which the state of the times recommended in prudence. At this time, Robert Sutton was Master of the Rolls in Ireland. He had a renewed appointment to this office in 1382, and in 1423, he was yet more signally appointed by King Henry the Sixth, "Keeper of the Rolls" (as the office was then termed), in consideration of the laudable services he had performed to the Kings - Edward the Third Richard the Second, Henry the Fourth and Fifth. William Sutton who was probably Robert's son, was then constituted his Deputy, and succeeded in 1430 to that high judicial preferment. This last judge was, in 1461, appointed a Baron of the Irish Exchequer.
In the intermediate year of 1370, Robert Sutton, clerk, was presented by the Crown, under the great seal, to the Living of Trim. In 1385, Robert Sutton was a Justice in Eyre in Wexford, and he was subsequently appointed a permanent Guardian of the Peace for that county; and in this year Isabella, as the widow of John de Sutton, Knight, had an assignment of her dower thereof. In 1390 Robert de Sutton, the Master of the Rolls, was especially summoned to attend a Parliament in Kilkenny: and in five years after he was appointed Keeper of the Great Seal in Ireland. In 1406, Robert Sutton and his son John, were appointed Guardians of the Peace in Waterford and Wexford. In 1408 the above, William Sutton, was a Justice in Eyre in Wexford. In the following year, Robert Suttoun, styled keeper of the Great Seal, was commissioned to raise an amnesty for Art MacMurrough, the justly celebrated Irish chief. In 1412, the custody of the Royal Manor of Esker, in the county of Dublin, was committed by the King to 'Willliam Sutton'. In the same year Robert 'Suttoun' was Justice in Eyre acting over seven counties of the pale. In 1414, John Sutton was a Commissioner of Array, in the county Wexford, and authorised to assess and charge the inhabitants thereof. On the death of William Suttoun at this time and the consequent possession of his estates by the Crown, same were granted during the abeyance to Robert Bulthorp, Esq., when these estates are named as Rathcorne, Kylleavy, Sheeprath, Shil?yok and Wiylkinstown. All these denominations are, I apprehend the ancient names of localities in county Wexford, and local knowledge may possibly identify them with Ballykeerogue or its vicinity. I do not find the latter denomination in any record previous to Henry the Eight.
In 1429, Sir John de Sutton, Knight, being then Viceroy of Ireland, held a Parliament or great council in Drogheda, Co. Louth; the acts passed, wherein are noticed in my history of that town (pages 115 116). During his Vice - Royality he led an army against the O'Byrnes. In 1432, the Chief Sargeantry of Co. Meath was converted on William Suttoun, styled William Suttonn, junior and in the same year the parish church of Slane was filled by him on Royal presentation he was then seized of lands in Meath. In 1464, say my notes, a very important commission was directed to Robert de Sutton, but they are not more explicit. The commission itself, however, is given in the lst volume of Rymer's Foedera at this year. In a few years after a branch of this family was settled at Castletown, in county of Kildare. Garret Sutton was the head of this line. David, his son and heir, married Catherine a daughter and co-heiress of Christopher, The Seventh Lord Killan, and he, as well as his father, were suspected of favouring the rash rising of Lord Thomas Fitzgerald, the silken lord, in 1536, etc. David was accordingly attainted in 1569. The inquisitions then taken upon him and his possessions are of record in the Rolls and Commissioners' Offices. An inquisition taken at Trim in 1563, finds that a Robert Sutton, Arch-deacon of Dublin, and one of the trustees of the Earls of Kildare estates, died some years previously leaving William Sutton, of Tipper, his brother and heir.
An inquisition taken in 1621, on the death of this William Sutton and his estates, is preserved in the Rolls Office. One of this surname, Nicholas Sutton, having had occasion to visit Spain in 1579, wrote to Lord Burghleigh an account of his journey thither and his return thence, which is preserved in the British Museum, but is much obliterated.
Inquisitions taken on Gerald Sutton, in Dublin and Kildare in 1586 and 1587; ditto on David Sutton in Kildare; ditto an Oliver Sutton are of record as suggested in the margin.
The above William Sutton, Tipper, died in 1592, having previously conveyed his estates in Kildare to trustees, to the use of John Sutton, his son and heir; remainder, on his decease, without issue, to Gerald Sutton, of Rachardstown, in said county of Kildare. John, the said son and heir of William, was at the time of his father's death aged 24 years and was married. The estates of William Sutton, in Wexford, were found at Wexford in 1621 and Ballykeerogue is not included in them; but another inquisition taken at New Ross in 1623, shows that he, William Sutton, there styled of Ballykerocke, held also lands within the manor of Taghmon. Ballykerocke is shown by a Wexford inquisition to have been itself, at that time accounted a manor with certain dependence, and therein named; while I must here mention that in the reign of Edward the Sixth, in 1548, three patents of pardon were sued out for William, Gerald and Michael Sutton, all described as of Kerogue, in Wexford, i.e., Ballykeeroge. Amongst the many state pardons taken out at the commencement of the reign of James the First, is one to Patrick, styled, son of John Sutton of Ballykeerogue. A record of 1610, relates to a Thomas Sutton, of Clonard, in Wexford, probably an ancestor of the Count Clonard. His estates and pedigree are suggested through other records in Chancery. The above Gerald Sutton, of Richardstown, the remainder man in the settlement of William Sutton, of Tipper, before mentioned, died in 1619, leaving Gilbert Sutton, junior, his son and heir, then aged 43, and married. This Gilbert was also seized of estates in Tyrone. He died in 163 1, leaving Gerald Sutton his son and heir, then a minor of eight years old, unmarried.
Of those attainted in consequence of their loyalty in 1642, were the above Gerald, with William Sutton, junior (who was nevertheless one of the confederate Catholics assembled at Kilkenny in 1646), Laurence and Nicholas of Tipper. The latter was then member of Parliament for Naas, but was by vote of the 22nd of June in that year, expelled the house, together with Partrick Sarsfield, one of the representatives of the county Kildare; John Taylor M.P. for Swords, and Sir Thomas Esmonde, M.P. for Enniscorthy, and many others, On the restoration, however, the above Nicholas and John Sutton obtained in 1666, confirmatory patents, the former of Halverstown, the latter on Richardstown etc., in said county of Kildare. The Decrees of Innocence of this period include the names of Anne, Gilbert, and John Sutton, while the latter appears on the Rolls of Connaught certificates.
- Sutton of Richardstown, maintained the cause of royalty until the decapitation of Charles the First, and he consequently appears on the roll of those who obtained subsequent adjudication for such and other faithful services.
A daughter of Edward Sutton married John, the eldest son of Sir Christopher Chevers, of Mantown, county Meath, by whom she had issue, Edward Chevers the eldest son, who was created Viscount Mount Leinster by James the Second before the meeting of his Parliament in 1689 in Dublin. This John Chevers was transplanted to Connaught by Cromwell.
A genealogical manuscript in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin traces links of Sutton's pedigree during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. I do not think, however, it would show much (if any) that I have not given here.
