James Pitney (ca 1595 to 1663/4) and His Wife Sarah (ca 1599-1658) of Ipswich, Marshfield, and Boston, Mass.

James Pitney was born in England about 1595, to parents who are not yet known. He married, first, before 1620 a woman named Joane whose first name is established by her burial record. 

Joane and James had three children [baptisms recorded St. Olave, Southwark, Surrey, records on Ancestry]:

1..Rebecca, baptized 11 June 1620; no further record unless she was “The child of James Petney” buried 30 June 1625 at St Olave

2. Sarah baptized 31 Aug 1623; buried 5 Oct 1625 at St. Olave

3. James baptized 2 June 1624; buried 5 June 1624 at St. Olave

James’ wife Joane was buried at St. Olave on 2 June 1624, the same day her son James was born, so she likely died from complications of childbirth. It appears all three children died very young. James experienced such unimaginable tragedy, but went on to marry again.

Note that St. Olave was demolished in 1926. 

St. Olave's by Benjamin Cole 1756 (source: wikipedia)

James married, second, Sarah Smith at St. Mary’s Church, Rotherhithe, on 27 Dec 1624. [London Metropolitan Archives, London Church of England Parish Registers, available on Ancestry] Sarah may be the Saray Smith who was baptized St. Mary’s on 25 November 1599. They are my 9th great-grandparents on my grandfather Arthur Washburn Ellis Davis’ side of the family. There is a good deal of conflicting information on James Pitney in print; this sketch is a work in progress.

St. Mary's Rotherhithe

Often the women of Sarah’s time are invisible when it comes to records, but in the case of this couple it is Sarah’s migration that is recorded. Sara Pitnei age 22, Sara Pitnei age 7 child of Sara, Samuel Pitney age 1 1/2 child of Sara, Margaret Pitney age 22, and Rachel Deane age 31 were enrolled at London on the ship Planter on 11 April 1635. It arrived Boston 7 June 1635. Perhaps Margaret was James’ sister; Rachel Deane was a widow who settled Marshfield but her connection to the Pitney family is unknown. It seems Sarah’s age is an error as she would have been married at age 11!

Perhaps James had likely arrived before his family to get settled and then sent for them. He was at Ipswich in Essex County on the North Shore by 1639. A 25 April 1639 deed between William Bartholomew and John Webster for land on the north side of Ipswich mentions it is bounded by that of James Pitney. [Essex Antiquarian, 8:2 (1904)] On 26 March 1640 he and another man were hired “to keep a herd of swine” at Castle Neck and Hogg Island in Ipswich for payment of 40 pounds. [Ipswich Town Records]

By 1643, James removed to Plymouth Colony on the South Shore where he is found, as James Pittney, in the Marshfield section of the 1643 Plymouth Colony list of men able to bear arms. [PCR 8:196] On 5 March 1643/4 “James Pitney” was propounded for Plymouth Colony freemanship. [PCR 2:69]

On 24 January 1643 James Pittnie was taxed 1 pound by the Town of Marshfield; he was 9th on the list which is ordered by total amount paid. 

James appears to have limited education as he signed documents with his mark. He was a feltmaker by trade, which is mentioned in St .Olave baptism records for some of his children and in a 1659 Marshfield deed. 

Twice he was admonished or fined for not attending Marshfield Town Meeting: 16 February 1645/6 and 19 August 1645. [MD 62:33-34; 62:139] He is not found in any records as serving in  civic offices, but he was associated with some prominent families including Winslow, Bradford and Bourne. 

At 16 February 1645[/6] Taken by default for not appearing: Arthur Howland, John Gorham, James Pittnie, Luke Lilly, Anthony Father’s, Richard Beare, William Randall. 

On 29 March 1642, John West sued James Pitney and James Howe; Daniel Hovey also sued James Pitney and James Howe [Records of the Essex Quarterly Court 1:141]. No details of the suits given.

At Marshfield he had several tracts of land granted him. [62:2:141-2] One tract of land was at Mt. Skirgo, which later sold on 24 November 1659. James Pitny of Boston, late of Marshfield, felt maker, deeded his land at Mount Skergo to John Adamas and Samuel Baker for 15 pounds. [MD 62:133] On 5 September 1663 John Adams sold his share of the land to Samuel Baker for 20 pounds, so apparently James had given them a deal! Some of James’ Mount Skirgo land is part of what became the Ellis Nature Sanctuary. James received another tract of land at Green Harbor that he later sold to James Lindall. 

