“Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists."
― Franklin D. Roosevelt
Understand the Puritans better: Wicked Puritans of Essex County is a unique report on Puritan criminality that shatters the stereotype of the Puritan.
Any man entering a colony or becoming a a member the church, was not free. He was not forced to work, but his movements were carefully observed to see if they followed the Puritanical ideal. After this probationary period, he became a "freeman." Men then took the Oath of a Freeman where they vowed to defend the Commonwealth and not to overthrow the government.
Austin Kilham was born in England before 1600. His parents were Henry Kilham and Alice Goodale.
He married Alice Gorball. Their children and life together are described in detail in the section on Austin and Alice Kilham. He sailed from England for New England on the ship Mary Ann with his wife, children, and brother, Daniel, and landed at Salem. They established a permanent home at Wenham.
He was a freeman of Wenham before 1647.
Austin died on April 5, 1667
Various spellings of Kilham: Callum, Killam, Killiam, Killom, Killum
Children of
Austin Kilham
and Alice Gorball
Old Style Calendar
Before 1752 the year began on Lady Day, March 25th,. Dates between January 1st and March 24th were at the end of the year. Old Style (O.S.) and New Style (N.S.) are used to indicate whether the year has been adjusted. Often both dates are used.
Any man entering a colony or becoming a a member the church, was not free. He was not forced to work, but his movements were carefully observed to see if they followed the Puritanical ideal. After this probationary period, he became a "freeman." Men then took the Oath of a Freeman where they vowed to defend the Commonwealth and not to overthrow the government.
Wenham, Essex County, Massachusetts was settled in 1636. The first settlers called it Enon or Salem Village. It was officially set off from the Town of Salem on May 10, 1643.
