Joseph Kent, I - Joseph Kent born 1636-7 in Taunton, MA

I’ve learned some things from working on the project, https://www.geni.com/projects/Settlers-at-Weymouth-Massachusetts-Ba...

Most relevant: the Gorges ship bringing settlers to Weymouth arrived in September 1623. Records were probably kept of the settlement by Rev. William Blackstone but were mostly lost in King Philip’s War (1676). However there is a record of Stephen Harding, Sr. - and he was born at Denbury in Devon, according to Banks:

https://www.geni.com/documents/view?doc_id=6000000092580488053&

That makes the Northampton a bit iffy, and the John b 1620 iffy as well. Stephen’s father came with wife and one infant son.

There very well might have been a relationship with Sir Ferdinando Gorges family, which was the Devon Branch. Robert Gorges brought “kinsmen, mechanics, Farmers, and Church of England ministers” (much to the horror of the Plimoth Colony).

https://www.geni.com/documents/view?doc_id=6000000092579408900&

But this Harding family (of Devon & perhaps Northamptonshire) was “not” the Harding family of Surrey associated with “a different” branch of the Gorges family.

Here’s Mary Harding, Lady Gorges

Yes I saw both Denbury and Northhampton, even for a single person, and it didn't entirely make sense.

I'm so glad you started the Weymouth project. I read the background of the settlement when I was looking for information on those families (Harding et al) and found it fascinating.

Isn’t it great? Also to find Fay Baldwin comments (I still miss her).

What I gather is that the 2nd settlement at Weymouth was “not” abandoned as entirely as “history” makes it sound.

And that one time Anglican minister living “alone” in Shawmut ... fabulous.

Good evening ladies! I came across your discussion referencing Susannah George while researching the Austin/widow George mystery (Kent Family, 116 and Fulton-Hayden-Warner ancestry, 452). I thought I should throw two things I found into the mix for further examination:

1 - Fulton-Hayden-Warner, which references the Kent Family, says that Susannah wasn't a widow, but the daughter of Jonas Austin, who immigrated to Cambridge in 1634. However, Jonas Austin's "Great Migration" entry does not list a daughter named Susannah.

2 - According to NEHGR 63:360, 69:27-8 and 86:325, Mary Rowning immigrated to Braintree about 1640 with her first husband (Simon Ray) and their two children. Simon Ray died in 1641. Mary then remarried to Peter George. Their eldest child, Susan, was born in Feb 1642/3; it is this child who married Joseph Kent.

While the NEHGR articles don't list source materials - that I've spotted, but the fine print is REALLY fine at this point - I'm more inclined to keep Susan(nah), wife of Joseph Kent, as the daughter of Peter George and Mary Rowning. However, as always with things of that time period, I'm more than willing to be convinced otherwise!

Please let me know what you think and keep up the good work!

Respectfully,
Ken S.

Richard Kent has a son named John Kent Jr. who was born 1645 and married Sarah Woodman. Another John Kent arrived in Dedham from England on 15 Apr 1635 who was married to Hannah Grizwold. Therefore, these are not the same persons. John Kent Jr born 1645 is the correct son of Richard. Immigrant John Kent has unknown parents.