William Havens, of Portsmouth

Name Meaning
Havens
William

English: variant of Haven, with post-medieval excrescent -s.

William was a Quaker

William Havens
Male
about 1613–before 25 September 1683

•

Brief Life History of William
William-1 Havens of Portsmouth, Rhode Island: Quaker and End-of-Line Ancestor

• Do not expect to find records of Quakers and other Nonconformists in Church of England Parish registers.

The origins of William Havens of Portsmouth, Rhode Island are unknown (Robert Charles Anderson, FASG [Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists], The Great Migration Directory: Immigrants to New England, 1620–1640; a Concise Compendium [Boston: New England Historical and Genealogical Society, 2015], 155).

The publications of The Great Migration Study Project provide important additions and corrections to anything published prior:

https://www.americanancestors.org/publications/great-migration-stud...

Members

Spouse

William Havens
Male
1613–1683

•

Male

Dionis
Female
1618–1692

•

Female

Marriage
24 January 1639
Rhode Island, British Colonial America
Children (12)

Thomas Havens
Male
1639–1704

•

Male

Sarah Havens
Female
1645–1718

•

Female

Robert Havens
Male
1652–1712

•

Male

George Havens
Male
1653–1706

•

Male

Mary Havens
Female
1656–1754

•

Female

Ruth Havens
Female
1658–1702

•

Female

Dinah Havens
Female
1659–1698

•

Female

Elizabeth Havens
Female
1661–1709

•

Female

William Havens
Male
1663–1683

•

Male

Martha Havens
Female
1665–Deceased

•

Female

Rebecca Havens
Female
1667–1747

•

Female

Margaret Havens
Female
1669–1747

•

Female

======

This profile is full of geographical and chronological inconsistencies. First, was William married in England before coming to America? It would appear so, as his older 2 to 4 children seem to have been born at an earlier age based on their own children's birth dates. Second, if he was married in England, was that wife Mary Sarah Brown, as often claimed? Third, was William from the country of Wales, as first reported, the village of Wales England, as later claimed, or from Yorkshire as some have said? Fourth, who were William's parents? If anyone can provide proof of the answers to these questions, we'll all be grateful. Meanwhile, let's merge the obvious duplicate records, so everyone is working off one discreet record that can document what we actually know of William and his family.

WILLIAM HAVEN’S WILL

         “The Last will and Testament of William Havens Sen. Now Living in the Town of Portsmouth on Road Island in the Colony of Road Island and Providence Plantations is as followeth. 

To all people whom these presents may Concern. Know yee that I William Havens through the mercy of God, Being perfect in mind and memory but not well in Body, for the preventing future Trouble amongst my Children make this my Last Will and Testament as followeth.

I do will and bequeath unto my Loving Wife Dennis Havens my now Dwelling house and Land and fencing, Orchard and out houses with all appurtenances and privileges thereunto belonging. I also give unto my Wife all my movables within dores and without. My will is to give unto my son John Havens one shilling in silver, and unto my daughter Sarah Tiler one shilling in silver, and unto my son Thomas Havens one shilling in silver, and unto my son Robert Havens one shilling in sliver, and unto my daughter Mary Cooke one shilling in sliver, and unto my Daughter Ruth Carde one shilling in silver and unto my Daughter Dinah Havens one shilling in silver and unto my Daughter Elizabeth Havens one shilling in silver and unto my son William Havens one shilling in silver, and unto my Daughter Rebekah Havens one shilling in silver, and unto my Daughter Margaret Havens one shilling in silver, to be payd within twelve months after my decease if Demanded by either of them and unto the younger when they come to full age according to law.
Also my will is that my Wife take care and see this my Last will and Testament performed and she, I doe ordain, Constitute and make my whole and sole Executrix to see this my Will in all things performed and fulfilled according to the true intent and meaning of the same, In witness Whereof I have hereunto Set my Hand and Seal this Thirtieth day of the first month Called march in the year of our Lord God one Thousand six hundred and Eighty.”

