Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy

Anne White

Female 1600 - 1647  (~ 47 years)


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  • Name Anne White 
    Christened 13 Jul 1600  Messing, Essex, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    Died Jul 1647  Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I297  Petersen-de Lanskoy
    Last Modified 27 May 2021 

    Father Robert White,   b. Abt 1558, of Messing or Shalford, Essex, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   bur. 17 Jun 1617, Messing, Essex, England Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 59 years) 
    Mother Bridget Allgar,   c. 11 Mar 1562, Shalford, Essex, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Aft 31 Jul 1623, of Messing Essex, England Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 61 years) 
    Married 24 Jun 1585  Shalford, Essex, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F235  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family John Porter,   b. of Felsted, Essex, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 21 Apr 1648, Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Married 18 Oct 1620  Messing, Essex, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Rebecca Porter,   c. 16 Sep 1630, Felsted, Essex, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 9/09 Jan 1682/3, Saybrook, Middlesex, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 52 years)
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F269  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • RESEARCH_NOTES;
      1. Mentioned in father's will of 17 Jun 1617:
      Daniel, co-administrator of will with Robert's wife Bridget.
      Sarah, eldest dau. and wife of James Bowtell of "little Salinge."
      "Marie, wife of Joseph Lummis of Branetree."
      Elizabeth, wife of "Willm Goodinge or Goodings of Bockinge."
      Bridgett, unmarried.
      Anna, unmarried.
      Nathaniel
      John, minor under age 20.
      Also mentions a kinsman: Ralph Bett, the younger.

      2. Henry R. Stiles, "The History and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor, Connecticut," 1892, v. 2, pp. 621-622: "(Mr. Henry Porter Andrews of Saratoga, NY, has in press - 1891 - a 'Genealogy of the Descendants of John Porter from Warwickshire, England to Windsor, Connecticut, 1639, in the male and female lines,' a vol. of 830 pp., besides indexes. This work we have not seen. Mr. A. had previously (1882) pub. a genealogy of 'Descendants of Col. John Porter of Salisbury, Conn.,' from which we have used a few items, bracked thus {}.)
      'John Porter, Sr., came from Engl. and settled here in Windsor in 1639.' - O.C.R. According to statements furnished by Henry D. White, Esq., of New Haven, Conn., he came to New England with wife and nine children from Felsted, County Essex, England, probably in the ship 'Susan and Ellen,' 17 Jul 1638, and in company with his borther-in-law, Joseph Loomis - see 'Loomis.' In the Parish Register of Messing, County Essex, Engl, is the following rec. of mar.: '1620, Oct. 18. John Porter of Felsted and Anna White of Messing.' Anna, as we find from the Messing Parish Register, was bp. 13 Jul 1600 and was the dau. of Robert White of M., by his wife, Bridget (dau. of William) Allgar of Shalford, County Essex, and was probably the sister of Mary White of M., who m. Joseph Loomis, the emigrant ancestor of the Windsor family of that name (see 'Loomis,' p. 432). Another sister, Elizabeth White, m. 7 Nov 1616, William Goodwin of Hartford, and the three are thought to have been the sisters of Elder John White, though this is not yet proven. Both the Loomis and Goodwin marriages are from the 'Shalford Parish Register.'
      He had land grant in Windsor (see page 164, Vol. I); was appointed constable, 1639/40; juror, 1640; grand-juror, 1643; deputy to General Court, 1646/7, and a prominent man in the community. He 'd. 21 and was bu. 22 April 1648.' (Windsor Records); left a large est. His will is given in Trumbull's 'Col. Rec. Conn.' 'John Porter, Sen'rs, wife' d. 1647. - O.C.R. Children (first 9 born England):
      A. John.
      B. James, a merchant, and colonial agent for Connecticut in London (see 'Trumbull,' 1, 406) {m. Sarah Tudor of Windsor}.
      C. Sarah, b. 1626; m. 24 Oct 1644, Joseph Judson of Milford, Conn., and d. 16 Mar 1696, age 70.
      D. Samuel, m. about 1659, Hannah (dau. Thomas) Stanley; settled Hadley, Mass.; became ancestor of the H. Porters, whose gen. is given in Goodwin's 'Genealogy Notes'; he d. 6 Sep 1689; she d. 18 Dec 1708.
      E. Mary, m. 27 May 1658 Samuel Grant of Windsor.
      F. Anne, m. 24 Feb 1644, William Gaylord of Windsor.
      G. Joseph.
      H. {Rebecca.}
      I. {Rose}, probably the Rose who 'was buried 12 May 1648.' - O.C.R.
      J. Nathaniel, b. 19 Jul 1640 in Windsor, bp. same year {m. Anna Groves of Stratford, Conn.}
      H. Hannah, b. 4 Sep 1642 in Windsor; bp. same year {m. John Coleman of Deerfield, Mass.}"

