THE GENEALOGY OF SENSION - ST. JOHN

A study on the family of Matthias I Sension, born 1604, whose descendants represent the American ST. JOHN line. The surname 'St. John' may have derived from a place called 'St. John' in Normandy. The Sension surname origins prior to 1604 are unknown  - could be France or Britian.


St. John Family Motto

"I will live for those who love me,

      For those who know me true;
For the Heaven that smiles above me;
And waits my coming, too;
For the cause that needs assistance,
For the wrong that needs resistance,
For the future in the distance,
And the good that I can do."

From the Samuel b. 1756 St. John Family
Taken from reunion papers of 1882

The
History of St. Nicholas
Cole Abbey, where
Thomas & Mark Sension
were baptized -
sons of Matthias &
Mary Tinker Sension

"St. Nicholas Cole Abbey, was named from 'Cole Abbey', from 'Golden Abbey', or from 'Cold Abbey', or 'Cold-by', from it's cold or bleak situation." [source: "Old & New London" by Thornbury & Walford
In the year 1666 the old church was destroyed in the Great London Fire, but was rebuilt 1671-1681.
Click here for the "Inhabitants of London in 1638 at St. Nicholas Cole Abbey"
   "The name Cole Abbey is generally thought to be a corruption of “Cold Harbour”, a medieval type of  lodging house for travelers which most likely was located close to the church. In the Victorian era it was sometimes called St Nicholas Cole Hole Abbey because the smoke from steam engines in the newly built underground came through a vent and blackened the building. Dedicated to St Nicholas, the fourth century Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor who became the patron saint of travelers and seamen, St Nicholas Cole Abbey is first mentioned in a letter of Pope Lucius II in 1144 and is considered to have been founded in that year . From the late 13th century the church is recorded as St Nicholas-behind-Fish Street and is clearly associated with the fish trade. A fish market existed in this part of London well before Billingsgate Market was founded; with the development of the fish trade during the reign of Richard I, a fish market was established near the church and fishmongers in the 16th century were buried in the church’s burial ground. During the reign of Elizabeth I, a lead and stone cistern fed by lead pipes from the Thames was set up against the north wall of the church; it was donated by a wealthy fishmonger who gave £900 “to bring Thames water (…) for the care and commodity of the fishmongers in and about Old Fish Street.” Until the Reformation the church had three chantries served by three chantry priests, and, as it was dedicated to St Nicholas, it preserved the tradition of a boy bishop officiating on the Feast of St Nicholas. With the reintroduction of Catholicism in England under Mary, following the reign of Edward VI, St Nicholas Cole Abbey was the first church in which the Mass was celebrated in Latin once again with a cross   s and candles on the altar. A century later, however, the church passed into the patronage of the Puritan Colonel Hacker who commanded the guard at the execution of Charles I. A devastating event in the life of St Nicholas Cole Abbey was the Great Fire of London in 1666 when it was burned down."   Source: http://www.culham.ac.uk/coleabbey/assets/pdf/nc_building1.pdf

 To Betty:
    Perhaps you don't know that in England "St John" is pronounced "Sin-jin", which I believe accounts for the spelling variations.
    Thanks for all the info.  We must be distant cousins.
Kathy
The surname 'St. John' derived from a place called 'St. John' in Normandy', according to "The New England Historical and Genealogical Register", page 61.
No one really knows how long the ancestors of the Sension family lived in England before coming to America. Matthias Sension and his wife, Mary Tinker Sension, left London from the vicinity of St. Nicholas Cole Abbey, and came to New England sometime between June 10, 1633 and September 3, 1634. Records show that this family was still living in London on June 10, 1633, this from baptismal entries for their son, Marke, at St. Nicholas Cole Abbey. Matthias Sension was made a Freeman on September 3, 1634 at Dorchester, Massachusetts, and we would like to imagine that Mary Sension did not set sail until she and the baby was making healthy progress after his birth. There are stories that say the Sension family, before residing in England, came from France. Perhaps they were Huguenots, but no records have been found to support that theory as I know of currently. A great many French protestants [Huguenots, starting about 1550] fled to England as they were being persecuted in France. J.P. Brooke-Little remarked that, "St. John is a very common parish name in France, and would probably sound like Sension." It is quite possible that the Sension name originated in France, as there is at least one record of a similar name being linked to France:
  
"John Senjohn under the command of General Disbrowe and in his own troop having obtained leave from the said General to go into France my own native country having been absent from thence this 15 years, now considering that my urgent occasions doth require my presence there for a certaine tymes and from thence by God's will to returne into England..." Various bequests were made to friends. No family connections were mentioned. Dated 7 April 1654, probated 29 March 1660."
Matthias I & Mary } Matthias II, Mark, Thomas, Samuel, James, and Mercy Sension
Matthias SENSION, as the American St. John family name was originally spelled, and his wife, Mary Tinker, came to New England before Sepember 1634, but after June 10, 1633. They settled first at Dorchester, Massachuetts. Matthias was made a freeman there on September 3, 1634. They soon after, removed to Windsor, Connecticut in about 1640, and then to Wethersfield, CT around 1648. In 1654 they moved to Norwalk, CT where his will was made on 19 October 1669 - recorded on 10 March 1669. The will mentions his wife, but does not name her.
The Will of 1623 of Robert Tinker, father of Mary Tinker Sension, and her sister Ellen, states that they were to share the legacy of a house in Winkfield, Berkshire, England, following their mother's death or remarriage.  Matthias and Mary (Tinker) Sension resided in the parish of St. Nicholas Cole Abbey, London, where he was a chandler.  They immigrated to New England, and were living at Dorchester by 3 Sept. 1634 when he was made a freeman of the Massachuetts Bay Colony. On 4 Jan 1635/6, the Town of Dorchester granted Matthias Sension a "great lot" of 20 acres "betwixt Roxbury and Dorchester at the great hill."  On 16 Jan 1636/7, the Town ordered Matthias Sension and Thomas Sampford to "keepe the Cowes this yeere" and to "have for their pay in keepeing 5 shill[ings] the head."  Some time in or before 1637, "Mr. Sention" was granted 2 acres of meadow land "beeyond the Naponset river."  On March 18, 1637/8, called Matthew Sension, he received 3 acres in the neck and 2 acres of cow pasture.  Shortly before 23 April 1638, Matthias sold his house in Dorchester to Mr. Henry Withington, and on that date, the Town ordered  that Withington should have the swamp above and the swamp beneath adjoining the said house "that was Mr. Sensions."  Withington also acquired Sension's three acres at the neck.  Soon afterwards, Matthias and his family moved to Windsor, CT, where he resided on a one-acre home lot inside the Palisado, bounded by the burying place and the lands of Thomas Parsons and William Hill. He also owned a 6 acre home lot outside the Palisado, a 2 1/2 acre meadow tract, 3 1/4 acres in the great meadow , a 4-acre tract in Hoyt's meadow, 24 acres in the woods near Rocky Hill, and another tract on the east side of the Connecticut River.  By 1648, Matthias Sension sold his land holdings in Windsor to Walter Gaylord and removed to Wethersfield, where he had a house lot at the extreme north part of the Commons (by the present Cove).  He is doubtless "Sentyon the baker" of Wethersfield who owed an unspecified amount to the estate of Isaac Grosse of Boston in 1649.  In about 1654, the Sension family moved once again, to Norwalk, CT, where Matthias Sension died January 1670, when his inventory was taken. He left a will dated 10 Oct. 1669, naming his youngest son, James, and "my wife his mother", sons Samuel Sention and Ephraim Lockwood, and leaving the residue of his estate to son Matthias (a double portion), and sons Mark, Samuel and Ephraim Sention. Source:
For more information, see Jacobus, Old Fairfield, and the St. John genealogy.
Mystery Michael Sension found, or a mistake in spelling - Hartford County, CT 1640's
More genealogy on this family - St. John forumRed Thread Genealogy -  ST. JOHN DNA ongoing project
King James and the "Tinker" 
Our Robert Tinker? doubtful, but interesting
"I will make them conform, or I will harry them out of the land" said James VI of Scotland, James I of England 1604
Robert Tinker b: abt 1565 in New Windsor, (now Windsor Castle), Berkshire, England, Died 02 Jun 1624 at New Windsor, Berkshire, England. At the time of his death, owned property in Clewer, Winkfield, Berkshire, Burnham, Buckinghamshire, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, and New Windsor. married first to Agnes Anne Berrington b: 10 Oct 1568 in Datchet, Buckinghamshire, England. Father: Thomas Berrington, Mother: Dorothy Mathew. married second to Mary Merwin b: 1575 in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, England. Father: Thomas Merwin. Matthias Sension's wife was Mary Tinker, a daughter of Robert Tinker and second wife, Mary Merwin. Mary Tinker was baptized 6 August 1606 at the parish of New Windsor, in the town of Windsor, Berkshire. She married: Matthias Sention on 1 November 1627. Their first child, Matthias II, was baptized there on 30 November 1628.
Click on the names below for an image about the person. Hope to someday have every person listed for the 1st 4 generations, and have an image of record for each one [if possible]. If you see any errors or additions to make please do contact me by going to the genform site.
Descendants of Matthias I (Sension) St. John - 4 generations
prepared by Betty Rhodes 2007

