Father: Robert? Drake
Mother: *****
Spouse: Mary Walker?
b: ~1625
d: 29/Jul/1685 - Middlesex Co.,
East Jersey Prov.
m: ~1650 - Dover Twp., Strafford Co., New
Hampshire Prov.
Child-1: George - b: ~1651 - Dover Twp.,
Strafford Co., New Hampshire Prov.
d: Oct-Nov/1710 - Piscataway Twp., Middlesex Co., NJ
m: Mary or Mercy Oliver - 13/Nov/1677 - Elizabethtown, Essex
Co., East Jersey Prov.
2: Elizabeth
3: John
Biographical Details:
The parentage of Francis Drake remains undetermined, although many researchers identify his father as Robert Drake; however, this not definitively proven. Indeed, Robert Drake makes no mention of a son, Francis, in his will, although he does mention two other sons, viz., Nathaniel and Abraham. It has been suggested that the reason Francis did not receive a legacy from his father, is because he became a Baptist contrary to his father's wishes. This is possible; however, in such circumstances it seems more likely that Francis would have been mentioned and merely left with a token legacy, e.g., a few shillings. This would make the will more difficult to contest, since an omitted beneficiary could argue that simply a mistake had been made, but if mentioned, this argument would have no substance. Other researchers suggest that because Francis was apparently closely associated with Nathaniel Drake, his putative brother, e.g., living on adjacent farms, serving on the same grand jury, surveying the highways, signing petitions, etc., that this establishes a familial relationship.1 However, such assertions are entirely circumstantial and, as such, cannot be regarded as providing definite proof. In any case, Francis is believed to have been born about 1615 in England, possibly in Essex or Devonshire, and immigrated to New England about 1640, presumably with other family members. Accordingly, Savage identifies a number of people surnamed Drake that had settled or were born in New England and, of course, Francis could descend from some of these individuals.2 Within this context, it is frequntly claimed that Francis Drake, of Dover Township, New Hampshire, and later of Piscataway Township, New Jersey, was a grandson of Sir Francis Drake's brother, Thomas, to whom the famous Admiral, dying on January 27, 1595 (1596 N. S.), left his valuable estate. Alternatively, Francis is also believed to have been a nephew rather than a great-nephew of the famous navigator. Unfortunately, there is no convincing evidence for any of these attributions. In any case, Francis Drake was a early inhabitant of Dover Township in the Province of New Hampshire having settled there in the 1650's or 1660's.3 Concomitantly, Francis married his wife, Mary, about 1650, in Dover Township. Her maiden name is not known with any certainty, but it is believed to have been "Walker". Only three children have been attributed to them, although it is possible, even likely, that there were others that died young and, thus, are unknown to history. (The will of their eldest son, George, was made November 9, 1709, and was proved almost exactly one year later on November 8, 1710.4) Subsequently, Francis and his family moved to Middlesex County, New Jersey Province, and were early settles of Piscataway Township. Naturally, persons of non-conforming religious belief and practice, e.g., Baptists and Quakers, were attracted to the tolerant mid-Atlantic colonies, viz., New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Consequently, from 1673 and afterward, Francis Drake appears in numerous civil records of New Jersey.5 In particular, he was granted a license to keep a tavern in 1673, as a surveyor in 1674, and commisioned as captain of the local militia in 1675. In addition, other records of land transactions are readily found. Accordingly, Francis Drake became the progenitor of a large extended family which later lived in New Jersey and beyond. He died September 24, 1687, in Middlesex County.6 His wife had preceded him in death in 1685. No burial place is known for either of them, but the Stelton Baptist Church Cemetery would seem likely.Source Notes and Citations:
1. Howard Eugene Bonham and Jean Allin, Bonham and Related Family Lines, Bonham Book(s), 5104 Bridlington Ln., Raleigh, NC, 27612, printed by Genie Plus, Bradenton, FL, 1996: pgs. 454-6.
"Clifford M. Hardin and Martha Wood Hardin in The Drakes in New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Kentucky, stated:
'It has been proved beyond doubt that Captain Francis Drake of New Jersey was the progenitor of a huge family of Drakes in New Jersey. There are differing views as to the parentage and English origins of Captain Francis Drake. All do agree, however, that he was living at Portsmouth, New Hampshire in the early 1650s and that he did move with his wife and children to Piscataway, New Jersey between 1665 and 1670....'
Francis Drake probably removed from New Hampshire to New Jersey because of the religious disturbances of the New England colonies and the promise of the New Jersey governor's 'freedom of religion' policy."
