Michael Metcalf, b. as he claimed at Tatterford parish, Norfolk, England. As the writer is a descendant of Michael, that he was the son of Rev. Leonard Metcalf of Tatterford is not proved. Notwithstanding, Michael has been linked to a memorial for Rev. Leonard Metcalf of Tatterford in the hope that clearer evidence will eventually be found that proves Michael's paternity. But, that 1586 has traditionally been Michael's assumed year of birth is also not supported by the extant record.
In a Feb. 2, 1635/6 deposition:
• Michael Metcalfe of Norwich, dornick weaver, aged 45, born at Tatterford, co. Norfolk, testified regarding the practices of clergyman of St. Edmund's, Norwich [NEHGR 86:253.]
In this era a person's age was stated by the word "aged," shorthand in English for the Latin term Ætatis suæ (literally, the time of one's age), in which a person's age begins on the day of birth versus on a chronological year basis (i.e., at birth a person is in the first year of their age.) In the foregoing deposition Michael indicated he was then 44 years old, born within the one year period that began Feb. 3, 1590/1 in the modern Gregorian calendar. In the original Tatterford church record the month of February 1590, in the old Julian calendar, would have been included in the record for the year 1590, with February the 12th and last month of the old Julian calendar (until 1752 the English year was based on the Julian calendar, in which March 25th was the first day of the new year.) Unfortunately, the year 1590 is stated as "not to be found." Although at the time the English civil year began on March 25th, English parish records considered the entire month of March the first month of the ecclesiastic calendar. While the ecclesiastic year of 1591 is found in the Tatterford parish register, Michael's baptism does not appear in 1591.
Fourteen months later on Apr. 8, 1637, Michael was examined for permission to emigrate to New England:
• The examinacion of Michill Metcalfe of Norwich, Dornix weauer, aged 45 yeares and Sarrah his wife, aged 39 yeares, with 8 Children, Michill: Thomas: Marey: Sarrah: Elizabeth: Martha: Joane: and Rebeca: and his Saruant Thomas Comberbach, aged 16 yeares, are desirous to passe to boston in New England to inhabit [ibid, 14:325.]
Fourteen year old son John, apparently omitted by the scribe, also sailed with the family.
In the latter examination by the King's port officials, Michael indicated he was then "aged" 45 (i.e., 44 years old), born within the one year period that began April 9, 1592. The ecclesiastic year 1592 is completely missing in the Tatterford register whereas the year 1593 is fully extant but does not contain Michael's baptism.
On an obelisk at Center Cemetery at Lebanon, Conn. is an inscription for Michael's 3rd gr. grandson Eliphalet Metcalf (William,5 Jonathan,4 Jonathan,3 Michael,2 Michael,1) and his wife Mary West. The inscription traces Eliphalet Metcalf's paternal ancestry, the first part stating:
• This branch of the Metcalf family, descended from Michael who was born at Tatterford, England in 1586 and immigrated to America and settled at Dedham, Mass. in 1637 where he died Dec. 27, 1664.
There is no Michael, son of Rev. Leonard Metcalf, who was baptised at Tattersford in the extant 1586 or 1587 parish record. The only children of Rev. Metcalf baptized in those years begins with son Leonard, written in Latin as Leonardus, Sept. 3, 1586, who was buried at Tatterford Aug. 10, 1590. This is followed by the baptism of son Nicholas, written as Nichus, July 20, 1587. Nicholas became Rev. Nicholas Metcalf and d. testate in England July 17, 1664.
Based on the above, the writer has adopted the year 1591 as the likely year of Michael's birth. He was not likely to misstate his age while testifying in God's house or lie about his age to the King's officials.
On Oct. 13, 1616 at St. Bartholomew church at Heigham, west and outside the ancient wall of the City of Norwich, England, Michael m. Sarah Ellwyn (q.v. Elwyn), bapt. June 13, 1593 at Heigham. She d. Nov. 30, 1644 at Dedham, Mass. They had eleven acknowledged children b. at the City of Norwich, England, of which nine survived to immigrate to New England.
At the time, ecclesiastic law of the Church of England required children to be baptized at the parish church where the parents resided. The first seven children were purportedly b. at the small parish of St. Benedict, inside the ancient west wall of the City of Norwich. However, only four of the seven have recorded baptisms in that parish register (1617, 1619, 1626 and 1628). The other three were purportedly born in years in which the parish record is missing (all of 1620, 1621, 1622, 1623, and most of 1624). It is possible that from 1620 to 1625 Michael resided in another parish at Norwich, but the children with missing baptisms cannot be found in other extant parish registers at or near Norwich.
The last four children of the family were b. at the small parish of St. Edmond in the northeast section of the city bordering the north side of the River Wensum. All four have baptism entries in that parish register.
Michael Metcalf had no known son named Joseph as claimed by the 1898 "Metcalf Genealogy." Whereas a Joseph Metcalf was made a freeman of the Mass. Bay on Mar. 4, 1634/5, who presumably was at least 24 years of age, he was born not later than five years prior to Michael Metcalf marrying his first known wife. In May 1645 at 24 years of age, Michael Metcalf's third child and eldest surviving son, Michael Metcalf, Jr. of Dedham, Mass., was made freeman of the Mass. Bay. This was followed by Michael's fourth child and second eldest surviving son John, who at 24 years of age was made freeman of the Mass. Bay on May 26, 1647.