Generation 1:   Matthias I Sension,  Born 1604 - of St. Nicholas Cole Abbey, London, England. Lived in Dorchester, MA> Windsor, CT>Norwalk, CT. Died after 19 Oct 1669 at Norwalk, Fairfield Co. CT. Married Mary Tinker, born  06 Aug 1606, New Windsor, Berkshire, England. She died after 1670 in Norwalk, CT, the daughter of Robert & Mary [Merwin] Tinker of Windsor, England.
Generation 2:  Matthias II Sension,  born  30 Nov 1628 at New Windsor, Berkshire, England. He died Dec 1728 in Norwalk, Fairfield Co. CT. He married Elizabeth - no further information on Elizabeth.
Generation 3:  John St. John,  born abt 1654 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT. Married Joran Knutsdatter
Generation 3:
  Mary St. John, born 1656 Norwalk, Fairfield Co. CT. She died 17 Aug 1745. Married Thomas Jr Hyatt/Hoyt on Nov 10, 1677 at Norwalk, CT. He was born  28 Mar 1650 of Norwalk, CT. He died 28 Mar 1698 at Norwalk, Fairfield, CT.
Generation 4:  Rebecca Hyatt  b: 07 Oct 1678
Generation 4:  Deborah Hyatt  b: 28 Dec 1679
Generation 4:  Thomas III Hyatt    b: 1680
Generation 4:  Mary Hyatt  b: 01 May 1682 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT  d: 20 Feb 1766 Ridgefield, CT, married:  James II Wallace at 1706 Ridgefield, CT. He was born in 1675 at  Lancashire, Scotland    d: 08 Mar 1762 Ridgefield, CT.
Generation 4:  Ruth Hyatt  b: 18 May 1682                
Generation 4:  Sarah Hyatt  b: 06 Dec 1686 Norwalk, CT  d: 09 Feb 1767 Ridgefield, Fairfield, CT,  married:  James Sr Benedict    b: 15 Jan 1684/85 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT  d: 25 Nov 1762 Ridgefield, Fairfield, CT  married: 07 Apr 1709 Fairfield, CT
Generation 4:  Millicent Hyatt  b: 06 Dec 1688 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT,  married:  Thomas Benedict  b: 1682 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT    d: 1763 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT, married: 1705        
Generation 4:  John Hyatt  b: 1692                
Generation 4:  Elizabeth Hyatt   b: 1694 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT,  d: 1718 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT  married her 1st cousin: Matthias St. John  b: abt 1691 Norwalk, Fairfield Co., CT  d: Nov 1757 Norwalk, Fairfield Co., CT  married: 1715 CT  Father: Ebenezer Sension St. John  Mother: Elizabeth Comstock
Generation 4:  Ebenezer Hyatt  b: Dec 1697 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT  d: Apr 1767 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT married: Elizabeth Hyatt  b: abt 1701 Ebenezer's 2nd Wife: Elizabeth Phillips married: 1717   
Generation 3:  Matthias III St. John, born 1662 Norwalk, Fairfield Co. CT. He died 17 Aug 1748 Wilton, Fairfield Co. CT. Married Rachel Bouton, born  16 Dec 1667 Norwalk, Fairfield Co. CT. Rachel died 17 Aug 1748 Winton, Ridgefield, CT. Father John Sr Bouton, mother Abigail Marvin.
Generation 4:  Matthew Sr St. John    b: 1686 Norwalk, Fairfield Co. CT    d: 03 Aug 1755 Sharon, Litchfield, CT  Married  Anne Whitney    b: 1690 Norwalk, CT    d: 09 May 1773 Sharon, CT    married: 13 Oct 1709 Ridgefield, CT      
Generation 4:  Nathan St. John    b: 1692 Norwalk,  Fairfield Co, CT    d: 10 Mar 1748/49 Ridgefield, CT  Married  Hannah Seymour    b: 1706 Norwalk, CT    d: 22 Aug 1768 Ridgefield, CT    married: 07 Jun 1721 Ridgefield, CT
Generation 4:  John St. John  b: abt 1694 Norwalk,  Fairfield Co, CT  d: 03 Mar 1773  Married: Eunice Hayes  b: 1702 Norwalk, CT    d: 1747 Wilton, CT    married: 29 Apr 1724 Fairfield, CT   2nd Wife of John St. John:  Married:  Sarah or Abigail Scribner in 1749
Generation 4:  Matthias IV St. John  b: 1695 Norwalk,  Fairfield Co, CT  d: 1732  Married  Elizabeth Trowbridge  b: 11 Mar 1702/03  in 1723 Fairfield, CT        
Generation 4:  Hannah St. John  b: abt 1696 Norwalk,  Fairfield Co, CT  d: 05 Feb 1774 Sharon, Litchfield, CT Married  Ebenezer Carter  b: 1697  d: 1775  married: 1721 Fairfield, CT        
Generation 4:  Rachel St. John  b: abt 1698 Norwalk,  Fairfield Co, CT  d: 1774 Married  John Marvin  b: 1678  d: 1774 married: 27 Apr 1721
Generation 4:  Benjamin St. John    b: Bet. 1700 - 1706 Norwalk,  Fairfield Co, CT  d: 1782 Married  Mary  b: 1708 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT. d: 03 Dec 1774 North Carolina, married: 1729.  2nd Wife of Benjamin St. John: Married  Mrs. Elizabeth Everett   married: 09 Mar 1775        
Generation 4:  Elizabeth St. John  b: abt 1704 Married  Ezra Hickok  b: 1715 Stamford, CT  d: 24 May 1794 at Lansingburg, NY  married: 1733
Generation 3:   Ebenezer St. John,  born 1660 Norwalk, Fairfield Co., CT. He died 1723 Norwalk, Fairfield Co, CT. Married Elizabeth Comstock, born  07 Oct. 1674 Norwalk, CT. Father Christopher Comstock, Mother Hannah Platt.
Generation 4:  Matthias St. John b: abt 1691 Norwalk, Fairfield Co., CT  d: Nov 1757 Norwalk, Fairfield Co., CT  Married Hannah Seymour b: 1706 Norwalk, CT    d: 22 Aug 1768 Ridgefield, CT. The  2nd Wife of  Matthias St. John: Elizabeth Hyatt, his 1st cousin. She was born 1694 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT d: 1718 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT married: 1715 CT Father: Thomas Jr Hoyt Hyatt Mother: Mary St. John.   3rd Wife of Matthias St. John: Grace Sherman
Generation 4:  Daniel Sr St. John  b: 1693 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT  d: 01 Nov 1757 Norwalk, CT Married  Grace Sherman  2nd Wife of Daniel Hannah Seymour  b: 1706 Norwalk, CT  d: 22 Aug 1768 Ridgefield, CT
Generation 3:   James St. John, born 1674 Norwalk, Fairfield Co, CT. Died Jun 1754 Norwalk, Fairfield Co, CT. Married Mary Comstock, on Dec 18, 1693 at Norwalk, CT. She was born 19 Feb 1671/72 Norwalk, Fairfield Co., CT. She died 17 Oct. 1749 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT. Father Christopher Comstock, Mother Hannah Platt.
Generation 4:  Mary St. John  b: abt 1696 d: Oct 1776  Married  David Keeler  b: 1680 d: 1773    
Generation 4:  Samuel St. John  b: 1698 married Eunice Sherman
Generation 4:  Daniel St. John   b: 4 Dec 1700 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT  d: 28 May 1761 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT  Married  Mary Benedict  b: 4 Dec 1699    d: 1761
Generation 4:  Hannah St. John  b: 1703 married Jeremiah Head b. Aug 6, 1702
Generation 4:  Moses I St. John    b: 1705 Norwalk, Fairfield Co., CT  d: 29 Mar 1785 Norwalk, Fairfield Co., CT Married  Mercy Olmstead  b: 17 Jan 1710/11 Norwalk, Fairfield Co., CT  d: 23 Nov 1748 Norwalk, Fairfield Co., CT  married:abt 1730 Norwalk, CT
Generation 4:  James St. John    b: 30 Mar 1706
Generation 4:  Sarah St. John  b: abt  1708 md: Elnathan Head 2nd: Nathan Hanford
Generation 3:  Samuel (Captain) I St. John    born 1680 Norwalk, Fairfield Co. CT, He died 1775 Cortland Manor, Westchester Co. NY. Samuel married  Rebecca Olmstead  b: 1681 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT  d: 1755 Cortland Manor, South Salem/Lewisboro, Westchester Co, NY.  They married in 1701 at Norwalk, Fairfield, CT.
Generation 4:  Samuel II St. John  b: 1703 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT  d: 09 Nov 1777 Ridgefield, Fairfield,  CT, married Sarah Northrup    b: Jul 1702    d: 20 Jun 1731   m: 08 Mar 1726/27    2nd Wife of Samuel II, Mary Wallace b: 01 Dec 1714 Ridgefield, CT d: 06 Jan 1765  m: 08 Jan 1735/36 Father: James II Wallace Mother: Mary Hoyt  3rd Wife of Samuel II: Hannah Hyatt Hoyt  b: Abt. 1720  d: 26 Apr 1765    m: 26 Apr 1765
Generation 4: Abigail St. John  b: 01 Jan 1702/03 of Norwalk, Fairfield, CT d: Sep 1775 Ridgefield, CT. Married John Lte Marvin    b: 22 Jul 1705 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT    d: 25 Aug 1775 Long Island, NY, m: 1724       
Generation 4: Joanna St. John b: 1705 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT, married Christopher Burt of Norwalk, CT m: 21 Dec 1727
Generation  4: Jane St. John    b: 1706 Ridgefield, Fairfield, CT. Married Ebenezer Brooks    b: Abt. 1704 m: 27 Aug 1730 Ridgefield, CT. 2nd Husband of Jane St. John: Jabez Tuttle  m: 13 Aug 1752 South Salem Church, Westchester, NY
Generation 4: Sarah St. John    b: Abt. 1707 Ridgefield, Fairfield, CT
