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Descendants of Philip Welch

Generation No. 1

1. PHILIP¹ WELCH was born Bet. 1640 - 1642 in Ireland, and died Unknown. He married HANNAH HAGGETT February 20, 1666/67 in Wenham, Massachusetts, daughter of HENRY HAGGET and ANN. She was born Unknown, and died Unknown.

Notes for PHILIP WELCH:
TAKEN FROM THE BOOK "PHILIP WELCH OF IPSWICH, MASSACHUSETTS 1654 AND HIS DESCDENDENTS," COMPILED BY ALEXANDER MCMILLAN WELCH, PUBLISHED IN 1954 BY "THE WILLIAM BYRD PRESS, INC." OF RICHMOND VIRGINIA.

The first known facts about Philip Welch of Ireland and Essex County, Massachusetts, vividly impress
upon the mind a picture of one of the greatest evils of the times in which he lived.

This picture shows a lad barely eleven years of age, snatched from his bed in a quiet seaside home,
rushed in the darkness along a road and forcibly carried on board a waiting vessel where other youths in
a similar plight were already imprisoned. The master of the ship continued his nefarious kidnapping until
the countryside awakened to the knowledge of his infamous deeds and arose in wrath. The master,
fleeing from their just and righteous anger, set sail so hurriedly that he was forced to leave some of his
provisions and precious water casks behind him. The picture here shown is no mere figment of the
imagination -- the story is told by some of the men so taken.

On June 26, 1661, John Ring deposed that he

"with divers others were stollen in Ireland, by some of ye English soldiers, in ye
night out of theyr beds & brought to Mr Dills shup, where there were diuers others
of their Country men, weeping and crying, because they were stollen from theyr
frends, they all declaring ye same, & amonst ye rest were these two men, William
Downeing & Philip Welch, and there they were kept, until upon a lord's day
morning, ye Master sett saile, and left some of his water & vessels behind for haste,
as I understood."

John Downing also testified at this same Court in June 1661, "that William Downing and Philip Welch
with several of their Country Men were taken up and stolen by the shipmaster or some one whom he
hired. The shipmaster, George Dill, was fain to go away and leave his water and much of his provisions
behind for fear the country would have taken them from him." he further made oath "that he knew that he
and three or four others of his townsmen were taken up by force; that he did not know the two parties in
question, but they said in the ship that they were stolen and brought by force."

The ship, which, by the irony of fate, bore the name of "Goodfellow", sailed for New England and
landed in Boston. Two of the captives were thus disposed of:

"Xth of May 1654. I George Dell, master of the Shipp called Goodfellow have sould
unto Mr. Samuell Symonds two of the Irish youthes I brought over by order of the
State of England: the name of one of them is William Dalton; the other Edward
Welch to secure him for the space of nine years in consideration of the sum of six
and twenty pounds in corn merchantable or live cattell at or before the end of
October next."
Signed by George Dell and witnessed by George Manning.

So these two youths, one about eleven years old, ignorant of the language of the country, were sold into
bondage, one for nine, the other for eleven years, to serve a master faithfully but to receive in return for
all that time no wages, only food and clothing.

It was probably under the contract of September 14, 1653, to supply "three hundred men (of the Irish
nation) above twelve years of age and under fifty, to be found in the country within twenty miles of Cork,
Youghal, Kinsale, Waterford and Wexford, to transport them into New England," that Dell's shipload
was obtained.

Mr. Prendergast writes that all measures were in vain to prevent the most cruel captures as long as these
English slave dealers had recourse to Ireland until the order was fully revoked on March 4, 1655. before
this, however, the people in New England seem to have awakened to its heinousness, for when Mr.
Symonds made his contract for the two youths he himself states that "because there had come over many
Irish before that tyme" he perceived "that some questions wee stirring in ye Court whether it were not
best to make some stop (in reference to people of that nation) which occcasioned the plaintiff to make a
p'viso for good assurance." But he took good care not to tell, seven years later, the reason why those
questions were stirring the Court.

This Samuel Symonds was an important man in the Massachusetts Colony. He was chosen an Assistant
of the Colony in 1643 and in 1673 was Deputy-Governor. The two lads, therefore, were fortunate in
their master, and seem to have been well treated and on intimate terms with the family, as is shown by
Philip's conversation with his mistress. Nor in their complaint did they make any accusations of poor
treatment. At Mr. Symonds' house the boys must have met many important people and learned much of
court proceedings.

