Weekly Puzzle - Richard Trendall

In 1635 Richard Trendall was one of the 72 passengers on the Expectation bound for Providence Island.

Providence Island Colony - Wikimedia

Settling on Providence Island by the English began in 1629 when Phillip Bell brought several Bermudians, both black and white, to set up a colony. Unlike the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the setters on Providence Island were not encouraged to become independent and until 1635 bring families was highly discouraged.

By 1635, the end of the year in which Richard Trendall arrived, there was a population of 500 white men, 40 women, 90 blacks and a few children, scattered across the island.  27 of those women had also arrive on the Expectation. The village of New Westminster had just thirty houses, mostly of timber.

You can read about the history of the Island on Wikipedia (click on link to the right) or if you'd like a more in depth look at the settlement find a copy of Providence Island, 1630-1641: The Other Puritan Colony.

The colony was wiped out by the Spanish in 1640.


So, who was Richard Trendall?  Did he survive the end of the colony and end up elsewhere in the West Indies? Perhaps he went to Bermuda where we find other Trendall records starting in 1645 (see last weeks puzzle).    

Weekly Puzzle - Bermuda Connections

The following Trendall individuals and families are found in Bermuda.  Connections to England and the United States are likely, but to date have not been found.  Who are they?

1. Margaret Trendall (by 1648) married Peter Seawell on 11 Nov 1663 at St. Philip (1)
2. John Trendal and Margaret had a son John christened 11 Nov 1682 St. Philip (2) married Ann before 1705
1.  Sarah christened 25 Mar 1705 (3)
2. Mary bn abt 1708 married Turney Jun 1925 (4)
3. child christened 27 Dec 1710 (5)
4. Joseph christened 16 Oct 1715 (6)
5. Elizabeth christened 14 Apr 1718 (7)
3. ? Trendall married Mary Hearne 16 Jan 1693 (8)  Is this a brother of John?
4. 4 Ann Trendall bn abt 1730 married Francis Hunte 14 Oct 1753 (9)  Is this the widow of John or perhaps a daughter whose christening was not recorded?
5. There is also a John Trundall bn abt 1715 who might well be a Trendall.

View Larger Map

(1) Sanders, Joanne McRee, Barbados Records - Baptisms / Marriages  Sanders Historical Publishers 1982/4 -  p534 

(2) ibid p458

(3) ibid p465

(4) ibid p557

(5) ibid p466

(6) ibid p469

(7) ibid p470

(8) ibid p 538

(9) Ibid

Weekly Puzzle - William C. Trendell

William C. Trendell was born abt 1854 in (Jamaica / West Indies / England) depending on which census record you are checking.(1)  All three are probably correct, Jamaica being the exact island, West Indies being the group of islands in the Caribbean controlled by the English(2), and England the ruling power.  Both his parents are listed as being born in England.

William immigrated to the United States about 1879 and married Mary Cutway in New York in 1880/81. They had one child Bessie in New York in 1882 and then moved to Laconia, Belknap, New Hampshire where they had four more children.  Belle was born in 1884, George in 1886, Josie in 1889 and Maxwell in 1891.

So.....who is William C Trendell.  Does he have siblings?  Who are his parents?

But before we go......Son Maxwell born 1891 presents a little mystery as well. On 1 Jun 1911 Maxwell Trendell the son of Charles (now is that a clue for finding more on William C) Trendell, bn England and Mary Cutway bn Ogdensburgh, New York, a musician with residence in  Laconia, New Hampshire married Clara Lavinia Young.

• Vermont. Vermont Marriage Records, 1909-2003. Vermont State Archives and Records Administration, Montpelier, VT

On 12 Jul 1914 Maxwell Allen Trendell, a piano player the son of Charles Trendell and Mary Cautway married Charlotte May Billings in Derby, VT.  The mystery?  This is listed as a first marriage.  I find it very hard to believe this is not the same Maxwell Trendell, what happened to Clara?  And for that matter where is Charlotte?

• Vermont. Vermont Marriage Records, 1909-2003. Vermont State Archives and Records Administration, Montpelier, VT

(1) See Common Sources for Census -  Laconia Belknap NH:  1900 roll pg; 1910 roll 860 pg 24B; 1920 roll 1000 pg 4B; 1930 roll 1298 pg 2B
(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies