Thomas Tupper
One of the Ten Men of Saugus



Taken from the Book; Ancestry and Genealogy of Thomas Grover;



Tupper: "Magazine of American History", V-22, P. 324-327, states: "About 1520 three Tupper brothers, (Robert, Henry, and William), migrated to Sandwich, in Sussex, Guernsey, and to Chichester, England, from Hesse Cassel in Germany, where the name was Von Toppherr, Topfer, Toepfern, Tapfer, and Tophem, and finally - - Tupper. They had castles and large estates at Gros Toepfer, and Klein Toepfer, near Weimar, Germany. Henry Tupper had a second son Peter, who had a son, a clergyman, who may possibly have been Thomas Tupper of Sandwich, Mass., as tradition states he migrated to North America about 1630-35. "'DeHaviland's Genealogical Sketches', (England), states: "This family, settled in Guernsey, Eng., since the close of the 16th century, has always ranked and been considered among the gentry of the island; many of its members have gallantly fought and bled, or otherwise distinguished themselves in the public service; their arms and crest, granted and registered in England, bear evidence of well-earned augmentation: Arms: azure on a fess engrailed on three wild boars passant; oras many escallops gules; on a white ermine, a medal suspended by a chain, bearing the effigies of William and Mary, gold. Crest: on a mound vert a greyhound ermine resting its dexter forepaws on an escutcheon azure, thereon the gold medal of William and Mary. The reverse of this medal represents a sea fight, and bears the singular legend: 'Nox Nulla Secuta Est'. "The medal above was presented to Mr. John Tupper, who in 1692 conveyed word to the British Admiral at St. Helens, that a fleet of French vessels were in the Channel; the celebrated battle of LaHogue was the result; for this service William and Mary presented Mr. Tupper with a massive gold medal and chain, which his descendants are permitted to bear as an honorable augmentation to their arms and crests. Other distinguished Tuppers: In Britain: Major-General John Tupper, commander in chief of His Majesties Royal Marines, at Bunker Hill, April 1775, where he was wounded; In Massachusetts: Thomas Tupper, the emigrant ancester;-Selectman, Deputy to the Court for 19 years, Preacher to the Herring Pond Indians, etc.; American General Benjamin Tupper, who served in the French and Indian Wars in Canada, 1754-56, was at the Battle of Bunker Hill, and distinguished himself in an expedition to an island in Boston Harbor, destroying the lighthouse there, so the British vessels could not safely navigate the harbor waters, and was thanked by General George Washington in his general orders; he was also at Saratoga, and at Valley Forge, and assisted in the suppression of Shays' rebellion, etc." Richard Tupper, b. abt 1520, "of County Essex, England"; M- abt 1548, but his wife's name not known. His son- Henry Tupper, b. abt 1550, County Essex, England; died in 1625; M- abt 1575; wife's name unknown. His son- Thomas Tupper, the emigrant ancestor, 69 also known as 'Capt.' and as 'Rev.' Thomas Tupper, was born 28 January 1578, at Bury, Sussex, England; died at Sandwich, Mass., 28 March 1676, "98 yrs, 2 mos. of age"; M- (1) 1622, in England, Katherine Gator, (b. abt 1600, Eng.; evid. died abt 1627, England); he M- (2) 25 Jan. 1628, at Topsfield, Mass., widow Susan Turner, who died in 25 1634; M- (3) 21 Dec. 1634, in Ipswich, Mass., widow Ann Hodgson, "of Topsfield", (b. abt 1586, in England; d. - 4 June 1676, Topsfield, Mass., "age abt 90 yrs".)

Two slightly different versions are given as to Thomas Tupper's coming to New England, yet when carefully reconciled both appear correct, in their parts. Putting all records together, it appears Thomas Tupper was a seaman or ship's carpenter, prior to about 1634, and that he married- (1) 1622, in England, Katherine 69 Gator who died about 1627, leaving two children--one daughter, (Katherine), and one son, (Robert, who died, 1630, in England). Thomas then in Massachusetts, M- (2) 25 Jan. 1628, at Topsfield, the widow Susan Turner, who died six years later, 1634. Two children were born to them at Sandwich, Mass. When Susan died he then married 21 Dec. 1634, in Ipswich, Mass., widow Ann Hodgson, "of Topsfield", by whom he had a son Thomas Henry, born 16 Jan. 1638 at Sandwich. Very soon after this marriage he must have returned to England, to perhaps settle his father's estate, and to bring his daughter Katherine to New England. We then find, in 1635, from the ships-register, where Thomas and his daughter Katherine accompanied the Nyes, and Edmund Freeman's colonists to America in the "Abigail", in 1635.

Thomas Tupper settled in Sandwich, Mass., 1637, and very soon became a prominent man in his community, developing considerable ability as a civic leader. He served in the General Court, at Sandwich, 1644, and was soon made Deputy, serving from 1647 to 1667; served on juries, local boards, and commissions; was a Selectman from 1667 to 1670, and was a charter member of his church. In later years, when there was no settled minister in town, he conducted the religious services as Layman, and was always deeply interested in religious work among the Indians; this interest and activity was no doubt how he acquired the title 'Rev.' Tupper, though not an ordained minister. He was also known as 'Captain' Thomas Tupper, a title no doubt bestowed upon him in deference to his age, acknowledged leadership ability and experience in local civic affairs. He was a shrewd trader, and invested heavily in real estate, and held large land holdings at his death, March 1676.

Children by first wife, who died abt 1627-

Katherine, b. 31 Jan. 1623, County Sussex, Eng.; died 4 June 1676, Sandwich, 62 Mass.; M- 19 Oct. 1640, at Sandwich, 25 Benjamin Nye.

Robert, b. abt 1626-27, Sussex, Eng.; died- 1630, Eng.

Children by second wife, who died early 1634-

Thomas, b. abt 1630, Sandwich, Mass.; died-"infancy"

Robert, bpt. 3 Nov. 1633, Sandwich; M- 9 May 1654, Sandwich, Deborah Perry. 25

Child by third wife;

Thomas Henry Tupper, b. 16 Jan. 1637/38, 69 Sandwich, Mass.; d. - 26 April 1706, Sandwich; M- 16 Dec. 1661, Sandwich, Martha Mayhew, (b. 1638, Watertown, Mass.; d. - 15 Nov. 1717, Sandwich; da. of (Governor) Thomas and 25 Jayne (Gallyon) (Payne) Mayhew, of Nartha's Vineyard, Mass.)

(Capt.) Thomas Henry Tupper, b. Jan. 1637/38, became a Freeman at 20 yrs., and in 1658, with his father, was listed as one of the largest land owners in that area. He served on jury in 1664, was one of two excisemen in 1667, and Town Constable in 1669. Served as Selectman for 14 years, town clerk from 1675 to 1685, deputy to the General Court at Plymouth for 11 years, representative to the Court in Boston, and in 1680 was appointed Lieutenant of the military company in Sandwich, becoming Captain in 1690. He had very strong religious convictions, and for many years was a missionary among the Indians of the Mashpee and Herring Pond tribes.