Battle of Dunbar at Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland on 03 September 1650
Ship/Arrival:
The ketch, Unity; Dec 1650 at Massachusetts Bay
Prisoner and List:
William Paul, #85 on George Stewart’s Captured at Dunbar list
Name Variations:
Paul, Paule, Paull
Residences:
Taunton, Bristol County (was Plymouth Colony), Massachusetts
Other SPOW Associations:
Alexander Ennis/Innes
Every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy; please independently verify all data.
Published: 23 Jan 2015, Updated: 18 Sep 2020 Researchers: Dr. Andrew Millard, Teresa Rust Editor: Teresa Rust
First Generation in the New World
1. WILLIAM¹ PAUL, “a certaine Scote” was born about 1624 in Scotland and died in 1704 at the age of 80. He married, at Taunton, Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts, after 03 Feb 1656/7, MARY RICHMOND, of Newport, Rhode Island.
Biographical Notes: 1. According to Saxbe, William B., Jr., CG, FASG. “Who Was the Mother of James2 Paule (1657-1724) of Taunton, Massachusetts?” The American Genealogist 73 (October 1998): 312-315, suggests that William Paul may have had an affair with the wife of Alexander Innes (a SPOW), KATHEREN (_____) INNES, which resulted in the birth of James Paule, his firstborn son. Another researcher, Charles Oliver, strongly disputes this, see his explanation HERE! 2. “My ancestor William Paul (1624-1704) was a survivor of the Battle of Dunbar, the forced march, Durham Cathedral, and 6 years of indentured servitude in Taunton Massachusetts.” ~ William Paul 3. According to, Christopher Gerrard, Pam Graves, Andrew Millard, Richard Annis, and Anwen Caffell, Lost Lives, New Voices: Unlocking the Stories of the Scottish Soldiers at the Battle of Dunbar 1650, (England: Oxbow Books, 2018), on page 251, William is categorized as: Probable [that he is a Dunbar prisoner transported on the Unity] Paul, William. Residences: Taunton MA. Appears: 1657. B.c.1624. D.1704. Linked with Alexander Ennis. [Exiles; DR; SPOWS; Ch.8] For explanations of the category, abbreviations and references see List of Dunbar prisoners from Lost Lives, New Voices.
Child of William Paul and ?: 2. i. JAMES² PAULE, “son of William,” (William¹), was b. at Taunton on 11 Apr 1657; died at Dighton*, Bristol (was Plymouth Colony), Massachusetts on 18 Feb 1724/5*. Illegitimate. He married*, at Taunton* by 1685*, MARY (_____)*.
Children of James and Mary (_____) Paul: 3. LYDIA PAULL*, b. at Dighton* on 11 Feb 1722/3*. 3. JAMES PAULL*, b. at Dighton* on 20 May 1725*.
Child of Mrs. Mary (Richmond) Paule by Richard Canterbury: 2. HANNAH² PAULE, b. at Taunton on 4 Oct 1657 (In 1658 Mary confessed that she was with child by Richard Canterbury before she married William Paul.)
