Rambles about Portsmouth. Sketches of persons, localities, and incidents of two centuries: principally from tradition and unpublished documents. By Charles W. Brewster.

THE SHEAFE FAMILY. 127
Edmund Sheafe was born in 1605, and was married to
Elizabeth Cotton, daughter of Sampson Cotton of London. His children were, Rebecca, Elizabeth and Sampson Sheafe. Sampson was born in 1650, soon after his
father's decease.
Jacob Sheafe was also from Cranebrook, born in 1616,
and married to Margaret Webb, born 1625, died 1693, aged
68. She was the only daughter of Henry Webb of London,
who came over to this country with his father, of Salisbury,
England.
Two of the children perished in their house near the
Court House in Boston, which was burnt in 1655. It is
believed that Jacob Sheafe came over with Rev. Henry
Whitefield, and in 1643 was one of the seven pillars in the,
Church of Guilford, Connecticut, so denominated or styled,
to which was gathered the body of the Church. Whitefield
was a member of the Church of England, but afterwards a
conformist to the manner of worship of the church in New
England. He left Guilford with Mr. Higginson, who came
to Salem, and in 1650 returned to England. Mr. Eaton, one
of the pillars, remained in Guilford, or New Haven:; and
prior to 1647, Jacob Sheafe came to Boston and the.re died
in 1658, aged 42, and was buried in a tomb in the King's
Chapel burying ground. This was the first tomb made
there. IHe owned considerable landed estate, and 361
ounces of plate. Some of the plate was a few years since
in the family of Mr. Henry Haven, a descendant of Jacob
Sheafe. The widow of Jacob Sheafe married Rev. Mr1
Thacher, and died 1693, aged 65. She was buried in the
same tomb. Robert Gibbs, her son-in-law, was also buried
there.
In the first church, Boston, Margaret wife of Jacob
Sheafe, merchant, was admitted a member 15th of the third
month, 164-7. Jacob Sheafe was also admitted 4th of 2d
month, 1658.