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Washburn Family Origins
This Washburn family descends from John Washburn (1620-1686) and Elizabeth Mitchell (1627-1684) of Plymouth, Massachusetts.
John Washburn married Sarah Davis in Switzerland County, Indiana. Based on census data, he was born somewhere between 1795 and 1804.
John’s parents were Jeremiah Washburn and Elizabeth Duvall Milage. Jeremiah had a son John Washburn who was listed as the fifth son and oldest son by Jeremiah’s wife at the time of his will dated 20 July 1801 which was probated in Mason County, Kentucky. The will referred to John as an infant. John Washburn who married Sarah Davis was born between 1795 and 1801.
Jeremiah was most likely the biological son of Susannah Washburn, but he was born out of wedlock, and it appears that his uncle, Lemuel Washburn claimed him as his son. Susannah Washburn married George McKoy when Jeremiah was 7 years old. Jeremiah refers to his stepfather George McKoy in his Will dated July 20, 1801. Susannah Washburn and Lemuel Washburn were brother and sister, and their parents were Jonathan Washburn and Rebecca Perry, so Jeremiah’s line to the Mayflower ancestors would be the same regardless of which one is the biological parent.
Benton P. Washburne in his book The Washburn Family in America has Jeremiah and his brother Nathaniel as he sons of Thomas but admits that that placement was just a guess. He provides:
Nathaniel and Jeremiah were brothers, but there is no known proof of their father. They are placed in this branch of the family as the judgement of Delos Cuyler Washburn. Both lived in Sussex Co., N.J. prior to the Revolution. Nathaniel moved to Massie’s Station, Adams Co., Ohio after the Revolution. Much of the material in this section was originally compiled by Cathy Gowdy of Mill Valley, Cal.
Jeremiah was the great great grandson of John Washburn, born 26 Nov 1620 in Bengeworth, Worcestershire, England, and his wife Elizabeth Mitchell, born 27 Aug 1627 in what is now Duxbury, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. John and Elizabeth had eleven children, including seven sons. It is estimated that 90% of all Washburns in America descend from John and Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s grandparents were Francis Cooke and Hester Mahieu who came over on the Mayflower
John Washburn and Elizabeth Mitchell
John was born and baptized (on the 28th) in Bengeworth, Worchester, England. John came to Plymouth Colony in 1635. The ship was the “Elizabeth and Ann”. He is recorded as 14 years of age. He came with his mother Margery (Moore) Washborne and his brother Philip Washborne, and they were recorded as 49 and 11 years of age.
John married Elizabeth Mitchell on 6 Dec 1645. They had 11 children. John and Elizabeth were among the original settlers of what is referred to today as “Old Bridgewater”. They settled in the area that is today the central portion of the town of Bridgewater. “Old Bridgewater’ was officially incorporated in 1656.
Elizabeth died between 1681 and 1684. She died before her father, and thus not mentioned in his will. John married again, another woman named Elizabeth. Her maiden name is not known. She was the widow of Samuel Packard (D: 7 Nov 1684). The marriage took place about 1685.
John made his will on 30 Oct 1686. He died on 12 Nov 1686, in Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Plymouth Colony. The place of his burial is not known. He is not buried in the First Cemetery of current day Bridgewater, as is repeatedly stated.

Elizabeth Mitchell was born 27 August 1627 in what is now Duxbury, Plymouth County, Massachusetts to Experience Mitchell (1603-1689) and Jane Cooke (c1609-c1641) and died 5 December 1684 in what is now Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Massachusetts of unspecified causes. She married John Washburn (1620-1686) 6 December 1645 in what is now Duxbury, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. Elizabeth and her husband, John Washburn, were among the original settlers of what is referred to today as “Old Bridgewater”. They settled in the area that is today the central portion of the town of Bridgewater. “Old Bridgewater” was officially incorporated in 1656. Elizabeth was the granddaughter of Francis Cooke.

Ancestors of Jeremiah Washburn
Jeremiah Washburn was the great great grandson of John Washburn and Elizabeth Mitchell.

Clarence Arnold Washburn Ancestors