Children of William and Mary (Richmond) Paull: Seven children, 1660 to 1681. 2. ii. JOHN PAULE, (William¹), born at Taunton* on 10 Jul 1660*. 2. iii. (_____) PAULE, (William¹), 2. iv. (_____) PAULE, (William¹), Could be SARAH, see paragraph below. 2. v. MARY PAULE*, (William¹*), born at Taunton* on 8 Feb 1667*. 2. vi. (_____) PAULE, (William¹*), 2. vii. (_____) PAULE, (William¹*), 2. viii. (_____) PAULE, (William¹*),
“In 1684, Sarah Paul, the daughter of Scottish ironworker John [should be William], was presented for fornication with John Darling, son of George; Priscilla Downing and Nathaniel Carrell were also charged with the same offense.” From: Social and Economic Networks in Early Massachusetts: Atlantic Connections By Marsha L. Hamilton, page 49.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Regarding William PAUL and Mr. and Mrs. Alexander INNES from Miner Descent: “Life in Taunton – The Irish Catherine and Scottish Alexander clashed with the Puritans of Taunton on at least one occasion. Saxbe writes, “‘an Irish woman named Katheren Aines’ was brought before the court at Plymouth in February, 1656/57, ‘vpon suspision of comiting adultery.’ The trial was the following month, and justice was swift and harsh:
“Att this Court, William Paule, Scotchman, for his vnclean and filthy behauiour with the wife of Alexander Aines, is centanced by the Court to bee forthwith publickly whipt…which accordingly was p(er)formed…Katheren Aines, for her vnclean and laciuiouse behauior with the abouesaid William Paule, and for the blasphemos words that shee hath spoken, is centanced by the Court to bee forthwith publickly whipt heer att Plymouth, and afterwards att Taunton, on a publicke training day, and to were a Roman B cutt out of ridd cloth and sowed to her vper garment on her right arme [for blaspheme]; and if shee shalbee euer found without it soe worne whil shee is in the gou(vern)ment, to bee forthwith publickly whipt…Alexander Anis, for his leauing his family, and exposing his wife to such temptations, and being as baud to her therin, is centanced by the Court for the p(re)sent to sitt in the stockes the time the said Paule and Katheren Ainis are whipt, which was p(er)formed…’”
‘Understandably, the Innes family moved sometime within the next few years. In 1659, Alexander is found in the records buying land in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, fifteen miles south of Taunton (Clarence S. Brigham, Early Records of the Town of Portsmouth (Providence: E.L. Freeman &Sons, 1901), pg. 379). In 1664, Block Island became part of Rhode Island and a group of Scots settled there.”
110. John Paul, #84 on “The Dunbar Prisoners” list (Not sure if John is related to William or not.)
Innes, Ennis, Evans, Evins, Enos, Innis, Aines, Alexander
Residences:
Lynn and Taunton Massachusetts, Block Island Rhode Island
Other SPOW Associations:
Every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy; please independently verify all data.
Published: 16 Dec 2014 Updated: 24 Jan 2023 Researchers: Andrew Millard, Teresa Rust, Jonathan Tucker Editors: Teresa Rust, Toni Rome
First Generation in the New World
1. ALEXANDER2 INNES, was born in Scotland about 1632 and died at Block Island in 1679. He began his indenture at the Lynn Iron Works, then moved to Braintree, and thereafter Taunton. He met at Braintree, Massachusetts, CATHERINE (BRIGGS?)3, an Irish bondwoman who died probably between 1664 and 1679, as she was not mentioned in Alexander’s will. It is thought that she was captured and transported to New England as a result of Cromwell’s campaigns in Ireland, possibly arriving on the ship Goodfellow in 1653. Alexander and Catherine were married4 before 1656 at Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Innes/Ennis/Evans/Evins/Enos/Innis/Aines/Alexander. Appears: 1653. D.aft.1665. [Exiles; Banks; DR; SPOWS; Ch.8] For explanations of the category, abbreviations and references see List of Dunbar prisoners from Lost Lives, New Voices.
Children of Alexander and Catherine (Briggs?) Innes:
2. MARY INNES/ENOS (possible child)5 , b. abt 1652 in Massachusetts. 2. WILLIAM INNES/ENOS (possible child)5 , b. abt 1653 in Massachusetts. 2. ELIZABETH INNES/ENOS6, b. at Taunton in 1658. 2. THOMAS INNES/ENOS (possible child)5 , b. abt 1660 in Massachusetts or Rhode Island. 2. CATHERINE INNES/ENOS (possible child)5 , b. between 1669 and 1679 at Block Island, Rhode Island.
Second Generation
2. ELIZABETH² INNES/ENOS, (Alexander¹), b. at Taunton, 1658. She married at Block Island, Rhode Island on 24 Jul 1672, WILLIAM HARRIS5 . She married second bef. Feb 1694/5, RICHARD SMITH5 of Lyme, Connecticut. He d. 8 Mar 1701. She married third in 1711/12, widower ROGER ALGER5 of Lyme. He d. 1725. Elizabeth died at Lyme in Jul 1729.
