CHAPTER III.

Third Generation

11. Thomas Kennan, son of George and Abigail (Sherman) Kennan, was born at Charlemont, Mass., June 3, 1773. He married at Waterbury, Vermont, February 18, 1795, Sally Lathrop, born in 1774. She died at Dekalb, N. Y., July 18, 1831. Thomas Kennan was grandfather of the writer of this sketch. He studied for the ministry with the Rev. Mr. Hovey, of Waterbury, Vermont, and occasionally supplied that gentleman's pulpit. After being ordained he was called to preach at Stowe, Vt. After preaching there a while he moved to Moira, N. Y. He preached there about nine years and then moved, in 1809, to Bangor, N. Y. After remaining there a few years he removed with his family to Dekalb, St. Lawrence County, N. Y. His wife died. there, on July 18, 1831, aged 56 years. Sometime after that he removed to Norwalk, O., and resided there until the time of his death, which occurred Jan. 26, 1853. He was a Presbyterian minister. He was tall, erect and spare in figure and somewhat distinguished in appearance. After his son, Jairus Kennan was married the Rev. Thomas lived with him, and he died at his house. He owned ten acres of land just outside of Norwalk, and after he stopped preaching he kept a horse and light wagon and was accustomed to drive to his place in fair weather and do a little work there. His

wife Sally Lathrop came of good stock. She was a descendant of the Rev. John Lathrop, who preached to the first free church organized in London, and about 1630 was imprisoned two years for not preaching and conforming to the doctrines of the English Church. She was also a "Mayflower Descendant" being in the direct line from Elder William Brewster, called "Chief of the Pilgrims" who landed at Plymouth Rock from the Mayflower, on December 21, A. D. 1620.

William Brewster was born about 1560, a little more than a year after Queen Elizabeth came to the throne. The exact place of his nativity is somewhat uncertain, but I think it quite probable that he was born and raised in Scrooby, England.

Rev. Mr. Steele in his life of Brewster says:

"Among the old English families inhabiting the northeastern part of Suffolk County and a part of Norfolk on the eastern coast of England, were the ancient Brewster family and their connections located, ranking among the early English Landed Gentry. As early as 1375, John Brewster was witness to a deed in the Parish of Henstead, in Suffolk County, and not long after in the reign of Richard the Second, a John Brewster was presented to the Rectory of Godwich in the County of Norfolk." In the list of gentry of Norfolk returned to Henry the Sixth was Galfridus Brewster. In the County of Suffolk Robert Brewster of Mutford possessed lands in Henstead, and William Brewster of Henstead and Robert Brewster of Rushmere, died, possessed of these estates prior to the year 1482. Some years later Humphrey Brewster purchased the Manor and Living of Wrentham not far distant, and in 1550, built Wrentham Hall where his descendants continued

to reside until about 1810. In this vicinity many descendants of this branch of the family continued to reside, and the name of William kept up for more than three hundred years.

That the puritan William Brewster was of this connection seems most probable from the fact that a copy of the same Coat of Arms has been preserved from time immemorial in one branch of the Brewster family in this country.

Mr. Brewster received a liberal education at the University of Cambridge. He was married to Mary Love probably about 1592. After leaving the Univer-, sity he entered the service of Embassador Davison who belonged to the Queen's Court. He accompanied Mr. Davison on his missions to other countries which furnished him excellent opportunities for travel and study.

He also remained in Mr. Davison's employ later, after Mr. Davison had been promoted to be a member of Queen Elizabeth's Court as one of her Secretaries of State. And it is well known that her Court at that time was one of distinguished eminence.

Mr. Brewster seems to have been Mr. Davison's confidential clerk or private Secretary. He had his office or headquarters with Mr. Davison wherever the royal residence of the Queen might be, as they had to attend constantly on the Sovereign:

Each of her Secretaries was provided with apartments in all royal houses. The Secretary found Mr. Brewster so discreet and faithful that he trusted him above all others, and only employed him in matters of the greatest trust and secrecy.

Mr. Brewster, at this time, was about twenty-six years of age. The trial and execution of the beautiful