In the presence of William Havens his mark
William Burlington His mark

John Anthony William Burlington and John Anthony witnesses Testifyeth that they saw the above said William Havens sign and seal the above written and heard him Declare it to be his Last will and Testament and that then he was of a Disposing mind to the best of their understanding.

Taken before us this 25th of September 1683.

John Albro Asst.
George Lawton Assistant
MORE
Spouse and Children

William Havens
Male
1613–1683

•

Male

Dionis
Female
1618–1692

•

Female

Marriage
24 January 1639
Rhode Island, British Colonial America
Children (12)

Thomas Havens
Male
1639–1704

•

Male

Sarah Havens
Female
1645–1718

•

Female

Robert Havens
Male
1652–1712

•

Male

George Havens
Male
1653–1706

•

Male

Mary Havens
Female
1656–1754

•

Female

+7 More Children
VIEW ALL
Story Highlight
Religion
William settled in Portsmouth and lived among people associated with the Antinomian Controversy for the rest of his life. He chose to stay in Portsmouth where there was no meeting house because the p …
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Photos and Memories (9)

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Sources (17)
U.S., New England Marriages Prior to 1700
Albion's Seed: Four British Folkways in America by Daniel Hackett Fischer
U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
VIEW ALL
Name Meaning

Havens

William
English: variant of Haven , with post-medieval excrescent -s.
Welsh: variant of Evans .
Dictionary of American Family Names © Patrick Hanks 2003, 2006.
Possible Related Names
Heavens
Haven
Havins
Activities

Heritage
Learn about William's homeland.

Traditional Dress
Put your face in a costume from William's homelands.
Family Time Line

Spouse and Children

Parents and Siblings
1590
1620
1650
1680
1710
1740
1770
1800
William Havens

1613–1683
Dionis

1618–1692
Marriage: 24 January 1639
Thomas Havens

1639–1704
Sarah Havens

1645–1718
Dinah Havens

1659–1698
Robert Havens

1652–1712
George Havens

1653–1706
Mary Havens

1656–1754
Ruth Havens

1658–1702
Elizabeth Havens

1661–1709
William Havens

1663–1683
Martha Havens

1665–Deceased
Rebecca Havens

1667–1747
Margaret Havens

1669–1747
World Events (3)
1620 · The Pilgrims Board the Mayflower
Age 8
"The Pilgrims boarded the Mayflower in search of religious freedom in the New World in September 1620. The Mayflower set sail from Plymouth, England, with 102 passengers, 40 of whom called themselves ""Saints."" After two stormy months at sea, the ship reached the New World. Nearly half of the group died during their first winter due to malnutrition and the harsh New England winter."
1636 · Providence Founded
Age 24
In 1636 Providence is founded as a settlement for Rhode Island by Roger Williams
1638 · First Baptist Church
Age 26
Roger Williams establishes the First Baptist Church of Rhode Island in Providence during 1638.
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Brief Life History of William

William-1 Havens of Portsmouth, Rhode Island: Quaker and End-of-Line Ancestor

• Do not expect to find records of Quakers and other Nonconformists in Church of England Parish registers.

The origins of William Havens of Portsmouth, Rhode Island are unknown (Robert Charles Anderson, FASG [Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists], The Great Migration Directory: Immigrants to New England, 1620–1640; a Concise Compendium [Boston: New England Historical and Genealogical Society, 2015], 155).

The publications of The Great Migration Study Project provide important additions and corrections to anything published prior:

https://www.americanancestors.org/publications/great-migration-stud...

This profile is full of geographical and chronological inconsistencies. First, was William married in England before coming to America? It would appear so, as his older 2 to 4 children seem to have been born at an earlier age based on their own children's birth dates. Second, if he was married in England, was that wife Mary Sarah Brown, as often claimed? Third, was William from the country of Wales, as first reported, the village of Wales England, as later claimed, or from Yorkshire as some have said? Fourth, who were William's parents? If anyone can provide proof of the answers to these questions, we'll all be grateful. Meanwhile, let's merge the obvious duplicate records, so everyone is working off one discreet record that can document what we actually know of William and his family.