Generation 4: Peregrina St. John    b: 1708 Ridgefield, Fairfield, CT. Married Nathan Northrup    b: Abt. 1705   m: 27 Aug 1730 Probably in Ridgefield, CT
Generation 4: Rebecca St. John  b: 1711 Ridgefield, Fairfield, CT, married Samuel Lobdell  m: 26 Dec 1722
Generation 4: Noah St. John  b: 1713 Ridgefield, Fairfield, CT  d: 05 Oct 1778 Wilton, Fairfield, CT, married Jane Smith b: Abt. 1717 Stratford, Fairfield, CT  d: 1778 Georgetown, Essex, CT  m: 06 Oct 1737 Ridgefield, Fairfield, CT
Generation 4: Daniel I St. John b: 1717 Ridgefield, Fairfield, CT, married Sarah
Generation 4: Job St. John  b: 1719 Ridgefield, Fairfield,  CT  d: 1790 South Salem, Westchester, NY, married Sarah Lewis  b: Abt. 1728   m: 1749 South Salem, Westchester, NY
Generation 4: Ebenezer St. John  b: 1721 Ridgefield, Fairfield, CT  d: 1810 Ulster, NY, married Mary Garnsey  b: Abt. 1737  m: 27 Dec 1763 Salem, Westchester, NY
Generation 4: Matthew St. John  b: Abt. 1723  married Anne  b: Abt. 1725
Generation 2: Thomas St. John,  baptised on  24 Oct. 1631 St. Nicholas Cole Abbey, London, England
Generation 2:  Mark Sension,  baptised on 10 Jun 1633 St. Nicholas Cole Abbey, London, England, died 12 Aug 1693 Norwalk, Fairfield Co. CT. Married Elizabeth Stanley in 1655, Elizabeth was born  1635 of Hartford, CT. She died Jan 1692/93 Norwalk, Fairfield Co. CT. Married 2nd Dorothy Smith,
born  1636 MA, died 1706 Farmington, CT.
Generation 3:  Elizabeth St. John, born  16 Dec 1656, Norwalk, Fairfield Co, CT. Died 1732 Kensington.
Married Edward Camp, born  08 Jul 1650 New Haven, CT.  2nd Husband: Sam Galpin, Born 1650 Died 1701
Generation 4:  Caleb Galpin    Married  Elizabeth Baldwin            
Generation 4:  Samuel Galpin   
Generation 4:  Elizabeth Galpin
Generation 4:  Abigail Galpin
Generation 4:  Mary Galpin
Generation 3:  Sarah Sension/St. John,  Born  18 Jan 1657/58 Norwalk, Fairfield Co., CT. Died 15 Apr 1714 Ridgefield, Fairfield, CT. Married Samuel I Keeler,  born 1655 Norwalk, Fairfield Co., CT. Died 19 May 1713 Ridgefield, Fairfield Co., CT.
Generation 4:  Samuel II Keeler  b: 1683 Norwalk, CT  d: 08 Aug 1763 Married  Sarah Betts  b: 21 Jan 1685/86 Norwalk, CT  d: 20 Aug 1772 Norwalk, CT 
Generation 3:  Joseph St. John,  Born  Apr 1664 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT. Died 26 Sep 1731. Married Sarah Betts on 5 March 1695,  Born  1665 Died 26 Aug 1755  Father: Thomas Betts
Generation 3:  Rhoda St. John,  Born  12 Aug 1666 Norwalk, CT. Married Matthew Marvin, died 1691
Generation 3:  Lois Sension/St. John, born May 1669 Norwalk, CT. Died 12 Jan 1751/52. Married Samuel Carter Born 1665 England. Died 1728 Norwalk, CT.
Generation 3:  Rachel St. John, born  Jun 1671 Norwalk, CT. Married John Judd, born  1667 Farmington, Hartford, CT. Died Bet. 1710 - 1716 Farmington, CT
Generation 3:  Anna St. John, born  18 Aug 1674 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT. Married John Jr Benedict CT, Born  03 Mar 1675/76 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT. Died 16 Jan 1766 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT.
Generation 4:  John III Benedict    b: 1701 New Canaan, Fairfield, CT. d: 27 Feb 1770 New Canaan, Fairfield, CT Married  Dinah Bouton  b: abt 1705 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT,  married: 27 Feb 1770        
Generation 4:  Matthew Benedict  b: 02 Oct 1703 Married  Ruth Keeler    b: abt 1705 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT    d: 25 Sep 1763 Ridgefield, Fairfield, CT    married: 08 Dec 1727        
Generation 4:  Caleb I Benedict    b: 1709 Norwalk, CT  d: 19 May 1761 New Canaan, Fairfield, CT  Married  Mehitable Hoyt  b: 1714 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT    d: 13 Dec 1797            
Generation 4:  Anna or Hannah Benedict    b: 1711                
Generation 4:  Phebe Benedict  b: abt 1712 Norwalk, CT  Married  Ezra Hayt Hoyt  b: 23 Apr 1707 Norwalk, CT  d: Apr 1790 Norwalk, CT
Generation 4:  Nathaniel Benedict    b: 1716 Norwalk, CT                
Generation 4:  Mary Lockwood  b: 07 Mar 1718/19 Norwalk, CT  d: 12 Jan 1763 Norwalk, CT  married: 1739  Father: Joseph Lockwood  Mother: Mary Weed  2nd Wife of Mark Sension St. John: Married  Dorothy Smith  b: 1636 MA  d: 1706 Farmington, CT  married: 21 Jan 1691/92 Farmington, CT
Generation 2:  Samuel I Sension,  born 1639 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT. He died 14 Jan 1684 Norwalk, Fairfield Co. CT.  Sam married Elizabeth Hoite Hoyt, in Sep 1663. She was born abt 1643, died 1706 Windsor, Fairfield, CT. Father: Walter Haite/Hoyt  Note: for Hoyt history click here.  Source: Edwin Hall's "The Ancient Historical Records of the Town of Norwalk, Conn". (Norwalk: 1847). Elizabeth, b. abt. 1643, m. Samuel Sention, September 1663, "the daughter of Walter Haite".
Generation 3:    Sarah St. John , born: January 1664 - died: 5 January, 1685
Generation 3:    Nathan St. John,  born abt 1666
Generation 3:    Elizabeth St. John,  born  Apr 1673 Norwalk, CT. Married John Sr Raymond, born  9 Sep 1665, died 12 Apr 1737. The were married on 7 March 1690
Generation 4: John Jr Raymond, born May19, 1693 Norwalk, CT Married  Katherine Hanford  d: 02 Oct 1741 Norwalk, CT   married: 24 Dec 1719 Norwalk, CT
Generation 4: Mary Raymond, born March 5, 1694
Generation 4:  Elizabeth Raymond, born Aug. 22, 1697
Generation 4:  Hannah Raymond, born July 22, 1700
Generation 4:  Lemuel Raymond, born Jan. 7, 1702
Generation 4:  Jabez Raymond born April I, 1705
Generation 4:  Asael Raymond, born Sept. 22, 1707
Generation 4:  Elijah Raymond, born Nov. 7, 1709
Generation 4:  Sarah Raymond, born Nov. 12, 1711
Generation 4:  Zuriel Raymond, born Dec. 3, 1715
Generation 2:    Mercy Sention,  Born 1640 Windsor, Hartford, CT. Died 1694 Windsor, CT. Married June 8, 1665 to Ephriam Lockwood, Born 1 Dec 1641 Watertown, Middlesex, MA, Died 01 Feb 1684/85 Norwalk, Fairfield Co., CT.
Generation 3:    John Lockwood,  Born  19, March 1665 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT. Died 1687
Generation 3:    Daniel Lockwood,  Born  13 August 1668 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT
Generation 3:    Sarah Lockwood,  Born  3 November 1670 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT
Generation 3:    Ephraim Lockwood,  Born  1 May 1673 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT
Generation 3:    Eliphalet Lockwood,  Born  27 February 1675 Died 1763
Generation 3:    Abigail Lockwood,  Born abt 1675
Generation 3:    Edmund Lockwood,  Born abt 1678
Generation 3:    Joseph Lockwood,  Born  1 Apr 1680 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT. Died 1760. Married Mary Weed, Born  21 Apr 1684 Stamford, Fairfield, CT. Died 01 Jun 1736 Norwalk, CT
Generation 4:  Ephraim Lockwood    b: 23 Aug 1708 Norwalk, CT    d: 16 Feb 1786 New Canaan, CT Married  Thankful Grumman    b: 05 Jan 1712/13 Fairfield, CT    d: 19 Oct 1789 New Canaan, CT    married: 30 Oct 1734 Norwalk, CT
Generation 4:  Joseph Lockwood  b: 23 Nov 1710 Norwalk, CT  d: 20 Jul 1773 Norwalk, CT  Married  Rebecca Rodgers
Generation 4:  Ruth Lockwood b: 17 Jul 1714 Married David Hayt on  05 Jan 1735/36 Norwalk, CT        
Generation 4:  Daniel Lockwood    b: 05 Dec 1716 Norwalk, CT    d: 17 Oct 1751 Norwalk, CT Married  Betty St. John
Generation 4:  Mary Lockwood    b: 07 Mar 1718/19 Norwalk, CT   d: 12 Jan 1763 Norwalk, CT  Married  Nathaniel Benedict  b: 1716 Norwalk, CT   married: 1739    Father: John Jr Benedict    Mother: Anna St. John
Generation 4:  Elizabeth Lockwood    b: 23 May 1721 Norwalk, CT   d: Aft. 1760 Norwalk, CT  Married  Nathan Hayt/Hoyt    b: 29 Apr 1718 Norwalk, CT    d: 21 Oct 1799    m 1: 09 Apr 1741 m 2: 09 Apr 1741 Norwalk, CT        
Generation 4:  Sarah Lockwood    b: 28 Nov 1723
Generation 4:  Isaac Lockwood   b 1: 1727 b 2: 14 Dec 1727 Norwalk, CT  d: 1772 Norwalk, CT  Married  Ruth Whitney  b: d: 1828  married: 10 Jan 1755 Norwalk, CT
Generation 3:    Mary Lockwood,  Born  about 1681 Norwalk, Fairfield, CT.
Generation 3:    James Lockwood,  Born  21 Apr 1683 Died 05 May 1769.  Married Lydia Smith
Generation 4:   Lydia Lockwood b: 10 Jun 1717 d: 16 Nov 1766 Married  Jehu Keeler
Generation 4:  Hannah Lockwood        