Children of William and Elizabeth (Innes) Harris:
3. WILLIAM HARRIS JR., (Elizabeth Innes², Alexander¹), b. 10 Feb 1675, Block Island, Rhode Island 46 3. RICHARD HARRIS, (Elizabeth Innes², Alexander¹)6 3. ALEXANDER HARRIS, (Elizabeth Innes², Alexander¹)6 3. CATHERINE HARRIS, (Elizabeth Innes², Alexander¹)6
Third Generation
3. WILLIAM HARRIS JR., (Elizabeth Innes², Alexander¹), b. 10 Feb 16754, Block Island, Rhode Island, d. 1762, Connecticut4. He married ELIZABETH BROCKWAY (b. 24 May 16767, Lyme, CT, d. July 6, 1729), Nov. 30, 169784, New Shoreham, Rhode Island.
Children of William and Elizabeth (Brockway) Harris:
4. HANNAH HARRIS, (William3, Elizabeth Innes2, Alexander1), b. abt 1698-1700, New Shoreham, Rhode Island 4. ELIZABETH HARRIS, (William3, Elizabeth Innes2, Alexander1), b. 11 Oct 1699, New Shoreham, Rhode Island9 4. MARY HARRIS, (William3, Elizabeth Innes2, Alexander1), b. abt 1700-1, Rhode Island 4. MARGARET HARRIS, (William3, Elizabeth Innes2, Alexander1), b. abt 1700-1, Rhode Island 4. TABITHA HARRIS, (William3, Elizabeth Innes2, Alexander1), b. 9 May 1702, Lyme, CT10 4. SARAH HARRIS, (William3, Elizabeth Innes2, Alexander1), b. 17 Feb 1704, Lyme, CT11 4. ESTHER HARRIS, (William3, Elizabeth Innes2, Alexander1), b. 11 Aug 1706, Lyme, CT12 4. THANKFUL HARRIS, (William3, Elizabeth Innes2, Alexander1), b. 23 Feb 1707, Lyme, CT13 4. EUNICE HARRIS, (William3, Elizabeth Innes2, Alexander1), b. March 1, 1710, Wethersfield, CT14
Fourth Generation
4. THANKFUL HARRIS, (William3, Elizabeth Innes2, Alexander1), b. Feb. 23, 1707, Lyme, CT 13, d. after 1748, Colchester, CT. She married RICHARD BEBEE, March 23, 1730, New London, CT15
Children of Richard and Thankful (Harris) Bebee:
5. SAMUEL BEBEE, (Thankful4, William3, Elizabeth Innes2, Alexander1), b. 5 Jun 1733, Colchester, Connecticut16 5. TIMOTHY BEBEE, (Thankful4, William3, Elizabeth Innes2, Alexander1), b. 1736, d. 2 Sep 1740 Colchester, Connecticut17 5. THANKFUL BEBEE, (Thankful4, William3, Elizabeth Innes2, Alexander1), b. abt 1737, Colchester, Connecticut 5. ELIZABETH BEBEE, (Thankful4, William3, Elizabeth Innes2, Alexander1), b. 1738; d. 1752, Colchester, Connecticut17 5. ROSEL (ROSWEL) BEBEE, (Thankful4, William3, Elizabeth Innes2, Alexander1), b. abt 1742-3, Colchester, Connecticut, m. (1) DORCAS BABBITT, 5 Mar 1763, Colchester, Connecticut18, m. (2) ABIGAIL DOUGLAS, d. 3 Jan 1833, Gill, Massachusetts19 5. NATHANIEL BEBEE, (Thankful4, William3, Elizabeth Innes2, Alexander1), b. 1746; d. June 13, 1752, Colchester, Connecticut17 5. OLIVE BEBEE, (Thankful4, William3, Elizabeth Innes2, Alexander1), b. 1747; d. Nov. 13, 1752, Colchester, Connecticut17
Sources and Notes: Bart Saxbe is a family historian. His research interests are (1) nineteenth-century Ohio, and (2) colonial southeastern New England. The latter concentrates on the Bowen family of Rehoboth, Mass.; the Walling family of Providence Co., R.I., and the Innes/Ennis family of Block Island, R.I., and Kingston, N.Y. He is happy to receive correspondence concerning these families, but does not take clients.
Alexander Innes died in 1679 at the home of his supposed daughter Elizabeth “Enos”, the wife of William Harris, on Block Island, Rhode Island. He made a nuncupative will5 in the presence of Robert Guthrie and two others from Block Island, naming William Harris as his heir (New Shoreham Town Book 1:52). Catherine most likely died between 1664 and 1679.5
“Alexander Ennis was evidently among those who remained at Saugus. He was listed on an inventory of the iron works dated November 1653. The inventory was a result of lawsuits resulting from financial difficulties. The Scots were valued at £10 each, though Giffard protested that they were worth twice that amount and some of the Scots more than that.”
On 16 April 2018, Janice Buss wrote, “Here’s another for your list: Alexander Innes (Battle of Dunbar; Saugus Ironworks)/ Katherine Briggs “an Irish woman” (Third Supplement to Torrey’s New England Marriages Prior to 1700, p. 159)20”
“Life in Taunton – The Irish Catherine and Scottish Alexander clashed with the Puritans of Taunton on at least one occasion. Saxbe writes, “‘an Irish woman named Katheren Aines’ was brought before the court at Plymouth in February, 1656/57, ‘vpon suspision of comiting adultery.’ The trial was the following month, and justice was swift and harsh:
‘Att this Court, William Paule, Scotchman, for his vnclean and filthy behauiour with the wife of Alexander Aines, is centanced by the Court to bee forthwith publickly whipt…which accordingly was p(er)formed…Katheren Aines, for her vnclean and laciuiouse behauior with the abouesaid William Paule, and for the blasphemos words that shee hath spoken, is centanced by the Court to bee forthwith publickly whipt heer att Plymouth, and afterwards att Taunton, on a publicke training day, and to were a Roman B cutt out of ridd cloth and sowed to her vper garment on her right arme [for blaspheme]; and if shee shalbee euer found without it soe worne whil shee is in the gou(vern)ment, to bee forthwith publickly whipt…Alexander Anis, for his leauing his family, and exposing his wife to such temptations, and being as baud to her therin, is centanced by the Court for the p(re)sent to sitt in the stockes the time the said Paule and Katheren Ainis are whipt, which was p(er)formed…’
Understandably, the Innes family moved sometime within the next few years. In 1659, Alexander is found in the records buying land in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, fifteen miles south of Taunton (Clarence S. Brigham, Early Records of the Town of Portsmouth (Providence: E.L. Freeman & Sons, 1901), pg. 379). In 1664, Block Island became part of Rhode Island and a group of Scots settled there.”
Probable [that he is a Dunbar prisoner transported on the Unity]
Cahoon/Cahoone/Cohoon/Colhoon/Carhoone/Colquhoun/Calhoun/Cohoun, William. Residences: Taunton MA, Block Island RI. Appears: 1661. D.1675. Migrated to Block Island with other Scots. [Exiles; DR; SPOWS; Ch.8]
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1. WILLIAM CAHOON, was presumably born in Scotland about 1633 and died at Swansea, Bristol County, Massachusetts on 22 June 1675. He married at Swansea by 1665, _____. (It has been suggested that he married DELIVERANCE PECK, but no known record at this time.)
Biographical Notes: William lived on Block Island, Rhode Island from about 1663 to 1675 where his children were born. William fathered SEVEN children. See: William Cahoon at Blogspot.com.
William Cahoon, Brickmaker. From: http://williamcolquhoun.blogspot.com/
From: http://williamcolquhoun.blogspot.com/
Children of William and (_____) Cahoon:
2. i. SAMUEL CAHOON, b. at Block Island, abt. 1663; m., MARY HUNTER. 2. ii. MARY CAHOON, b. at Block Island about 2. iii. JOSEPH CAHOON, b. at Block Island about 1669, m. 1st by 1690, HANNAH KENT; m. 2nd at East Greenwich, Rhode Island, by 1701 , ELIZABETH (_____). 2. iv. WILLIAM CAHOON, born about 1665 d. 1702; m. at Chatham, Massachusetts after 1690, ELIZABETH NICKERSON. 2. v. JAMES COHOUN, b. at Block Island on 15 Feb 1670 See MVR below 2. vi. CAPT. JOHN COHOUN, b. at Block Island on 9 March 1673 See MVR below 2. vii. NATHANIEL CAHOONE, b. 1674/5; m. at Warwick, Kent County, Rhode Island, on 25 Feb 1702, JANE JONES.
