Giles CROMWELL (1603 – 1673 ) was first cousin to Oliver Cromwell, known for his involvement in making England into a republican Commonwealth and for his later role as Lord Protector of England and Scotland. However, Giles’ father lost all his wealth through extravagant spending and supporting the Royalist side. Giles was Alex’s 10th Great Grandfather, one of 2,048 in this generation of the Shaw line.
Giles Cromwell - Coat of Arms
Giles Cromwell was born about 1603 in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. His parents were Sir Oliver CROMWELL and Anne HOOFTMAN. He married Alice WICKES on 20 Feb 1629/30, in Erling, Hampshire, England. After Alice died, he married Alice Wiseman on 10 Sep 1648 in Newbury, Mass. Giles died 25 Jun 1673, Newbury, Mass.
Giles' father Sir Oliver Cromwell of Hinchinbrook (1562- 28 Sep 1655)
Alternatively, Giles was born 1592 in Southampton, Hampshire, England and died 24 Feb 1673 in Hampton, Rockingham, New Hampshire.
Alice Wickes was born 1610 in Eling, Hampshire, England. Her parents were John (Wykes) Weeks and Bridget West. She died 14 Jun 1648 in Newbury, Mass.
Alice Wiseman was born in 1620 in Newbury, Berkshire, England. Alice died 6 Jun 1669 in Salisbury Mass.
Newburyport, Massachusetts, Vital Collections, 1620-1988
Children of Giles and Alice:
| Name | Born | Married | Departed | |
| 1. | Capt. Phillip CROMWELL | 1634 in Eling, Hampshire, England. | Elizabeth TUTTLE before 1663 in Dover, NH . Elizabeth Leighton 1671 in Dover, NH. |
26 May 1708 Dover, Strafford, New Hampshire |
| 2. | Argentine Cromwell | c. 1637 or 25 Apr 1642 Salisbury, Essex, Mass |
Benjamin Cram 25 Nov 1662 Hampton, Rockingham, NH |
5 Dec 1711 Hampton Falls, Rockingham, NH |
| 3. | Dr. Thomas Cromwell | Ann [__?__] | 1649 or 17 Mar 1686 in Salem, Essex, Mass. |
|
| 4. | John Cromwell |
“The Genealogical Register of the First Settlers of New England,” page 72, has entry: “Gyles Cromlom died at Old Newbury FEb 24-25 1672-3. Children by his first wife, Mary who died June 14, 1643:
1. Phillip b. about 1634
2. Argentine, b. 1637
3. Dorothy d. Sept 27, 1673
4. Thomas
5. John, d. Feb 25, 1673
Giles Cromwell's father, Sir Oliver Cromwell was born in Hinchenbrooke House
Warning – I enjoy genealogy for the stories, even the tall tales.
Giles’ oldest brother, Colonel Henry Cromwell, inherited the little left of their great fortune; but having also taken an active part on the king’s side in the civil war, his estates were sequestrated; but the sequestration was afterwards removed at the intercession of his kinsman, Oliver, then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Colonel Cromwell died in 1657. His son Henry – perhaps influenced by the Protector’s former kindness – went over to the side of the Roundheads, and entered Parliament. He died in 1673, leaving no children; and the Huntingdon line – one of the wealthiest families in the kingdom, till the civil war – became extinct.
Giles’ brother Thomas probably died at Newbury in 1645. On 29 Sep 1646 the will of “Thomas Croomwell” was brought in to the Ipswich court to be proved. “Giles Croomwell” objected to it, and the court ordered Mr. John Lowle [our ancestor John LOWELL] and Mr. Edw: Woodman [also our ancestor Edward WOODMAN] to take an inventory of the estate.
Here’s what we know about Thomas Cromwell of Newbury:
24 Feb 1638 – Thomas Cromwell, with Samuel Scullard, John and Robert Pike, and Nicholas Holt, was fined for non-attendance at Newbury town meeting.
6 Aug 1638 – Thomas Cromwell is mentioned on Newbury town records
Oct 1638 – The reverend Stephen BACHILER and his company, who had received permission from the general court when united together by church covenant, commenced a settlement at Winicowett. He was at this time residing in Newbury. On Mr. Rawson’s request, the place was called Hampton. The following persons, residents of Newbury, went with Mr. Bachiler. John Berry, Thomas COLEMAN, Thomas Cromwell [Giles CROMWELL’s brother], James DAVIS, William Easton, William Fifield, Maurice Hobbs, Mr. Christopher Hussey [BACHILER’s son-in-law], Thomas Jones, Thomas Marston, William Marston, Robert Marston, John Moulton, Thomas Moulton, William Palmer, William SARGENT, and Thomas Smith. Cromwell and others soon returned to Newbury. A few went to Salisbury.
