This family's name is now spelled "Flagg", but the people in this genealogy spelled it as Flegg, or occassionally some other variant with an "e" rather than an "a".

Generation 1

UNKNOWN FLAGG

Parents: Unknown

Unknown Flagg may be William Flagg, born about 1400 in or near East Dereham, co. Norfolk. [Ref, p. 414-5]

Children of Unknown Flagg:

1. Sir John Flagg was born about 1430. [Ref, p. 414-5] He died before 1480. [Ref, p. 414-5]
   John was referred to as "Sir" John, as this was the customary title applied to priests at the time.
2. Margaret Flagg was born about 1433. [Ref, p. 414-5]
3. Sir William Flagg was born about 1435. [Ref, p. 414-5] He died between 16 May 1480, when he signed his will, and 4 Jun 1481, when it was proved. [Ref, p. 414-5] He mentions his sisters Margaret and Isabel and his nephew John and William. [Ref, p. 414-5]
   He was a priest and rector of Whepstead, co. Suffolk. [Ref, p. 414-5]
4. Isabel FLagg was born about 1438. [Ref, p. 414-5]
5. James Flagg was born about 1440, probably in or near East Dereham. He died in 1527 in East Bradenham.

Generation 2

JAMES FLAGG (c. 1440 - 1527) of East Bradenham

Parents: Unknown Flagg

James Flagg was born about 1440, probably in or near East Dereham, co. Norfolk. [Ref, p. 415-7] He died in 1527 in East Bradenham. [Ref, p. 415-7]

James was a prosperous yeoman. [Ref, p. 415-7]

In his will, proved on 1 Jul 1527, James asks to be buried in the church yard at East Bradenham. He mentions his son John, his three daughters and his wife Margaret. [Ref, p. 415-7]

Children of James Flagg:

1. John Flagg was born about 1465. He died in 1536 in Shipdham. He married Margaret Wenne.

Generation 3

JOHN FLAGG (c. 1465 - 1536) of Shipdham

Parents: James Flagg [Ref, p. 415-7]

John Flagg was born about 1465. [Ref, p. 417-9] He died in 1536 in Shipdham, age about 70. [Ref, p. 417-9] He married Margaret Wenne about 1490. [Ref, p. 417-9] Margaret was the sister of Thomas Wenne of Shipdham and East Dereham, who mentioned his sister Margaret Flagg in his 1 Dec 1533 will.

John is mentioned in the 1480 will of his uncle Sir (Rev.) William Flagg, who wanted him to go to Cambridge and become a priest. John, however, became a yeoman. [Ref, p. 417-9]

Doubtless, most of his father's lands were settled on John by enfeoffment. [Ref, p. 417-9]

John settled in Shipdham before 1500. [Ref, p. 417-9] He was on a on jury on 27 Mar 15 Henry VII (1500). [Ref, p. 417-9] He paid taxes in the subsidy of 15 Henry VIII (1523). [Ref, p. 417-9]

John signed his will on 25 Jan 1535/6. He asked to be buried in the churchyard at Shipdham. He mentioned his wife Margaret, son Richard, daughter Joane, son William. [Ref, p. 417-9]

Children of William Flagg and Margaret Wenne:

1. William Flagg was born about 1490, probably in Shipdham. [Ref, p. 417-9] He died in 1551, age 60. [Ref, p. 417-9] He married Agnes Unknown about 1513. [Ref, p. 417-9] She died after 16 Jun 1556, when she signed her will. [Ref, p. 417-9]
2. Thomas Flagg was born about 1493, probably in Shipdham. He died in the autumn of 1524. [Ref, p. 417-9] He married Maud Unknown. [Ref, p. 417-9]
   He settled in Westfield, a parish to the north of Shipdham. [Ref, p. 417-9]
   
3. Richard Flagg was born about 1500. He probably died about 1550. He married Margaret Unknown.
4. Joane Flagg

Generation 4

RICHARD FLAGG (c. 1500 - c. 1550) of Shipdham

Parents: John Flagg [Ref, p. 417-9]

Richard Flagg was born about 1500, probably in Shipdham. [Ref, p. 422] He probably died about 1550. [Ref, p. 423] He married Margaret Unknown. [Ref, p. 423] She was buried on 10 Oct 1558 in Shipdham. [Ref, p. 423]

His father left Richard goods in his will and gave him lands in Shipdham by enfeoffment. [Ref, p. 422]