So William Downing and Philip Welch, to call them by their proper names, went with the man who had
bought them to this home in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts, to serve out the time for which they
were sold. Nothing more is heard of Philip until 1659, when, at a court held September 27th, he testified
in the case of trespass, which Major-General Denison brought against Mr. Samuel Symonds, his master.
In the following year, at a court held at Ipswich, march 27, 1660, Philip was sentenced for "stubborness
and other offences," but his master relented and had him respited until he should again give cause for
complaint.

During all these years, however, anger and resentment at the injustice of their lot must have been seething
in the hearts of the two lonely lads. At last seven ears passed, the usual time for such bondage, and
William Downing and Philip Welch determined to make a strong effort to free themselves and better
their condition. This attempt and its result are told in the records of the Quarterly Courts of Essex
County, Massachusetts.

At a Court held at Salem, June 25, 1661, Samuel Symonds, Gentleman, brought suit against William
Downing "for absolutely refusing to serve his master, Mr. Simonds any longer, there being several years
yet due, according to the purchase from the shipmaster who brought him over to sell."

Mr. Symonds make a similar complaint against Philip Welch, the younger of the two servants. The same
day William Downing and Philip Welch made their defense saying:

"We were brought out of or owne Country contrary to our owne wills & minds, &
sold here unto Mr. Symonds by ye master of the Ship, Mr. Dill, but what Agreement
was made between Mr Symonds & ye said master, was neuer Acted by our Consent
or knowledge, yet notwithstanding we have indeaured to do him ye best service wee
Could these seven Compleat years. Which is 3 years more than ye use to sell ym for
a Barbadoes, wn thy are stollen in England. And for our service, we have noe
Callings nor wages, but meat & cloths. Now 7 years service being so much as ye
practice of old England, & thought meet in this place, & wee being both above 21
years of age, we hope this honred Court and Jury Will seriously Consider our
Conditions."

The testimony of John Ring and John Downing, relating the manner in which Irish youths were kidnapped
and brought to New England, has already been given. The depositions of the other witnesses throw a
little side light on their home life with Master Symonds.

Kelecrist Ros (who is called Gillicrest Rosse when he testified in the trepass case
with Philip Welch in September 1659) deposed:
That upon a Sabbath day night before the last March Court, he heard William
Douney tell Mister Symonds that he would get free if he could, when he had service
seven years. Further he heard William and Philip tell their master on the morning
that the constable came for them, that if he would pay them for their time until Salem
Court, they would stay with him, but Symonds refused unless they would give
security. When their master forst brought them home, deponent asked William what
Philip's name was and he said it was Philip.
Sworn June 24, 1661.

Naomy Hull, aged twenty years and upwards, deposed:
That one night before hem Master Symonds' servints William and Philip were
arrrested by the constable, they came into the parlor to prayer with the rest of the
family, and Philip asked if Goodman Bragg's son was coming to plow tomorrow.
Her mistress said she thought so, that he said he would consider it. Philip then
asked who would plow with him and her mistress said, "one of you." Philip then
said "We will worke with you or for you, noe longer."
Then said my mr, is it soe? What will you, play? Then both of them stood init, &
expressed that it was soe, & that they had been with yo (speaking to my master) loge
enough. we have served you seaven yeares, we thinke that is longe enough.
Then said my mr But we must not be our owne Judges; and said my mr yu must
worke for me still, unless you run away. Then said William, we scorne to run away.
Then said Philip, we will goe away & leave you before your faces. Alsoe they did
both speak to this purpose; If you will free us, we will plant your corne & mende
your fences, & if you will pay us as other men, but we will not worke with you upon
the same termes or conditions as before. (And this was upon Muis lake her asking of
them why they would offer at such a tyme to goe away mentioning some words how
my masters business did lye my mris having alsoe said, let them alone; now they are
speaking let them speak their owne myndes) whereupon they answered as before.
When my master had said come let us goe to prayer, Philip said you may go to
prayer; we will speake more in the morning. And towards the end of ye discourse
upon some occasion or question both answeree & said it is soe, it is soe, they
appearing resolute to leave my master as they had said.
In the morning when the sonstable was at my masters howse (about the arrest)
motion was made by the constable, or one that was with him, tending pswade my
master to let them alone, saying surely they will goe on in your business. my master
answered noe: unless they be secured.

