Rev. James NOYES

1608 - 1656  (48 years)

• Name	James NOYES  [1, 2]
  	James Noyes m. in 1634 Sarah, eldest daughter of Mr. Joseph Brown of Southampton, Eng., and in March of that year embarked for New England, in company with his brother Nicholas and his cousin, Thomas Parker, in the 'Mary and John' of London. He preached for a short time at Medford, and then for a while at the Watertown church, but in 1635 went to Newbury, Mass., and preached there till his death, Oct. 22, 1656. Mrs. Sarah Brown Noyes d. Sept. 13, 1691. Mr. James Noyes was very much loved and honored in Newbury, and it was said of him that 'He was of so loving and compassionate and humble carriage that there never was any one acquainted with him, but did desire the continuance of his society and acquaintance.' he had a fine voice, and with his cousin Thomas Parker spent much time in singing and praising God, both at home and at divine worship. He had a long and tedious sickness, which he bore patiently and cheerfully, and d. joyfully in the 48th year of his age. He left six sons and two daughters, all of whom lived to be m. and have children. His will, dated Oct. 17, 1656, which was six days before his death, is preserved, and his inventory showed a good estate. [1] He was matriculated at Brasenose College, Oxford, 22 August, 1627, but was not graduated. In March, 1633, he and his wife Sarah, brother Nicholas, and cousin Thomas Parker, with others, took the oath of supremacy and allegiance, to pass for new England, in the "Mary and John," of London, Robert Sayres, master. In 1633/4 he preached in Mystic, now Medford, Mass., and was made freeman 3 Sept., 1634, and with his brother Nicholas and cousin Thomas Parker, was among the first settlers of Newbury, Mass., In May, 1634/5. He died 22 Oct., 1656 [2] James was born in 1608, in Cholderton, Wiltshire, England, the son of William Noyes and probably Ann Stephens. William was the rector of the diocese of Cholderton. James attended Brasenose, Oxford College, but did not graduate. He was asked to leave school and help teach at the Free School in Newbury, Berkshire, England, by his cousin Thomas Parker, which he did. He married, about 1632, Sarah, the oldest daughter of Joseph Brown of Southampton, England. In 1633, James, his wife, his brother Nicholas and Thomas Parker, among others, took the oath of allegiance, allowing them to leave for New England. They were non-conformists, unhappy with the "popish" ceremonies of the Church of England. In March 1634, they sailed on the "Mary & John", arriving in May at Boston. In 1634, James was in Mystic, now Medford, Massachusetts, he preached there and was made freeman on September 3, 1634. He was invited to become the preacher at Watertown, but declined, instead becoming one of the first settlers of Newbury, Massachusetts, the settlement being named after the town in England where they founded the school. Noyes was granted eight acres, and built a house. He and Parker formed a church in Newbury. Parker was named pastor and Noyes was made "teacher of the church". James served in that capacity for over twenty years. He wrote a Catechism that was used in the church for many years, and was esteemed and honored in the town. Even though there was some sort of church controversy between the two cousins, Parker, who never married, lived with Noyes and his family. After a long illness, James Noyes made his will on October 17, 1656, five days before his death, and it was proved on November 26. Rev. James Noyes is buried in the First Burial Ground of the Church he helped to establish. Parker continued to live in the home, as an honored member of the family, until his death in 1677. At a later date, Nicholas Noyes, son of James' brother Nicholas, wrote that of James' six sons and two daughters, there were 56 total children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, even though one son and one daughter had since died. James' wife Sarah lived in Newbury until her death on September 13, 1691. The Noyes home, built between 1640 and 1650, was used by many generations, and the last occupant, Mary Coffin Noyes, died there in 1895. Once, when there was some remodeling to be done, it was discovered that there was a secret closet built into the massive chimney, accessible only from the cellar. It was obviously constructed to provide a safe hiding place for valuables in case of Indian raids. Inscription Here lies the body of the REV. JAMES NOYES who was born in Chaulderton, England, in 1608, came to New England in 1634, was chosen teacher of the church in Newbury as colleague with his cousin Parker in 1635. He died Oct. 22, 1656, in his 48th y'r. [3]
  Prefix	Rev.
  Birth	22 Oct 1608	Cholderton, Wiltshire, England   [1, 2]
  Gender	Male
  Death	22 Oct 1656	Newbury Old Town, Essex Co., Massachusetts   [1, 2]
  Burial	First Parish Burying Ground, Newbury Essex Co., Massachusetts   [3]
  Person ID	I41661	Main Tree
  Last Modified	17 Oct 2022

  
  

  Father	Rev William NOYES,   b. 1568, England d. 1615 (Age 47 years)
  Relationship	Birth
  Mother	Anne PARKER,   b. 1575, England d. 1657 (Age 82 years)
  Relationship	Birth
  Marriage	Abt 1595  [1, 2]
  Family ID	F36692	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Sarah BROWNE,   b. 1610, South Hampton, Hampshire, England d. 13 Sep 1691, Newbury Old Town, Essex Co., Massachusetts (Age 81 years)
  Marriage	Bef 1634	Cholderton, Wiltshire, England   [1, 2]
  Children	1. Rev. James NOYES, Jr.,   b. 11 Mar 1640, Newbury Old Town, Essex Co., Massachusetts d. 30 Dec 1719, Stonington, New London, Connecticut, USA (Age 79 years)  [Birth] + 2. Rev Moses NOYES,   b. 16 Dec 1643, Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts, USA d. 10 Nov 1729, Lyme, New London Co., Conn. (Age 85 years)  [Birth]   3. Thomas NOYES,   b. 10 Aug 1648, Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts, USA d. Bef 24 Apr 1730, Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts, USA (Age 81 years)  [Birth]
  Family ID	F03303	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	4 Feb 2022

  
  

• Event Map

  Birth - 22 Oct 1608 - Cholderton, Wiltshire, England Marriage - Bef 1634 - Cholderton, Wiltshire, England  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Headstones

  Rev. James Noyes Headstone James, son of Rev. William Noyes, is the husband of Sarah Brown. He is buried in the First Parish Burying Ground in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts. Created by: Paul M. Noyes Photo added by: Paul M. Noyes

  
  

• Sources

  [S9214] Richard Anson Wheeler, History of the Town of Stonington, County of New London, Connecticut. [S12642] Col. Henry E. Noyes, and Miss Harriette E. Noyes, Genealogical Record of Some of The NOYES Descendants of James, Nicholas and Peter Noyes Vol. I and II. [S02329] Find A Grave Website.