Richard was a church warden between 1543 and 1546 in Shipdham. [Ref, p. 422] He paid taxes in the 27 Henry VIII (1545) and 3 Edward VI (1548) subsidies in Shipdham. [Ref, p. 422]

Children of Richard Flagg and Margaret Unknown:

1. Richard Flagg was born about 1550. [Ref, p. 426] He was buried on 22 May 1590. [Ref, p. 426] He married Margaret Humble about 1550. [Ref, p. 426] Margaret was the daughter of Charles and Alice Humble of Westfield. [Ref, p. 426] She was buried on 12 Mar 1588/9 in Shipdham. [Ref, p. 426]
   Richard was a yeoman. [Ref, p. 426]
   
2. John Flagg was born about 1534. He married first Christian Cornell. He married second Elizabeth Unknown.
3. Ralph Flagg was born about 1540. [Ref, p. 428-9] He was buried on 4 Jul 1621. [Ref, p. 428-9] He married Margaret Greene on 13 Apr 1571 in Shipdham. [Ref, p. 428-9] She was buried on 2 Apr 1616. [Ref, p. 428-9]

Generation 5

JOHN FLAGG (c. 1534) of Shipdham

Parents: Richard Flagg and Margaret Unknown [Ref, p. 14-15][Ref, p. 423]

John Flagg was born about 1534. [Ref, p. 428] He married first Christian Cornell on 1 Jun 1564 in Shipdham. [Ref, p. 428] She was buried there on 11 Sep 1566. [Ref, p. 428] He married second Elizabeth Unknown. [Ref, p. 428]

In June 1570 a fine was levied between Robert Danney, querant, and John Flegge, junior, and wife Elizabeth, deforciants, of a messuage and 12 acres in Shipdham. [Ref, p. 428] John was called "junior" to distinguish him from an older cousin. [Ref, p. 428]

Children of John Flagg and Christian Cornell:

1. Michael Flagg was baptised on 20 Aug 1564. [Ref, p. 428] He was buried on 17 Nov 1628 in Shipdham. [Ref, p. 428] He married Anna Allen on 25 Sep 1597. [Ref, p. 428] She died after 11 Jan 1628/9, when she proved Michael's will. [Ref, p. 428]
   Michael was a yeoman of Shipdham. [Ref, p. 428] In his will of Jun 1627, he left a bequest to his kinsman Michael Flegg of Hardingham, son of his brother Allen Flegg. [Ref, p. 428]

Children of John Flagg and Elizabeth Unknown:

1. Allen Flagg was born after 1570. He was buried on 21 Apr 1632 in Hardingham. He married Nazareth Deveroys.

Generation 6

ALLEN FLAGG (aft. 1570 - 1632) of Hardingham

Parents: John Flagg and Elizabeth Unknown [Ref, p. 432]

Allen Flagg was born after 1570. [Ref, p. 432] He was buried on 21 Apr 1632 in the churchyard in Hardingham. [Ref, p. 433] He married Nazareth Deveroys on 30 Jul 1611. [Ref, p. 433] Nazareth was the daughter of Edmund and Ursula (Pitcher) Deveroys. [Ref, p. 433] She was baptised on 3 Apr 1586 in Hardingham. [Ref, p. 433]

Allen's parentage is elablished by the will of his elder half brother Michael Flegg of Shipdham, who left his brother Allen's son Michael Flegg of Hardingham, a bequest in his will. [Ref, p. 432]

Allen settled in Hardingham, a small parish about six miles from Shipdham, as early as 1611. [Ref, p. 432]

Allen left no will. [Ref, p. 432]

Children of Benjamin Flagg and Alicia Unknown:

1. Henry Flagg was baptised on 21 Jun 1612 in Hardingham. [Ref, p. 433] He was buried on 8 Jan 1676/7. [Ref, p. 433] He married first Charity Unknown. [Ref, p. 433] He married second Susanna Unknown. [Ref, p. 433]
   Henry settled in the parish of Reymerston, which is next to Hardingham. [Ref, p. 433]
2. Michael Flagg was born probably about 1615. [Ref, p. 433] He was buried on 12 Nov 1657 in Reymerston. [Ref, p. 433] He married Susan Unknown. [Ref, p. 433] She married second Robert Rose on 4 May 1658. [Ref, p. 433]
   Michael was left a bequest in the 1627 will of his uncle Michael Flagg of Shipdham. [Ref, p. 433]
3. Bartholomew Flagg was baptised on 30 May 1619 in Hardingham. [Ref, p. 433] He died between 2 Jul 1686, when he signed his will, and 19 Sep 1691, when it was proved. [Ref, p. 433] He married Elizabeth Goodwin.
   In his will, Bartholomew Flagg, worsted weaver of Mattishall, mentions his wife Elizabeth, late Elizabeth Goodwin. [Ref, p. 433]
   
