Re: Stray N.E. Sewall/Sewell Families
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In reply to:
Re: Stray N.E. Sewall/Sewell Families
Chuck DuBay 8/05/01
Chuck,
Right! I'd forgotten about the poem.
The poem alludes to the connection between one of the New England families, that of Henry Sewall of Newbury, Mass., (ca. 1576-1656), and one of the southern families, that of Henry Sewell of Maryland (by 1627- 1664 or 5).Henry of Maryland was the son of Richard Sewall, the brother of Henry of Newbury.
The poem describes the political connections correctly.Henry, the son of Henry of Newbury, returned to New England in 1659 with a letter of recommendation from Richard Cromwell ("Tumbledown Dick", son of Oliver) and sent for his family in 1661.One can speculate that he remained in New England because his Cromwell connection was too close in restoration England.Henry of Maryland arrived in Maryland after the restoration, in 1661, and was promptly appointed (if he didn't carry the appointment with him) to a high colonial office, that of counselor.
As far as is known, Henry (2nd of Newbury) was a minister in England, not a soldier.Since our last posts, I stumbled across documentation that shows that Henry of Maryland had a brother, Richard, Jr., who was a surgeon in Cromwell's army, so there is no doubt that the turmoil in 17th century England divided this family.
Sadly, it also alludes to the alleged coat of arms or crest long associated with the Sewall or Sewell families, a chevron between three bees volant.Unfortunately, the heralds have not been able to document the right of these families to those arms, in spite of three searches: in the 1800's for Col. Joseph L. Chester, in the 1900's for Brig. Sir Hector L. Duff., and last year for this writer.
It's been some time since I've seen the poem and it's fun to read it again.
Best wishes, Eben.
More Replies:
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Re: Stray N.E. Sewall/Sewell Families
Bonnie Morgan 11/04/01