vital records sources

The Farnums were living in Rochester, Kent, England, as early as 1628, when Ralph's first child was baptized at St. Nicholas Church. He was a barber there. He and his family sailed from Southampton, England, on 6 April 1635 on the ship James, which landed in Boston on 13 July 1635. Ralph settled in Ipswich, Massachusetts, as a proprietor in 1639.1 He died by 16 May 1644, when Alice ("Vernham," but not the wife of George Varnum of Ipswich) is referred to as a widow.2 Alice's second husband apparently disappeared, a situation revealed in the following:3

27 March 1662

This witnesseth that whereas Solo. Martin, late of Andover, in Co. Of Essex, have house and land in said town and he having been gone out of the country six or seven years [since 1655-1656] and the house and land going to ruine and decay for want of improvement and repair and there being also a contract at marriage between said Sol. And Alice his wife that she should have the disposing of what estate she brought to him and he having sold land which was hers lying at Ipswich for the value of £16 for prevention of further loss by the house and lands lying idle land not improved and rates continually rising from the land which will in time (if not prevented) eat it out. How therefore this witnesseth--that Alice Martin, wife unto Sol Martin before named in consideration of £12 secured unto her to be paid within 4 years is willing to resign up all the house and land of her said husband's Sol Martin's unto the hands of Nathan Parker for the use of Samuel Martin son unto the said Solomon, only reserving liberty to live in sd. House during her life and to have the 3rd part of the fruit of the orchard if she desire it--and the sd. Alice doth declare that the £12 is all her demand for the £16 that the land at Ipswich was sold for or anything else which she might claim by reason of or by virtue of the contract aforesaid only what moveables or household goods she brot with her she is to have by virtue of the aforesaid contract. The Court 1st held at Ipswich March 27, 1662, do allow of this as that which is most expedient judging best for all parties.

Robert Lord, Cleric

children, maybe not all, of Ralph Farnum and probably Alice (she isn't named in any of the English baptism records):

Mary ("the daughter of Ralph Farnam") bap. 13 July 1628
Thomas ("the sonn of Raph Farman Barber") bap. 10 April 1631
Ralph ("the sonn of Ralph Forman") bap. 4 August 1633
Ephriam
Sarah
John b. 1640/41
Henry?

1.