Department of Archives,
State House,
Boston. Mass.
Gentleman:
For many years the Cody Family Assn has been trying to get
information about the marriage of the first Cody in America -
namely Philip Cody (Code, LeCody,LeCaudey,Micody, etc.).
The first definite record we have of this Philip is when he
purchased his home in Beverly, Mass. in the year 1698. He sold this
home in 1723 and moved to Hopkinton,Mass., where he died; will
filed for probate Feb.3, 1743. From church, baptism and death
records, we have ascertained that his wife's name was Martha, but
nothing to indicate what her maiden name was or where she came from.
Just recently we discovered Mr. Perley's book "History of Salem",
and have read a copy of an article in the SALEM NEWS, around 1927,
quoting Mr. Perley as follows:
"on Sept.24, 1687, there arrived in the harbor of Salem from
France, the ship THOMAS, commanded by James Thomas. *** Philip
LeCody probably came with the passengers on this vessel, and perhaps
the 'Martha' who later became his wife. This vessel came without
papers, thus showing that it cleared the foreign port without the
knowlege of the authorities. *** They lived on the place they
called 'home' in Beverly for 25 years, and in 1723 removed to
Hopkinton."
"LeCody turned to Beverly and secured work. Farm work and the
chopping of wood were equally desired, but at length he learned
weaving, and after six years he married, his native thrift enabling
him to save money even from his scanty earnings."
Anxious to find out where Mr. Perley got this information, we
wrote his daughter Eleanor S. Perley, 21 Fairmount St., Salem,
Mass., telling her that Mr. Roger W. Hanners, Box 113, Prides Crossing,
Mass. wrote us, in answer to our inquiry, that he could find no record
of any marriage of Philip Cody in the Beverly Town Records, but did
find a record of the birth of the, first son John LeCody, born Jan.1,
1695-6 (Beverly Vital Records, Vol.1, page 202), son of Philip and
Martha, and and asking her if perhaps in her father's book or records she
could find this definite information. Miss Perley answered on Feb.12,
saying she found no reference to Philip Cody in any of the 3 volumes,
and she thought he must have gone directly to Beverly. She further
said that very likely her father obtained his information about Philip
Cody at the Archives in the State House in Boston, as he went there
often to get material for his books.
Any information you might be able to give us about this Philip
LeCody, where he came from, whom he married, and where, will be
greatly appreciated. We would gladly pay for any transcripts of records
pertaining to this man. Sincerely yours,
|
