Rev. Robert Peck

Rev. Robert Peck

• Born about 1580 in Beccles, Suffolk, England
• Died about 1656 at about age 76 in Hingham, Norfolk, England
• Son of Robert Peck Jr. and Helen (Babbs) Peck
• Husband of Ann Lawrence — married 21 May 1603 in Hingham, Norfolk, England
• Husband of Martha Woodward — married after 1649 in England

Children of Robert Peck and his 1st wife Ann:

1. Robert Peck who predeceased his father[5] and m. Joan Robinson; whose sons John and Benjamin are mentioned in Robert Peck's will.[2]
2. Thomas Peck who m. Abigail, daughter of John Rogers of Dedham, Essex, England.[5] m. (2) Rebecca Caley of Waldingfield. m. (3) Mary (Sothebie) Hale. He was co-executor of father's will.[2]
3. Joseph Peck who was bp. April 22, 1620. He migrated to New England then went back with his parents.[5] Robert Peck's will indicates Joseph is to be maintained by sons Thomas and Samuel.[2]
4. Benjamin Peck bp. September 1611; died young.[2]
5. Samuel Peck[5] was bp March 14, 1612/13; a physician of Chelmsford, Essex. m. Elizabeth Mildmay, daughter of Sir Wm & Anne (Josselyn) Mildmay. He was Co-executor of father's will.[2]
6. Nathaniel Peck was bp. 13 September 1614; emigrated to Hingham, Massachusetts 1635; moved to Barbados or St. Christophers by November 1648; predeceased his father. (See discussion and sources in Nathaniel's profile.)
7. Daniel Peck bp. 1 March 1615/16; buried at Hingham on June 8, 1616.[2]
8. Anne Peck bp 18 Novem 1619; mberigrated with her parents and stayed in New England. She died early in 1672. m. Hingham, Massachusetts Bay in July 1639 as 2nd wife of Capt. John Mason of Windsor and Saybrook, Conn. Mason b by about 1605 and d. Norwich, Conn., between 9 May 1672 and 6 June 1672.[5][2]

Robert Peck and Ann Lawrence were not the parents of the brothers, Joseph Peck, Deacon William Peck and Henry Peck, who are believed to have immigrated on the ship, HECTOR, arriving in 1636.

Robert Peck was born in Suffolk, England. He emigrated to Hingham, Massachusetts before returning to England where he passed away.

Biography

REV. ROBERT PECK.

Rev. Robert Peck, the brother of Joseph the ancestor, was born at Beccles, Suffolk County, England, in 1580. He was graduated at Magdalen College, Cambridge ; the degree of A. B. was conferred upon him in 1599, and that of A. M., in 1603. He was set apart to the ministry, and inducted over the church at Hingham, Norfolk County, England, January 8, 1605, where he remained until 1638, when he fled from the persecutions of the church to this country.

He was a talented and influential clergyman, a zealous preacher, and a nonconformist to the superstitious ceremonies and corruptions of the church, for which he was persecuted and driven from the country. Brooks, in his lives of the puritans, gives many facts of interest in relation to him. In particularizing some of the offences for which he and his followers were persecuted, he says," for having catechised his family, and sung a psalm in his own house on a Lord's day evening, when some of his neighbors attended, his lordship (BishopHarsnet) enjoined all who were present todo penance, requiring them to say, I confess my errors, etc.

Those who refused were immediately excommunicated, and required to pay heavy costs. This, Mr. Brooks says, appears from the bishop's manuscripts under his own hands. He says, " he was driven from his flock, deprived of his benefice, and forced to seek his bread in a foreign land."

Cotton Mather in speaking of him says, he was by the good providence of heaven fetched away into New England about the year 1638, when the good people of Hingham did rejoice in the light for a season ; but within two or three years, the invitation of his friends of Hingham, England, pursuaded him to return to them, where being though great in person for stature, yet greater for spirit, he was greatly serviceable for the good of the church.