"Captain Francis Drake is presumed by many writers to be the son of Robert Drake, who was the son of William Drake of Yardbury who died there in 1625, and Phillippa Denys who died in 1655 (The Drakes in New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Kentucky, p. 5-A)."
"The following article by O. B. Leonard was written in response to a query in a New York publication dated 4 May 1901:
Francis Drake, the progenitor of the long line of this name in New Jersey settled in Piscataway Twp., Middlesex Co. about 1668. He came with his wife and two sons, George and John, from the Dover settlement in New Hampshire. His ancestors had lived on the 'swift flowing Piscataqua River' since 1635. By some it is claimed that Francis, of New Piscataqua, NJ, was a grandson of Sir Francis Drake's brother, Thomas, to whom the Admiral, dying 1595, left his valuable estate. By others, he is believed to have been the nephew of the great navigator. The original family belonged in Devonshire, England, where the Drake Manor was established shortly after the conquest of William of Normandy.... [Hunterdon County Historical Society, Drake Folder, copied 25 Oct 1973 by Betsy Errickson.]"
"Francis Knaus, a prominent genealogist, tackled the problem of the parentage of Francis Drake. He noted that Francis is generally accepted as the son of Robert Drake, although he is not mentioned in Robert's will:
Portsmouth, NH, records show that Nathaniel Drake (proven son of Robert) and Francis were associated. They were both grand jurors in 1660/61; owned adjoining lands; both were surveyors of the highways in 1663; and in Jul 1665 both signed two petitions, one addressed to his Majesty's Commission for the Affairs of New England in America, and the other to the King. Both asked that Portsmouth be removed from the jurisdiction of Massachusetts because of the illegal actions and persecutions of the government's representatives in Portsmouth....
Mr. Knaus further stated:
The Francis Drake family were Baptists, a religion not tolerated in Portsmouth nor in Hampton. Although Robert Drake's will offers no explanation, the difference in religious opinion may account for the omission of any legacy to Francis. Nathaniel received just half the money given to each of Robert's grandchildren and much less than the legacy given to his brother Abraham. Nathaniel's association with Francis may be the explanation.... [Princess Eleanor, pp. 752, 753.]"
"Captain Francis Drake was born in England ca 1605. He came to New Hampshire ca 1643 with his father, presumed to be Robert Drake. He married presumably in New Hampshire, Mary Walker, ca 1650. He was in Piscataway, Middlesex Co., NJ by 1675; died there 24 Sep 1687.
Mary Walker was daughter of Samuel and Sarah Walker, both who died in Woburn, MA. Samuel died 6 Nov 1684, his wife, Sarah, died 1 Nov 1681. [Drake Family in America].
NOTE: Mr. Knaus reported in Princess Eleanor, p. 754, 'Mary's parentage is presently unknown. She is shown in various sources as being b. c. 1625, the daughter of Francis Walker, George Walker, a sister of Capt. Samuel Walker, or just plain Mary.'
In 1652, Francis Drake, a wife, and one child were living in Strawberry Bank on the western side of the Piscataqua River in the northern part of New Hampshire. He is said to be the nephew of Sir Francis Drake, famous in British naval history. Our Francis was a surveyor. He served on the grand jury in Norfolk County, NH before taking advantage of the offer of land tenure and religious toleration in New Jersey. He moved with his family, now numbering five, to Piscataway, New Jersey, in or before 1670. In that year his daughter married Hugh Dunn. The children of this couple moved on to Hunterdon and Somerset Counties. [Genealogy of Marian Elizabeth Lanning; researched and compiled 1972-1984.]"
"C. I. Kephart stated:
Francis Drake was an outstanding figure in the Piscataway colony. He was a landowner; conducted a tavern; was commissioned captain of militia of Piscataway Township, 15 Jul 1675 and discharged at his own request 30 May 1678; was one of the first selectmen of Piscataway; was constable; justice of the peace, and in 1682 was county judge. [The Drakes in New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Kentucky, p. 6-A.]"