Coffin in his “History of Newbury”, and Dow in his “History of Hampton”, insist on identifying the Hampton grantee with the privateering Captain Thomas Cromwell, whose remarkable rise to fortune is told by Winthrop, and who died in Boston in 1649. There is no reason for believing that the Newbury Cromwells or Cromloms had any connection with the gallant sea captain: nor is there any evidence to connect either with the Salem Cromwells, Philip, Thomas and John, whose ancestry has been traced to Wiltshire
12 Mar 1641/42 – In the division of the Newbury ox-common, the name of Thomas Cromwell appears, followed by those of Samuel Scullard and Richard Kent, senior.
– 7 Dec 1642, Thomas Cromwell appears among the proprietors of Newbury.
29 Sept 1646 – Giles objected to his brother’s will.
The will of “Thomas Croomwell” was brought in to the Ipswich court to be proved. “Giles Croomwell” objected to it, and the court ordered Mr. John Lowle and Mr. Edw: Woodman to take an inventory of the estate. 6 Aug., 1647, the Salem court addressed Mr. Woodman, saying “that the Ipswich court ordered Mr. John Lowle and himself to take into custody the goods of Thomas Cromlom of Newbury deceased that were in the hands of Samuel Scullard, deceased”. Not having done so they are now ordered to answer next court.
25 Mar 1673 – Giles’ Will Proved in Ipswich Court mentions but two children, Philip and Argentine.
In the Name of God Amen The Last will and Testament of Giles Cromwell of Newbury in the County of Essex in New England being very Aged and weake of Body but of pfect vnderstanding I Desire to Resine up my soule to God that Gaue it and my Body to the Dust when my Apointed time shall come and concerning my [E]state that God in his Goodness hath Giuen mee [I] doe Dispose of as followeth
Imprimis I Giue [and] Bequeath unto my son Phillip Cromwell eleven Acres of upland Lying in the Bounds of Newbury C[om]only called Divident land 2ly
I Giue unto my son Phillip Cromwells Eldest son [Joshua Cromwell] that shall live and Arive unto the Age of one and twenty yeares six Acres of marsh Lying in the Bounds of Newbury called Pine Iland marsh being six Acres of the twelve acres Adjoyning to the marsh of steven Grenleifelikewise I Give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Argentine Cram the wife of Benjamin Cram my House Lot Lying and being in Newbury containeing eight Acres more or Less as it is Bounded on the North with the Comon and southerly with the Land of Ensigne steven Greelcife [son of our ancestor Edmund GREENLEAF] and Easterly with ye High way, with all the Houseing therupon standing with all the Rights and privilledges of commonage therunto belonging as also I Giue unto my Daughter Argentine my twenty acres of marsh lying in the bounds of Newbury in that marsh called Pine Iland marsh lying between the marsh of Mr Edward WOODMAN & the marsh that was sometimes the marsh of John Roff bounded on the Easterly end of a Great Crick and on the westerly end with the Rocks.
as Also the Remainder of the twelue Acres of marsh of which six acres I haue Giuen to my son Phillips eldest son all the Remainder of it I giue and bequeath to my Daughter Argentine Cram likewise my will is that all which I haue Giuen to my Daughter Argentine after her Decease shall be equally Devided amongst her children that shall be then liueing that doth beare the name of Cram and if any of the children shall Dy before they shall Ariue to the Age of twenty and one yeares their Part shall be Devided amongst the Rest Equally Alwaies provided that the house and Land be not Devided but that it shall Remaine Intire to the Eldest son he paying Equall Proportions to the Rest of the children or for want of a sone to the Eldest Daughter she Paying to the Rest the Equall Parts according to the valuation of it
And I doe constitue and [ap]oint my son Benjamin Cram my sole executor [to] this my Last will and to Confirme all the [pr]misses aboue written to be my las will and Testiment I haue Heerunto set my hand and seale the twenty seaventh of the 2d Month in the yeare of our Lord sixteen Hundred and seaventy two: Giles (his N mark) Cromwell (SEAL) Witness: Anthony Stanyun, Benje. Swett Proved in Ipswich court Mar. 25, 1673 by Benjamin Sweet and Mr Anthony Stanyen being disabled to travel to the court, made oath Mar. 20, 1672/3, before Samuel Dalton, Commissioner.
