Abraham Joslin abt 1615-1670

Born: about 1615/6 in Roxwell, England.

Died: July 9, 1670 at sea off the coast of Virginia on the ship Good Fame of New York.

Spouse: Beatrix or Beatrice Hampson. (see below)

Children: Abraham Joslin Jr. (See below)

Phillip Joslin (d. at about 8 months.)

Henry Joslin

Rebecca (Joslin) Crowkham, 2^nd m. to Thomas Harris, 3^rd m. to Edward Stevens.

Thomas Joslin or Josselyn

Nathaniel Joslin

Joseph Joslin

Mary or Marie (Joslin) Whitcomb

Occupation: Mariner

Father’s name: Thomas Joslin Birth place: England

Mother’s name: Rebecca Jude Birth place:

Siblings: Rebecca (Joslin) Nichol

Dorothy Joslin

Nathaniel Joslin

Elizabeth “Eliza” (Joslin) Yeomans or Emmons

Mary (Joslin) Sumner

It is interesting to note that while Abraham was the son of Thomas Joslin, who helped settle Rhode Island, he did not emigrate with his parents. When they left England in 1635, he was 16 years old and went off to become a mariner. Abraham at various times did live in Scarborough and Hinham, Maine and Boston and Lancaster, Massachusetts. Please Note that the surname’s spelling slips to ‘Jostlin’, likely a transcriber’s error, if you do research on the immigration of the Joslin family.

The following is an abstract of his will on file in the Surrogate's office, in the City of New York:

“Whereas Abraham Joslyn dyed not long since at sea of from ye Coast of Virginia, in ye ship ye Good Fame of New York, but before his decease made a will the which hath beene approved by ye oath of Two persons who are witness thereunto, wherein he diposeth of his estate in Nashawage & [unreadable] in his Majesties Colony of the Massachusetts, unto his wife & children whose presence may certifye all whom it doth concerne, that ye said will having beene proved as aforesaid remaines upon Record with ye rest of ye wills and Testaments of such as doe happen to dye within this the Province of his Royale Highness. New York, 17 April, 1670.

“Abraham Jossling, Nashua, "Being very sick" leaves to wife one house in Nashaway, with land thereto belonging. To eldest son Abraham, "one farm that Goodman [John] Kittle lives on." "And good wife I would not have you remane where you are with any of my children, but my desire is that my children may be put out to Trades where they are." Leaves to son Henry 20 shillings, "and I desire him to be kind to his brothers, and to take one of them to himselfe to learne his trade, as he hath promised me." Dated March 16, 1669. Witnesses, Christopher Spencer, Thomas Spicer.”

The ship Good Fame of New York was owned by Francis Lovelace (in partnership with others) and was described as “a very stronge and handsome vessel, but costly” referring to both materials and labor. Built in 1669, it was generally sent to Virginia and often brought tobacco to New York, afterward to Europe. Francis Lovelace was the second governor of New York and he promoted shipbuilding. When war broke out with the Dutch, the Good Fame of New York and 3 other vessels were seized in Holland. John de Forest was “entertained as cuirugion” on board the Good Fame of New York during 1670, so he is likely the doctor that would have tended Abraham when he was ill.

Dictionary of American Biography, edited by Dumas Malone, 1933

History of the State of New York, Vol. 2, by John Romeyn Brodhead, 1871

A Walloon Family in America: Lockwood De Forest and his Forebears, Vol 2, by Mrs. Robert De Forest, 1914

Beatrix Hampson , b. July 15, 1623 in London, England, was the daughter of Phillip and Anne Hampson. After Abraham’s passing, the widowed Beatrix re-married on September 16, 1671 to Benjamin Bosworth. They then moved to Hull, Massachusetts. Beatrix died January 11, 1712.

An account of the attack on the Rowlandson Garrison, Lancaster, Massachusetts that led to the death of Abraham Jr.:

“Early in the morning of the 10th of February, 1675/6, Lancaster was surprised by a large number of Indians, who made their attack in five disctinct bodies and as many places, burning the houses in their way, and destroying the people found inside them. Some of the inhabitants, to the number of forty-two, being mostly women and children, among whom were Abraham Josselyn [Jr.] and his family, took shelter in the fortified house of Rev. Joseph Rowlandson. This they defended upwards of two hours, during which time several of them were killed by the bullets showered upon them. At length the house was set on fire, and the people within were reduced to the sad necessity of either perishing in the flames or resigning themselves to the savages. In their attempts to escape, all the men, save one, were slain; many of the women and children perished on the spot; and the rest, about twenty in number, were seized by the Indians and carried into captivity. Thus perished Abraham Josselyn, as we are assured by Mr. Harrington. Mrs. Rowlandson, who was one of the captives, met Mrs. Josselyn [Abraham Jr’s wife was Ann (Hudson) Joslin, m. 1672.] , about the 23rd of February, in the hands of the Indians, at a place called Wenimesset, now New Braintree. She found her in great distress having in her arms her little daughter, Beatrice, then nearly two years old. In the course of her captivity, Mrs. Rowlandson heard that this unfortunate woman and her child were stripped by the Indians, knocked upon the head, and cast into a fire, where they miserably perished. Some captive children, who were present, declared to Mrs. Rowlandson, that Mrs. Joslin shed not a tear, but continued in prayer till death put an end to her suffering.”

Source: Lancaster in Philip's War: The Early Records of Lancaster, Massachusetts 1643 – 1725. Edited by Henry S. Nourse, A.M. Lancaster, 1884

For more information regarding King Philip’s War go to: http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/horsemusket/kingphilip/default.aspx

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