Capt John ALDEN

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: Bef 1626, Plymouth
• Fact: 1648, Freeman at Boston
• Will: 17 Feb 1701
• Death: 14 May 1702

Notes:

Excerpt from "Mayflower Increasings": Capt. John Alden was a distinguished and respected citizen, having lived in Boston for over 30 years. He was an experienced mariner and had served as a naval commander. As a military officer he had served in the French and Indian wars and as late as 1690 served as commissioner in conducting negotiations with the natives. Imagine his amazement to find himself before the Salem magistrates, 31 May 1692, "upon the accusation of a company of poor distracted or possessed creatures or witches" on a charge of witchcraft! He was interrogated for many hours, during which time his sword was taken from him (he was accused of using it to afflict his accusers) and he was further degraded by one accuser who states, "he sells powder and shot to the Indians and French, and lies with the Indian squaws, and has Indian papooses". The evidence against him? During the interrogation he was said to pinch his accusers, strike them down with his look, and heal them with his touch. Capt. Alden was taken to Boston jail where he was held in custody for fifteen weeks and, in his own words,"....and then, observing the manner of trials, and evidence then taken, was at length prevailed with to make his escape". He made his escape about the middle of September and it was probable just in time as soon after this nine of the accused were executed. Alden probably made his way to Duxbury where relatives and friends hid him, but his experience was not yet over. In April 1693 when it appeared the witchcraft hysteria was over and people were coming to their senses, Alden turned himself in and was bound over to the Superior Court at Boston the last Tuesday of Apr. 1693. When no one came forward to prosecute, he and 150 others were released. The judicial proceedings were finally over, at the expense of 20 innocent lives.

John married Elizabeth PHILLIPS on 01 Apr 1660. Elizabeth was born before 1640; died on 07 Feb 1695/6; was buried on 07 Feb 1695/6. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. John ALDEN was born on 20 Nov 1660 in Boston, Suffolk County,Massachusetts; died between 12 Mar 1662 and 1663.
2. Elizabeth ALDEN was born on 09 May 1662 in Boston, Suffolk County,Massachusetts; died on 14 Jul 1662 in Boston, Suffolk County,Massachusetts.
3. John ALDEN was born on 12 Mar 1662/23 in Boston, Suffolk County,Massachusetts; died on 01 Feb 1729/30 in Boston, Suffolk County,Massachusetts.
4. William ALDEN was born on 16 Mar 1663/64 in Boston, Suffolk County,Massachusetts; died on 07 Jun 1664 in Boston, Suffolk County,Massachusetts.
5. Elizabeth ALDEN was born on 09 Apr 1665 in Boston, Suffolk County,Massachusetts; was christened on 28 Apr 1667 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts; died after 1 Sep 1739.
6. William ALDEN was born on 05 Mar 1665/66 in Boston, Suffolk County,Massachusetts; died before 10 Sep 1669.
7. Zachariah ALDEN was born on 05 Mar 1667 in Boston, Suffolk County,Massachusetts; died between 18 Feb 1672 and 1673.
8. Nathaniel ALDEN was born on 09 Jul 1668 in Boston, Suffolk County,Massachusetts; died before 24 Jul 1702.
9. William ALDEN was born on 10 Sep 1669 in Boston, Suffolk County,Massachusetts; died between 09 and 10 Feb 1728.
10. Zachariah ALDEN was born on 18 Feb 1672/73 in Boston, Suffolk County,Massachusetts; died before 18 Aug 1709.
11. Nathan ALDEN was born on 17 Oct 1677 in Boston, Suffolk County,Massachusetts; died before 17 Feb 1701.
12. Sarah ALDEN was born on 27 Sep 1681 in Boston, Suffolk County,Massachusetts; died before 17 Feb 1701.

John married Elizabeth ? before 1658. Elizabeth died in Dec 1659. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Mary ALDEN was born on 17 Dec 1659 in Boston, Suffolk County,Massachusetts; died between 1665 and 28 Apr 1667 in Boston, Suffolk County,Massachusetts.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 1599, England
• Death: 12 Sep 1687, Duxbury
• Fact: 13 Jun 1688, Settlement of Estate

Notes:

Excerpt from Connecticut, 1600s-1800s Local Families and Histories: "John Alden, immigrant ancestor, was born in England in 1599. He joined the Pilgrims on the "Mayflower" at Southampton as the ship was on its way to America. When the ship stopped there for supplies, he was hired as cooper. He had not been with them at Leyden, and was probably not a member of the independent church, but soon joined. He cast his fortunes with the Pilgrims, after enduring the hardships of that first terrible winter at Plymouth, when so many died. He was doubtless influenced in this decision by his love for Priscilla Mullens, th story of which, with some embellishments, is told in the " Courtship of Miles Standish." She was the daughter of William Mullens, who came on the "Mayflower" with his family. John an Priscella were married in the spring of 1621. When the common property of the cololy was divided in 1627, Alden went with Captain Standish, Elder Brewster, John Howland, Francis Eaton and Peter Brown, to Mattakeeset, the Indian name of the territory now included in Duxbury, Marshfield, Pembroke, Hanson and Bridgewater, Massachusetts. For several years they were obliged to return to Plymouth during the winer season to combine all their forces against the possible Indian attacks. The residence at Plymouth in the winter also gave them an opportunity to attend worship, and the records show a written agreement of Alden and others in 1632 to remove their families to Plymouth in the winter. In 1633 Alden was appiointed assistant to the governor, an office which he held for nearly the whole of the remainder of his life, serving with Edward Winslow, Josiah Winslow, Bradford, Prince and Thomas Hinckley. From 1666 until his death, he held the office of first assistant, was often called the deputy governor, and was many times acting governor in the absence of the governor. From 1640 to 1650 he was also deputy to the colonial council from Duxbury...... He was one of the council of war, many times an arbitrator, a surveyor of lands for the government as well as for individuals, and on several important occasions was authorized to act as agent or attorney for the colony. He was possessed of a sound judgment and of talents which, though not brilliant, were by no means ordinary........

John married Priscilla MULLINS in 1621. Priscilla (daughter of William MULLINS and Alice ?) was born about 1602; died between 01 Dec 1680 and 12 Sep 1687 in Duxbury. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]