Entry in ANNALS OF SUDBURY by Wayland that James Ross signed a petition concerning a 1678 battle between the settlers and the Pokonoket Indian known as "Philip" and his warriors. This book also noted that a Mary Ross was killed and scalped by Indians in 1707. This could have been Mary Goodenow Ross ?

(A Mary Ross is listed as dying in 1700 - hard to say if date is wrong and is the same Mary Ross. Bill Ross (Calif.) has read this as well and cannot verify either at this time.)

Milton Freeman who also is working on Ross Genealogy has James Ross b.

1635, the son of John and Anna (Makgill) Ross. He had John Ross b. abt. 1600 in Maybole, Ayr, Scotland and married to Ann Makgill abt. 1621 in Scotland. Milton's record has John d. 12/12/1640 in Cambridge, MA and Ann d. after 1635, also in Cambridge. Notes - found in records in Salem (MA) and also in Sudbury vitals. I will research futher, as well.

Milton also has one more child listed under James and Mary Ross:

Susanna, b. prob. 1676; m. John Gage December 25, 1706 in Bradford, Mass. Neither Bill Ross nor I have found her listed as one of their childrens - listing her in notes until find corroboration.

From Bill Ross/California Ross Cousin: Speaking of updates, let me give you an update on our 7th great grand daddy, James. I think you already know of Steven C. Ross. I assume he lives in MA. Anyhow, he's just about done with his book and has sent me some cool info on James. Let me cut and paste the good stuff for you:

1.

Bill, I found the reference on James Ross concerning his beating up James

Ruddock. It was driving me nuts.

In a nutshell, I found -

James Ross was in prison at least from May 23, 1655 onward and was ordered

released from prison when he petitioned the court with a 'humble apology'

and promised to reform his behavior on August 31, 1655.

I'd like to retain the source of this as it will be in my book, I'm trying

to wind it up. I'm trying to run down when he was whipped or when the beating occurred or the fines for his fornication with Mary G.

Steven C. Ross

2. Even better....

How many prisons were there in 1655? I think there were two. One in Boston (can't say for sure, that is, its location but I'd assume its Boston). The second prison was 'approved' a year or two before James tap danced on Ruddock's anatomy, it was in Ipswich. Only because of the newness of the prison (approved just a couple years earlier), I'd assume they didn't have or need a third prison.

So... James was marched or driven to Boston or Ipswich and back again.

I wish I could do research all the time. I'm tying up all the loose ends

now. I have over 500 footnotes, but sadly, most of it is not about the

Scots - there's so little about these illiterate folk who are documented

only by wives and children or their run-ins with the law, but the book gives

a wide spectrum of life in the 1650's.

There isn't much more that I'd found about your ancestor besides that.

I think the book is a real kick, I know that I've found a few things that

have never been published and in some cases, the last leg of logic wasn't

completed.

I look forward to our genetic testing results. The results will be revealing

no matter what direction they take. I have a Ross descendent from 1678 Rhode

Island (via Barbados) that I hope to take the test; he's a bit leery. I'd

like to know the breadth of genetic markers of the clan. I've put feelers in

Scotland to see if there are any long time Ross residents - it they show the

same genetic drift as you and I - we may find the general geographic home

for our clan, but who knows. I've barely come up to speed on the topic, I'm

still in the 17th century. I've got three other books to write once this is

done!

PS: Just as this went to the Outbox, I read that two prisoners (not Scots)

escaped from Boston prison. So there you go, James could have gone to

either - unless there was some other local 'gaol' which I doubt.

Steven C. Ross

Cool stuff eh? Till he publishes his book, lets just keep this in the

family, OK?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bottom line - we know that James Ross married Mary Goodenow and that he was brought here as a prisoner/servant captured at the Battle of Worcester. As for his parentage - may not ever be able to verify. Hopefully - someday, I will find proof as to who his parents were.

The information below I cut and pasted from information on Genforum submitted by Kay Strand (whose line stems from James Ross & Mary Goodenow and their daughter, Jane) on 11/25/98 under Mary Goodnow. Kay got the information from Bill Ross (California) who had the information from his web page (when he had one) Bill has been corresponding with me and has done extensive research. His direct line is from James Ross/Mary Goodnow's son, James.:

Mary Goodenow was born on 25 Aug 1640 in Sudbury, MA. She died in 1700 in Lancaster, MA. April 1657, Mary was convicted of fornication with James Ross whom she adamantly refused to marry. (for at least a year). She finally married James Ross on 5 Dec 1658 in Sudbury, MA.

James Ross was born about 1635 in Scotland. He died on 18 Sep 1690 in Sudbury, MA. James , a Royalist soldier, was captured at the battle of Worcester, Eng. He was transported from Gravesend to Boston on the John and Sarah (master John Greene) 13 May 1652.

James was one of the surviving soldiers of Charles II's Scottish army made prisoners at the Battle of Worcester 3 Sep 1651 by Cromwell. After the battle, Cromwelll was greatly exercised to find sustenance for them and to keep them under restraint as a potential source of danger. Many died of pestilence and, as a measure of relief, many were sent to Boston as redemptioners on such terms that they soon acquired their freedom.

