Honour Rolfe (cousin)

Honour Rolfe, listed in this family line as an 11th great-grandmother (with the relationship designation “cousin”), was probably born in Hamptonworth, Wiltshire, England, about 1593. She married Henry Rolfe, described as her first cousin once removed, and reportedly emigrated with him to New England in 1635. After Henry’s death in 1643, Honour survived until 19 December 1650. An oral will recorded at Newbury is said to confirm her death date and descendants.

Honour Rolfe was probably born in Hamptonworth, Wiltshire, England, about 1593. Family-tree notes give a broader possible birth range of 1591 to 1595, based on a 1606 bond involving her mother, Agnes Rolfe, and stepfather, John Rice: Honour was said to have been not yet sixteen at that time. Another note gives her birth as about 1598, so her exact birth year remains uncertain.

Her mother was Agnes Rolfe, who married Richard Rolfe, born about 1567. Honour later married Henry Rolfe of Whiteparish, Wiltshire. They are described as first cousins once removed. The principal marriage date given is 26 May 1631 at Whiteparish; however, another supplied record gives 28 May 1621 at the same place. Henry was the son of John Rolfe and Honur. A family relationship explanation states that Henry’s father, John Rolfe, was the brother of Honour’s maternal grandfather. It also notes that Honour’s mother Agnes married Richard Rolfe, who may or may not have been directly related to the family.

Honour and Henry reportedly emigrated to New England in 1635, although the vessel on which they sailed is not known. They settled at Newburyport, Massachusetts, in an area described in the notes as later separating in 1764 as the town of Newbury. Henry was registered as a proprietor of lands in 1642. He was not recorded as a freeman; the notes suggest this may have been because of his early death in 1643.

The reported children of Henry and Honour were Anna, Hannah, John, and Benjamin Rolfe. Their daughter Anna married Thomas Blanchard as her first husband. Thomas Blanchard died in the same month as Honour.

Honour died on 19 December 1650, reportedly at the home of her daughter Ann Blanchard in Charleston, Middlesex, Massachusetts. A record of an oral will at Newbury is said to confirm her death date and progeny. Her burial is presumed, but no burial place is provided in the supplied material.

Historical context

Honour and Henry’s reported move to New England in 1635 placed them among early English settlers in Massachusetts. The supplied notes describe Henry as a proprietor of lands in 1642 and identify their settlement as Newburyport, in an area later said to have separated in 1764 as the town of Newbury.

Sources & research

Original Family Tree Maker notes supplied for Honour Rolfe.
FamilyTreeCircles, “decendants-of-henry-rolfe-5509.html”: http://www.familytreecircles.com/decendants-of-henry-rolfe-5509.html
Record described in the supplied notes: oral will of Honor at Newbury, Massachusetts.