Is anyone aware of the relationship, if any, between Rev. John COTTON (b 4 Dec 1585 - Derby, Derbyshire, England, 23 Dec 1652 - Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts) and Rev. William COTTON (b 18 Nov 1609 - Bunbury, Cheshire, England, d aft 20 Aug 1640 - Hungar's Parish, Accomack Co, VA)?

Rev. John COTTON is said to be the son of Rowland COTTON (b 1550, d 1604) and grandson of George COTTON (b 1525, d 1559). John Cotton attended Cambridge’s Trinity College in 1598. Later he was a fellow at Emmanuel College. After experiencing persecution for his nonconformity, Cotton sailed to North American Boston in 1633. Rev. John COTTON was the leading religious figure in Puritan Massachusetts for a decade.

Rev. William COTTON is said by some to be the son of Jeffrey and Joane COTTON, of Bunbury, Cheshire, England. Others show Rev. William COTTON to be the son of Andrew COTTON.

Rev. William COTTON was the minister of Hungar's Church in Accomack County, Virginia. Rev. William COTTON was married to Anne GRAVES, daughter of Captain Thomas GRAVES. Rev. William COTTON died sometime after the date of his Will -- 20 Aug 1640 -- but clearly BEFORE the 7 Oct 1642 date of a Patent by Nathaniel EATON to to John Holloway for 1,500 acres.

Rev. William COTTON was succeeded as minister at Hungars Parish by Nathaniel EATON, the first Master of Harvard College. EATON also married Rev. William COTTON's widow, Anne. The 7 Oct 1642 Patent makes it clear that as of that date Rev. William COTTON was already dead and Ann GRAVES was already remarried to Nathaniel EATON. Rev. William COTTON's Will was NOT proved until 11 Nov 1646.

Interestingly, Rev. John COTTON's great-great-grandmother was Katherine Hungerford (b 1442, d 1493).