Audrey Barlowe

     Audrey was born in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, England. She was christened there on 22 December 1603 in Lutterworth at St. Mary's Church.¹ Audrey married by license William Almey, son of Christopher Almey and Miss _____ Clarke, on 17 July 1626 in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, England. "Williamus Almie de South Kilworth," gent., "etatis 26 annorum," & "Audream Barlowe de Lutterworth ... etatis 26 annorum."^2,3 On 1 August 1635, Audrey & her husband, William, left London [final port at Plymouth, England] aboard the ship, "Abigail", commanded by Captain Robert Hackwell, enroute for New England. Before being permited to embark the ship, William needed to present his certificates of conformity to the Church of England & of loyalty to the crown, signed by his parish minister & a justice of the peace, and these, being approved & accepted by the commissioners of emigration, of whom Archbishop Laud, of Canterbury. Listed among the ship's passengers were William Almond aged 34 years, Mary Jones aged 30 years, Awdry Almond aged 32 years, Annis Almy aged 8 years, Chris Elmie aged 3 years. The ship landed in Boston on the 8th day of October..^4,5 After arriving in Boston, William settled his family in Sagus, near Lynn; in April of 1637, he removed his family to Sandwich where he was “one of the first 10 families”. In 1641 he moved his family again, resettling in Portsmouth, Rhode Island and selling this property in Sandwich in June of 1642. In 1644, he is noted as one of three men of Portsmouth granted land in Wading River. He remained in Portsmouth for the remainder of his life. William became a prominent citizen of the settlement, holding several offices over the years and was well respected in the community.^6,7,8 Audrey departed this life on Sunday, 28 February 1677 in Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island. She was buried there in the Old Portsmouth Cemetery.