Second Generation
2. i. SAMUEL CAHOON, (William¹), was born at Block Island, Rhode Island about 1663. He married, MARY HUNTER.
2. ii. MARY CAHOON, (William¹), was born at Block Island, Rhode Island about
2. iii.JOSEPH CAHOON, (William¹), was born at Block Island, Rhode Island about 1669. He married, first, by 1690, HANNAH KENT, she died about 1700. He married, second, at East Greenwich, Kent County, Rhode Island, by 1701, ELIZABETH (_____).
Children of Joseph and Hannah (Kent) Cahoone:
3. i. SAMUEL CAHOONE, (Joseph², William¹), b. 1 May 1699; m. SUSANNAH (_____).
Children of Joseph and Elizabeth (_____) Cahoone:
3. ii. WILLIAM CAHOONE, (Joseph², William¹), b. at East Greenwich on 22 Aug 1701 3. iii. BENJAMIN CAHOONE, (Joseph², William¹), b. at East Greenwich on 12 May 1703; m. DINAH (_____). 3. iv.EBENEZER CAHOONE, (Joseph², William¹), b. at East Greenwich on 8 Oct 1706; m. MERCY (_____). 3. v.JUDEA CAHOONE, (Joseph², William¹), b. at East Greenwich on 7 Mar 1708 3. vi. BARBARA CAHOONE, (Joseph², William¹), b. at East Greenwich on 27 Nov 1709
2. iv. WILLIAM CAHOON, (William¹), was born about 1665 and died in 1702. He married at Chatham, Massachusetts after 1690, ELIZABETH NICKERSON.
2. v. JAMES COHOUN, (William¹), was born at Swansea on 15 Feb 1670 See MVR below
2. vi. JOHN COHOUN, (William¹), Captain, was born at Swansea on 9 March 1673 See MVR below
2. vii. NATHANIEL CAHOON, (William¹), was born in 1674/5. He married at Warwick, Rhode Island, on 25 Feb 1702, JANE JONES.
Children of Nathaniel and Jane (Jones) Cahoone
3. i. REBECCA CAHOONE, (Nathaniel², William¹), b. in RI on 11 Dec 1702 3. ii.MARY CAHOONE, b. in RI on 25 Feb 1703 (This date is too close to the birth of Rebecca???, this is what the Vital Record below shows though?) 3. iii.SARAH CAHOONE, b. in RI on 14 Mar 1704 3. iv. PATIENCE CAHOONE, b. in RI on 20 Jan 1706/7 3. v.ELIZABETH CAHOONE, b. in Ri on 17 May 1708 3. vi.ANNE CAHOONE, b. in RI on 28 Aug 1709 3. vii.MARY CAHOONE, b. in RI on 11 Dec 1711 3. viii.DELIVERANCE CAHOONE, b. in RI on 1 May 1713 3. ix.MARTHA CAHOONE, b. in RI on 25 May 1715
Third Generation
3. i. SAMUEL CAHOONE, (Joseph², William¹), born 1 May 1699; m. SUSANNAH (_____).
Children of Samuel and Susannah (_____) Cahoone:
4. i. DELIVERANCE CAHOONE, (Samuel³, Joseph², William¹) b. in Rhode Island on 8 Nov 1723. 4. ii.JOHN CAHOONE, (Samuel³, Joseph², William¹) b. in RI on 19 Oct 1726 4. iii.MARY CAHOONE, (Samuel³, Joseph², William¹), b. in RI on 4 Sep 1728 4. iv.JONATHAN CAHOONE, (Samuel³, Joseph², William¹), b. in RI on 13 Oct 1732 4. v.BENJAMIN CAHOONE, (Samuel³, Joseph², William¹), b. in RI on (month unknown) 24th 1735. 4. vi.DANIEL CAHOONE, (Samuel³, Joseph², William¹), b. in RI on 1 July 1737 4. vii.JONATHAN CAHOONE, (Samuel³, Joseph², William¹), b. in RI on 29 Sep 1739
3. ii.WILLIAM CAHOONE, (Joseph², William¹), b. at East Greenwich on 22 Aug 1701
3. iii. BENJAMIN CAHOONE, (Joseph², William¹), b.at East Greenwich on 12 May 1703; m. DINAH (_____).
