Capt Herbert PELHAM, Esq.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: Will dated 1 Jan 1672/3 and proved 30 Mar 1676

Notes:

Name:
Came to New England, 1639/40; first Treasurer of Harvard College, 1643; Commissioner of the United Colonies, 1645

As early as 1629 Herbert Pelham agreed to invest in the Winthrop project of colonization with his father-in-law, and invested some L3,000 in the venture. The two families embarked from Gravesend, but Thomas Waldegrave and his wife went ashore at Deal in Kent before leaving English waters because of her illness. Herbert Pelham appears to have sailed from Gravesend with his family sometime between September 1639 and December 1640, and his wife died during the crossing. Shortly after arrival in New England he married for the second time to Elizabeth (Bosvile) Harlakeden, widow, with two daughters, of Roger Harlakenden, and daughter of Geoffrey Bosvile, Esq., of Gunthwaite, co. York, by Margaret, daughter of Edward Greville, Knt., of Harold Park. Essex. After marriage they lived in the Harlakenden household at Cambridge. He cleared large farms south of the river on Harlakenden property in Lexington and Bedford, and in Cambridge. At the request of Thomas Waldegrave, he returned to England in the winter of 1641, and having come to an agreement concerning his first wife's property, he returned to New England and took a prominent part in the affairs of the community. He was first Treasurer of Harvard College in 1643, and Commissioner of the United Colonies in 1645. He was active with the Society for promoting and Propagating the Gospel in New England. He returned to England in the 'Supply' on 9 Nov 1646, and resided at Bures, Essex, on property inherited through his first wife. On 25 Aug 1659 letters to administer the estate of Elizabeth Pelham, late of Ferriers, in Bures, Essex, were granted to her husband Herbert.

He was not educated at Magdalen Hall, Oxford, nor was he a lawyer as stated in earlier biographies. However, he was called a gentleman who owned considerable land. Herbert Pelham agreed as early as 1629 to invest in the Winthrop project of colonization with his father-in-law, Thomas Waldegrave, and invested some 3,000 pounds in the venture. The two families embarked from Gravesend (Kent), but Thomas Waldegrave and his wife went ashore at Deal in Kent before leaving English waters because of her illness. Herbert Pelham appears to have sailed from Gravesend with his family sometime between Sep 1639 and Dec 1640. His wife Jemima died during the crossing. He settled in Cambridge, and lived on the same estate that was previously occupied by Governor Thomas Dudley. His house burned down a year later. A few acres of his land were called Pelham's Island. After his marriage to Elizabeth, they lived in the Harlakenden household at Cambridge. He cleared large farms south of the river on Harlakenden property in Lexington ad Bedford, and in Cambridge. He became a freeman in may 1645. "He also was the first Treasurer of Harvard College, chosen Dec. 27, 1643, and the second person named in the act incorporating the Society for Propagating the Gospel among the Indians in 1649". He was styled as "a man of courteous behaviour, humble and heavenly-minded." He was a the Ancient and Honorable Artillery (1638) and is registered on the Roll of Arms (#43). He returned to England in the ship Supply on 9 Nov 1646, and resided at Bures, Essex until his death, on the property inherited through his first wife Jemima. His will dated 1 Jan 1673/4 was proved 30 Mar 1675/6,

Herbert married Jemima WALDEGRAVE on 13 Oct 1626 in With License. Jemima was born in 1606 in Bures-ad-Montem, co. Essex; died between Sep 1639 and Dec 1640 in Died during the crossing. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Waldegrave PELHAM was born in 1627 in Bures, co. Essex; was christened on 26 Sep 1627; died on 12 Nov 1699 in Bures, co. Essex.
2. Herbert PELHAM was born in 1629 in Bures, co. Essex; was christened on 5 Aug 1629 in St. Margaret's Westminister, Bures, co. Essex; died in Aug 1629 in Bures, co. Essex.
3. Jemima PELHAM was born in 1630 in Bures, co. Essex; was christened on 14 Jul 1630 in Bures, co. Essex; died on 20 Aug 1657 in Bures, co. Essex.
4. Nathaniel PELHAM was born in 1631/2 in Bures, co. Essex; was christened on 5 Feb 1631/2 in Bures, co. Essex; died in 1657 in lost at Sea.
5. Penelope PELHAM was born on 25 Apr 1633 in Bures, co. Essex; died on 07 Dec 1703 in Marshfield, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA.
6. Margaret PELHAM was born in 1634 in Bures, co. Essex; was christened on 30 Nov 1634 in Twinstead, co. Essex.
7. Katherine PELHAM was born in 1635/6 in Bures, co. Essex; was christened on 30 Mar 1635/6 in Twinstead, co. Essex.
8. Elizabeth PELHAM was born in 1638 in Bures, co. Essex; was christened on 29 Nov 1638 in Twinstead, co. Essex.

Herbert married Elizabeth BOSVILE in 1639/40. Elizabeth (daughter of Col. Godfrey BOSVILE, Esq. and Margaret GREVILLE) was born in 1617 in Gunthwaite, co. West York; died before 25 Aug 1659 in Bures, co. Essex. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Mary PELHAM was born on 12 Nov 1640 in Boston, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts; died in England.
2. Frances PELHAM was born on 9 Nov 1643 in Cambridge, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.
3. Herbert PELHAM was born on 3 Oct 1645 in Cambridge, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts; died in Dec 1645 in Cambridge, Middlesex Co., Massachuetts.
4. Capt Edward PELHAM, Gent. was born in 1652/3 in Bures, co. Essex; died on 20 Sep 1730 in Newport, Rhode Island.
5. William PELHAM was born in 1654 in Bures, co. Essex; died in England.
6. Henry PELHAM was born in 1655/6 in Bures, co. Essex.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: Esq. of Crawl

Notes:

Name:
Herbert Pelham (the younger), Esq., of Hastings, Sussex, and Boston, co. Lincoln, was the step-son of Penelope's older sister Elizabeth. On 6 Nov 1598, described as 'Herbert Pelham, son and heir apparent of Herbert Pelham of Mychelham, Sussex', he registered as a student at Gray's Inn, London.

Herbert married Penelope WEST about 1599. Penelope (daughter of Sir Thomas WEST and Lady Anne KNOLLYS) was born on 9 Sep 1582 in Wherwell, co. Hamps; died in 1619 in Warbleton, co. Sussex. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: Sister of Sir Thomas West, 3d Lord De la Warr, first Governor of the Virginia Colony