Michael Metcalf, Sr. d. testate Dec. 24, 1664 at Dedham, Mass. He and wife Sarah had eleven known children, all b. at Norwich, England.
• i. Michael Metcalf, b. Nov. 13 (bapt. Nov. 30 at St. Benedict), 1617, bur. in infancy Jan. 20, 1617/8 at St. Benedict's Churchyard.
• ii. Mary Metcalf, b. Feb. 14 (bapt. Feb. 17 at St. Benedict), 1618/9, d. May 5, 1676 at Dedham, Mass.; m. Nov. 24, 1642 at Dedham, Mass., Henry Wilson, who d. at Dedham Feb. 8, 1688/9. Five children recorded at Dedham.
• iii. Michael Metcalf, Jr., purportedly b. Aug. 29, 1620 at St. Benedict parish at Norwich, England (no extant baptisms for the year 1620). He d. Mar. 25, 1654 at Dedham, Mass. He m. Apr. 2, 1644 at Dedham, Mass., Mary Fairbanks, dau. of Jonathan Fairbanks, Sr. and Grace Smith, b. or bapt. Feb. 3, 1621/2 at Halifax in Yorkshire, England. They had five children. The wid. Mary m. 2) Aug. 2, 1654 at Dedham as his 2nd wife, Christopher Smith, who d. Nov. 7, 1676 at Dedham. Mary (Fairbanks)(Metcalf) Smith d. June 4, 1684 at Dedham. She had one child by her second husband, son John Smith.
• iv. John Metcalf, b. Sept. 5 (no bapt. rec.), 1622, d. Oct. 8, 1690 at Medfield, Mass.; m. Mar. 23, 1646/7 at Dedham, Mass., Mary Chickering, who d. Mar. 15, 1697/8 at Medfield, Mass. Eight children recorded at Dedham and Medfield.
• v. Sarah Metcalf, b. Sept. 10 (no bapt. rec.), 1624, d. Feb. 25, 1671/2 at Dedham, Mass.; m. by late 1648, Robert Onion, who d. Nov. 21, 1673 at Dedham. Seven children recorded at Dedham.
• vi. Elizabeth Metcalf, b. Oct 4 (sic, bapt. 20 Sept. at St. Benedict), 1626, d. May 1, 1711 at Lynn, Mass.; m. Sept. 15, 1648 at Dedham, Mass. as his 2nd wife, Lieut. Thomas Bancroft, who d. Aug. 19, 1691 at Lynn, Mass. Nine children.
• vii. Martha Metcalf, b. Mar. 27 (bapt. same day at St. Benedict), 1628, d. Dec. 26, 1717 at Concord, Mass.; m. 1) William Bignall, m. 2) Aug. 20, 1662 at Concord, Mass. as his 2nd wife, Nathaniel Stow, who d. May 30, 1684 at Concord, Mass. Three children by her 1st and three children by her 2nd marriage.
• viii. Dea. Thomas Metcalf, b. Dec. 27, 1629 (bapt. Jan. 1, 1629/30 at St. Edmund), d. Nov. 16, 1702 at Dedham, Mass.; m. 1) Sept. 12, 1656 at Dedham, his step-sister Sarah Pidge, who d. Jan. 20, 1678/9 at Dedham; m. 2) Dec. 2, 1679 at Rehoboth, Mass., the widow Anna (Chickering) Paine, who d. Jan. 1, 1688/9 at Dedham; purportedly m. 3) Jan. 22, 1688/9, the widow Mehitable (Hand) Savel, who purportedly m. 3) June 22, 1713 Josiah Chapin and d. Dec. 2, 1724. Eight known children of the family, all by 1st wife Sarah.
• ix. Anne Metcalf, b. Mar. 1 (bapt. Mar. 26 at St. Edmund), 1630/1, bur. in infancy May 31, 1632 at St. Edmund's Churchyard.
• x. Jane Metcalf, b. Mar. 24 (bapt. Mar. 29 at St. Edmund), 1632/3, d. Oct. 24, 1701 at Roxbury (now Boston), Mass.; m. 1) bef. 1656, Dea. Philip Walker, who was bur. Aug. 21, 1679 at Rehoboth, Mass. Ten children of record at Rehoboth. She m. 2) June 2, 1684 at Roxbury, Mass. as his 3rd wife, John Polley, who d. Apr. 2, 1689 at Roxbury.
• xi. Rebecca Metcalf, b. Apr. 5 (bapt. Apr. 12 at St. Edmund), 1635, d. Dec. 8, 1667 at Dedham, Mass.; m. Apr. 5, 1659 at Dedham, John MacIntosh, who d. Aug. 22, 1691 at Dedham. Two known children of the marriage.
Michael Metcalf m. 2) Aug. 13, 1645 at Dedham, Mary Sothey (q.v. Sothy), widow of Thomas Pidge of Roxbury, Mass. There were no children of this marriage. She d. Feb. 12, 1672/3 at Dedham. Mary m. 1) Thomas Pidge in England by whom she had nine children, six who emigrated with their parents to Roxbury by June 1633 where Thomas Pidge d. Dec. 30, 1643. In 1656 Thomas Pidge's dau. Sarah became the first wife of her step-brother, Dea. Thomas Metcalf.