He arrived here in 1638. In relation to his arrival, the town clerk at Hingham here says : " Mr. Robert Peck, preacher of the gospel in the Town of Hingham, in the County of Norfolk, old England, with his wife and two children, and two servants, came over the sea and settled in this town of Hingham, and he was a Teacher of the Church." Mr. Hobart, of Hingham, says in his diary, that he was ordained here teacher of the church, November 28,1638. HÍ3 name frequently appears upon the records of the town. He had lands granted him.

His family as seen upon the chart consisted of nine children. His son Joseph and daughter Anne came over with him. He was twice married. His first wife Anne, died at Hingham, England, and was buried there August 30, 1648. His second wife was Mrs. Martha Bacon, widow of James Bacon, Rector of Burgate.

He remained here until the long Parliament, or until the persecutions in England ceased, when he returned and resumed his Rectorship at Hiugham.

Mr. Hobart says he returned October 27, 1641 ; and Mr. Gushing, the town clerk, says his wife and son Joseph returned with him; his daughter Anne remaining here. She married Captain. John Mason, " the conqueror of the Pequots." *

He died at Hingham, England, and was buried in his churchyard there. His funeral sermon was preached by Nathaniel Joslin and published, t

His church (St. Andrews) at Hingham was a noble structure with a lofty tower, containing eight musical bells.

The following is a copy of his will :

July the xxiiij"1 1651

I Robert Pecke Minister of the word of God at Hingham in the countye of Norff beinge in boililye health and perfect memory know- inge the unceartainety of mans life, doe dispose of that worldly estate God hath given me in manner and form followinge

Imprimus I give and bequeath unto Thomas my Sonne and Samuel my Sonne and their heirs forever All that my messuage wherein I now dwell situate and lyenge in Hingham a forsaid with all the edifices yards and orchards thereunto belonginge As alsoe the Inclose

• Her children were, Priscilla, Samuel, John, Rachel, Ann, Daniel and Elizabeth. Samuel married for his second wife his second cousin Elizabeth Peck, daughter of Joseph Peck, of Kehoboth, Mass.

t In Bloomlleld's History of Norfolk Is au allusion to Robert Peck, evidently prejudiced, and as incorrect in other respects as it Is in its dates.

and Barnes adioyninge As olso one Inclose now devided called The Lady close conteyninge about eight acres be it more or less As olso one pightell at the end thereof conteyninge twoe acres and d,d uppon condicons followinge, and for the paiement of such legacies as are herein expressed

First I will and bequeath unto Robert Pecke sonne of my sonne Robert deceased the sume of 20£ at his age of 23 years

Item I give unto John Pecke sonne of the said Robert deceased 10U To be paid to him at his age of 22 years

Item I give unto Beniamin Pecke the youngest sonne of the said Robert deceased at his age of 22 years 20U

Item I give to the children of Anne Mason my daughter wife of captain John Mason of Seabrooke on the river Connecticut in new England the sume of Forty pounds to be devided equally unto them and to be sent to my sonne John Mason to dispose of it for their use within 2 years after my death

Item I give to my sonne Joseph Dureinge his natural life the sume of 14'* yearlie to be in the hands of my Sonnes Thomas and Samuel as it shall arise out of my houses lands and chatties for his maintenance with necessarie foode and apparrell duringe the terme of his naturall life And I doe wholie comitt my said Sonne Joseph to the care of my twoe sonnes Thomas and Samuell to provide for him in such a way as he may not want things necessary for his livelyhood

Item I give to the children of Thomas and Samuell my sonnes which shall be liveinge at my decease the sume of Five pounds apiece at their severall ages of 21 years

Item I give to my now wife Martha Pecke 401§ To be paid wthin twoe months after my decease Item I give to the poorè of Hing- hain 5U To be destrubted at the discrecon of my Executors Thomas Pecke and Samuel Pecke whome I do ordeyne and make Executors of this my last will and Testament confiding that they will faithfully fulfill and performe this my last will according to my trust reposed in them

All my other goods cattells debts moneys household stufie or whatsoever ells belongeth unto me I give and bequeath to my said Executors toards payeinge of my legacies alrerdy bequeathed and towards the bringinge of my body to buriall which I desire if I depart this life in Hingham may be entered in the church yard near unto Anne my wife deceased

In witness whereof I have written this my last will and testament with my own hand the day and yeare above written

This will was proved at London before the judges for probate of Wills and granting of Administrations the tenth day of April in the year of our Lord God One thousand six hundred fiftye and eight

Note:

Name Prefix: Reverand

Lineage .