Ellis Nature Sanctuary (source nsrwa.org)

James appears regularly in Marshfield records from 1644 to 1649 and likely remained there through 1651 when he and his wife Sarah are mentioned in records. Robert Waterman of Marshfield was presented for “offering an attempt of boddyly uncleanes to Sara Pittney, of the aforesaid towne.”William Thomas of Marshfield wrote his will 9 July 1651 and left a bequest to James Pitney: “I give unto James Pittney two Bushels of wheate.” [The Mayflower Descendant, “Plymouth Colony Wills and Inventories,” 10:163 (1908)]

On 26 July 1652 “James Pitney is admitted a townsman [of Boston] Theoder Adtkinson doth bind himself in twenty pounds sterling, to be paid unto the town’s treasurer, on condition for to secure the town harmless from all charge that shall come by the said James Pitney or any of his family.” [Second report of the Record Commissioners of the City of Boston, p. 111]

Children of Sarah and James Pitney:

1. Probably “The child of James Petney, ” unnamed, who was buried 30 June 1625 at St. Olave; could be his daughter Rebecca from first marriage or a premature child from his second marriage who died at or shortly after birth
2. Sarah Pitney baptized St. Olave, Southwark, Surrey, on 11 Feb 1626/7 (aged 7 on 11 April 1635 [Hotten 56]); m Marshfield 21 Dec 1648 John Thomas [MD 2:110; MarVR 5; NEHGR 101:72-73]
3. Possibly James who was buried 10 Oct 1628 at All Saints, Edmonton, Enfield, Middlesex
4. Samuel Pitney born England about 1633 (age 1 1/2 on 11 April 1635 [Hotten 56]); sailed for New England with mother and sister in 1635; no further record
5. John Pitney born say 1636 probably Ipswich; died Boston 17 Oct 1652 “son of Francis and Sarah Pitney” [BVR 37]; no Francis Pitney is found in early New England and James and Sarah Pitney were living in Boston in 1652 so seems he is their son
6. James Pitney, b say 1638 probably at Ipswich; on 26 April 1655 Roger Williams wrote from Providence to John Winthrop Jr that “a hue and cry came to my hand lately from the Governor of Boston, after 2 youths one run from Capt. Oliver whom I lighted on and have returned, another from James Bill of Boston who I hear passed through our town and said he was bound for Pequ[o]t [New London]. His name is James Pitnie he hath on a blackish coat and hat and a pair of greenish breeches and green knit stockings” [RW Corr 440]; named in father’s will of 14 March 1663[/4]; James was an indentured servant to James Beele of Pulling Point, Boston so perhaps he had run off; no further record
7. Abigail Pitney, b say 1640 possibly at Ipswich, named in father’s 14 March 1663[/4] will as “my daughter Abigail,” no surname given; no further record

I descend from their daughter Sarah.

Chase Ashley wrote that the plague hit London in 1625 with Southwark hit particularly hard. It is likely that James’ daughter Sarah, who died in October 1625 and other child who died that year, were among its victims. The plague may have caused him to move his family sometime in 1627-8 from Southwark to the more rural and less plague-impacted village of Edmonton.

No further record of James or his family has been found from the burial of son James at All Saints in October 1628 until the 1635 embarcation certificate. It is possible they moved back to Southwark after the danger of the plague had passed. If so absence of further records such as a baptismal record for son Samuel, would be explained by the fact that St. Olave register records do not exist for the years of 1628-1638. 

Notes from the 27 September 1643 Marshfield Town Meeting provide information on what it is was like to live in town during a time tension with Native Americans. “…whereas it is probable that eminent danger to the whole body of the English in this land, it is ordered that four watches be maintained within the township—one at the house of Mr. Edward Winslow and he himself have charge of it and the other at the house of Mr. William Thomas and that Lt. Nathaniel Thomas have charge of it. A third at the house of Mr. Thomas Burne & Josiah Winslow to have charge of it and fourth at the house of Robert Barker and William Brookes to have charge of it. That Robert Carver, John Rowse, Edw Bumpas, Edward Winslow family, John Thomas & family be of the guard under the Command of Mr Edward Winslow. That James Pitney, Mr. Thomas family & Mr Bulkleys be under Lt. Thomas. That Mr. Burne & his family Robert Water[man] [John] Burne Roger Cooke John Russel Luke [Lilly] 

Kanelm Winslow & James Adams be under command of Josiah Winslow.
That Gilbert Brockes Nathaniel Briant [Robert] Barker William Barker John Barker 

Howell & Edw Broun Will. Halloway & fam be under the command of William Brookes

That a guard of two at least be maintained out of them. That be maintained all the day at the place of the guard. That for as much as the township consists of —- persons at present that therefore so long as the danger is like to continue viz 14 days at least every man lodge in his clothes with arms ready by his bedside that so he may be ready to give assistance according to need.

