From: j.d.obrien@comcast.net
To: timothydhudson@gmail.com
Subject: Beecher to Massey-Shackelford Part I
Date: Sun, 30 Nov 2008 20:29

The CT ancestry of Harriet Massey Shackelford, wife of Joseph Henry Shackelford, of Union Parish, originates with Hannah (maiden name unknown) Potter Beecher, through her son and executor, William Potter of New Haven, CT. When Hannah first arrived is unknown. However, William Potter arrived on a ship from England, name and port unknown, in 1635. The unnamed ship list shows William Potter, 27, wife Frances, 26, and son Joseph Potter, 26 weeks (The Complete Book of Emigrants, 1607-1660, by Peter Wilson Coldham.

Gen. 1. Hannah () Potter Beecher, will proved April 5, 1659, naming son William Potter executor and asking that he look after his half brother, Isaac Beecher. (Will quoted in full in Genealogies of Connecticut Families, Vol. III, p. 151; it is also reported in New Haven Town Hall Records.) Isaac was the ancestor of Harriet Beecher Stowe and Henry Ward Beecher.

Gen. 2. William Potter was born in 1608 in England, and died June, 1662 in New Haven, leaving will naming, among others, daughter Hope. The surname of his wife, Frances, is unknown.

Gen. 3. Hope Potter, baptised 3 Oct. 1641, married 3 Feb. 1663 Daniel Robins(on). Robins was used thereafter. After the Dutch ceded East New Jersey to the British, several families from New Haven, CT, moved to Monmouth Co., NJ, including Daniel and Hope Robins as shown by the land records. This migration was after 1666, the birth year of their last child born in New Haven.
Hope died in Monmouth Co., NJ before 6 June 1709 per will of her husband.

Gen. 4. Joseph Robins, Sr., born aft. 1666, prob. in NJ, married Ana or Hannah Packe per will of her father. (The Robins and related families lived in Elizabeth Town, Monmouth Co., NJ.) His will names daughter Bethiah whose marriage to John Nation is proved by the will of John Nation and that of his "brother-in-law", Joseph Robins, Jr. in Guilford and Randolph Cos., NC, respectively.
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William Potter's will was written on l9 May 1662 naming daughter Hope and others. He was hanged on June 6, l662 as were many other leading citizens of New Haven when the British took over and made it a Crown Colony (against much opposition). (Colony had been established as an independent city). "The Complete List of Emigrants 1607-1660" by Peter Coldham, p. l43, shows William Potter, age 27, wife Frances age 26 and son Joseph age 20 weeks on l635 ship's list bound for Mass. Bay Colony.
William Potter was named as the son and executor of the will of Hannah, maiden name unknown, Potter Beecher. Her will asked that William look after his younger half-brother, Isaac Beecher, the ancestor of Harriet Beecher Stowe and Henry Ward Beecher. William Potter was one of the original settlers of New Haven in 1637.

Date of birth comes from age on ship list (see under Wm. Potter above).
She was still living after his death and she proved his will. No info on maiden surname.