"25 Sep 1687. Captain Francis Drake died; his wife, Mary, died 29 Jul 1688. [D. A. R. Register, p. 5.]"
back to bio.2. James Savage, A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England - Vols. 1-4, Little, Brown and Co., Boston, MA, 1860-1862: Vol. 2, pgs. 69-71. (Reprint available from Genealogical Publishing Co., 1001 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD, 21202-3897)
"DRAKE, ABRAHAM, Exeter, s. of Robert, b. in Devonsh. Eng. perhaps a. 1620, rem. with his f. to Hampton, by w. Jane wh. d. 25 Jan. 1676, had Susanna; Abraham, b. 29 Dec. 1654; Sarah, 20 Aug. 1656, prob. d. young, bef. May 1663; Mary, 25 Mar. 1658; Elizabeth 11 July 1660; Hannah, 14 Oct. 1662; and Robert, 27 Sept. 1664; and at 84 yrs. was liv. 1712; had been a valua. man in town affairs, and in 1673 wasade marshal of the old Co. of Norfolk. Susanna was sec. w. of Capt. Anthony Brackett of Falmouth; and next m. 30 Oct. 1700, John Taylor of Hampton; and Elizabeth m. Thomas Beadle of Salem.
ABRAHAM, Hampton, s. of the preced. by w. Sarah had Sarah, b. 7 Nov. 1686; Abraham, 1689; Jane, 1691; Mary, 1693; and Nathaniel, 7 May 1695; was selectman, had good est. and d. June 1714.
ENOCH, Windsor, s. of sec.John, m. 11 Nov. 1680, Sarah, d. of John Porter, had Sarah, b. 31 May 1681; Enoch, 1683; Nathaniel, 1685; Samuel, 27 July 1688, d. young; and Hannah, 6 Oct. 1695. He d. 21 Aug. 1698.
FRANCIS, Portsmouth 1661, was of gr. jury 1663, a surveyor, perhaps rem. to N. J. soon after.
JACOB, Windsor, s. of John, b. prob. in Eng. m. 12 Apr. 1649, Mary, d. of John Bissell, had no ch. d. 6 Aug. 1689. His mo. liv. a wid. 22 yrs. and d. 7 Oct. 1681, aged 100.
JOB, Windsor, s. of John, b. in Eng. m. 25 June 1646, Mary, d. of first Henry Wolcott, had Abigail, b. 28 Sept. 1648; Mary, 12 Dec. 1649; Job, bapt. 28 Mar. 1652; Elizabeth b. 14 Nov. 1654; Joseph, 16 Apr 1657, d. at 7 yrs.; Hepzibah, 11 July 1659; and Esther, 10 Oct. 1662; and d. 18 Sept. 1689. Abigail m. 28 Aug. 1668, Israel Dewey; and Esther m. 16 Aug. 1681, Thomas Griswold.
JOB, Windsor, s. of the preced. m. 13 Sept. 1677, Elizabeth wid. prob. of Moses Cooke, d. of Daniel Clark, had Job, b. 26 Oct. 1678; and Mary, 29 Apr. 1680; Jacob, 29 Jan. 1683; Sarah, 10 May 1686; and, perhaps, more.
JOB, Westfield, s. of sec. John, m. 20 Mar. 1672, Elizabeth Alvord, had Jonathan, b. 4 Jan. 1673; and Elizabeth 4 Nov. 1675; perhaps more, certain. Sarah. Yet the two Jobs, cous. and the two ws. Elizabeth might ell puzzle the rec. and so ch. of one be giv. to ano. JOHN, Dorchester, or Boston, came in the fleet with Winthrop prob. as we find his req. 19 Oct. 1630 to be made freem. yet his adm. is not found, and he rem. from our col. perhaps as a purch. of Taunton 1639 [Baylies, I. 286], and not long after to Windsor, and there, by a cartwheel running over him, was k. 17 Aug. 1659, leav. s. Jacob and Job, bef. ment. and John, beside one, if not more, d. His wid. d. 7 Oct. 1681, but we may hesitate at the old ch. rec. story of her hundredth yr. yet agree to the main truth of her being call. "old wid. D."
JOHN, Windsor, s. of the preced. b. in Eng. m. 30 Nov. 1648, Hannah, d. of John Moore, had John, b. 14 Sept. 1649; Job, 15 June 1651; Hannah, 8 Aug. 1653; Enoch, 8 Dec. 1655; Ruth, 1 Dec. 1657; Simon,28 Oct. 1659; Lydia, 26 Jan. 1662; Elizabeth 22 July 1664; Mary, 29 Jan. 1667; Mindwell, 10 Nov. 1671; and Joseph, 26 June 1674. Lydia m. 10 Apr. 1681, Joseph Loomis. He d. 1689, as did both of his brs. and some of their fam.
JOHN, Weymouth, s. of Thomas, by w. Sarah had Prudence, b. 9 Nov. 1688; and John, 20 Sept. 1694.
JOSEPH, Weymouth, s. of Thomas, freem. 1691, by w. Elishama had Jane, b. 4 Sept. 1687.
