| Capt. Thomas Cromwell
(Cir 1617-1649) |
Capt. Thomas Cromwell
Events "Cromwell was
reportedly born in London, England. in 1617. Winthrop states that "he was
ripped out of his mother's belly, and never sucked, nor saw father nor mother,
nor they him." He first came to colonial America as a seaman while still in
his teens. He participated in at least one voyage to the West Indies in the
1630s. Circumstantial evidence suggests that he was married to Anne ____ by 1639
or 1640."
Descriptive information regarding Thomas Cromwell can be found in "the
Journal of John Winthrop 1630-1649" and in "Bradford's History of
Plimoth Plantation." Both Winthrop and Bradford recount that Capt. Thomas was a privateer, with
a commission from the Earl of Warwick, under the command of Captain Thomas
Jackson. He "worked" in the West Indies taking Spanish ships, and
made his money there. Both accounts give details of the occasion in which he
accidentally killed one of his own men in a fight. He was tried in a Council
of War and was acquitted. The New England Historical and Genealogical Register Vol 3 (1849) p. 268
includes Thomas's will which reads as follows: Thomas Cromwell 3(9) 1649 "I Thomas Cromwell of Boston doe by these p'sents make my last will and
Testament. Deere wife Anne sole executrix. To dau. Elizabeth Cromwell fyve
pounds sterling at marriage, or at one & twenty. To wife all the remainder
of my estate, excepting the ship Anne. To pay to goodwife sherman ten ounds
sterling, & to goodife Spaule five pound sterl. I give my six bells being in
the Custody of Henry Walton unto the towne of Boston, This 29th of august, 1649. Thomas Cromwell & a seale Sealed signed & DD in p'nce of John Clark Henry Walton Deposed that this was the will 26 (8) 1649. He died in 1649 after returning from a
three year privateering adventure. He fell from his horse, impaling himself upon
his rapier hilt. Thomas married Anne about 1640. |