Search for content in message boards

George Puffer b. 1600 Confusion on location of birth:England vs. Massachusetts

George Puffer b. 1600 Confusion on location of birth:England vs. Massachusetts

Posted: 25 Oct 2006 12:11PM GMT
Classification: Query
In the Family Trees posted on Ancestry.com and elsewhere there is a major disagreement concerning the location of the birth of George Puffer b. 1600. I am especially interested in the original source material for those who have stated that George Puffer was born in Massachusetts. According to U. S. History, as taught in all text books from grade school through college (and supported by colleagues of mine who are Professors of U. S. History), there were no settlements, or even the occasional family in New England prior to 1620. This, in itself, does not lend support for the Family Trees that give the birth of George Puffer as 1600 in Braintree Massachusetts (which did not exist at that time!) and even less support for those who state that his family and his wife's family existed in Massachusetts in the 1500's.
I welcome all comments on this problem. I would especially like to hear from those who have evidence that George Puffer was indeed born in Braintree Massachusetts. Sharon

Re: George Puffer b. 1600 Confusion on location of birth:England vs. Massachusetts

Posted: 22 Oct 2007 4:27PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Puffer/Sedley
George Puffer was born in England. He came over to America as an indentured servant to his father-in-law, James Sedley. George and Elizabeth's children were also born in Englamd. Descendant's from there were born in the colonies.

June L. Beckwith
Beckpuff54@aol.com

Re: George Puffer b. 1600 Confusion on location of birth:England vs. Massachusetts

Posted: 23 Oct 2007 11:12PM GMT
Classification: Query
George arrived in Massachusetts in 1639. Was not a pilgrim.

Re: George Puffer b. 1600 Confusion on location of birth:England vs. Massachusetts

Posted: 1 Dec 2012 3:23AM GMT
Classification: Query
While we tend to think that there were no Englishmen in America before 1620 that is not historically accurate. White men of some European nations were in North America before 1620 as fishermen, trappers, hunters, and explorers. This is evident by the recorded words of Samoset, an Abnaki native, who entered the Plymouth colony in Mar 1621 and said "Welcome Englishmen!".
We have no historical record regarding births among these English speaking men, but it could have happened, albeit probably with natives and not English wives.
It's generally accepted that George Puffer's ancestry was from Germany. The "Origin of the Family" paragraph in Charles Nutt's book states "While the surname Puffer is common in Germany an extensive search of English parish records and archives reveals no definite trace of the name, Poffer, Pougher, or Puffer." What that 'extensive search' entailed can only be speculated at.
So, for me, George was born in England ca 1600 to German ancestry; perhaps even German parents. From there he came to America around 1639 to the greater Boston area some 20 years after the first settles from the Mayflower.

Re: George Puffer b. 1600 Confusion on location of birth:England vs. Massachusetts

Posted: 2 Dec 2012 3:30AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Puffer
Hi Dave, Seems a tough argument at this point. Back then most people could barely write their names the same twice. Not sure there are any written records proving there was any English greeters at Plymouth Rock. I have read accounts of the Pilgrims that described their first days and weeks and other than attempting to have peaceful relations with natives, I have not read of anyone "leading the way" in Massachusetts. As you said, it seems there is historical proof that George Puffer came here in 1639, clearly an English speaking man of German descent. But history as I have known it, 1620 was the first year Puritans arrived. That was the grant of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. And yes, there were men here in Virginia and Florida as early as 1575, the movie "The New World" is loosely based on that reality. I do not believe any Europeans were in Massachusetts prior to 1620. And the crazy Baptists colonized Rhode Island shortly afterwards as the Puritans would have nothing to do with them. That is, until they did. Who would have believed our own family line would have had separatists and loyalists, especially since they came here for freedom in the first place? I don't really know how successful Jamestown in Virginia was, but that was a much warmer climate than Massachusetts. While its possible a trapper or two may have made his way north, Massachusetts is a long way from Jamestown. I believe the Pilgrims were here alone. An even larger argument, would be did the Norwegians settle Iceland and Canada, long before anyone came here? There seems to be significant proof of that. But that was much farther north in Canada where those settlements were discovered.

Re: George Puffer b. 1600 Confusion on location of birth:England vs. Massachusetts

Posted: 22 Nov 2014 8:58PM GMT
Classification: Query
My information shows that George DIED in 1639 -- didn't arrive then.

Re: George Puffer b. 1600 Confusion on location of birth:England vs. Massachusetts

Posted: 22 Nov 2014 9:00PM GMT
Classification: Query
I agree that he was not BORN in the U.S. Early histories show him arriving in 1620. Strangely enough, however, in the one book of passengers arriving in 1620, George and three others do NOT show detail by their names as others do. I'm interested in a post here that says he arrived as an indentured servant to his father-in-law. Hmmmm... going to look at that angle more closely.

Re: George Puffer b. 1600 Confusion on location of birth:England vs. Massachusetts

Posted: 22 Nov 2014 9:01PM GMT
Classification: Query
Some child of George's may have been born in England but not all. Those records are easily searched.

Re: George Puffer b. 1600 Confusion on location of birth:England vs. Massachusetts

Posted: 2 Feb 2015 5:51PM GMT
Classification: Query
Has anyone found any confirmation he came over as an indentured servant to James Smedley?
I have found little information about this ancestor, but what I have found even throws into doubt that Elizabeth Smedley was his wife. Does anyone have confirmation of that?
Equally his son Matthias's wife Rachael Farnsworth lineage seems uncertain and she may or may not be the daughter of Joseph Farnsworth.

Re: George Puffer b. 1600 Confusion on location of birth:England vs. Massachusetts

Posted: 10 May 2015 1:17AM GMT
Classification: Query
David et al

There is no documented proof that George Puffer was an indentured servant or that Sedley was his wife's maiden name. This is pure speculation and more a matter of trying to make him fit into genealogical records as opposed to actual facts. The only facts that we do know from historical records are that the 'wife of George Puffer' died at Braintree, MA Feb 18 1676. We also know from records that he was granted twenty acres in what is now Quincy, MA on Feb 24 1639. He died 27 Sep 1639 in Braintree, MA.
Anything else is a fantasy..but who knows what records will come to light in the future.
see it all at www.puffergenealogy.info (a totally free website dedicated to George and his descendants)
Dave
per page

Find a board about a specific topic