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Stories about faith-filled, courageous ancestors can strengthen us when we too are faced with extraordinary adversities. For generations, Rev. John Scudder, M.D. and his wife Harriet W. Scudder have inspired many for their unflinching service in Sri Lanka and India. Dr. Scudder was a pioneer medical missionary in Ceylon and India.

An “island” oasis of Palmyra palms in the middle of rice fields is reached by a single lane road raised about six feet above the fields.  It was on that virtual “island” that Dr. John situated his first hospital. A twenty-minute walk from the hospital takes you to the Panditeripu mission station

Which Is Your Courageous Immigrant Ancestor? John Scudder, b. 1618 or his sister Elizabeth Scudder, b. 1625 or Their Uncle Thomas Scudder, 1587? From the beginning of the history of the American Scudder family, one family trait stands out strong. Scudders are willing and able to do hard things to better their circumstances.

Many years ago John² Scudder received the designation John (J) by the Scudder Association for being the immigrant ancestor of an extensive line of Scudder descendants in America referred to as the Scudder (J) line. He has a great posterity but until the 1990s his true English origins were obscured.

John² Scudder (J) was the first of the family to arrive in the western hemisphere. The early life story of John² Scudder (J) of Barnstable would be incomplete without mentioning the extraordinary times in which he lived and his extended family relationships of historical interest.