A bond from Patrick Sarsfield, the celebrated Earl of Lucan, in 1684, to Thomas Sutton, is noticed in the lst Vol. of the Report of the Commissioners on Irish Records, P.615.
On the attainder of 1691, seven of the name of Sutton appear, and of these are David and Augustine Sutton, of Ballykeerogue, and John Sutton, of the county Kildare, styled in his inquisition of Halverstown. He appears to have been identical with the John Sutton who is shown to fill the post of a Captain in Fitzjames's noble regiment of infantry, and on the sale of his forfeited estate to the Ullven Swords' Blades' Company, in 1700, his wife, Bridget Sutton, claimed and was allowed her jointure.
The descent of Ballykeerogue to the present proprietor, if required, may, I think, be ascertained by a search in the Registry Office, through an intelligent clerk, or, it might be better and more officially communicated by Sir Bernard Burke, our intelligent Ulster King-at-Arms.
I have, however, here digested the available details for present inquiry, while I must say that I have many more in Ireland and in England that are not here glanced at. Those in the latter country are spread over Cheshire, Guernsey, Norfolk, Kent, Leicestershire, Essex, Lancashire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Yorkshire and in London. And I must add, that references I have to Normandy would lead me to suspect that the surname may have been there before William the Conqueror.
John D'Alton,
48 Summer Hill, 18th December 1863
Supplemental Notes by M. J. Sutton
A record on the books of the Old Corporation of New Ross, giving an account of the reception of the Charter of James the II to that town, raising it to the dignity of a corporate borough, is signed "David Sutton" town clerk.
Mr Herbert F. Hore, of Pole Hore, the celebrated antiquarian, kindly, allowed me access to his notes of the 'Anglo - Norman families of Wexford. From his notes I have made the following extracts: Dominius Gilbertus de Sutton was witness to the charter from Roger de Bygod, Earl of Norfolk, to the town of Ross.
John Sutton, of Ballekerock 1246, held of the Earl of Pembroke.
Sir John Sutton holding two carucates in Ballykerog, three in Athbunwan, etc.; half a Knights fee in Ballybrassyl, 1307. Also two carucates in Collya, alias, Ballylinnan, two car in Tillaghra??? and three car at Carnewagh, all held of the Earl of Norfolk.
William Sutton, of Ballykerocke 1379.
Robert Sutton, cust. pac., county Wexford, 10 Ric.11, 1386; do appointed 12th January, 9 Ric 1 1 (C. R. P. C. H., 137, 187, 127); of Ballykerok, 6 Ric 1 1, (W. I 1., 274); Justice in Cos. Wexford, 9 and 10 Henry 1V (C.R.P.C.H.. 193); and Waterford, 7 Henry 1V (C. R.P.C.H., 184).
John Sutton, commissioner for raising money in the barony of Shelbum, for a present to Richard Sutton, of Clonard (1379), received grant dated 1379, of lands (three messuages, three plough lands and 80 acres), in Clonard and Ballybowcor, and a Burgage in Bishop Hoelt, Wexford, from the Bishop of Ferns.
Richard Sutton, of Ballykerock; he was killed (with Richard Prendergast), by Cahir M'Arte Kavanagh (Baron Ballian), within the franchises of Ross, before 1557.
Colonel Sutton, commanded under Lord Mountgarret in the rebel army, and was taken prisoner in battle, April 1642, and lost his head.
David Sutton of Old court, county Wexford, Esq., died 12th March 1601; held his land by the service of finding a Marshal for the principal house of Ballykerogemore, from time to time.
James Sutton, owning 20 acres in Fethard 1640 (Doonbury).
James Sutton of Fethard, Esq., went out in a frigate of Captain Doran's and other frigates that were kept at Wexford, and took several English Protestant ships.
From the Random House College Dictionary:
inveterate: firmly established by long continuance; grown old, deep rooted. seneschal: a steward in the household of a medieval prince. escheat: the reverting of property to the state, or, in England, to the Crown, when there is a failure of persons legally qualified to inherit or to claim. Thus an escheater would be a person who managed or enforced this process. precentor: a person who leads a church choir or congregation in singing. attainted: to be condemned by a sentence or a bill or act of attainder. messuage: a dwelling house with its adjacent buildings and lands.
Fourth Anniversary Issue was LAST issue!
Would you believe it dawned on me only after mailing the last issue that it was our fourth anniversary?
So this is the belated fanfare! Rah, Rah!
I truly hope you enjoy the newsletter. I'd like to thank Dennis Sutton, J. Richard Sutton and special contributors like Dorothea S. Morris, Mildred Early and all of you who've contributed so much. Thank you. Jim Sutton
Obituary
Was psychiatrist in Worcester
[THE BOSTON GLOBE, Wednesday, February 10, 1993]
Rev. John Thomas Murray of the Society of Jesus, a psychiatrist and educator, died yesterday in St. Vincent's Hospital in Worcester. He was 70.
Father Murray was born in Greensburg, Pa. son of John T. and Rebecca [Sutton] Murray. He was a 1940 graduate from Latrobe High School in Latrobe, Pa. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1946 and Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1952. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1960 and studied theology and philosophy at Weston College from 1961 to 1968. He was ordained into the priesthood in 1967.
After serving a residency in psychiatry at Loyola University's Stritch School of Medicine from 1968 until 1971, he served as staff psychiatrist at Worcester State Hospital until 1976. Father Murray returned to Chicago, where he spent a year teaching at Loyola University, then went into private psychiatric practice in Worcester [,MA], working until 1988, when he retired.
Rev. Murray was assistant chaplain at St. Vincent Hospital. He was also previously a radiologist at St. Vincent Hospital. He was a member of the editorial board of Human Development, a quarterly published by the Jesuit Educational Center for Human Development.
He traveled to Europe and Asia several times. He was also interested in genealogy, a hobby that led him to the discovery that he was a descendant of a Mayflower passenger.
He leaves a sister, Lois Zuzack of Latrobe; and two brothers, Harry F. of Allison Park, Pa., and Carl J. of Woodbridge, Va.
A funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Friday in St. Joseph's Chapel at the College of the Holy Cross. Burial will be in the Jesuit Cemetery at Holy Cross [in Worcester, MA].
