| Notes |
- From: "The English Ancestry of James Draper," TAG, Vol. XV, p 241
"According to Roxbury town records, James Draper died July 13, 1697. This date is probably correct. That he did not die in 1694 is evident from the fact that he deeded land to his son James Draper, Jr., March 13, 1697 [1696/97]. See Suffolk County, Mass., Deeds, vol. 38, folio 193....
"The writer has not seen any evidence that he was in Roxbury before he settled in Dedham, Jan. 2, 1653/4. According to a deed made Oct. 3, 1667, he was then 'of Dedham.' The birth of his daughter Patience, Aug. 17, 1668, was entered in Roxbury records. It appears then, that he removed to Roxbury in 1667 or 1668."
From: GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS RELATING TO THE FAMILIES OF BOSTON AND EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS, William Richard Cutter, Editor. Lewis Historical Publishing Co., New York, 1910. Page 2286.
James, son of Thomas Draper, was the immigrant ancestor. He was born in Heptonstall in 1618, and came to New England about the time he came of age, and from 1640 to 1650 was a pioneer and proprietor of the town of Roxbury, Massachusetts. In 1654 he became a proprietor of Lancaster, Massachusetts, but remained in Roxbury, and died there in July 1694 [probably 13 July 1697], aged seventy-three years [probably 75]. His grave in the old Roxbury churchyard is marked by a stone. He was admitted a freeman in 1690. From his exceedingly strict piety he was known in his day as 'James the Puritan,' and thus is still known to genealogists and historians. He was the owner of several looms, and followed his trade of clothier in this country. He married, April 21, 1646, at Heptonstall, England, Miriam Stansfield, born there November 27, 1625, daughter of Gideon and Grace (Eastwood) Stansfield. She died at Roxbury, December-January, 1697. Her epitaph reads: 'Here lyes ye body of Mrs. Marrian Draper, wife of Mr. James Draper, aged about 77 years. Dec.-Jan. 1697.' The stone appears to be one of the oldest in the burying ground. Children: 1. Miriam, born in England, February 7, 1646-47; died there. 2. Susannah, born 1650 at Roxbury; married John Bacon of Charlestown. 3. Sarah, born 1652, at Roxbury. 4. James....[born in Roxbury, in 1654, and died there April 30, 1698; soldier in King Philip's War in 1675-76; married February 18, 1681, Abigail Whiting; seven children]. 5. John, born April 24, 1656, at Dedham, Massachusetts; died April 5, 1749. 6. Moses, born at Dedham, September 26, 1663; died at Boston, August 14, 1693. Daniel, born May 30, 1665, at Dedham, and died there. 8. Patience, born August 17, 1668, at Roxbury. 9. Jonathan, born March 10, 1670, at Roxbury; died there February 28, 1746-47; married Sarah Jackson."
[Discrepancies: Text above says that James was from 1640 to 1650 a pioneer and proprietor of the town of Roxbury, MA; however, it also says that he was married in England in 1646 and had a daughter born in England in 1646-47. Text gives July 1694 as death date; James Scott says July 1691 (1618 + 73 = 1691). Clarence Almon Torrey's TAG article, 1938/39, the most reliable source, states 1697.]
LDS Ancestral File (ver. 4.13):
Shows James Draper's birth date as 28 July 1622, Heptonstall, Yorkshire, England; his father as William Draper], born 1586 Heptonstall, Yorkshire, England; his mother Grace Mitchell born about 1582, Heptonstall, Yorkshire, England.
