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Raynor (Rayner) is a distinguished name of Teutonic origin. The Anglo-Saxon Regenhere d. 617 A.D. He was son of Raedwalk, King of East Anglia, an ancient division of England which comprises the modern day Norfolk and Suffolk Counties.
Rainer (Rayner, Raynor) is derived from the old Germanic name, "Raginhari," meaning "counsel or mighty Army" and was undoubtedly introduced into England from France in the eleventh century. Indeed, the earliest written records of the personal name in England appear in the Doomsday Book of 1086 and testify to the French influence in the formation of many English surnames.
In the Middle Ages, before the development of the hereditary surname system, it became convenient to identify people with the same first name by referring to their father's personal name. Thus patronymic surnames form one of the largest of the surname groups in England and indeed in all of Europe.
Early instances of the surname in England include Ricardus Filius Rainer who is on the written record in Hampshire in the year 1148 (Liber Wintoniensis) and William Rayner who lived in Lancashire in 1229 (Transcripts of Charters relating to the Gilbertine houses). The prefix "Filius" in the first example means "son of" and emphasizes the patronymic origins of the surname.
Among the first instances of the surname in England were those of Rayner Le Blake in County Norfolk during the year 1273, Reyner, son of Reyner Fleming, a Yorkshire man in the 13th year of Edward II’s reign, and Thomas Rayner, also of Yorkshire (1379).
Variants of this surname include Raynor, Rainer, Ranner, Reiner, Reyner, and Renner and all are to be found in the East Anglican and Nottinghamshire areas with the "or" ending peculiar to the latter. The name tended to be concentrated in those counties on the East coast of England, from Yorkshire south through Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and East Kent – and was also fairly common in the Isle of Wight which had close racial links with Kent; both were settled by the same people during the post-Roman period.
Early residents of the Counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, York, Nottingham, Huntingdon, and London, as well as various parts of Wales, bearing this name were, for the most part, of the landed and educated classes.
The Raynor family was well established in England by the 15th and 16th centuries. One of the principal branches of the family was at East Drayton in Nottingham County. Many of the present-day Raynor families in America originated in Suffolk County, England
Several Rayner – Raynor heraldic shields are described in standard books on the subject. The Coat of Arms of the branch of the Raynor family at East Drayton, in Nottingham County, England was "ermine on a chief indented azure, two etoiles d'or". Another branch of the family has "ermine on a chief azure, two etoiles d'or. Crest, on a mount vert, a leopard passant d'or." Azure is blue, d'or is gold, vert is green, "etoiles" are six-pointed stars. This Coat of Arms was granted to the family in 1588. The Arms are the same as those of the Nottingham branch.
Documentation for the Raynor Coat of Arms design can be found in BURKE'S GENERAL ARMORY: Ermine on a chief indented azure two etoiles d'or (an ermine field with a blue chief, i. e., the upper third blue, with an indented line of partition bearing two gold stars). Above the shield and helmet is the Crest: "On a mount vert a leopard passant d'or" (a golden leopard walking on a green mount). Ermine is a fur which has long been associated with royalty and nobility. The chief signifies Dominion, the etoiles honour and achievement. A motto was not recorded with the Raynor Coat of Arms.
Rainer (Rayner, Raynor) is derived from the old Germanic name, "Raginhari," meaning "counsel or mighty Army" and was undoubtedly introduced into England from France in the eleventh century. Indeed, the earliest written records of the personal name in England appear in the Doomsday Book of 1086 and testify to the French influence in the formation of many English surnames.
In the Middle Ages, before the development of the hereditary surname system, it became convenient to identify people with the same first name by referring to their father's personal name. Thus patronymic surnames form one of the largest of the surname groups in England and indeed in all of Europe.
Early instances of the surname in England include Ricardus Filius Rainer who is on the written record in Hampshire in the year 1148 (Liber Wintoniensis) and William Rayner who lived in Lancashire in 1229 (Transcripts of Charters relating to the Gilbertine houses). The prefix "Filius" in the first example means "son of" and emphasizes the patronymic origins of the surname.
Among the first instances of the surname in England were those of Rayner Le Blake in County Norfolk during the year 1273, Reyner, son of Reyner Fleming, a Yorkshire man in the 13th year of Edward II’s reign, and Thomas Rayner, also of Yorkshire (1379).
Variants of this surname include Raynor, Rainer, Ranner, Reiner, Reyner, and Renner and all are to be found in the East Anglican and Nottinghamshire areas with the "or" ending peculiar to the latter. The name tended to be concentrated in those counties on the East coast of England, from Yorkshire south through Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and East Kent – and was also fairly common in the Isle of Wight which had close racial links with Kent; both were settled by the same people during the post-Roman period.
Early residents of the Counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, York, Nottingham, Huntingdon, and London, as well as various parts of Wales, bearing this name were, for the most part, of the landed and educated classes.
The Raynor family was well established in England by the 15th and 16th centuries. One of the principal branches of the family was at East Drayton in Nottingham County. Many of the present-day Raynor families in America originated in Suffolk County, England
Several Rayner – Raynor heraldic shields are described in standard books on the subject. The Coat of Arms of the branch of the Raynor family at East Drayton, in Nottingham County, England was "ermine on a chief indented azure, two etoiles d'or". Another branch of the family has "ermine on a chief azure, two etoiles d'or. Crest, on a mount vert, a leopard passant d'or." Azure is blue, d'or is gold, vert is green, "etoiles" are six-pointed stars. This Coat of Arms was granted to the family in 1588. The Arms are the same as those of the Nottingham branch.
Documentation for the Raynor Coat of Arms design can be found in BURKE'S GENERAL ARMORY: Ermine on a chief indented azure two etoiles d'or (an ermine field with a blue chief, i. e., the upper third blue, with an indented line of partition bearing two gold stars). Above the shield and helmet is the Crest: "On a mount vert a leopard passant d'or" (a golden leopard walking on a green mount). Ermine is a fur which has long been associated with royalty and nobility. The chief signifies Dominion, the etoiles honour and achievement. A motto was not recorded with the Raynor Coat of Arms.
