Genealogy and the Sea

Given the Tait and allied families (isn't that a great term?) are from Maine/Massachusetts, it's not surprising there are many links to the sea. Especially given that some of the families (notably in the Brooks/Turner lines) were here since about 1635 (more than one family came over on the James), and even in once case, since 1620. (Yes, there is a Mayflower connection--the Hopkins family.) There's even a surname in the genealogy that seems to be related exclusively to shipbuilding and sailing: Tarr.

However, most of the sea-related stories I've uncovered are rather unfortunate. John Bailey and his son survived the Angel Gabriel shipwreck of 1635. It was such a bad wreck that John Sr. refused to ever set foot on a ship again. His wife, who stayed in England, likewise refused to sail. This caused quite a stir in the community (Newbury, MA). Puritans--who can figure them out? Anyway, John Sr. was ordered to return to England because of this scandal. He was in his eighties. He died before the sentence could be carried out.

Then there's Stephen Hopkins. He was aboard the Sea Venture when it wrecked off Bermuda in 1609. He later did make it to the colonies on the Mayflower. He even brought his family on that one. One wonders why after the first ship he sailed on wrecked. (This wreck was what inspired Shakespeare's The Tempest.)

And while not a direct ancestor, there's poor Thomas Nickerson. He shares an ancestor with my husband. Nickerson was cabin boy on the ill-fated Essex. The Essex was sunk by a whale and later the first mate would sail with Herman Melville and tell him the story of the Essex.(There's a wonderful book about the Essex tragedy by Nathaniel Philbrick: In the Heart of the Sea. I highly recommend it.)

Another ancestor, whose name escapes me right now, was a shipwright who fell overboard while making repairs. He drowned. I'll find that name this evening.

It's not all bad though. Aquila Chase was said to be the first person to pilot a boat across the Merrimac River.

And rumor has it that Edward Woodman (or someone in his family) invented fried clams. I know that sounds a little odd, so I suspect that it's more like the family brought friend clams to this country. In fact, there's a renowned seafood restaurant in Essex Co., MA, called Woodmans. Reputedly the same Woodmans, who are ancestors. When I told the husband last night, after we finished laughing cause it is amusing, he got this wistful look on his face. He has celiac disease, so he figured he'd never have fried clams again. Well, lucky him--Woodmans has a gluten-free menu! (Their site is www.woodmans.com and no, they have no idea who I am, nor have I ever been there, so I can't vouch for yumminess.)

I'm thinking we'll have to stop when we eventually make our way to Massachusetts on our genealogy trip.