Henry Dow a, to be known as a progenitor of the largest american family, was at 25 a farmer in Ormsby. He had a little inheritance from his mother, more than enough to equip his holding of land. The information given on Henry is several pages so I am giving the condensed version.

Henry m Jane/Joan Nudd Feb 11 1630 in Ormsby. She was the widow of Roger Nudd and had a baby boy. There was dissatisfaction in Ormsby, religious and otherwise and caused several families to try their luck in the new world. Hotten's original lists give all the families, who afterward appeared together in Hampton, NH. The Page, Moulton and Marston families intermarried with Dow with especial frequency. It has been said that a desire to better one's material condition was the paramount reason for coming to America and that religion was secondary.

Hotten's Original lists, Drake's Founders of New England, etc. entry:

"These people went to New England: with William: Andrewes: of Ipswich M'r of the :John: and Dorethy: of Ipswich and with William Andrewes his son M'r of the Rose: of Yarmouth Aprill the 11th 1637. The examination of Henerey Dowe of Ormsby in Norff Husbandman, agreed 29 yeares and Joane: his wife agreed 30 yeares with four children, and one Saruant Ann Manning aged 17 yeares, are desirous to passe into New England to inhabitt."

So Henry had 3 children of his own with Joan was able to save for passage to America and had a servant. Having a servant may not indicate affluence as many young men and women indentured themselves to a family if they would pay the passage to America.

The party landed in Boston. Henry proceeded to Watertown and remained there fo 7 yrs. In 1644 he bought his house lot in Hampton, in 1649 he bought the Homestead of William Wakefield and it was there that he saet aside 10 acres for Thomas Nudd (son of Joan) as his home.

Joan Dow d 1640

Henry m 2nd Margaret Cole  bef Sept 1641.

Children of Henry & Joan:

a. Thomas b Eng: bap Dec 27 1631; d July 10, 1642.

b. Henry b Eng 1634

c. _____b Eng. Appears on manifest 1637 but never later: probably d on voyage.

d. Joseph b Watertown Mch 20 1639 said to be first Dow born in America.

Children of Henry & Margaret:

e. Daniel b Sept 2 or 22 1641 

f. Mary b Set 14 1643

g. Hannah b Hampton, Hampton rec gives 1649, and d Hampton Aug 6, 1704.

h. Thomas b April 28 1653. If this were right he would have m at 15. Somehow the rec of Hampton are mixed. Hannah was b about 4 yrs earlier and Thomas about 7 yrs earlier than the dates of record.

i. Jeremiah b Sept 6 1657; also should be earlier.

All children are mentioned in Henry's will. And he provided for Thomas Nudd in his will as well.

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