#52 Ancestors – No. 10 – John Lothrop

This post is number 10 in the series of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge where a group of us blog about a different ancestor for each week of the year.

Precious Family Heirlooms

I always wanted that family heirloom pass down for generations to proudly show off on Antiques Roadshow.  Well folks, that’s not going to happen.  At best, I own a 1885 tintype of a relative.  However, one of my ancestors historic  home and bible from the mid 1600’s still exists today.

My 9th great grandfather, Samuel House, brother-in-law was the Reverend John Lothrop (Lathrop).  The Lothrop’s and House’s, fleeing religious persecution in England, sailed to the new Plymouth Colony in 1634.  Eventually they established the town of Barnstable, MA.

John built his house there  in 1645. That house was incorporated into a later house built by descendent William Sturgis.  It is now called the Sturgis Library. Wikipedia states that The Sturgis Library in Barnstable, Massachusetts is the oldest building that houses a public library in America.

SturgisLibrary1SturgisLibrarySign

The library displays the bible John Lothrop brought with him from England.  Wickedyankee Blog wrote an interesting piece about the bible being burned on the voyage to the new world.

Lothrop Bible

Samuel House most likely touched that bible and walked in that house while he was alive.  From now on, I am going to proudly boast that my family heirlooms go back to the 1600’s and are displayed for all to see.

If you are a descendent of the Lothrop’s or House’s (Howes) make sure you visit the Sturgis Library in Barnstable, MA.  I myself have added this historic city to my bucket list.

Sources:  Sturgis Library, Barnstable, MA

Disclaimer: I do not own the photographs on the page. Photos are from from the WickedYankee blog and wikimedia.

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