JOHN PEVEREL-PEVERLY
1599?-1631



John Peverel-Peverly, was born about 1599, perhaps in Dorsetshire or Devonshire, England and immigrated to New England in the 1620's, possibly aboard the ship "Fortune" as early as 1621. His ancestors may have been in Wales or Scotland between the late 1300's and the 1500's. The name of John Peverel-Peverly's wife is not known. It is probable that Thomas Peverly, born about 1624, is his son. Records show a Thomas Peverly born in three possible places: Dorsetshire or Devonshire, England and also in Charlestown, New Hampshire. John Peverly is listed as one of Thomas Weston's men, possibly arriving on one of Weston's ships. Weston was a London merchant and owner of three ships, which he sent to New Hampshire: The Swan in May, 1622, The Charity in June, 1622 and the Sparrow in July, 1622.


The Fortune 1621

According to "immigration records", John made several trips between New England and England during the years 1621/1622 to 1631. Sources list John as a servant and a trader. He was in Massachusetts, then New Hampshire, and removed to Richmond Island, Maine, where he was living at the time of his death. John Peverel-Peverly is found on several lists: in Massachusetts on "Old Planters in Massachusetts Bay Colony in June 1628". Tentative List: Braintree (Mount Wallaston): John Peverly, 1622 or 1624, for Mason. In 1626 & 1627 in Maine, along with Walter Bagnall, Edward Gibbons, and Thomas Morton as 'Traders on Kennebec River from Massachusetts.' They also made a trip to Spanaway-Rye, Kittery and York, Maine areas in 1626. As 'Traders resident on Richmond Island,' Maine, in 1628. Peverly is found in a list of Pioneers, Spurwink River, "Peverly, John, one of Weston's men who came from Mount Wallaston, 1628."

1621

Plymouth Colony

John Peverly is listed among Thomas Weston's men, Weston being one of the original investors in Plymouth Colony. Weston's men were a mostly disorderly gathering, of 70 men, from the streets of London. Economics was the primary reason for the settlement. They did not come for religious reasons. There purpose was to begin a settlement at Wessagusset (Weymouth), Massachusetts. After a year of Indian troubles, and other improprieties, the settlement failed. Weston quarreled with the New England Council, sold out his interests and struck out on his own.

Weston left, in 1623 for Virginia and the following spring he returned to England. According to Robert Cushman, who took care of the business details for the Pilgrims in London, Weston was unscrupulous and untrustworthy. He seemed to promise many things but delivered nothing. The Pilgrims made it clear to the Indians that Weston's men were not a part of their group. Robert Gorges took over Weston's abandoned Post and other isolated settlements, with his own company in late 1623. From this group Thomas Walford (whose daughter Jane, later married Thomas Peverly, the probable son of John Peverly), settled in Mishawus (Charlestown), Massachusetts.

On August 10, 1622, charters of land were agreed upon and Sir Firdinando Gorges and Captain John Mason were assigned land between Merrimack and Sagadahoc Rivers in New Hampshire and Maine. Peverly is listed as 'for Mason' in 1622 or 1624. 1624, is the more likely date, as Weston did not depart until 1623. A later list of 'The names of Stewards and Servants', sent by Mason abt 1631, included Servants John Peverly & Thomas Walford. This list was compiled at a later date, based on those residing in the area during the time.

In the spring of 1623, David Thompson was sent to New England with Edward Hilton and his brother, William Hilton, who had been fishmongers in London. Also Abraham Colmer, Nicholas Sherwill, and Leonard Pomerie were among that group. They selected Odiorne's Point in Rye, New Hampshire, as the site for a fortified house called 'The Great House' and began construction immediately. It was located on a point of land at the entrance to the Piscataqua River. They called it Little Harbor. The Plymouth Council made an agreement with Thompson to provide seven men to settle on the plantation and the colonists would be provided transportation by the ships "Jonathan" and "Providence". They called it 'Panaway Plantation'.



Depiction of the "Jonathan"

'Planters', calling themselves the 'Laconia Company', arrived with Captain Neal. 'First Settlers of New Hampshire' names John Peverly as 'one of them'. Neal and his men sailed up the Piscataqua River and chose a site. Having found a huge spreader growth of strawberries, they named the place 'Strawberry Banke'. Captain John Mason, who had received land in America, directed them.

When John Winthrop became governor of Massachusetts, the colonists wished to rid their area of 'undesirable citizens'. They wanted a group of pioneers, who were trading with the Indian, to leave the colony. The group of 'squatters' were considered a rowdy bunch and some of the worst men, according to various sources. Twelve pioneers were banished. They were recognized as Mason's men: Ambrose Gibbons, John Peverly, Thomas Moore, Jeremiah and Thomas Walford of Charlestown and his future sons-in-law, William Brookin, Alexander Jones and Thomas Peverly and a few others. They also wanted to extradite Thomas Morton, of Mount Wallaston, Massachusetts, for the offense of selling arms and ammunition to the Indians. (Thomas Peverly listed above is believed to be the son of John Peverly.)

Walter Bagnall and John Peverly were residents of Richmond Island from 1628 to 1631 and were listed as 'traders.' They had built a trading post and continued to deal and barter with the Sagamore Indian representative Squidrayset whom they met in 1624. Squidrayset was living at the first fall of the Presumpscot River.



Depiction of John and Walt clearing land to build a Trading Post.

Richmond Island is an oblong islet consisting of 200 acres in Maine. It is three miles in perimeter and is near the point of Cape Elizabeth. It was originally named 'Wingardes Eylant' by the Dutch. It was so named by the discoverers because of the profusion of wild grapes found there. The island and the nearby mainland were drawn by the Duke of Richmond in the New England lottery. The island assumed his name.


This story was written from the research of many sources listed on our 'Sources for JPV page'.

It continues with the The Massacre and Robbery.

John PEVEREL-PEVERLY - Family page

Descendants of John Peverel-Peverly, Sr.

SPECULATIONS and CONCLUSIONS of the Peavey Family




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