From CC Norwich: Baynes 127, comes the first mention found of our own line.

Will of John Dow  x of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, joiner, dated 1 July, 1544. High Altar, Reparation of Church, the lazars at Yarmouth gates, Sisters of the Hospital in Yarmouth,

sons-- Thomas and Christopher, 40's apiece at their ages, etc. Wife Johan my "place" in Yarmouth. Residuary legatee and sole executrix-- wife Johan. Supervisor uncle Christopher Coop.

From this Dow asserted that Johan's maiden name was Coop. Since it does not specify who's uncle he is or if he actually blood related it seems her maiden name still a mystery.

The will of the widow adds another child. Her sole legatees listed as children: Thomas, Christopher and Katherine.

Thomas Dow  xa may have seen service in his youth, for he possessed and bequeathed a piece of land, not owned by his father, held of the King for military service. He was 16 when his father died. He m Oct 5,1549, Margaret England. For many years he kept an Inn in Runham Parish, Yarmouth and probably farmed his arable lands. It is on record that Thomas Dow, an honest man and good housekeeper, was bur: the Xth day of May, 1591. Again: Margaret Dowe, wid: bur: Sept 5, 1616. Little doubt that the list of his children is complete:

a. Henry b 1550

b. Thomas bap Mch 20 1551-2. Thomas, son of Thomas, a single man, m Runham May 24, 1596, Lucie Church, widowe. She d Dec 4 1612. He m 2nd July 18 1614, Sarah Manchepp of Hempsbye, who was bur May 7 1615. Albeit of full years he m 3rd at Runham by special license April 7 1617, Grace Smith and had by her a daughter, Elinor b July 9, 1618.

c.Katherine m May 7 1576, John Sowter.

d. Christopher bap Mch 25 1569-70;  m Runham Aug 11 1606, Elizabeth Franklin.

e. John bap Sept 7 1572; bur Feb 13 1572-3

f. Edmond, mentioned in his fathers will.

Henry Dow  xaa oldest child, b 1550, m May 12, 1594, Elizabeth March. In spite of his late marriage, he did much toward a posterity. He d three years before his mother, April 21, 1613. He was the parish clerk at Runham and for four years signed the register as church warden. The fourth year he signed as Dove. Children:

a. Mary bap Mch 16,1594-5   b. Lucy bap Oct 28,1596:d Jan11,1600

c Thomas bap Apr 1,1599;bur Apr 6,1599  d Frances bap Apr 6 1600

e. Thomas bap Jan 16, 1601-2. It was once assumed that he was the 1639 immigrant to Newbury, Mass, which is absurd, as the Newbury man was only about 35 in 1654. Thomas inherited the land, lived,died and had a family in England where his posterity still lives.

f. Henry bap Oct 6 1605; first Dow of America

g. Edward bap Feb 21, 1607; lived Ormsby; m Elizabeth Robbins

h. William bap Jan 20 1610

This information all taken from the Book of Dow. Henry Dow the american progenitor should be lettered as xaaf but for our purposes I have labeled him as A so we can follow the lettering key. Henry is covered on a separate page. (see main Book of Dow page for link) BOOK OF DOW