Hannah or Ann LANGFORD is my10th great-grandmother, 11th to my children, 12th to the grandchildren. It can be somewhat difficult to find and verify names and relationships in such an early time, without original old Parish Registers, clear writing, and consistency in family residences or parishes. There could be errors in this post. Variants of the name Ann can be Anne, Annie, Anna, Hannah, Hanny.
I first saw the name Ann LANGFORD in walking back through time in my Treat-Graves-Brooks-Potter male ancestors in very early Connecticut, and decided to see if I could find any information and details about her - her parents, more information about her husband, and perhaps the region she apparently lived in - Sussex, England. Lewes, in East Sussex, is situated on the River Ouse, where the river cuts sharply through the South Downs - chalk hills. The River Ouse drains south to the English Channel, only 8 miles away.
Ann LANGFORD Potter Beacher appeared in New Haven, Connecticut, having emigrated after her 2nd husband John Beecher, had unexpectedly died in 1638 in his first months after travelling to New Haven, Connecticut to help prepare land and a home for her, his son, and at least one or more stepchildren. That pointed me back to Lewes to find more information in England. I was able to tease out her first husband's name, William POTTER, and searching backwards in time, I was very surprised to find his death/burial of 14 Aug 1619, in Lewes, Sussex, Eng., aged 39. Further information a little further down in this post.
William POTTER and Ann LANGFORD were married 06 Oct 1607 in Lewes, Sussex, England [transcribed records at FamilySearch], and had several possible children born in Lewes as found on FindMyPast:
1. William [jr], bap 28 Aug 1608, d. 1662 in New Haven CT; m abt 1639 CT,
Frances ____; 6 children known.
2. John [ancestor], bap 18 Feb 1608/09, d 10 Aug 1644 New Haven CT;
m Elizabeth WOOD in Eng., (1606-28 Jul 1677), 4 children known.
3. Mary, bap 21 Mar 1611/12; nothing further known about her.
4. Steven, bap 1 Aug 1614; nothing further known about him.
Nothing is yet known about William's occupation, nor the cause of his death at a relatively young age. On his minimal burial register it states he was a "housekeeper" - and several other men on the same list, also listed that. Did they mean "householder" -? Did he work in an Estate House-? Confusion continues. In the early 1600s, deaths were often caused by various epidemics such as Dysentery, Scarlet Fever, Plague, Tuberculosis, Typhoid, Typhus, Influenza and related secondary infections such as Pneumonia. Perhaps it was a disease that caused his early death.
One might suspect that William sr. and their two younger children Mary and Steven died about the same time. However, I have not found burial records for the children in Lewes, Sussex, nor nearby places.
Several years after William's death, about 1622/23, Ann LANGFORD Potter married for a second time to John Beecher. I have few records or history for John Beecher. The couple had one known son, Isaac, who was born about 1625, in Lewes. He married and had 10 known children (as seen in the book, Families of Ancient New Haven, V.01) Clearly I need to continue more research, including letters to the local parishes/societies.
John Beecher set off for New Haven, Connecticut in 1637/8 along with oldest stepson Wm Potter jr., to set up a house on land he bought. Unfortunately, as mentioned before, John died in the winter of 1638/39. I have not found details of his death. Not knowing of his death, Ann LANGFORD Potter Beecher with the living children: John, William jr, and Isaac - set sail for New Haven, Connecticut, arriving only to find that her husband had died in the winter.
In terms of support for the widow Ann LANGFORD, and her youngest son, Isaac Beecher jr., I found a history note that because Ann LANGFORD Potter Beecher was a midwife, she was granted assistance from New Haven community leaders. Her two other Potter sons would have been of an age to assist her as well. Her youngest son, Isaac Beecher jr., married Mary ____, approximately 1650 in New Haven, and had 5 known children, all sons. In New Haven town, the land she had is listed in her previous name: Ann Potter, and is by her two Potter sons, William jr. and John. Her son by John Beecher, would have been living with her on her property. See map link at bottom of the page.
Ann LANGFORD Potter Beecher did not marry again, having buried two husbands, and likely continued working as a midwife for the community. She remained in New Haven, and died on 5 Apr 1659, aged 74.
A map of 1641 New Haven town is available and I was able to find the POTTER family as well as many other of my very early New Haven ancestors. The plan of the town is unique, and the 9-square design was planned by one of the early town settlers, John Brockett, and is known by his name, i.e., "the John Brockett map." Click here to view the map online at the New Haven Museum (and yes, it is safe to click through).
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