From "The Drapers in America":
"The reasons for the migration of the earlier Drapers to America were principally religious ones. Those who have come later have done so in the hope that in this freer land of ours, their chances in life were better, which has proven to be the case. The earlier religious and political exiles have in some instances left their mark and a posterity; others have dropped entirely from sight; all have been accounted for as far as possible. But one especially rises up through the misty tangle of over two centuries to be a lesson and a beacon for the guidance, not alone of his own posterity, but of all who bear the name he did - James Draper - called variously, the "First," the "Emigrant," and best, truest of all, "The Puritan," for that he was persecuted for "Righteousness' Sake" in the old home. It was during the reign of King James I. that the excitement under the laws relating to the uniformity of religion arose. The Puritans, to avoid the persecutions which these laws would inflict upon them and to enjoy in peace the mode of worship they deemed most consonant to the Scriptures, emigrated in large numbers to Holland and the New World, settling in Plymouth and Massachussetts Bay, in 1620. The spirit of individual independence and the love of personal liberty and freedom of conscience which was aroused by the great religious excitement, had a deep influence on James as it had upon his father, Thomas Draper, and his brothers. What we learn of him hereafter very largely goes to prove this; be this as it may, he caught the feeling which was carrying so many to the rugged shores of the Western World, and with others from this same neighborhood, who cherished sentiments adverse to the claims of the Established Church, and the Prerogatives of Royalty concerning it, he, with his wife, Miriam, emigrated to this country but a few years after the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock. The exact date cannot be ascertained, but from careful research and calculation, the author believes it to have been in the year 1647-8. The first public Record of James is in 1654, as one of the proprietors of the newly laid out Town of Lancaster. But he had not lived there, but in Roxbury where, shortly after his arrival, he built what, for those early days, was considered a very substantial house. A picture of this building is inserted in this History, and the house stood until destroyed by fire some 20 years ago. Near its site stands a slightly more modern one, which was built by his son and is, to this day, occupied by one of his descendants. James gave largely of his means and time to build the Church and sustain it; and he was foremost in its councils and those of the Town. In the old cemetery at Roxbury he and his wife lie buried together, and one slab marks their common grave. The authenticity of connection between the Drapers of Heptonstall, England, and of James Draper and his descendants of Roxbury, Mass., is very clear. Not alone by the English Records, but by the following affidavits made many years ago, and amply proven to the entire satisfaction of Dr. Abijah Draper, his son, Dr. Abijah Weld Draper, and the celebrated Historian, Dr. Lyman Copeland Draper: "John Draper, of Dedham, aged eighty-two years or thereabouts, under oath declares that he hath often heard his father and mother say, that the deponent's grandfather's name was Thomas Draper, who lived in Heptonstall Brige or Bridge, in Yorkshire, and was a clothier by trade, and had sons, Thomas, John, William, and James - the deponent's father. The three former died in England, never came to this country, and two sisters, Mary and Martha, who also died there. The deponent's mother's surname was Stansfield, dau. Of Gideon Stansfield, alias Standfast, of the same place in Yorkshire, near the said Bridge, blacksmith by trade, who only had one son, that had not the use of speech, and the deponent's said mother, Meriam, and Abigail, who came together into this country, and who left their said father, Gideon, in Yorkshire, and who had estate there, but the deponent knows not what became thereof." New England, Provonce of Massachusetts Bay, Suffolk, SS. Roxbury, Mass., 25th April, 1742. "Then John Draper made solemn oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed, before Wm. Dudley, Justice of the Peace for said Province." (The above is a copy of a paper in the possession of William Draper, Roxbury, May, 1808, copied by Dr. Abijah Draper, and the copy in possession of Dr. Abijah Weld Draper - 1854 - and already transcribed from the original by Dr. Lyman Copeland Draper. The time of his (James Draper's) coming to this country is not ascertained, but that he was married here, as it would seem from the above deposition that Meriam and Abigail "came together to this country." The earliest record yet found of his name in Roxbury records of Births, etc., "1668, Patience, daughter of James Draper (born or baptized), Aug. 11th.") "I, Thomas Baker, of Roxbury, Suffolk Co., Province of Mass. Bay, in New England, yeoman, in the 78th year of my age, do testify and declare, that about 70 years ago, I well knew one James Draper, who then followed the business of a weaver, but I have heard he was a cordwainer; and he was then an old man, I believe between 60 and 70 years of age, and then lived in said town of Roxbury. I also well knew said James Draper's wife, and they often declared, and I always understood, that they came