Generation 2:  James Sension,  Born  1649 Windsor, Fairfield Co., CT. Died 09 May 1684 Norwalk, CT. Married Rebecca Pickett,  Born  30 Jun 1650 Stratford, CT. This couple had no known children.
THE MATTHIAS SENSION MYSTERY
by Betty Rhodes
The St. John family tree has to be one of the most confusing lines to research, due mainly because records show two separate individuals for Matthias SENSION a.k.a. Sention, both born in the same year [1604], in England. If that were not confusing enough, there is also a spelling variation of Senchon and Senjohn, and then finally the family settled on the spelling of St. John sometime in the 1700’s. SENSION may be the French version of Saint Jean, which in English, is St. John.
 The following is what I have gleaned from the many research articles, quotes, etc., that my St. John cousins from around the country have sent me. Some quotes are from Orline St. John Alexander; some facts from James N. Churchyard; an article written by Robert Leigh Ward; Virkus Vol. IV and VII; and other related articles. After reading over some of these quotes and entries, I have come to an opinion about the mysterious Matthias SENSION/St. John.
 According to Mr. Ward, there appears to be two separate Matthias SENSIONS living in England at the same time, but at separate Parishes. The first Matthias, found living at St. Botolph’s Bishopsgate, was a shoemaker, and was married to Sarah, surname unknown. This Matthias and wife Sarah, had a son named William, baptized on August 23, 1629, and two daughters - Elizabeth baptized on November 1, 1631, and Sarah baptized on September 1, 1633. These children were baptized at the St. Botolph’s Parish. Matthias and his wife Sarah evidently moved from this location after their last child was born, as there were no other children baptized at this parish.
A William Senshon, a cord wainer, was married there on January 29, 1654/5, but there is no proof that this William was the son of Matthias and Sarah, although it looks reasonable that he was. William’s whereabouts from 1633 to 1654 are not known to my knowledge.
Now the second Matthias SENSION is found at St. Nicholas Cole Abby. This Matthias was married to a Mary, and was a chandler (a dealer, trader, candlestick maker, or a candle maker). This Matthias, while living at St. Nicholas, had two children baptized there - Thomas on October 24, 1631, and Marke on June 10, 1633. Other records show that this Matthias was married to Mary Tinker on November 1, 1627. If this is indeed their true wedding date, I wondered why no children were baptized before 1631??? Perhaps they lived elsewhere before 1631. It would seem that this Matthias had a brother by the name of James SENSION, who remains at this parish site until at least 1652 - when his last child was baptized. The lack of entries in the parish records after 1633 for Matthias would indicate however, that Matthias and his family no longer resided at this location. There was also a Dorothy St. John, whose death is recorded there in September 16, 1631; no age for her is given.
 Here then, are the two Matthias SENSION/Sention’s, found at separate parishes, both seeming to have left their dwelling places at the very same time, which was in 1633/34; or rather, both simultaneously stopped having children baptized at the very same time. They (the two Matthias Sensions), both must have been born at about the same time as well, around 1603-06. Therefore, if we suppose that one of these Matthias SENSION’s was indeed the son of Oliver St. John, and his wife Sarah Bulkeley, and when tracking the Bulkeley’s, we find the Bulkeley family, and the St. John family, both came to Massachusetts in the 1630’s. Rev. Peter Bulkeley, Sarah’s brother, came to Concord, MA sometime between 1617 and 1640. Peter had a son Thomas, born in England on April 13, 1617, so Peter (at least his wife), was in England up until 1617. Thomas’ daughter Sarah was born in Concord, MA in 1640, and died in New Haven, CT in 1723. Thomas died in Fairfield County, Connecticut in 1658. Did you notice that? Fairfield County is the same county where Norwalk is located, and Norwalk is the place where ‘our’ Matthias SENSION lived, had his younger children, and died. Therefore, it would seem that the St. John’s, the Bulkeley’s, and the SENSION’s were all found in the same place - Fairfield Co. CT at the same time in history. That is quite revealing.
Elizabeth St. John, a daughter of Sir Oliver and Sarah Bulkeley St. John, was born in England on January 12, 1605. Elizabeth married Rev. Samuel Whiting in 1629, while still in England. Their children, born before 1637, were born in England, their children born after 1637 were born in MA, so they came to MA sometime in the 1630’s as well. Elizabeth died in Essex Co., MA on March 3, 1677.
   Orline St. John Alexander, in his 1907 book, claims that ‘our’ Matthias Sension was in Dorchester, MA in 1631-2, and was made a freeman there on September 3, 1634. Well he could have gone back and forth to England for baptisms, but then his wife/wives could have handled that task on her/their own, as both Matthias’ had children baptized during these vital years - 1631 and 1633.
 It is interesting that Matthias was in Dorchester, MA and so was the Bulkeley family (could they be relatives?). Both there at the same time and place – a co-incidence? In my opinion it is not mere coincidence that the Bulkeley’s moved to Connecticut, same county, as ‘our’ Matthias SENSION. There is definitely a connection between these three families.
 Many pedigrees include a Matthias St. John in the list of children for Sir Oliver and Sarah Bulkeley St. John. I have written to a few of these submitters for the source of their data, but have not received anything concrete as of yet. They state that the Bulkeley Pedigrees show a Matthias as a son of Oliver and Sarah Bulkeley St. John. There were several Oliver St. Johns who might be cousins, living in England during this time, but with this ‘Oliver’, we have the Bulkeley influence, which follows our Matthias to CT.
What do I make of all of this? I think there was only ONE Matthias SENSION in England. I am supposing he had two wives, however concurrently. He lived at two separate parishes, and had two families. Why else did the parish records stop at the same time for both of these families? Furthermore, what ever happened to the ‘other’ Matthias? I believe Matthias was the son of Sir Oliver St. John and Sarah Bulkeley. I think Matthias came to Massachusetts with the Bulkeley family, and then later and together, both sides of the family went to Connecticut.
Someone had written me saying that Matthias # I was buried in a cemetery in Connecticut along with some of the Bulkeley family, but I have misplaced this letter. If anyone knows about this, please write and let me know. One more thing... on the list of children for Oliver and Sarah St. John, I have a Dorothy St. John, born 1602. Could this be the Dorothy St. John listed for a September 16, 1631 burial at the St. Nicholas Parish? Oliver being a Knight or Sir, came from a long line of Knights/Sirs, and I could not help but notice that in the St. Botolph’s register, there is listed a Sir Paulett Senjhon – a native of France. Perhaps a relative of Matthias Sension?
I have included below a copy of the ‘will’ that was recorded by Oliver St. John. It does not mention a son by the name of Matthias born around 1604, but it does mention a son Oliver, and son’s Edward and John. John was born to Oliver’s second wife. I think for some reason Matthias changed his given name, and altered the spelling of St. John to a French sounding St. Jean – which turned out, in English to be spelled, SENSION. Matthias is a Christian name, whereas Oliver and Edward are English names. Matthias for some reason wished to acquire a separate identity from his father, Oliver. Matthias could have been either Oliver or Edward. There is also a Nicholas St. John that is sometimes added to Oliver’s list of children. If this is true, Nicholas is not mentioned in the will of Oliver. Nicholas came to America at age 13, and when he was in his 50’s, he had been accused of sodomy several times and arrested – perhaps his family disowned him afterward.