Mrs. Margaret Lake testified to the same also:
That Philip said in the morning tht if his master would give him as good a portion
as any of his children, he would serve out his time.

Martha Trotter deposed to the same effect as Naomi Hull, and also testified:
That one of the Irishmen said one night that they would stay no longer unless their
master showed them some other grounds. She heard Philip say to his mistress that
they had now served seven years and were under no authority of the country.

Ralph Dix, Richard Nicholls and Samuel Younglove deposed:
That they went with the Constable of Ipswich, when he served the warrant on the
two Irishmen and that one of the latter asked to see by what aurhority he kept them.

June __, 1661.
Verdict of the Jury in the case of Samuel Symonds, gentleman, V Will. Downing and Philip Welch, his
two servants:

That if Mr. Dell's covenant be legal, they found service due said Symonds until May
10, 1663; if not, they found for the defendants, Court adjudged the covenant legal,
and ordered said Downing and Welch to serve their master until that date. Appealed
to the Court of Assistants, but giving no bonds to prosecute, upon agreement of all
parties, Welch and Downing were to serve Mr. Symonds until the next Court of
Assistants, and the latter was to allow them liberty to attend that Court.

There is nothing more concerning the case, so it is presumed that the two youths, finding the law too
strong for them, served out their terms. As Mr. Dell's sale had been adjudged legal in the case, it is
possible that the agreement as to the two extra years of Philip Welch's service was also enforced. His
term would then have expired May 1665. Seldom indeed is such a peculiar and pathetic story gleaned
from musty court files.

The next glimpse of Philip Welch is again from Court files, but this time it is a record of his marriage on
February 20, 1666/7, to Hannah Haggett, Daughter of Henry and Ann (________) Haggett of Wenham,
Massachusetts.

In November 1668 and November 1670, he appears in court cases. A few years later, according to the
following quotation from the Essex County deeds, he and his wife are found in a land transaction.

March 4, 1673/4 Philip Welch with Hannah his wife, living in Topsfield, Mass., for
good and valuable consideration, sold to Isaac Easty of same Topsfield, 20 acres of
land in Topsfield, bought of Thomas Baker of Topsfield, on the south side of the
great river called Ipswich, in the 1st. division, in two small
lots, the one whereof was somtine Matthew Stanley's and the other Anthony
Carroll's, given them by the town of Topsfield, being the 13th and 14th lots in that
division.
(signed) Philip (P) Welch
Hanna (C) Welch
Hanna Welch consents; Ack. Mar 31, 1674
Witnesses
Thomas Baker
Priscilla Baker
Richard (O) Smith

Soon after this sale came King Philip's War. The settlers in New England had been supplying powder
and shot freely to their Indian neighbors in exchange for furs and had fearlessly planted villages, such as
Hadley, Lancaster and Deerfield, far out in the wilderness. John Eliot, "Apostle to the Indians," spent
his life in an effort to cililize the red men, and published the Scriptures in Indian tongue. Schools were
established among them, and settlements of "praying Indians" were formed. But as one historian says,
"The good effect of such efforts was more than counterbalanced by the brutalizing influence of the rum
sold by the whites to the Indians."

In June 1675, war broke out with the Pokanokets, settled in and near Rhode Island; their chief was
Metacom, or King Philip, who attacked the frontier towns of Swansea and Middleboro in Plymouth
County, Massachusetts. Hadley and Springfield on the Connecticut River were attacked by other tribes,
and war swept over the sparsely settled country. The Narragansett Indians rose and the commissioners
of the New England Confederation raised a force which killed a thousand of them.

King Philip was driven to his stronghold at Mount Hope, Rhode Island, and there was killed in August
1676. This war nearly annihilated the New England Colonies. Six hundred white men were killed and
the Indians lost two thousand killed and captured, some of the latter being sold into slavery in the West
Indies.