from Yorkshire, in Old England; and I also knew the sons of said James Draper, which he had by his 2d wife, who I always understood came from England after he, the said James, came to this country; and the names of their sons were James, John, Moses, Daniel and Jonathan; and I was well acquainted with them, and I knew that the same James was the eldest son of the first mentioned James Draper, who is long since dead. And I do further declare, that the last mentioned James (by his wife, whose maiden name was Abigail Whiting) had five sons, to wit: Nathl., William, James, Gideon and Ebenezer; but William died young, and I was not well acquainted with him, but I was well acquainted with the others - and that the same Nathanl. lived and died in said Roxbury and was the same James's oldest (son) and goes on to substantiate to the 2d Nath." (Signed) Thos. Baker. The above was sworn to the 12th of February, 1754, before Saml. Watts and Ebenezer Pierpont. Justices of the Peace & Quorum. The author of this book, however, had the advantage not only of the English records but of some American ones not reached by the three doctors, and is able to furnish the proofs in these pages that James the Puritan had but one wife - Miriam. Also that Miriam and her sister, Abigail, did come together from England; but the former was already the wife of James Draper, as the Heptonstall Parish Records amply denote. Her sister, Abigail, however, married in this country, Samuel May, of Boston, May 7, 1654. She was then 16 years old and must have been a child when she came to America with her sister."
"Although James Draper is found in history as one of the original proprietors of the Town of Lancaster, there is no evidence that he ever lived there. His first residence was in Roxbury, and there Sarah, Susanna and James, his first American children, were born. He then moved into the next Town of Dedham, for we find that his sons John, Moses and Daniel were born there, and the following official data from the records of that town confirms this view. He probably then returned to his first home in Roxbury where his youngest children, Patience and Jonathan, were born, and where he and his wife are buried. He was made a Freeman of Roxbury in 1690. All of Roxbury is now contained within the corporate limits of the City of Boston, yet it is still the country, and not yet built up to any extent, leaving the old landmarks untouched. James was also for a short time in Charlestown, Mass., for we find him notified in 1676, and that he sold to Jonathan Carey part of an orchard there in 1672. Deed recorded 1684."
From Drapers in America
Administration Bond of James Draper. Aug. 19, 1697.
Know all men by these presents That We, James Draper, Jonathan Draper, John Davis, Yeoman, and Joseph Warren, Carpenter, all of Roxbury within the County of Suffolk--within his Majestys Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England are holden and stand firmly bound and obliged unto William Houghton Esq. Judge of the Probate of Wills and Granting administrations within the said County of Suffolk, in the full sum of Four hundred pounds currant money in New England. To be paid unto the same William Houghton his successors in the said Office or Assignes. To the true payment whereof, we do bind ourselves, our heirs, Executors and Administrations jointly and severally firmly by these presents. Sealed with our Seals. Dated the ninteenth day of August Anno Domini 1697.
Armog R. Rs. Gulieane Fertu Anglio di nono.
The condition of this present obligation is such that the above bounden James & Jonathan Draper appointed administrators of all and singular the Goods chattels Rights and Credits (lying and being in the County of Suffolk aforesaid, and elsewhere within the Province) of their Father James Draper late of Roxbury aforesd Weaver, deceased intestate, do make a true & perfect inventory of all and singular the Goods Chattels Rights & Credits of the said deceased at the time of his death which at any time after shall come to the hands or possession of the said James & Jonathan Draper or any other person or persons for them do well and truly administer according to law. And further do make or cause to be made a just & true account of the said administration upon oath at or before the Nineteenth day of August which will be in the year of our Lord One thousand six hundred ninety eight, and all the rest & residue of the said Goods Chattels Rights & Credits which shall be found remaining upon the said Administrators Account (the same being first examined and allowed of by the Judge or Judges for the time being of Probate of Wills and Granting Administrations within the said County of Suffolk) shall deliver & pay unto such person or persons respectively as the said Judge or Judges by his or their Decree or sentance pursuant to law shall limit or appoint. And if it shall hereafter appear that any last Will or testament was made by the Deceased and the Executor or Executors therein named do Exhibit the same into the said Court of Probate making request to have it allowed and approved accordingly. If the said James & Jonathan Draper, within bounden, being thereunto required do render & deliver the said letters of Administration (Approbation of such Testament being first had and made) into the Registers Office of the County of Suffolk aforesaid. Then the within written obligation to be void and of none effect, or else to abide and remain in full force and virtue.