16 heads of households with surname Sutton in 1830:
Sutten Benjamin B. Boone Sutton Amos Pike Sutton Daniel M. Scott Sutton Elizabeth Randolph Sutton James St. Louis Sutton James St. Louis Sutton Jessy Scott Sutton John Boone Sutton John Chariton Sutton John Jr. Madison Sutton John Sr. Madison Sutton John Pike Sutton Mary St. Louis Sutton Mary St. Louis Sutton Robert Wash. Sutton William Boone Mildred's handwritten notes (at page bottom): 1820 Smith Co., Tenn. James Sutton 010111-00101 1830 Smith Co., Tenn. James Sutton 2131001-000101
41 Heads of Households with Surname Sutton
*SUTTON AMOS PIKE 093 NO TWP L *SUTTON BENJAMIN BOON 088 No TWP L SUTTON BENJAMIN CASC 266 NO TWP L SUTTON, D. A. PIKE 134 NO TWP L *SUTTON DANIEL M. SCOT 053 NO TWP L SUTTON EZRA B. CALL 210 FULTON T SUTTON HARVEY WASH 210 HARMONY SUTTON HEZEKIAH LINN 252 PARSONS *SUTTON J. J. ST L 185 ST LOUIS SUTTON JAMES CASC 267 NO TWP L SUTTON JAMES WAYN 225 NO TWP L *SUTTON JAMES ST. 260 MERRIMAC SUTTON JAMES M. LEWI 179 NO TWP L SUTTON JEREMIAH. WASH 202 BELVIEW *SUTTON JESSE SCOT 054 TYWOPITY SUTTON JESSE CASC 266 NO TWP L SUTTON JOHN CASC 266 NO TWP L SUTTON JOHN CARR 310 No TWP L *SUTTON JOHN MADI 002 NO TWP L *SUTTON JOHN MADI 001 NO TWP L *SUTTON JOHN PIKE 049 NO TWP L *SUTTON JOHN BOON 100 CEDAR TW SUTTON JOHN MACO 040 INDEPEND SUTTON JOHNTIN PJLA 198 NO TWP L SUTTON JOSEPH MADI 001 NO TWP L *SUTTON MARY ST.L 194 ST LOUIS *SUTTON MARY ANN ST L 110 ST LOUIS SUTTON NATHANIEL MADI 001 NO TWP L *SUTTON ROBERT WASH 202 BELVIEW SUTTON ROBERT CASC 267 NO TWP L SUTTON ROBERT E. RAND 296 NO TWP L SUTTON SAMUEL RAY 328 FISHING SUTTON SENICA BOON 110 COLUMBIA SUTTON SIMON MADI 002 NO TWP L SUTTON STEPHEN MADI 002 NO TWP L SUTTON THEOFFALIS CLIN 040 NO TWP L SUTTON WESTLEY MACO 024 LIBERTY SUTTON WILLIAM WASH 204 BELVIEW *SUTTON WILLIAM BOON 092 CEDAR TW SUTTON WILLIAM RAY 336 CROOKED SUTTON WILLIAM M. LIVI 274 JACKSON * These SUTTONs appeared in the 1830 census.
NAME AGE B.P. COUNTY # & TWP
Sutton
A.L. St. Louis 266 Jefferson Aaron 39 KY Monroe 128 Being 59 Adaline St. Louis 227 St. Louis Amos 54 KY Pike 278 Spencer Amos Be 34 KY Cooper 150 Being 23 Andrew J. 14 MO Scott 189 92nd Dist Andrew R. 28 IN Clark 263 19th Dist Anna 28 MO Ray 336 75th Dist Benjamin 40 OH Osage 446 Crawford Benjamin F 50 KY Pike 175 Cuivre Calvin 27 MO Randolph 236 Sugr Cr Columbus 20 MO Jackson 231 Kansas Cornelius 07 MO Madison 237 54th Dist Daniel 30 MO Madison 234 54th Dist Daniel 48 MO Washington 129 Concord Ejsse 32 IN Osage 468 Linn Eldridge G 43 TN Montgomery 186 Being 61 Elisabeth 43 VA Caldwell 177 Being 11 Elizabeth 39 VA Boone 426 Being 8 Felix Boone 441 Being 8 Hezekiah 36 KY Platte 297 Weston J.B. 26 IL Cape Gir 355 Cape Gir James 16 Boone 376 Being 8 James 41 OH Osage 468 Linn James 22 MO Reynolds 404 Being 76 James 65 NC Wayne 223 101st Dist James 10 MO Washington 110 Bellevue James C. St. Louis 507 82nd Dist James M. 43 KY Lewis 371 48th Dist James 05 MO Cape Gir 356 Cape ~Gir Jacob C. 30 IN Osage 446 Crawford Jesse 21 MO Madison 241 54th Dist Jessee 47 GA Scott 189 92nd Dist John 46 TN Madison 230 54th Dist John 17 MO Grundy 409 35th Dist John Grundy 412 35th Dist John 81 PA Osage 469 Linn John St. Louis 331 St. Louis John 57 KY Pike 274 Spencer John 48 NJ Chariton 192 Clark John St. Louis 135 St. Louis John D. 32 IN Osage 446 Crawford Joseph Ray 370 75th Dist Joseph 20 KY Chariton 192 Clark Joseph 43 TN Madison 236 54th Dist Leonard 35 TN Madison 235 54th Dist Lewis 12 KY Lawrence 273 47th Dist NAME AGE B.P. COUNTY # & TWP
Sutton
Margaret St. Louis 181 St. Louis Marian St. Louis 212 St. Louis Nathan 42 TN Madison 237 54th Dist Nicholas St. Louis 029 St. Louis Peter 29 MO Madison 236 54th Dist Rebecca 15 MO Johnson 024 Washington Richard 06 MO Osage 446 Crawford Robert St. Louis 035 St. Louis Robert 44 KY Washington 114 Bellevue Robert C. St. Louis 477 82nd Dist Samuel 50 VA Ray 336 75th Dist Samuel D. 26 KY Grundy 409 35th Dist Sarah Platte 432 Pettis Silas 27 IN Osage 468 Linn Simpson 28 KY Osage 469 Linn Sisco 22 IL Osage 468 Linn Susan Cole 020 No Twp Susannah 16 Washington 127 Bellevue T.T. 50 Pa Taney 377 Prairie Taphine St. Louis 002 St. Louis Thomas 47 Ga Perry 035 Bois Br Thomas 10 MO Lewis 382 48th Dist Tipton 37 TN Madison 235 54th Dist V. 42 KY Texas 001 98th Dist Valentine MO Washington 112 Bellevue William 39 KY Washington 111 Bellevue William 19 OH Caldwell 178 Being 1 William 44 GA Butler 166 Being 1 William 60 VA Boone 437 Being 8 William Co Lawrence 314 47th Dist William M. D ?? 136 Being 2 Willis 22 KY Osage 450 Benton Sylvanus 31 TN Wayne 222 101 Dist
NAME AGE B.P. COUNTY # & TWP
Sutten
John A. 22 OH Barry 923 Capps Crk Joseph T. 61 VA Boone 692 Cedar Logan 33 TN Barry 811 White River Martha 28 TN Wayne 595 St. Francis William 16 TN Christian 445 Finify
Sutton
Andrew J. Greene 223 Center Andrew R. 38 In Clark 802 Folker C. 64 KY Clinton 003 Lafayette Calvin 37 MO Adair 212 Salt River Charlet 22 Can Buchanan 303 Washington Charlotte 20 IL Iron 668 Arcadia Cornelius 16 MO Iron 667 Arcadia Edward 39 NY Davies 559 Gallatin Elizabeth 57 KY Greene 223 Center Elizabeth 36 IN Henry 818 Osage Emily Atkinson 510 Clark Franklin 07 MO Iron 659 Arcadia George 25 KY Andrew 363 Jefferson Greenberry 49 KY Clark 710 Washington Hannah M. 19 MO Greene 219 Center J. 10 MO Clark 802 Folker J.M.