The first Raynors to come to America were Thurston Raynor, his wife, Elizabeth, their five children, and Thurston’s ten year old nephew, Edward Raynor. Residents of Elmsett, in the County of Suffolk, they left Ipswich, England in April 1634 aboard the ship, Elizabeth, and arrived in Boston three months later. They settled first in Watertown, Massachusetts, and in 1636, along with some other Watertown families, they went to Wethersfield, Connecticut, where Thurston Raynor was listed among the first settlers. In 1641, Thurston Raynor and his family and several other families from Wethersfield moved on to settle Rippowams, the area now known as Stamford, Connecticut. Three years later, in 1644, Thurston Raynor once again uprooted his family and joined with twenty-two other Rippowams families in following their religious leader, Rev. Denton, to Long Island where they settled Hempstead, in the western part of the Island.
Sometime between 1646 and 1649, Thurston Raynor and his family left Hempstead and moved east, to the young village of Southampton on the south shore of Long Island. Edward Raynor, Thurston’s nephew, who accompanied Thurston and his family on the voyage to America in 1634, and remained with them in Watertown, Wethersfield, Rippowams, and Hempstead, stayed behind in Hempstead when Thurston, his wife and children moved on to Southampton. In Southampton, Thurston Raynor was a large landholder and became prominent in the affairs of the village. He died there in1667.
Sometime between 1646 and 1649, Thurston Raynor and his family left Hempstead and moved east, to the young village of Southampton on the south shore of Long Island. Edward Raynor, Thurston’s nephew, who accompanied Thurston and his family on the voyage to America in 1634, and remained with them in Watertown, Wethersfield, Rippowams, and Hempstead, stayed behind in Hempstead when Thurston, his wife and children moved on to Southampton. In Southampton, Thurston Raynor was a large landholder and became prominent in the affairs of the village. He died there in1667.
The move from Stamford to the future Hempstead occurred in the spring of 1644. A patent given by the New Netherlands Governor Kieft gave to Robert FORDHAM, John STRICKLAND, John OGDEN, John CARMAN, John LAURENCE and Jonas WOOD, a sizable strip of land across Long Island. Heretofore the English had been considered to be the enemies and were not welcome.
Even though an agreement with the Dutch was made as to the amount of territory, and future payments to the Dutch, the actual land had to be purchased from the several Indian Tribes occupying it.
Thurston RAYNOR and his family remained in the new colony only a couple of years before moving a hundred miles east to the equally new Southampton Colony. Edward, now approaching his majority, stayed.
The seven years of British occupation during the Revolution does not seem to have affected the Thurston, Suffolk County branch of the RAYNORS. Hempstead and all western Long Island was completely dominated by the English. It was the bread basket of the New York occupation area and the patriots were forced to supply food, clothing, household supplies, firewood and livestock as well as a labor force and a billeting of the soldiers in their homes.
Families were split in their loyalties and after the war was finally over, many residents had to leave. The RAYNOR family was no exception, which is one reason we have lost track of some lines. Just recently I received correspondence that traced one line to Canada and I am sure there are more. Also, after the war soldiers were often paid off with land grants up-state and in adjoining western states.
The Colonist-Indians relationship was not cordial but usually peaceful. There was a large Indian population. Since there were no maps or accurate surveys, the boundaries established were often in litigation. It was many years before the, now English, New York courts finally approved the various deeds.
Problems sometimes arose because a colonist’s cattle would wander into an Indian cornfield or Indian hunting grounds would be invaded. Since Indians worked for colonists, labor and pay disputes arose. Of course, the importation of rum which the Indians sought disrupted the peace at times. In a generation or so the Indian population was drastically reduced by the white mans diseases.
The land the colonists were being granted by the Dutch was roughly 10 miles wide, centered around Hempstead Harbor on Long Island Sounds south shore. It extended southward about 12 miles to the Atlantic Ocean. Today it is the Towns of Hempstead and North Hempstead in Nassau County though for about 250 years it was part of Queens County.
The long Hempstead Harbor extends about four miles into the north shore perimeter. There were lots of grassy marshes where salt hay grew for summer pasturing and to be cut for winter forage. The uplands extended on both sides and a mile or so further south. This was a good farming and hunting area as well as a source of construction and fire wood.
Just to the south, extending east and west for over 20 miles and 3 to 4 miles wide, lay the great plains. This was a treeless area of high grasses, low shrubs, berries, flowers and a home to plentiful small game. Until the discovery a couple of hundred years later of our great western plains, the Hempstead plains were one of the wonders of the colonies and drew many visitors. This land was set aside as common grounds to be used for pasture or other uses that would not destroy its uniqueness. For nearly 250 years it was protected from private or commercial settlement.
Further south was more farmland and woodland. But this had a light sandy soil close to the water table. Many creeks drained it into the great south bay. Many coves and inlets divided the shore into marshy areas. In the bay itself were dozens of small islands. A barrier reef protected the bay from the Atlantic Ocean.
This grant included just about everything a colonist could need or enjoy: farming, hunting, fishing, mill sites, water and level surface transportation for people and supplies and a cheap labor supply when needed.
The Proprietors who invested in the purchase decided to divide ownership into 100 shares. Fifty shares would be distributed to themselves and each would get another one to be sold to a new family or given to a son who wished to stay and settle, in order to quickly increase the population. The Charter required 100 families in five years. Thurston no doubt, participated in this and then like some others, sold out, took his profit and moved on.
Unfortunately, Book I of the Hempstead Town records was destroyed long ago. The list of the early Proprietors and their activities is lost. However, from various other sources a Mr. George D. A. COMBES (1889-1941) a ninth generation Long Islander, living in Rockville Center was able to reconstruct a list of the first 50 Proprietors. A list of the next 50 was easier to develop because records were available to supply clues for its formation. Edward RAYNOR is number 65. On the list of transactions concerning property dealings, a "Raynor Neck" is mentioned. This may have referred to an earlier Thurston holding as it does not appear that Edward would have had ownership on that scale so early even though Mr. COMBES also lists Edward as Proprietor number 3, again, probably Thurston who then sold and moved.
From Town records we know that Edward was a herdsman. Very early, he was one of a group who were authorized to build a fence all across the southern end of the neck on the west side of Hempstead Harbor. This was to establish a common pasture on the grassy lowlands. Several gates were included and owners of live stock would bring their animals to a gate in early morning, and reclaim them at sundown. "Ear marks" identified the ownership of the animals. In 1657 Edward was responsible for six gates at which time he also owned seven animals.