3. iv.EBENEZER CAHOONE, (Joseph², William¹), b.at East Greenwich on 8 Oct 1706; m. MERCY (_____).
3. v. JUDEA CAHOONE, (Joseph², William¹), b.at East Greenwich on 7 Mar 1708
3. vi.BARBARA CAHOONE, (Joseph², William¹), b.at East Greenwich on 27 Nov 1709
3. i. REBECCA CAHOONE, (Nathaniel², William¹), b. in RI on 11 Dec 1702
3. ii.MARY CAHOONE, (Nathaniel², William¹), b. in RI on 25 Feb 1703 (This date is too close to the birth of Rebecca???, this is what the Vital Record below shows though?)
3. iii.SARAH CAHOONE, (Nathaniel², William¹), b. in RI on 14 Mar 1704
3. iv. PATIENCE CAHOONE, (Nathaniel², William¹), b. in RI on 20 Jan 1706/7
3. v.ELIZABETH CAHOONE, (Nathaniel², William¹), b. in Ri on 17 May 1708
3. vi.ANNE CAHOONE, (Nathaniel², William¹), b. in RI on 28 Aug 1709
3. vii.MARY CAHOONE, (Nathaniel², William¹), b. in RI on 11 Dec 1711
3. viii.DELIVERANCE CAHOONE, (Nathaniel², William¹), b. in RI on 1 May 1713
3. ix.MARTHA CAHOONE, (Nathaniel², William¹), b. in RI on 25 May 1715
Torrey’s New England Marriages Prior to 1700. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2008.) Originally published as: New England Marriages Prior to 1700. Boston, Mass.: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2015.
Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850 (Online Database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001-2016).
Rhode Island Vital Records, 1636–1850 – Town and Church Records (V.1-V.12). (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014), Originally Published as: Vital record of Rhode Island 1636-1850: First Series: births, marriages and deaths: a family register for the people, by James N. Arnold. Providence, RI: Narragansett Historical Publishing Company. Page 105.
Rhode Island Vital Records, 1636–1850 – Town and Church Records (V.1-V.12). (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014), Originally Published as: Vital record of Rhode Island 1636-1850: First Series: births, marriages and deaths: a family register for the people, by James N. Arnold. Providence, RI: Narragansett Historical Publishing Company. Page 152.
SOURCES AND NOTES: On 13 Feb 2017, Justin Maitland wrote, “Here is how I trace back to John Cahoon and Grace Fuller: Justin Theodore Maitland born in Flint, Genesee Co., Michigan Theodore Kurt Maitland born in Muskegon, MI and Lori Close Jerry Muril Maitland m. Meredith Mae Wilcox Florence E. Miller (8-10-1903 in Chase, Lake Co., MI d. 3-8-1986 Egelston, MI) m. Charles Nelson Maitland John Hamilton Miller (7-15-1837 in Milo, Yates Co., NY to 7-5-1910 in Everett, Newaygo Co., MI) m. Clara Bell Bristol Benjamin S. Miller (5-31-1811 Penn Yan, NY d.c.1880 in prob. Rush Co., IN) m. Eleanor Hawkins: March 30, 1837 in Yates Co., NY Sarah Calhoun (b. 4-21-1784 in Kent, Litchfield Co., CT d. after 1840 in Benton, Yates Co., NY) m. John Miller (c. 1775 in Germany d. about 1-1819 in Yates Co., NY) Nathaniel Cahoon (c.1752 in Kent, Litchfield Co., CT d. 5-24-1827 in Erie Co., PA,buried in Mill Creek, PA) and Abiah Stuart (d. 9-18-1803 in Jerusalem, Yates Co., NY) Married: December 29, 1774 in Kent, Litchfield Co., CT by Zachariah Winegar, J.P.“
The following was submitted by Doug Cahoon – . Added 1 July 2014: “William Colquhoun (pronounced Ca-hoon) born 1633, was the first Cahoon to come to the colonies from Dunbartonshire, Scotland. His descendants are now in almost every state in the union. His descendants spell their name Cahoon, Cahoone, Cohoon, Colhoon, Cahoone, Colquhoun and sometimes Calhoun.
