The method of this work is that which is recommended by the New England Historic Genealogical Society, in an important sense the foster-mother of almost every New England genealogy.

The author is under obligations to all who have furnished records, who are many, but he feels under especial obligations to Mr. Sumner Kimball, of Lovell, Me.; Mr. Enos Eastman, of Plymouth, Wis.; Miss Mildred Eastman, of Kearsarge, N. H.; and to Mr. George P. Eastman, of Milbury, Mass., who turned over to him all the old records gathered by his grandfather, Rev. Lucius Eastman, who spent years on the work, and who published a pamphlet of about ten pages of the first four generations of the family.

The abbreviations used in this work are but few and will be readily understood. The marginal numbers indicate that a further record is given, which will be found further along in the book.

It is the earnest hope of the author that the result of his labors may impart to others the same gratification it has afforded him in its preparation, and he will be pleased to receive any additional material, which will be carefully preserved and deposited with the New Hampshire Historical Society, at Concord, N. H., where future genealogists of the family can obtain it, should it be thought advisable years hence to publish another edition.

GUY S. R X. Co

cor , . H.

INTRODUCTION.

Genealogy has been defined as "an account or history of the descent of a person or family from an ancestor; the enumeration of ancestors and their children in natural order of succession."

But it is sometimes asked, "Of what use is it?" The question might with almost equal propriety be asked concerning the kindred sciences of history and biography, for if there is utility in preserving a record of events, or of the life and character of individuals, then science which embraces, as it is now understood and practiced, in a considerable degree both these features, must also be interesting and profitable.

Our ancestors, the early founders of New England, were a reverent, conscientious and industrious people, and a consideration of their lives, their hardships and their achievements, cannot fail of proving salutary. It is both a natural and honorable ambition on the part of any man to have his genealogy traced, but unfortunately there are some who cannot see the necessity or desirableness of having their pedigrees ascertained, or of preserving any papers or documents bearing upon them, that they may have their descent defined and arranged in authentic genealogical order. Most people appear content with mere traditionary details of their lineage, without being at the pains to authenticate them by reference to proper records or regular genealogical authorities. And to show the apathy some have, the author will state that he has repeatedly sent self-addressed stamped envelopes for information, and to this day no reply has been received.

But he will say in addition, and to their credit, that the Eastmans, as a general thing, have taken a good deal of interest in the work.

There is a satisfaction to most persons in being able to trace their lineage to remote ancestors; in knowing where they lived, and what scenes and hardships, prosperity and adversity, they passed through, and in recollecting what benefits they conferred on their posterity.

As nothing is certainly known of Roger Eastman previous to his emigrating to this country, his settling at Salisbury seems a suitable epoch from which to commence an account of his family and descendants. Roger Eastman and the first settlers in Salisbury and adjoining towns were Puritans, and under the tyranny of the Tudors and Stuarts, many left their native country to enjoy civil and religious liberty. They did not come here to accumulate property, to live in ease and splendor, or acquire fame. They had vastly higher and holier views and aims, to obey God and prepare themselves for heaven.

These sons of the forest had sound hearts, firm in their resolutions, and persevering effort. Their faith in God never failed. They kept constantly in view the grand design of their coming to this wilderness.

To the Puritans are we indebted for our civil liberty and free institutions, as well as for our religious privileges.

It might under other circumstances seem unbecoming in us to speak of the virtues of the descendants of our ancestors, but in a history of the family it would seem strange if we did not find some who rose to eminence. We find more of the name who were college graduates than any other. Many have been ministers, lawyers, members of congress and many have held other public positions. Many have been mechanics, inventors and farmers.

HISTORY AND GENEALOGY

of the

Eastman Family in America.

The farthest back found of the Eastmans is of John Eastman, of Romsey, county Southampton, will dated September 24, 1602, proved October 22, 1602, to be buried in church of Romsey:

To son Roger Eastman all lands whatsoever in default to son John, also to Roger, 100 marks at 14, to be paid by my father Roger Eastman, to my son John 50 pounds at 14, to daughter Elizabeth and Margaret when 21 or married 40 pounds each. Ditto to child my wife now goith with, to servant Elizabeth Head 5 pounds. Residuary legate and executrix, wife Anne; overseers, Roger Eastman, Michael Mackeall and Mathew Mundsy.

Witness:

Walter Godfrey.
Giles Newe.

Thomas Stote.

The first one of the name in America was Roger Eastman1, born in Wales, England, in 1611, and died in Salisbury, Mass., December 16, 1694; married Sarah Smith (?), born in 1621, and died in Salisbury, Mass., March 11, 1697. They were both members of the church in Salisbury in 1694.

Roger Eastman came from Langford, county of Wilts, and sailed from Southampton in April, 1638, in the ship Confidence, John Jobson, master, bound for Massachusetts Bay Colony.

On the ship's papers he was entered as a servant of John Saunders. It is believed that on account of the emigration laws, or for political reasons, his real rank was higher than appears.

Many traditions have been handed down, but it is believed that Roger Eastman was the sole ancestor of all the Eastmans in this country. The name has been, in some cases, spelled "Easman," even by members of the same family. No record of his marriage has been found or of his wife's full name, and it is only by tradition that we suppose it to be "Smith." Roger Eastman received lands in the first division in Salisbury, in 1640-3. His minister's tax in 1650 was 8s. 3d.

From Salisbury the tribe dispersed, but the major part settled in the southern towns of New Hampshire and the northern towns of Massachusetts.

The third generation, however, settled farther north, following up the Merrimack river, while others settled further south in Massachusetts and Connecticut and others in Maine. From these places they scattered over the United States and Canada.