James Cudworth (colonist)

James Cudworth (c.1612 – c.1682) Per author Eugene Stratton, James Cudworth was one of the most important and interesting men in Plymouth Colony. Over his long life he served as a Deputy to the Plymouth General Court, Assistant Governor, commander of the colony’s militia in King Philip’s War as well as being Deputy Governor. He was also a commissioner to the New England Confederation four times between 1655 and 1681.

James Cudworth was baptized in August 2, 1612, in Aller, Somerset, England. Per author Douglas Richardson, his father was Rev. Ralph Cudworth, D.D., Fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge (d.1624). His mother was Mary Machell, who had been a nurse to Prince Henry, eldest son of King James I. Richardson provides her ancient English ancestry from 12th century nobility and earlier.

He and his wife Mary immigrated to New England in 1634 and initially settled at Scituate, Massachusetts.

On January 1, 1634/5 he was admitted as a freeman of Plymouth Colony. On January 18, 1634/5 he and his wife Mary joined the Scituate church.

In October 1636 the Plymouth General Court appointed William Brewster, James Cudworth and several other prominent citizens as a special committee which was to join with the governor and Assistants in reviewing all laws, with proposed changes to laws being presented at the next court meeting.

In 1639 he and his family removed to Barnstable but in 1646 returned to Scituate.

The 1643 Able To Bear Arms List cites James Cudworth on the lists of men able to bear arms for two locations - Scituate and Barnstable. and from 1649 he was a deputy to the General Court from Scituate. In 1652 he was captain of the militia in Scituate.

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