Edited 7/9/2015
In a Feb. 2, 1635/6 deposition:
• Michael Metcalfe of Norwich, dornick weaver, aged 45, born at Tatterford, co. Norfolk, testified regarding the practices of clergyman of St. Edmund's, Norwich [NEHGR 86:253.]
In this era a person's age was stated by the word "aged," shorthand in English for the Latin term Ætatis suæ (literally, the time of one's age), in which a person's age begins on the day of birth versus on a chronological year basis (i.e., at birth a person is in the first year of their age.) In the foregoing deposition Michael indicated he was then 44 years old, born within the one year period that began Feb. 3, 1590/1 in the modern Gregorian calendar. In the original Tatterford church record the month of February 1590, in the old Julian calendar, would have been included in the record for the year 1590, with February the 12th and last month of the old Julian calendar (until 1752 the English year was based on the Julian calendar, in which March 25th was the first day of the new year.) Unfortunately, the year 1590 is stated as "not to be found." Although at the time the English civil year began on March 25th, English parish records considered the entire month of March the first month of the ecclesiastic calendar. While the ecclesiastic year of 1591 is found in the Tatterford parish register, Michael's baptism does not appear in 1591.
Fourteen months later on Apr. 8, 1637, Michael was examined for permission to emigrate to New England:
• The examinacion of Michill Metcalfe of Norwich, Dornix weauer, aged 45 yeares and Sarrah his wife, aged 39 yeares, with 8 Children, Michill: Thomas: Marey: Sarrah: Elizabeth: Martha: Joane: and Rebeca: and his Saruant Thomas Comberbach, aged 16 yeares, are desirous to passe to boston in New England to inhabit [ibid, 14:325.]
Fourteen year old son John, apparently omitted by the scribe, also sailed with the family.
In the latter examination by the King's port officials, Michael indicated he was then "aged" 45 (i.e., 44 years old), born within the one year period that began April 9, 1592. The ecclesiastic year 1592 is completely missing in the Tatterford register whereas the year 1593 is fully extant but does not contain Michael's baptism.
On an obelisk at Center Cemetery at Lebanon, Conn. is an inscription for Michael's 3rd gr. grandson Eliphalet Metcalf (William,5 Jonathan,4 Jonathan,3 Michael,2 Michael,1) and his wife Mary West. The inscription traces Eliphalet Metcalf's paternal ancestry, the first part stating:
• This branch of the Metcalf family, descended from Michael who was born at Tatterford, England in 1586 and immigrated to America and settled at Dedham, Mass. in 1637 where he died Dec. 27, 1664.
There is no Michael, son of Rev. Leonard Metcalf, who was baptised at Tattersford in the extant 1586 or 1587 parish record. The only children of Rev. Metcalf baptized in those years begins with son Leonard, written in Latin as Leonardus, Sept. 3, 1586, who was buried at Tatterford Aug. 10, 1590. This is followed by the baptism of son Nicholas, written as Nichus, July 20, 1587. Nicholas became Rev. Nicholas Metcalf and d. testate in England July 17, 1664.
Based on the above, the writer has adopted the year 1591 as the likely year of Michael's birth. He was not likely to misstate his age while testifying in God's house or lie about his age to the King's officials.
On Oct. 13, 1616 at St. Bartholomew church at Heigham, west and outside the ancient wall of the City of Norwich, England, Michael m. Sarah Ellwyn (q.v. Elwyn), bapt. June 13, 1593 at Heigham. She d. Nov. 30, 1644 at Dedham, Mass. They had eleven acknowledged children b. at the City of Norwich, England, of which nine survived to immigrate to New England.
At the time, ecclesiastic law of the Church of England required children to be baptized at the parish church where the parents resided. The first seven children were purportedly b. at the small parish of St. Benedict, inside the ancient west wall of the City of Norwich. However, only four of the seven have recorded baptisms in that parish register (1617, 1619, 1626 and 1628). The other three were purportedly born in years in which the parish record is missing (all of 1620, 1621, 1622, 1623, and most of 1624). It is possible that from 1620 to 1625 Michael resided in another parish at Norwich, but the children with missing baptisms cannot be found in other extant parish registers at or near Norwich.
The last four children of the family were b. at the small parish of St. Edmond in the northeast section of the city bordering the north side of the River Wensum. All four have baptism entries in that parish register.
Michael Metcalf had no known son named Joseph as claimed by the 1898 "Metcalf Genealogy." Whereas a Joseph Metcalf was made a freeman of the Mass. Bay on Mar. 4, 1634/5, who presumably was at least 24 years of age, he was born not later than five years prior to Michael Metcalf marrying his first known wife. In May 1645 at 24 years of age, Michael Metcalf's third child and eldest surviving son, Michael Metcalf, Jr. of Dedham, Mass., was made freeman of the Mass. Bay. This was followed by Michael's fourth child and second eldest surviving son John, who at 24 years of age was made freeman of the Mass. Bay on May 26, 1647.
Michael Metcalf, Sr. d. testate Dec. 24, 1664 at Dedham, Mass. He and wife Sarah had eleven known children, all b. at Norwich, England.