WILLIAM HAVEN’S WILL

         “The Last will and Testament of William Havens Sen. Now Living in the Town of Portsmouth on Road Island in the Colony of Road Island and Providence Plantations is as followeth. 

To all people whom these presents may Concern. Know yee that I William Havens through the mercy of God, Being perfect in mind and memory but not well in Body, for the preventing future Trouble amongst my Children make this my Last Will and Testament as followeth.

I do will and bequeath unto my Loving Wife Dennis Havens my now Dwelling house and Land and fencing, Orchard and out houses with all appurtenances and privileges thereunto belonging. I also give unto my Wife all my movables within dores and without. My will is to give unto my son John Havens one shilling in silver, and unto my daughter Sarah Tiler one shilling in silver, and unto my son Thomas Havens one shilling in silver, and unto my son Robert Havens one shilling in sliver, and unto my daughter Mary Cooke one shilling in sliver, and unto my Daughter Ruth Carde one shilling in silver and unto my Daughter Dinah Havens one shilling in silver and unto my Daughter Elizabeth Havens one shilling in silver and unto my son William Havens one shilling in silver, and unto my Daughter Rebekah Havens one shilling in silver, and unto my Daughter Margaret Havens one shilling in silver, to be payd within twelve months after my decease if Demanded by either of them and unto the younger when they come to full age according to law.
Also my will is that my Wife take care and see this my Last will and Testament performed and she, I doe ordain, Constitute and make my whole and sole Executrix to see this my Will in all things performed and fulfilled according to the true intent and meaning of the same, In witness Whereof I have hereunto Set my Hand and Seal this Thirtieth day of the first month Called march in the year of our Lord God one Thousand six hundred and Eighty.”

In the presence of William Havens his mark
William Burlington His mark

John Anthony William Burlington and John Anthony witnesses Testifyeth that they saw the above said William Havens sign and seal the above written and heard him Declare it to be his Last will and Testament and that then he was of a Disposing mind to the best of their understanding.

Taken before us this 25th of September 1683.

John Albro Asst.
George Lawton Assistant

Seen as son of John Havens and Margaret Havens without supporting evidence.

Might have actually been English.

• Name: William HAVENS
• Sex: M
• Birth: ABT. 1600 in Aberystwyth, Crds, Wales / 1618 in Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire, Wales
• Death: Before 25 SEP 1683 in Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island (date will was proved)
• Burial: Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island

Marriage

1. Spouse Unknown
2. Dionis Ruth ALLEN b: ABT. 1622 in Sheffield Parish, Yorkshire, Wales Married: 24 JAN 1638/39 in Newport, Rhode Island

Children of 1st wife ??

1. Sarah HAVENS b: ABT. 1639

Children of 2nd wife

1. John HAVENS b: ABT. 1640 in Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island
2. Thomas HAVENS b: ABT. 1642
3. Robert HAVENS b: ABT. 1644
4. George HAVENS b: ABT. 1646
5. Mary HAVENS b: ABT. 1648
6. Ruth HAVENS b: ABT. 1650
7. Dinah HAVENS b: ABT. 1652
8. Elizabeth HAVENS b: ABT. 1654
9. William HAVENS b: ABT. 1656
10. Martha HAVENS b: ABT. 1658
11. Rebecca HAVENS b: ABT. 1660
12. Margaret HAVENS b: ABT. 1662

Biographical notes

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Havens-6

William Havens (aka "Heauens" in a 1639 document) is a complex character whose life, while amply documented as having existed, has few primary documents proving genealogical details. Most genealogies state that he was the son of John Havens (1575-1622) and that he was born in Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire, Wales, between 1609 and 1618. The surname Heauens/Havens is derived from the Welsh language name: "Ieuan," meaning "John"; alternate spellings include "Evans" or "Heavens". [1]

Some family trees state his father was John Havens, born in England, and some associate him with Richard Haven (no "s"), born in 1621 in Shropshire (Welsh borderlands), and who emigrated to Lynn, Massachusetts in the 1650s. No documents prove these assertions.