* 45 KY Harrison 491 Washington Jacob 35 IN Davies 405 Salem James L. 39 TN Wayne 587 Cedar Crk James R. 31 MO Grundy 318 Trenton John 56 TN Iron 739 Liberty John 27 MO Grundy 475 Jefferson John 57 NJ Chariton 303 Clark John * 27 MO Reynolds John 30 Ire Buchannon 342 lst. Ward John G. Atkinson 510 Clark John M. 44 TN Butler 587 Butler John N. 30 KY Clay 1028 Gallatin John S 56 TN Iron 667 Arcadia Joseph 54 TN Iron 666 Arcadia Joseph 23 MO Iron 659 Arcadia Joseph 30 KY Chariton 273 Bee Branch Leonard 45 TN Iron 658 Arcadia Louisa 05 MO Grundy 466 Franklin Louis* 28 TN Iron Malvina 37 MO Wayne 646 Black River Margaret 04 KY Clark 706 Washington Margaret 18 MO Clay 1022 Gallaton Margaret C. 10 TN Iron 667 Arcadia Marshall 25 KY Buchannon 033 Rush Mary 02 OH Davies 406 Salem Nancy 62 Greene 215 Center Nathan 20 MO Iron 739 Liberty Nathaniel 28 MO Andrew 771 Carver Nicholas 45 Ire Buchannon 368 lst Ward Orville 44 VA Clark 705 Washington Peter 38 MO Iron 664 Arcadia Phillip 27 TN Reynolds Samuel 35 Johnson 1015 Holden Samuel D. 36 OH Grundy 313 Trenton Sarah J. 12 KY Clinton Simeon 37 OH Davies 406 Salem Simon 41 KY Buchannon 070 Bloomington Theodore 29 IN Andrew 465 Jackson Thomas 27 Ire Clay 884 Missouri Touis(Louis) 28 TN Iron 667 Arcadia Willian 23 MO Iron 751 Union William 45 KY Johnson 873 Washington William 72 KY Buchannon 120 Crawford William 50 Eng Atkinson 553 Benton William Boone 812 Columbia William C. 36 MO Grundy 466 Franklin William M. 43 KY Knox 043 Center William T. 39 KY Boone 812 Columbia Z.T. 12 KY Buchannon 120 Crawford David (Ovid) 52 KY Andrew 481 Jackson Silvester ?? Clinton 027 Lafayette
NAME AGE Birth Place. Location
Sutten
Catherine 68 NC 861 Central Twp
Ferdinand 033 5 W.
John 044 4 W.
John 819 10 Ward
John 45 819 Central Twp
John 30 820 Central Twp
Mike 824 8 W.
Suttin
John 963 9th Ward
Sutton
A.S. 36 MO 879 Lowell
A.W. 17 MO 327 6 W.
Charles 30 Eng 452 6 W.
Clementine 13 PA 179 5 W.
G.C. 63 Eng 861 Central
James 28 Eng 541 9th Ward
John 733 Carondelet
John 528 Bonhomme
John 014 4 W.
Leonard 22 NY 524 Bonhomme
Margaret 014 4 W.
Mary 60 NC 158 7 W.
Mary Ann 75 PA 614 10 Ward
Michael 17 Ire 932 St. Louis Twp
Mike 34 Ire 333 8 W.
Nicholas 416 8 W.
Robert 1132 St. Ferdinand Twp
Robert 56 PA 649 9th Ward
Age and Birthplace for all of those with the name John that live
in St. Louis.
Sutton John 26 Switzerland
John 26 Ireland
John 45 Germany
John 43 England
John 50 Ireland
John 40 Brunswick
John 30 Prussia
[I found the following article to be a most unique and fascinating account of the emigration from the UK. I hope you will not mind it not directly discussing Sutton issues. - Jim]
What follows are extracts from an article printed in the Illustrated London News on Saturday July 6th 1850. It is a contemporary account of the procedure of Emigration from the port of Liverpool to the New World and the Colonies.
The great tide of Emigration flows steadily westward. The principal emigrants are Irish peasants and labourers. It is calculated that at least four out of every five persons who leave the shores of the old country to try their fortunes in the new, are Irish. Since the fatal years of the potato famine and the cholera, the annual numbers of emigrants have gone on increasing, until they have become so great as to suggest the idea, and almost justify the belief, of a gradual depopulation of Ireland. The colonies of Great Britain offer powerful attractions to the great bulk of the English and Scottish emigrants who forsake their native land to make homes in the wilderness.
But the Irish emigration flows with full force upon the United States. Though many of the Irish emigrants are, doubtless, persons of small means, who have been hoarding and saving for years, and living in rags and squalor, in order to amass sufficient money to carry themselves and families across the Atlantic, and to beg their way to the western states, where they may 'squat' or purchase cheap lands, the great bulk appear to be people of the most destitute class, who go to join their friends and relatives, previously established in America.
Large sums of money reach this country annually from the United States. Through Liverpool houses alone, near upon a million pounds sterling, in small drafts, varying from 2 Pounds or 3 Pounds to 10 Pounds each, are annually forwarded from America, for poor persons in Ireland, to enable them to emigrate; and the passage-money of many thousands, in addition, is paid in New York. Before the fatal year 1847, the emigration was very considerable; but, since that time, it has very rapidly increased. The following document, issued on the authority of her Majesty's Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners, shows the progressive increase in the numbers of British subjects who have annually quitted our shores as Emigrants, from 1825 to January 1st 1850:-
N. American
Years Colonies U.S. Aus+N.Z. others 1825 8741 5551 485 114 1826 12818 7063 903 116 1827 12648 14526 715 114 1828 12084 12817 1056 135 1829 13307 15678 2016 197 1830 30574 24887 1242 204 1831 58067 23418 1561 114 1832 66339 32872 3733 196 1833 28808 29109 4093 517 1834 40060 33074 2800 288 1835 15573 26720 1860 325 1836 34226 37774 3124 293 1837 29884 36770 5054 326 1838 4577 14332 14021 292 1839 12658 33536 15786 227 1840 32293 40642 15850 1958 1841 38164 45017 32625 2786 1842 54123 63852 8534 1835 1843 23518 28335 3478 1881 1844 22924 43660 2229 1873 1845 31803 58538 830 2330 1846 43439 82239 2347 1826 1847 109680 142154 4949 1487 1848 31065 188233 23904 4887 1849 41367 219450 32091 6590 Total 808,740 1,260,247 185,286 30,911
Average Annual Emigration from the United Kingdom for the last twenty five years- 91,407
The emigration of the present year bids fair to exceed even the unprecedentedly large emigration of 1849. This human stream flows principally through the ports of London and Liverpool; as there is but little direct emigration from Scotland or Ireland. In the year 1849, out of the total number of 299,498 emigrants, more than one-half, or 153,902 left from the port of Liverpool. We learn from a statement in a Liverpool newspaper, that in the months of January, February, March and April of the present year, the total emigration was 50,683 persons; and as these four months include two of the least busy months of the year, it is probable that the numbers during the months of May, June, July and August, the full emigrational season, will be much more considerable, and that the emigration for the year will exceed that for 1849.
