Approved Ancestors

Isaac Allerton, 17th century, owner of de Hoop (Hope).
Roger Alling, 17th century, mariner.
Amy Anderson, 18th century, owner.
John Bray, 17th century, shipwright.
William Brewster, 17th century, owner.
William Clark, 17th century, owner.
George Davis, 17th century, captain, owner.
Giles Fifield, 17th century, mariner.
John Frost, 18th century, captain, mariner.
Stephen Goodyear, 17th century, owner of the Zwoll.
William Hilton, 17th century, mariner.
Stephen Hopkins, 17th century, shipwright, mariner.
Robert Latimer I, 17th century, captain, owner, mariner of the Hopewell.
Bartholomew Lovett, 19th century, captain.
Ebenezer Lyon, 18th century, captain of the sloops Three Sisters, Dove.
John May, 17th century, captain and shipwright of the James

Cornelius Melyn, 17th century, owner of the The Arms of Norway (Her Wapen van Noorwegen).
Richard More, 17th century, captain.
Robert Moulton, 17th century, shipwright.
Richard Norman, 17th century, shipwright.
John Parker (of Mattapany), 18th century, owner.
Richard Patteshall, 17th century, captain, owner of the Tavern, Barbican.
William Pepperell, 17th century, owner, shipwright, mariner.
John Prince, 17th century, owner.
Edward Rainsford, 17th century, owner, mariner of the Sarah, Swallow, Mary, among others.
Jan Janszen Schepmos, 17th century, mariner.
Thomas Tracy, 17th century, shipwright.
John Winslow, 17th century, owner of the pinke Mary, bark Speedwell, ketch Jane & Sarah.
Richard Wells, Sr., 18th century, captain mariner of the schooners St Louis, Industry.

Ancestor biographies below

WILLIAM BREWSTER of Plymouth, New Plymouth Colony (1560/70 - 1644) William Brewster was a Mayflower passenger and became a leader and elder of Plymoulh Colony. He was a religious separatist held in high regard by the other separatists in Leyden, Netherlands. As the only college-educated Pilgrim, it is likely he was the lead writer of the Mayflower Compact, one of the first European models of self-governance in the Americas. Along with others, Brewster lormed the "Undertakers," a group that undertook to buy out the debt ol the Colony lrom the "Adventurers" who had put up the money to lound it. The Undertakers became the owners of the Colony's assets, including ships. He lived to age 80 as a leading influence in the Colony. (Wayne Leslie Clark)

STEPHEN GOODYEAR of New Amsterdam (? - 1658) Stephen Goodyear was the first person to successfully open trade with the Barbados and other West Indian Islands. ln 1647, he purchased a large Dutch vessel named the Zwoll for the purpose of prosecuting this trade. The ship was contracted by Stephen Goodyear with the authorities at Fort Amsterdam to be delivered in New Haven at a stated time. He was actually the first to embark in shipbuilding and commerce. (Shirley Arendt)

JOHN HOWLAND of Plymouth, New Plymouth Colony (1598 - 1672) A passenger on the Mayflower, he famously fell overboard during a fierce Atlantic storm—but was miraculously hauled back aboard, clinging not only to the ship’s rigging but to life itself. His survival ensured the continuation of a family line that would span generations, a reminder that sometimes grace comes in the grasp of a rope. Despite this harrowing beginning, Howland did not turn away from the sea. Years later, he sailed once more, journeying up the New England coast to the Kennebec River, where trade and exploration drew him to the colony’s northern frontier. There, aboard a small bark strong enough for shifting currents and uncertain encounters, he helped secure Plymouth’s fragile commercial presence. In 1634, William Bradford referred to Howland as “chief of the company” during a trading voyage to the Kennebec. He commanded a shallop with seven men and two tons of goods, a role that placed him at the center of a fatal altercation with rival trader John Hocking of Piscataqua. Though the incident ended in tragedy, it confirms Howland’s functional command of the vessel. From storm-tossed seas to contested rivers, Howland's life was bound to the maritime challenges that helped define early New England—and he met them with courage, resolve, and a sailor’s steady grip. (Michael Denney)