The next year Edward had twelve acres of meadow land allotted to him and also ten acres on the east side of the harbor. The following year Edward was one of two herdsmen assigned to manage the east herd. Whether this was a herd on the great plain or still on the east side of the harbor is not clear. On a rate list of 1665 he is listed as worth 80 pounds. There is a mention in 1672 that Edward RAYNOR sold to Robert JACKSON, five acres of land bounded on the south by the sea with no further details.
There was a system of land division as new areas were opened up by the Proprietors. The area would be surveyed then divided into several quite large parcels. On a large parcel two or more men might become owners, they then would divide it as they saw fit among themselves. For this reason a man might have small acreage's in several places. These he could keep, sell or trade if he wished to consolidate his own holdings. The five acres, mentioned above, may have been such a parcel.
First mention of south woods, the early name for the area that became Raynor South, was the allotment to Samuel(2) of 25 acres there in 1692. This was probably along the bank and swamp that lay to the east of what is now Roosevelt (Greenwich Point) and extending. southward toward Freeport (Raynortown). The brook leads into an inlet of Great South Bay at about this point. The Meadowbrook State Parkway to Jones Beach follows this route today.
The RAYNOR holdings gradually spread southward down the neck or peninsula, about two miles and even as late as 1873 maps show many family homes all over the area now called Roosevelt and Freeport.
Not all RAYNORS were farmers. Some chose to go to sea, others became fisherman or baymen. The local mill was RAYNOR owned. Maybe Thurston even built the first one. He had been responsible for the one in Stamford. Some left for the business world in New York or became tradesman at home and town leaders.
As new lands opened up, others left for western New York State, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia etc. One man even moved his large family out to Suffolk County and settled in Moriches in the heart of Thurston's territory. A few found their way to Connecticut and even Canada.
Raynor South became Raynortown. The area retained its identity for nearly 200 years until the name Freeport was chosen. Villagers nearer the city and the city itself started charging a fee to bring in commodities to their wharves, so the local folks saw a chance to entice the business to their own docks and did succeed.
Raynortown was also fortunate in that, as time went by, the main east-west route on the south shore of the Island ran right through the town - its main street. This 125 mile roadway connected Brooklyn on the west end of Long Island with the eastern end passing through all of the many small villages on the way. Water transportation however, was more practical in the early days.
Freeport is no longer a little country village. Events of the past few decades have changed it into a heavily populated area. There is one continuous commercial area up to and far east of the village and its boundaries are indiscernible from its neighbors. It is no longer the Garden of Eden of the early RAYNORS.
Even though an agreement with the Dutch was made as to the amount of territory, and future payments to the Dutch, the actual land had to be purchased from the several Indian Tribes occupying it.
Thurston RAYNOR and his family remained in the new colony only a couple of years before moving a hundred miles east to the equally new Southampton Colony. Edward, now approaching his majority, stayed.
The seven years of British occupation during the Revolution does not seem to have affected the Thurston, Suffolk County branch of the RAYNORS. Hempstead and all western Long Island was completely dominated by the English. It was the bread basket of the New York occupation area and the patriots were forced to supply food, clothing, household supplies, firewood and livestock as well as a labor force and a billeting of the soldiers in their homes.
Families were split in their loyalties and after the war was finally over, many residents had to leave. The RAYNOR family was no exception, which is one reason we have lost track of some lines. Just recently I received correspondence that traced one line to Canada and I am sure there are more. Also, after the war soldiers were often paid off with land grants up-state and in adjoining western states.
The Colonist-Indians relationship was not cordial but usually peaceful. There was a large Indian population. Since there were no maps or accurate surveys, the boundaries established were often in litigation. It was many years before the, now English, New York courts finally approved the various deeds.
Problems sometimes arose because a colonist’s cattle would wander into an Indian cornfield or Indian hunting grounds would be invaded. Since Indians worked for colonists, labor and pay disputes arose. Of course, the importation of rum which the Indians sought disrupted the peace at times. In a generation or so the Indian population was drastically reduced by the white mans diseases.
The land the colonists were being granted by the Dutch was roughly 10 miles wide, centered around Hempstead Harbor on Long Island Sounds south shore. It extended southward about 12 miles to the Atlantic Ocean. Today it is the Towns of Hempstead and North Hempstead in Nassau County though for about 250 years it was part of Queens County.
The long Hempstead Harbor extends about four miles into the north shore perimeter. There were lots of grassy marshes where salt hay grew for summer pasturing and to be cut for winter forage. The uplands extended on both sides and a mile or so further south. This was a good farming and hunting area as well as a source of construction and fire wood.
Just to the south, extending east and west for over 20 miles and 3 to 4 miles wide, lay the great plains. This was a treeless area of high grasses, low shrubs, berries, flowers and a home to plentiful small game. Until the discovery a couple of hundred years later of our great western plains, the Hempstead plains were one of the wonders of the colonies and drew many visitors. This land was set aside as common grounds to be used for pasture or other uses that would not destroy its uniqueness. For nearly 250 years it was protected from private or commercial settlement.
Further south was more farmland and woodland. But this had a light sandy soil close to the water table. Many creeks drained it into the great south bay. Many coves and inlets divided the shore into marshy areas. In the bay itself were dozens of small islands. A barrier reef protected the bay from the Atlantic Ocean.
This grant included just about everything a colonist could need or enjoy: farming, hunting, fishing, mill sites, water and level surface transportation for people and supplies and a cheap labor supply when needed.
The Proprietors who invested in the purchase decided to divide ownership into 100 shares. Fifty shares would be distributed to themselves and each would get another one to be sold to a new family or given to a son who wished to stay and settle, in order to quickly increase the population. The Charter required 100 families in five years. Thurston no doubt, participated in this and then like some others, sold out, took his profit and moved on.
Unfortunately, Book I of the Hempstead Town records was destroyed long ago. The list of the early Proprietors and their activities is lost. However, from various other sources a Mr. George D. A. COMBES (1889-1941) a ninth generation Long Islander, living in Rockville Center was able to reconstruct a list of the first 50 Proprietors. A list of the next 50 was easier to develop because records were available to supply clues for its formation. Edward RAYNOR is number 65. On the list of transactions concerning property dealings, a "Raynor Neck" is mentioned. This may have referred to an earlier Thurston holding as it does not appear that Edward would have had ownership on that scale so early even though Mr. COMBES also lists Edward as Proprietor number 3, again, probably Thurston who then sold and moved.
