Which Is Your Courageous Immigrant Ancestor?
John Scudder, b. 1618 or his sister Elizabeth Scudder, b. 1625 or
Their Uncle Thomas Scudder, 1587?
by Margery Boyden, Scudder Association Foundation Historian, v. 2.1, Spring 2020
© Scudder Association Foundation, All rights reserved
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© Scudder Association Foundation, All rights reserved
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
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.
The first document to prove that Thomas Scudder (T) of Horton Kirby, Kent, England was in America is dated 25 December 1637 and is found on the Salem, Massachusetts Town Records under Land Grants, B. Records in England show that Thomas Scudder…
My mother was the daughter of Wilbur Carl Scudder.
I am a Scudder; This was my maiden name. My father was Merrill Fredrick Scudder. His sister was Margery and younger brother was Stanley. At the turn of the century, about 1799 a young Scudder came with his 3 young children and wife to Palermo, New York. The buriel grounds for many are here. An early one was Leander Scudder to Maria Tinker. Most were dairy farmers which may have supported cheese factories thru the years. I would like to know which original Scudder this family came from, Thomas or John. Old story was Rhode Isle with wagon and oxen. Early marriage of I think Chappel in the 1799 or back 20-25 years came from Ostego county. Johns relatives in my searches seemed to hang in Cape Cod area or Conn. Thomas’ seemed more adventurous. My great grandfather, Frederick stayed in Palermo. His son, Leon went to Fulton NY, later to Mexico, NY and then Rochester, NY where the following generations all went. I was from Irondequoit in Rochester.
scudder and younger brother was Samuel
Hello Carol,
You can check out this family line in Scudder ancestors in America website. Just register and start searching. I did find a Leander Scudder, born 27 June 1854, but not married to a Maria Tinker. You can also send an inquiry to the Genealogist, who may have more information for you. at Contact Genealogist
Best regards,
Rich Scudder
Board Member
My mother was E Shirley Scudder. Her father was William C Scudder.
Thank you, Judy for commenting on your family. We are glad you are reading our wonderful articles. Do you have your father’s middle name? I was looking in our database for him; however, we have quite a few William C’s.
Best regards
Rich Scudder
Board Member
My paternal grandmother was Ruth Scudder. I believe she may have been the niece of Ida Scudder. Ruth married the Rev. Martin DeWolfe and they were both missionaries in India, near Valore until returning to upstate NY (Rochester, Albany, Schenectady). My father, Alan DeWolfe, and his brother, Norm DeWolfe, were both born in India and raised there until about the ages of three and five respectively.