Sealed & Delivered JAMES DRAPER (SEAL)
in presence of JONATHAN DRAPER (SEAL)
BENY 2 ELIOTT JOHN DAVIS (SEAL)
EDWARD HUMFREY. JOSEPH WARREN (SEAL)
An Inventory of the Estate of James Draper, late of Roxbury, Weaver deceased. Approved
by us the Subscribers.
s. d.
To house & shop and halfe barne & home lands 25 00 00
To one acre & roode of meadow in Deadham 1 00 00
To rights of lands in Deadham bounds 2 00 00
to 1 mare & 2 cows 7 00 00
To one swine 0 15 00
To corn and apples and to bakon 3 15 00
To mirror and brass 5 00 00
To iron tongues fireshovel handirons & other things 1 10 00
Chairs, tables, pails, dishes 1 00 00
To agur and other small things 2 10 00
To beds & bedding 9 00 00
Wooling and lining clothes 2 00 00
to books 1 00 00
Chests, boxes, cubord 1 00 0
to yarn lining & wooling 1 00 0
Wheels and lumber 1 10 0
looms and tacklin 5 00 0
Cart and a cidar mill 1 10 0
72 00 0
JOHN ALLDIS
THOMAS LION
Suffolk. By the Honorable Wm. Houghton Esq. Judge of Probate, etc., Jonathan
Draper, surviving Administrator of the Estate of his Father James Draper late of Roxbury,
Weaver, deceased, Exhibeted the above written And made oath that it contains
a just and true Inventory of the Estate of the said Deceased. So far as hath come to
his knowledge And that if more hereafter appears he will cause it to be added.
BOSTON. May 12, 1698. WM. HOUGHTON.
Suffolk, The Account of Jonathan Draper Admt. of all & singular the Goods Chattels
Rights and Credits of his father James Draper late of Roxbury Weaver Deceased.
The said Accountant Chargeth himself with all and singular the Goods Chattels etc. of the Deceased specified in an Inventory Exhibited into the Registry of the Court of Probate on the day of Amounting in the whole to ye sum of 73 10 0.
And prays Allowance of the following:
Payments.
Letter of Administration 00 7 6
Recording the Inventory 00 2 6
Funeral charges for my Father 6 7 10
Do. for my Mother 6 6 00
Rates paid to the Constable 0 12 6
Paid John Puffer 1 10 6
Paid a debt of keeping my Mother 3 years & six months 50 0 0
For allowing Drawing & Recording this Account 0 9 0
65 17 10
Suffolk. By the Honorable Samuel Sewell
Esq. Judge of Probate, etc.
Jonathan Draper, surviving Administrator presented the above written and made oath
that it contained a just and true account of his administration on the Estate of his
Father James Draper late of Roxbury Deceased And Produced Receipts and Vouchers
for several payments therein mentioned. Which I do accordingly allow and approve of.
SAMUEL SEWALL.
Lib. S. Folio 173. June 9, 1718.
From Genealogical and Family History of New York by William S. Pelletreau, AM
Originally published NY 1907, reprinted for Clearfield Co., by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. Baltimore, MD 1998
p. 110
James's first residence in America was Roxbury, Massachusetts, and there his children were born. From Roxbury, he moved to Dedham. Later, he probably returned to Roxbury, where he and his wife died and are buried.
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1622 - 1697 (~ 74 years)
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