From Town records we know that Edward was a herdsman. Very early, he was one of a group who were authorized to build a fence all across the southern end of the neck on the west side of Hempstead Harbor. This was to establish a common pasture on the grassy lowlands. Several gates were included and owners of live stock would bring their animals to a gate in early morning, and reclaim them at sundown. "Ear marks" identified the ownership of the animals. In 1657 Edward was responsible for six gates at which time he also owned seven animals.
The next year Edward had twelve acres of meadow land allotted to him and also ten acres on the east side of the harbor. The following year Edward was one of two herdsmen assigned to manage the east herd. Whether this was a herd on the great plain or still on the east side of the harbor is not clear. On a rate list of 1665 he is listed as worth 80 pounds. There is a mention in 1672 that Edward RAYNOR sold to Robert JACKSON, five acres of land bounded on the south by the sea with no further details.
There was a system of land division as new areas were opened up by the Proprietors. The area would be surveyed then divided into several quite large parcels. On a large parcel two or more men might become owners, they then would divide it as they saw fit among themselves. For this reason a man might have small acreage's in several places. These he could keep, sell or trade if he wished to consolidate his own holdings. The five acres, mentioned above, may have been such a parcel.
First mention of south woods, the early name for the area that became Raynor South, was the allotment to Samuel(2) of 25 acres there in 1692. This was probably along the bank and swamp that lay to the east of what is now Roosevelt (Greenwich Point) and extending. southward toward Freeport (Raynortown). The brook leads into an inlet of Great South Bay at about this point. The Meadowbrook State Parkway to Jones Beach follows this route today.
The RAYNOR holdings gradually spread southward down the neck or peninsula, about two miles and even as late as 1873 maps show many family homes all over the area now called Roosevelt and Freeport.
Not all RAYNORS were farmers. Some chose to go to sea, others became fisherman or baymen. The local mill was RAYNOR owned. Maybe Thurston even built the first one. He had been responsible for the one in Stamford. Some left for the business world in New York or became tradesman at home and town leaders.
As new lands opened up, others left for western New York State, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia etc. One man even moved his large family out to Suffolk County and settled in Moriches in the heart of Thurston's territory. A few found their way to Connecticut and even Canada.
Raynor South became Raynortown. The area retained its identity for nearly 200 years until the name Freeport was chosen. Villagers nearer the city and the city itself started charging a fee to bring in commodities to their wharves, so the local folks saw a chance to entice the business to their own docks and did succeed.
Raynortown was also fortunate in that, as time went by, the main east-west route on the south shore of the Island ran right through the town - its main street. This 125 mile roadway connected Brooklyn on the west end of Long Island with the eastern end passing through all of the many small villages on the way. Water transportation however, was more practical in the early days.
Freeport is no longer a little country village. Events of the past few decades have changed it into a heavily populated area. There is one continuous commercial area up to and far east of the village and its boundaries are indiscernible from its neighbors. It is no longer the Garden of Eden of the early RAYNORS.
BY
Gerald V. S. Raynor
Ask most RAYNORs about their knowledge of the first RAYNORs to reach America and if they know anything, it will probably be a hazy recollection that Thurston and Edward came to Boston in the early 1600's and then came over to Southampton, NY. Even some books print this. A very few folks may remember that Edward lived in Raynortown, now Freeport.
However, these few years between arrival in Massachusetts and arrival in Southampton, NY are fascinating. These two RAYNORs, Uncle and Nephew and 30 other families went deep into the wilderness of dangerous Indian territory, founded, from scratch, the village of Wethersfield, Connecticut, moved on to Stamford and once again from scratch founded a new village, then three years later again moved, this time to Long Island, New York. Here they helped found the town of Hempstead, before Thurston moved on again to help develop a settlement in Southampton. All this was done in about 15 years.
No chain saws available, no hardware stores or lumber yards, no earth moving machinery; no stores for food or clothing, just bare hands, a strong back and a great desire to be free.
So, why did they leave civilized England and endure years of hardship in a foreign land ?
In my article, "Background of the English Raynor Family", I cover some high spots of the thousand years in East Anglia until the Normans finally got complete control of England in 1066.
The next 500 years saw 23 changes in the ruler ship as the Kings and Queens came and went. A few, like Henry VIII and Elizabeth I made a mark in History. Most were incompetent or unwilling to take responsibility and allowed "Favorites" to run things as they saw fit. Some were not even English, and usually there were wars going at tremendous expense.
Many of the intellectuals of the time joined the clergy. Because of this, and the continuity of long term plans to rule the church, they often had more influence than Royalty.
Henry VIII discarded the Vatican influence, but the Church of England remained tremendously powerful and amassed great wealth and property. When the Reformation started, the working class flocked to it as an escape from some of the oppression around them from both government and church.
Our first known ancestor, Robert was living in 1555 under Queen Mary, when a very well-liked parish priest at a church a short distance away was burned at the stake for refusing to return to the Latin mass.
In 1603 a Protestant Scottish King was seated on the throne of England, much to the joy of the reformists. He promptly reverted to the Church of England with the idea of restoring Roman rule, opposed not only by the people, but also Parliament and most other Royalty. It was hard to evade the crossfire of all these factions and time to get out, so the exodus to Massachusetts began.
The people coming over here were not the paupers and released prisoners of later times, but respected intellectuals, business men, tradesmen adept at their calling and of course adventurers and entrepreneurs. All were Puritans looking for freedom, equality and a place to start a new life.
These colonists had to have adequate financial backing in order to buy passage for themselves and their families. Any supplies they would need for the voyage must be brought on. Any tools of their craft must be carried, even livestock and supplies to carry them on in America until they could establish themselves if they survived the month-long crossing. The idea of freedom seemed to be worth the risk.
Sometimes a group intending to stay together would charter a vessel. Otherwise it was just several independent family groups and a single or two, who had managed to get government permission after months of waiting, often at the point of departure.
