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PHILIP7 SHEARMAN [Henry4, Henry5, Samuel6] |
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From "Transatlantic Shermans" Bertha L. Stratton, 1969, private printing (p. 106-108) Note: *See at BOTTOM excerpt from "Going To Palmyra, Sherman Deeds" Margaret Sherman Lutzvick, (p. 35-44), an added perspective on why Philip left MA for Rhode Island. Marge's tome has a much better and concise update on Philip Shearman's history. Everyone should have her award winning book in their library. Notes by sub page editor: Surname spelling. During my 1996 visit to PRO offices in Colchester, Essex, England, I photocopied a number of Sherman "signatures" from microfilm documents. It is evident the early names were signed "Sherman." But, the Immigrants, Philip7, Capt. John7 and Hon. Samuel7 "preferred" to "sign" their names "SHEARMAN." Also, the ancient guild's name was "Shearman" denoting the craft. -- SALT.
...
6. Philip7Sherman, son
of Samuel6 and Phillippa Ward Sherman, bap. 1610,
named in will of father 1615; received £10 from his cousin, John Ward,
emigrated to the Bay Colony in 1633. Soon after, in 1634, he became a
freeman, m. Sarah Odding. In 1635 he returned to England perhaps to sell
property. He settled in Roxbury where John Eliot was the
minister. The Indians had called the upper part of the island Pocasset but the new proprietors called it Portsmouth. Aquidneck meant Peaceable but this was not the correct characterization of the new owners and a rift developing in 1639, the capital was moved to a new town, Newport. He served in several offices including Sec'y or General Recorder for some years. Financial and social positions were reflected in all possible acts involving precedence, such as a pew in a church and place on a list. Thus in a list of men newly made Freemen as recorded in Savage: "Sherman, Philip, Roxbury, came in 1633, a single man; freeman May l4, 1734 first on the list after Gov. Haynes; married Sarah Odding, daughter of John Porter's wife by a former husband; went home early but soon came again and was led away, says the church record, to familism by Porter; disarmed Nov. 1537, and banished next year; went to Rhode Island; there signed the compact of civil government, Mar. l638; was Secretary or Recorder of the Colony, l648, and Representative, l656."(Savage, James, Genealogy Dict. of the First Settlers of New England...on the basis of Farmers Register, vol. 4, p.83). The first volume of the records of the First Church of Roxbury contain the Rev. John Eliot's characterization of Philip...."This man was of a melancholy temper. He lived honestly and comfortably among us several years. Upon a just calling went for England & returned again with a blessing. But after his father-in-law John Porter... He behaved sinfully in these matters & was cast out of the church." (Francis S. Drake, The Town of Roxbury, Boston, 1905, p.300). "0f three citizens of Roxbury driven hence at this time two,... while a third, Philip Sherman, became a distinguished citizen and founder of that colony." [Rhode Is.] (Ibid. p.292, 293). "Mass. Court ordered Philip Sherman to appear on March 12, 1638 before them", he did not ...prominent figure in Rhode Island...Tradition states he was "devout but determined man’ also "neat and expert penman and an educated man;" "will shows he was wealthy for those times," (New England Families, Rhode Is., ed by American Historical Soc., N.Y., 1924, p.135). The general court held at Newton, Oct. 2, 1637 ordered Philip Sherman as one of those ordered to depart from the colony. (S.V. Talcott, Genealogy Notes of N.Y.& New England Families, p. 687). Talcott also states that the original intention of settling in N.H. was abandoned due to the severe climate, and after consulting with Roger Williams, who had recently established his Providence Plantations colony on the mainland, west of the Bay Colony, Shearman, with others of like views of Mass. Bay, purchased the island in Narragansett Bay. The island had been discovered in 1614 by a Dutch trader, Adriaen Block who called it Rhode or Red (Mary L. Booth, Hist. of the city of N.Y., vol. l, p.40). Shearman was among the men privilege of the Mass. Bay Colony - a Puritan, a Freeman (a voter) a man o f wealth and social position. Although only 28 years old in 1638 his opinions were, in wrath and sorrow, considered important by those who ran the colony. These founders had