Her Majesty's Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners publish in the spring of every year a useful little pamphlet, entitled the ' Colonisation Circular', which contains the names and duties of the Emigration offices in the ports of The United Kingdom and in the colonies- the cost of passage to the various colonies-a statement of the demand for labour-the rate of wages, and the price of provisions in each colony-an explanation of the mode of disposal of Crown lands-the privileges granted to naval and military settlers-the victualling scale on board ships-an abstract of the Passengers Act, and other valuable particulars. The Government however, gives no information relative to the United States-so that its admirable little circular is of comparatively little service to at least one-half of the great crowds of emigrants.
The majority of emigrants take a steerage passage, and go out at the cheapest rate. Out of the 153,902 mentioned above as having left the port of Liverpool in 1849, the number of first and second cabin passengers was only 4639.
We now proceed to detail the process of emigration, beginning with the arrival of the emigrants at Liverpool, the great port of intercourse with the United States. The first care of the emigrants, if their passage have not previously been paid for them by their kind friends in New York, is to pay their passage-money, and make the best bargain they can with the passenger-brokers. The competition in this trade is very great, and fares, accordingly, vary from day to day, and even from hour to hour, being sometimes as high as 5 Pounds per passenger in the steerage, and sometimes as low as 3 Pounds 10 Shillings.
The walls of Liverpool are thoroughly placarded with the notices of the days of sailing of the various packets, for which many firms act as passenger-brokers, and set forth in large letters the excellent qualities of such well known and favourite packets as the YORKSHIRE, the NEW WORLD, the ISAAC WEBB, the WEST POINT, the CONSTITUTION, the ISAAC WRIGHT, the LONDON, the STAR OF THE WEST, the QUEEN OF THE WEST, and scores of others. The average number of steerage passengers that can be accommodated in these fine vessels (which are mostly owned in New York) is 400; but some of them, such as the ISAAC WEBB, can comfortably make room for double that number.
After the emigrant has chosen the ship by which he will sail, and perhaps run the gauntlet through scores of designing and unscrupulous 'man-catchers'-a class of persons who get a commission from the passenger-brokers for each emigrant that they bring to the office-his next duty is to present himself at the Medical Inspector's Office.
By the terms of the New Passenger Act, 12 and 13 Vict., c.33, no passenger-ship is allowed to proceed until a medical practitioner appointed by the emigration office of the port shall have inspected the medicine-chest and passengers, and certified that the medicines etc are sufficient, and that the passengers are free from contagious disease. The master, owner, or charterer of the ship is bound to pay the medical inspector the sum of 1 Pound sterling for every 100 persons thus inspected. When the emigrant and his family have undergone this process, their passage-ticket is stamped, and they have nothing further to do, until they go on board, but to make their own private arrangements and provide themselves with outfits, or with such articles of luxury or necessity as they may desire over and above the ships allowance.
All persons who may be discovered to be affected with any infectious disease, either at the original port of embarkation or at any port in the United Kingdom into which the vessel may subsequently put, are to be re-landed, with those members of their families, if any, who may be dependent upon them, or unwilling to be separated from them, together with their clothes and effects. Passengers re-landed are entitled to receive back their passage-money, which may be recovered from the party to whom it was paid, or from the owner, charterer, or master of the ship, by summary process, before two or more justices of the peace.
The scene in the Waterloo dock, at Liverpool, where all the American sailing packets are stationed, is at all times a very busy one; but, on the morning of the departure of a large ship, with a full complement of emigrants, it is peculiarly exciting and interesting. The passengers have undergone inspection, and many of them have taken up their quarters on board for twenty-four hours previously, as they are entitled to do by terms of the act of Parliament. Many of them bring, in addition to the boxes and trunks containing their worldly wealth, considerable quantities of provisions, although it must be confessed that the scale fixed by the Government to be supplied to them by the ship is sufficiently liberal to keep in health and comfort all among them, who, in their ordinary course of life, were not accustomed to animal food. The following is the scale, in addition to any provisions which the passengers may themselves bring:-
2 and 1/2 lb of Bread or biscuit (not inferior to navy biscuit) 1 lb wheaten Flour 5 lb Oatmeal 2 lb Rice 2 oz Tea 1/2 lb Sugar 1/2 lb Molasses
Per week. To be issued in advance, and not less often than twice a week. Also:- 3 quarts of Water daily. 5 lb of good Potatoes may, at the option of the master, be substituted for 1lb of oatmeal or rice; and in ships sailing from Liverpool, or from Irish of Scottish ports, oatmeal may be substituted, in equal quantities, for the whole or any part of the issues of rice.
Vessels carrying as many as 100 passengers must be provided with a seafaring person to act as passenger's cook, and also with a proper cooking apparatus. A convenient place must be set apart on deck for cooking, and a proper supply of fuel shipped for the voyage. The whole to be subject to the approval of the emigration officer.
The scenes that occur between decks on the day before the sailing of a packet, and during the time that a ship may be unavoidably detained in dock, are not generally of a character to impress the spectator with the idea of any great or overwhelming grief on the part of the emigrants at leaving the old country. On the contrary, all is bustle, excitement, and merriment. The scene of a party of emigrants, male and female, dancing between decks-to the music of the violin-played for their amusement, by some of their fellow-passengers, is not a rare one. Sometimes a passenger is skilful upon the Irish Bagpipe, and his services are freely asked and freely given for the gratification of his countrymen and countrywomen-not simply while in dock, but, according to the reports of captains and others, during the whole voyage. Any person who can play the Violin-the Flute-the Pipe, or any other instrument, becomes of interest and importance to the passengers, and is kept in constant requisition for their amusement. The youngest child and the oldest man in the ship are alike interested; and grey headed men and women are frequently to be seen dancing with as much delight, if not with as much vigour, as if Seventeen, not Seventy, was the number that would most nearly express their age.
But, as the hour of departure draws nigh, the music ceases. Too many fresh arrivals take place every moment, and the docks become too much encumbered with luggage to admit of the amusement. Although notice of the day and hour of departure may have been given for weeks previously, there are a large class of persons (-not confined to emigrants it may be observed 'en passant'-) who never will be punctual, and who seem to make it a point of duty and conscience to postpone everything to the last moment, and to enjoy the excitement of being within a few minutes or even moments of losing their passage. These may be seen arriving in flushed and panting detachments, driving donkey-carts laden with their worldly stores, to the gangway, at the ship's side. It often happens that the gangway has been removed before their arrival, in which case their only chance is to wait until the ship reaches the dock-gate, when their boxes, bails, barrels and bundles are actually pitched into the ship, and men, and women, and children have to scramble up among the rigging, amid a screaming, a swearing, and a shouting perfectly alarming to listen to. Not infrequently a box or barrel falls overboard, and sometimes a man or a woman suffers the same fate, but is speedily re-saved by men in a small boat, that follows in the wake of this ship for the purpose, until she have finally cleared the dock.
