There is considerable disagreement as to the origin of Stephen Northup, who migrated to America. Some say he was born in 1633 of Hampton Northup of Fliushire; Falins, Wales. Others claim he was born Abt. 1625 in Whaddon, Cambridgeshire, England of Henry Northop/Northup , who was born in that area and later lived in Fliushire; Falins, Wales. Stephen eventually married Sarah Elizabeth Harrington (B ABT 1634 Of Kingstown, RI.), by either account, although, (some say he may have married Sarah Hearndale.) At any rate, he is credited with coming to America in 1645 along with Roger Williams to Rhode Island, and the rest is history.

For the purposes of this record, we shall presume that this is the Stephen Northup who was Born 09-16-1625; Whaddon, Cambridgeshire, the son of Henry and Susan (or Susannah) (Sharler? Marler? or Charles?) Northop and was the co-founder of Providence, Rhode Island in the 17th Century. He was not the first Northup to America, as Joseph Northrup came from Northern England in 1639 to Milford CT. Stephen came in 1645 to RI. He accompanied Roger Williams to Rhode Island and signed the original Compact of the Settlers of Rhode Island. We will also presume he is the one who was married to Sarah Elizabeth Harrington in about 1654. He was granted a plot of land (25 acres) on October 2, 1655 by the "Towne Meeting of Providence, R.I." At another "Towne Meeting" on Aug 27, 1656, he was granted commonage equal to any other townsman, the right to vote, the right of being a "freeman" and proprietor in the town of Providence. He was Town Sergeant in 1660, and Took Oath of Allegiance 19 May 1671 in Kingstowne.
He built his house on the North end of town, between Main Street and the Moshassuk River. He sold a plot of land (possibly that same 25 acres) on Feb 8, 1662 and moved to Kingston. There is a son, StephenII, who lived at North Kingston. In 1679 A Stephen Northup owned 120 acres on the West side of Pettaquamscot Pond. This may be either the elder or the younger. In August of 1672, the colony of Connecticut, which claimed jurisdiction over the area of Pettaquamscot, issued an order for Stephen to appear before their court, evidently in dispute over this land. His reply is a matter of record: "I denie to obey any warant from ye authority of Conecticot; if ye government of Roade Island send any I will obey them but not this warant nor any from Conecticot Colony." Stephen was taxed in 1687, and died about 09-06-1687 in North Kingston, R.I. Stephen's wife Elizabeth was a daughter of Benjamin Harrington, and this is where the recurrence of the name Benjamin comes from in Northup geneology.

Since I started researching Northup genealogy, I have come across many conflicting reports on this Stephen Northup. As previously noted, I have often found records to indicate that he was born of Hampton Northup in 1633 in Fliushire; Falins, Wales. My relative, John B. Northup, who is quite an expert on Northup genealogy, and my primary source has found no such town in Wales, although thereis to this day, in Northern Wales, a town of Northop, and there seems to be no hard evidence of such a link. If anyone can provide me with church or court records to prove either connection, I would be greatly appreciative. In the meantime, I will stick with the ancestry I have indicated. There is also some disagreement as to birth years of the various children; specifically, Mary, Joseph and David. There is quite a bit of historical data available on this family and I will be adding information to this site continually.

More About STEPHEN NORTHUP:
Date born 2: Abt. 1625, London, County London, England
Died 2: Aft. 1687, Possibly 1698
Award/Distinction 1: 1645, Accompanied Roger Williams to Rhode Island
Award/Distinction 2: 19 November 1645, Signed Original Compact of the Settlers of Rhode Island along with Roger Williams (Providence, Rhode Island).
Award/Distinction 3: 1658, Admitted Freeman
Residence 1: 1662, Providence, Providence Co., Rhode Island, Sold his land
Residence 2: 1666, North Kingston, Providence Co., Rhode Island
Residence 3: 1674, Wickford, Washington Co., Rhode Island
Please check back often for updates.

Children of Stephen and Elizabeth (Harrington) Northup