An American Family History

The Honorable Joseph Batcheller was born in Canterbury, England about 1610. His brothers were Henry Batcheller and John Batcheller.

He married his wife, Elizabeth in England. Their children and life together are described in detail in the section on Joseph and Elizabeth Batcheller.

He immigrated to America in 1636 during the rule of Charles I. He was a Puritan who came to America for religous freedom.

He was listed as a tailor on the roll of persons who made the passage from Sandwich for the American plantations. According to Perley, he was a mariner and lived in Wenham.

They settled in Wenham, Essex County, Massachusetts were he was made freeman and proprietor in 1637. He was a deputy from March 16, 1637/8 to 1643. He was the first representative to the General Court in Boston in 1644.

He died in March, 1647. The church records said

In y^e mesne space it pleased God to take to himself brother Batchel., a man wise, moderate, and very able to be helpful in such cases.

(the case was one of church discipline at the time). His son Mark was the administrator of the estate.

Mary White Rowlandson,Talcot was captured by Native Americans during King Philip's War (1675-1676).

from The Essex Antiquarian edited by Sidney Perley

Joseph Batchelder2. He was a mariner, and lived in Wenham. He died before 1657; and his wife was also then dead.

Children:
i. John.
ii. Elizabeth, m. Capt. John Davis of Gloucester, 6: 10 mo: 1666; and d. Jan. 1, 1696-7.
iii. Hannah, m. John Warner of Ipswich April 20, 1665; and d. between 1679 and 1696.
iv. Mark, lived in Wenham; was constable, 1663 and 1666, trial juror, 1658, 1663,1664; and was killed.as a soldier in the company of Capt. Joseph Gardner of Salem, Dec. 19, 1675, in King Philip's war, in the terrible swamp fight with the savages. He was unmarried. His estate was valued at £131.

The Great Swamp Fight was on November 2, 1675. Josiah Winslow led a force of over 1000 colonial militia and about 150 Pequot and Mohegan warriors against the Narragansett. Several abandoned Narragansett villages were burned and the tribe retreated to a five acre fort in the center of a swamp near Kingston, Rhode Island. The fort, which was occupied by over a thousand indigenous warriors, was taken after a fierce fight. It was burned and the inhabitants, including women and children, were killed or evicted. The winter stores were destroyed. The colonists lost about 70 men and nearly 150 were wounded.

from Batchelder, Batcheller Genealogy, 1898 by Frederick Pierce

Hon. Joseph Batcheller, b. Canterbury, England; m. in England, Elizabeth . He was born in England and emigrated to America in 1636, coming from Canterbury. He came with his wife, Elizabeth, one child and three servants, and brothers Henry and John.

He settled first in Salem and later in Wenham. He was made a freeman in 1637, was deputy to the General Court in Boston in 1644, being the first representative from the town of Wenham. The inventory of his estate taken March 31, 1657, is on file in the Salem probate office in a very mutilated condition. In a list headed

A true roll or list of names, surnames, and qualities of all such persons who have taken passage from the town and port of Sandwich for the American plantations, since the last certificate of such passengers returned into the office of Dover castle. Henry Bachelor of Dover, brewer, and Martha, his wife, 4 servants. Joseph Bachelor of Canterbury, taylor, and Elizabeth, his wife, 1 child, 3 servants. John Bachelor, of Canterbury, taylor.

The church at Wenham was organized Oct. 8, 1644, and Joseph Batcheller was one of the members. His wife, Elizabeth, was admitted to membership on the 17th of November, 1644.

His brother, John Bachelor, from Canterbury, Kent Co., came to Salem in the same vessel at the same time.

In the record of a case of church discipline in the Wenham church, occurs this:

In y^e mesne space it pleased God to take to himself brother Batchel. , a man wise, moderate, and very able to be helpful in such cases." Church record, pp. 84. "He was a prominent and useful man in the plantation." History of Wenham, pp. 28 and 29.

Goodman Batcheller he was often called. . .

On the inventory it is written that he died ten years ago, which would make it that he died in 1647. His son, Mark, settled his estate. Mark Batcheller was appointed administrator of the estate of his father. Referred to Salem Court to take further order thereon, March, 1657, Ipswich County Court. Mark Batcheller, who setled the estate of his father and mother is to pay his brother John £15 when he shall accomplish the age of 21 years; to his sister Elizabeth £15, when she shall accomplish the age of 18 years or marry; and to his sister Hannah £15, when she shall accomplish the age of 18 years or marry. . .

He d. March, 1647; res. Salem and Wenham, Mass.