John Cotton, minister of Boston, wrote to Cromwell in 1651, that they were kindly used, having been sold for a limited servitude in a country where their labor was in such demand that they were not ill-rewarded.

These people, rich in the love of freedom of a highland race, became a potent factor in the development of the new country, and later generations contributed generously to the fighting forces of the revolution. They have had many distinguished in America, among whom may be named: Oliver Wendell Holmes, Governor Claffin of Massachusetts, and Governor Black of New York.

The age-old antipathy between the English and Scots broke out into war in 1649. By 1652 over 500 Scottish prisoners from Dunbar and Worcester had been transported as servants to MA Bay. By 1680 only some 120 remained. During the 1650s, they certainly made their presence felt, but as much for their savage violence as their se_ual indiscipline. Thus James Ross, the father of Mary Goodenow's bastard, had received heavy punishment of 39 stripes from "shameful abuse and violence towards his master".

Ref: Directory of Scots banished to the American Plantations 1650-1775.

James Ross was living in Sudbury, MA before 5 Dec 1658 when he married Mary Goodenow, daughter of Thomas and Ann Goodenow.

Ref: Whitney, Wyne, and Allied Families: Genealogical and Biographical by Mary Catherine Wyne Whitney.

More information:

Thomas Goodenow (born somewhere around 1608 in Shaftsbury, Wilts. Eng - death date in Sudbury unknown) was a puritan. He came over on the ship "Confidence" in 1638. His wife was Jane Rudd(ock) (born app. 1613).

(James Ross' father John (along with another son named John), who was also made slave by Cromwell because of the battle of Worcester. John Ross was born about 1609 in Scotland. Nothing more is known about this family. This fact is highly unlikely. I found one obscure mention of this. DLV)

Most of the Scottish prisoners of Mass. were sent to the Lynn and Saugus iron works. We don't know what Thomas Goodenow was using his slaves for at Sudbury. The slaves were sold for somewhere between 20 and 30 pounds for a set period years (about 8) or until they paid off the debt for their transport to America. They had to sign agreements with their masters (some of whom cheated them because they couldn't read what they were signing).

Apparently, the trip over was horrendous. Approximately 10% of the prisoners died of scurvy because of the living conditions aboard ship. Something is mentioned of the lack of hygene of the Scots.

Another source of infor. is a book called "New World Immigrants" by Edward Charles Banks.

Mary Ross may have been the 2nd wife of Joseph Graves - on page 5 of documentation on "Rear Admiral Thomas Graves 1637 Settler of Charlestown, MA and his Descendants" www.gravesfa.org/gen028.htm - It is noted that Joseph and his first wife, Elizabeth Maynard, moved to Sudbury, MA. Elizabeth died in 1676 and in 1678 - Joseph married Mary Ross, daughter of James Ross and Mary Goodnow. She was born December 25, 1656 in Sudbury. He was a soldier in King Philip's War.

**I am keeping her married to Gleison(Gleason) only for my records until I find more proof to verify the above.**

FYI: Another Ross descendant is questioning if Timothy is the son of this Thomas because Thomas was about 50 years old when he started his family. I am looking into it more - however all that I have found from the LDS files, Annals and records from Sudbury, MA etc as well as records in Henniker seem to point that this Thomas was the father of Timothy.

Another descendant - sent info agreeing with my findings. Also, four youngest children born in Sudbury others born in Lancaster.

Timothy Ross died and his widow, Elizabeth Thompson Ross, left Massachussetts and moved to Henniker, NH with her sons Jesse and Timothy and their families. Jesse and Timothy were part of the original 31 families living in Henniker at the time of incorporation in 1768. The Henniker Historical Society has a file regarding the Ross families and they are mentioned in the town's history. Timothy Ross is listed as buying his land in Henniker on 03/26/1765. It is also noted that the proprietors in Londonderry chose him, and 3 others, to survey roads for the town. Timothy and his wife, Kesiah, were two of the first members of the Congregational Church started on 06/07/1769. They had no children. Both Timothy and Jesse signed the petition on 03/17/1768 to incorporate the town of Henniker. In 1776, Jesse and Timothy signed the Association Test for Independence which read:

"We the subscribers do hereby solemnly engage and promise that we will, to the utmost of our power, at the risk of our lives and fortunes, with arms oppose the hostile proceedings of the British fleets and armies against the United American Colonies."

Brother, Jonathan Ross, also moved to Henniker to join his mother and two brothers. The town's records of 1776 show him as being enrolled in Captain Aaron Adam's Training Band. The training band was a class of soldiers made up from all able bodied males between the ages of 16 and 50. Jonathan helped survey roads (1781) and was mentioned as being a "hog reeve" in 1780. Jonathan left Henniker in 1795. It is unknown where he went. The Henniker records note that Jonathan was married to Phebe _____? and that they had at least 6 children. I also came across an Abigail Adams married to Jonathan Ross in other records. She may have been his first wife? I am not sure.

Timothy held the title to the land. It is not known whether each family lived in their own cabins at first or if they lived together for awhile. The property was near the Warner town line and Colleague Pond. This is located in the northern part of Henniker.

