I'm hoping that there's someone here who can help me. Specifically, I'm interested in the origins of Hannah, the wife of Francis Brinley (1633-1719) of Newport, Rhode Island.

This family has been well-researched with helpful accounts in Henry F. Waters' Genealogical Gleanings in England, vol. 1; John Osborne Austin's Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island; and Thomas Bridgman's Memorials of the Dead in Boston. (Waters refers to this latter work as Bridgman's King's Chapel Epitaphs.)

There are also letters written by, and documents relating to, Francis that are extant. These are held by Fales Library (at New York University) as part of its Sylvester Manor Archive and they can be viewed online.

It is clear from this that Francis Brinley's wife was called Hannah. Moreover, there are numerous sources from Bridgman onwards that give her maiden surname as Carr. However, the Heraldic Journal, vol. 2, p.135 (citing the Gore Roll of Arms) indicates otherwise. I'll quote the entry in full:

Mary [this must be a mistake for 'Hannah'], widow of Francis Brinley of Newport, in the Colony of Rhode Island. Brinley and Borden, 1722.
1st, Per pale argent and gold, a chevron between three escallops, countercharged, within a bordure argent, charged with eight hurts. Impaling, argent, three cinquefoils, azure.
Crest, an escallop gules.

Most of this description refers to the coat of arms claimed by the Brinleys (though this particular branch of the family was never accepted as being thus entitled by the College of Arms in London.) Notwithstanding that, 'Impaling, argent, three cinquefoils, azure' is presumably a reference to the Borden coat of arms; but who were these Bordens?

I haven't a clue; so if anyone can enlighten me or shed some light on Hannah and her antecedents, then I would be very grateful.

Thanks in advance

Ian

On Sunday, July 30, 2023 at 4:10:26 PM UTC-7, Ian Brindley wrote:
> I'm hoping that there's someone here who can help me. Specifically, I'm interested in the origins of Hannah, the wife of Francis Brinley (1633-1719) of Newport, Rhode Island.
>
> This family has been well-researched with helpful accounts in Henry F. Waters' Genealogical Gleanings in England, vol. 1; John Osborne Austin's Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island; and Thomas Bridgman's Memorials of the Dead in Boston. (Waters refers to this latter work as Bridgman's King's Chapel Epitaphs.)
>
> There are also letters written by, and documents relating to, Francis that are extant. These are held by Fales Library (at New York University) as part of its Sylvester Manor Archive and they can be viewed online.
>
> It is clear from this that Francis Brinley's wife was called Hannah. Moreover, there are numerous sources from Bridgman onwards that give her maiden surname as Carr. However, the Heraldic Journal, vol. 2, p.135 (citing the Gore Roll of Arms) indicates otherwise. I'll quote the entry in full:
>
> Mary [this must be a mistake for 'Hannah'], widow of Francis Brinley of Newport, in the Colony of Rhode Island. Brinley and Borden, 1722.
> 1st, Per pale argent and gold, a chevron between three escallops, countercharged, within a bordure argent, charged with eight hurts. Impaling, argent, three cinquefoils, azure.
> Crest, an escallop gules.
>
> Most of this description refers to the coat of arms claimed by the Brinleys (though this particular branch of the family was never accepted as being thus entitled by the College of Arms in London.) Notwithstanding that, 'Impaling, argent, three cinquefoils, azure' is presumably a reference to the Borden coat of arms; but who were these Bordens?
>

Papworth attributes arg. 3 cinquefoils az to Chokke/Chook/Cheoke of Berks

Thanks for that.

I think I've come across that book by Papworth before, but I'd forgotten about it. I've had a look at the Chokke/Choke pedigrees in the Visitations of Berkshire and I've also found another work Genealogical Notes respecting the Choke or Chokke Family by Rev. F. Brown. However, there's nothing (apart from the description of the coat of arms) to link these people with Hannah or anyone called Borden; but thanks nevertheless.

Ian