DANIEL KNIGHT of Damariscove Island, Maine (ca 1709 -1780) Daniel Knight of Damariscove Island, Maine, was a coastal fisherman whose 1798 estate inventory offers compelling insight into his maritime livelihood. His holdings included two fish houses, a fishing boat, a canoe (“caneau”), 90 quarts of fish, two seines, and fish tubs—alongside lines, salt, and barrels, all essential tools of the trade. These items indicate not only active participation in fishing but also fish processing and storage. The presence of dedicated fish houses and a separate “covering house” suggest a well-established operation. Knight’s life on Damariscove, one of Maine’s earliest fishing settlements, places him squarely within the maritime traditions honored by the Order of the Star and Sail. He qualifies under the Mariner branch, and possibly as a Shipowner, given his ownership of vessels and waterfront facilities. (Michael Denney)

BARTHOLOMEW LOVETT of Thomaston, Maine (ca. 1765 - 1858) The earliest references I have found about Bartholomew is when he is married at age 26 to Hannah Fling in 1792. Also, that year, he was made a hogreeve in Thomaston, Maine. He does not appear to have taken part in military affairs (other than those required by law). In 1807, he was fined $4 for not being prepared for the train band out of Thomaston/St. George, Maine. He does not appear in the militia rolls for the War of 1812. The earliest land record I can find is that he owned land in New Canaan, Maine, in 1801, though he may not have lived there. In 1803, he is "of Thomaston" and a "yeoman" in a land sale to James Stackpole. Bartholomew's father, Israel (1741-1825), was known as a ship owner and ship captain. It seems likely that Bartholomew (1764-1858) followed in his footsteps, initially. We are trusting the local knowledge the editors of "Remarks of My Life pr me Hezekiah Prince 1786-1792" (published by the Thomaston Historical Society) for their insight as to the entries found in the journals of Hezekiah Prince of Thomaston, Maine. Two entries found (1791, 1792) about "Capt. Lovet" are indexed as Israel Lovett. Another entry (1808) is indexed as Bartholomew Lovett and augmented with the editor's notes in brackets: "Went to Capt. [Bart] Lovitts [at head of Long Cove]. A rain storm." (Sumner Hunnewell)

CORNELIUS MELYN of New Amsterdam (bap. 1600 - aft. 1674) Cornelius was born in Antwerp in September 1600. He was a tailor by trade and a wealthy man. Melyn made his first voyage to New Netherland by departing from Texel (an island in the West Frisians), Amsterdam, Netherlands on the ship Het Wapen van Noorwegen (The Arms of Norway) that he had purchased. It carried over a number of colonists and a large quantity of goods, including eighteen young mares, thousands of bricks, ironwork, clothing material, spices, cheese, soap, oil and a box filled with earth in which were planted young grape vines. He was granted a patroonship on Staten Island. During Director Willem Kieft's administration, Cornelius was the chairman of the assembly of the Eight Men and was one of the signatories to the Remonstrance of the Eight Men of the Manhatas sent to the Company protesting Kieft's misrule. When Director-General Pieter Stuyvesant arrived in New Netherland in 1647, Melyn and Jochem Kuyter demanded an investigation of Kieft's misconduct. Outraged by their insubordination, Stuyvesant charged Melyn and Kuyter with libeling Kieft in the remonstrance, and both Melyn and Kuyter were banished from New Netherland. On the voyage home, Melyn and Kuyter survived the shipwreck of the Princess Amalia that claimed the life of passenger, Director Willem Kieft. Upon their arrival in Amsterdam, Melyn and Kuyter appeared before the Dutch parliament which granted them the right to appeal the banishment and allowed them to return to New Netherland under a letter of safe conduct. Melyn sailed for New Amsterdam and arrived in March 1649 with an order suspending all proceedings under the challenged judgments, and summoning Director-General Stuyvesant before the Dutch parliament to justify his acts, a public rebuke to Stuyvesant that heartened the Nine Men. Melyn returned to Holland to pursue his appeal and to support the delegates of the Nine Men, and Director-General Stuyvesant sent Cornelius van Tienhoven, the Secretary of New Netherland to represent the administration. The outcome of the appeal is not known but in 1650, Melyn sailed to New Netherland and to his patroonship on Staten Island, bringing with him a group of about 70 settlers. Off the coast of North America, the ship was caught in a storm and put into Rhode Island for repairs. When the ship arrived at New Amsterdam, Stuyvesant accused Melyn of violating the West India Company's laws regarding trading without a license (there was no proof of any trading), and confiscated both ship and cargo. Melyn's feud with the Director-General continued, and Stuyvesant had him arrested and imprisoned without trial in 1655. During Melyn's imprisonment, a colonist killed an Indian woman who was picking peaches. This started the Peach Tree War and Melyn's Staten Island colony was destroyed. Afterward, Cornelius and family moved to the English Colony of New Haven. Melyn sold his patroonship on Staten Island back to the Dutch West India Company. Conelius Melyn died in the New Haven Colony around 1674. (Linda Mizell)