      3. Various members of the White family are mentioned in the following excerpt of William Goodwin's biography from "The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-1633," Volumes I-III:
      "William Goodwin
      Origin: Braintree, Essex
      Migration: 1632 on Lyon [Hotten 150] First Residence: Cambridge Removes: Hartford 1636, Hadley by 1659, Farmington by 1670... Marriage: (1) Shalford, Essex, 7 November 1616 Elizabeth White, daughter of Robert White of Messing, Essex [NEHGR 55:24]; she died before January 1669/70. (2) After 7 December 1654 and by January 1669/70 Susan (Garbrand) Hooker, widow of Rev. Thomas Hooker; she died at Farmington 17 May 1676 [Farm VR Barbour 58, citing FarmLR 2:141]...
      Associations: William Goodwin's first wife, Elizabeth White, was sister of Mary White, wife of Joseph Loomis of Braintree, and of Anna White, wife of John Porter of Windsor [NEHGR 55:22-31]..."

      4. The following partial excerpt concerning the three immigrant sisters of John White is found in the biographical sketch for John White in "The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-1633," Volumes I-III (see his notes for full transcript):
      "JohnWHITE
      Origin: Messing, Essex
      Migration: 1632 on Lyon [Hotten 150]... Birth: About 1597, son of Robert and Bridget (Allgar) White of Messing, Essex [NEHGR 55:22-31]...
      Associations: Three of John White's sisters came to New England with their husbands: Mary, wife of Joseph Loomis; Elizabeth, wife of William Goodwin; and Anne, wife of John Porter [NEHGR 55:22-31]... Bibliographic Note: In 1901 "A Descendant" published an excellent article on the White family in England, and the connections to other New England immigrants [NEHGR 55:22-31]. In 1915 Frank Farnsworth Starr prepared the best account in print of the immigrant and his children [Goodwin Anc 2:395-419]."