Inventory of the estate of Gills Cromlom, deceased Feb. 24, 1672, taken by Bene. Swett and Steven Grenlefe: Eight Akers of plow land with ye house & orchid and free hould, £80; eleven akers of devident land, £11; twelve Akers of march, £60; twenty Akers of medow, £60; wearinge Clothes, 18s; a bill from Caleb Moody, £3 8s 11d.
Also information of a debt due to the estate of £11 from John Bartlet, Sr. that he gave bill for to Philip Cromlom as his father Gils Cromloms attorney & also a bill of £6 from Edward Richison, but the sd Phillip not yett appearing about any of these concerns I not yet true state of it. Attested in Ipswich court Mar. 25, 1673 by Benjamin Cram
Children
1. Capt. Phillip CROMWELL (See his page)
2. Argentine Cromwell
Argentine’s husband Benjamin Cram was born 1640 in Exeter, New Hampshire. His parents were John Cram and Esther White. Benjamin died 28 Nov 1662 in Hampton Falls, Rockingham, New Hampshire.
The name of Cram is probably derived from the German “Kram,” meaning a retail shop. John Cram, the first American ancestor, emigrated from England, and in 1639 was one of the early settlers of Exeter, New Hampshire, which town had been founded the year before. In the combination formed for the early government of the town, his name appears as Crame. When he came to Exeter, his signature, like that of so many men of the time, was simply a mark, but he afterward learned to write. In 1648-49 he was elected townsman, or what was afterward known as selectman. About 1650 he left Exeter and located at Hampton, settling on the south side of Taylor’s river, which became Hampton Falls, his house being near the site of the Weare monument. With his wife, Esther, he became a member of the First Church of Hampton.
“The History of Deerfield,” reports of Argentine Cromwell: “It is said she was a relative of Oliver Cromwell, the Protector of England.” while the “Lincolnshire Origin of Some Exeter Settlers” states that she was the daughter of Giles of Newbury. Reaffirming this statement is the following entry in the Old Norfolk County Records from “Essex Antiquarian,” Vol. 12, page 183.
“The History of Raymond, NH,” citesa the marriage date as Nov. 29, 1662, while “The Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England,” by Savage lists the event as taking place on Nov. 25, 1662, Vol. 1, page 470. The Genealaogical Outline of the Cram, Walker & Weeks Families,” states that the marriage took place on Nov 28, 1662. This book also gives the date of Argentines death as Feb. 25, 1673
Children of Argentine and Benjamin
i. Sarah, b. Sept 19, 1663
ii. John, b. Aapril 6, 1665
iii. Benjamin, b. Dec 30 1666
iv. Mary, b. Aug 6, 1669
v. Joseph, b. Apr 12, 1671
vi. Hannah, b. Aug 22, 1673
vii. Esther, b. Oct 16, 1675
viii. Jonathan, b. Aapr 26, 1678; died unmarried
ix. Elizabeth, b. Jan 3, 1680
x. William, b. Mar 19, 1668
3. Dr. Thomas Cromwell
Thomas’ wife Ann [__?__]
Sources:
http://www.tudorplace.com.ar/CROMWELL.htm#Giles CROMWELL
http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/35510577/person/18977939943
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/m/y/e/Ron-C-Myers/GENE30-0169.html
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Can you tell me the source for determining that the Giles Cromwell who lived in Newbury Mass was the same Giles who was the child of Sir Oliver Cromwell and Anna Hooftman? I can only find evidence that their son died at the Hague and is buried there. This information is from Notes and Queries: A Medium of Intercommunication for Literary Men, General Readers, Etc. available via Googlebooks.
Much as I would like to be connected to the more famous Cromwells I cannot justify the claim.
Hi Bob,
The relationship between Giles and Sir Oliver Cromwell is repeated on many web sites, but the connection is speculative and I haven’t found any definitive proof. The strongest connection is that Giles contested the will of Thomas Cromwell died Newbury, Mass 1645. Thomas is often, though not always is listed as a son of Sir. Oliver. Sir Oliver lost most all his money, but in Giles’ time he was still part of the aristocracy while Giles’ means were definitely moderate.
According to the Cromwell Associtation, established in 1937, Giles Cromwell, son of Sir Oliver, died in 1633. The association is dedicated to all things having to do with Oliver Cromwell and his family. They have historians and professional genealogists at their disposal. What makes you so certain that you are right about Giles Cromwell of Newbury being the son of Sir Oliver? What documentation do you base your statement on? Giles Cromwell of Newbury had to sign his will with his mark, I think its remarkable that a son of Sir Oliver would not know how to write his name. Sir Oliver was an ardent Royalist, why would his son immigrate to a hostile enviornment such as Puritan New England. If the first cousin of Oliver Cromwell was living amonst the Puritans of New England, do you think someone whould have made mention of it?
