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Last updated July 14, 2014|
John & Martha immigrated to Roxbury, Massachusetts in 1635 with four children-Mary, Martha,
John and Daniel. Their fifth child was born in December 1635. Seven more children were born
following their late summer 1636 move to Newbury, Mass. Their children intermarried with the leading households of the area and were respect and beloved at large. The family was received at once to the communion of the Newbury Church upon their arrival. He was a shoemaker. John Cheney joined nine others who walked 40 miles from Newbury to Cambridge, Mass to take a "freeman's oath" so that they could qualify to vote. They were admitted as "freeman" on 17 May 1637. The oath that they took was approved by the Massachusetts general Court on 14, May 1634. I John Cheney by God's Providence an inhabitant and freeman within the jurisdiction of this commonwealth, do freely acknowledge my self to be subject to the government thereof; and therefore do swear by the great and dreadful name of the ever living God that I will be true and faithful to the same, and will accordingly yield assistance and support thereunto with my person and estate, as in equity I am bound; and will also truly endeavor to maintain and preserve all the liberties and privileges thereof, submitting myself to the wholesome laws and orders made and established by the same. And further, that I will not plot or practise any evil against it, or consent to any that shall so do; but will timely discover and reveal the same to lawful authority now here established for the speedy preventing thereof. Moreover, I do solemnly bind myself in the sight of God that, when I shall be called to give my voice touching any such matter of this state, in which freemen are to deal, I will give my vote and suffrage as I shall judge, in my own conscience may best conduce and tend to the public weal of the body, without respect of persons or favor of any man. So help me God in the Lord Jesus Christ. Source: Benton, W. 1968 the " Annals of America", Encyclopedia Britannica publisher, Chicago, Illinois. Page 18 King Charles II felt that this oath expressed an undesirable attitude of independence. In 1665 he unsuccessfully attempted to amend the oath to include a pledge of "faith and true allegiance to our Sovereign Lord the King". John Cheney drowned in 1666. Martha died 1684. |