      5. NEHGS Register, Vol. 55, pages 22-31, 1901, see notes of Robert White for full transcript of article from which the following partial excerpt is taken:
      "The children of Robert White of Messing, Co. Essex, England, Who Settled in Hartford and Windsor. By a Descendant.
      ...It is believed that three of his daughters came with their husbands to New England, namely: Mary White, wife of Joseph Loomis of Braintree; Elizabeth White, wife of William Goodwin of Bocking; and Anna White, wife of John Porter of Felsted.
      Matthew Grant's Old Church Record (in Stiles's Ancient Windsor) records the death in 1647 of "John Porter, Sen's wife," and also the death in 1652 of "Joseph Loomis, Sen. his wife." This is valuable information, but it would have been more satisfactory had the record contained the Christian names of these wives. Nor does the entry in the Windsor Town Records of the birth of John Porter's two children, Nathaniel in 1640 and Hanna in 1642, give the mother's name. In the same town records is this entry: "John Porter, Sr., came from England and settled in Windsor in 1639." Mr. Porter was present as a member of the "Committee" of the General Court in Hartford, August 8th, 1639. He died in Windsor 21st April, 1648, leaving a will, an abstract of which is hereinafter given, and it is to be noticed that two of the beloved friends made supervisors of his will were "Mr. William Goodwin of Hartford and Goodman White of Hartford."
      The marriage of John Porter of Felsted to Anna White of Messing, 18th October, 1620, is found in the Parish Register of Messing. The baptisms of their children, beginning with Anna, September 21, 1621, their first born, down to Mary, October 1st, 1637, the last one there baptized are recorded in the Parish Register of Felsted. They probably went to Messing soon after this date, as the baptism of their daughter Anna (who is supposed to have died in infancy), November 4, 1638, is there recorded. These facts, taken in connection with the information concerning his family contained in the will of John Porter dated April 20th, 1648, and also in the Town Records of Windsor, are regarded as good and sufficient authority for the statement that this John Porter of Felsted and John Porter of Windsor, Conn., were the same person. The names of his children in his will (omitting his two eldest daughters) are the same and in the same order of seniority as the baptisms in Felsted, except that in his will he names first all his sons, and then all his daughters. Two of his children, as already stated, were born in Windsor, Nathaniel in 1640 and Hanna (Anna) in 1642. His two eldest daughters were not mentioned in his will because he had given them their portions at their marriage, as appears from the report hereinafter given of the Committee to the Court in Hartford in 1650, recommending that their portions be made equal to the portions given to their younger sisters.
      These two eldest daughters were Anna, who married February 24, 1644-5, William Gaylord; and Sarah, who married October 24, 1644, Joseph Judson. Matthew Grant's Old Church Record gives the death in 1648 of Rose Porter, who was buried 12th of May, 1648, doubtless that one of the younger daughters whose death is referred to in the report of the Committee. The burial of their first Samuel is recorded in the Parish Register of Felsted...
      It deserves to be mentioned that family genealogies have been printed of all the members of Robert White's family who are known to have emigrated to New England, namely:
      Elder John White and his descendants, in 1860.
      The Loomis Genealogy, in 1875.
      Loomis Genealogy, female branches, in 1880.
      The Goodwin's of Hartford, Conn., in 1891.
      John Porter and his descendants, in 1893.
      Memorials of Roderick White and descendants, in 1892.
      From these books some of the preceding facts have been taken, and to these genealogies the reader is referred for full and interesting memorials of these families...
      Abstract of the Will of John Porter, dated April 20, 1648, proved 7 June, 1649. [Vol. LV. 3]
      "I give to my eldest son John Porter 100 pounds, and to my second son Jeames Porter I give three score pounds, and to my other six children, to wit: Samuel Porter, Nathaniel Porter, Rebecca Porter, Rose Porter, Mary Porter, Anna Porter, I give to each of them thirty pounds apiece... My son Joseph Judson is to take twenty shillings of Thomas Thornton the next winter. Also I give fifty shillings to the poor of Wyndsor Church.
      "My desire is that these my beloved friends would be the overseers of this my last Will and testament. Mr. Warham of Wyndsor, Mr. Goodwin of Hartford, Goodman White of Hartford, Matthew Graunt of Wyndsor. Witnesses, Henry Clarke, Abigaill Branker. [Signed] John Porter."
      His two eldest daughters Ann and Sarah thought the portions given them by their father at their marriage should be made the same as their younger sisters, as appears from the following report of the committee appointed to consider the matter.
      "March 7th, 1650.
      "Upon the consideration of the business referred to our consideration touching the children of John Porter of Wyndsor, deceased, We finding some expressions of his that he would make the portions of his two eldest daughters as good as his younger; also we conceive the eldest were helpful to the estate and that the Lord hath taken away one the younger daughters and that the rest of the children are disposed of without damage to their portion; our apprehensions are (if the Court see meet) that the two eldest daughters portions be made up thirty pounds apiece. John Taillcott, William Westwood." Conn. Col. Rec., Vol. 1, pp. 475-6.
      From the Parish Register of Felsted, Co. Essex, England.
      Baptisms.
      1621, Sept. 22, Anna, dau. of John and Anna Porter.
      1622, Feby. 9, John, son of John and Anna Porter.
      1624, Mar. 15, Sara, dau. of John and Anna Porter.
      1627, Feb. 2, James, son of John and Anna Porter.
      1630, Sept. 16, Rebecca, dau. of John and Anna Porter.
      1632, May 26, Samuel, son of John and Anna Porter.
      1633, June 24, Rose, dau. of John and Anna Porter.
      1635, June 2, Samuel, son of John and Anna Porter.
      1637, Oct. 1, Mary, dau. of John and Anna Porter.
      Burials.
      1632, July 15, Samuel, son of John and Anna Porter..."

