Elisha Besbeech, 8th Great-grandfather and the first "Bisbee" in America
This is the ship Increase in 1635, one of the ships that carried English settlers to New England and likely quite similar to the ship Hercules on which Thomas Besbeech and his family arrived in 1634.
The 'Goodship Hercules of Sandwich' left Sandwich, England in1634 with her master, John Witherley. From Hotten’s Original Persons:
"Of all such persons as embarked themselves in the good ship called the Hercules, of Sandwich, of the burthen of 200 tons, John Witherley, master, and therein transported from Sandwich to the plantation called New England in America; with the cerificates from the ministers where they last dwelt of their conversation, and conformity to the orders and discipline of the church, and that they had taken the oath of allegiance and supremacy. (The certificates, all dated February and March, 1634, are here omitted.)"
On the passenger list are Thomas Besbeech of Sandwich and three daughters, Mary, Alice and Elizabeth. See http://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/hercules2.htm for a great collection of early colonial ship passenger lists.
And what do we know about Jotham Bisbee’s great-great-grandfather, Elisha Besbeech? There is no record of Elisha's date or place of birth. In fact, there is no direct evidence linking him to Thomas Besbeech. He is thought to be the son of Thomas because they both lived in Scituate and had similar surnames. General Court 7 records from September 1642, Governor Bradford --- "Elisha Besbeach of Scituate, planter acknowleageth to the King etc....the condicion etc....that if the said Elisha Besbeach do personally appear at the next Court of the Sovrigne Lord the King to be held at Plymouth the first Tuesday in November next, to answer to all such matters as on his said Majesty's behalf shall be objected against him concerning a libell made against Mr. Charles Chauncey and aside the further order of the Court and not dep't. the same without license that then, etc..." Shortly after the 1642 libel incident described above concerning the minister Charles Chauncey, Elisha Bisbey married Joanna and lived on the west side of North River, south of the road between Marshfield and what is now Norwell, Mass. He lived there for a number of years and ran a ferry where Union Bridge now stands. He also kept a tavern there for travelers between Plymouth and points north. Ferry rates were fixed by law. Jonothan Turner, son of Elder Turner and Elisha's son-in-law, lived about 30 rods northwest of the road near the river where he had a tannery. There were several ferries and bridges across the North River; Little's Ferry and Bridge was three miles below Union Bridge at a place called Dagget's Ferry. The upper ferry was tended by Elisha Bisbey in 1645. The Union Bridge is on the road between Marshfield and Norwell, Mass. Elisha Besbeech was of an age to bear arms in Scituate in 1643. General Court 5 records from June 1651, Governor Bradford--- record that Elisha Bisbey was among 22 men named Freemen. General Court 5 June 1658 Elisha served as a jury member in a case involving a suite for damages for 20 pounds, in a case won by the defendant “Robert Spraught”, likely another Bissell and Bisbee ancestor Robert Sprout. In the earlier records Elisha Bisbee is called Besbeach which definitely associates him with Thomas Besbeech. In most of the later records he signs, and is called, "Besbe" and "Besbey." Governor Prence appointed Elisha Bisbey and Christopher Winter, Constables of Marshfield 9 June, 1659. In those days the office was one of high trust and responsibility. Elisha served on Juries in 1651, 1658, 1660 and 1662. He was engaged in business as late as 1662, winning a suit against John Rogers to recover 20 pounds for "timber and cooper stuff." On 7 June, 1670, Governor Prence appointed Elisha Bisbee as a committee with John Bourne to collect the “Minister’s Rate” or taxes. Elisha Bisbee Sr. made his will 6 Apr. 1688. It was probated 4 June1690. In his will he called himself a glover but was commonly known as a cooper. (Plymouth Co. Wills, Vol. 1, p. 69) Source of information on Elisha Bisbee, Genealogy of the Bisbee Family by Frank Jones Bisbee, Frank Jones Bisbee, (1956; reprint, Decatur, MI: Johnson Graphics, 1992), p. 11. See also the Bisbee Family History website.
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