Suffolk County Biographies

JOSIAH STANSBOROUGH

[I have done the unpardonable...I neglected to record the source of the following material.  It is being included here because of the great relevance of the material.  If you know the source, please contact me (link email addy) with the information and it will be rightly attributed.  Thanks!]

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Biographical Sketch of JOSIAH STANBOROUGH

Josiah Stansborough was probably born about 1600 in Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire, England.  He was the son of William Stanborowe.  He died in 1661 at Sagg (now Sagaponack) on Long Island, New York.  The will of Josiah Stansborough is dated July 6, 1661 and was proved September 3, 1661.

Frances Gransden, one of seven daughters of Henry Gransden of Turnbridge, Kent, England.  Frances died before 1657, as Josiah married again in 1657 to Alice Wheeler, widow of Thomas Wheeler of New Haven, Connecticut.

Josiah is first mentioned in records as being in Lynn, Massachusetts in 1637, when he was alloted 100 acres of land.  In 1640, he was one of the eight original "undertakers" who formed the new settlement at Southampton, Long Island. The settlers journied by way of Peconic Bay, landed at North Sea on the spot that became known as Conscience Point, now marked by a boulder monument.  This marker and a bronze tablet was placed there by the Colonial Society of Southampton.  It is recorded that the name is due to the remark of one of the women on landing, "For conscience sake, I'm on dry land once more."

By the close of 1640, it is mentioned that "fourty families" --  numbering from one to two hundred settlers -- made the new town of Southampton their home. The first period of Southampton history shows an unusually large proportion of men of intelligence, ability and energy, being respectable both in character and education.

Josiah Stansborough founded Sagg, known today as Sagaponack. He had purchased large amounts of land there and sold his home in Southampton in May of 1656. His house stood at the south end of Sagg Main St. on what is known as the "Stanborough Lot".

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Children of JOSIAH STANBOROUGH and FRANCES GRANSDEN:

1. SARAH STANBOROUGH
  was born Abt. 1635 in Bel. England. She married STEVEN OSBORNE.

2. PEREGRINE STANBOROUGH
was born 1640 in Southampton Long Island, NY, and died January 15, 1701/02 in Southhampton, Long Island, NY. He married SARAH JAMES December 15, 1664 in Southampton, Long Island NY, daughter of THOMAS (REV) JAMES. Said to have been the first white child born in Southampton.

3. MARY STANBOROUGH
  was born Abt. 1644 in Easthampton, NY, and died March 17, 1701/02 in Easthampton, NY. She married JOHN EDWARDS 1666 in East Hampton, Long Island, NY.

4. JOSIAH STANBOROUGH
was born Abt. 1646 in Long Island, NY, and died Abt. 1695 in Elizabeth, NJ. He married (1) ADMAH (ANNAH) CHATFIELD July 24, 1670 in bel. Southampton, Long Island, NY, daughter of THOMAS CHATFIELD and ANN HIGGINSON. He married (2) ELIZABETH OSBORNE 1686.

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Southampton, NY - COURT RECORDS

Source Material: "Celebration of the Two Hundred and Seventy-fifth Anniversary
of the Founding of the Town of Southampton, NY," written in 1915

The General Court

[This is in reference to the murder of the wife of Thomas Halsey, Sr.]

Magistrate and citizens in the market place.
Enter Wyandanch, chief of the Montauks, with Indian prisoner.
Wyandanch speaks: "We bring this man to you. He killed one of your squaws.  Deal with him according to the white man's law.  He is not of our tribe, but a Pequot from across the water.  Wyandanch keeps his word. He is the white man's friend." Magistrate orders constable to take charge of prisoner, put him in the pillory and later convey him to Hartford for trial. 

[Josiah Stanborough was a founding father of Southampton, NY]

Josiah Stanborough is brought with his son Peregrine.  At a session of the court the lad, having been adjudged guilty of the theft of fruit from Job Sayre's garden, has been ordered soundly whipped by his father in the presence of competent witnesses.  The constable announces that the father has refused to comply with the order of the Court.  He is adjudged as in contempt of court and ordered placed in the stocks.  The son is sent to the whipping post.
Note: The Parrish Art Museum stands on the site of Job Sayre's garden.  Unknown what date this occurred.