• i. Michael Metcalf, b. Nov. 13 (bapt. Nov. 30 at St. Benedict), 1617, bur. in infancy Jan. 20, 1617/8 at St. Benedict's Churchyard.
• ii. Mary Metcalf, b. Feb. 14 (bapt. Feb. 17 at St. Benedict), 1618/9, d. May 5, 1676 at Dedham, Mass.; m. Nov. 24, 1642 at Dedham, Mass., Henry Wilson, who d. at Dedham Feb. 8, 1688/9. Five children recorded at Dedham.
• iii. Michael Metcalf, Jr., purportedly b. Aug. 29, 1620 at St. Benedict parish at Norwich, England (no extant baptisms for the year 1620). He d. Mar. 25, 1654 at Dedham, Mass. He m. Apr. 2, 1644 at Dedham, Mass., Mary Fairbanks, dau. of Jonathan Fairbanks, Sr. and Grace Smith, b. or bapt. Feb. 3, 1621/2 at Halifax in Yorkshire, England. They had five children. The wid. Mary m. 2) Aug. 2, 1654 at Dedham as his 2nd wife, Christopher Smith, who d. Nov. 7, 1676 at Dedham. Mary (Fairbanks)(Metcalf) Smith d. June 4, 1684 at Dedham. She had one child by her second husband, son John Smith.
• iv. John Metcalf, b. Sept. 5 (no bapt. rec.), 1622, d. Oct. 8, 1690 at Medfield, Mass.; m. Mar. 23, 1646/7 at Dedham, Mass., Mary Chickering, who d. Mar. 15, 1697/8 at Medfield, Mass. Eight children recorded at Dedham and Medfield.
• v. Sarah Metcalf, b. Sept. 10 (no bapt. rec.), 1624, d. Feb. 25, 1671/2 at Dedham, Mass.; m. by late 1648, Robert Onion, who d. Nov. 21, 1673 at Dedham. Seven children recorded at Dedham.
• vi. Elizabeth Metcalf, b. Oct 4 (sic, bapt. 20 Sept. at St. Benedict), 1626, d. May 1, 1711 at Lynn, Mass.; m. Sept. 15, 1648 at Dedham, Mass. as his 2nd wife, Lieut. Thomas Bancroft, who d. Aug. 19, 1691 at Lynn, Mass. Nine children.
• vii. Martha Metcalf, b. Mar. 27 (bapt. same day at St. Benedict), 1628, d. Dec. 26, 1717 at Concord, Mass.; m. 1) William Bignall, m. 2) Aug. 20, 1662 at Concord, Mass. as his 2nd wife, Nathaniel Stow, who d. May 30, 1684 at Concord, Mass. Three children by her 1st and three children by her 2nd marriage.
• viii. Dea. Thomas Metcalf, b. Dec. 27, 1629 (bapt. Jan. 1, 1629/30 at St. Edmund), d. Nov. 16, 1702 at Dedham, Mass.; m. 1) Sept. 12, 1656 at Dedham, his step-sister Sarah Pidge, who d. Jan. 20, 1678/9 at Dedham; m. 2) Dec. 2, 1679 at Rehoboth, Mass., the widow Anna (Chickering) Paine, who d. Jan. 1, 1688/9 at Dedham; purportedly m. 3) Jan. 22, 1688/9, the widow Mehitable (Hand) Savel, who purportedly m. 3) June 22, 1713 Josiah Chapin and d. Dec. 2, 1724. Eight known children of the family, all by 1st wife Sarah.
• ix. Anne Metcalf, b. Mar. 1 (bapt. Mar. 26 at St. Edmund), 1630/1, bur. in infancy May 31, 1632 at St. Edmund's Churchyard.
• x. Jane Metcalf, b. Mar. 24 (bapt. Mar. 29 at St. Edmund), 1632/3, d. Oct. 24, 1701 at Roxbury (now Boston), Mass.; m. 1) bef. 1656, Dea. Philip Walker, who was bur. Aug. 21, 1679 at Rehoboth, Mass. Ten children of record at Rehoboth. She m. 2) June 2, 1684 at Roxbury, Mass. as his 3rd wife, John Polley, who d. Apr. 2, 1689 at Roxbury.
• xi. Rebecca Metcalf, b. Apr. 5 (bapt. Apr. 12 at St. Edmund), 1635, d. Dec. 8, 1667 at Dedham, Mass.; m. Apr. 5, 1659 at Dedham, John MacIntosh, who d. Aug. 22, 1691 at Dedham. Two known children of the marriage.
Michael Metcalf m. 2) Aug. 13, 1645 at Dedham, Mary Sothey (q.v. Sothy), widow of Thomas Pidge of Roxbury, Mass. There were no children of this marriage. She d. Feb. 12, 1672/3 at Dedham. Mary m. 1) Thomas Pidge in England by whom she had nine children, six who emigrated with their parents to Roxbury by June 1633 where Thomas Pidge d. Dec. 30, 1643. In 1656 Thomas Pidge's dau. Sarah became the first wife of her step-brother, Dea. Thomas Metcalf.