Apparently, Thurston was not a part of a larger group when he, his family and nephew, Edward sailed from Ipswich, Suffolk, on the "Elizabeth" in the spring of 1634. They arrived after a few weeks at sea at Watertown, near Boston. They soon joined a group heading out west into Indian territory to establish a new settlement on a large river. It was a slow difficult 2 week journey to reach the spot about 40 miles up the Connecticut River from New Haven.
To start the new village, arrangements had to be made with the English who claimed the area, and hoping the local Indian chief would be willing to cooperate. Money for adventures like this was put up the "Proprietors" who advanced the funds and would share in ownership of the property. Usually, the total expense was divided into "100 shares", sometimes also in "50's". The number of shares you owned depended on your contributions. From that time on, whenever new areas were opened up, only "Proprietors" were eligible and then in proportion to the number of shares they owned.
The preacher probably got a share or two, and, whoever was hired to be the "Captain" and supervise the military training and defense. Trades people, who agreed to settle there and follow their craft, might be given a "Home spot" of an acre or so. Proprietors could sell part of their holdings if the Town leaders and clergy agreed.
The craftsman might be tailors, coopers, potters, millers, blacksmiths, teachers, ship builders, carpenters, glass blowers, etc. all vital to the new community.
Wethersfield was the name of the new settlement. The colonists seem to have survived the Pequot War of 1637 when the Indians finally decided to wipe out the English and vice-versa. At least, there is no mention of serious disruption.
By 1640 the Town had grown and dissension began to upset some of the first arrivals. Rev. DENTON and a group of followers, decided to move on and arrangements were made with New Haven Colony for a section of land called Ripowan about 40 miles west of the shore of Long Island Sound.
A couple of small rivers entered the Sound at this point and a deal for 269 acres was made. Payment was to be 33 pounds sterling, to be paid in produce. Robert COE and Andrew WARD handled the details and in the spring of 1640 a score or so of males from Wethersfield arrived, set up their tents, and started once again to lay out a new home, Stamford, with an initial count of 29 families.
The first objective was to locate a spot, preferably on higher ground, for their meeting house. It would have to be big enough for the whole community to worship. It would also have to be strong and surrounded with a stockade fence because it would also be their fort. Indians were not completely docile.
This would be the center of the village. Nearby an area was set aside for pasture of their livestock. Roads were laid out in various directions from this center point depending on terrain.
A wharf was needed immediately because most everything and everyone traveled by water. A spot for a mill and dam was chosen as was a spot for a community garden in which would be grown Indian corn, peas, flax and rye.
Each Proprietor received a couple of acres of land for a home spot and would later get several acres of woodland and a portion of shoreline for salt hay for winter livestock feeding. The terrain, such as hills, swamps, and shore line etc. had to be considered.
Rev. DENTON would get a share and a house as would the Captain they would hire to train their militia to protect the colony.
A house would be one small room with a fireplace at one end for cooking and heat. Later another room could be added behind the fireplace. A strong door and a small window opening was needed.
Almost at once, the first mill washed out and Thurston RAYNOR was appointed to see to the building of a new one; also he was one of the 5 men chosen to handle town affairs. He was appointed to the dignified office of Constable with responsibility to settle all disputes and keep the peace; also he became a Magistrate and represented the town at New Haven.
That first summer, the workers were faced with clearing the land, cutting wood for buildings, laying out the roads, building the pastor's house and the meeting house/fort, the mill, the wharf, digging wells, and planting the garden and pasture lands. They had to fish and hunt for food and prepare their new home for the winter ahead. Things like barns and, fences awaited their attention too. By fall, there were 42 families in residence.
Of course, being Puritans. no work was allowed on Sunday. One must be in church part of the day. A pastor, usually well educated, had a great deal of influence over his flock and fines were in order if one transgressed.
Most of these newcomers were probably workers in various trades who would buy or be assigned a town spot. Someone with money might buy a share from one of the Proprietors, but no new shares would be issued unless additional acreage was bought surrounding the village and a new Proprietorship established for its acquisition.
Money was to be made by shipping farm products, skins or wood, etc. With this, one could buy tools, livestock, seeds or whatever supplies were available. Most transactions were by barter. Prices of commodities, like a bushel of rye, or corn, or a cord of wood, were set by the community so that accounts could be settled fairly. The pastor, the Captain, the teacher etc., would usually be paid in commodities.
Markets for the goods produced were usually New Haven and Boston.
The building of Stamford was barely underway when in 1643 the Rev. DENTON closed a deal with the Dutch in New York to settle on Long Island. The area was a 10 mile wide strip from the Sound to the Ocean, covering what in now North and South Hempstead towns. Up until this time the English had been driven out if they ventured into Dutch territory.
In the spring of 1644 co-leaders, Rev. DENTON, Matthew MITCHELL and Thurston RAYNOR, with 23 Stamford families, moved across the Sound. At least 11 of these were part of the original Stamford group, of three years before.
They came ashore in Hempstead Harbor in the Glen Cove and Port Washington areas. There were lots of hilly woodlands, fertile farmlands and towards the South, the vast, treeless area that became known as the Hempstead Plains. Parts of this remained common lands used only for pasture for a couple of hundred years.
Beyond the plains was more farm and woodland and then the Great South Bay and Atlantic Ocean.
Thurston and family stayed here a couple of years, until once again, he was on the move. This time he moved a hundred miles east to the new settlement of Southampton.
His nephew, Edward, now having reached the age of 21, elected to stay in Hempstead, and eventually established his home in "South Woods", which later became Raynor South and then Raynortown, until in the middle of the nineteenth century it became Freeport.
It must have been quite an experience for a ten year old orphan to leave England and by the age of 21 to have crossed the ocean and participated in the founding of three villages in a dangerous and uncharted wilderness in a strange new world.
Historical Highlights
Thurston Raynor
1573-1667
April 1634 - Left England for America.
1634 - Arrived Wethersfield Ct.
1641 - Arrived Toquams or Rippowam Helped rebuild burned gristmill.
Oct. 27, 1641 - One of 5 chosen to "Handle Local Affairs" appointed Constable.
1642 - Changed name to Stamford.
1643 - Appointed Magistrate: served at senatorial rank to New Haven Colony.
1644 - Moved to Hempstead.
May 10, 1649 - listed as #3 "Mr." in list of Southampton townsmen.
Feb. 1, 1655 - Listed in the Seabonac Div. Town of Southampton.
