This discussion has been going on through many genealogy boards. So, here is yet another. There has been many facts about a Richard Hendee. In many writings on American Genealogy we have seen Richard Hendee coming to America in a ship "The Hopewell". We have seen him as the first proprietor of Norwich, Connecticut. We have seen him as a ships' carpenter and later as a boat builder. We have seen him marrying Hannah Elderkin and beginning the family in America.
Unfortunately, we have also seen different Richard Hendee's. Two Richard Hendee's who have the most possibilities as being "The One" is a Richard Hendee alleged to have been born in 1611 in England of French Huguenot decent. The other is a Richard Hendee, I, as listed in Geni and on my tree. This Richard was allegedly born in 1645 and also from England. Many of the same historical writings have been attached to this Richard as have been attached to the 1611 Richard. The reason for this is because none of these historical writings leave any hints as to real sources of birth.
We see that the Richard who was allegedly born in 1611 died in 1670 in Middlesex Connecticut at the age of 59. Most Historical writings have him first seen in America around 1660. If he died only 10 years later, he must have been a very busy man to have become the first proprietor of Norwich, Connecticut, Begin the running of John Elderkin's Lumber Mill, Marry Johns' Daughter, Hannah b. 1643, had at the very least four children and numerous other things written about him. This would truly make him an incredible person for the day.
When we look at the Richard Hendee b. 1630 and d. 1719 with the same or similar historical writings supporting the Richard, even though there is still no real sourcing of Birth or Baptismal, it seems this Richard has more credentials to be Richard Hendee - the first Richard Hendee in America.
To confuse things even more, I have researched through the Parish Records of England. I found many Hendee families in the Chute, Wiltshire, England Births and Christenings, 1538 - 1975. Interestingly enough there was one Richard Hendee who was recorded to being Baptized on 12 May 1645 (FHL Film #1279366). This is the first documented source I have been able to locate on any person that fits our criteria of possibilities.
So, with all this on the table, I hope we can begin a discussion on who really married Hannah Elderkin Hendee?
