52Ancestors52Weeks Week 3 Theme: Namesake Weston as a Middle Name: Origins From 1635 (Alden)

 Week 3 Theme:  Namesake

The Elizabeth & Ann      1635 

   The middle name of Weston has been used by my husband's Alden family for several generations, beginning with his father, and then my husband.  We gave our son the middle name of Weston.  Our son gave his son the middle name of Weston. Four consecutive generations with a middle name of Weston.  Where did that name come from?  How far back did it go? The origin of the name, and a namesake,  was not known with certainty. I took a break from research into my own family lines, and began researching to find the original Weston on the Alden side of the family. 

   So, this week I am going in a little different direction....as in way back to 1635!   The Great Migration was in full force, as roughly 20,000 people from England made their way to New England from 1620-1640.  According to Anderson's Great Migration Study Project, Edmund Weston, aged 30, was "enrolled at London as a passenger for New England on the Elizabeth & Ann".  He settled at Duxbury, Massachusetts. 

  Here is  my husband's generational line of Westons that began in Duxbury, Massachusetts in 1635. 

   Generation 1:  Edmund Weston  (about 1605-1686)  was of unknown origins.  He arrived in New England on 8 May 1635 aboard the Elizabeth & Ann.  He was a servant to John Winslow and Nathaniel Thomas before settling in Duxbury, Massachusetts.  In 1639 he formed a partnership with John Carver for planting and farming.  In 1640 he had a grant from the colony of four acres at Stony Brook, Duxbury.  In 1643 he was one of the men enrolled to bear arms.  In 1652 he was a surveyor  of highways, and from this time his name frequently appeared in connection with town affairs and in various public matters.  He married late in life, probably a De La Noy (Delano), but the name of his wife is not known for sure.  He died in Duxbury at the age of 80 years, respected and honored by all who knew him.  His will dated 18, February 1686,  listed four children.  (from Nutfield Geneaolgy Blog and Plymouth Families, Genealogical Register of, 282 from Ancestry.com).  

  Generation 2:  John Weston (1662-1736) lived in Duxbury, Massachusetts  and married Rebecca Peterson.  

  Generation 3:  David Weston (1726-1805) lived in Plympton, Massachusetts (a western parish of Plymouth) and married Susannah Churchill.

                                                       

  Generation 4:  David Weston Jr. (1754-1836) was born in Plympton, lived in Middleborough, served in the Revolutionary War, and married Keziah Eaton.  

                                

Part of David Weston's Revolutionary War Record and Pension Request

  Generation 5:  Andrew Weston (1790-1871)  lived in Middleborough, Massachusetts and married Lovina Hall.  

  Generation 6:  Juliann Weston (1832-1900) lived in Middleborough, Massachusetts, and married Thomas Jefferson Alden.  The name of Weston disappears for a few generations after this, in this particular branch of the Alden family.  

Thomas Jefferson Alden 

 Generation 7:  Theodore Henry Alden (1877-1948) was born in Middleborough and lived in Brockton, Massachusetts.  He married Louisa M. Leonard. 

  Generation 8:  Theodore Stewart Alden (1903-1979)  lived  in Brockton, Massachusetts and married Amy Burgess Thurston.  

  Generation 9:  David Weston Alden (1938-2013).  The name  Weston appears as a middle name in the family, and is handed down for three more generations as a middle name. 

   So, thanks to Edmond Weston who first came to New England in 1635 the name of Weston lives on.  Only time will tell how many more times it will be used! It was refreshing to tell a different story of my husband's family, whose origins can be traced all the way back to John Alden and Priscilla Mullens and another ship that came to New England called the Mayflower.