ALCOCK

1. JOHN

bur. Jan 1610 Mancetter, Warwick

Another John Alcott was living in the neighboring town of Nuneaton and his children are baptised there
from 1589 to 1611. A John Alcott was baptised there in 1590, however, I doubt this is the same John who
married in Mancetter in 1627 as a John Alcote of Nuneaton had a son John baptised there in 1611 (perhaps
the son of John born in 1590?). No baptismal records are found in the Nuneaton records for John of
Mancetter's other children. It is interesting to note that John of Nuneaton had sons named George and
Thomas perhaps the George and Thomas Alcock who were part of Winthrop's fleet in 1630.

Several Alcocks are noted in Birmingham as early as the 15th century as noted in the following:

Birmingham City Archives- Toulmin Smith Collection- ref. MS 3881/10 - date: Dated at Birmyngeham 20
July 10 Henry VII 1495

Humphrey Bawderyk of Byrmyngeham, yeoman, to Henry Shylton of Birmygeham of all his tenement
with appurtenances lying within the lordship of Birmyngeham in Dyretende, where Thomas Gest alias
Thomas Tolymoly lately lived, with a way from the recently cultivated garden of William Berkeley, knight,
containing three feet in breadth and one hundred in length, from the tenement of the said William Berkeley
up to a river called le Ree Rea which said tenement Humphrey lately had of the gift and feoffment of John
Alcock, by divine permission Bishop of Ely, Edward Grey, lord de Lisle and John Joyce.

Issue-
 I. Elizabeth- bpt. 1 Oct. 1598 Mancetter, m. 14 Nov. 1622 Mancetter, Francis Bayley
 II. Katherine- bpt. 12 Jan. 1600 Mancetter, m. 11 Dec. 1627 Mancetter, Gregory Belcher (d. 25 Nov.
1674 Braintree, MA), will 3 Sept. 1679- 20 July 1680
 2III. JOHN- b.c.1600, m. 1 May 1627 Mancetter, ELIZABETH WRIGHTMAN, Adm. 6 July 1675
York, Maine
 IV. Anne- m. 29 May 1622 Mancetter, Nicholas Needome. I suspect this is the Nicholas and Anne
Needham who settled in Exeter, NH.
 V. William- m. before 1637, Margaret ______
 VI. Alice- m. 6 June 1637 Mancetter, Thomas Duchford

2III. JOHN (JOHN 1)

b.c.1600
m. 1 May 1627 Mancetter, Warwick, ELIZABETH WRIGHTMAN (m. also recorded in the Nuneaton
register)
Adm. 6 July 1675 York, Maine

A recent search of the IGI for John produced the gratifying results of finding his baptism as well as the
baptisms of five of his children. Also, the baptism and/or marriages for his siblings including Anne who
married Nicholas Needham and are probably the same Nicholas and Anne who settled in Exeter, NH as
well as Katherine who married Gregory Belcher and settled in Braintree, MA.

John arrived on the "Assurance" in 1635 (1) and became one of the the largest landholders in York. His
name was always written in the records as "Mr." or even "Esq." and he is frequently mentioned as "Farmer"
Alcock. This last title denoted a person who advanced money to the town for the taxes or "farmed" them as
was the English term for this transaction. It indicates that he was a man of wealth as determined in that era.
(2)

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"A servant of John Alcock (John Smith), for running away from his master, and other abuses is sentenced
to be whipped and returned to his master" 9 Sept. 1640.(3)

John purchased "fivety acres Neare the Marshes" from William Hooke 16 June 1643 but, that did not
comprise all of his holdings there.(4) He owned more probably in "dividends" which were not recorded as
he sold quite a bit more than that to several persons over time.(5)

John was called one of Henry Simpson's "beloved freinds" when he along with Edward Johnson, Abraham
Preble and Richard Banks were chosen to be overseers of Simpson's will 18 March 1646.(6) John was also
one of the supervisors of the will of George Puddington dated 25 June 1647 along with Robert Puddington,
Edward Johnson and Abraham Preble. For his trouble he received 10/. (7)