Seventeen year old William was one of 5,100 Scotsmen captured by Oliver Cromwell following the Battle of Dunbar during the Kirk’s War. William was among the those purchased by Bex & CO. They arrived at Saugus (Lynn) Iron Works in early April 1651.
William’s older brother John, was captured as well. It is believed that John either died at sea aboard the English ship “John & Sara” or very shortly after arriving in the colonies. William worked in the colonies as an iron smith, brick maker, boat builder and other trades for many years, eventually earning enough money to buy his freedom. He married Deliverance PECK, daughter of Joseph PECK, in 1662 and fathered seven children.
William was one of the first property owners on Block Island, which is just off the shore of what is now Rhode Island. William sold his property on the island and brought his family to Swansea, Massachusetts. On Dec. 24, 1673 William contracted with the town of Swansea to make all the brick for the town and its residents. A brick believed to be one that William made can be seen in Luther’s Museum in Swansea, Mass.
In June of 1675, hostilities broke out between the Native Americans and the Colonist. As a group of settlers headed home from a “A Day of Prayer” at the Baptist Meeting House, they were attacked by Indians. Some were killed immediately and others were seriously wounded. They took refuge in Rev. John Myles‘ garrison house hoping to treat their wounded and protect themselves from further harm. After a while it became apparent that more were going to die without the help of a physician. William, who was in the house with his wife Deliverance and their seven children, volunteered to make the journey from Swansea to Rehoboth, Massachusetts to bring back a doctor.
William was ambushed by Indians very near this cemetery. He was killed and mutilated. His body was discovered the next day. This attack was the beginning of “King Philip’s War” which saw almost every building in Swansea burned to the ground.”~ Doug Cahoon
From Suzanne Cummings: “I am a descendent of William Cohoon/Calquhoun. (William -son Joseph -son Ebenezer -son Benjamin -son Joseph -son Stephan -son Charles David Cohoon -my great grandmother Julia Anne Cohoon born 1832 in Quincy illinois -only child of Charles David. My mother showed me her how grandmother Julia Anne Cohoon always lifted her chin to show her how to pronounce Co WHOOON. She said her Grandma was little and lively, had learned to dance to her fathers fiddle playing. Julia was a midwife in Ringgold County Iowa.”
From Jean McKenney: “My connection to William Cahoon is as follows: William Cahoon (SPOW) b 1633 and Deliverane Peck b 1645; James Cahoon b 1670 Swansea, MA and Mary Rich b 1702; James Cahoon b 1721 Chatham and Rebecca Eldridge b 1723; MA, James Cahoon b 1742 Harwich, MA and Deborah Marchant; James Cahoon b 1778 Harwich, MA and Lettice Bassett; Freeman Cahoon b 1800 Harwich, MA and Lucinda Chase Robbins b 1802; Freeman Wilson Cahoon b 1839 Harwich, MA and Deborah L Moody b 1843; Charles Henry Cahoon b 1871 Harwich, MA and Alice May Atkins b 1877; Effie May Cahoon b 1899 Harwich, MA and Roger Weston Tillson, Sr b 1898.”
From Teresa’s research: “Plymouth Colony Records, page 635-636” Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850 (Online Database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001-2016).: Children of William C. Cahoon and Clarisa J. (she died 23 July 1876) his wife: William M Cahoon, b. 6 Oct 1850 Clara Louise Cahoon, b. 14 Nov 1853 Edgar Cahoon, b. 30 Nov 1861 Russell M. Cahoon, b. 24 Sep 1863 Nellie E. Cahoon, b. 21 Feb 1866 Frank W. Cahoon, b. 21 Aug 1874
