Dolor Davis, master carpenter, arrived in Massachusetts from England in 1634 CE. Thousands of his direct descendants currently live in America. The author has spent 25 years researching historical documents in England to shed new light on Dolor's life before he immigrated to New England. The author's research results both corrects and updates all previous books and genealogies previously written about Dolor and his wife, Margery (Willard) Davis, including the first accurately published vital statistics for their four "English-born" children, and their residences within Sussex County, England. Nicholas Davis, international merchant mariner, is the author's 8th-great grandfather who lived near his relative, Dolor Davis, in Barnstable, Massachusetts from 1643 CE to 1670 CE. The bulk of this ebook covers the fascinating lives of Nicholas Davis, his family, and many of his descendants. The reader will discover how "Quaker" Nicholas Davis positively impacted the formation of New England's Colonies through his honest trading relationships, his deep friendship with the native Wampanoag people, and by his philanthropy. Included in this ebook are very interesting stories and first hand accounts of Nicholas Davis' descendants who were abducted by pirates, and who survived perilous seafaring journeys to South America, among other narratives.

The purpose of this research paper is to provide a comprehensive biography about the author’s 8th great-grandfather, Nicholas Davis, which includes “new research discoveries” about his life in America, and about his wife, Sarah (Ewer) Blossom Davis. Quaker Nicholas Davis, sometimes of Barnstable, Massachusetts and sometimes of Newport, Rhode Island is an interesting and notable American historical figure for several reasons: As the first Barnstable, Plymouth Colony resident to adopt the Quaker faith in 1659 CE, Nicholas “survived” severe persecutions legislated by both Plymouth Colony and Massachusetts Bay Colony governments. He was imprisoned twice with other Quakers who were later hanged to death in Boston because of their faith. Despite these hardships, and the tragic, sudden death of his 2-year-old-son, Nicholas was able to “thrive” in New England. According to Quakerism’s founder, George Fox, Davis had a “great family” comprised of his wife, Sarah, and six children. Nicholas Davis served as a “role model” for his neighbors, showing them how to treat the local “Wampanoag” Native Americans with utmost respect. In 1660 CE, the Wampanoag “Chief” John Yanno “gifted” Nicholas a valuable parcel of land that later became “Hyannis”, Massachusetts; and From 1643 CE until his death in 1672 CE, Nicholas was an international “merchant mariner” who traded goods with people, some of differing nationalities, throughout America and England. In an era filled with unscrupulous businessmen, Nicholas Davis maintained his good reputation by “dealing honestly” with all persons, and for donating some of his time and money “for the public interest”.

The purpose of this research paper is to provide a biographical summary for the author’s 8th great-grandmother, Sarah Ewer, and to reveal new information about her life which was recently discovered by the author. Sarah Ewer was a remarkable woman for several reasons: She persevered after her father died when she was only nine years old; Sarah survived four husbands, all of “historical note”, two of whom suddenly died by drowning (along with a brother who was lost at sea); and she was a wonderful mother who raised seven children to adulthood even while mourning the tragic, accidental death of her two-year-old son. Between 1645 CE and 1692 CE, Sarah Ewer married four times: her first and last husbands were “Separatists” in Plymouth Colony; Sarah’s second spouse, the author’s ancestral grandfather, was the first “Quaker” in Barnstable, Plymouth Colony; and her third husband was among the first “Baptists” in Newport, RI. Sarah Ewer exhibited a great deal of “theological flexibility” within her lifetime, seemingly drawn to colonial men who chose to separate from the Church of England and, as a result, she had to endure Plymouth Colony governmental persecution while trying to nurture and to protect her children. When the author began researching his ancestral grandmother’s life 25 years ago, there existed three major “unsolved mysteries”: First, marriage records had not been found to prove that Sarah Ewer actually married her second husband, Nicholas Davis, in Barnstable, Plymouth Colony in 1651 CE. Second, information had not been discovered regarding Sarah’s whereabouts after the death of her third spouse, Dr. John Clarke, who died in 1676 CE Newport, RI. Third, genealogists, old and new, had been unable to confirm whether the Nicholas Davis who is listed as an “Inhabitant” of RI in 1638 was, in fact, Sarah Ewer’s future husband. This article presents evidence in an attempt to solve all three of these issues.

Early Encounters contains a selection of nineteen essays from the papers of prominent New England historian, antiquarian, and genealogist Warren Sears Nickerson (1880-1966). This extensive study of his own family ties to the Mayflower, and his exhaustive investigation of the first contacts between Europeans and Native Americans, in what is today New England, made him an unquestioned authority in both fields. The research upon which the text of Early Encounters is based occurred between the 1920s and the 1950s. Each of Nickerson’s works included in this carefully edited volume is placed in its context by Delores Bird Carpenter; she provides the reader with a wealth of useful background information about each essay’s origin, as well as Nickerson’s reasons for undertaking the research. Material is arranged thematically: the arrival of the Mayflower; conflicts between Europeans and Native Americans; and other topics related to the history and legends of early European settlement on Cape Cod. Early Encounters is a thoughtfully researched, readable book that presents a rich and varied account of life in colonial New England.

The American Indians have lost much of their land over the years, but their legacy is evident in the many places around the United States that have Indian names. Countless placenames have, however, been corrupted over time, and numerous placenames have similar spellings but different meanings. This reference work is a reprint in one combined volume of the two-volume set published by McFarland in 2003 and 2005. Volume One covers the name origins and histories of cities, towns and villages in the United States that have Indian names. It is arranged alphabetically by state, then alphabetically by city, town or village name. Additional data include population figures and county names. Probable Indian placenames with no certain origin also receive entries, and as much history as possible is provided about those locations. Volume Two covers more than 1400 rivers, lakes, mountains and other natural features in the United States with Indian names. It is arranged by state, and then alphabetically by natural feature. Counties are provided for most entries, with multiple counties listed for some entries where appropriate. In addition to name origins and meanings, geophysical data such as the heights of mountains and lengths of waterways are indicated.