During this period it was necessary to gather men throughout the colonies, and among Massachusetts
archives are the following lists: "30th november 1675 A list of ye mens names impressed at Wenham
upon ye majr Generals Laft orders... Who will all of them... well furnished with Good...armes? [the
paper is badly torn]". Among the names is that of Philip Welsh. "A list of ye names of Capten
Gardeners Souldiers returned as Impressed for this Prent expedison." Philip Welch's name is in the
Beverly list. "A list of the names of ye Souldiers as Impreffed for ye service of the Country out of
Essex." Philip Welch appears under Wenham.

Early in 1676, Philip Welch moved with his family from Topsfield to Marblehead, in the same county.
On December 15, 1677, he took the oath of Fidelity before Samil. Ward, Commissioner (of
Marblehead). At the November and June terms of Court, 1677 and 1678, Philip and his wife, Hannah,
deposed concerning Hannah's care of Sarah, daughter of Hannah Blainer. In a descriptive list of the old
houses of Marblehead, the William Hewett huse is said to have been owned in 1667 by Moses Maverick
of Marblehead and sold by him in October 1679 to William Hewett of Marblehead; according to this
account, "the estate had lately been in the possession of Philip Welch."

While living in Marblehead he followed for a time the trade of fisherman, for at a court of Admiralty
held in Boston, May 31,1679, Philip Welsh, Thomas Smith and Peter Michael, "marriners of the catch
Olliue," sued the master of the catch for wages, which the Court awarded them.

By April 29, 1679, he seems to have returned to Topsfield for a short time, as he is down for ten
shillings on the list of subscribers of that date "to have Mr Jerimin Hobart (Hubbard) Minister come to
Topsfield from Amsberi." In 1680, however, he was again living in Marblehead, this time in the house
with William Jerman, but before September 1681, he had moved to Ipswich, his early home. Here he
seems to have remained.

At a Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, held September 13, 1680, in the case of Leach vs Knight,
Philip Welch was one of the witnesses. He deposed "that he was about thirty-seven years of age," and

saith that some time in the latter part of this last winter corp Whipple of Ipswich,
myselfe, Robert Knight and John Elithorp being in company together, the afore faid
John Elithorp and Robert Knight falling into dispute, about the farme that is in
controversie, call kettle cove farme y then did heare the aforesayd John Elithorp say
that he the aforesayd Robert Knight had received a great delae of money, and further
the aforesayd Elithorp sayd that he was very sorry for it speaking abute the sute in
law which had formerly beene abute the aforesaid farme, then y that is thiss
deponent, sayd to John Elithorp, how durst you offer to be an atturney against this
man, speaking of Goodman Knight then present, knowing that he hath soe much
money, Elithorp sayd that he was intised soe to do along with the rest.

In connection with the estate of Robert Dorton, a countyman of Philip Welch, is the following:

humble petition of Edmund Dear, William Danford and Philip Welch to the Honored
Court now sitting in Salem. Their humble petition & request is that the Honored
Court would be pleased to take cognisance of a verbal will or guift made by Robert
Dorton which will be proved now at Court. The manner is as followeth Robert
Dorton having some estate to the value of twenty five pounds in good specias, which
he left in the hands of John Ring and ordered it so theat if he came not here within
the space of three years, then he willed the said somme with the use thereof to four
of his countrymen, namely Edward Dear, William Danford, Philip Wealch & John
Ring, and to that party of the four that was in most need at the three years end, he
was to have the biggest share. Now it is almost six years sinse. The Honored Court
is petitioned to that they would do in this case seemeth good unto them.

John Ring was the one who told the story of the kidnapping, as related earlier, and Edward Deare was
one of the witnesses to a deed of sale made by Philip Welch on July 17, 1700. The Court settled the
estate in accordance with the wishes of Robert Dorton as expressed in the petition, but demanded
security of each of the four in case said Dorton should return. The following extract will show the
manner of division:

Whereas Robert Dorton left by will 25 pounds, to several persons, John Ring,
Edward Deare, Philip Welch, and William Danford, and said Dorton having been
out of the country these four years and a half and not heard from, Court ordered that
Edward Deere have 10 pounds, and the other three 5 pounds, each, Deere to pay the
charge of settling the estate.

In March 1680, Hannah Welch testified with her husband concerning some wood brought by Robert
Bartlett's men to Welch's house for the use of William Jerman, Welch and Jerman then occupying the
same house in Marblehead. Hannah was then "aged abut twenty-five years, and Philip about thirty-six
years."

