James Ross
Born: About 1630 Scotland
Married:December 5, 1658 Sudbury,
Massachusetts
Died: September 18, 1690 Sudbury, Massachusetts
Father: Unknown
Mother: Unknown
Spouse: Mary Goodenow b.1640
Children:
Mary Ross b.1656
Jane Ross b.1664
Notes:
-John Ross appears on a list of Scottish prisoners shipped to
Massachusetts on the ship "John and Sarah" which sailed from London Nov
11, 1651. They were shipped as indentured servents, to serve 6-8 years
until they were granted their freedom. It is possible he was a Scottish
soldier in the Battle of Worcester Sept 3, 1651. Upon arrival in
Massachusetts 13 May 1652, James Ross became the indentured servent of
John Ruddick in Sudbury, Massachusetts.
-In 1655, when stil a servent of John Ruddick, he was convicted "of
shameful abuse and violence offered to the person of his Master, and
fellow servents" He received a very severe punishment for the time, 39
lashes and imprisonment. He was freed from prison after about
three months time upon a humble apology being presented to the court.
-In 1656 he was convicted of fornication with Mary Goodenow and
punished again. Mary was given the option of marrying James Ross to
avoid punishment but absolutely refused, and received 10 lashes herself
in punishment. Their daughter was born December 25, 1656.
-Mary did eventually decide to marry James Ross, in 1658, and they
had many more children together.
-There are many suggestions as to his Scottish parentage, but none
are likely.
Sources:
-"New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial: Volune 2",
William Richard Cutter
-Marriage Source: Sudbury Vital Records.
-Death Source: Sudbury Vital Records