      6. The book "The Descendants of John Porter of Windsor, Conn., 1635-9," comp. Henry Porter Andrews (Saratoga Springs, 1893), vol. 1, pp. 1-2, 818-19:
      "Among the early settlers of New England, in the great tide of emigration from England, subsequent to the granting of the charter for the colony of Massachusetts Bay, in 1628, came John Porter...
      This company reached the Connecticut river at a place called by the natives Matteneang, but to which the settlers gave the name of Windsor, many of their number being natives of the place of that name in England.
      In 1639 the Rev. Ephraim Hewett, of Wraxhall, in Kenilworth, Eng., was called to assist Mr Warham, and it is probable that John Porter accompanied him, as at about that date his name first appears upon the public records.
      John Porter's residence in Windsor appears to have been located near the "Little River," at its junction with the Connecticut, and between the residences of George Phelps and Joseph Loomis, and nearly opposite those of Henry Wolcott and Matthew Allyn.
      He was for that period a man of considerable substance, as appears by his will printed in the public records of Connecticut. (See appendix, No. 3)
      He died in Windsor April 22, 1648; his wife, Rose, having died in July, 1647, (See appendix, No. 2.)
      Their children were (being of the second generation:)
      -John Porter, born in England, 1620, married Mary Stanley.
      -Sarah Porter, born in England, 1622, married Joseph Judson.
      -Anna Porter, born in England, 1624, married William Gaylord.
      -Samuel Porter, born in England, 1626, married Hannah Stanley.
      -Rebecca Porter, born in England, 1628, died unmarried
      -Mary Porter, born in England, 1630, married Samuel Grant.
      -Rose Porter, born in England, 1632, died May 12, 1648.
      -Joseph Porter, born in England, 1638, married Sarah Tudor.
      - Nathaniel Porter, born Feb. 29, 1640, married Anna Groves.
      -Hannah Porter, born Sep. 4, 1642, married John Coleman.
      APPENDIX II:
      Extract from a letter of Rev I. N. TARBOX, D.D.
      Boston, Mass., July 17, 1884.
      Henry Porter Andrews, Esq.
      Dear Sir: I received your kind note this morning, and it occurs to me to say what perhaps I said to you by letter, some time since, though I am not quite certain.
      Mr. John Porter seemingly had affinities with the Dorchester company, before it left England. He did not come over with it in 1630, nor did he join it while it remained in Dorchester, 1630-1636. He first appears at Windsor, Conn., with his wife and Children, in the year 1637, and was at once
      treated as a man known an respected. He was put upon a committee in 1637, and was made a constable in 1639, then a high and responsible office. All the facts connected with him during his life at Windsor, indicate plainly that he was a man of substance and standing.
      Many years ago I read his will, and wondered why his wife is not mentioned in it. I accepted the record of Mr. Stiles, that she died on the 12th May following, and so she would naturally have been named in such a document, but no trace of her appears in it.
      ...the present town clerk of Windsor ... John B. Woodford, Esq. ... was speaking … about John Porter's will, and the curious fact that his wife was not mentioned... he said that among certain errors which he had discovered in "Stiles," he thought there was one pertaining to John Porter and family... he showed... from the very early records that the Rose Porter, who was buried May 12, 1648, was the dau. of John Porter, and that his wife died in July, 1647.
      I think that the dates I have given here, as to John Porter's arrival in this country, the date of his death, and those of his wife and daughter, will be found correct.
      Very truly yours. Increase N. Tarbox."
      APPENDIX: III.— Will of John Porter.
      A particular courte in Hartford, Conn, June 7, 1649. This day was presented to this courte, the last will and testament of John Porter, late of Wyndsor, deceased, and the inventory of his estate, Anno 1648, Apl. 20.
      Imprimis. This is the last will and testament made by me, John Porter, of Wyndsor. Although now weake and sick in body, yet perfect it memory, do bequeathe my soule to God that gave it, and my body to be buried, and my goods as followeth:
      Item. I give to my eldest son, John Porter, one hundred pounds, and to my second son, James Porter, I give three score pounds, and to my other six children, to wit: Samuel. Porter, Rebecca Porter, Rose Porter, Mary Porter, Sarah Porter and Anna Porter, I give to them thirty pounds apiece, which is to raised out of my whole estate, as housings, lands, cattle and household goods, and is to be paid as they come to be twenty years of age, or sooner if my overseers see just cause, without whose consent I would not have them to manage; which if they do, it shall be in the power of my overseers to abate of their portions, and give it to the others that are more deserving.
      And in case of any of my children die before they he married or be twenty years of age, their portion shalt he equally divided amongst the rest, unless the overseers see cause to abate it upon the eldest. In case my estate shall he found upon particular view, to rise to be more in value than these portions above given, or less than the sum, my will is that it shall be proportionally added or rebated to my children's several portions except my overseers see cause to abate my eldest son, that hath the biggest portion, or likewise my second.
      The particular goods wherein each child shall have his portion paid out of my whole estate, I leave to the direction of my overseers. My son, Joseph Judson, is to take twenty shillings of Thomas Thornton, next winter.
      Also, I give fifty shillings to Wyndsor church. My desire is that my beloved friends would be the overseers of this my last will and testament, Mr. Warham of Wyndsor, Mr. Goodwin of Hartford, Goodman White of Hartford, and Matthew Griswold of Wyndsor. JohnPorter
      Witness, Henry Clarke, Abigail Branker."