stjohn coat of arms
St. John surname origin: English
Coat of Arms
Blue shield with a red bar at the top two gold stars
Bar = One who sets the bar of conscience, religion, and honour
against angry passions and evil temptations
Mullet (Star) = Divine quality from above; mark of third son,
Star = (estoile or mullet) Celestial goodness; noble person
Gold = Generosity and elevation of the mind
Red (Gules) Warrior or martyr; Military strength and magnanimity
Blue (Azure) Truth and loyalty
    Crest: A falcon
Falcon  = One who does not rest until objective is achieved
Motto: Data fata secutus
Motto Translated: "Following my destiny"
Note: there is no evidence to suggest that the Sension bloodline connects with Oliver, or any other St. John of England.
Genealogical Gleanings in England

Genealogical Gleanings in England by Henry Waters 1907.
Page 1420 -1421.   - Will of Oliver St. John

[Children highlighted in blue font]

Oliver St. John of Bleishoe in the County of Bedford, gen. 13 march, 1625, proved 1 May 1626.  To wife Alice (certain household stuff) and the desk in the chamber where she and I do usually lie, being over the kitchen, wherein many writings are, both of indentures and other things (the great trunk which was my first wife’s and the painted clothes only excepted). Certain bedding in the chamber where my mother did ly while she lived, called now my son Oliver’s chamber. Certain silver whereon her name and mine is set, or letters for the same, being bought by my brother (in-law), Mr. Robert Haselden.  Furniture in house in Camoyes wherein Edward Clarke now dwelleth which I bought of Mr. Thomas Ansell when I purchased the said house and ground of him.  She to have the use of those things during her life and to leave them in good order and repair to my son Oliver.  To Dorothy Westland, my daughter, my great white silver beaker.  To my daughter Judith two hundred pounds, one hundred in six months next after my decease and the other hundred at the day of her marriage or at the age of six and twenty years, also my lesser white silver beaker.  To my daughter Elizabeth one hundred pounds, in two years after my decease, and four years parcel of my term of years which I have yet to come in my farm at Ripton which I hold of the Right Hon. the Earl of Bollingbrook; the lease to be kept by my loving brother in law Mr. Peter Bulkley, her uncle, one of my overseers.  And I do further give unto the said Elizabeth St. John, my daughter, a little silver tun which we usually use which was her own mother’s.  I do give unto Mary and Anne my two daughters, to either of them three score and six pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence in eighteen months after my decease, to be paid into the hands of my loving father in law Mr. Thomas Alleyne of Gouldington, my brother Mr. William Haselden and my good and loving wife their mother; which hundred marks apiece is in consideration of one hundred pounds which I received from my said brother William Haselden as part of the increase of one hundred pounds by him employed to my use in the East India adventure.  Other gifts to them at eighteen or days of marriage.  Certain real estate to son John St. John.  And my executors are to pay unto my said wife (natural mother unto the said John) five marks yearly towards his education.  To son Edward an hundred and three score pounds, three score to be paid unto him at the time of his coming out of his apprenticeship and the other hundred two years later.  To my sister Frances Weales, to make her a ring, thirteen shillings four pence.  To my mother in law Mrs. Mary Alleyn a double ‘duckett’.  Gifts to brothers Mr. Robert Haselden and Mr. William Haselden.  I do give to my loving brother Mr. Peter Bulkley my black mourning cloak which he hath at his house and thirteen shillings four pence in money to make him a ring.  My loving friend Mr. Thomas Dillingham.  The poor of Heyshoe and of Blettsoe.  The poor of Over and Lower Deane.  My eldest son Oliver St. John to be sole executor.  And I do humbly desire the Right Hon., my Honorable Lord the Earl of Bollingbrook, together with my kind and loving friends Mr. Thomas Alleyn of Gouldington my wife’s father in law, Mr. Peter Bulkley, Mr. William Haselden and my loving nephew Mr. Samuel Browne to be my overseers.  Wit:  Peter Bulkeley, Judith St. John, Elizabeth St. John, Lawrence Mathewe.

