THE PALMER FAMILY
It is controversial whether Walter was born of a noble landed gentry family and was thus entitled to their coat of arms. It would appear that he was merely a farmer of the land who also was an experienced dairyman and today the area from whence he came is still one of the leading areas in England for dairy farming. Research has made acceptable the fact that Walter Palmer’s place of birth was in Dorchestershire, Yetminster parish.
It would appear that the conclusion is inescapable: Walter was a non-conformist and his parents may also have been early adherents of this revolutionary religious movement. This would explain the absence of any baptismal records for him.
The original charter, with the broad seal, which was brought over by governor Winthrop in 1630, is carefully preserved in a glass case in the office of the Secretary of State at the State House in Boston. It is distinctly and beautifully embossed on parchment. It is the original and not a copy.
A list of 36 men are listed on page 89 of an 1894 publication entitled “The Ancient Line Field of Charleston” which included Walter Palmer, Ralph Sprague, Zachariam Symmes and Nicholas Stowers under date of 4 July 1629, it being the date Charleston is considered to be founded. Those emigrating in 1630 to join the community included Abraham Palmer and wife, Grace, passengers with the Winthrop Fleet. Both Abraham and Walter became very prominent in Charlestown, holding public office and seem to be among the first group of men who took the Oath of Freeman on 18 May 1631. Included on the Record of Massecusetts, Vol. L, page 366, this order of members: Mr. Ralph Conant, Ralph Sprague, Richard Sprage, Abraham Palmer, Nicholas Stower, John Balche, Stimon Yoytt, Walter Palmer, Rich Saltonstall, Ezekiall Richardson, and William Cheesebrough.
Those taking the Oath of Freeman on 4 March 1633 included Thomas Minor. Becoming a Freeman had nothing to do with those coming to America as indentured servants who eventually obtained their freedom after having worked a certain (usually seven years) number of years. In New England in the early days a freeman was a man who held th eight of franchise: admittance as an “inhabitant” and voter, was a privilege not lightly obtained---only those being admitted who could contribute something of value to the community. To become a freeman, a man had to be not only a proprietor but must also be a member of the church in good standing. Sometimes property requirements were also required. Granting of freeman status was done by the General Court of Massachusetts.
The year 1643 is given as the time Walter Palmer removed from Charlestown in Massachusetts to a new community known as Seacunke (also Seekonk) also in Massachusetts. However, published records in this country vary as to the actual first founders of the village which was renamed Rehoboth by Rev. Samuel Newman who said, “It shall be called Rehoboth for the Lord hath made room for Us.” Gen. 26 ;22.
According to Richard LeBaron Bowen, Richard Wright of Braintree, Alexander Winchester (who had been servant to Mr Henry Vane), William Chesebrough and Walter Palmer were the real founders of .Seekonk. Seacunk was named by the Indians and lay wide and fertile between seekonk and a river later named the Palmer River. Tradition has led us to believe that Walter Palmer was a co-founder of Charlestown, Rehoboth and Stonington, although some historians may differ with these claims. The founders of a town may not necessarily have been the first settler, but are the ones who established the community or brought it into being. In Charlestown we know that a smith named Thomas Walford was the first to live in that community and his name along with several others who came to Salem in1629, are usually referred to as the founders: included were Abraham and Walter Palmer, Simon Hoyte and the three Sprage brothers. In 1894 Rehoboth held a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the settlement of the town which would indicate they accepted the year 1644 as the date of the founding.
On July 15 ,1653 when Walter Palmer and his family moved into the house in Stonington, the oldest son, John, continued living in Charleston. It is unclear whether the second son, William, remained there also or whether he joined the family in Rehoboth. Walter’s son Jonah was still single in 1653 when the family removed from Rehoboth, marrying Elizabeth Griswold two years later, daughter of a Charlestown family. He remained the rest of his life in Rehoboth.
Jonah Palmer, third son of Walter by his first wife, was born in England about 1621. He no doubt accompanied the family from England to America when he was about eight years of age in the year 1643. After living in Salem, Mass., his father once again moved with the family to another new community which was eventually named Stonington. Jonah chose to remain in Rehoboth where he died in 1709.
It appears that our immigrant ancestor may have taken certain steps before leaving England to be certain there was no record of him and his children left behind---which was not unusual for these non-conformists who were practically fleeing to the new world to save their lives. To most of these early settlers their religion and their church were paramount in their lives , and their great desire for religious freedom had been the primary reason for the emigration of thousands. Each of the groups had one or two ministers accompanying them and no time was lost in forming a church organization, even though they might have to “meet under the trees” in the beginning until a building could be completed. This pattern followed in Salem, Boston, Charlestown, and Roxbury as well as all other first settlements in New England.
The first Tax levy is noted as five pounds in all rates, and 20 shillings in five pounds until the town shall see cause to alter it. May 26, 1668 was the date they voted and agreed upon for the encouragement of a bricklayer. If any come, he shall have free liberty of wood and clay at the half mile swamp to make what brick he will. The same day lots were drawn for purchase of meadow lands by over 50 persons, among whom was Jonathan Palmer, Eldad Kinsley and John Titus.
Names of Rehoboth soldiers who served in King Phillips War under Major Bradford were preserved and among them was Samuel Palmer. Josiah Palmer was listed as having contributed one pound, three pence and l shilling. June 12, 1675, the town engaged the services of a surgeon for three months for which they were to pay him 3 pounds in money “for to procure instruments and medicines”, a suitable place of accommodation, his diet and 20 shillings a month.