There is no such person Joanna Kerrich who married John Jessup. John Jessup did not die in 1637. John Whitmore was the father in law of Edward Jessup and never married the Widow of John Jessup. John Jessup was a merchant adventurer and attorney he was a representative of Matthew Craddok the governor of Massachusetts Company and director of East India Company.
In the book "A record of the descendants of Francis Whitmore of Cambridge Mass. 1625-1685 claims that John Whitmore married the widow of John Jessup because of testimony in a 1657 record. " Edward Jessup brought Joseph Meade of Stamford his agent and employed by him did mark this mare for him as witness, who did now affirm in upon oath that when Edward Jessup and his mother widow Whitmore went from Stamford to live else where.
Many researchers, including the researcher of Edward Jessup of West Farms believe the record was referring to his mother in law. In some of the old records in some cases a in-law could be referred to as a mother or father and also a nephew & niece can be referred to as a cousin. For example many record prove that Sarah the widow of Elias Baily married Henry Sawtell. This record proves that John Pettit married Sarah the sister of Mary Bailey who married Nathaniel Pettit. Testimony "I did mow a parcel of grass about two bails and got my brother Moses to help me take my part and gave my brother Moses one load for his work and my father Sawtell desired us to makeup his part also"
It is evident that Edward Jessup had been married previously, the fact is that only nine years after the 1657 testimony in Stamford Ct. that mentioned his mother Whitmore Edward wrote his 1666 Will that mentioned a married daughter and a grandchild and his two children by a second wife Elizabeth Bridges who were not of age.
John Jessup had land in Wethersfield Ct. that was sold in 1641, he is recorded in Stamford Ct. 1640 receiving five acres of land, he is recorded as one of the first settlers in South Hampton L. I. arriving with Edward Howell, magistrate of South Hampton and a member of the Colonial Legislature from 1647 to 1653. In South Hampton Thomas Topping, Thurston Raynor and John Jessup all Wethersfield men were involved with the Connecticut Legislature traveling back and forth from Connecticut to Southampton L. I. Edward Jessup married the daughter of John Whitmore who was killed by Indians in 1648, he served as a deputy to the general court and was a representative of New Haven Assembly.
On July 20, 1636 Trader John Oldham was killed by Indians.
On July 28 1636, the Massachusetts Bay General Court issued orders to Watertown & Connecticut (i.e.) Wethersfield to seize and inventory Mr. Oldham's goods for payment of his debts (W.J 2:423) John Oldham's first estate probated in Connecticut, where an unsatisfactory inventory was presented at the court of 10 September 1636. After much wrangling, a satisfactory inventory was delivered to the court on the 6th of 1639/40 which showed £504, 9s & 3d in debts, and £134, 66s & 21d in assets. A year later on the 6th of January 1640/41, the accountant had still not been settled, the suggestion was made that the paperwork be sent to the Massachusetts Bay Court in case anyone wished to make a claim. Nothing more is heard of the matter. (CCCR) 1:25-28
Source; "The Public Record of the Colony of Connecticut Prior to the Union of New Haven Colony (pdf) Estate of Oldham deceased is debtor to Matthew Marvine; Richard Lord; William Lewis; Edward Mason; Jeffery Ferris; Henry Browning; Thomas Staunton; Thomas Scott; Mr. Chapleyn; Mr. Pynchon; Andrew Warner; Edward Stebbing; Mr. Talcott; Mr. Haynes; Matthew Allen; Lieutenant Seely; Edward Hopkins & Matthew Craddock.
June 2, 1641, the court ordered said land to be laid out for Matthew Craddock of London whom John Oldham was indebted source Connecticut Records.
"Oldham's Farm in Watertown Mass." On the first of April 1634 five hundred acres of land was granted to John Oldham lying near Mount Feak on the north west of the river (MBCR 1:330) This land later laid out to Mr. Craddock near Mount Feak (MBCR 1:330) and on the 18th of March 1647 Nicholas Davidson of Charlestown, attorney to Mrs. Rebecca Craddock alias Grover, sole executrix of Matthew Craddock granted to Thomas Mayhew Merchant this same five hundred acres of land.
