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NATHANIEL COVELL (say 1636–by 1686)
SARAH NICKERSON (b. say 1639), daughter of William Nickerson and Anne Busby
Nathaniel Covell is said to be the son of Nathaniel Covell of Chelmsford, co. Essex, England. [1][2] He was born say 1636. He probably died before or during the winter of 1685/6. [2] He married Sarah, the daughter of William Nickerson and Anne Busby between 15 June 1662 and 4 July 1663. [1][2]
Sarah Nickerson was born say 1639.
Nathaniel was a saddler. [1]
Nathaniel agreed to serve Mr. Edward Winslow of Marshfield for seven years after his arrival in New England. [1][2] He arrived in Boston on 26 August 1653. [1][2] He was assigned to serve Winslow's son-in-law Peregrine White. [2]
Nathaniel moved, probably with his father-in-law, to Yarmouth. [2] Nathaniel moved to Monomoit (Chatham). [1]
Nathaniel Covell brought ten gallons of liquor into Yarmouth in January 1663. [3, 4: 52]
On 31 October 1666 Major Josias Winslow, Lieutenant John Freeman, and Nathaniel Bacon, on behalf of themselves and others who had been granted land at Monomoit, sued Robert Eldred, Tristrum Hedges, and Nathaniel Covell for trespassing and asked for 60 pounds in damages. The court found for the plaintiffs, but awarded ten shillings in damages plus costs. [5]
On 31 October 1666 the court noted that William of Mattamoit had "scandalously reproached the court at Plymouth. His son-in-laws Nathaniel Covell and Robert Eldred had gone along with this; his son-in-law Tristrum Hedges had not. William, Nathaniel, and Robert were ordered to post bond and present themselves at court. On 5 June 1667 William, Nathaniel and Robert appeared in court, but did not give satisfaction for their offense. The court decided to give them more time to reconsider. On 30 October 1667, noting some acknowledgment of their wrong-doing, the court fined William ten pounds and the other two each five pounds. [3, 4: 134, 155–7]
On 3 June 1674 the court allowed Nathaniel Covell to serve as constable at Monomoit in the office of deputy constable for Eastham. [3, 5: 148]
On 5 March 1677/8 the wife of Nathaniel Covell was presented for profaning the Sabbath by quarreling and fighting—apparently with Edward Cottle and his wife of Monomoit—and was sentence to pay a fine of 40 shillings or be whipped. [3, 5: 254]
Children of Nathaniel Covell and Sarah Nickerson:
i. Nathaniel Covell died between 19 September 1746/7, when he made his will, and 13 March 1746/7, when it was proved. [4] Nathaniel of Monamoy married Judith Nickerson of Monamoy on 5 March 1696/7. [6, 9: 10]
Nathaniel lived on or near his father's farm at Chathamport. [4] He was a selectman for two years and treasurer for two years. [4]
ii. William Covell was born about 1673 in Monomoit. [1][4] He died on 18 June 1760, age 87, in the part of Eastham that is now Wellfleet. [1][4] He married Sarah Unknown. [4]
iii. Joseph Covell was born about 1675 in Monomoit. He was living in 1732. He married first Lydia Stuart. He married second Hannah Bassett.
iv. Ephraim Covell was born in 1677 or 1678. [1] He died by 10 September 1753, when his will was proved. [7] He married first Mercy Unknown. [1] She died on 1 February 1727/8. [1] He married second Mrs. Abigail Ellis of Yarmouth on 4 February 1723/4. [1] Ephraim Covell of Harwich married third Mary Taylor after 20 September 1746 (intention) in Harwich. [7] Mary was the daughter of John and Sarah (Mathews) Taylor of Yarmouth, and the granddaughter of Richard Taylor and James Mathews. [7]
v. Unknown Daughter Covell married Benjamin Phillips about 1696.
References:
1. William C. Smith, A History of Chatham, Massachusetts (Hyannis: F.B. & F.P. Goss, 1909), 110–131.
2. "New Englanders in Nova Scotia," database with images, American Ancestors, 252–3.
3. Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, Records of Plymouth Colony: Court Orders, vol. 1, 1633–1640, vol. 2, 1641–1651, vol. 3, 1651–1661, vol. 4, 1661–1668, vol. 5, 1668–1678, vol. 6, 1678–1691 (Boston: William White, 1855, 1866).
4. William C. Smith, Early Chatham Settlers, no. 36 Library of Cape Cod History and Genealogy, vol. 1 (Yarmouthport: C.W. Swift, 1915): 4–5.
5. Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, Records of Plymouth Colony: Court Orders, Judicial Acts, 1636–1692 (Boston: William White, 1857), 132.
6. "Eastham and Orleans, Mass., Vital Records," Mayflower Descendant, various issues.
7. Jillaine S. Smith, "The Two Richard Taylor Families of Early Yarmouth, Massachusetts," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 165 (2011): 195–7.
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26-Dec-2022