Edited 7/9/2015
Michael Metcalf, b. as he claimed at Tatterford parish, Norfolk, England. As the writer is a descendant of Michael, that he was the son of Rev. Leonard Metcalf of Tatterford is not proved. Notwithstanding, Michael has been linked to a memorial for Rev. Leonard Metcalf of Tatterford in the hope that clearer evidence will eventually be found that proves Michael's paternity. But, that 1586 has traditionally been Michael's assumed year of birth is also not supported by the extant record.
In a Feb. 2, 1635/6 deposition:
• Michael Metcalfe of Norwich, dornick weaver, aged 45, born at Tatterford, co. Norfolk, testified regarding the practices of clergyman of St. Edmund's, Norwich [NEHGR 86:253.]
In this era a person's age was stated by the word "aged," shorthand in English for the Latin term Ætatis suæ (literally, the time of one's age), in which a person's age begins on the day of birth versus on a chronological year basis (i.e., at birth a person is in the first year of their age.) In the foregoing deposition Michael indicated he was then 44 years old, born within the one year period that began Feb. 3, 1590/1 in the modern Gregorian calendar. In the original Tatterford church record the month of February 1590, in the old Julian calendar, would have been included in the record for the year 1590, with February the 12th and last month of the old Julian calendar (until 1752 the English year was based on the Julian calendar, in which March 25th was the first day of the new year.) Unfortunately, the year 1590 is stated as "not to be found." Although at the time the English civil year began on March 25th, English parish records considered the entire month of March the first month of the ecclesiastic calendar. While the ecclesiastic year of 1591 is found in the Tatterford parish register, Michael's baptism does not appear in 1591.
Fourteen months later on Apr. 8, 1637, Michael was examined for permission to emigrate to New England:
• The examinacion of Michill Metcalfe of Norwich, Dornix weauer, aged 45 yeares and Sarrah his wife, aged 39 yeares, with 8 Children, Michill: Thomas: Marey: Sarrah: Elizabeth: Martha: Joane: and Rebeca: and his Saruant Thomas Comberbach, aged 16 yeares, are desirous to passe to boston in New England to inhabit [ibid, 14:325.]
Fourteen year old son John, apparently omitted by the scribe, also sailed with the family.
In the latter examination by the King's port officials, Michael indicated he was then "aged" 45 (i.e., 44 years old), born within the one year period that began April 9, 1592. The ecclesiastic year 1592 is completely missing in the Tatterford register whereas the year 1593 is fully extant but does not contain Michael's baptism.
On an obelisk at Center Cemetery at Lebanon, Conn. is an inscription for Michael's 3rd gr. grandson Eliphalet Metcalf (William,5 Jonathan,4 Jonathan,3 Michael,2 Michael,1) and his wife Mary West. The inscription traces Eliphalet Metcalf's paternal ancestry, the first part stating:
• This branch of the Metcalf family, descended from Michael who was born at Tatterford, England in 1586 and immigrated to America and settled at Dedham, Mass. in 1637 where he died Dec. 27, 1664.
There is no Michael, son of Rev. Leonard Metcalf, who was baptised at Tattersford in the extant 1586 or 1587 parish record. The only children of Rev. Metcalf baptized in those years begins with son Leonard, written in Latin as Leonardus, Sept. 3, 1586, who was buried at Tatterford Aug. 10, 1590. This is followed by the baptism of son Nicholas, written as Nichus, July 20, 1587. Nicholas became Rev. Nicholas Metcalf and d. testate in England July 17, 1664.
Based on the above, the writer has adopted the year 1591 as the likely year of Michael's birth. He was not likely to misstate his age while testifying in God's house or lie about his age to the King's officials.
On Oct. 13, 1616 at St. Bartholomew church at Heigham, west and outside the ancient wall of the City of Norwich, England, Michael m. Sarah Ellwyn (q.v. Elwyn), bapt. June 13, 1593 at Heigham. She d. Nov. 30, 1644 at Dedham, Mass. They had eleven acknowledged children b. at the City of Norwich, England, of which nine survived to immigrate to New England.
At the time, ecclesiastic law of the Church of England required children to be baptized at the parish church where the parents resided. The first seven children were purportedly b. at the small parish of St. Benedict, inside the ancient west wall of the City of Norwich. However, only four of the seven have recorded baptisms in that parish register (1617, 1619, 1626 and 1628). The other three were purportedly born in years in which the parish record is missing (all of 1620, 1621, 1622, 1623, and most of 1624). It is possible that from 1620 to 1625 Michael resided in another parish at Norwich, but the children with missing baptisms cannot be found in other extant parish registers at or near Norwich.
The last four children of the family were b. at the small parish of St. Edmond in the northeast section of the city bordering the north side of the River Wensum. All four have baptism entries in that parish register.
Michael Metcalf had no known son named Joseph as claimed by the 1898 "Metcalf Genealogy." Whereas a Joseph Metcalf was made a freeman of the Mass. Bay on Mar. 4, 1634/5, who presumably was at least 24 years of age, he was born not later than five years prior to Michael Metcalf marrying his first known wife. In May 1645 at 24 years of age, Michael Metcalf's third child and eldest surviving son, Michael Metcalf, Jr. of Dedham, Mass., was made freeman of the Mass. Bay. This was followed by Michael's fourth child and second eldest surviving son John, who at 24 years of age was made freeman of the Mass. Bay on May 26, 1647.