That in case any cannot come [page damaged]…of him in case any alarm be given by night from any other township that then every guard discharge only one piece but if an alarm arise in our own township then by two at least. And that then every person repair to his quarter or place of guard & half the strength of these guard make good the quarter & the other got to relieve that other quarter that is in danger.

That this watch begin this present night being the 27th of this present month and continue at least 14 days & further if occasion serve.

On the Sabbath days these guards be continued & that the rest of those that are liable to bear arms bring them to the place of worship and in case any remove form thence to take their arms with them.” [MD, 29:29-31] 

James’ son John died în Boston 17 October 1652. [Report of the Record Commissioners containing Boston Births, Baptisms, Marriages, and Deaths, 1630-1699, p 66] Son James became a servant to James Beele of Pulling Point, Boston. 

Sarah Pitney, the wife of James Pitney, died at Boston on 14 August 1658. [Boston City Document No 130, page 66] She was about age 59. An account payable by “Mr Pitney” included in the estate of Dr. Comfort Starr suggests that James had sought medical treatment for his wife before she died. [Hosea Starr Ballau, Early Starrs in Kent & New England, 1944, page 112]

The last record of James in Boston is the record of the death of his wife Sarah in August 1658. An account payable by “Mr Pitney” included in the estate of Dr. Comfort Starr, who died in January 1659/60 suggests that James had sought medical treatment for his wife before she died. [Hosea Starr Ballau, “Early Starrs in Kent & New England,” 1944, page 112.] James came back to Marshfield by 1663, possibly to live with his daughter Sarah Thomas at Green Harbor. 

James died between 14 March 1663/4 (when he wrote his will) and 21 March 1663/4 (date of inventory).

In his will, dated 14 March 1663[/4] and proved 8 June 1664, “James Pitney aged eighty years or thereabouts” bequeathed to “my son John Thomas Sr….my oxe…[and] my horse colt”; to “my son James Pitney…twenty shillings which my son John Thomas shall pay him;” to “my daughter Abigail two cows;” to “my daughter Sarah one cow..all my bedding and clothes;” to “my daughter Sarah’s children my two calves and one yearling;” “my loving daughter Sarah Thomas” to be executrix. “Mr John Bradford to be my overseer.” He signed his will with his mark.Witnesses were John Bradford and John Bourne.  [PCPR 2:2:21; MD 16:25-26].

Note that the age of 80 years given would make him born about 1583 which seems much too early so it is likely an error. It seems fairly common during this time period for ages to be exaggerated. His will does not state where he was living, but probably in Marshfield as that is where John Bradford  and John Bourne lived. 

The inventory of James Pitney was taken by John Bradford and John Bourne on 21 March 1663/4. No real estate mentioned. It totaled 31 pounds 9 shillings, and included 2 cows, an ox, a heifer, two calls, a few items of furniture, clothing and various household items.The estate was indebted to Goodman Wharton, Nathaniel Winslow, and Mr. Hugh Williams. James must have had a substantial tobacco habit as he owed four shillings to Goodman Wharton for four pounds of tobacco and five shillings to Nathaniel Winslow for tobacco.[PCPR 2:2:21] 

“Sarah the wife of John Thomas made oath to this Inventory May the 24th 1664 Before mee Josias Winslow Assistant.”

Sources Not Included Above:

Marcia A Thomas, Memorials of Marshfield, 1854

Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Begins, V: 472-474 (2007)

The Great Migration Newsletter, 16:6

Jeremy D. Bangs, The Mayflower Descendant, “The Seventeenth Century Town Records of Marshfield,” 61:122, 62:33-34, 62:133, 62:139, 63:18 

Justin Winsor (communicated by), NEHGS Register, “Abstracts of the Earliest Wills in the Probate Office, Plymouth,” 6:185

Chase W. Ashley, NEHGS Register, “The English Origin of James Pitney of Ipswich, Marshfield, and Boston, and His Wife Sarah,” vol 177, no 2, pg. 36-140 (Spring 2023)