Part of the Massachusetts Biographies Project
Kenelm Winslow
"Kenelm Winslow, third son of Edward, Esq., was born 30 April 1599, came to Plymouth probably in 1629, and was admitted Freeman 1 January 1632-3. He removed to Marshfield about 1641, having previously received a grant of land at that place, then called it Green's Harbor. 5 March, 1637-8: 'all that parcel of land remaining of that neck of land lying on the east side of the lands lately granted to Josias Winslow, at Greenes Harbor, are granted to Kenelme Winslow and Love Brewster, to be divided betwixt them, provided that Kenelme Winslow have that part next adjoining to his brother Josias, upon the conditions the lands are there granted upon.' (Plym. Co. Rec. i. 78.). This tract of land is described by Miss Thomas in her 'Memorials of Marshfield,' p. 27, as 'the Eden of the region.'
Other lands were granted to him at sundry times. His inventory describes, among others, lands west of Taunton River granted to him 'with the ancient freeman;' also, 'the one-half of the portion of land granted by the court to him and his brother Josias Winslow, upon the account of their brother Gilbert Winslow, as he was a first-comer.' He was one of the purchasers of Assonet, 2 April 1659. Upon some of these lands his posterity long resided.
Mr. Winslow was styled 'joyner,' 6 January, 1633-4, when Samuel Jenney was indented to him as an apprentice; but he is elsewhere and generally called a 'planter.' Besides serving his townsmen in minor offices, he was deputy, or representative, in the General Court, 1642-44, and 1649-53, eight years. But though thus favored and honored in some respects, the course of his life did not run entirely smooth. At the General Court, 4 June 1645, it is recorded (Rec. ii. 85) that, 'whereas Kenelme Winslow complained that he had injustice in that he could not be heard in the suit betwixt John Mynard and himself, the court appointed a committee to examine and inquire thereinto;' the committee reported, 'that the said charge of injustice is altogether untrue, and that the Bench and Jury are free and clear of any injustice therein, notwithstanding of whatsoever the said Kenelme could allege, and therefore the court do adjudge him to be committed to prison during the country's pleasure, and to be fined 2(?).' His imprisonment was very short, and his fine was remitted. Again, on the 5th May, 1646 (Rec. ii 98), 'Kenelme Winslowe, for opprobrious words against the church of Marshfield, saying they were all liars, &c., was ordered by the court to find sureties for his good behavior, which he refusing to do was committed to prison, where he remained until the General Court following,' or about four weeks. But though he thus incurred the displeasure of the General Court and the Court of Assistants, it is manifest that he did not thereby lose the respect and confidence of his townsmen, for soon afterward (1649) they again made him a member of that same General Court, and re-elected him to the same office for the next four years. He m. June 1634, Ellen* Adams, widow of John Adams, of Plymouth, and d. at Salem, 12 September, 1672, aged 78, apparently after a long sickness; for in his will, dated five weeks earlier, 8 August, 1672, he describes himself as 'being very sick and drawing nigh unto death.' He may have been in Salem on a visit to Mrs. Elizabeth Corwin, daughter of his brother Edward Winslow, or perhaps, for the purpose of obtaining medical aid. His widow, Ellen, d. at Marshfield 5 December, 1681, aged 83."
[Author's Note]*Or Eleanor, or Helen, as the name is variously written. She is supposed by Judge Davis (Memorial, p. 383) to be 'Ellen Newton, who came in the Ann.' and shared in the division of lands, 1623, but is called 'Eleanor Adams' in the division of cattle, 1627. Mr. Savage concurs in the conjection (Gen. Dict., i. 11), and enforces it by the remark that she was at that time 'probably the only female north of Chesapeake Bay with such baptismal name.' By her first husband, she had: i. James, who m. 15 July 1666, Frances, dau. of William Vassal, of Scituate; ii. John, who m. 27 Dec. 1654, Jane James, of Marshfield; iii. Susanna, who was living 11 Nov. 1633, but of whose subsequent history I am ignorant.
Kenelm WINSLOW I was born on 29 Apr 1599 in Droitwitch, Co. Worcester, England. He died on 13 Sep 1672 in Salem, Massachusetts. Kenelm married Ellen WORDEN daughter of Peter WORDEN and Mary in Jun 1634. Ellen was born in 1608 in Marshfield, Plymouth, Massachusetts. She died on 5 Dec 1681 in Marshfield, Plymouth, Massachusetts.
They had the following children:
Fi.Ellen WINSLOW was born in 1637 in Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts. She died on 27 Aug 1676 in Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts. Ellen married Samuel BAKER Sr. son of Reverend Nicholas BAKER Sr. and Eleanor WINSLOW in 1656. Samuel was born in 1630/1638 in Marshfield, Massachusetts. He died after 1699.
Mii. Kenelm WINSLOW II was born in 1635 in Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts. He died on 11 Nov 1715 in Harwich, Massachusetts. Kenelm married (1) Mercy WARDEN daughter of Peter WARDEN. Mercy was born in 1640. She died on 22 Sep 1688 in Harwich, Massachusetts. Kenelm married (2) Unknown after 1688.
Miii. Nathaniel WINSLOW was born about 1639 in Marshfield, Plymouth, Massachusetts. He died on 1 Dec 1719 in Marshfield, Massachusetts. Nathaniel married Faith MILLER daughter of Reverend John MILLER on 3 Aug 1664 in Marshfield, Massachusetts. Faith was born in Yarmouth, Massachusetts. She died on 9 Nov 1729 in Marshfield, Massachusetts.
Fiv.Margaret WINSLOW was born on 16 Jul 1640 in Marshfield, Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Mv.Job WINSLOW was born about 1641 in Marshfield, Plymouth, Massachusetts. He died on 14 Jul 1720 in Freetown, Bristol, Massachusetts. Job married Ruth COLE . Ruth died after 14 Jul 1720 in Freetown, Bristol Co. Massachusetts.
Sources: 1) Communicated by the Rev. Lucius R. Paige, D.D. of Cambridgeport, Mass., Winslow Family, Publ. 1871, p. 355-356, VOL. XXV., 31.; 2) New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 1847-1994 , Published 1940, Volume 94, Page 193.