Michael Metcalf, Sr. d. testate Dec. 24, 1664 at Dedham, Mass. He and wife Sarah had eleven known children, all b. at Norwich, England.
• i. Michael Metcalf, b. Nov. 13 (bapt. Nov. 30 at St. Benedict), 1617, bur. in infancy Jan. 20, 1617/8 at St. Benedict's Churchyard.
• ii. Mary Metcalf, b. Feb. 14 (bapt. Feb. 17 at St. Benedict), 1618/9, d. May 5, 1676 at Dedham, Mass.; m. Nov. 24, 1642 at Dedham, Mass., Henry Wilson, who d. at Dedham Feb. 8, 1688/9. Five children recorded at Dedham.
• iii. Michael Metcalf, Jr., purportedly b. Aug. 29, 1620 at St. Benedict parish at Norwich, England (no extant baptisms for the year 1620). He d. Mar. 25, 1654 at Dedham, Mass. He m. Apr. 2, 1644 at Dedham, Mass., Mary Fairbanks, dau. of Jonathan Fairbanks, Sr. and Grace Smith, b. or bapt. Feb. 3, 1621/2 at Halifax in Yorkshire, England. They had five children. The wid. Mary m. 2) Aug. 2, 1654 at Dedham as his 2nd wife, Christopher Smith, who d. Nov. 7, 1676 at Dedham. Mary (Fairbanks)(Metcalf) Smith d. June 4, 1684 at Dedham. She had one child by her second husband, son John Smith.
• iv. John Metcalf, b. Sept. 5 (no bapt. rec.), 1622, d. Oct. 8, 1690 at Medfield, Mass.; m. Mar. 23, 1646/7 at Dedham, Mass., Mary Chickering, who d. Mar. 15, 1697/8 at Medfield, Mass. Eight children recorded at Dedham and Medfield.
• v. Sarah Metcalf, b. Sept. 10 (no bapt. rec.), 1624, d. Feb. 25, 1671/2 at Dedham, Mass.; m. by late 1648, Robert Onion, who d. Nov. 21, 1673 at Dedham. Seven children recorded at Dedham.
• vi. Elizabeth Metcalf, b. Oct 4 (sic, bapt. 20 Sept. at St. Benedict), 1626, d. May 1, 1711 at Lynn, Mass.; m. Sept. 15, 1648 at Dedham, Mass. as his 2nd wife, Lieut. Thomas Bancroft, who d. Aug. 19, 1691 at Lynn, Mass. Nine children.
• vii. Martha Metcalf, b. Mar. 27 (bapt. same day at St. Benedict), 1628, d. Dec. 26, 1717 at Concord, Mass.; m. 1) William Bignall, m. 2) Aug. 20, 1662 at Concord, Mass. as his 2nd wife, Nathaniel Stow, who d. May 30, 1684 at Concord, Mass. Three children by her 1st and three children by her 2nd marriage.
• viii. Dea. Thomas Metcalf, b. Dec. 27, 1629 (bapt. Jan. 1, 1629/30 at St. Edmund), d. Nov. 16, 1702 at Dedham, Mass.; m. 1) Sept. 12, 1656 at Dedham, his step-sister Sarah Pidge, who d. Jan. 20, 1678/9 at Dedham; m. 2) Dec. 2, 1679 at Rehoboth, Mass., the widow Anna (Chickering) Paine, who d. Jan. 1, 1688/9 at Dedham; purportedly m. 3) Jan. 22, 1688/9, the widow Mehitable (Hand) Savel, who purportedly m. 3) June 22, 1713 Josiah Chapin and d. Dec. 2, 1724. Eight known children of the family, all by 1st wife Sarah.
• ix. Anne Metcalf, b. Mar. 1 (bapt. Mar. 26 at St. Edmund), 1630/1, bur. in infancy May 31, 1632 at St. Edmund's Churchyard.
• x. Jane Metcalf, b. Mar. 24 (bapt. Mar. 29 at St. Edmund), 1632/3, d. Oct. 24, 1701 at Roxbury (now Boston), Mass.; m. 1) bef. 1656, Dea. Philip Walker, who was bur. Aug. 21, 1679 at Rehoboth, Mass. Ten children of record at Rehoboth. She m. 2) June 2, 1684 at Roxbury, Mass. as his 3rd wife, John Polley, who d. Apr. 2, 1689 at Roxbury.
• xi. Rebecca Metcalf, b. Apr. 5 (bapt. Apr. 12 at St. Edmund), 1635, d. Dec. 8, 1667 at Dedham, Mass.; m. Apr. 5, 1659 at Dedham, John MacIntosh, who d. Aug. 22, 1691 at Dedham. Two known children of the marriage.
Michael Metcalf m. 2) Aug. 13, 1645 at Dedham, Mary Sothey (q.v. Sothy), widow of Thomas Pidge of Roxbury, Mass. There were no children of this marriage. She d. Feb. 12, 1672/3 at Dedham. Mary m. 1) Thomas Pidge in England by whom she had nine children, six who emigrated with their parents to Roxbury by June 1633 where Thomas Pidge d. Dec. 30, 1643. In 1656 Thomas Pidge's dau. Sarah became the first wife of her step-brother, Dea. Thomas Metcalf.
