The Beagle Log, 20 November 2007 - Historic Figures

The Beagle Log takes us back into history today.

Who were Edward Whalley and his son-in-law William Goffe?

Both were generals and were involved in a rather controversial undertaking.

What was this undertaking?

Later William Goffe became known as the “Angel of Hadley”. The basics of the story are: In 1676, at the height of King Philip's War, the leader of the Indian forces faked the English forces into deploying north, and then attacked the lightly defended town of Hadley, Massachusetts. The defenders, lacking professional fighting expertise, despaired for their lives. Suddenly, a white-bearded man of powerful bearing and commanding voice appeared, wielding an old cavalry saber. He marshaled the militia and led them to victory, and then disappeared. This character soon became known as the Angel of Hadley.

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Don

Hi Don

Thanks for today Log. Just spent the last 40 mins reading about the above, very interesting. Won't give my answer yet, give other chatters a go.

Luv Jean

It is regretable that as a nation we believed it to be necessary to execute our Monarch. We did not seem to be happy as a Republic and when we realised the error of our ways the Monarchy was restored .

Today we celebrate the Diamond Wedding Anniversary of our current Monarch and her Consort. We wish them a long and happy life together and admire the manner in which the Queen fulfills her duties.

Whatever the future might hold it is to be hoped that democracy will prevail and extreme measures be avoided.

Gillian

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>> The Queen : Diamond Wedding Anniversary>>

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''What will survive of us is love.''Philip Larkin

I think you folks have it. Both men were involved with the execution of Charles I.

Thought I'd provide an early post today to continue the chat.
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Edward Whalley was one of the judges at the trial of Charles I and was the fourth to sign the king's death warrant, immediately after Cromwell. William Goffe was active in bringing King Charles I to trial, also signed Charles’s death warrant. Both were generals under Cromwell in the English Civil War. When Charles II was restored to the Crown in 1660, the two fled to New England. They spent a short period in Boston before relocating to New Haven just ahead of the Royalist searching for them. Eventually they relocated to Hadley where they remained for many years.

Samuel Smith, my 9th great grandfather, was most likely involved in providing refuge to the two. The two were sheltered in the local minister’s home. Samuel as one of the town’s founders and a community leader would have been involved. Hadley was founded in 1659 and was the frontier of the day.

Most New Englanders supported Cromwell during the English civil war. They moved or fled to New England due to religious beliefs. Several returned to England to join the Roundheads.

One ancestor, Ephraim HUET, had been a minister in Wraxall, near Kenilworth, in Warwicksh had “proceedings” taken against him by William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, in 1638, for neglect of ceremonies. His daughter Lydia married Joseph Smith, my 8th great grandfather, whom I have mentioned before.

Another, Nicholas WORTHINGTON migrated in 1649/50, is said to have had a great deal of property in Liverpool and Lancaster Counties, which was confiscated because he fought in the Cromwellian Wars. Now the date of his migration leaves me wondering, was he a Royalist or a Parliamentarian? What are your thoughts?
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I will continue this theme Wednesday but from another vantage point.

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Don

Gillian, I was not aware that today was the Diamond Wedding Anniversary of the current Monarch and her Consort. Embarassed

If I were, I would have saved today's topic for another week or two.

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Don

Hi Don

Many people during the English Civil War changed sides, so he could have started out on one side then changed.

You have some interesting ancestors.

Jean

Hi everyone,

Reading this, I was just remembering the time I was once on holiday on the Isle of Wight and visited Carisbrooke Castle. Wonderful place. Charles I was imprisoned there before he was taken back to London for his execution. The bedroom and other rooms are still set out as it had been at the time he was imprisoned there, including some of his furniture. It was a very fascinating visit and motivated me to read up more at that time about the whole Royalists versus Cromwellians stuff.

I've recently had a book from my Local Library about Darwen and its history and people. It also includes a lot of the history of the surrounding area. Darwen is in Lancashire and the neighbouring town to Blackburn, where I live. There is quite an interesting piece in the book about a Cromwellian versus Royalist Battle which took place around two bridges which are between Blackburn and Preston. Oliver Cromwell was there it seems. I will write about that at Smith Chat sometime in the future.

Gillian - hope you don't mind - but as you mentioned the Queen's Diamond wedding anniversary on this thread, above, I've added at the end of your post - the link to our Celebratory Topic about it on the Anniversary board. If you don't want that link - please just remove it - but I thought would be nice to include it there good stuff!!

Carole

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Carole, Smith Project/Smith Chat Admin
Nothing is too small to know, and nothing too big to attempt (William Van Horne)