ROBERT MOULTON of Salem, Massachusetts (ca. 1587 - by 1655) Robert immigrated to Salem, Massachusetts, in 1629. He moved to Charlestown in 1630, but returned to Salem in 1636. He was chief shipwright over five other shipwrights in 1629. (Sunny Hayes)

CAPTAIN RICHARD PATTESHALL (1636 – 1689) He was a mariner, merchant, and colonial leader who emigrated from London to New England by 1664, likely alongside his father, Capt. Edmund Patteshall of Pemaquid. He lived for many years on Padishall’s Island in the Kennebec River, Maine, served as justice of the peace in Casco Bay and Pemaquid by 1684, and was appointed administrator of his uncle’s estate in Boston in 1671. On 8 July 1685, the Massachusetts General Court commissioned him to command his brigantine Tavern in pursuit of pirates—an expedition documented in the Massachusetts Archives and later chronicled in Pirates of the New England Coast (1630–1730). He was admitted freeman in Boston in 1673 and held land and islands in Maine. In August 1689, amid renewed hostilities with Native tribes following the outbreak of King William’s War, Capt. Patteshall was killed in an Indian attack on Fort Pemaquid. Cotton Mather, in Magnalia Christi Americana, recorded that “Mr. Patishall, as he lay with his sloop in the Barbican, was also taken and slain.” A 1738 deposition further confirmed that Richard had carried his family by sloop from Kennebec to Pemaquid, where he perished in the assault. He married first Abigail [–?–], and second, about 1672, Martha Woody of Roxbury, Massachusetts, a granddaughter of Capt. Richard Woody. Through their line descends the patriot silversmith Paul Revere. Captain Patteshall is remembered as a courageous mariner and a key figure in early Maine frontier governance. (Michael Denney)

EDWARD RAINSFORD of Boston, Massachusetts (bap. 1609 - 1680) Edward Rainsford, a descendant of King Henry III of England, was a fisherman. He later expanded his work to include being a merchant, as he owned a warehouse "with privileges" (meaning dockside rights), and investing in several ship, along with owning a canoe and lighter. He was the first owner of Rainsford Island in Boston Harbor, which was initially used for farming. (Douglas Gilham)

JAN JANSZEN SCHEPMOS of New Amsterdam (1605 - by 1656) Jan Janszen Schepmoes was born in Delft, Netherlands. He was a 'seafaring man' residing in Brouwerstaat, when he got married at the age of 26. His wife was Sarah Pieters of Hoom, an orphan living in Moriaansteegje when she married Jan Janszen Schepmoes. They arrived in New Amsterdam in 1638 with their two children after having a stormy voyage on The Dolphin. Jan was one of the earliest tavern owners in New Amsterdam and was cited for serving wine to sailors. Jan died prior to 7 Octobert 1656 in New Amsterdam. (Sunny Hayes)

RICHARD WELLS, SR. of South Carolina (bef. 1779 - ca. 1758-1759) Richard Wells started out as a privateer. ln May 1777, he was referred to as "Captain Richard Wells, Prize Master” of the captured schooner Industry. The Industry was taken by the St. Louis operating out of Charleston. The Industry was brought back to Charleston on 17 Jun 1777 and then taken to Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Gazette of 23 July 1777 reported that "the Polly, Richard Wells, Master" and seven other rebel sloops were captured off the coast of Maryland. Richard Wells was sent to New York City as a prisoner of war and was released at some point. Later in 1777 he was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant of the Comet of the South Carolina Navy. The Comet was captured off the coast of Cuba and sent to Pensacola from whence the crew were once again sent to New York as prisoners. Released in late 1778, Richard was posted to the Hornet in early 1779 as Lieut. ln March 1779 the Hornet was captured just off Charleston and the officers were taken prisoner. "Well-treated and carried to Savannah, Georgia, they were paroled and transferred across the Savannah River to South Carolina". The South Carolina & American General Gazette of 30 Apr 1779 noted the death of a short illness Mr. Wells late first lieutenant of the State brig Hornet. (Harold Ford)