Edited 7/9/2015
In a Feb. 2, 1635/6 deposition:
• Michael Metcalfe of Norwich, dornick weaver, aged 45, born at Tatterford, co. Norfolk, testified regarding the practices of clergyman of St. Edmund's, Norwich [NEHGR 86:253.]
In this era a person's age was stated by the word "aged," shorthand in English for the Latin term Ætatis suæ (literally, the time of one's age), in which a person's age begins on the day of birth versus on a chronological year basis (i.e., at birth a person is in the first year of their age.) In the foregoing deposition Michael indicated he was then 44 years old, born within the one year period that began Feb. 3, 1590/1 in the modern Gregorian calendar. In the original Tatterford church record the month of February 1590, in the old Julian calendar, would have been included in the record for the year 1590, with February the 12th and last month of the old Julian calendar (until 1752 the English year was based on the Julian calendar, in which March 25th was the first day of the new year.) Unfortunately, the year 1590 is stated as "not to be found." Although at the time the English civil year began on March 25th, English parish records considered the entire month of March the first month of the ecclesiastic calendar. While the ecclesiastic year of 1591 is found in the Tatterford parish register, Michael's baptism does not appear in 1591.
Fourteen months later on Apr. 8, 1637, Michael was examined for permission to emigrate to New England:
• The examinacion of Michill Metcalfe of Norwich, Dornix weauer, aged 45 yeares and Sarrah his wife, aged 39 yeares, with 8 Children, Michill: Thomas: Marey: Sarrah: Elizabeth: Martha: Joane: and Rebeca: and his Saruant Thomas Comberbach, aged 16 yeares, are desirous to passe to boston in New England to inhabit [ibid, 14:325.]
Fourteen year old son John, apparently omitted by the scribe, also sailed with the family.
In the latter examination by the King's port officials, Michael indicated he was then "aged" 45 (i.e., 44 years old), born within the one year period that began April 9, 1592. The ecclesiastic year 1592 is completely missing in the Tatterford register whereas the year 1593 is fully extant but does not contain Michael's baptism.
On an obelisk at Center Cemetery at Lebanon, Conn. is an inscription for Michael's 3rd gr. grandson Eliphalet Metcalf (William,5 Jonathan,4 Jonathan,3 Michael,2 Michael,1) and his wife Mary West. The inscription traces Eliphalet Metcalf's paternal ancestry, the first part stating:
• This branch of the Metcalf family, descended from Michael who was born at Tatterford, England in 1586 and immigrated to America and settled at Dedham, Mass. in 1637 where he died Dec. 27, 1664.
There is no Michael, son of Rev. Leonard Metcalf, who was baptised at Tattersford in the extant 1586 or 1587 parish record. The only children of Rev. Metcalf baptized in those years begins with son Leonard, written in Latin as Leonardus, Sept. 3, 1586, who was buried at Tatterford Aug. 10, 1590. This is followed by the baptism of son Nicholas, written as Nichus, July 20, 1587. Nicholas became Rev. Nicholas Metcalf and d. testate in England July 17, 1664.
Based on the above, the writer has adopted the year 1591 as the likely year of Michael's birth. He was not likely to misstate his age while testifying in God's house or lie about his age to the King's officials.
On Oct. 13, 1616 at St. Bartholomew church at Heigham, west and outside the ancient wall of the City of Norwich, England, Michael m. Sarah Ellwyn (q.v. Elwyn), bapt. June 13, 1593 at Heigham. She d. Nov. 30, 1644 at Dedham, Mass. They had eleven acknowledged children b. at the City of Norwich, England, of which nine survived to immigrate to New England.
At the time, ecclesiastic law of the Church of England required children to be baptized at the parish church where the parents resided. The first seven children were purportedly b. at the small parish of St. Benedict, inside the ancient west wall of the City of Norwich. However, only four of the seven have recorded baptisms in that parish register (1617, 1619, 1626 and 1628). The other three were purportedly born in years in which the parish record is missing (all of 1620, 1621, 1622, 1623, and most of 1624). It is possible that from 1620 to 1625 Michael resided in another parish at Norwich, but the children with missing baptisms cannot be found in other extant parish registers at or near Norwich.
The last four children of the family were b. at the small parish of St. Edmond in the northeast section of the city bordering the north side of the River Wensum. All four have baptism entries in that parish register.
Michael Metcalf had no known son named Joseph as claimed by the 1898 "Metcalf Genealogy." Whereas a Joseph Metcalf was made a freeman of the Mass. Bay on Mar. 4, 1634/5, who presumably was at least 24 years of age, he was born not later than five years prior to Michael Metcalf marrying his first known wife. In May 1645 at 24 years of age, Michael Metcalf's third child and eldest surviving son, Michael Metcalf, Jr. of Dedham, Mass., was made freeman of the Mass. Bay. This was followed by Michael's fourth child and second eldest surviving son John, who at 24 years of age was made freeman of the Mass. Bay on May 26, 1647.
Michael Metcalf, Sr. d. testate Dec. 24, 1664 at Dedham, Mass. He and wife Sarah had eleven known children, all b. at Norwich, England.