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Source Material: 
History of the Town Of Southampton
by James Truslow Adams 1962.

Letter written by

Josiah Stanborough

regarding the founding of a new town by John Ogden
known as North Sea or Feversham:

To the worll his much honrd friend, Mr. Winthrope at his house at Pequot theise present.
"Honrd Sir,- My service and salutation prfixed the God of all my mercies recompence yor goodnes & kindnes extended to strangers a thousand-fold into yor bosome; for ye experience I have had of yor love to me in this sorte, assureth me of yor pfection in this grace of Christ, who will pfect his whole worke in al his servants; & if God shall againe bring yo to Southampton,I should account it an honor to me to see you under my roofe, & blese God for such an optunity to show my selfe thankfull to you for what I am ingaged. Sr, I blese God I came well home in two dayes from Pequot, & I recn all ye psons in good health, & was restored to them before expected at this season; & there was nothing of moment missing to me of all that God hath given me, save that 3 dayes before I came home 3 foolish boyes burnt me 7 loades of hay & 8 of ye Indian wigwams nigh into it. I hope my cattell will live without it, & I so much the lese ingaged to Southampton for another yeare. I desire to heare how Pequot & Will Chesbrow psed as optunity serveth. We have no newes nheare being out of ye comon roade(or pticular is); Southampt will be to strait (crowded) for Mr. Fordams friends. Easthampton is full, & Mr. 0gden begins a towne on or north side for tradein; & the things that is sad on my spirit is that I annot see a way to bringe to greate blessings to the place of my rest(to say) yrself & Mr. Fordam; & then all other questions weare answered. But that I be not farther tediouse give me leave to prsent my kinde respects & my (torn)Mris. Winthrop to Mris. Lake; and when Mr. Brewster come to you to him, & I rest.

Yor Wsps in any service,
Josiah Stanborough
Southampton, 4th April, 1650

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From History of Lynn, MA, p. 103

These lands following were given to the inhabitants of the town of Lynn, Anno Domini 1638. Josias Stanbury, 100 (acres).

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From First Settlers of Piscataway and Woodbridge, p. 159

"The original "undertakers", eight in number, purchased a sloop for the transportation of their families and their goods for L80, of which Edward Howell and Daniel Howe, each contributed L15; Edmund Farrington, George Welbe, and Henry Walton each L10; and Josiah Stanborough, Job Sayre, Edmund Needham and Thomas Sayre, each L5. "

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From First Settlers of Piscataway and Woodbridge, p. 159

The names of the eight original "undertakers" are as follows; Edward Howell, Edmund Farrington, Edmund Needham. Thomas Sayre, Josiah Stanborough, George Welbe, Henry Walton, Job Syare, and, if we include the Captain of the Vessel, Daniel Howe, making nine.

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From First Settlers of Piscataway and Woodbridge, p. 160

A List of the freemen inhabiting The Towne of Southampton,
March ye 8th, 1649; lists Josiah Stanborough
A list of all the townsmen also lists Josiah Stanborough

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From New England Marriages prior to 1700, p. 700

Stanborough, Josiah ( - 1661) & 1w/f Frances (Grandsden) ( 1618-);
1636, Lynn/Southampton, LI

Stanborough, Josiah ( -1661) & Alice (Wheeler) ( -1673), w Thomas;
1657; Southampton, LI/Elizabeth, NJ

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From The Pioneers of Massachusetts

Josiah, planter, Lynn, propr. 1635. Rem. to Southampton, L. 1 (. Wife, Frances, dau. of Henry Cransden or Gransden, of
Tun-bridge, Eng., sued his widow for her patrimony 27 (7) 1639. [L.] He gave letter of attorney 15 (9) 1647, to Hez.
Usher of Boston regarding a house at Banbury, Eng. beq. to him by his father William Stanborough, late of Cannons
Ashbie, Northamptonshire. [A.]

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This page was last updated February 3, 2004.