Notes |
- Source: Book of Dow
Thomas Dow, an original grantee of Newbury MA in 1639;
Source: http://members.tripod.com/Tere_4/thebook.htm
The Dow country of origin:
The library gives 3 possible origins: Wales,England,Ireland.
The Book of Dow traces Henry and Thomas, both of whom were from Norfolk, England or the surrounding area. There is no proof that they were related.
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Source: TTTRN40@aol.com
The name "Dow " is considered by some to mean "son of David" In Scottish
Folklore the Dow name is connected being descendents of King David but more
probably admirers of his leadership abilities and moral values. It is also
said that the name was derived from "Dove" which appeared as the Holy Spirit
when Jesus was baptised by John. The spelling has been Doue, Dove, Dowe &
Dow. Scottish Dows invaded Ireland in large numbers. Thus explaining how the
Dow clan got to Ireland I am sure we are all mixed some how!
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Source: posted to GenForum by Florence Thurber Gargaro
Dow surname as been long assoicaied with Dove, Duv, of LeDuv. There are records of a Richard Le Duv and a Nicholas le Duv in England ca. 1200. The origin is thought to be "dove" - a name used for people with gentle demeanor. The same occurred in Italy. Christopher Columbus was a "dove" - (colombo is It. for dove).
Spelling variations seemed to solidify within an area - with it being Dowe in Norfolk. In Hants it was Doue. It is a common name in Norfolk - and is pronounced witha longer "o" there. The common pronuncuation in America (rhymes with cow) is a result of yankee twang. The earliest spelling as Dow is 1505, in England. Henry Dow of MA Bay Colony actually used Dowe, Dove, and Dow! There is also the name Dhu - but that is the Daw family of Scotland - not Dow.
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Source: posted to GenForum by Richard Alan Dow
I've heard theories that "Dow" came from "dhu" (or "dubh"), which is Gaelic for "black". It could also be from the same root as endow or dowager, meaning "gift", and a closely associated name is Dove, which is also associated with gift. It's possible that different families could trace the name to different sources.
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Source: http://members.tripod.com/Tere_4/thebook.htm
There is, as with Henry, a great deal of information printed in the Book of Dow on Thomas of Newbury. The following is the condensed version:
In the list of original grantees of Newbury, Mass. 1639 occurs the name of Thomas Dow. The origin of Newbury is strangely absent from the records. Nothing is known of the vessel which carried them; none of them appear on lists or in other places. Thomas Dow was a freeholder from his arrival by reason of the original grant of his Newbury homestead. He continued a freeholder when he sold this & bought land in Haverhill. * freeholder : one who by grant, purchase or inheritance was entitled to a share of the "commons" or undivided lands. *
Without going into every detail, we can state here that and extensive search by amateur and professional geanealogists was done in order to find the origin of Thomas of Newbury and his wife Phoebe. Reasons given by the Book of Dow as to why this Thomas could not be the older brother of Henry are as follows: Henry Dow had a more than average education, Thomas could not read. Thomas not able to read. Thomas was much poorer than his neighbors, and he didn't have enough food for his children. For 5 years they lived within 15 miles of each other without the slightest indication that even knew each other.That paid investigators scoured the counties of England for every record of every Thomas Dow (with varied spellings of Dow) they could find and yet none of these fit this Thomas. As of this time there has been no proof as to the origin of Thomas Dow of Newbury.
Thomas was the first white adult to die in Haverhill. May 31, 1654 "ae about 39". His will made 2 days before his death: " The last will and testament of Thomas Dowe as it was delevered or expressed by him on the 29th day of May being in ye yeare 1654. I, Thomas Dow, although weake in body yet of perfect memory i doe desire to submit my will, to God' will and to dispose of my estate to my wife and children as followeth, leaving my wife to be the sole executor at present of all my vesable and personall estate. First I do give unto my loving wiffe Pheby my tow oxen that are now hers and mine and three young beastes beinge now one yeare and upwards ould and one cow and two swine and al my household goods to be at her disposinge for ever.
Also my will is that my oldest son, John Dowe at the age of twenty and one yeare ould shall ingioy as his inheritance al the land and housinge that I have bought in Haverhill and to pay to his other brothers thomas and Stephen and to his 2 sisters mary and martha as I shall apoynt the house and land to be worth three score pounds; my second son Thomas shal reseave at his age of 21 ten pounds or 5 pounds at his age and 5 pounds when he is 22 yeares and for my son Steven he shall reseave at his age of 21: or 5 pounds at 21 and 5 ponds at 22; as to my will is that John my son shal pay to his sister Mary and his sister Martha at theyre age of 21 ten pounds or 5 pouns apeace at 21 and 5 pounds apece at ther age of 22; as there brothers reseave theres.
Also I Pheby latly wife to Thomas Dow doe joyne my consent to this will of my husband in each perticular and for my son John Doe I doe fully and freely resigne up al my wright in the house and land when my son shall come to the age of 21 yeares ould, wittness my hand prouided he shall pay to his brothers and sisters as his fathers will is.
in witness hereof
The marke of
John Eaton (P) Phebya (F) Dowe
Theo: Shatswell
From Phoebe's statement above, Dow took her maiden name to be Latly or Latty. And an effoert was made to claim her name as Fenn since her mark resembled an F. That these are both assumptions or guesses is surely the case. We have no proof of her maiden name.
Children of Thomas and Phoebe:
a. John a minor in 1654 - b later than 1633, presumably in Europe, not improbably 1638.
b. Thomas probably b 1640 in Newbury
c. Stephen b Newbury Mch 29, 1642
d. Mary b Apr 16 1644
e. Martha b June 1 1648
It should be noted that John did indeed make all the payments required of him in his fathers will. An Phoebe married John Eaton, witness to the will.
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Christening: 16 JAN 1602, Runham, Yarmouth, Norfolk, England
Emigrated to America, abt. 1635
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Note: Will probated 8 (2) 1656
Thomas Dow in his will names his wife as Pheby. Phebya P Dow made her mark in court papers regarding her late husband's
will. Essex County Probate Files, Docket 8, 235
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