      7. FHL book "Various Ancestral Lines … Goodwin and … Morgan …," by Frank Farnsworth Starr (1915; Hartford), pp. 395-399: "The Family of Robert White.
      Shalford, a small parish of Essex County, England, is located in the north middle section of the county, four and a half miles northwest of Braintree, the nearest railroad town, and has a population of about 700.
      The writer visited this parish in August 1891, made an examination of the Church Register which begins in 1558, and found many interesting items. In the record of baptisms are found:
      1560 Sept. 9, Mary Allgar daughter of William Allgar
      1562 Mar. 11, Brydgette Allgar daughter of William Allgar
      1565 Apr. 6, Jdhn Allgar son of William Allgar
      1567 Oct. 5, John Allgar son of William Allgar
      1583 May 5, Elizabeth Allgar daughter of William Allgar
      In the record of burials:
      1565 Aug. 1, John Allgar son of William Allgar
      1575 Aug. 2, William Allgar the elder
      The following entries were found in the record of marriages:
      1575 Oct 16, Henry Bette son of John the elder and Anne Allgar
      1582 Sept. 27, Ralfe Bette and Marye Allgar
      1585 June 24, Robert Whighte and Brydgett Allgar
      The last entry gives us the marriage of Robert White and Bridget Allgar; the daughter of William Allgar of Shalford. Of White's parentage and earlier history we have no knowledge. He seems to have resided at Shalford until after November 7, 1616, the date of the marriage of his daughter Elizabeth to William Goodwin then of Bocking, Essex County, later of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and other towns in New England.
      In May 1617, he was a resident of Messing in the same county when he made his will, and where he was buried on the 17th of June following.
      Thus far, there has not been discovered any record of the death of his wife Bridget, but she is supposed to be the person of that name, to whom one Nathaniel White of Faring, Essex County, in his will made June 9, 1623, left a life annuity of £ 10. (Commissary Court of London for Essex and Herts., vol. for 1623-4, 158.)
      The following is a copy of Robert White's will, as entered in the records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, volume Weldon, 40... [Article transcribes will; however, I do not copy it since I already have a transcript of it in a separate note.]
      It will be interesting to note that of the daughters mentioned in this will, three with their husbands, became residents of New England, as follows:
      Mary, wife of Joseph Loomis of Windsor, Connecticut Elizabeth, wife of William Goodwin of Cambridge, Massachusetts; Hartford, Connecticut; Hadley, Massachusetts, and Farmington, Connecticut
      Anne, wife of John Porter of Windsor, Connecticut. We have no knowledge of his son Daniel, except that he was made one of the executors of the will; possibly, he was the child of a previous marriage.
      Child of Robert and ___ White:
      -Daniel bap. ___ legatee and executor of the will of his father; nothing further known about him.
      Children of Robert and Bridget (Allgar) White (Church Register, Shalford, Essex County, England):
      -Sarah, bap. Mar 8, 1585, mar. James Bowtell of Little Sating, Essex County, England and was living in May, 1617 (Robert White's will, Prerogative Court of Canterbury, London).
      -Nathaniel, bap. "Laste day of April," 1587; he is supposed to have lived at Feering, Essex County, and to have died in 1623.
      -Mary, bap. Aug. 24, 1590; mar. June 30, 1614, Joseph Loomis, who emigrated to America and settled in Windsor, Conn.
      -Elizabeth, bap. "fyfte March", 1591; mar. Nov. 7, 1614 William "Godwyn of Bocking singleman." He emigrated to America in 1632 and became one of the settlers of Hartford, Conn.
      -Bridget, bap. Aug. 18, 1594; mar. Sept. 28, 1618, John Christmas.
      -John, bap. ___, mar. Dec. 26, 1622, Mary (Lev ?)it.
      -Anne, bap. July 13, 1600; mar. Oct. 18, 1620 John Porter of Felstead, Essex County, who emigrated to America and settled in Windsor, Conn."
      [Sources in footnotes;]
      -Will of Nathaniel White of Feering, Essex County, in Commissary Court of London for Essex and Herts, vol. for 1623-4, 158.
      -Parish Register, Messing, Essex County, England."