There are usually a large number of spectators at the dock-gates to witness the final departure of the noble ship, with its large freight of human beings. It is an interesting and impressive sight; and the most callous and indifferent can scarcely fail, at such a moment, to form cordial wishes for the pleasant voyage and safe arrival of the emigrants, and for their future prosperity in their new home. As the ship is towed out, hats are raised, handkerchiefs are waved, and a loud and long-continued shout of farewell is raised from the shore, and cordially responded to from the ship. It is then, if at any time, that the eyes of the emigrants begin to moisten with regret at the thought that they are looking for the last time at the old country-that country which, although, in all probability, associated principally with the remembrance of sorrow and suffering, of semi-starvation, and a constant battle for the merest crust necessary to support existence is, nevertheless, the country of their fathers, the country of their childhood, and consecrated to their hearts by many a token. The last look, if known to be the last, is always sorrowful, and refuses, in most instances, to see the wrong and the suffering, the error and the misery, which may have impelled the one who takes it, to venture from the old into the new, from the tried to the untried path, and to recommence existence under new auspices, and with new and totally different prospects.
'Farewell, England! Blessings on thee-
Stern and niggard as thou art.
Harshly, mother, thou hast used me,
And my bread thou hast refused me:
But 'tis agony to part:
-is doubtless the feeling uppermost in the mind of many thousands of the poorer class of English emigrants at the moment when the cheers of the spectators and of their friends on shore proclaim the instant of departure from the land of their birth. Even in the case of the Irish emigrants, a similar feeling-though possibly less intense-can scarcely fail to be excited. Little time, however, is left to them to indulge in these reflections. The ship is generally towed by a steam-tug five or ten miles down the Mersey; and during the time occupied in traversing these ten miles, two very important ceremonies have to be gone through: the first is 'the Search for Stowaways;' and the second is the ' Roll-call of the Passengers'.
The practice of 'stowing away', or hiding about a vessel until after the passage tickets have been collected, in order to procure, by this fraudulent means, a free passage across the Atlantic, is stated to be very common to ships leaving London and Liverpool for the United States. The 'Stowaways' are sometimes brought onboard concealed in trunks or chests, with air-holes to prevent suffocation. Sometimes they are brought in barrels, packed up to their chins in salt, or biscuits, or other provisions, to the imminent hazard of their lives. At other times they take the chance of hiding about the ship, under the bedding, amid the confused luggage of other passengers, and in all sorts of dark nooks and corners between decks. Hence, it becoming expedient to make a thorough search of the vessel before the steam-tug has left her, in order that, if any of these unhappy intruders be discovered, they may be taken back to port and brought before the Magistrate, to be punished for the fraud which they have attempted.
As many as a dozen stowaways have sometimes been discovered in one ship; and cases have occurred, though not frequently, of men, women, and young boys, having been taken dead out of the barrels or chests in which they had concealed themselves, to avoid payment of 3 Pounds or 4 Pounds passage money. When the ship is fairly out, the search for stowaways is ordered. All the passengers are summoned upon the Quarter-Deck, and there detained until the search has been completed in every part of the ship. The Captain, Mate, or other Officer, attended by the clerk of the passenger broker, and as many of the crew as may be necessary for the purpose, then proceed below, bearing masked lanterns or candles, and armed with long poles, hammers, chisels, etc, that they may break open suspicious looking chests and barrels. Occasionally, the pole is said to be tipped with a sharp nail, to aid the process of discovery in dark nooks; and sometimes the man armed with the hammer hammers the bed-clothes, in order that if there be a concealed head underneath, the owner may make the fact known, and thus avoid a repetition of the blows. If a stowaway be concealed in a barrel, it is to be presumed that he has been placed with his head uppermost, and the searchers, upon this hint, whenever they have a suspicion, deliberately proceed to turn the barrel bottom upwards,- a process which never fails, after a short time, if the suspicion be well founded, to elicit an unmistakable cry for release.
Although this search is invariably made with the upmost care, it is not always effectual in discovering the delinquent; and instances have occurred in which no less than eight, ten, or even a larger number, including both men and women, have made their appearance after the vessel has been two or three days at sea. Some captains used to make it a rule to behave with great severity, if not cruelty, to these unfortunates; and instances are related of their having caused them to be tarred and feathered, or to walk the decks through the cold nights with nothing on but their shirts: but this inhumanity does not now appear to be practised. As there is a great deal of dirty work that must be done on ship-board, the stowaways are pressed into that service, and compelled to make themselves useful, if not agreeable. They are forced, in fact, to work their passage out, and the most unpleasant jobs are imposed upon them. After the search for them in every corner of the ship, the next ceremony is commenced.
This is one that occupies a considerable space of time, especially in a large ship, containing seven or eight hundred emigrants. The passengers-those in the state cabin excepted-being all assembled upon the Quarter-Deck, the clerk of the passenger-broker, accompanied by the ship's surgeon, and aided in the preservation of order by the crew, proceeds to call for the tickets. The clerk, or man in authority, usually stands upon the rail, or other convenient elevation on the Quarter-Deck, so that he may be enabled to see over the heads of the whole assemblage-usually a very motley one-comprising people of all ages, from seven weeks to seventy years. A double purpose is answered by the roll-call-the verification of the passenger-list, and the medical inspection of the emigrants, on behalf of the captain and owners. The previous inspection on the part of the governor was to prevent the risk of contagious disease on board. The inspection on the part of the owners is for a different object.
The ship has to pay a poll-tax of one dollar and a half per passenger to the State of New York; and if any of the poor emigrants are helpless and deformed persons, the owners are fined in the sum of seventy five dollars for bringing them, and are compelled to enter in a bond to the city of New York that they will not become a burden on the public. To obviate this risk, the medical officer of the ship passes them under inspection; and if there be a pauper cripple among the number who cannot give security that he has friends in America to take charge of him of arrival, and provide for him afterwards, the captain may refuse to take him.
The business of verification and inspection generally occupies from two to four hours, according to the number of emigrants on board; and, during its progress, some noteworthy incidents occasionally arise. Sometimes an Irishman, with a wife and eight or ten children, who may have only paid a deposit of his passage-money, attempts to evade the payment of the balance, by pleading that he has not a farthing left in the world; and trusting that the ship will rather take him out to New York for the sum already paid, than incur the trouble of putting him on shore again with his family. Sometimes a woman may have included in her passage-ticket an infant at the breast, and may be seen, when her name is called, panting under the weight of a boy of eight or nine years of age, whom she is holding to her bosom as if he were really a suckling. Sometimes a youth of nineteen, strong and big as a man, has been entered as under twelve, in order to get across to America for half the fare of an adult; and sometimes a whole family are without any tickets, and have come on board in the hope that, amid the confusion which they imagine will be attendant upon the congregation of so many hundred people on a ship, they may manage to evade notice, and slip down unperceived amid those whose documents are found 'en regle'.