Oct. 6, 1661 - Elected Representative at Hartford; also
May 1, 1663 and again in 1664.
However, these few years between arrival in Massachusetts and arrival in Southampton, NY are fascinating. These two RAYNORs, Uncle and Nephew and 30 other families went deep into the wilderness of dangerous Indian territory, founded, from scratch, the village of Wethersfield, Connecticut, moved on to Stamford and once again from scratch founded a new village, then three years later again moved, this time to Long Island, New York. Here they helped found the town of Hempstead, before Thurston moved on again to help develop a settlement in Southampton. All this was done in about 15 years.
No chain saws available, no hardware stores or lumber yards, no earth moving machinery; no stores for food or clothing, just bare hands, a strong back and a great desire to be free.
So, why did they leave civilized England and endure years of hardship in a foreign land ?
In my article, "Background of the English Raynor Family", I cover some high spots of the thousand years in East Anglia until the Normans finally got complete control of England in 1066.
The next 500 years saw 23 changes in the ruler ship as the Kings and Queens came and went. A few, like Henry VIII and Elizabeth I made a mark in History. Most were incompetent or unwilling to take responsibility and allowed "Favorites" to run things as they saw fit. Some were not even English, and usually there were wars going at tremendous expense.
Many of the intellectuals of the time joined the clergy. Because of this, and the continuity of long term plans to rule the church, they often had more influence than Royalty.
Henry VIII discarded the Vatican influence, but the Church of England remained tremendously powerful and amassed great wealth and property. When the Reformation started, the working class flocked to it as an escape from some of the oppression around them from both government and church.
Our first known ancestor, Robert was living in 1555 under Queen Mary, when a very well-liked parish priest at a church a short distance away was burned at the stake for refusing to return to the Latin mass.
In 1603 a Protestant Scottish King was seated on the throne of England, much to the joy of the reformists. He promptly reverted to the Church of England with the idea of restoring Roman rule, opposed not only by the people, but also Parliament and most other Royalty. It was hard to evade the crossfire of all these factions and time to get out, so the exodus to Massachusetts began.
The people coming over here were not the paupers and released prisoners of later times, but respected intellectuals, business men, tradesmen adept at their calling and of course adventurers and entrepreneurs. All were Puritans looking for freedom, equality and a place to start a new life.
These colonists had to have adequate financial backing in order to buy passage for themselves and their families. Any supplies they would need for the voyage must be brought on. Any tools of their craft must be carried, even livestock and supplies to carry them on in America until they could establish themselves if they survived the month-long crossing. The idea of freedom seemed to be worth the risk.
Sometimes a group intending to stay together would charter a vessel. Otherwise it was just several independent family groups and a single or two, who had managed to get government permission after months of waiting, often at the point of departure.
Apparently, Thurston was not a part of a larger group when he, his family and nephew, Edward sailed from Ipswich, Suffolk, on the "Elizabeth" in the spring of 1634. They arrived after a few weeks at sea at Watertown, near Boston. They soon joined a group heading out west into Indian territory to establish a new settlement on a large river. It was a slow difficult 2 week journey to reach the spot about 40 miles up the Connecticut River from New Haven.
To start the new village, arrangements had to be made with the English who claimed the area, and hoping the local Indian chief would be willing to cooperate. Money for adventures like this was put up the "Proprietors" who advanced the funds and would share in ownership of the property. Usually, the total expense was divided into "100 shares", sometimes also in "50's". The number of shares you owned depended on your contributions. From that time on, whenever new areas were opened up, only "Proprietors" were eligible and then in proportion to the number of shares they owned.
The preacher probably got a share or two, and, whoever was hired to be the "Captain" and supervise the military training and defense. Trades people, who agreed to settle there and follow their craft, might be given a "Home spot" of an acre or so. Proprietors could sell part of their holdings if the Town leaders and clergy agreed.
The craftsman might be tailors, coopers, potters, millers, blacksmiths, teachers, ship builders, carpenters, glass blowers, etc. all vital to the new community.
Wethersfield was the name of the new settlement. The colonists seem to have survived the Pequot War of 1637 when the Indians finally decided to wipe out the English and vice-versa. At least, there is no mention of serious disruption.
By 1640 the Town had grown and dissension began to upset some of the first arrivals. Rev. DENTON and a group of followers, decided to move on and arrangements were made with New Haven Colony for a section of land called Ripowan about 40 miles west of the shore of Long Island Sound.
A couple of small rivers entered the Sound at this point and a deal for 269 acres was made. Payment was to be 33 pounds sterling, to be paid in produce. Robert COE and Andrew WARD handled the details and in the spring of 1640 a score or so of males from Wethersfield arrived, set up their tents, and started once again to lay out a new home, Stamford, with an initial count of 29 families.
The first objective was to locate a spot, preferably on higher ground, for their meeting house. It would have to be big enough for the whole community to worship. It would also have to be strong and surrounded with a stockade fence because it would also be their fort. Indians were not completely docile.
This would be the center of the village. Nearby an area was set aside for pasture of their livestock. Roads were laid out in various directions from this center point depending on terrain.
A wharf was needed immediately because most everything and everyone traveled by water. A spot for a mill and dam was chosen as was a spot for a community garden in which would be grown Indian corn, peas, flax and rye.
Each Proprietor received a couple of acres of land for a home spot and would later get several acres of woodland and a portion of shoreline for salt hay for winter livestock feeding. The terrain, such as hills, swamps, and shore line etc. had to be considered.
Rev. DENTON would get a share and a house as would the Captain they would hire to train their militia to protect the colony.
A house would be one small room with a fireplace at one end for cooking and heat. Later another room could be added behind the fireplace. A strong door and a small window opening was needed.
Almost at once, the first mill washed out and Thurston RAYNOR was appointed to see to the building of a new one; also he was one of the 5 men chosen to handle town affairs. He was appointed to the dignified office of Constable with responsibility to settle all disputes and keep the peace; also he became a Magistrate and represented the town at New Haven.
That first summer, the workers were faced with clearing the land, cutting wood for buildings, laying out the roads, building the pastor's house and the meeting house/fort, the mill, the wharf, digging wells, and planting the garden and pasture lands. They had to fish and hunt for food and prepare their new home for the winter ahead. Things like barns and, fences awaited their attention too. By fall, there were 42 families in residence.