At some time during his youth, William Havens became disillusioned with the doctrines and practices of the Church of England (Anglican), becoming a "seeker-dissenter" or perhaps even a Calvinist or Presbyterian. He may have been acquainted with the ideas of George Fox, founder of the Society of Friends (Quakers) but he left Great Britain before Fox officially founded that Society in 1850, and he was never listed in Quaker Meeting records in America, so it would be wrong to call him a Quaker. Some of his children, however, lived as Quakers in New Jersey, later in the 17th Century.[2]

It is possible, if he was born in 1609, that he married first in England to a wife (some say a "Mary Sarah Brown") who died young,[3] leaving him with at least one son (John Havens, b. ca. 1629) who emigrated with him from Great Britain to New England in 1637.[4]

There is no absolute proof that William Havens had a first wife, named Mary Sarah Brown in England. Several family genealogies list her as being from Dorset (specifically Netherbury, Dorset in some cases) and that she was the mother of William's oldest son John Havens, b. 1627 in Dorset, and who accompanied his father to New England when 11 years old. At least one genealogy also credits her with 2 other children by William Havens and says he emigrated with three minor children in 1638 but no proof (such as a passenger listing) has been found.

What is known is that William Havens settled in the religiously-tolerant society of Rhode Island, founded in 1636 by Roger Williams and followers who disapproved of the strict Puritanism of Massachusetts. There he married Dionise (aka Denise) Allen (b. June 23, 1623 in Wales, South Yorkshire, England), also a recent immigrant, on January 24, 1639.

William Havens is mentioned in the establishment of the government of Portsmouth (Indian name = Pocasset) on the island of Aquidneck in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. On April 30, 1639, he and 28 others signed the following compact: "We whose names are underwritten do acknowledge ourselves the legal subjects of his Majesty, King Charles, and in his name do hereby bind ourselves into a civil bodie politicke unto his laws according to the matter of justice. "[5]

In 1644 he received a grant of four acres of land near Portsmouth, which, in 1662, he leased to his oldest son John Havens for a term of seven years at £5 a year. On May 23, 1650, the following order was enacted at the General Court, Newport, for the colony of Providence Plantations:[6]

“Captain Richard Morris, George Bliss, James Badcock, Peter Busserole, William Havens and Gabriel Hick, all excuses sett apart, shall mende and make all lockes, stocks and pieces that by order from the Warden of each town shall be from any of the inhabitants thearof presented to them, for just and suitable satisfaction in hand payed.”

This indicates that William was a blacksmith as well as a farmer. His name does not appear in other town records, indicating he took little part in town government; nor did he join a Quaker meeting when followers of that religion officially arrived in Rhode Island in the 1670s. He signed his name with just Initials, indicating he had little formal education, not uncommon for farmers of his time and place.

Will

• Will of William Havens: March 30, 1680[10]
• The Last will and Testament of William Havens Sr now Living in the Town of Portsmouth on Road Island in the Colony of Road Island and Providence Plantations is as followeth.
• To all people whom these presents may Concern. Know yee that I William Havens through the mercy of God, Being perfect in mind and memory but not well in Body, for the preventing future Trouble amongst my Children make this my Last Will and Testament as followeth
• Imprimiss, I doe will and bequeath unto my Loving Wife Dennis Havens my now Dwelling house and Land and fencing, Orchard and out houses with all appurtenances and privileges thereunto belonging I also give unto my Wife all my movables within dores [doors] and without
• My will is to give unto my son John Havens one shilling in silver,
• and unto my daughter Sarah Tiler [Tyler] one shilling in silver,
• and unto my son Thomas Havens one shilling in silver, and unto my son Robert Havens one shilling in silver,
• and unto my daughter Mary Cooke one shilling in silver,
• and unto my Daughter Ruth Carde one shilling in silver
• and unto my Daughter Dinah Havens one shilling in silver
• and unto my Daughter Elizabeth Havens one shilling in silver
• and unto my son William Havens one shilling in silver,
• and unto my Daughter Rebekah Havens one shilling in silver,
• and unto my Daughter Margaret Havens one shilling in silver,
• to be payd within twelve months after my decease if Demanded by either of them and unto the younger when they come to full age according to law.
• Also my will is that my Wife take care and see this my Last will and Testament performed and she, I doe ordain, Constitute and make my whole and sole Executrix to see this my Will in all things performed and fulfilled according to the true intent and meaning of he same, In Witness Whereof I have hereunto Set my Hand and Seal this Thirtieth day of the first month Called march in the year of our Lord God one Thousand six hundred and Eighty.