About a year later, on April 27, 1681, he appeared in court in a case in which his son was involved,
testifying that he had put son Philip to a man by the name of Ireson as his servant for one year. The suit
will be discussed more fully under Philip (2).

In March 1686, when "aged abut 44 years," he testified in an Ipswich case, Potter vs. Lummus, deposing
that in 1685 he was working with Edward Potter. In September 1691, Philip Welch, age 49 years,
testified in the case of Davison vs. Potter concerning some sheep; his son, John Welch, age about 21
years, also testified. The last record so far found which we can be sure concerns Philip (1) Welch is a
sale of land on July 17, 1700: Philip Welch of Ipswich, laborer, in consideration of a sum of money,
sold to Francis Crumpton of Ipswich, massachusetts, Innholder, forty acres of upland and swamp in
Andover; one of the bounds was three swamp oaks between Moses Haggett's and Francis Crumpton's
which Crumpton bought. The witnesses were Nathaniel Rust, Senr., Joseph Choate, and Edward
Deare. The deed was acknowledged February 3, 1701.

Philip Welch's exact age is not known. As can be gathered from the court records just quoted, he himself
was in doubt as to his birth date; in various depositions made from 1616 to 1691, he placed his year of
birth from 1640 to 1644. The master of the ship who brought him to New England and Mr. Symonds, the
master who bought him in 1654, concluded that the lad was then about eleven years old. Whether he was
really as young as that or whether the masters decided upon that age so as to allow the agreement for
those two extra years of service can never be determined.

The life of Philip Welch has been gleaned almost entirely from court records, where he apprars as a
witness many times and once or twice as a plaintiff. Apparently he was strong, given to moving from
one place to another, and followed the life of a fisherman and laborer. He was not averse to using rum
or cider occasionally, or entering a dispute now and then. His wife, Hannah (Haggett) Welch, and her
mother, Ann are also found in the court records. On one occasion when a certain man in the village was
brought into court for attempting to kiss a married woman, Hannah testified that she had had a similar
experience with him, and apparently her testimony brought abut his conviction. Both Philip and his wife
were average characters of early Colonial days.

Philip Welch (1), b about 1640 or 1642 in Ireland; m. Feb. 20, 1666, at Wenham,
Mass., Hannah, dau. of Henry and Ann (____) Haggett of Wenham. The marriage is
also recorded at Ipswich, Mass.

No record of the date of Hannah's birth has been found or of the place where she
was born. Neither is it known where or when either of them died. The last record
for Philip is either July 17, 1700, the date of a deed already mentioned, or possibly
January 12, 1713/14, a date that will be discussed later under
his son, Philip (2) Welch. No reference to Hannah has been discovered after the
birth of her youngest son, Thomas, on April 13, 1691, in Ipswich.

Children of PHILIP WELCH and HANNAH HAGGETT are:

	i.	PHILIP² WELCH, b. December 27, 1668, Ipswich, Massachusetts; d. Unknown; m. ELIZABETH CAME; b. Unknown; d. Unknown.
2.	ii.	JOHN WELCH, b. November 27, 1670, Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts; d. May 06, 1728, Norwich, Connecticut.
	iii.	DAVID WELCH, b. August 27, 1672, Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts; d. Unknown.
	iv.	THOMAS WELCH, b. July 12, 1674, Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts; d. Unknown.
	v.	SAMUEL WELCH, b. Abt. 1675, Ipswich, Massachusetts; d. October 06, 1745; m. MARY JUDKINS, Bef. 1703; b. Unknown; d. Unknown.
	vi.	HANNAH WELCH, b. Abt. 1680, Ipswich, Massachusetts; d. Unknown; m. THOMAS SCRIBNER, February 04, 1708/09, Hampton, New Hampshire; b. Unknown; d. Unknown.
	vii.	MOSES WELCH, b. November 25, 1685, Ipswich, Massachusetts; d. Bef. October 19, 1756; m. REBECCA DODD, April 13, 1706; b. Unknown; d. Unknown.
	viii.	THOMAS WELCH, b. April 13, 1691, Ipswich, Massachusetts; d. Unknown; m. ANN EDWARDS; b. Unknown; d. Unknown.

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