4. Thomas Flagg was baptised on 6 May 1621 in Hardingham. He died on 6 Feb 1697/8 in Watertown. He married Mary Unknown.
   

Generation 7

THOMAS FLAGG (bp. 1621 - 1698) of Watertown

Parents: Probably Allen Flagg and Nazareth Deveroys [Ref, p. 439]

There is little dispute that Thomas is the grandson of John Flagg, but it is not completely clear who his parents are. Bartlett [Ref, p. 439] argues that he is the Thomas, who was baptised in 1621 as the son of Allen Flagg and Nazareth Deveroys. There is no other record of any Thomas in the area. The main problem with the hypothesis that he is Allen's son is his age: how could he be born about 1621 and say that he 21 in 1637? Bartlett argues that this may have been a deliberate deception to avoid problems with emigrating as a servant. He also petitioned to get out of training on 5 Apr 1681, which is consistent with his being 60 at the time. Flagg [Ref, p. 15] argues that Bartholomew and Alicia Unknown are his parents, but there is no evidence that they had a son named Thomas. Bartholomew was the first cousin once removed of Allen Flagg. He was the son of John and Aveline Flagg, the grandson of Richard Flagg and the great-grandson of Richard Flagg.

The naming of Thomas's children is notable. His first son is Gershom, which means "exile" and was sometimes given to first sons born in New England. John was the name of Thomas's grandfather; Bartholomew and Michael were the names of Thomas's brothers; Elizabeth was the name of Thomas's grandmother; Allen was the name of his father.

Thomas Flagg was baptised on 6 May 1621 in Hardingham, co. Norfolk. [Ref, p. 439] He died on 6 Feb 1697/8 in Watertown. [Ref][Ref, p. 20] He married Mary Unknown. [Ref][Ref, p. 20] She died between 30 Dec 1702 and 21 Apr 1703. [Ref, p. 440]

On 11 Apr 1637 Richard Carver of Skratby (probably Scratley, a part of Ormsby), husbandman, was examined prior to going to New England. Going with him was his servant, Thomas Flege, age 21. [Ref]

Thomas bought 39 acres from Jonathan Whitney of Sherborne for £40 on 7 Nov 1664. [Ref]

Thomas Flagg would not join the church; hence, he was never a freeman. [Ref, p. 440] He was a selectman in Watertown several times between 1671 and 1685. [Ref, p. 439] On 3 Nov 1673, Thomas Flagg, Sr. and John Whitney were chosen to see John Coolidge, Sr. and Thomas Heastings for refusing to deliver the town bull that had been let to them. [Ref, 2;197] He was on the grand jury on 10 Jul 1693. [Ref, p. 440]

Thomas signed his will on 5 Mar 1697; it was proved on 16 Feb 1698. He mentions his sons Thomas, Michael, Allen and Benjamin; his daughter Rebecca Cook. [Ref, p. 20] Mary signed her will on 30 Dec 1702. She mentioned her son Benjamin; her daughters Mary Bigelow, Elizabeth Bigelow and Rebecca Cook. Samuel Bigelow was the executor. [Ref, p. 21]

Children of Thomas Flagg and Mary Unknown:

1. Lieut. Gershom Glagg was born on 16 Apr 1641 in Watertown. [Ref][Ref, p. 131] He was killed on 6 Jul 1690 by Indians in a battle at Wheelwright Pond in what is now Lee, NH. [Ref] He married Hannah Leffingwell on 15 Apr 1668 in Woburn. [Ref] Hannah, the daughter of Michael and Isabel Leffingwell, was born on 6 Jan 1645/6 in Woburn and died on 29 Mar 1724 in Woburn. [Ref] Hannah married second as his second wife Israel Walker on 20 Dec 1696 in Woburn. [Ref] Israel was the son of Samuel Walker. Gershom and Hannah had ten children. [Ref]
   Gershom was a freeman on 27 May 1676. [Ref]
   some descendants of Gershom Flagg
   