JOSEPH, Windsor, youngest s. of the sec. John, had Joseph, b. 21 Apr. 1697; Benjamin, 14 Apr. 1699; Ann, 30 Jan. 1701; John, 6 May 1703; William, 30 Dec. 1705; Thomas, 18 May 1708; Abel, 24 Mar.1710; and Moses, 20 July 1716.
NATHANIEL, Hampton 1653, eldest s. of Robert, b. in Devonsh. a. 1612, had two ds. ment. in the gr.f.'s will as Rachel and Jane; rem. to Portsmouth, was of gr.jury in 1656, m. for sec. w. Jane, wid. of William Berry, was selectman 1691, but his d. is not kn. His d. Jane m. 15 Dec. 1673, William Wallace.
ROBERT, Exeter, without any exact date, came from Devonsh. where he was b. 1580, rem. to Hampton, in 1654 was selectman, d. 14 Jan. 1668. His will of 5 May 1663, pro. 11 Apr. 1668, names only s. Nathaniel and Abraham, bef. ment. wh. prob. he had brot. from Eng. men of full age, and d. Susanna with her maiden name, the two ds. of Nathaniel by names, and Susanna, Mary, Elizabeth and Hannah, the ch. of Abraham.
ROBERT, Hampton, s. of Abraham, m. 19 Oct. 1716, Sarah Knowles, both of sober yrs. had Robert, bapt. 2 Aug. 1719; and Hannah, 28 Apr. 1723; and d. 6 Feb. 1743. His w. d. 8 June 1742, aged 64.
*SAMUEL, Fairfield 1650, rep. 1662, rem. to East Chester 1665, had John, Samuel, and Joseph, and four ds. all nam. beside w. Ann, in his will, made 30 May 1686, pro. next mo. when all the ds. exc. Mary were m. Joseph had s. Joseph.
SAMUEL, Fairfield, s. of the preced. had from his f. 1677 the est. in F. w. Ruth, but no ch. made his will 12 Dec. 1691, and his inv. is ret. two mos. after.
SIMON, Windsor, s. of the sec. John, m. 15 Dec. 1687, Hannah Mills, d. perhaps, of Simon, had Simeon, b. 27 Aug. 1690, d. soon; Hannah, 29 Sept. 1694; Edee, 14 Nov. 1697; Frances, 16 Oct. 1701, d. young; and Phineas, 21 Sept. 1706.
THOMAS, Weymouth, by w. Jane had John, b. 12 Mar. 1659; William, 30 May 1661; Joseph, 28 Oct. 1663; Amy, 3 Feb. 1666; and Benjamin, 15 Jan. 1677. I think he m. 9 Mar. 1681, Mellicent, wid. of John Carver, d. of William Ford. Perhaps he was of Dorchester 1640.
WILLIAM, Weymouth, s. of Thomas, by w. Sarah had Sarah, b. May 1687; Abigail, 4 Apr. 1689; James, 7 May 1691; and William, 20 July 1695. A wid. Joan D. was adm. of the ch. of Boston 3 Aug. 1634, the same day with Gov. Bellingham and his w. but of her I kn. no more"
back to bio.3. Oliver B. Leonard, History of the First Baptist Church of Piscataway, Pakenham & Dowling, Steam Printers, New York, NY, Stelton, NJ, 1889: pg. 112.
"FRANCIS DRAKE, who was the founder of the family in New Jersey, was petitioner in 1665 at Dover, N. H., for protection of his property and religious rights. But the province being settled entirely as a trading interest, all laws were disregarded and a permanent residence there by peaceful citizens became unendurable. This same year the liberal concessions by the East Jersey proprietors were proclaimed in that region and Francis Drake, with others, shortly afterwards availed themselves of the generous invitation and moved to these quiet fields, where he spent the rest of his life till 1687, the year of his death. His sons Francis, George and John, born in New England, came with hism, and their posterity has materially assisted in peopling this province for generatons past. Of George, it is known that he married in 1677, Mary Oliver, of Elizabethtown, and was a useful public servant of that township and colony. He was appointed supervisor of many important local matters and served as a legislator in the General Assembly for 1684 and several successive years following. From his sons George and Andrew many useful and industrious citizens have descended who helped make the Church and community an honor and a blessing. the Rev. George Drake and Simeon J Drake were descendants of this line."
back to bio.4. William Nelson (ed), New Jersey Archives - First Series (alt. title Calendar of New Jersey Wills. Vol. I: 1670-1730), New Jersey Historical Society, Trenton, NJ, The Press Printing and Pub. Co., Paterson, NJ, 1901: Vol. 23, pg. 142.
