Monthly Archives: August 2013

08/22/13

Origins of Upham PT II

Dr. Upham says:

” Hugo, the first of this name of vrhom I have found an}^ notice, is designated Hugo de Upham, Hugo of Upham. Now the ‘ de ‘ not only indicates that he derived his name from his estate, but the lands belonging to him are expressly referred to in the same document, as bearing the name Upham : ‘ Campis de Upham ‘ (Upham fields). We conclude, then, that Hugo, and his ancestors holding possession of and residing on the lands known by the name Upham, received the names of Hugo, etc., de Upham. Continue reading →

08/21/13

About Phineas Upham Family Geneology

THIS SITE PROVIDES DETAILS OF DESCENDANTS OF PHINEAS UPHAM OF MASSACHUSETTS, WHO CAME FROM ENGLAND IN 163S, AND LIVED IN WEYMOUTH AND MALDEN. EMBRACING OVER FIVE HUNDRED HEADS OF FAMILIES, EXTENDING INTO THE TENTH GENERATION.

phineas upham

This genealogy has as its foundation the little book published in 1845 by Dr. Albert G. Upham, entitled ” Notices of John Upham and his Descendants ; ” and an incomplete, but very important Upham genealogy, showing many of the earlier generations in New England, collected by the well-known genealogist Thomas B. Wyman, a portion of which was printed in the JVeia England Genealogical and Historic Register, vol. 25, to which he had added notes as matter came to his knowledge, prior to his death some years ago. No attempt has been made to give particular credit to either of these pioneers in Upham genealogy for the reason that the entire work of each — omitting errors which have since been discovered — has been transferred to the pages of this book. Without the foundation afforded by the pains-taking labors of Dr. Upham and Mr. Wyman, this genealogy could not have been prepared.

I wish also to acknowledge that without the continued assistance and encouragement given me in collecting material, by Mr. Henry P. Upham of St. Paul, Minn., and the Rev. Dr. James Upham of Chelsea, Mass., my labor would have ceased, and the present end would not have been accomplished. So valuable has been the aid received from these gentlemen, I feel that while my name alone appears on the title page, they should share in any credit that may be thought to be due on account of its preparation.

The numerous others who have so kindly furnished records of particular branches, it is hoped, may find compensation with the re-appearance of their work in the pages which follow, and which are the result of a more or less connected effort, extending over the past seventeen years.

By F. K. UPHAM.
ALBANY, NY

08/21/13

More about Phineas Upham Family Geneology

While care has been taken with a view to accuracy to Phineas Upham Geneology, the work goes to the publisher with a foreknowledge that numerous errors must be discovered with the appearance of the book. My hope is, that among the Uphams who will follow so rapidly in the march of the generations, there may be some one who will be sufficiently interested to revise and correct it, and that a more complete genealogy of the posterity may be thus finally obtained. Continue reading →

08/3/13

Origins of Upham

These verses, speculating on the origin of the name of Upham, were composed, and set to music, by Judge Nathaniel G. Upham, of Concord, New Hampshire (No. 287):

Up high, on an oak-crowned hill
Prepared with sedulous care,
H is home, in the olden time,
An old man erected there.
Many a year have I known his name,
Each passer-by calls it Up-hame, Up-hame!
Up-hame, Up-ham! Up-hame, Up-home!
However you call it, wherever you roam.
The sons of the old man, remember it still.
The name, how it came, from the home on the hill,
Up-hame, Up-ham! Up-hame, Up-home!

They’ll never forget it, wherever they roam.

*Upham is composed of the Anglo-Saxon words, ” Up ” and ” ham,” signifying a home, dwelling, or village. — BoszvortJ is Dictionary of the Anglo-Saxon Langitage Ray’s Proverbs atid Obsolete Words. In the age of Elizabeth the name was written with a final e,soon afterward this letter was dropped, and the name assumed its original form. — (N. G. U.)

 

08/3/13

Lieutenant Phineas Upham

Lieutenant Phineas Upham (John), of Maiden, Mass.,was the only son of John Upham that left posterity; consequently he, as well as his father, was the ancestor of all the American Uphams.

In 1673 he was appointed with three others to survey a road from Cambridge to Maiden. In 1674 his name is signed to two inventories made by him, and to a petition in regard to lands in Worcester; he was also on a committee to alter highways, in April of that year. Continue reading →

08/3/13

The Upham Name in England

Very little of value has yet been learned concerning this interesting matter, though it is believed there is considerable which might be. Dr. Upham — in the ” Notices ” — said :

” Forty or fifty years subsequent to the date of this entry on the charter rolls, we find from the Hundred Rolls, Temp. Henry HI. and Edward I., vol. 2, p. 240 (these rolls contain inquisitions taken in pursuance to a special commission, issued under the Great Seal. This inquisition was taken by jurors chosen from each hundred, and consisted of returns made under oath of all the demesne lands of the crown, manors of the same, wardships, marriages, escheats, etc.), that another person, holding the office of juror in Selkley Hundred, bore this surname : ‘ Hundr’ de Selkel’ Nich’ de Upham jur’ Com’ Wyltes, Ano. 39, Hen. IH.,’ [1255]. Soon afterward we find in the Fine Rolls (in Turr. Londenensis asservatis Henrico Tertio Rege., vol. 2, pp. 375-1246- 1272. Memb. 9. Henry HI., A. D. 1262, commenced in the sixth year of King John, 1204, and finished under Edward IV., 1483. Continue reading →