    1      [1] Oliver (Sir) St. John    Born: 1575 Keysoe, Bedfordshire,  England - Died: 23 Mar 1625/26 Keysoe, Bedfordshire, England       
.        Married  Sarah Bulkeley Born: 1580 Cayshoe, Bedford, England Died: 1611 Keysoe, Bedford, England Father: Edward Bulkeley Mother: Olive Irby
    2      Kathryn St. John    Born: 20 Mar 1597/98 England           
    2      Oliver Jr St. John    Born: abt 1600           
    2      Dorothy St. John    Born: 1602    Died: 16 Sep 1631 St. Nicholas Cole Abbey, London, England       
...        Married  Richard Westland    Born: abt 1600    Died: 1646 Boston, MA       
    2      Elizabeth St. John    Born: 12 Jan 1604/05 Cayshoe, Bedfordshire, England Died: 03 Mar 1676/77 Fairfield, Fairfield, CT       
...        Married  Rev. Samuel Whiting   Born: 20 Nov 1597 Boston, Lincolnshire, England  Died: 11 Dec 1679 Lynn, Essex Co,  MA Father: John Whiting  Mother: Margaret Bonner
    2      Edward St. John    Born: 20 Jul 1606           
    2      Judith St. John    Born: 1609 Cayshoe, Bedfordshire, England           
        *2nd Wife of [1] Oliver (Sir) St. John:               
.        Married  Alice Haselden    Born: abt 1590        Father: Haselden    Mother: Jane Neale
    2      John St. John    Born: abt 1612           
    2      Mary St. John    Born: abt 1614           
    2      Anne St. John    Born: abt 1616
     "[Oliver II] St John was probably born about 1598. His father was Oliver St John of Cayshoe in Bedfordshire; his mother Sarah Buckley from the same county. Almost nothing is known of the elder St John, but if rumours are to be believed then he was probably the bastard son of either the second or third Earl of Bedford. This was claimed by both the mother of St John's first wife, and the author of The Good Old Cause. The Russell family was related to the St John's of Bletso in Bedfordshire. Francis Russell, the second Earl of Bedford married Margaret daughter of Sir John St John, and thus he became the cousin of the Oliver St John who was created Bletso in 1559. Supposedly, the Oliver that was the father of the subject of this article was the grandson of the first Baron St John of Bletso through the latter's son Thomas, but, as he was probably an illegitimate Russell, undoubtedly some arrangement was made with the Baron for Thomas to raise the young boy. The St Johns had been an important family in Bedfordshire since the early fifteenth century but because our Oliver's father was not really a descendant he had little to do with this family during his lifetime. Throughout most of his early life St John remained much closer to Francis Russell, the fourth Earl of Bedford (1593-1641), whom he probably knew as a boy." Source:  Oliver St. John: the 'dark lanthorn' of the Commonwealth

Looking at the various was to spell Senchon, Sension, Sention, or even Senjohn, this surname could have French Origins
Saint Jean coat of armsSaint-Jean with French Origins
Source: http://houseofnames.com
Coat of Arms: A blue shield with a bell held by two gold lions combatant.
Crest: Description not available

Origin: French
Spelling variations of this family name include: Saint Jean, Jean, Geon, Jeans, Jeane, Geans, Gen, Le Jean, Des Jeans, De La Geon, Saint-Jon, Saint-Geans and many more.

First found in Languedoc, where the family was seated since ancient times.

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Peter Gustavus Saint Jean settled in Philadelphia in 1848; Jean Antoine Jean settled in Louisiana in 1752; Pierre Armin Jean settled in Philadelphia in 1753.
Most surnames have experienced slight spelling changes. A son may not chose to spell his name the same way that his father did. Many were errors, many deliberate. During the early development of the French language, a person usually gave his version, phonetically, to a scribe, a priest, or a recorder. Prefixes or suffixes varied. They were optional as they passed through the centuries, or were adopted by different branches to signify either a political or religious adherence. Hence, there a many spelling variations of the name Jean, including Saint Jean, Jean, Geon, Jeans, Jeane, Geans, Gen, Le Jean, Des Jeans, De La Geon, Saint-Jon, Saint-Geans and many more.

First found in Languedoc, where the family was seated since ancient times.

Henry St.JohnHenry St. John

Born: October 1608 at Battersea, Surrey
Viscount Bolingbroke
Died: December 1751 at Battersea, Surrey
Ship's Log on the good ship, "Elizabeth and Anne"
Sailed from London to Boston Captain: Roger Cooper/Cowper
Eliza (Elizabeth) & Anne
Date sailed: 17 April, 1635
Quoted text:
"IN the ELIZA and ANE, sd RO. COOPER, for New England -
THOMAS HEDHALL.........47 years. IN the ELIZABETH and ANN, ROGER COOPR., Mr. Theis pties. here under expressed are to be embarqued for New England, having taken the oath of allegeance and supremacie, and likewise brought certificates from the Ministers and Justices where their abidings were latlie of their conformitie to the discipline and orders of the Church of England, and that they are no subsidy men."

Name
AGE:
Name
AGE:
ROBERT HAWKYNNS, husb     
25 
  THOMAS HUBBARD 10
JO. WHITNEY  35   THO. EATON   1
JO. PALMERLEY..  20   MARIE HAWKYNNS 24
RICHARD MARTIN  12   ELLEN WHITNEY 30
JO. WHITNEY 11     ABIGALL EATON 35
RICHARD WHITNEY    9   SARA CARTRACK. 24
NATHANIEL WHITNEY    8   JANE DAMAND   9
THO. WHITNEY    6   MARY EATON   4
JONATHAN WHITNEY   1    MARIE BROOMER.  10
NICHOLAS SENSION  13,  Born 1622   MILDRED CARTRACK   2
HENRY JACKSON.  29   JOSEPH ALSOPP 14
The tarnished legacy of Nicholas Sension St. John
SENSION, Nicholas, Windsor, CT. He came from England in company with Joseph Alsoppe in a vessel called the 'Elizabeth and Ann', and was an early settler in Windsor. Other spellings noted are Senchion and St. John.
The most famous sodomy case in New England was that of Nicholas Sension of Windsor, Connecticut.  In 1677, Daniel Saxton, a citizen of Windsor, Connecticut, charged Nicholas Sension with sodomy.  Saxton was a neighbor and former employee of Sension.  It was not until he was released from his position at the Sension household that Saxton came forth with the charge against his former employer.  Although he denied that coupling with Sension, Saxton did bear witness to the fact that Sension had committed sodomy with another servant, Nathaniel Pond.
Sension had moved to Windsor, Connecticut in 1640. In Windsor, Sension became a prosperous merchant and farmer.  He married a local woman in 1645, and was soon recognized as a prominent member of the Windsor community.  For three decades, Nicholas Sension lived what appeared to be a normal life, according to Puritan standards. However, while all seemed normal on the surface, something was amiss in the Nicholas Sension household.  Thirty years before he was tried for sodomy, Sension had been approached by the town elders. On this occasion, in the late 1640s, William Phelps had contacted a Horskins in regards to Sension.  Phelps was concerned about the fact that Sension had been making sexual advances towards his younger brothers, Samuel and Nathaniel Horskins  It came to light in the 1677 trial that this matter was dealt with in private at the house of Henry Clark.  Horskins and Clark, both representatives of Windsor to the General Court, confronted Sension.  Sension explained that he had acquired his “sodomitical” ways while at school and promised to control himself.  Believing that Sension was sincere and felt remorse, the matter was then dropped.
Since Saxton had not engaged in sexual activity with Sension, the court pursued the question of Sension’s relationship with Nathaniel Pond.  A difficulty for the prosecution was the fact that Pond was killed two years earlier in Metacom’s War, and therefore the only witness, other than Sension, was dead.  Another difficulty for the prosecution was the fact that as the trial progressed it began to center on whether the act of sodomy had actually occurred. During the course of the trial, several young men came forward to testify about Sension’s sexual tastes and practices.Nicholas was only convicted of attempted sodomy. He was
whipped, forced to stand in public with a noose around his neck, and briefly imprisoned.Nicholas Sension was able to live within the community with only being reprimanded twice in nearly forty years before being tried for sodomy.
MY QUESTION IS THIS:
Why is it that the Church saw fit to hang WOMEN for having premonition dreams and declared a witch deserving of hanging; while male sodomists only got a whipping?
ANSWER:
Because most of the Church fathers were also molestors and sodomists themselves - by now you recognize that age-old pattern of church fathers.

Manor of Bletsoe [SourceSt. John of Bletsoe       Arms: Argent a chief gules with two molets or therein.