Hi Jeanie,
The documentation, such as it is, is that Giles contested the will of of Thomas Cromwell who died Newbury, Mass 1645. Thomas is often, though not always is listed as a son of Sir. Oliver. Sir Oliver lost most all his money, but as you can see on his page, the Ramsey Abbey house he kept was quite nice. It’s possible Giles was disinherited due to his Puritan leanings, but more likely that he shared the same name as another Giles. I like genealogy for the stories, even the tall ones,
Mark
My possible Mrs. Argentine Cromwell Cram lineage? Corrections and/or additions, welcomed. “Argentine” is also a family last name of un-known origin to this line. Mrs. Argentine Cromwell Ross, 11-28-1662, wed Benjamin Cram, Sr., the son of John and Hester White Cram. Argentine had Charity Cram, 3-28-1703/Sept 15, 1774 (?Sanborn, N.H.), who 7-25-1728, wed Josiah Smith, Sr., of Stratham, N.H. (?the son of Ithial Smith and Mary Clark of Exeter, and Hampton, Mass.?).
Charity had Hannah Smith who wed Wm. Burleigh, Jr. born 1721, New Market, died Candia, N.H., 1801; the son of Wm. Burleigh, Sr., of Ipswich, and Elinor Johnson. Hannah had Hannah Burleigh who wed DAR Patriot Pvt. Ebeneezer ‘Eben’ Barker, Jr., born 1716, Cornish, Maine, the son of old Maj. Ebeneezer Barker, Sr., and Mary ‘Molly’ Rundlett, daughter of Satchwell Rundlett, Sr., and Mercy Leavitt. Maj. Barker was the son of Noah Barker and Martha Figgett.
Pvt. Eben’s, and fair-haired young widow Hannah’s (forget her first husband’s name; a Revolutionary War young comrade-in-arms of Eben; who died in Eben’s arms. As he died, he gave Eben items from his pocket to take to his young widow, and never seen, war-born only child; born when he was away, in the fight for America’s freedom). The story of that once young child, her her going to church with widowed Hannah; looking back across the newly planted hay field they’d just crossed, and seeing for the first time the young war veteran, emerging from the yonder woods, into the field, into the warmth, of the arising spring Sun’s glow. The child tugging her widowed mother’s arm; saying look: that, is my daddy (the only one she would knew). Near a century later, now old, a widow herself, recorded what her child’s eyes first saw, and heart first felt, and how fine a man and father, Eben proved; though long gone. As I first read their story, a century and a half after the once little girl, later old woman, wrote it: tears came to my eyes.
Pvt. Barker had Elizabeth Barker, 1782-1863, who wed Cornish, Maine, War of 1812, (Augusta?) militia Capt. Stephen Jewett, III, who died 1863, Sidney, Maine. Son Stephen Jewett, IV, who in the 1830’s came to then “Smithville”, now Southport, North Carolina, on the Cape Fear River; as it’s U.S. postmaster. I live near Southport, on Dutchman’s Creek Bluff. There Steven wed private school mistress Miss Gracie*, who on died on a trip to Pinehurst/Southern Pines. Next he wed his wife’s kinswoman, Lucy Anna Bradley*: my lineage.
Lucy’s brother, Wm. Henry Bradley, via New Orleans, removed to San Francisco; and there co-established the World’s Exposition gold medal awarded photographic firm of Messrs, Bradley & Rolufson, which built SFO’s first “skyscraper” of five stories with first elevator there. Stephen is buried at his father-in-law’s chapel, Lebanon Episcopal Mission, on his father-in-law, Richard Bradley, Jr’s, Bradley’s Creek, once summer home site; now called “Airlie Gardens”.
Lucy had my great grandmother, Mrs. Eliza Yonge Jewett Wootten, buried Oakdale Cemetery, Wilmington, N.C. (see website, “Find-a-Grave”). Eliza was the Jewett Family Assn. officer for N.C.
There was another early New England Cram family.
*Note: Miss Gracie’s and Miss Bradley’s in-common kinsman, was Dr. John ‘Bank’ Hill, entombed Orton Plantation, on the Cape Fear River (now being revitalized with Long Leaf Pines plantings and rice fields revived) between Southport and Wilmington. Dr. Hill and Richard Bradley, Jr., were both officers of the Bank of Cape Fear. Jewett IV, was an officer of the Bank of Wilmington.
