Ancestral Immigrants and Coat of Arms
Hello to all my ancestors,
I just recently discovered that my LEATHERBEE surname is blood linked to LARRABEE. I've traced my LEATHERBEE ancestry to James Holt LEATHERBEE (DOB: 17 July 1772, Andover, MA), son to James LARRABEE (DOB: 1750, Andover, MA) and Mary HOLT (DOB: 19 Sep 1751, Andover, MA).For some reason they decided to change the spelling of their only child, and subsequent generations of this family branch. Bottom line is that I was able to track my blood line 12 generations to Stephen Larrabee (DOB: about 1627, and most likely from France). I've scoured over online documents and ancestral tree's, utilizing free web services (U.S. and foreign) as well as two subscriptions. There are many possibilities in determining dates and places of origin on our earlier ancesters.
My conclusion on the original Larrabee immigrants are:
Greenfield Larrabee (DOB: about 1615, most likely from England), base upon a documented Sabbath violation in working on his vessel the "Phoenix" in 1637. He was a mariner that frequented the West Indies often on business. He settled in Saybrook, Connecticut this original branch flourished in America.Also, there is a similar violation by a stranger named "William Larrabee" in 1647.
Stephen and William (DOB: about 1630) were most likely brothers that came over from France together. They settled in North Yarmouth, Maine and Malden, Massachusetts.They were often referred to as "immigrants" and "Frenchmen". This family branch flourished as well, but unfortunately had to endure King Philips War (1675-78) and the French and Indian War (1689-1763).Stephen had 9-10 children, with Isaac continuing my bloodline.Stephen and one of his son's were killed by the Indians on Jewell Island, Casco Bay, ME on Sep 1676. His chldren were awarded a total of 100 acres in recognition of his service as a soldier in the Narragansett War.Previously (upon their arrival to America) both Stephen and William had purchased 100 acres of land from an Indian named "Warromby". As note, William died in 1692, Malden, MA, and had no children by his wife Elizabet Felt.
There is little or no information on Greenfield, Stephen, or Williams parents; reinforcing the fact that they most likely immigrated by themselves; initiating the CT and the ME/MA separate family branches.. But, I'm of mind to connect Stephen and William to their fathe Stephen LAREBY (DOB: about 1604, most likely from France).
All three immigrants most likely were Huguenots (French Protestants) that migrated from France because of severe religious persecution.It is estimated that 40,000 migrated to England, and then possibly to America (Stephen and William?); and 10,000 directly to America (Greenfield?, note that the name Greenfield connotes English heritage).
**If anyone has seen a true historic record or the actual tombstones of any/all of these three men, I would greatly appreciate information on their actual DOB, place of origin, and age at death.
Finally on the Coat of Arms. I purchased one off the web as follows:
standard shield with a "chevalier" style helmet w/ five ostrich feathers on top. The shield is blue with a diagonal silver ribbon.
Defintions' blue: "Truth and Loyalty"; silver: "Peace and Sincerity"; ostrich feathers: "Obedience and Serenity".
I've been told there are other variations over the years, but that LARRABEE is definately of French origin.
I did find a description of a C of A from the Greenfiel CT family branch.It was described from the case of a siver watch:
a shild w/ 3 rampant lions, a horn on either side of the shield, an armoured arm w/sword in hand on top, w/ the motto"Quo, Fata (Fateor?), Vocant" (Vociferor).
Definitions: rampant lions: "Dauntless Courage"; horns: "Strength anf Fortitude"; armored arm w/sword "One of Leadership Quality and Ready for Battle"; latin motto: different interpretations but my best guess is " "Through Which Divine Authority Cries Aloud".
I should close now, or may likely get timed out.Again, I'm thrilled to find myself among the Larrabee family and hope we can all share information in the future.
All the best,
Rich (12th generation to Stephen)