Robert received a BA from St. Catharine's College, Cambridge University in 1598-99, and his Master degree from Magdalene College, Cambrige University in 1603. He was ordained a Deacon and Priest atNorwich, England 24 Feb 1604/05. He became the curate at Oulton parish, co. Norfolk, and was rector (reverend in charge) of the Parish of St. Andrews Church in Hingham, Norfolk Co, Eng from 1605 to 1636, and again from 1646 to 1656.

He was a zealous Puritan whose views often got him in trouble with the Bishops of Norwich. These views had influenced many of parishioners to immigrate to New England, where they helped found the town of Hingham, MA. In 1636, the Bishops had him excommunicated for non-conformity, forcing him to immigrate in 1638. Hesailed from Ipswich, England aboard the "Diligent" with his children Joseph and Anne from his first marraige, his second wife Martha, and 2 servants; arriving in Boston on 10 Aug 1638. His brother Joseph and his family sailed with them.They soon joined his old parishioners in Hingham, where he was ordained a teacher of the church on 28 Nov 1638, and admitted as a freeman on 13 Mar 1639.

Here turned to England on 27 Oct 1641, with his wife, son Joseph, and a maid. After Parliament won it's long struggle with the King, he was reinstated as the rector of his former parish in Hingham, England in 1646, and served in that capacity until his death in 1656. His daughter Anne had remained in America, where she married Captain John Mason, a commander in the Pequot War and distinguished for his public service in Connecticut.

Robert's will left most of his estate to his sons Thomas and Samuel and legacies to his deceased son Robert's children and to the children of his daughter Ann Lawrence Mason. He left money for the yearly maintenance of his son Joseph, indicating he was in poor health, and to his second wife Martha. Sons Henry, Nathaniel, Daniel and Benjamin were not named in his will; perhaps died abt 1651.

Note: Arms permitted for any proven descendant - "Silver a chevron engrailed gules, on the chevron three crosses patty silver".

Text: vol.106, p.259

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beccles
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hingham,_Norfolk
• http://venn.lib.cam.ac.uk/cgi-bin/search.pl?sur=&suro=c&fir=&firo=c...

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Robert Peck 25 became vicar of Hingham 7th Jan 1605. His Puritan ideas influenced parishioners for 33 yrs - much against the more catholic views of the established church - caused friction. Residents left for America - 1633 several families left for America from Gt Yarmouth in the 'Elizabethan Bonaventure' - settled Bare Cove, renamed Hingham, MA - then joined by a second part from home town in Norfolk. Robt was in trouble with superiors 1636 - some of his flock objecting to RC influence broke into church and caused destruction - Robt held responsible- also his holding of prayer meetings in private houses was against church law so he was called before a consistory court in Norwich and charged with "contumacious disobedience to the orders and ceremonies of the church". He refused to subscribe to the 'new articles ' and was excommunicated- his living sequestered. 18 months later (1638) Robert and Family sailed for America in the 'Diligent' of Ipswich (master John Martin - left in June and arrived Boston 10th August with about 100 passengers) and joined settlement of Hingham - many important residents went with him (Buck, Chamberlain, Cooper, Cushing, Foulsham, Gates, James , J Peck , Ripley and Tufts) . Joseph Peck = (Robert's brother founded a huge family of Pecks in America) - with second wife and four children (Joseph, Nicholas, Simon, and Rebecca) plus two men servants and three maid servants. Robt took his wife Anne (nee Lawrence) their children including -Joseph and Robert and/or Thomas and Ann) and two servants. Robt became teacher at the church and assisted its first minister , Peter Hobart. Back in Hingham Norfolk, parishioners (now puritan) petitioned for his return. He left America in 1641 and resumed as rector in Hingham in 1645 and died 1656. (Burial Register stops at 1652 and so no record of this??) This information is from "The Heyday of Their Strength" by M.E. Lonsdale and also Edmund Perry of the Norwich Historical Society. The stone at right likely belongs to Robert Peck but is not absolutely certain. Note: 8th great grand uncle to D Peck below

