Libby Family Founder Early Maine Passenger
Passengers on the Ships Speedwell (1635) and Hercules (1636)
Aug 12, 2008
Of the 114 passengers who came on the first ships from England to Maine, only five were women. Most of the men were fishermen who left their families in England. It is thought that about 65 of these passengers decided to remain and either sent for families in England or later married women already in New England.
John Libby was typical of many who stayed. He and his wife Judith raised 14 children at Scarborough. John put in his contractual three years at the Richmnond Island fisheries, then struck out on his own. His house was burned by Indians and his cattle and corn destroyed, but by then he had sons old enough to help the family begin anew.
Passengers on the Hercules
The Hercules sailed Nov. 30, 1636 with William Chappel, master, and arrived Feb. 13, 1637; it returned in July with the same master.
Passengers: John Libby, at Richmond Island and founder of the Libby family in New England; John Amory, at Trelawney plantation and probably returned to England; Priscilla Bickford, called “that fat maid”; “Old” Bickford, probably related to Priscilla and sent home as “unfit”; Thomas Boone from Saltash, Devon, who ran away; and, Anthony Chappel, Trelawney’s servant, who probably returned to England.
More Hercules passengers: Ellen Curkeet, of whom nothing is known; Nicholas Edgecombe, at Richmond’s Island and possibly from Newton Ferrers, Devon; William Freethy, brother of Alexander, at Richmond Island after his second crossing; Charles Hatch (second crossing) and Philip Hatch, brothers from Newton Ferrers, Devon;.John Hole, at Richmond Island and, after serving three years, “went west”; and, Stephen Lapthorne, at Richmond’s Island and returned in 1640 on the Star.
Also on the Hercules: Tristram Alger, possibly from Brixton, Devon, who returned to England and may be Tristram Alger the elder of Bishopsteington, whose will was dated May 14, 1688; Nicholas Matthew, at Richmond Island and probably returned to England; Edward Mylls (Mills), at Trelawney plantation; Benjamin Stevens from Landrake, Cornwall, who came three times; _(?)_ Tomson, a maid; Mrs. John Winter, wife of John Winter, and their son, John Jr.; and,
John Hempson/Helson, Richard Martin, Richard Niles, Roger Saturly (Satterly), Thomas Shepherd and Nicholas White, at Richmond Island and nothing further known.
Passengers on the Speedwell
The Speedwell arrived April 29, 1635, with Narias Hawkins, master, and sailed back to England in June with John Winter, master. Passengers were: John Billing, who was at the Trelawney plantation but ran away to Kittery; Roger Bucknall, at Richmond Island and probably returned to England; Oliver Clark, at Trelawney plantation and ran away to Piscataqua; and, Peter Cobb, servant to Mr. Trelawney, was at Richmond Island and probably returned to England.
Other Speedwell passengers: Richard Cummings came on a three-year contract to work at Trelawney plantation; Alexander Freethy was at Scarborough and returned to England before his contract ended; William Freethy from Landrake, Cornwall (brother of Alexander, above) ran away, but returned; William Ham was at Richmond Island and ran away; Peter Hill from St. Teath, Cornwall, was making his second crossing; Edward Trelawney, at Richmond Island and returned to England; John Vivon, at Richmond Island and probably returned to England; and, John Lander, George Rogers, John Simmons and Roger Willing, about whom nothing is known except that they were at Richmond Island.
Companion articles titled "Richmond Island Fishery First Maine Settlement" and "First Maine Arrivals: Fishermen & Family Founders" contain more passenger lists.
SOURCES: Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire, 1928-1939 by Noyes, Libby and Davis, 2002 reprint (Gateway Press: Baltimore)
Search for the Passengers of the Mary and John: West Country Ships and Passengers, 1620-1643, by Burton Spear (1993: Toledo)
The Libby Family in America: 1602-1880, by Charles T. Libby (1979: Portland)
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