Edward Ketcham: Who Was This Puritan Settler of Colonial New England?

Edward Ketcham arrived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony during the great Puritan migration to New England, which occurred between 1620 and 1640. Although records document parts of Edward Ketcham’s life in England and New England, many questions remain about his origins, immigration and ancestry. As one of his descendants, I find his story intriguing. Join me as I uncover what is known and what remains a mystery about Edward Ketcham’s life.

Life in England

Edward Ketcham’s exact birth date, birthplace and parentage are unknown. Some suspect that he was born in County Kent, England, in 1590, or Cambridge, England, in 1595 and that he could be connected to the Chetham family of Lancashire, England, or the Kytchen/Kitchin family of Bristol. Some researchers have claimed that Edward Ketcham had noble ancestry, including a supposed connection to a “Sir Rowland Ketcham,” but genealogists have found no evidence to support these claims.

What is known is that Ketchum was in Cambridge between 1619 and 1628. He married Mary Hall there on August 22, 1619. Their marriage record can be found in the Church of Saint Andrew. Ketchum and Hall had four children: Mary Ketcham, John Ketcham, Hester Ketcham and Hannah Ketcham. All of their children were born in England.

Arrival in the Massachusetts Bay Colony

Edward Ketcham’s exact date and method of immigration to New England remain unknown. He has not been identified on any surviving passenger list or ship’s manifest.

Various sources have suggested that Ketchan may have arrived as early as 1629 or 1630 aboard the Hopewell, which was part of the Winthrop Fleet. Other researchers have proposed that he arrived in 1631/1632 aboard the Lyon or in 1635 aboard the Nector under Captain William Moore. However, none of these proposed voyages has been confirmed. Interestingly, Ketcham’s first wife, Mary Hall, died in Ipswich before September 1633.

What is known is that Ketchum was living in Ipswich, Massachusetts Bay Colony, by March 1636/1637, when he was listed as a freeman. 

According to some sources, Ketcham was among a group of settlers from Antigua in the West Indies who agreed to establish a settlement at Hashamomuck Neck, on the eastern tip of Long Island in the New Haven Colony, in 1636. The settlement later became Southold, Suffolk County, New York.

Ketchum was also one of 56 men who reportedly signed a petition in June 1637 requesting that John Winthrop Jr., also known as John the Younger, be allowed to remain in Ipswich instead of being sent to govern Castle Island in Boston Harbor. In the petition, he signed his name “Katcham.” 

Move to Long Island

It’s not exactly clear when Ketchum moved to Southold, Long Island, New York. In 1640, Edward Ketcham sold his property in Ipswich to Samuel Boreman. However, according to WikiTree, Ketcham married Sarah Salmon around 1639 in Southold. Their three children — Sarah Ketcham, Rebecca Ketcham and Joseph Ketcham — were all born there.

Life in Connecticut

In 1654, Edward Ketcham owned land in Southold. However, it looks as though he was living in Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut, at that time. The following year, he died there. Ketcham left a will on June 9, 1655, that named his second wife, Sarah, his son John and his daughters Mary, Hannah and Hester as the heirs to his estate, which was valued at 90 pounds, 11 shillings and 6 pence.

Legacy

Edward Ketcham is likely the progenitor of the Ketchams in America. Researchers have identified a man named Henry Ketcham in Ipswich, Massachusetts, in 1638, but no additional information about him or his descendants has been found. Some researchers suspect that Henry may have been related to Edward Ketcham. He could have possibly been his son or brother because they were both in Ipswich at the same time. 

My Connection to Edward Ketcham

Through my mother’s father, I have a few connections to Edward Ketchum. 

First Lineage

1. Edward Ketcham (bef. 1598 – bef. 1655) and Sarah Salmon (1608 – 1672)
2. Rebecca Ketcham (1648 – 1729) and Thomas Taylor (1643 – 1735)
3. Daniel Taylor (1676 – 1770) and Mary Benedict (abt. 1680)
4. Deborah Taylor (1702 – 1775) and Francis Knapp (1702 – 1776)
5. Nathan Brush (1836 – 1903) and Elizabeth Jones (1839 – 1931)
6. Abiah Cornwall Brush (abt. 1750 – bef. 1793) and Stephen Brush (1730 – bef. 1801)
7. Stephen Brush (1765 – 1808) and Jemima Squire (1766 – 1854)
8. Jarius Rood Jarvis Brush (1795 – 1870) and Mary Cornwall (1799 – 1877) 
9. Nathan Brush (1836 – 1903) and Elizabeth Jones (1839 – 1931)
10. Amelia Isabella Brush (1864 – 1935) and Joseph Eli Bondy (1858 – 1944) 
11. Pearl Leafy Bondy (1885 – 1966) and Edward Walter Grondin (1886 – 1973) 
12. Walter Grondin (1910 – 1998) and Mary Catherine Higgins (1908 – 1983)
13. Martha Grondin (born 1950) and Gary Willis (born 1946) – my parents

Second Lineage

1. Edward Ketcham (bef. 1598 – bef. 1655) and Sarah Salmon (1608 – 1672)
2. Rebecca Ketcham (1648 – 1729) and Thomas Taylor (1643 – 1735)
3. Daniel Taylor (1676 – 1770) and Mary Benedict (abt. 1680)
4. Deborah Taylor (1702 – 1775) and Francis Knapp (1702 – 1776)
5. Hannah Knapp (1730 – 1810) and John Cornwall IV (abt. 1727 – 1792)
6. John Cornwall (1749 – 1814) and Mary Benedict (1752 – 1836) 
7. John Cornwall (1775 – 1822) and Lucinda Hubbell (1780 – 1871)
8. Mary Cornwall (1799 – 1877) and Jarius Rood Jarvis Brush (1795 – 1870) 
9. Nathan Brush (1836 – 1903) and Elizabeth Jones (1839 – 1931)
10. Amelia Isabella Brush (1864 – 1935) and Joseph Eli Bondy (1858 – 1944) 
11. Pearl Leafy Bondy (1885 – 1966) and Edward Walter Grondin (1886 – 1973) 
12. Walter Grondin (1910 – 1998) and Mary Catherine Higgins (1908 – 1983)
13. Martha Grondin (born 1950) and Gary Willis (born 1946) – my parents 

Third Lineage

1. Edward Ketcham (bef. 1598 – bef. 1655) and Sarah Salmon (1608 – 1672)
2. Rebecca Ketcham (1648 – 1729) and Thomas Taylor (1643 – 1735)
3. Rebecca Taylor (1684 – abt. 1781) and Daniel Benedict (abt. 1683 – bef. 1766)
4. Nathan Benedict (1725 – 1783) and Abigail Hickok (1737 – 1815)
5. Mary Benedict (abt. 1750 – 1836) and John Cornwall UE (1749 – 1814)
6. John Cornwall (1775 – 1822) and Lucinda Hubbell (abt. 1790 – 1871)
7. Mary Cornwall (1799 – 1877) and Jarius Rood Jarvis Brush (1795 – 1870) 
8. Nathan Brush (1836 – 1903) and Elizabeth Jones (1839 – 1931)
9. Amelia Isabella Brush (1864 – 1935) and Joseph Eli Bondy (1858 – 1944) 
10. Pearl Leafy Bondy (1885 – 1966) and Edward Walter Grondin (1886 – 1973) 
11. Walter Grondin (1910 – 1998) and Mary Catherine Higgins (1908 – 1983)
12. Martha Grondin (born 1950) and Gary Willis (born 1946) – my parents