First Generation

1. William Cory^1,2 was born about 1628 in Bristol, Gloucestershire, England. He was christened on 21 May 1634 in St.James Parish Church, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England, UK. He died on 8 Feb 1681/82 in Portsmouth, Newport Co, RI. He was a carpenter, miller, prop of public house, Capt of militia, emigrant. He arrived in Rhode Island in 1642. He was a house carpenter, miller (in 1657), proprietor of a public house, and Captain of militia.

He was married to Mary Earle about 1656. The listed birthdates of their children are quite difficult to reconcile as a logical progression.

William resided in Portsmouth, RI. The first record we have of him was, December 10, 1657. On December 10, 1657, he received a grant of 8 acres of land from his paternal grandmother, Ann Wauker Correy Roome.

In May of 1658 he was given another large grant of land. May 18 1658 William was made a freeman.

On Oct. 28, 1662, he let or hired out his now dwelling house, with fenced land, to Peter Folger of Newport, for five years with conditions for improving the farm.

Unusually, William, accompanied by his brother in law, William Earle returned to Bristol on a visit in 1669/70 to claim property deeded to him by his grandmother. An entry in the first volume of the Colony Records for 28th February 1667, recorded that Ann Roome, widow of John Roome of Portsmouth, Rhode Island had deeded to William Corrie of Portsmouth "for consideration of full and just satisfaction and true payment by mee in hand Received from 'William Corrie of Portsmouth, house carpenter, deeded to him' two certain mansion houses with the lands thereto belonging . . . in St James Parish in the street called St. James back in the Citty of Bristol, in Old England" which had been left to her by her late husband [John Correy] and by him "put into the hands and care of Mr. Thomas ffloyd [sic] of Bristol."

On 18 October 1667 she gave to him a commemoratory deed, and immediately gave to him another document (both recorded R.I. [Archive MS 0020 9], 2:354, Rhode Island Colony Records 1646 to 1669) stating that:

"William Correy, being of aged about fower and thirtye yeares being now personally present and intending a voyage to England upon occasion of demanding and Receiving the Estate that his grandmother, Ann Roome hath made sale and surrender of unto him by the written deed: I say this certifieth that the bearer here of William Correy aforesaid is the reputed son of one John Correy deceased who was somtime inhabitant in or near the city of Bristol in England and son of Ann Roome aforenamed: and further this certifieth that the said William Correy i s bound for England in company with one William Earll inhabitant of t he same town of Portsmouth on Rhode Island and the aforesaid William Earll may be able to testifie in England and to the parson that shall ther Exhibett these presantes whether hee be the same to whome they are now committed and in whose behalfe these lines are written . . . Voted at Newport . . . the thertenth day of November . . .1669 . . under the hand of the governor [Benidict Arnold]. Joseph Torrey recorder."

On Dec. 4, 1669, he had a deed of a third of a share in Dartmouth from William Earle. And on that same date he was made a freeman.

No records have come to light in Bristol to confirm the success or otherwise fo the 1669 prilgrimage

On 4 April 1676 he and three others, were appointed to have the care and disposing of one barrel of powder for the town and two great guns that were in the yard of the late deceased William Benton. They were to be carried to Portsmouth and placed, one on Ferry Neck and one near house of John Borden. The above committee causing said guns to be set on carriages and fitted for service. 24 August 1676 he was a member of the court martial held in Newport for the trial of certain Indians.

William Earle was William Correy's brother-in-law. Along with William Earle in 1688 they built a windmill on Briggs hill.

He was given one third of Portsmouth, Rhode Island on 7 January 1671.

He was a journeyman 4 April 1676.

He and three others were appointed "To have the care and disposing o f one barrel of gunpowder for the town and the towns' great guns that are now in place on Ferry Creek and one near the house of John Borden. This committee causing said guns to be set on carriages and fitte d for service."

He was a member of the Courts Martial held in Newport, Rhode Island, for the trial of certain Indians in 1678, 1679, and 1680. He held t he offices of Lieutenant and Captain.

His will was dated 4 January 1681 or 1682 was proved 24 February 1682 , To Wit: "Exx. Wife Mary. Overseers, Friends William Woodell, John S anford and George Brownell. To wife, absolutely at her disposal, al l lands, etc., with my wind mill at Portsmouth, and all personal esta te, what so ever and where so ever, except legacies. To her, for life , use of dwelling house in which I dwell (except two rooms to son Wil liam), half orchard, half the barn and use of half of all the uplan d and meadows, adjoining land belonging to deceased William Hall. T o eldest son John, certain land in Portsmouth, with housing, etc. fo r life and to such children he may will it to, but if John have no is sue, he may dispose of it to his brothers and sisters of whole blood . To son William, great lower room of southerly part of dwelling hous e, which now at this time I inhabit, with the lean-to room adjoining , commonly called Margaret's room, half of orchard, profits of half u pland and meadow adjoining, and at decease of my wife, his mother, he to have all rest of the lands and house for life, and to his childr en, if he have any. To third son, Thomas, at twenty one a half shar e in Pocasset lands divided and undivided (a share being one thirtiet h part). To forth son Caleb, at age, a third of a share in Dartmouth , for life. To fifth son, Caleb, at age, a third of a share in Dartmo uth, for life, and if he die with out issue, his part to go to his br other Thomas. To Eldest daughter Mercy 10 pounds, to second daughte r Ann at eighteen or marriage, 10 pounds. The children left to wive s care, to be tenderly brought up and educated."

Another source lists him as being fourth in descent from a Robert Corey of England who has a date of 1554.