Citations

1. U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970 Name: William Havens SAR Membership: 79808 Birth Date: 1635 (sic) Death Date: 1683 Spouse: Dionis Havens Children: George Havens  Source Citation: ; SAR Membership Number: 79808. Source Information: Ancestry.com. U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

Links

• http://www.elmwoodcem-kc.org/family_history/elmwoodce-h/pafg62.htm#...
• http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/46790088/person/6664565814

  ---

  
  

from Thomas Cooke of Rhode Island , Compiled and published by Jane Fletcher Fiske, Boxford, Massachusetts, 1987, Volume One, pages 13 - 19, 23

THOMAS COOK , born about 1603 probably in Earls Colne, Essex County, England,died 6 Feb. 1677 in Portsmouth.

He married first (?).

He married second about 1623 MARY (----). She married second about 1680 Jeremiah Brown, son of Chad and Elizabeth (Sharparowe) Brown.

He was a butcher and resided in Portsmouth. He was one of the 46 original settlers of Taunton in 1637 and in Portsmouth in 1643. His hom e lot on the east side of the island of Portsmouth 6 miles north of Newport. In 1876 the well and remains of the chimney and cellar were there and were a few yards from the wharf.

His will made 6 Feb 1674 and proved 20 June 1677: “ Executrix wife Mary:

To wife my mansion house and land belonging there for life and she to enjoy whole estate including movables for life; to son John a cow and to all his children 1 shilling each; to two daughters of deceased son Thomas, namely Phebe and Martha, at 18 or marriage 15 pounds each; to grandson John, son of Thomas, my house and land adjoining at death of my wife and bounded partly by my brother Giles Slocum, and said grandson where in po ssession of same to pay his brothers George, Stephen and Ebenezer 40 shillings each at 21 years of age. If said John should die then to Ebenezer, then to George and if he dies then to Ste phen the said real estate. To Sarah Parker, wife of Peter Parker, 5 shillings and to Sarah’s th ree children Penelope, Peter and Sarah each five shillings at eighteen. If my son George come to demand it, he to have 5 shillings....”

Children, probably born in Portsmouth:

• i. JOHN , b. in 1631.
• ii. Capt. THOMAS , d. in 1670; m. Mary Havens, daughter of William andDionis Havens.
• iii. GEORGE.
• iv. SARAH, m. Peter Parker, son of George and Frances Parker

  ---

GEDCOM Note

Spouse 1 Dionise Allen b.: 23 Jun 1623 or 1610 Wales, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England d: 1692 in Portsmouth, Newport, RI Marriage: 24 Jan 1639 in Portsmouth, Newport, RI Children John Havens M 1640 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, Thomas Havens M abt 1642 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, Mary Havens F 1644 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, Sarah Havens F abt 1648 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, USA Robert Havens M 1652 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, USA George Havens M 1653 in Jamestown, Newport, Rhode Island, USA Ruth Havens F 1658 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, USA Dinah Havens F 1659 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, USA William Havens M 1663 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, USA Martha Havens F 1665 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, USA Rebecca Havens F 1667 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, USA Margaret Havens F 1669 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, Elizabeth Havens F 1672 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island,