St. John Arms

The Victoria County History asserts that the Manor of Bletsoe was the 2 ½ hides owned by Hugh de Beauchamp and that Judith's tenant Osbern was probably the same as Hugh's man Osbert. It suggests that Judith's holding was absorbed by another manor and disappeared from history. Whether this was so, or not, it is known that Osbert de Breuil's descendant Robert de Broi granted land in Bletsoe to the Hospital of Holy Trinity, Northampton in the early 13th century. His daughter Margery married Walter de Patishull. Bletsoe Manor next passed to Simon de Patishull, their son, who between 1247 and 1253 quitclaimed land to John de Berdefeude. His grandson, also Simon de Patishull, died in 1295 having previously enfeoffed his daughter Agnes and her husband John de Pabenham the manor for their lives. On Agnes' death in 1313 the manor passed to John de Patishull, son of Simon. John was succeeded by his son William in 1349, who passed Bletsoe Manor to his sister Sybil, wife of Roger de Beauchamp in 1359.
Roger de Beauchamp was succeeded by his son Roger in 1379 - 1380, who was followed in 1406 by his son John. John died in 1412, and his son John was still underage when he died in 1420 - 1421 and the Manor passed to his 11 year old sister Margaret. She died in 1482 and the manor passed to John St.John, her son by her first husband. It passed to his son of the same name in 1525, then to his son Oliver St.John in 1559. When he died in 1581 - 1582 Bletsoe Manor passed to his son John, then in 1596 to John's brother Oliver, and in 1618 to Oliver's son, also called Oliver.
This Oliver St.John was created Earl of Bolingbroke in 1624. He was a Parliamentarian and his son Oliver died in 1642 from wounds received at the battle of Edgehill. As a consequence Oliver was succeeded by his grandson Oliver, the son of Sir Paulet St.John. He died without issue in 1687 and his title and estates passed to his brother Paulet St.John, third Earl of Bolingbroke and sixth Lord St.John. When he died unmarried in 1711 the Earldom of Bolingbroke became extinct.
The Barony of St.John continued and devolved upon the last Earl's cousin Paulet, who died in infancy, and was followed by his three uncles William, who died unmmarried in 1720, Rowland, who died unmarried in 1722, and John, who died in 1757. The latter's son John succeeded him and held the title until his death in 1767. His son Henry Beauchamp died in 1805 without male issue and the manor passed to his brother St.Andrew St.John. He died in 1817 and his son St Andrew St.John succeeded at the age of six and died in 1874 at Melchbourne Park. His son of the same name died in 1887, after which the title went to his brother Beauchamp Moubray. A full list of the Barons St.John of Bletsoe and Earls of Bolingbroke appears below:

Barons St.John of Bletsoe

1. Oliver St.John, created 1559, died 1582;
2. John St.John, died 1596;
3. Oliver St.John, died 1618;
4. Oliver St.John, created Earl of Bolingbroke in 1524, died 1646 

Earls of Bolingbroke and Barons St.John

1 & 4. [i.e. 1st Earl and 4th Baron] Oliver St.John
0 & 5. Oliver St.John, died 1642 [predeceased the first earl];
2 & 6. Oliver St.John, died 1688;
3 & 7. Paulet St.John, died 1711

Barons St.John

8. Paulet St.Andrew St.John, died 1714;
9. William St.John, died 1720;
10. Rowland St.John, died 1722;
11. John St.John, died 1757;
12. John St.John, died 1767;
13. Henry Beauchamp St.John, died 1805;
14. St.Andrew St.John, died 1817;
15. St.Andrew Beauchamp St.John, died 1874;
16. St.Andrew St.John, died 1887;
17. Beauchamp Mowbray St.John, died 1912;
18. Henry Beauchamp Oliver St.John, died 1920;
19. Moubray St.Andrew Thornton St.John, died 1934;
20. John Moubray Russell St.John, died 1976;
21. Andrew Beauchamp St.John, died 1978;
22. Anthony Tudor St.John, born 1957

Early ST. JOHNS taking on their mother's maiden name

Husband: Adam De PORT

Born: ABT 1151, Basing, Northamptonshire, England

Died: 25 Jun 1213

Notes: This feudal baron was governor of the castle of Southampton in the 15th (1213-14) King John, and in the 22nd Henry II [1176] he was fined 300 marks for trespassing in the king's forests. In the 26th of the same reign [1180], he gave 1000 marks to the King for livery of his wife's inheritance in Normandy, and that he might be restored to the king's favour and do his homage. He m. Mabel, dau. of Reginald De Aurevalle, and grandchild and heir through her mother, Muriell, of Roger De St. John, and Cecily his wife, dau. and heir of Robert De Haye, Lord of Halnac, co. Sussex, and his posterity ever afterwards bore the surname of St. John. By this lady he had two sons, William and Robert. [Sir Bernard Burke, Dormant, Abeyant, Forfeited, and Extinct Peerages, Burke's Peerage, Ltd., London, 1883, p. 466, St. John, Barons St. John, of Basing]

Father: John De PORT

Mother: Maud St JOHN

Married 1: Wife: Mabel De AUREVALLE

Children:

1. Alice De PORT

2. William De St. JOHN

3. Robert De St. JOHN

Married 2: Wife: Sibyl De BRAIOSE (w. of William De Ferrers,  E. Derby) AFT 1190, Bramber, Sussex, England


GENERAL AND HERALDIC DICTIONARY THE PEERAGES OF ENGLAND, IRELAND, AND SCOTLAND
By John Burke Published 1831 Original from Oxford University

ST. JOHN— BARONS ST. JOHN, OF STANTON ST. JOHN, IN THE COUNTY OF OXFORD.
By Writ of Summons, dated 24th December, 1264, 49 Henry III,
Lineage:
 THOMAS DE ST. JOHN, of Stanton St. John, in the county of Oxford, was father of ROGER DE ST. JOHN, who, in the 22d Henry II., was amerced one hundred and thirty-three pounds, six shillings and eightpence, for trespassing in the king's forests, in the county of Oxford. This Roger was s. by his son, JOHN DE ST. JOHN, who was s. by his son, ROGER DE ST. JOHN. This feudal lord having taken up arms with the barons against King Henry III., was summoned to parliament after the victory of those lords at Lewes, on the 24th December, 1264, and appointed governor of the castle of Oxford. He was slain, however, the following year, at Evesham, where his party sustained so signal a defeat. His lordship m. — , sister of Richard de Lucí, by whom he acquired a moiety of the lordship of Wolnestede, to the county of Surrey, and had an only son, JOHN, who was never summoned to parliament, nor were his descendants. The BARONY OF ST. JOHN, OF STANTON, EXPIRED therefore with the first lord.
ARMS.— Ar. on a chief gules, two mullets or, and a file of three points of the field.

ST. JOHN— BARONS ST. JOHN, OF BASING.
By Writ of Summons, dated 29th December, 1299, 28 Edward I.
Lineage. At the time of the General Survey,
HUGH DE PORT held five lordships of the crown, in Hampshire, whereof BASING was one, and the head of the barony. He had also lands in the counties of Dorset and Cambridge. In the reign of Rufus, he took the cowl at Winchester, and was succeeded in his worldly affairs by his son. At the time of the General Survey. HENRY DE PORT, Lord of Basing, who was s. by his son, JOHN DE PORT, who, in the 12th of Henry II., contributed for his knights' fees (seven in number) to the assessment for marrying the king's daughter, fifty-seven marks. He was s. by his son,
ADAM DE PORT, Lord of Basing. This feudal baron was governor of the castle of Southampton, in the I5th of King John; and in the 22d Henry П., he was fined three hundred marks, for trespassing in the king's forests. In the 26th of the same reign, he gave a thousand marks to the king for livery of his wife's inheritance in Normandy; and that he might be restored to the king's favour, and do his homage. He m. Mabel, daughter of Reginald de Aurevalle, and grandchild and heir of Roger de St. John; and his posterity ever afterwards bore the surname of ST. JOHN. By this lady he had two sons, William and Robert. The elder, WILLIAM DE ST. JOHN, assuming that surname, wrote himself Willielmus de Sancto Johanne filius et haeres Adae de Port,  and in the 15th John, gave five hundred marks to the king for livery of all the lands of Adam de Port, his father. The two following years he executed the sheriff'ss office for the county of Southampton : but was subsequently in arms with the other barons against the crown, and did not return to his allegiance until some time after the accession of HENRY III. He made his peace, however, effectually, for we find him in the 11th of that king, appointed governor of the islands of Guernsey and Jersey. He m. Godchild, daughter of N. Paganell, and was s. by bis son,

