I’ve written about the life, and ultimately death, of Susannah North Martin and the kidnapping, immigration, and injustice served to William Durkee elsewhere under the Gen Tales banner. This post is the basic lineage information for where these lines cross. For more extensive family lists and references, see My Lineage from the Roots Up, Vol. 1. It can be read for free on Kindle Unlimited.
Martin-Durkee
George Martin, Jr., the third of his name, was born in Ipswich, Massachusetts. His second wife was Mercy Durkee, who was also born in Ipswich. They married June 4, 1709, in Windham, Connecticut, and had four children before Mercy’s death in 1730 in Connecticut.
Durkee-Cross
William Durkee is said to be the first Irish immigrant to America. He had been captured at the Siege of Drogheda, where his father was killed, and taken to Barbados as an indentured servant. He ended up stranded when he was released and signed on to work for Thomas Bishop, which brought him to Ipswich, Massachusetts. His marriage to Martha Cross was forbidden by her Protestant father because Durkee was a Catholic (and a servant, and Irish). However, Martha ended up pregnant and William ended up in court.
They married in Ipswich December 20, 1644, against her father’s wishes and had at least nine children over 20 years. Martha is thought to have outlived William and to be buried in Connecticut, though I could not determine where his resting place is.
Cross-Jordan
Robert Cross was born in England. He arrived in Massachusetts prior to his marriage to Anna Jordan August 20, 1635. She had arrived in Massachusetts from England the year prior. He fought in the Pequot War and was given land to settle on in Ipswich. They had several children before her death in 1677. He appears in numerous court documents, even against his own family members, though he was often there in defense of his sons.
Martin-Green
George Martin was born in Salisbury, Massachusetts. He married Hannah Green about 1679. Little is known about her and her origins are uncertain. They had six children before Hannah’s death in 1709. He then remarried the sister of his daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Durkee.
Martin-North
George Martin (also spelled Martyn at the time) was a blacksmith from England. He arrived in Massachusetts about 1639. His second wife was Susannah North, who had arrived in the colony with her father in 1640. They married August 11, 1646, in Salisbury, Massachusetts, and had eight children, as well as a daughter from his first marriage. They helped settle Amesbury in 1655.
George died in 1686 and was buried in Golgotha Burial Ground in Amesbury, Massachusetts. All that remains in that area is a memorial to the Founders of Amesbury, which includes his name. Susannah was convicted of witchcraft in 1692 and hung at Gallows Hill before being buried in a shallow unmarked grave. A memorial marks the location where her house once stood at the end of Martin Road in Amesbury.
“An honest, hardworking Christian woman. Accused as a witch, tried, and executed at Salem, July 19, 1692. A martyr of superstition.”
Her name was cleared more than 300 years later.
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