The Family in America


Richard Ormesby (Ormsby) founder of the family in America, was born in England but nothing is known of his ancestral line or early life there. He evidently came to New England toward the beginning of the Puritan migration for he was on record as a resident of Saco, Maine in 1640, and probably had arrived there several years earlier. He removed to Salisbury, Mass. about 1645 as a Planter of the Town, and staid until 1648 when he settled in the adjacent Town of Haverhill, Mass. In 1649, he became a Freeman of the Colony. He finally settled at Rehoboth, Mass. and died there in 1664.

In, The Ormsby Family of Pennsylvania by O.O. The line of descent is given from Sir Richard de Ormsby showing a branch going to Ireland, and from which the Penn. branch originated. The Louisville, Kentucky branch of Ormsbys who came from Ireland also show descent from this same Sir Richard de Ormsby.

References for both these branches are given in Pedigree of the Family of Ormsby, formerly Ormsby in Lincolnshire, now of Ireland Compiled by J.F. Fuller, F.S.A. London: Mitchell and Higgins (1886).

As stated in Colonial Families in America nothing is known of the connection of Richard Ormesby, of New England, to the line of Sir Richard, except he definitely did come from England.

Topographical Dictionary of English Emigrants to New England (1620-1650) by Banks, shows; Richard Ormesby came from Cambridge-Shire Parish of Ellsworth, England to York, Maine

Another source of Ormsby Families in America may have been from English soldiers who were here before the Revolution.

Ref: N.E.H.G.R. Vol. 49 p. 54
British Officers serving in America 1754 to 1774

Name                 Rank & Regt.        Date of Commission
Ormsby, Arthur       Capt. 22              5 July  1758
Ormsby, Arthur       2d Lt. 40            30 June 1755
Ormsby, Arthur       Adj. 40              30 Sept. 1761
Ormsby, Eubule       Lt. 35               24  Jan.  1758
Ormsby, James        Ensign 45            30  Nov.  1756
Ormsby, James        Lt. 45                8  Feb.  1761
Ormsby, James        Adj. 45              29  Apr.  1761
Ormsby, James        Lt. 45               19  Mar.  1764
Ormsby, John         Capt. 35             24  Feb.  1756

Tradition in the Ormsby Families of Peru, N.Y. is that their ancestors came from England before or during the Revolution, and I can find no connection between them and the original Richard of New England.


 Ormsby.net

Ormsby Family Tree