RORERT DE ST. JOHN, who had a military summons, in the 42d Henry III., to oppose the incursions of the Welsh, and in three years afterwards, obtained a licence to fix a pale upon the bauk of hie moat, at BASING; as also to continue it so fortified, during the king's pleasure. In the 50th of the same reign, he wae constituted governor of PORCHESTER Castle, and dying soon after, was s. by his son, (by his wife Agnes, daughter of William de Cantilupe,)
JOHN DE ST. JOHN, Lord of Basing, who succeeded likewise to the governorship of Porchester Castle. This baron acquired high military reputation in the wars of EDWARD I. ; and in his capacity of lieutenant of Acquitaine, achieved some important conquests. In 1296, he took the city of Bayonne by assault, and its castle surrendered after a siege of eight days. Thence marching to BELLEGARD, at the time invested by the Earl of Arras, he was made prisoner, and conveyed to Paris ; being, however, redeemed, (it was said, by Alfonsus*, King of Castile,} he was again in the wars of Gascony, as well as in those of Scotland ; and was afterwards deputed ambassador to France, with John, Earl of Warren, and other persons of rank. He m. Alice, daughter of Reginald Fitz-Piers, and had issue, JOHN, his successor; William, who obtained from his father the castle of Beaumont, in Glamorganshire, and is considered the ancestor of the St. Johns of Bletshoe. The elder son, JOHN DE ST. JOHN, had been summoned to parliament as a BARON, in the life-time of his father, from 29th December, 1299, to 12th November, 1303, under the designation of "John de St. John, Junior," but afterwards as " St. John of Basing." This nobleman was eminent in the wars of Scotland, temp. Edward I. and Edward II. His lordship espoused Isabel, daughter of Hugh de Courtenay. and d. in 1329, was s. by his son,
HUGH DE ST. JOHN, second Baron St. John, of Basing, who d. in 1337, leaving, EDMUND, his successor; Margaret, m. to John de St. Philibert, and had a son, John, who d. in infancy; ISABEL, m. first, to Henry de Burghersh, who died s. p., and secondly, to Lucas de Poynings, who was summoned to parliament, it is presumed, "jure uxoris," 24th February, 1368. His lordship was s. by his elder son,
EDMUND ST. JOHN, third Baron St. John, of Basing, who dying in minority, 21st Edward III.. then a ward of the king, his sisters, MARGARET and ISABEL, became his heirs. The elder sister, Margaret, did not long survive, and her only issue, John de St. Philibert, dying an infant, the whole of the inheritance centered in the younger sister, Isabel, then married to her second husband, LUCAS DE POYNINGS, who in her right was summoned to parliament, and the BARONY OF ST JOHN, of Basing, was thus conveyed to the family of Poynlngs (see Poynings, Barons St. John).


ST. JOHN—BARONS ST. JOHN, OF LAGEHAM. By Writ of Summons, dated 21st September, 1299, 27 Edward I.
Lineage
 In the 46th HENRY III.
ROGER DE ST. JOHN obtained licence to fortify his house at Lageham, in the county of Surrey, and so to hold the same, whilst himself and his heirs should continue loyal to the king ; but within two years he joined the baronial standard, and, after the battle of Lewes, was one of the nine barons chosen to form the council of state. To this turbulent feudal lord succeeded, JOHN DE ST. JOHN, who had summons to parliament as BARON ST. JOHN, of Lageham, from 21st September, 1299, to 6th October, 1315. This nobleman was actively engaged in the Scottish wars, temp., Edward 1. and Edward II. His lordship d. in 1316, and was s. by his son, JOHN DE ST. JOHN, second baron, summoned to parliament from 1st August, 1317, to 18th September, 1322. His lordship was in the expedition made into Scotland, 11th Edward II., and dying in 1322, was s. by his son,
JOHN DE ST. JOHN, third baron, summoned to parliament from 1st August, 1327, to 18th February, 1331. This nobleman m. Katherine, daughter of Goffrey de Say, and d. in 1349, was s. by his son, ROGER DE ST. JOHN, fourth baron, who in the 25th Edward III, released to Sir Nicholas de Lovoyane, Knt., and Margaret, his wife, all his right in the manor of Lageham, and died shortly after, (in 1353,) issueless, leaving PETER DE ST. JOHN, his kinsman, his next heir: but none of the family were subsequently summoned to parliament. ARMS.—Ermine, on a chief gules, two mullets or.
ST. JOHN — EARLS OF BOLINGBROKE. by Letters Patent, dated 28th December, 1624.
Lineage.
SIR OLIVER ST. JOHN, of Penmark, in the county of Glamorgan, (of the family of St. John, of Stanton St. John,) m. Margaret [This lady espoused, secondly, John Beaufort, Duke of Somerset, K.G., by whom she was mother of Lady MARGARET BRAUFORT, who m. Edward Tudor, Earl of Richmond, and had a son, Henry, EARL OF RICHMOND, who ascended the throne as HENRY VII. The Duchess of Somerset m. thirdly, John, VISCOUNT WELLES, K.G.], daughter of Sir John de Beauchamp, and sister and heir of John, Lord Beauchamp, of Bletshoe, and was father of
SIR JOHN ST. JOHN, K.B., of Bletshoe, whose great grandson,  OLIVER ST. JOHN, was elevated to the peerage, in January, 1559, as BARON ST. John, of Bletshoe. The grandson of this nobleman, OLIVER ST. JOHN, fourth Lord St. John, of Bletshoe, was advanced, by letters patent, dated 26th December, 1624, to the dignity of EARL of BOLINGBROKE. His lordship m. Elizabeth, daughter and heir of William Paulet, grandson of St. George Paulet, a younger brother of William, first Marquess of Winchester, and had issue,
Oliver, Lord St. John, made Knight of the Bath, at the coronation of King Charles I. This nobleman fell, fighting under the royal banner, at Edgehill, 23rd October, 1624. He had m. Lady Arabella Egerton, daughter of John, first Earl of Bridgewater, and left four daughters, viz: Frances, m. Sir William Beecher, Knt., of Howberry, in the county of Bedford; Elizabeth, m. to George Bennett, Esq., of Cotsback, in Leicestershire; Arabella, m. to Sir Edward Wyse, K.B., of Sydenham, Devon; Dorothy, m. to Francis Carleton, Esq., of Apley Castle, Salop.
PAULET (Sir), made Knight of the Bath, at the coronation of King CHARLES I.; m. Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Sir Rowland Vaughan, of the Spital, near Shoreditch, in the suburbs of London, and dying before his father. He left, OLIVER & PAULET - both successively Earls of Bolingbroke; Francis, d, unmarried; Anthony, m. , ___daughter of Kensham, Esq., of Tameford; Dorothy, m. to John Carey, Lord Rochford, eldest son of Henry, Earl of Dover. His lordship d. in 1646, and was s. by his grandson, OLIVER ST. JOHN, second Earl of Bolingbroke, and fifth Lord St. John, of Bletshoe. His lordship m. Lady Frances Cavendish, daughter of William, Duke of Newcastle, but dying s.p., 18th March, 1687-8, was s. by his brother, PAULET ST. JOHN, third Earl of Bolingbroke, and slxth Lord St. John, of Bletshoe, This nobleman d. unmarried, 17th October, 1711, when the Barony of St. John, of Bletshoe, passed to the heir at law, Sir Andrew St. John, of Woodford, in the county of Northampton, and the Earldom of Bolingbroke, became extinct. Arms - Ar. on a chief gules two mullets pierced or.

ST. JOHN - BARON TREGOZE, OF HIGHWORTH By Letters Patent, dated 21st May, 1695.
Lineage: SIR OLIVER ST. JOHN, Baronet of Lydiard Tregone, was created Viscount Grandison, in the peerage of Ireland, temp,. James I., first president of Munster, and afterwards constituted lord deputy of that kingdom. His lordship returned, in the 20th of the same monarch, and by his majesty's successor, was made a peer of England, 21st May, 1696, in the dignity of BARON TREGOZE, of Highworth, in the county of Wilts. His lordship m. Joan, daughter and heir of Henry Roydon, Esq., of Battersea, and widow of Sir William Holcroft, but had no issue. He d. in 1629, when the Barony of Tregoze became extinct.
 
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