Nov. 9, 1709. "Drake, George, of Piscattaway, Middlesex Co., yeoman; will of. Wife, Mary. Children---Andrew, Jonathan, Davide, George, Elizaabeth, Susannah and Mary. Land on Southside of South River, bought of John Reed, home farm, land along Woodbridge line. Personal property. Executors---the wife with Elisha Parker and Adam Hood, both of Woodbridge, as overseers. Witnesses---Daniel Hendrick, Peter Willson, John Botford. Proved November 8, 1701 (sic)."
back to bio.5a. William Nelson (ed), New Jersey Archives - First Series (alt. title Calendar of Records in the Office of the Secretary of State, 1664-1703. Part I: East Jersey Records. Part II: West Jersey Records), New Jersey Historical Society, Trenton, NJ, The Press Printing and Pub. Co., Paterson, NJ, 1899: Vol. 21, pg. 35.
Jul. 15, 1673. "License to keep an Ordinary at New Piscataway, granted to Francis Drake."b. ibid.: Vol. 21, pg. 36.
Dec. 11, 1674. "Order. Surveyor General la Prairie, Capt. John Pike, John Bishop senior, Francis Drake and Benjamin Hull to view the meadows on the other side of the Raratans River and make a report thereon, at the request of Piscataway men."c. ibid.: Vol. 21, pgs. 37-8.
Jul. 15, 1675. "Commission for the Bergen Company vizt. John Berry, Captain, Adrian Post, Lieut., Elias Michilson, Ensign; for the Woodbridge Compy vizt John Pike senior Captain, Samuel Moore, Lieut., John Bishop jun. Ensign' for the Newark Compy vizt. William Sandford Captain, Serjant John Warde Lieut., Joseph Johnson Ensign; for the New Piscataway Compy vizt Francis Drake Captain (discharged at his own request May 30, 1678), Samuel Doughtie Lieut., John Martin, jun., Ensign."d ibid.: Vol. 21, pg. 46.
1675. "Francis Drake of new Piscataway, wife and son John, George Drake and wife, each 60 acres, beside homelot and meadow."e. ibid.he Office of the Secretary of State, 1664-1703. Part I: East Jersey Records. Part II: West Jersey Records), New Jersey Historical Society, Trenton, NJ, The Press Printing and Pub. Co., Paterson, NJ, 1899: Vol. 21, pg. 210.
Feb. 10, 1686(1687). "Deed. Richard Powell of Woodbridge to Marmaduke Potter of Staten Island, for his farm in Woodbridge. 115 a. of upland and 30½ a. of meadow, bo't of Philipp Carteret, W. the town line, N. land in common, E. Richard Worth, S. Captain Francis Drake."f. ibid.: Vol. 21, pg. 104.
Oct. 28, 1687. "Do. on the estate of Capt. Francis Drake, dec'd., granted to his son George Drake of Piscataway."g. ibid.: Vol. 21, pg. 211.
Jun. 29, 1692. "Do. George Drake and wife Mary of Piscataway to Samuel Walker of Boston, New England, merchant, for a houselot in Piscataway, 25 a., as patented to Capt. Francis Drake July 30, 1678, N. E. and E. roads, S. Mrs. Higgins, W. S. W. a small brook, N. W. the 'trayneing place' and unsurveyed land."
back to bio.6. op. cit. (W. Nelson): Vol. 23, pg. 142.
Sep. 29, 1687. "Drake, Capt. Francis, of Piscataway. Inventory of the personal estate of (£67.7.-); made by Benia: Hull and Edward Slater."
Oct. 28, 1687. "Administration on the estate, granted to his son George Drake of Piscataway."
Oct. 28, 1687. "Bond of his son George Drake of Piscataway, planter, as administrator of the estate. Benjamin Hull of the same place, gentleman, fellow bondsman."
Aug. 20, 1688. "Account of the estate, as administered by his son George Drake, showing payments to brother Hugh Dun and brother John Drake, in all £62.14.4."
Feb. 27, 1692 (1693 N. S.). "Account of payments from the estate, by George Drake, to his mother, sister Elesebeth Dun, brother John Drake, Samuel Walker of Boston, merchant, Benjamin Hull, Charles Follet, Walter Robeson, Hugh Stonnels and John Goning, in all £68.3.6."
back to bio.
Additional Citations:
7. Samuel Smith, History of Nova Caesarea, William S. Sharp, pub., Trenton, NJ, 1890: pg. unk. (reprint of the original 1765 version)