According to Ridlon (1926)6 John was born about 1623 in Plymouth. Other indications are that he was born about 1631-32 at Plymouth; eg. on March 8,1705 he made a deposition when "aged about seventy-four years"; and he died at Duxbury in 1707 aged 75. He was called "eldest son" in his fathers will (Georges will dated Aug. 11,1677 and found Jan. 23,1679). John became a freeman in 1653 (? aged 21 ?).
He was in trouble with a neighbor, Kenelon Winslow for speaking falsely and scandalizing his daughter (fined 10 pds) while he was still fairly young and also for disrupting and interfering with Quaker religious services, etc. However, in maturity he was a Grand-juryman for five years, surveyor of highways in 1672, was arbitrator in land disputes, etc. In 1683 he was administrator of Samuel Chandlers estate and in the same year became guardian for minors John Simmons and Samuel Sampson.
John married first Rebecca Simmons, daughter of Moses who came on the "Fortune". He married second in 1678, Esther (Nash) Sampson, daughter of Lt. Samuel Nash and widow of Samuel Samson. Samuel Samson was son of Abraham, who was brother of Henry of the Mayflower. Samuel Samson was killed in 1675 in King Phillips war. By Samuel Samson Esther had children, Ichabod and Samuel
Jr. (b. 1670); possibly also Elizabeth "Dillino" and Mary Howland were her daughters. Prior to 1900 Esther was thought to be a Delano, however the will of Lt. Samuel Nash proves his daughter, our Esther, to be "the widow of Samuel Samson and the intended wife of John Soule." Esther died on Sept. 12,1733 aged 95 and is buried beside John at Duxbury.
Ridlon says John had ten children, all but Joshua by his first wife. However the Delano (1899)5 record is more complete and consistant with the Mayflower Index, which we follow (mostly) and give Joseph, Joshua and Josiah as sons of Esther. |