M. 28 Apr 1668 in Beverly, Massachusetts2
Wife: Mary Patch
D. before 2 Jan 1698 in Beverly, Massachusetts3
Paul Thorndike had the unusual distinction of being born in Massachusetts, living for a time in England, then deciding to go back to the colonies. At the center of this was the various religious beliefs of people in 17th-century England, and within his own family.
Paul was born to John Thorndike and Elizabeth Stratton in about 1642, probably in Salem, Massachusetts.1 He was the middle child amongst six sisters. Paul's parents had migrated to America from England during the 1630s.1 It is believed that his mother died when he was in his teens. When Paul was about 20, he traveled to England, staying in London for a time.1 Paul's uncle, Herbert Thorndike, was the Canon of Westminster Abbey and a noted theologian.4 Paul stayed with his uncle on the grounds of Westminster at least for awhile. He was said to have been baptized into the Church of England at the Abbey on April 18, 1663,1 which his uncle likely influenced him to do.
How Westminster looked when Paul was there.
There is something in this story that suggests a conflict within the Thorndike brothers John and Herbert over their interpretation of religion. John was a Puritan who left England to live in the Massachusetts colony, and Herbert was committed to the Church of England which was firmly anti-Puritan. John brought Paul’s youngest sisters to London in 1668,1 then he died was buried in Westminster Abbey.
Uncle Herbert died four years later and mentioned Paul's sisters in his will, leaving them an inheritance as long as they didn't return to America.5 But Paul wasn't in Herbert's will, because he had gone back home before his father and sisters made the trip over. The tone Herbert took with the sisters suggested that he objected to the religious views of the Puritans. Paul must have made a decision to choose a Puritan life over the Church of England.
On April 28, 1668, Paul married Mary Patch in Beverly, Massachusetts.2 Between 1669 and 1684, they had seven children. Paul was a selectman at the first town meeting of Beverly, Massachusetts when it broke away from Salem to become its own town in 1668.5 He was a surveyor of highways in 1674.5 In 1694, he was chairman of the committee to settle the boundary between Beverly and the town of Manchester.5 Paul was commissioned as "Lieutenant of the Foot Company” under Captain William Dixey in 1677,5 and became a captain himself in 1689.5
In June 1696, Paul was brought before the court in Salem for “the crime of drunkenness or excessive drinking.” He pleaded not guilty, but the ruling went against him and he was ordered to pay a fine of 5 shillings.6
Court record of charge against Paul for being drunk.
As the only son of his father, Paul inherited a large amount of land, which he increased during his life. He died in Beverly before January 2, 1698, when his estate was valued at over £450.5 There was a promontory along the Beverly shore named after him — it was known as “Paul’s Head."5,7 The place was renamed "Hospital Point" during the 19th century. Paul's descendants include John Kerry.8
Children:
1. Mary Thorndike — B. 8 Jan 1669, Beverly, Massachusetts;9 D. 31 Dec 1732, Beverly, Massachusetts;10 M. Robert Morgan (1670-1762), 7 Jan 1703, Beverly, Massachusetts11
2. Elizabeth Thorndike — B. 14 Oct 1670, Beverly, Massachusetts;12 D. 12 Jun 1727, Hopkinton, Massachusetts;5 M. Samuel Gould (1670-1727)5
3. Hannah Thorndike — B. 14 May 1673, Beverly, Massachusetts;13 M. William Pride (1678-1737), 1699, Beverly, Massachusetts14
4. John Thorndike — B. 22 Jan 1675, Beverly, Massachusetts;15 D. 23 Mar 1760, Beverly, Massachusetts;16 M. (1) Joanna Larkin (1673-1716), 20 Apr 1696, Beverly, Massachusetts;17 (2) Christiana Woodbury, 30 Mar 1718, Beverly, Massachusetts;18 (3) Abigail Conant, Jun 173219
5. Paul Thorndike — B. 17 Apr 1677, Beverly, Massachusetts;20 D. 14 Feb 1742, Beverly, Massachusetts;21 M. Mary Batchelder (~1670-?), 11 Dec 1701, Beverly, Massachusetts22
6. Martha Thorndike — D. after 2 Mar 1749;5 M. Richard Thistle (1685-1752), 17065
7. Herbert Thorndike — D. 6 Jan 1762, Beverly, Massachusetts;23 M. (1) Sarah Herrick (1692-1718), 17 Jan 1712, Beverly, Massachusetts;24 (2) Abigail Sallows (1693-?), 8 Jan 1719, Beverly, Massachusetts25
Sources:
1 The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-33, Robert Charles Anderson, 1995
2 Marriage record of Paul Thorndike and Mary Patch, Massachusetts Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, FamilySearch.org
3 Find-a-Grave listing for Paul Thorndike
4 Herbert Thorndike (Wikipedia article)
5 Descendants of John Thorndike of Essex County, Massachusetts, Murgan Hewitt Stafford, 1960, pp. 13-15
6 Court record about Paul being charged with drunkenness, Essex County, Massachusetts Court Records, 1648-1681, FamilySearch.org
7 Essex Institute Historical Collections, V. 56, 1920
8 FamousKin.com listing of Paul Thorndike
9 Birth record of Mary Thorndike, M.T.C.V. & T.R.
10 Death record of Mary Thorndike Morgan, M.T.C.V. & T.R.
11 Marriage record of Robert Morgan and Mary Thorndike, M.T.C.V. & T.R.
12 Birth record of Elizabeth Thorndike, M.T.C.V. & T.R.
13 Birth record of Hannah Thorndike, M.T.C.V. & T.R.
14 Marriage record of William Pride and Hannah Thorndike, M.T.C.V. & T.R.
15 Birth record of John Thorndike, M.T.C.V. & T.R.
16 Death record of John Thorndike, M.T.C.V. & T.R.
17 Marriage record of John Thorndike and Joanna Larkin, M.T.C.V. & T.R.
18 Marriage of John Thorndike and Christiana West, M.T.C.V. & T.R.
19 Marriage record of John Thorndike and Abigail Ober, M.T.C.V. & T.R.
20 Birth record of Paul Thorndike (son), M.T.C.V. & T.R.
21 Descendants of John Thorndike of Essex County, Massachusetts, Murgan Hewitt Stafford, 1960, p. 19
22 Marriage record of Paul Thorndike and Mary Batchelder, M.T.C.V. & T.R.
23 Death record of Herbert Thorndike, M.T.C.V. & T.R.
24 Marriage record of Herbert Thorndike and Sarah Herrick, M.T.C.V. & T.R.
25 Marriage record of Herbert Thorndike and Abigail Sallows, M.T.C.V. & T.R.
