Pane-Joyce Genealogy

Family of Rev. Ralph Cudworth (397) & Mary Machell

1054. Gen. James Cudworth. Born in Aller, Somerset. James was baptized in Aller, Somerset, on 2 Aug 1612.¹² James died in late 1681 in London, England.¹²

James came on the Charles in 1632, settled in Scituate, MA, in 1634, joined the chruch on 10 Mar 1635 with his wife. He was an Assist. 1656-8, capt. of the militia, and in the early part of Philip's war comm. of the whole force of Plymouth col. in 1681 dep.-gov. He was in London, as Col. agent, where he died of smallpox soon after arriving and he had derved as Commissioner of the Un. Col. in 1657.²

From Deane’s History of Scituate:⁶
"Gen. James Cudworth, (salter), was a freeman in Scituate 1634. We think it probable, that he came from London to Boston, 1632, in company with Mr Hatherly, as he was Mr Hatherly's particular friend. His house in 1640, was near the bridge at the harbour, which he sold to Thomas Ensighn 1642, and removed to Barnstable. He returned before 1646, when he became one of the Conihassett Partners. After his return from Barnstable he resided for a time on the south-east of Colman's hills: which house he sold to Thomas Robinson before 1650. He then resided during life near the little Musquashcut pond. Ward Litchfield now possesses the land and house lot. In 1652, he was Capt. of the militia of Scituate. He was deputy to the Colony Court 1649, and several succeeding years. He was an assistant of the governement in 1756, 7 and 8. Also a commissioner of the United Colonies, 1657. In 1658, he fell under the displeasure of those commissioners because he would not set his hand to the severe laws which that board propounded to the several General Courts, to be enacted against the Quakers, and also under the displeasuare of Gov. Prence and the Court of Plymouth, for the stand which he took in favour of toleration. Occasion was sought to displace him. A letter was produced which it was suspected he was the author of, sent to England, and describeing the bigotry of teh government. Another letter to the Governor was produced, in which some expressions were so construed, that he was judged to be 'a manifest opposer of the government,' and he was left out of the magistracy and the board of Commissioners, and deprived of his military command 1658, and disfranchised 1660. In 1659, the town of Scituate returned him a deputy to the Court, and the Court rejected him. In all the passages of the life of this admirable man, he never manifestedc his magnanimity more signally, than by his dignified silence and quiet demeanor under these persecutions. He remained at home, prosecuting his agricultural pursuits, and employed in the municipal concerns of Scituate, without railing at the government. The letter above alluded to, as sent to England, was addressed to (Mr Brown?) then in England, and who had been an assistant in Plymouth Colony.
"On the election of Josiah Winslow Governor, 1673, he endeavored, and with success, to make honorable amends for the abuse and neglect which Cudworth had suffered from his predecessor, Gov. Prence. We notice in the Colony records, July 1673, 'Capt. Cudworth, by a full and clear vote, is accepted and reestablished, in the association and body of this Commonwealth.' He was chosed an assistant again form 1674 to 1680 inclusively. In 1675, he was chosen 'General and Commander in Chief of all the forces that are or may be sent forth against the enemy,' and he continued in that office until Philip's war was ended. In 1681, he was appointed an agent for the Colony to England. He was also Deputy Governor the same year. On his arrival in London in the autumn of 1682, he unfortunately took the small pox, of which he died.
"The magnanimity of Gen. Cudworth ahs rarely been equalled; and when we couple with it the mildness and humanity of his demeanor, his character reaches the sublime. If he was ever reproached, it was for virtues which has coevals failded to attain.
"He accepted the command in Philip's war, as we have stated above, and acquitted himself with honor. He had undoubtedly the talents of a brave and able commander, different indeed form those of Church, who shone in the darlings of partizan warfare, but such as were prober for his place. When he took the field in Philip's war he was past seventy years of age; there i therefore little propriety in drawing a parallel between him and Church.
"Of General Cudworth's family connexions in England, we have no certain information. It has been suggested by some that he was the brother of that distingished man of learning, Professor Ralph Cudworth, whose work on the philosophy of the mind has been a foundation for all subsequent writers: but this we have not made certain.
"It appears that Gen. Cudworth did not proceed to England on his mission, to obtain a new charter which should include narragansett, (for this was the object of the mission), until the summer of 1682. His will is dated in the spring of that year, at Scituate, and orders his estate'to be divided into six equal parts - James two sixths - Israel one sixth - Jonathan one sixth - daughter Mary's four children (Israel, Robert, James and Mary Whitcomb) one sixth - daughter Hannah Jones one sixth. 'Thos. Hyland, Rich'd. Curtis, witnesses.'
"It appears that his wife had deceased."⁶

On 1 Feb 1633/4 James married Mary Parker in Northam, Devonshire.¹² Born ca 1606 in England. Mary died bef 15 Sep 1681.¹²

Their children include:

3796	i.	Capt. James Cudworth (ca 1635-bef 17 Dec 1697)
3797	ii.	Mary Cudworth (ca 1637-ca 1699)
3798	iii.	Jonathan Cudworth (Died soon) (ca 1638-Sep 1638)
3799	iv.	Israel Cudworth (ca 1641-)
3800	v.	Joanna Cudworth (ca 1643-)
3801	vi.	(infant son) Cudworth (Died soon) (ca 1644-Jun 1644)
3802	vii.	Jonathan Cudworth (ca 1646-)

1055. Ralph Cudworth.

Ralph was a leader among the group of Engilish intellectuals known as the Cambridge Platonists.¹²

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