Of course, being Puritans. no work was allowed on Sunday. One must be in church part of the day. A pastor, usually well educated, had a great deal of influence over his flock and fines were in order if one transgressed.
Most of these newcomers were probably workers in various trades who would buy or be assigned a town spot. Someone with money might buy a share from one of the Proprietors, but no new shares would be issued unless additional acreage was bought surrounding the village and a new Proprietorship established for its acquisition.
Money was to be made by shipping farm products, skins or wood, etc. With this, one could buy tools, livestock, seeds or whatever supplies were available. Most transactions were by barter. Prices of commodities, like a bushel of rye, or corn, or a cord of wood, were set by the community so that accounts could be settled fairly. The pastor, the Captain, the teacher etc., would usually be paid in commodities.
Markets for the goods produced were usually New Haven and Boston.
The building of Stamford was barely underway when in 1643 the Rev. DENTON closed a deal with the Dutch in New York to settle on Long Island. The area was a 10 mile wide strip from the Sound to the Ocean, covering what in now North and South Hempstead towns. Up until this time the English had been driven out if they ventured into Dutch territory.
In the spring of 1644 co-leaders, Rev. DENTON, Matthew MITCHELL and Thurston RAYNOR, with 23 Stamford families, moved across the Sound. At least 11 of these were part of the original Stamford group, of three years before.
They came ashore in Hempstead Harbor in the Glen Cove and Port Washington areas. There were lots of hilly woodlands, fertile farmlands and towards the South, the vast, treeless area that became known as the Hempstead Plains. Parts of this remained common lands used only for pasture for a couple of hundred years.
Beyond the plains was more farm and woodland and then the Great South Bay and Atlantic Ocean.
Thurston and family stayed here a couple of years, until once again, he was on the move. This time he moved a hundred miles east to the new settlement of Southampton.
His nephew, Edward, now having reached the age of 21, elected to stay in Hempstead, and eventually established his home in "South Woods", which later became Raynor South and then Raynortown, until in the middle of the nineteenth century it became Freeport.
It must have been quite an experience for a ten year old orphan to leave England and by the age of 21 to have crossed the ocean and participated in the founding of three villages in a dangerous and uncharted wilderness in a strange new world.
Historical Highlights
Thurston Raynor
1573-1667
April 1634 - Left England for America.
1634 - Arrived Wethersfield Ct.
1641 - Arrived Toquams or Rippowam Helped rebuild burned gristmill.
Oct. 27, 1641 - One of 5 chosen to "Handle Local Affairs" appointed Constable.
1642 - Changed name to Stamford.
1643 - Appointed Magistrate: served at senatorial rank to New Haven Colony.
1644 - Moved to Hempstead.
May 10, 1649 - listed as #3 "Mr." in list of Southampton townsmen.
Feb. 1, 1655 - Listed in the Seabonac Div. Town of Southampton.
Oct. 6, 1661 - Elected Representative at Hartford; also
May 1, 1663 and again in 1664.
Early Historical Information of the English Raynor Family Prior to Coming to America
![Picture](/uploads/8/4/1/9/84199930/east-anglia_orig.jpg)
We know that the RAYNORs are of English descent because they immigrated from Suffolk in the East Anglia part of England. Knowing that England had been involved in wars with several countries, I looked into the history of the occupation and colonization of this part of England.
I became fascinated by the 1600 year transition from Celtic Druid inhabitants through a succession of occupations by Romans, Saxons, Angles, Vikings, Danes and Normans. This was followed by centuries of constant internal strife between Royalty, Church, Parliament, local politicians and peasants up until the RAYNOR removal to America in 1634. I would like to quickly touch on some of the events that occurred during this time.
East Anglia is on the Southeast coast England. Only 30-40 miles south are Holland and France across the English Channel. To the east, 350 miles or so across the North Sea, are Germany and Denmark, all within easy sailing distance. For centuries Briton, (early name for England) was a plum to be plucked by pirates and invaders.
The first mention in recorded history was about 1000 BC. The great sea-faring Phoenicians who became the traders of the whole Mediterranean World, and beyond, supplied the needed raw materials and moved to market the completed tradable goods. They came to Cornwall for tin, needed by the bronze age craftsman.
In August 55 BC, Julius Caesar visited Briton. The Romans had conquered Gaul and reached the Straits of Dover. He was impressed by the native inhabitants, apparently Celts, who much earlier had settled there. He spoke of their well developed lifestyle and highly involved Druid religion.
Trading was established but not until 43 AD was a Roman settlement attempted when Emperor Claudius decided to add Briton to his empire.
The ensuing invasion went well. London became the headquarters and southern Briton was quickly subdued. However, the Picts and Scots up north held out as did the Celts in Wales. The final battle in 62 AD near Wales is supposed to have cost the lives of 70,000 Romans and 80,000 Britons.
The Scots were a problem for centuries and walls were built across upper Briton to aid in keeping them out. A study of the ebb and flow of piracy and invasion, destruction and rebuilding, and the constant turmoil of local politics, religious ideas and royalty in-fighting makes one wonder if there was ever time to get on with a peaceful life.
The Romans brought their highly developed culture with them. They introduced, laws, a court system, built highways, forts for large garrisons, large buildings and a strong mercantile system. They put down the Druid religious system and destroyed as much of the Celtic culture as possible.
Eventually Christian missionaries arrived and gained a foothold. By 300 AD, many congregations had been established. Also, since the Roman Empire included many races, no doubt new blood lines were introduced by the arrival of troops, traders and officials.
About this time, Saxon pirates began their attacks on coastal villages and commercial installations. Internal dissension increased and with the fall of Rome it became impossible for the Romans to hold the territory. By the time the last Roman left, in 418 AD, the Saxons and Angles from Teutonic north Germany were pretty much in control.
They destroyed as far as possible, everything Roman, and the Christians fled to Scotland. The country was divided into seven (7) kingdoms which fought among themselves and it was near 600 AD before Christian missionaries once again returned.
They established the Roman Church which became very powerful. The name of the country became England after the dominant Angles. Warfare with Scots, Welsh and Irish at times disturbed the peace and local royalty squabbled among themselves.
