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Surnames: Capen
Classification: Query
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/UYH.2ACEB/104.1.1
Message Board Post:
I don't have Polly with a brother Franklin. This work was largely researched by a
distant cousin. I am posting my notes, so you might have another place to look.
Bernard Capen Notes:
Most of the Capen information is from "The Capen Family" genealogy Descendants
of Bernard Capen of Dorcester, compiled by Charles Albert Hayden and revised by Jessie
Hale Tuttle, 1929:
Bernard came from Dorcester, England. His wife and Joan came to America with some of
their children and settled in Dorchester Mass. His name first appeared with land bought on
Aug. 4, 1633. He died on this property in 1638 at age 76. His house was still in existence
in 1928 although it was moved at to Milton in 1909 set up on a hill, pictures on P.12..
His gravestone in pieces was later kept at New England Historic Genealogy Room in Boston.
The old "North Burying Ground" in Dorchester has what is referred to as
"Capen Row" with Bernard and many of his children and descendants buried
there(40 Capens)picture page 16.
more:
All Capen researchers are very lucky to have and entire book written about Benard Capen
and his descendents:
Descendants of Bernard Capen of Dorchester Mass by Reverand Charles Albert Hayden 1929
It generally only follows the male lines of the family but each female's spouse is
listed and sometimes their children. Most of the information that I am posting is from
that book.
Bernard's house still stands. Originally built in Dorchester MA (part of Boston) it
was move in the 20's to Milton MA (just south of Boston)
His grave is in the old burying ground in Dorchester. The original gravestone is preserved
by the NEHGS in Boston. It has the inscription:
Body of ---pen aged --ied ye--er 1638 ---Joan --aged .
The replacement stone reads:
Barnard Capen & Mrs Joan Capen his Wife. He died Nov. 8 1638 aged 76 years
& she died March 26 1653 aged 75 years
It is believed that his name was pronounced "Barnard" There is a "Capen
Row" in the burying ground and over 40 Capens are buried there.
An extract of his will is on file in Suffolk county it reads
"Octo 9th 1638. Sonne John five acres of land out of my great lott, next adjoining to
his lott ye which he is to possess immediately after my decease wch is to fulfill a
promise made at his marriage. To wife all such lands and goods as I possess during her
life. And when it shall appear her dayes drawe to an end that she wth the rest of my
friends whom I put in trust, to divide theis lands and goods tomy children equally. I she
shcnge her name by marriage with anther man the she shall wth the aduise fo those of my
friends give porcons equally to my children. Now theis things done according to my will
are Mr. Minit the elder, my brother Dyer & William Sumner."
George Dyer and Will Sumner deposed befoet the County court 19 November 1652 that this was
the last will of Bernard Capen
Bernard arrived in Dorchester sometime after 1628. He is named in his son's will in
England in 1628. I believe he may have come over about 1630. Susannah Capen (Bernard's
daughter)came over with her husband William Rockwell on the "Mary & John"
there is a possibility that Bernard came over with his family at the same time.
I hope this helps ingite the Capen board. It is an interesting family that is a part of
the Winthrop group Massachusetts Bay settlers
You might want to check out the Winthrop Society home page
http://members.aol.com/WinthropSQ/society.htm
posted by
Lynne Holland on
genforum.com
Under Samuel Capen notes:
In "The Capen Family" revised by Jessie Hale Tuttle 1929, on page 37, Six
children were born in Dorchester, six children were born in Leicester and 3 children were
born in Spencer.
I am listing only the children born in Spencer.