On December 17, 1785, Jesse's log cabin caught on fire, and he burned to death. According to a letter in the Henniker file (dated 1960), the cellar hole could still be found on the land that athe Rosses owned. It also was noted that after Jesse died, Timothy divided his lot and gave most of the land to his brother, Jonathan. On February 1, 1786, part of the lot was deeded to Lemuel Ross. Lemuel farmed this land until 05/05/1788 when he sold his land to Abel Gordon and moved to Tunbridge, VT. Both Elizabeth and Kesiah, Timothy's wife, died in 1790. It is mentioned that some of the Rosses are buried in Henniker. I have not found the stones. Many of the older stones were never marked or have faded and cannot be read.

Lemuel and most of his family are buried in the Button Cemetery in Tunbridge, Vermont.

Lemuel - fought in the Revolutionary War in Capt. Joshua Bayley's Company under Col. Thomas Stickney's Regiment and Gen. John Stark's Brigade of NH Militia. He was one of the soldiers who fought under Gen. Stark in the Battle of Bennington, VT (08/16/1777). Lemuel served for 2 or 3 months.

Burial: Button Cemetery, Tunbridge

Kezia (spelling on marriage license) and Lemuel Ross lived in Henniker. Their marriage license states they were married by William Kelly, clergyman, who resided in Warner. the clerk of Warner signed the marriage record. Warner and Henniker are side-by-side. Hard to tell if were married in Warner or Henniker. I will keep Warner as the place of marriage unless I find proof that states otherwise.

Burial: Button Cemetery, Tunbridge, VT

Burial: Button Cemetery, Tunbridge, VT

Marshall Sherman Ross, known as Sherman, was a gentle, quiet, and loving man. He had hazel eyes and chestnut brown hair and mustache. Marshall Sherman Ross died in Tunbridge, VT on 12/15/1925.

Cora Grant was the daughter of Major Grant and Sarah J. Luce and born in Tunbridge, VT. Cora was a strict Christian woman and to some...rigid...but underneath was a caring woman. Betty Ross (my mother) loved her dearly and always thought her kind and loving. Betty remembers Cora as "Grandma" and the woman who always took time to talk with her. Betty also remembers Cora as being very kind to her. Cora is the one who first told my mother (Betty) about her birth mother, Gladys Mae Gilson Ross.

Perhaps Cora seemed a bit stern to some because of the circumstances involving her daughter's (Ruby's) pregnancy out of wedlock. Ruby was the mother of Kenneth Ross. Augustin Hancock, a blacksmith in the Tunbridge, VT area was the father. Augustin and Ruby did not marry. The story in the family is that when Ruby became pregnant the entire family went to "California." When they returned to Tunbridge, Marshall (Sherman) and Cora had a baby boy, Ken. Whether or not they really went to California - no one seems to know. Ken's birth certificate states that he was born in Burlington, VT and that his parents were Ruby Ross and Augustus (Augustin) Hancock. At the turn of the century, unwed mothers were not approved of at all, and Tunbridge was (and still is) a very small town. Given Cora's strict upbringing, she probably felt great shame and embarassment over the situation. Not much is known about the relationship between Ruby and Augustin other than they had a child together. Why they did not marry - no one knows. A while ago - while in Tunbridge, I met Stella Cilley (Augustin's niece). When asked if she knew that her Uncle was Ken Ross's father, she said yes, but that Augustin's children from the woman he married after Ken was born, did not know. Stella gave me the names and addresses of some of Augustin's children, for my research. Some of these children are still incontact with me. I have enjoyed getting to know more about the Hancock side of the family.

Ralph's real name was Albert St. ?. He was adopted. (one of the orphans / train adoptions.)

Ralph told us a story about when he was in school (No. Tunbridge School?) his teacher, Edith Grant, was grabbed and stood on her head by some "full-grown men" students in the class. They also filled her dress/skirt with leaves. (Edith Grant was Cora Grant sister . . . Cora married Marshall Sherman Ross.)

Info from Ralph's daughter, Carolyn Ross Balentine:

Ralph's birthname was Howard Pierce. He was adopted by Jerome and Florence Ross in February or March 1911. Florence answered an add in the newpaper and went to South Royalton, VT train station to meet a woman wearing a flower on her coat. This woman was Ada Pierce, Ralph's (Howard's) mother.

Died same day gave birth to Elizabeth. Cerebral Hemmorage.

Around 1999 - legally went back to Ross surname from Almeda.

Thomas was born at 98 Washington St, Penacook, NH.

Sheila Bailey is the sister of Robert Otis Bailey who married Mary Jane Ross.

Live in Calais, VT.

Married...June 21, 19?? - divorced 1999

Live in Hinesburg, VT.

Adopted from Korea at 8 months old.

Lisa has twins (girl/boy) from former marriage.

Divorced.

Divorced: 1989, Concord, NH

Divorced: 1988

Weslea Jane Greene (Maiden Name) . . . name when married Tom was Weslea Trayner (from first marriage). 1946 is an estimate for her year of birth.

Adoption: 1970