John Besbege was of Biddenden,Kent. His parentage and his place and date of birth is unknown. The spelling of his name has many varieties ,i.e., Bisbee, Byxpitch,Besbeche,Besbridge,Besbeech Besbyche. From the parish records of Biddenden,Kent we find that John married Mrs Dorothy (Austin} Foster 31 Oct 1586. She had been previously married 20 Jan 1581 to Thomas Foster. Their son Richard Foster m Patience Bigge; Patience came to America with her Mother Rachel (Martin) Bigge in 1635. Dorothy Austin was the daughter of Henry Austin and his wife Anne(–).

John Besbege, in his will, called himself a “yoeman”(farmer). The people of Kent were largely small landholders and been so since the time of the Danish Conquest. John made his will in 1608/1609 which was probated 8 Mar 1610. He requested to be buried in the Parish Churchyard (All Saints). In the “Churches of Kent” by Francis Grayling 1913 we find “The tower is an elegant specimen of the Kent type. The plan is regular with the Chancel longer than the aisles. The pillars and towers are of the 13th Century. The windows are of the 14th Century; the chancel pillars and arches are of the 15th Century with the tower being dated 1541. Parish registers were started in 1538". John Besbege’s will speaks of many persons including sons John and Thomas(designated executors}, his wife Dorothy, and others. John’s wife Dorothy made her will 27 Dec 1619 and it was proved 4 Jan 1620.

Thomas Besbege, second born child and son, was baptised at All Saints on 3 Mar 1690. He married Anne Baseden on 14 Jan 1619; her parents and date/place of birth are not known. She died 21 April 1634 in Frittenden. As a matter of interest, the termination of places with “den” in old England means “In a valley” or “near a wood”.

Thomas Besbege was also a “yoeman” who left Biddenden and lived for awhile in Hedcorn and then later in Sandwich. Thomas emmigrated to America in 1635 on the Ship “Hercules”, Master Witherly in Command. He took with him his two daughters Mary and Alice and seven servants. He initially settled in Scituate which name is derived from the Indian word Satuit or Cold Brook The town was settled in 1634 along the “Road of the Men of Kent” and “Meeting House Lane”. Thomas Besbege was one of the first Deacons in the Parish Church and became a “freeman” in 1637.

Thomas Besbege had property in Barnstable in 1638/39; he moved to Duxbury in 1638 where he bought the house of William Palmer. He did jury duty in 1638 at Plymouth. He moved to Sudbury. In 1643 he was chosen representative to the General Court of Duxbury. He moved back to Sudbury in 1645 and sold his land in Duxbury in 1647. He moved to Marchfield in 1664 having sold land in Sudbury. He was obviously moving about quite a lot. He later moved back to Sudbury. He made his will in Sudbury on 25 Nov 1672 which was probated 2 July 1674. In summary, Thomas Besbege was a successful “yoeman”, a good citizen in various civic and church acivities, and a strong and concerned family man. References:FH7:1stV3:753;FH30:5-17;NEHGR:V67:33-36,V75:224,V112:312;PH7:71; PH17:V1:171-172;PH22:220-221;PH97:47;PH152:227;PH197:51-52