Phineas Wolcott Cook Family Tree

ENGLAND: He was married and his children were born in Norwich, Norfolk, England, but his origin is unknown. There are Birdsall families in the area of Norfolk, but no birth for Henry Birdsall. Rob Burdsall, 19 Centinnel Street, Rapid City, SD, 57702 (Submission: AF93-105204) believed Henry was the son of Thomas Birdsall and Alice Spendler whose recorded children were born in St. Gregory, Norwich, Norfolk, England from 1600-1610, but it can't be proved unless a marriage record is found before 1587 when Henry was born.

HIS CHILDREN: All were christened in different parishes, but it is important to note that the St.Stephen, St.John, and St.Andrew parishes are all within a few block radius in the heart of Norwich (Norwich, Norfolk Map 942.61/N1E7p).

IMIGRATION TO AMERICA: Passenger and Immigration Lists Index: 1991-95 Cumulation: "Henry Birdsall; Salem, MA, 1632 Vol. 1262 p. 29." Agnes was not found in America, probably died in England, or during their journey for she never appears in Salem with her family. We have two different accounts of when Henry and the children arrived in America. According to The Great Migration Vol.1 we know Henry was in Boston in 1635 and two years later he moved with his three children to Salem where he was admitted to Salem Church on the 25th of February 1637/8 (Founders of Early American Families, 1607-1657, Meridith B. Colket, p.30 Source#1262) (Wendy Bentley Research) Emigrants of Early American Families FHL #CD#9 pt.354 "The Great Migration, Immigrants to New England 1634-1635 VolI" by Anderson, Sanborn & Sanborn. FHL# 974 W2aaVI, page 301 listes Henry Birdsall or Burdsall as having migrated in 1635 to Boston. origin "Unknown." His marriage in St. Stephen, Norwich, Norfolk 9 Apr 1610 to Agnes Kempe, inventory of estate, etc. No ship is mentioned, but marriage is listed. (Wendy Bentley research) "Henry Burdsall b. ca 1586. Came over 1632. Salem, Mass 1636. d. Salem b6 28 Sept 1651. Freeman." Founders of Early American Families," by Meredith B. Colket, Jr., p. 30., FHL

BOSTON     Because Henry Birdsall may be the “Henry Burchall” in Boston by 1635,the records were searched for reference to Henry Cooke as well. (Henry Burchall, 1635, Land Grant in Boston, MA, 15 acres, Town Records 1634-1660,Book of Possessions, Vol. 2, p. 40 [Wendy J Bentley research] Also found in Boston Town Records, City Document No. 46, 1637, p. 26, FHL 974.461 H2b Vol. 2). He apparently went to Boston first in 1635 and later to Salem. (Founders of Early American Families, 1607-1657, Meridith B. Colket, p.30 Source #1262.)

SALEM: Henry Burdsall was admitted to the First Church in Salem, Mass., 25:12th mo: 1637. (Records of the First Church in Salem, Mass, FHL 974.45/S1 K2r, p. 7.) Descendants of William Frost of Oyster Bay, New York", by Josephine Frost. p.363 states that Henry was admitted to the Church in Salem in March, 1638 and has more about Nathan his son and son-in-law Henry Cook. "Henry Birdsall emigrated from Kent, Eng. (actually it was Norfolk) to Boston, MA in 1632.” He was Sexton of the First Church beginning 1 January 1644. Rang bell for funerals. Land in Salem in 1650. (George r. Griffiths, An Ancestral Potpourri, FHL 929.273 B64gg, p. 1.) "History of Salem" FHL# 974.45 s1H2PS lists both Henry Birdsall and Henry Cook with a map of their land holdings. There is also a John Woolcot mentioned p.180 On 10 December 1649 Henry Cooke of Salem, butcher, mortgaged his house, shop and one acre of land to Henry Birdsall. (Essex land Records 1:7) Boston Transcript, 5 Oct 1914 #4227: Answer to 24: "Henry Birdsall proprietor of Boston 1635, moved to Salem, had care of the meeting house in 1644. The Reference is Pope’s Pioneers and the Boston Transcript June 5, 1907 #9268." Henry Birdsall Assigned to sweep the meeting house at 3 pounds,15s per quarter. (Town Records of Salem, 1:135, FHL 974.45/S1 N2e)

FAMILY: "Chips of the Old Block, The Genealogy of a Branch of the Birdsall Family Tree" , by Alfred Bradley Brown 1926 (FHL#0000028 tag275)

DEATH: The inventory of the estate of Henry Birdsall, taken 17 November 1651, totaled £47.19.10, of which £14.10 was real estate: “one dwelling house, outhouses and 1 acre and quarter land,” £10; and “5 acres of upland in the Northfield and half acre of salt marsh in the Southfield.” £4.10. He had “1 old sword, musket and halberd” valued at 9s. “Tools for his trade” were valued at £2 but we are not told the nature of that trade. His will was dated 28 Nov. 1651, but has not survived. (Essex Probate Records, 1:143, 144.)

MARRIAGE Married Agnes

RESEARCH: DONCASTER: History Notices of Doncaster 2nd in the series #942.74 D3 H2h Henry Birdsall listed p.480. I question if this is our Henry since we have a marriage record and births of his children in Norwich, Norfolk. However, the family is reported to have come from Yorkshire, possibly because of the Doncaster Henry. NORFOLK: Note: There is also a Rachell d of Thomas Burdsall 2 Jul 1592 both in St. John, Timberhill, Norfolk at about the same time. Thomas Burdsall may have been a brother.

Henry Birdsall married Agnes Kempe the 9th of April 1610, in St.Stephen Church, Norwich, Norfolk. (Martrimonia Amo Domnis 1610 Vital Records, Norwich, Norfolk, England, film# 0993969). See England Marriages #974V2t "The Great Migration, Immigrants to New England 1634-1635 VolI" by Anderson, Sanborn & Sanborn. FHL# 974 W2aaVI, page 301 listes Henry Birdsall or Burdsall as having migrated in 1635 to Boston. origin "Unknown." His marriage in St.Stephen, Norwich, Norfolk 9 Apr 1610 to Agnes Kempe, inventory of estate, etc. No ship is mentioned, but marriage is listed.

Birdsall was an uncommon name in Norwich. The only time we find it is in reference to this Henry Birdsall. Norfolk,Norwich Church records. Research by Wendy Bentley.