John was a joint lessee in equal shares with John Heard 16 July 1650 of half of Cape Neck from William
Hooke "for pasture & feeding Cattle &c." with Hooke retaining the other half for himself. The Neck
offered an excellent location for a cattle range as it could be easily fenced off across the shore end. In 1680
Heard's grandson John Heard of Dover with Job Alcock sold their rights in it to Sylvester Stover.(8)

On 18 Oct. 1651 Mr. John Alcocke was granted letters of administration on the estate of Thomas Brooks
alias Basil Parker perhaps as a creditor or a friend. Thomas may have lived with John as he witnessed
several deeds with he, his wife Elizabeth and with his son Joseph.(9) The following year on 22 Nov. John
signed the submission to Massachusetts.(10)

Before 1639 the land between Brave Boat Harbor and Godfrey's Cove had been assigned to George Burdett
as minister of the parish. This property was transferred by him along with his farmhouse and cattle then in
possession of farm manager John Alcock to widow Ann Messart to repay funds borrowed from her while
she was his housekeeper.(11)

In 1653 the town began to grant tracts of land above Bass Creek to the northwest limits of the Patent. John
received one tract which he later sold to Arthur Bragdon.

Thomas Moulton purchased 70 acres from John in "Scotland" 22 Mar 1654/5 and lived there about two
years.(12) John also owned ten acres adjoining the Ministerial lot which he purchased from Godfrey 20 Apr
1655 and later sold to Peter Weare.

The outermost lot situated on the eastern bank of the Agamenticus River at York Harbor near Eastern Point
was occupied by Nicholas Davis until his death. The point lying east of the Davis homestead was acquired
by John Alcock from William and gave the area the name of "Farmer Alcock's Neck".(11) One of John's
shares in the divisions of town lands amounted to 200 acres. By his marriage with John's daughter Lydia,
Shubael Dummer acquired a contingent interest in the large property of this wealthy family on Alcock's
Neck and built himself a residence there.(13)

John along with many others was not satisfied with the division of Godfrey's land and they signed a petition
to the general court in Boston stating their opinion. However, the awards were never changed.(14)

John was evidently not satisfied with the Massachusetts government as he did not sign the petition to
Cromwell which referred to the complaints presented to The Protector by "some gentlemen of worth" (i.e.
Godfrey) for restitution of their right of jurisdiction. The petition asked that these "gentlemen" be not
heeded, intimating that they were instigated by "professed Royalists whose breathings that way... have been
so farre stifled."(15)

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Submission to Massachusetts

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Oath of Allegience- Page 1

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Page 2

John also signed the "govern or get out" petition in 1662 for which they expected "due & seasonable
performance" of Massachusetts' obligations to maintain law and order: "Your tollerating such an
inconsiderate number of opposers frequently to violate & trample upon yr authority & laws, as cannot be
altogether unknowne to you, to the obstruction of Justice, infringeing our Lybertys, deviding our peace and
if not speedily prevented by your Worships, may as the case stands, snarl us in the bonds of Inextricable &
prejudiciall Injuries, upon whom, under God, & our dread sovereigne wee looke att our selves Ingaged att
present to depend for our security & releife."(16)

John was a juror in 1647 (17) and a Selectman and grand juryman repeatedly from 1653 until 1674 except
under the King's Commissioners.(1) He was an alderman of Gorgeana in 1647/8.(18) John was also a
Commissioner to End Small Causes in 1668 , a Referee (1), a Sergeant of the Militia in 1659 (19) and a
witness of George Parker's deed 23 Nov 1648 (17).