• Updated from Find A Grave Memorial via brother Joseph Peck by SmartCopy: Mar 11 2015, 3:14:50 UTC
• https://archive.org/stream/genealogicalhist00peck#page/n63/mode/2up. pg 25 A genealogical history of the descendants of Joseph Peck, published 1868, available through Google Books (free) at: http://books.google.com/books?id=u1_YBp_mnkMC&dq=seaconk+gillman+pe... This includes the text of Rev. Peck's will.

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https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58734306/robert_peck

Rev Robert Peck III
BIRTH
1580
Beccles, Waveney District, Suffolk, England
DEATH
30 Aug 1656 (aged 75–76)
Hingham, South Norfolk District, Norfolk, England
BURIAL
St. Andrew's Churchyard
Hingham, South Norfolk District, Norfolk, England
MEMORIAL ID
58734306 · View Source
MEMORIAL
PHOTOS 6
FLOWERS 50
Robert Peck 25 became vicar of Hingham 7th Jan 1605. His Puritan ideas influenced parishioners for 33 yrs - much against the more catholic views of the established church - caused friction. Residents left for America - 1633 several families left for America from Gt Yarmouth in the 'Elizabethan Bonaventure' - settled Bare Cove, renamed Hingham, MA - then joined by a second part from home town in Norfolk. Robt was in trouble with superiors 1636 - some of his flock objecting to RC influence broke into church and caused destruction - Robt held responsible- also his holding of prayer meetings in private houses was against church law so he was called before a consistory court in Norwich and charged with "contumacious disobedience to the orders and ceremonies of the church". He refused to subscribe to the 'new articles ' and was excommunicated- his living sequestered. 18 months later (1638) Robert and Family sailed for America in the 'Diligent' of Ipswich (master John Martin - left in June and arrived Boston 10th August with about 100 passengers) and joined settlement of Hingham - many important residents went with him (Buck, Chamberlain, Cooper, Cushing, Foulsham, Gates, James , J Peck , Ripley and Tufts) . Joseph Peck = (Robert's brother founded a huge family of Pecks in America) - with second wife and four children (Joseph, Nicholas, Samuel, and Rebecca) plus two men servants and three maid servants. Robt took his wife Anne (nee Lawrence) their children including -Joseph and Robert and/or Thomas and Ann) and two servants. Robt became teacher at the church and assisted its first minister , Peter Hobart. Back in Hingham Norfolk, parishioners (now puritan) petitioned for his return. He left America in 1641 and resumed as rector in Hingham in 1645 and died 1656. (Burial Register stops at 1652 and so no record of this??) This information is from "The Heyday of Their Strength" by M.E. Lonsdale and also Edmund Perry of the Norwich Historical Society.
The stone at left likely belongs to Robert Peck but is not absolutely certain. In his 1651 will, he requested to be buried in the Hingham churchyard near his first wife Ann.
Gravesite Details
8th great grand uncle to D Peck below

Family Members
Parents

Robert Peck Jr
1546–1593

Helen Babbs Peck
1546–1614

Spouse

Anne Lawrence Peck
1582–1648 (m. 1604)

Siblings

Joseph Peck
1587–1663

Children

This list has errors

Robert Peck Jr
1607–1648

Rev Thomas Peck
1608–1668

Joseph Peck
1610–1701 NO

Dr Samuel Peck
1613–1672

Daniel Peck
1616–1616

Henry Peck
1618–1651 NO

Ann Peck Mason
1619–1672

References

1. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58734306/robert_peck
2. WikiTree contributors, "Robert Peck (abt.1580-abt.1656)," WikiTree: The Free Family Tree, (https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Peck-79 : accessed 09 October 2024).