John Jessup's business.. Source; The Public Records of the Colony of the Connecticut prior to the Union of New Haven Colony.
Record 9th of February 1637, It is ordered that there shall be a meeting at particular court on Tuesday of May at Hartford and then the businesses of Mr. Oldham and John Jessup are to be handled.
In the book "History of Genealogy of Old Fairfield Families of Connecticut the researcher claims that John Jessup died in 1637, because he did not claim the debt in May against Oldham's estate. This is incorrect and disputed by the researcher of the "Jessup Family" who writes that John Jessup appeared at Hartford Particular Court in May 1637 that acted as a probate court and in the next couple of months later on Dec. 5, 1637 he is recorded at the Newtown Massachusetts District Court as an adjudication in a case that was ruled "out of jurisdiction"
About half a mile west of Newtown Massachusetts was a fresh pond that divided the townships of Watertown and Newtown. Newtown's district court also served as the district court of Watertown... this is were John Oldham's 500 acre Farm was located.
Source; The History and Antiquities of Boston page 210; subject Pequot War 1636-38,
About the first of April, Mr. Winthrop (Jr.) wrote to the Governor of Plymouth for advice respecting proceedings against the Pequots, and probably hinting something about the propriety of the colony taking a part in the War, and furnishing the men with means. This letter was answered on the seventeenth of April by the following Mr. Winslow by the direction of the Governor of Plymouth. In this he say's "Concerning your present business we conceive it will be simply necessary for you to proceed in the war against the Pequots, otherwise the natives fear will grow into a stronger confederacy "But there is one thing of ill consequence which we hear from Connecticut, that there are some English there that furnish the enemy by way of Trade having made a league with them. If you inquire of Mr. Jesop who came in the barke (sailing vessel) with Mr. Harding you may receive particular information there about.
John Jessup acted as a representative of Matthew Craddock of London in the Connecticut & Massachusetts Courts and was aware of Oldman's Trading practices with Thomas Morton who sold firearms to the natives.
John Oldham was involved in business with Thomas Morton of Merrymount the servant of Sr. Fernando Gorges, the governor of the Port of Plymouth in England involved in English Trade and the settlement of North America. Gorges was also the founder of Maine.
Thomas Morton of Merrymount was accused of selling firearms to the natives and was banished twice unsuccessfully. He returned each time after banishment and could not be executed because of his powerful connections. In 1631 he brought suit against Massachusetts Company (Matthew Craddock governor) with the backing of Sr. Fernando Gorges but nothing became of it.
In 1628 John Oldham & John Dorrill obtained a lease by John Gorges the son of Sir Fernando Gorges that was on the same tract of land offered to Massachusetts Company known as Massachusetts Bay territory in the present cities of Charlestown and Cambridge. This was trouble for Matthew Craddock governor of Massachusetts Company who sent his representative to Plymouth district court were the lease was determined unlawful. It is believed that John Oldman was granted the 500 acre Farm for compensation because of this failed lease.
Matthew Craddock of Stafford was a London merchant, politician, director of the East India Company, and the first governor of the Massachusetts Company founded in 1628 established by Puritan merchants in London that organized the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Although he never visited the colony Craddock owned property and businesses there and acted on it's behalf from London. His business & trade empire encompassed at least 18 ships and extended from the West Indies and North America to Europe.
William Fiennes 1st Viscount of Saye & Sele of Boughton Castle established a trade-stock company that failed in 1640 called the Providence Island Company. He obtained a large land grant on the Connecticut River through Robert Rich, the second Earl of Warwick, William Jessop a London attorney was the secretary of Providence Island Company and also handled the business transactions of Robert Rich. In 1635 Saybrook Colony was established along the Connecticut River that latter merged with the Connecticut Colony in 1644.
William Jessop 1603-1675 was a government official and politician and was baptized in Stafford on the 22nd of September, the son of Thomas Jessoppe and his wife Margery. He moved to London becoming a Law Clerk and then confidential man of business to Robert Rich. He is also recorded as a Clerk to the Council of State and and House of Commons.
John Jessup served as a representative for Matthew Craddock in the courts of Connecticut & Massachusetts. Matthew Craddock was also from Stafford his cousin was the mayor of Stafford and a member of Parliament.
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