• i. Michael Metcalf, b. Nov. 13 (bapt. Nov. 30 at St. Benedict), 1617, bur. in infancy Jan. 20, 1617/8 at St. Benedict's Churchyard.
• ii. Mary Metcalf, b. Feb. 14 (bapt. Feb. 17 at St. Benedict), 1618/9, d. May 5, 1676 at Dedham, Mass.; m. Nov. 24, 1642 at Dedham, Mass., Henry Wilson, who d. at Dedham Feb. 8, 1688/9. Five children recorded at Dedham.
• iii. Michael Metcalf, Jr., purportedly b. Aug. 29, 1620 at St. Benedict parish at Norwich, England (no extant baptisms for the year 1620). He d. Mar. 25, 1654 at Dedham, Mass. He m. Apr. 2, 1644 at Dedham, Mass., Mary Fairbanks, dau. of Jonathan Fairbanks, Sr. and Grace Smith, b. or bapt. Feb. 3, 1621/2 at Halifax in Yorkshire, England. They had five children. The wid. Mary m. 2) Aug. 2, 1654 at Dedham as his 2nd wife, Christopher Smith, who d. Nov. 7, 1676 at Dedham. Mary (Fairbanks)(Metcalf) Smith d. June 4, 1684 at Dedham. She had one child by her second husband, son John Smith.
• iv. John Metcalf, b. Sept. 5 (no bapt. rec.), 1622, d. Oct. 8, 1690 at Medfield, Mass.; m. Mar. 23, 1646/7 at Dedham, Mass., Mary Chickering, who d. Mar. 15, 1697/8 at Medfield, Mass. Eight children recorded at Dedham and Medfield.
• v. Sarah Metcalf, b. Sept. 10 (no bapt. rec.), 1624, d. Feb. 25, 1671/2 at Dedham, Mass.; m. by late 1648, Robert Onion, who d. Nov. 21, 1673 at Dedham. Seven children recorded at Dedham.
• vi. Elizabeth Metcalf, b. Oct 4 (sic, bapt. 20 Sept. at St. Benedict), 1626, d. May 1, 1711 at Lynn, Mass.; m. Sept. 15, 1648 at Dedham, Mass. as his 2nd wife, Lieut. Thomas Bancroft, who d. Aug. 19, 1691 at Lynn, Mass. Nine children.
• vii. Martha Metcalf, b. Mar. 27 (bapt. same day at St. Benedict), 1628, d. Dec. 26, 1717 at Concord, Mass.; m. 1) William Bignall, m. 2) Aug. 20, 1662 at Concord, Mass. as his 2nd wife, Nathaniel Stow, who d. May 30, 1684 at Concord, Mass. Three children by her 1st and three children by her 2nd marriage.
• viii. Dea. Thomas Metcalf, b. Dec. 27, 1629 (bapt. Jan. 1, 1629/30 at St. Edmund), d. Nov. 16, 1702 at Dedham, Mass.; m. 1) Sept. 12, 1656 at Dedham, his step-sister Sarah Pidge, who d. Jan. 20, 1678/9 at Dedham; m. 2) Dec. 2, 1679 at Rehoboth, Mass., the widow Anna (Chickering) Paine, who d. Jan. 1, 1688/9 at Dedham; purportedly m. 3) Jan. 22, 1688/9, the widow Mehitable (Hand) Savel, who purportedly m. 3) June 22, 1713 Josiah Chapin and d. Dec. 2, 1724. Eight known children of the family, all by 1st wife Sarah.
• ix. Anne Metcalf, b. Mar. 1 (bapt. Mar. 26 at St. Edmund), 1630/1, bur. in infancy May 31, 1632 at St. Edmund's Churchyard.
• x. Jane Metcalf, b. Mar. 24 (bapt. Mar. 29 at St. Edmund), 1632/3, d. Oct. 24, 1701 at Roxbury (now Boston), Mass.; m. 1) bef. 1656, Dea. Philip Walker, who was bur. Aug. 21, 1679 at Rehoboth, Mass. Ten children of record at Rehoboth. She m. 2) June 2, 1684 at Roxbury, Mass. as his 3rd wife, John Polley, who d. Apr. 2, 1689 at Roxbury.
• xi. Rebecca Metcalf, b. Apr. 5 (bapt. Apr. 12 at St. Edmund), 1635, d. Dec. 8, 1667 at Dedham, Mass.; m. Apr. 5, 1659 at Dedham, John MacIntosh, who d. Aug. 22, 1691 at Dedham. Two known children of the marriage.
Michael Metcalf m. 2) Aug. 13, 1645 at Dedham, Mary Sothey (q.v. Sothy), widow of Thomas Pidge of Roxbury, Mass. There were no children of this marriage. She d. Feb. 12, 1672/3 at Dedham. Mary m. 1) Thomas Pidge in England by whom she had nine children, six who emigrated with their parents to Roxbury by June 1633 where Thomas Pidge d. Dec. 30, 1643. In 1656 Thomas Pidge's dau. Sarah became the first wife of her step-brother, Dea. Thomas Metcalf.
Edited 7/9/2015
Inscription
No gravestone is known to exist, or if it once existed has crumbled away with the passage of time. See note at the main page of the Old Village Cemetery of Dedham.
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