left behind in England large, comfortable homes and properties for rude homesteads, dangerous venturing among natives who were an enigma to them. The settlers did not know, as we do, who have read the back of the book, that the undertaking would be successful. The settlement on the island part of what is now Rhode Island - the Pocasset Purchase (Aquidneck) -established a government in which franchise was not limited to any one denomination. Thus early in our history there was this colony in which church and state were separated. All references state that Philip Sherman was on e of those who joined the Friends. Many descendants stayed with this faith until during the Rev. War they were disowned for military service. An account of the organizing of the island is in Howard M. Chapin, Doc. Hist. of R.Is. [p. 110] There are many references for Philip Sherman’s public offices in R.Is. He is listed as Sec'y or Gen'l. Recorder, Portsmouth, May 16, 1648 to 1651.*
The Court Roll of Freemen: Rhode Is. Colony: 16 Mch. 1641
included Philip Shearman (Chapin, ap.cit., p.119). "Chosen
Towne Clerke for this next ‘yeare insewinge," (original
records of Portsmouth as on Card 46 of the Sherman Genealogy by
Frank D. Sherman). Member of the Towne Council, every year, l656 to 1673. Tax Assessor: Apr. 23, 1679. Chosen to lay out a highway, 4 April 1683. Oct. 12, 1684. Member of the Committee of Adjudication; chosen also 1 April 1685 and 9 April 1686. *E.W. Peirce, Colonial Lists. Civil, Military and Professional Lists of P1ymouth & Rhode Is. Colonies...1621-1700 [p.111] Philip Sherman was among those requested to give advice at the meeting of the General Assembly, of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, held at Newport, April the 14th 1676. It was
*Excerpt from Margaret Sherman Lutzvick's book,
(p. 36-37) referenced at TOP of page. (Reprinted by
permission. -- Influence of Ann Hutchinson on Philip.) "As noted, the English settlers originally came to the northeast colonies to, among other things, ensure religious freedoms not allowed in England. And while Philip lived in MA he became involved with the religious beliefs and teachings of William and Anne Hutchinson. The Hutchinsons ardently believed and taught that salvation was realized through God’s grace and not by man’s works. Anne Hutchinson, who arrived in MA in 1634, intensely preached this doctrine, and many immigrants began to follow her ideals. Of course, this became a real sore spot with traditional puritans who considered this an outright attack on their more inflexible moral and legal beliefs. Indeed, even the government of MA believed her teachings to be offensive and got involved in the dispute. The result was a rift between those who believed and followed her and those who did not. Finally, it became a political issue when one of her most loyal supporters, the Governor Sir Henry Vane, lost his Governship because he supported her teachings. After his loss many of her followers, fearing similar retribution, deserted her." "In 1637 Anne Hutchinson was tried in legal court on a charge of seducing ministers into following her religious thought. The trial never really gave her a chance, of course, because more politically powerful people had their own agendas. Not only was she preaching blasphemous religious beliefs, but she was also a woman. And in those times women had no right to speak out with political, religious, or any other kinds of opinions. She was found guilty of the charges and excommunicated from the colony of MA. But she left many ardent sympathizers behind." "Those who remained supportive of the belief of grace over works included such people as Rev. John Clarke, William Coddington, John Porter, Mr. Wheelright, John Coggeshall, Henry Pull, John Sanford, Mr. Stratton, Philip Shearman,2 and others. They became known as the "Roxbury Men.3 And they too were all banished from the colony of MA, and ordered to disarm." "2. Many of these surnames later appeared as prominent citizens of Wayne County, NY, such as Sherman, Sanford, Hutchinson, etc. Some had changed the spellings of their names. Shearman to Sherman is one example, and it may be that Coggeshall was changed to Cogswell, Cogsdill, Cogshall, and other variations." "3. Sherman, Roy V. 1968. Some Descendants of Philip Sherman; The First Secretary of Rhode Island. University of Akron, Akron, OH, page 25." Return to TOP of this page. Use Back Arrow to return to Locator |