      8. The book, "Ancestors & Descendants of Clark Proctor Nichols and Sarah (Sally) Stoughton in England and America, 1620-2001, by Clara Pierce Olson Overbo (2002), p. 163:
      "ROBERT WHITE, born at Shalford, co. Essex in 1588; buried at Messing, co. Essex June 1617; married at Shalford 24 June 1585, BRIDGET ALGAR, born at Shalford, co. Essex, England 11 March 1562.
      Robert was a yeoman and lived most of his life in Shalford, but moved to Messing before his death. He left a long and complete will at Shalford.
      Children of Robert and Bridget (Algar) White:
      i. Sarah White, born at Shalford 8 March 1585/6.
      ii. Nathaniel White, baptized at Shalford 30 April 1587.
      iii. Mary White, born at Shalford, co Essex, England, 24 August 1590; died at Windsor, Connecticut 21 August 1652; married at Messing, co. Essex 30 June 1614, Joseph Loomis.
      iv. Bridget White, baptized at Shalford 18 August 1594.
      v Anna White, baptized at Shalford 13 July 1600.
      vi. ELIZABETH WHITE (Lineal Ancestor See #1a below)
      vii. JOHN WHITE (Lineal Ancestor See #1b below)
      ELIZABETH WHITE, baptized at Shalford 13 July 1600 [an apparent typo by the author]; died at Windsor Connecticut; married in England, WILLIAM GOODWIN (See Goodwin Family.)"

      9. The book "Colonial Ancestors. Four lineal genealogies of eastern Connecticut families…," by Bernice Andrews (Livingston) Rieg (Camden, Maine; Penobscot Press, 1991), pp. 183-87 [Note: I neglected to copy the source list.]:
      "Some productive inquiries into the English origins of John White were made by one of his descendants around the year 1900. John is understood to be the youngest child of ROBERTA WHITE, yeoman, well-to-do, born possibly in Messing, county Essex; he died there in 1617. Robert married in Shalford, county Essex, 24 Jun 1585, BRIDGET ALLGAR, where also she had been baptized on 11 Mch 1562, the daughter of William Allgar. Robert and Bridget seem to have lived in her native town or parish, Shalford, most of their married life.[1]
      Robert White was buried at Messing, 17 Jun 1617, less than three weeks after making his will, which provided for daughters Sarah (called the eldest; mar. James Bowtell), Mary (mar. Joseph Loomis), Elizabeth (mar. William Goodwin), Bridget White and Anna White, in that order; he then names sons Nathaniel and John, the latter being a minor and believed to be the youngest child; finally, he names his wife, Bridget, and his son, Daniel as joint executors.[2]
      Subsequently, Anna White married at Messing, 18 Oct 1620, John Porter; and John White married at the same place, 26 Dec 1622, Mary (Lev).[3]
      A sizeable portion of the White family moved from the Old World to New England in the Great Migration, and stayed near to one another in the new land.[4] Moreover, there clearly existed within the family, and with its in-laws, a sense of closeness, mutual support, and common interest. This is apparent from the respect and trust implied in assigned responsibilities, as illustrated in several legal instruments in which members of the family partook. For example, Robert White, wishing to assure sensible marriages for his children, Bridget, Anna and John, by his will conditioned receipt of their full inheritance upon approval of the intended spouse not only by his wife Bridget, but also by his "sonnes in law" Joseph Loomis and William Goodwin.[5] The father's high opinion of these two young men was well substantiated by their later careers as leaders in Windsor and Hartford in Connecticut.
      In the same vein, it is worth noting that the White children tried to stay together when they settled across the Altantic: when Joseph Loomis and John Porter occupied adjacent home lots in Windsor in 1639, their wives, Mary (White) Loomis and Anna (White) Porter, became next door neighbors.[6]
      The English shire of Essex was one of the prime centers for nonconformist preachers, and of course most of those who came to New England in the two decades after Robert White's death were following their inspiring preachers, often making the move as congregations. It's not surprising, then, to find in Robert White's will an early bequest for "...Mr. Richard Rogers preacher of gods word at Withersfield in Essex...,"[7] and study of the ecclesiastical jurisdictions of Essex discloses that the parish of Wethersfield adjoins that of Shalford, in the north central part of Essex. For Robert White to attend a lecture by Mr. Rogers, he may have had to travel no more than ten miles.
      Out of this moderately wealthy English family, comfortably settled in the shire of Essex, but imbued with nonconformist fervor, came the hard working, well liked and increasingly respected man who was to become an early, founding settler of no less than three new towns: Newtown (later Cambridge, Mass.), Hartford, and Hadley."