John was living as late as 21 June 1673 but, shortly after "he was suddenly surprised with death and had no
opportunity to make his will or settle his estate."(20) The distribution of his property was made by
arbitration 11 Mar 1675 and approved by the court on that date. His eldest son Joseph was dissatisfied with
the usual division as made officially. the inventory was returned at £256/9/0 and each heir was awarded
£31/2/0 the eldest son having a double portion and he was required to pay the widow an annuity. Elizabeth
survived until the Massacre of 1692 and it was testified that her will was destroyed in the house of Mr.
Dummer her son-in-law.(21)

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Petition to the General Court- Page 1

Page 2

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Map of York- showing the homes of the people who signed the submission to Massachusetts in 1652

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Map of York Village- from Banks' History of York

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Map of York- Lower Town- from Banks' History of York

Map of York- Alcock's Neck and the beach- from Banks' History of York

Issue-

 I. Mary- bpt. 23 Mar. 1627 Mancetter, Warwick, m. John or Peter Twisden

 II. Elizabeth- bpt. 28 June 1629 Mancetter, m.c. 1655 Richard Banks (m.1. 25 Oct. 1631 St. Andrews,
Canterbury, Joan Harrison of Elham, 2. c.1644 Elizabeth Curtis, killed 25 Jan. 1692 York Massacre
 III. John- bpt. 3 Oct. 1630 Mancetter, m. Joanne Ameredith, d. 1693
 IV. Samuel- bpt. 23 Dec. 1632 Mancetter, Warwick, d.s.p. before 1675. In 1652 Samuel took the oath
of allegience to Massachusetts and was a witness. He received a grant of land the following year.
 V. Joseph- bpt. 30 Mar. 1635 Mancetter, Warwick, m. Abigail Paul (m.2. before 1681 Robert
Rowsley), d. 30 July 1678. Joseph moved to Kittery where he was a shipwright and mariner.
 VI. Job- b.c. 1638, m. Dorothy Reyner, d.s.p. will 2 Dec. 1712-1716. Job took the oath of allegience to
Massachusetts in 1652. He was a selectman in 1676 and was a Lieutenant in the militia in 1677 and a

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Captain in 1681. In 1678 he became a magistrate and in 1691 a councellor. Job moved to Portsmouth after
the York Massacre and became the Judge of the Superior Court of Pleas for New Hampshire.
 2VII. HANNAH-b.c.1640, m. GEORGE (1) SNELL (m.2.Agnes Cowell, 3. after 1681 Richord
Hunking, 4. by June 1698 Hannah Hull, will 9 May 1706-Mar 1707/8)
 VIII. Sarah- b.c.1642, m.1. 1665 John Giddings of Ipswich 2. 1691 Henry Herrick of Beverly, d. 29
Dec. 1711, Gloucester, MA
 IX. Lydia- b.c. 1644, m. Rev. Shubael Dummer

Ref:

(1) "Genealogical Dictionary of Maine & New Hampshire"-pp.59-60

(2) "History of York, Maine"- Banks, Vol. I, p.114
(3) Ibid- p.119
(4) York Deeds- Vol.I, p.98
(5) MA Archives- Vol.3 p.238, "History of York, Maine"- Banks, Vol. II, p.68
(6) "History of York, Maine"- Banks, Vol. I, p.112
(7) Ibid- p.103
(8) York Deeds- Vol.3, p.100,107
(9) "History of York, Maine"- Banks, Vol. I, p.116
(10) MA Archives- Vol.3, p.199
(11) "Pioneers on Maine Rivers"- Spencer, pp.135-137
(12) York Deeds- Vol.I, p.63
(13) "History of York, Maine"- Banks, Vol.2, p.127
(14) MA Archives- vol. 3, p.237
(15) Ibid- p.242
(16) Ibid- p.269
(17) "The Pioneers of Maine & New Hampshire"- Pope, pp.2-3
(18) "History of York, Maine"- Banks, Vol. I, p.129
(19) Ibid- Vol. 2, p.211
(20) MA Archives- Vol.3, p.149
(21) "History of York, Maine"- Banks, Vol.I, pp114-5

"New England Captives Carried to Canada"- Coleman, Vol.I p.227 "Old Kittery and Her Families"-
Stackpole, p.275 York Co. Registry of Deeds- Vol.I fol.98; II, 177; III, 100; IV, 20; V, 96 "Genealogical
Dictionary of The First Settlers of New England"- Savage Vol.I p.21

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