About 800 AD, a new problem arose with the Vikings from Norway and Denmark, also descendants of Teutonic Germans. These Vikings had become world-wide pirates, pillaging all coasts even down in the Mediterranean area. They not only attacked coastal installations but would go far inland up the rivers in their longboats to plunder castles and villages.
One of the most famous of the Danes was Ragner Ludbrov, who with his sons, ravaged the English coast. Winston Churchill writing in his "Birth of Britain" mentions Ragner's escapades.
In 867 AD, a Ragner's son Ivae, organized a powerful army and attacked Eastern England with a great deal of success. A final battle in 870 AD, during an attack on Wales ,went well at first, but the Welsh rallied and won. They are reported to have captured the "Magic Banner" of the Danes, supposed to have been made by three daughters of "Ragner the Sea King".
Another author, Farley Mowat, researching the ancient sagas of the great Norseman and their journey to Greenland, Iceland and Newfoundland also mentions a "Great King Ragner".
The Danish Vikings continued their forays against the English countryside until, in 1013 AD, they combined the crowns of the two countries in Denmark.
Fighting continued and it was not until 1066 AD that William the Conqueror and his Norman's, who were of Danish descent, once and for all ruled England.
The time between Julius Caesar's visit to Briton and the Norman conquest was over a thousand years. As a comparison, we might consider that it has been only 350 years since our Raynor ancestors arrived in America.
Addendum: I do not intend to infer that we Raynors are descendants of that old pirate Ragner, but in Long Islands' Newsday, Sunday travel section, July 24, 1994, there is a 2 page spread in color, with pictures of a large island off the coast of South Carolina with lots of golf courses, wild life and wealthy people. Its called KIAWAH ISLAND. The author states that, "A pirate named Raynor owned the Island in 1692.
I became fascinated by the 1600 year transition from Celtic Druid inhabitants through a succession of occupations by Romans, Saxons, Angles, Vikings, Danes and Normans. This was followed by centuries of constant internal strife between Royalty, Church, Parliament, local politicians and peasants up until the RAYNOR removal to America in 1634. I would like to quickly touch on some of the events that occurred during this time.
East Anglia is on the Southeast coast England. Only 30-40 miles south are Holland and France across the English Channel. To the east, 350 miles or so across the North Sea, are Germany and Denmark, all within easy sailing distance. For centuries Briton, (early name for England) was a plum to be plucked by pirates and invaders.
The first mention in recorded history was about 1000 BC. The great sea-faring Phoenicians who became the traders of the whole Mediterranean World, and beyond, supplied the needed raw materials and moved to market the completed tradable goods. They came to Cornwall for tin, needed by the bronze age craftsman.
In August 55 BC, Julius Caesar visited Briton. The Romans had conquered Gaul and reached the Straits of Dover. He was impressed by the native inhabitants, apparently Celts, who much earlier had settled there. He spoke of their well developed lifestyle and highly involved Druid religion.
Trading was established but not until 43 AD was a Roman settlement attempted when Emperor Claudius decided to add Briton to his empire.
The ensuing invasion went well. London became the headquarters and southern Briton was quickly subdued. However, the Picts and Scots up north held out as did the Celts in Wales. The final battle in 62 AD near Wales is supposed to have cost the lives of 70,000 Romans and 80,000 Britons.
The Scots were a problem for centuries and walls were built across upper Briton to aid in keeping them out. A study of the ebb and flow of piracy and invasion, destruction and rebuilding, and the constant turmoil of local politics, religious ideas and royalty in-fighting makes one wonder if there was ever time to get on with a peaceful life.
The Romans brought their highly developed culture with them. They introduced, laws, a court system, built highways, forts for large garrisons, large buildings and a strong mercantile system. They put down the Druid religious system and destroyed as much of the Celtic culture as possible.
Eventually Christian missionaries arrived and gained a foothold. By 300 AD, many congregations had been established. Also, since the Roman Empire included many races, no doubt new blood lines were introduced by the arrival of troops, traders and officials.
About this time, Saxon pirates began their attacks on coastal villages and commercial installations. Internal dissension increased and with the fall of Rome it became impossible for the Romans to hold the territory. By the time the last Roman left, in 418 AD, the Saxons and Angles from Teutonic north Germany were pretty much in control.
They destroyed as far as possible, everything Roman, and the Christians fled to Scotland. The country was divided into seven (7) kingdoms which fought among themselves and it was near 600 AD before Christian missionaries once again returned.
They established the Roman Church which became very powerful. The name of the country became England after the dominant Angles. Warfare with Scots, Welsh and Irish at times disturbed the peace and local royalty squabbled among themselves.
About 800 AD, a new problem arose with the Vikings from Norway and Denmark, also descendants of Teutonic Germans. These Vikings had become world-wide pirates, pillaging all coasts even down in the Mediterranean area. They not only attacked coastal installations but would go far inland up the rivers in their longboats to plunder castles and villages.
One of the most famous of the Danes was Ragner Ludbrov, who with his sons, ravaged the English coast. Winston Churchill writing in his "Birth of Britain" mentions Ragner's escapades.
In 867 AD, a Ragner's son Ivae, organized a powerful army and attacked Eastern England with a great deal of success. A final battle in 870 AD, during an attack on Wales ,went well at first, but the Welsh rallied and won. They are reported to have captured the "Magic Banner" of the Danes, supposed to have been made by three daughters of "Ragner the Sea King".
Another author, Farley Mowat, researching the ancient sagas of the great Norseman and their journey to Greenland, Iceland and Newfoundland also mentions a "Great King Ragner".
The Danish Vikings continued their forays against the English countryside until, in 1013 AD, they combined the crowns of the two countries in Denmark.
Fighting continued and it was not until 1066 AD that William the Conqueror and his Norman's, who were of Danish descent, once and for all ruled England.
The time between Julius Caesar's visit to Briton and the Norman conquest was over a thousand years. As a comparison, we might consider that it has been only 350 years since our Raynor ancestors arrived in America.
Addendum: I do not intend to infer that we Raynors are descendants of that old pirate Ragner, but in Long Islands' Newsday, Sunday travel section, July 24, 1994, there is a 2 page spread in color, with pictures of a large island off the coast of South Carolina with lots of golf courses, wild life and wealthy people. Its called KIAWAH ISLAND. The author states that, "A pirate named Raynor owned the Island in 1692.