I’m informed the name, “Carolina Rice“, still implies the best rice in Europe available; though no Cape Fear River rice has been harvested, more less marketed; in over perhaps a century? How was loaf rice-bread once made? My love is sweet, really long-grain, Himalayan Rice; that my Iranian friends taught me to eat. And the caramelized, intentionally-burnt, brittle rice desert (like peanut brittle), at the bottom of the pan: “hummmmm”.
gillis cromwell son of Oliver and Anna Hooftman ,died unmarried in the Hague 1634
without childeren .
he was in the army,serving the Queen of Bohemia
he did not have any other brother Cromwell,just two sisters Cromwell
he had a half brother toby/tobias Palavicino
sir Oliver Cromwell died in 1655,
only one daughter was than still alive,from the Palavicino/Hooftman/Cromwell mariages
I do not know which is correct on Giles Cromwell? It seems the establishment Cromwell Assn. says one thing; alternatively, overseas Gromwells see an alternative possibility.
There is a parallel situation with the Mackenzie family of Cromarty, Scotland.The Cromarty Mackenzies say George’s brother (Third Earl Cromartie), Capt. Wm. Mackenzie perished in a hurricane in the Caribbean. I forget the date. There was no supporting data for the statement cited. Our Capt. Wm. Mackenzie in 1771 was H. M. Comptroller and Collector of Customs, Sunbury, Georgia. Whyte’s “A Dictionary of Scottish Emigrants to the USA’, page 306, says he sailed up the Cape Fear River in 1746. I descend his daughter, Christian Mackenzie who wed Capt. Philip Yonge, Loyalist, H. M. Surveyor-General of Georgia. Widowed, she wed Scot merchant Fleming, and Mrs, Christian Mackenzie (ex-Yonge) Fleming, died March 17, 1830, Wilmington. Christian’s sister, Mrs. Anna Jean Mackenzie Simpson, wed the Hon. John Simpson, Jr., H. M. Chief Justice of Georgia, Member of H. M. Council, and Crown Clerk of Court.
George’s daughter, Lady Mary Mackenzie, wed several prominent Georgians; though I’m not sure which, of Messrs. Drayton, Clarke, Ainslie, and/or Middleton? But this sans citation book, says he perished a hurricane; so that’s it–period.
Philip’s brother was Maj. Henry Yonge, Jr., Loyalist, H. M. Attorney-General of British East Florida. Their dad, the Hon. Henry Yonge, Sr., Loyalist, H. M. Surveyor-General of Georgia, had a summer home “Orangedale” (site of today’s “The Landings”), Skidaway Island, Georgia. Patriots rowed/sailed down from the Carolinas, and captured Henry. If memory serves, via Florida and the Bahamas, Henry Sr. ended up in England, where he filed his Loyalist Claims. After the war, his descendants in the colonies, make property claims, saying he was captured and the Patriots sailed away with him; and likely Henry Sr., “was made to walk the plank”. There were years-long communication problems in Colonial days. Hemry was yet alive in England.
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Giles Cromwell was the direct ancestor of the newest hero in the United States who gave his life saving others in Mount Rainier, Park Ranger, Nicholas Edward “Nick” Hall!
The headstone of Dorothy Cromwell belongs to Dorothy the wife of Phillip Cromwell of Salem and not the daughter of Giles Cromwell of Newbury.
Hi Jeanie,
Thanks for the catch. I added the story of Philip Cromwell of Salem to my page for Philip Cromwell of Dover. https://minerdescent.com/2010/06/14/phillip-cromwell/
I removed Dorothy altogether as a daughter of Giles,
Rgds, Mark
Hi there. Your notes have that Benjamin Cram (husband of Argentine Cromwell) died Nov. 28, 1662. This, I believe, was the date of his marriage to Argentine. All his children were born after this date.
Thank you for sharing this great resource!
I am having a very difficult time with my Cromwells. I can get back to Stephen Cromwell on Westport Island Maine, but making sure who his father was is not going well. It’s listed as Joseph Cromwell b about 1740-46 , not sure where. Probably Maine. His wife is listed as Mary Rines of Westport island. This information was taken from Bea Harrimans book of Westport Island families which is made up of written information from all the families on Westport and from family bibles. it also states that Stephen was a half brother to Simon Cromwell, also a son of Joseph. Did Joseph marry twice? A second wife is not listed. Also Ancestry has Stephen born 1788 in Bowdoinham and lists his parents as Philip Cromwell and Megdalen UNK. Philip was born 1767, doersn’t state where. I need help.