These cases, as they occur, are placed on one side; and those who have duly paid their passage money, and produced their tickets, are allowed to pass down and take possession of their berths. Those who have not paid, either in whole or in part, and are either unable or unwilling to satisfy the claim against them, are then transferred on board the tug, with bag and baggage, to be reconveyed to port. Those who have money, and have attempted a fraud, generally contrive, after many lamentations about their extreme poverty, to produce the necessary funds, which, in the shape of golden sovereigns are not unfrequently found to be safely stitched amid the rags of petticoats, coats, and unmentionable garments. Those who have really no money, and who cannot manage to appeal to the sympathy of the crowd for a small subscription to help them to the New World, must resign themselves to their fate, and remain in the poverty from which they seek to free themselves, until they are able to raise the small sum necessary for their emancipation. The stowaways, if any, are ordered to be taken before the magistrates; and all strangers and interlopers being safely placed in the tug, the emigrant ship is left to herself. May all prosperity attend her living freight!
'Far away-oh far away-
We seek a world o'er the ocean spray!
We seek a land across the sea,
Where bread is plenty and men are free,
The sails are set, the breezes swell-
England, our country, farewell! farewell!"
by Judy Smith, 428 Bellis Rd, Bloomsbury, NJ 08804
The following information completes the article begun in the the last issue [#17] on the Samuel Sutton line. Judy has sent some corrections which are included at the end.
William(8) W. SUTTON [William(7), Samuel(6), Richard(5), Aaron(4), Moses(3), John(2), William(1)]
William W. Sutton was born 27 Mar 1836. He married Emma Jane Goltra on 28 Dec 1862 in Liberty Corner, Bernard Twp., Somerset Co., NJ. Emma, the daughter of James Phare Goltra and Fannie C. Cross, was born 18 Jul 1838 in NJ. William died 6 Feb 1918 and Emma died 21 Apr 1904. They are buried in the New Germantown Cemetery, Oldwick, NJ. (Snell's History of Somerset Co., and tombstone inscriptions). Children:
Information about this family was taken from the family bible in possession of Cecil Vroom, Oldwick and various census records.
Corrections:
Jim: Thanks to you and Dennis Sutton for printing the research I've done on the family of Samuel Sutton and Ellenor Vliet. Since I sent this to you, much more has been added to this line. Living so close to the areas where my ancestors lived has been a great help - I seem to run into other descendants of the families I research which greatly adds to the information I gather and to the confirmation of relationships. If any reader connects to this line, I'd be very happy to exchange information with them.
I found one mistake in the material already published in the current edition of Sutton Searchers. In making revisions /additions to my earlier draft, I inadvertently deleted the birthdate of Charles Masser (under Emma Elizabeth Sutton) and left the date of his birth as 26 March 1937. That is the date of the marriage for Beatrice Alpaugh and Charles Masser. Charles Masser was bom in 1911 and died 19 Aug 1977.
I continue to enjoy each issue of Sutton Searchers (I share each with my Mother). She was excited to see our family in print! Judy Smith (nee Hankinson), 428 Bellis Rd, Bloomsbury, NJ 08804
Dear Jim:
I applaud and recommend your publication. You are the best name organization I have come in contact with.
I haven't sent any material since my membership last year because I got so very involved in a breakthrough on my SMITH line. However, just two weeks ago someone wrote me that a headstone for my GG grandmother Pamelia Hayden Sutton has been documented in a new publication by the Morrow Co. Ohio Gen Soc. and I have sent for a copy. This gives a source for her birth and death dates as well as a source for the spelling of her name, which has also been listed as Permelia Hayden Sutton. In addition, a daugther is buried next to her.
Because of your publication, I contacted Marge Waterfield and she was most helpful. Also, I received contact from Elsie David and she offered much help.
Now, I intend to concentrate more on the SUTTON line and try to
prove the line and then send it along to you to use if anyone
has need of it. Pamelia and her husband John Sutton both were
born in NJ but the children that I do have listed on the 1850
Census were born in PA. And of course Pamelia Sutton died in Ohio
though there is no mention in all of the Morrow Co., Ohio cemetry
books of John Sutton. I suspect he moved to Kansas with his
daughter
and son-in-law after his wife's death. This has been a grand
chase.
Emma Smith Saucier, 7560 Woodman Pl B2, Van Nuys, CA 91405-1556.
Dear Jim:
When I read through the January 1995 issue something caught my eye. On page six, a William Harmon Sutton is listed, but since the listing is carried over from issue #15, I can't determine his parents. My Gggrandmother was Jerusha Harmon Sutton, and it appears that her mother was Susannah Harmon. Jerusha also had a brother (Joseph) who went to Colorado about the time William Harmon Sutton was born. You've piqued my interest.
I am enclosing a family group sheet with about as much as I know about my Suttons. I would like to hear from anyone who might have any information on this family.
I subscribe to several newsletters for different names. Yours
is the best I've seen. Keep up the good work.
Bruce V. Templeton, 714 S Wescott Dr, Elko, NV 89801
Bruce: I can't let two generous compliments pass without acknowledging all the work our columnists Dennis Sutton and James R. Sutton have selflessly contributed. There are many, many wonderful people like Marge and Elsie mentioned above that send me mountains of there research info that you eventually see on these pages or that help other readers when they see a chance. That is what keeps me interested in producing our newsletter! Thanks to all. -Jim
Dear Jim:
The only bit of Sutton info of real interest was received from the Historical Society of Central City, Iowa. In 1853 our David Sutton wrote a letter to two of his offspring in Oregon Territory. [In 1850 Levi Sutton was living in Portland with his sister, Charity, and her husband James Lytle and their five children: Almira, Francis, Maria, James and Marquis.]
An edited version of this letter was printed in A history of Central City and the Surrounding Area 1839-1989. I don't know whether the original unexpurgated version would be an appropriate item for your newsletter - or whether, in fact, you may have already published it.
The "History of Central City..." also contains an
interesting
story of David and Margarette (Harpster) Sutton 's life as told
by #7 daughter, Lofah (Long) Peyton. It covers two full pages
of text. Would you be interested in my attempting to obtain
permission
to print either of the above?
Lorraine Johansen, 377 Hardwick Rd, Sequim, WA 98382
Lorraine has secured a copy of this letter for us. I hope to
include it in the next issue. -Jim
Dear Mr. Sutton:
Please enter my subscription to SUTTON SEARCHERS.
My great grandmother was Susan Latricia Sutton, b. 20 May 1869
in Marshall Co., KS. She was the dau. of Edward Sutton and Elsie
Eliz. Tague.
Toni Reed, 1916 Lynn St, Pampa, TX 79065
Dear Jim:
Regarding the QUERY of David Leebrick, I have sent information
to you on the Suttons of Fleming Co., KY. I have quite a bit of
data on Rachel Sutton & her siblings but am trying to trace
her father Richard in New Jersey. Haven't had a lot of luck
there.
If Mr. Leebrick would like more info, I would be glad to oblige.
Rosine Lueke,5203 NW 84th Pl, Kansas City, MO 64154-2739
Dear Jim:
Greetings from one Sutton to another! I have been doing some genealogical research on my ancestors for the past couple of years and was delighted to find your name in this year's Genealogical Research Directory.
I was born in Alberta in 1934 - father Carlyle Sutton, grandfather Franklin Sutton, both born in the United States. I have some names and dates farther back than that but have only just recently learned that Grandfather Franklin was born in Indiana and I have written to the Indiana Historical Society to ask for help in checking this out.
