Christian and Hannah Remick- Myths and Facts
Replies: 8
Christian and Hannah Remick- Myths and Facts
For the benefit of those who can trace their Remick line to Christian and Hannah Remick of Kittery, ME in the 1600's, I'd like to briefly update what can be documented about them, and what assumptions have evolved as "facts".
It has been very frustrating trying to find anything solid on Christian or Hannah. The vitals we do find on them are mostly estimates and perpetuated legends. I believe the best source of information on them is found in Winifred Holman's Remick GENEALOGY, published in 1933. This work provides comprehensive documentation and references to sources, and is the "bible" for serious Remick researchers.
Christian's actual date and place of birth is unknown, as is when and how he came to America (assuming he was not born here--an interesting possibility that can't be totally discounted.). It can be said he was born about 1631, based on a 1698/99 deposition that mentions his age as "67 years of thereabouts", and he apparently was still alive in 1718. He probably died in Kittery, but this can't be confirmed. Last record of Hannah was in 1711.
Most online family trees and histories that include Christian and Hannah Remick as ancestors tend to drop all the "possible" and "about" qualifiers, and also often list his country of birth as fact. Germany, Luxembourg, Holland, and England are most often given as his birthplace. England seems most likely to me, but I can't document it. The fact that he appears on a list of Freemen of Kittery in 1652 and later was a Selectman suggests to me that his native language was English enabling him to assimilate quickly into local politics. Still, just conjecture.
Christian first appeared in Kittery records in 1651, when he received a grant of land there. This date is typically quoted as the year he came to America, but that's not what the record stated.
The actual surname of Hannah, wife of Christian Remick, has never been confirmed from what I have seen in over 30 years of Remick research. The Remick GENEALOGY states "It is possible that Christian's wife, Hannah, was a widow Tompson at the time of their marriage and it is also possible that she was born a Foster and was connected with the Parkers." Possibilities, but nothing concrete.
Their marriage date is approximated as 1655, based on the 1656 birth date of their first child, Hannah. No marriage record is known to verify this date.
Wraping it up, it would be interesting to know if anyone can cite any original records that would add to or clarify anything on Christian and Hannah.
It has been very frustrating trying to find anything solid on Christian or Hannah. The vitals we do find on them are mostly estimates and perpetuated legends. I believe the best source of information on them is found in Winifred Holman's Remick GENEALOGY, published in 1933. This work provides comprehensive documentation and references to sources, and is the "bible" for serious Remick researchers.
Christian's actual date and place of birth is unknown, as is when and how he came to America (assuming he was not born here--an interesting possibility that can't be totally discounted.). It can be said he was born about 1631, based on a 1698/99 deposition that mentions his age as "67 years of thereabouts", and he apparently was still alive in 1718. He probably died in Kittery, but this can't be confirmed. Last record of Hannah was in 1711.
Most online family trees and histories that include Christian and Hannah Remick as ancestors tend to drop all the "possible" and "about" qualifiers, and also often list his country of birth as fact. Germany, Luxembourg, Holland, and England are most often given as his birthplace. England seems most likely to me, but I can't document it. The fact that he appears on a list of Freemen of Kittery in 1652 and later was a Selectman suggests to me that his native language was English enabling him to assimilate quickly into local politics. Still, just conjecture.
Christian first appeared in Kittery records in 1651, when he received a grant of land there. This date is typically quoted as the year he came to America, but that's not what the record stated.
The actual surname of Hannah, wife of Christian Remick, has never been confirmed from what I have seen in over 30 years of Remick research. The Remick GENEALOGY states "It is possible that Christian's wife, Hannah, was a widow Tompson at the time of their marriage and it is also possible that she was born a Foster and was connected with the Parkers." Possibilities, but nothing concrete.
Their marriage date is approximated as 1655, based on the 1656 birth date of their first child, Hannah. No marriage record is known to verify this date.
Wraping it up, it would be interesting to know if anyone can cite any original records that would add to or clarify anything on Christian and Hannah.