As for my own bio - I joined the Canadian Foreign Service and spent 30 years alternating living abroad and in Ottawa. I ended up my career as Counsellor at the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi, India and retired in 1987. I have been married to Franklin Wiebe for 19 years and for the past eight years we have been living in eastern Ontario where Frank grows garlic, herbs, coloured beans and flowers for drying while I write and sing, sell the garlic and other produce and generally have a good time.
I have one sister, Meridell Kay Sutton, who lives in Surrey, B.C. My father had a sister, Kathryn and a brother, Percy. He also had a brother who died at a very young age and one of the most moving experiences I have had during my genealogical journey was finding that child's burial place in a little hillside graveyard outside of Dunseith, North Dakota on a golden autumn day last year.
I will be happy to supply more info if you wish. In the meantime
I look forward to receiving the sample copy of your newsletter.
Janice L. Sutton, R.R. 3, Yarker, Ontario, Canada K0K 3N0
Dear Jim Sutton,
My gratitude to Carolyn Clark for her submitting my name to you (and anticipate finding an updated address for her as too many moons since we last corresponded). Congratulations in your move to such a lovely area, Mr. Sutton and appreciation to you for doing something that is overdue - your fine SUTTON SEARCHERS Publication.
I published a Scruby and a Bushnell newsletter in the 80's and subsequently books on both surnames. It is the best means of obtaining and distributing data between interested parties. And, I might add, a labor of love, as you undoubtedly have discovered. Not many financial gains from it but then man does not live by bread alone!!
One obstacle that I ran across was "fillers" and should you find yourself short, please feel free to ask as I have accumulated much data that does not directly pertain to my direct line. Your publication would salve my conscience should the time come that I feel it is time to discard it.
Do you contemplate incorporating a distaff or maiden name of wives of Suttons?
Sincere appreciation along with the excitement and anticipation
of receipt of your fine work.
Patricia O'Boyle, 5802 North 42nd Avenue Phoenix, Arizona
85019-1820
Patricia: I would like to explore your distaff idea? If you
still have "the itch," perhaps you could kick such a
column off for us??? -Jim
PS I'll probably expose myself here, but:
For your penance, send in to SUTTON SEARCHERS all Sutton related
materials that you, at any time, considered discarding! -Fr. Jim
:-} HYGTJ
Q. 125 - Efhriam Sutton
I am Charlotte Sutton Compton. I am looking for information about
my great grandfather Sutton. He was born in Ohio 1815 maybe
Mercer
area. His wife's name was Talitha Tabitha "Lewis"
Sutton,
b. 1816, probably in Mercer Co. They had a son, James Jarrad
Sutton,
b. 7 Sep 1849 in Butler Twp., Ohio. He later moved to Alboin,
NE. Would like to hear from anyone having any information about
Efhriam and Talitha Sutton or their families.
Mrs. Charlotte Compton, Box 14, Hill City, SD 57745
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Q. 126 - Sutton/Warren
Seek information on Levi W. Sutton, b. ca 1807, probably in Newark, NJ. He married first 4 Jan 1830 Mary Moore in Concord, Lewis Co., KY. They had a son Robert who served in the Civil War from Kentucky. Mary died as a result of Robert's birth.
Levi married, second, on 18 Jul 1831 Eleanor Moore, daughter of Thomas Moore, probably Mary's younger sister. Their children were jackson Sutton, and several others. Levi left his family in 1844 or 1845. Eleanor, Robert and Jackson remained in Concord at least through 1860. There is no record of a divroce in Lewis County; he may have abandoned his family.
Levi married, third, 30 Jun 1847 in Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, Catherine Warren, daughter of Daniel Warren and Matilda Stokes. She was born 30 Nov 1829, possibly in Akron, Ohio. Their children: Lydia Ann "Ann," Sarah Jane "Jennie," and Mary Louisa "May," were born in Michigan. Levi died January 1860 in Allen, MI. Catherine died 18 Feb 1910 in Liberty Center, OH.
Also need information on Daniel Warren and Matilda Stokes, both
born ca. 1800. They were married 18 December 1817 in Starke Co.,
OH.
Raymond J. Porter, 13662 Loretta Dr, Tustin, CA 92680
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Q. 127 - Benjamin Sutton
Need info on Benjamin Sutton family. He was b. Uniontown, Fayette
Co., PA 7 Mar 1778, m. Phebe Allger (Alger) abt 1796 - where?
Were her parents Joseph Allger and Ocy Doty? Benjamin and Phebe
sold property in Derry Twp, Westmoreland Co., PA in 1804. In 1800
Census they were in Fayette Co., PA; in 1820 Census they were
in Butler Co., OH; in 1830 they had moved to Fayette Co., IN.
In the 1850 IL Census Benjamin appears living in Beardstown, Cass
Co. with his daugther, Eliza, and son-in-law, David Finney. He
does not appear in the 1860 IL Census, but according to a family
bible he died at age of 91 so he must have died in 1869 - where
and what date?
Joelle S. Downing, 5330 Carpenter St., Downers Grove, IL
60515-4807
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Q. 128 - John Sutton
I need documentation for marriages of John Sutton (ca 1752-1815)
Culpepper, Co., VA and Garrard Co., KY. He married first America
Pope and know they had one child, Lucinda, then married second,
her sister Ann. John Sutton had a sister Susanna who married
America and Ann Pope's brother Elemander (or Alexander) Pope.
Have been unable to obtain copies for proof from "The
Kelsick-Dobyns-Sutton
Families" by George H. Rose. Will reimburse & exchange
further data with descendants of John Sutton who m. Elizabeth
Ellis, parents of Christopher Sutton (1678-1737) Middlesex Co.,
VA who m. Hope Beaumont 3 Nov 1703, who were parents of
Christopher
Sutton (ca 1714-1793) and Sarah Hankins (Hawkins?)).
Patricia O'Boyle, 5802 North 42ndAvenue, Phoenix, Arizona
85019-1820
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Q. 129 - Joshua and Catherine [Hamilton] Sutton
Need all info on marriage and family of Joshua and Catherine
{Hamilton]
Sutton of Barnston, Stanstead county, Quebec. I believe they
arrived in Quebec between 1825 and 1828 from Ireland or USA.
One child known: William Hamilton Sutton was married in 1846 in
Kingsey, Drummond Co., Quebec, CanadaJoshua and Catherine may
have married between 1800 and 1825. . Believe other children
may be: Robert and Alicia but Robert could be a brother. Robert
married Sarah C. Buckland in 1829 in Hatley, Quebec and lived
nearby in Barford, Quebec.
Jim Sutton, 1921 Baldy Lane, Evergreen, CO 80439-9444
SUTTON SEARCHERS Newsletter
August: Descendants of Anderson Sutton, Place: Nolanville, TX, Contact: Harold Sutton, 1411 N. Tenth Street, Killeen, TX 76541, tel: (817) 634-3459
My apologies to W. Kent Bartram for incorrectly listing him as the contact for a September reunion of the WV Sutton line. I understand my error caused him some inconvenience which I regret. -Jim
If you would like your SUTTON family gathering to appear here, send us a note with all details.