2. John Flagg was born on 15 Jun 1643 in Watertown. [Ref][Ref, p. 131, says 14 Jun] He died on 6 Feb 1696/7. [Ref][Ref, p. 131] He married Mary, the daugher of Richard Gale, on 30 Mar 1670. [Ref][Ref, p. 131]
   He was made freeman on 11 Oct 1682. [Ref, p. 131]
3. Bartholomew Flagg was born on 23 Feb 1645. [Ref, p. 131]
   Bartholomew was a member of Capt. Samuel Moseley's company in Dec 1675. [Ref, p. 131]
   
4. Thomas Flagg was born on 28 Apr 1646. [Ref, p. 131]He married Rebecca Dix on 18 Feb 1667/8 in Watertown. [Ref, entry for Edward Dix][Ref, p. 131] Rebecca, the daughter of Edward and Jane Dix, was born on 18 Feb 1641/2 in Watertown. [Ref, entry for Edward Dix]
5. William Flagg was born in 1648. [Ref, p. 131] He was killed by the Indians on 22 Aug 1675 in Lancaster. [Ref, p. 131] [Ref, p. 16 ,"William Flagg, a soldier from Watertown"] Bartlett [Ref, p. 440] disputes the existence of William, saying that it was his brother Bartholomew who was killed by the Indians.
6. Michael Flagg was born on 23 Mar 1651. [Ref, p. 131] He died on 16 Oct 1711. [Ref, p. 131] He married first Mary Bigelow on 3 Jun 1674 [Ref, p. 131], the same day that his sister Mary married his wife's brother. [Ref] He married second Mary Earle on 27 Dec 1704. [Ref, p. 131]
   He was a proprietor of Worcestor in 1675. [Ref, p. 131]
7. Eleazer Flagg was born on 14 May 1653. [Ref, p. 131] He died on 21 May 1722. [Ref, p. 131] He married Deborah Barnes of Concord on 10 Oct 1676. [Ref, p. 131]
   Eleazer was a tanner. [Ref, p. 131] He was in the Narragansett Expedition in 1675. [Ref, p. 131] He was made freeman on 22 Mar 1690. [Ref, p. 131]
8. Elizabeth Flagg was born on 22 Mar 1655. [Ref, p. 132][Ref just gives the month] She died on 9 Aug 1729. [Ref, p. 132][Ref] She married Joshua Bigelow on 20 Oct 1676. [Ref, p. 132] Joshua was the brother of Samuel Bigelow. [Ref]
   
9. Mary Flagg was born on 14 Jun 1657. She died on 7 Sep 1720. She married Samuel Bigelow.
10. Rebecca Flagg was born on 5 Sep 1660. [Ref, p. 132] She died on 20 Jun 1721. [Ref, p. 132] She married Stephen Cook of Cambridge on 10 Nov 1679. [Ref, p. 132]
11. Benjamin Flagg was born on 25 Jun 1662. [Ref, p. 132] He died on 3 May 1741 in Worcestor. [Ref, p. 132] He married Experience Child [Ref, p. 132] 26 Sep 1690 in Watertown. [Ref][Ref says 20 Sep 1689] Experience was the daughter of Richard Child. [Ref, p. 132]
12. Allen Flagg was born on 16 May 1665. [Ref, p. 132] He died in Nov 1711. [Ref, p. 132] He married Sarah Ball on 12 Mar 1685. [Ref, p. 132] Sarah was the daughter of John Ball, Jr. of Watertown. [Ref, p. 132]

Generation 8

MARY FLAGG (1657 - 1720)

Parents: Thomas Flagg and Mary Unknown [Ref][Ref, p. 132]

Mary Flagg was born on 14 Jun 1657. [Ref, p. 132] She died on 7 Sep 1720 [Ref, p. 132], age 67 years and 8 months [!] in Waltham. [Ref] She married Samuel Bigelow on 3 Jun 1674. [Ref][Ref, p. 132]

References

Anderson, Robert Charles, The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633. Vol. 1-3. Boston, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1995.

Anderson, Robert Charles, George F. Sanborn, Jr., and Melinde Lutz Sanborn, The Great Migration: Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Vol. 2, Boston, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001.

Bartlett, J. Gardiner, "The English Ancestry of Thomas Flegg," in Flagg, Ernest, Genealogical Notes on the Founding of New England, Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Co., 1996, pp. 401-440.

Child, Elias, Genealogy of the Child, Childs, and Childe Families: Of the past and present in the United States and the Canadas, from 1630 to 1881, Utica, Published for the author by Curtiss & Childs, 1881.

Drake, Samuel G., "The Descendants of John and Elinor Whitney, of Watertown, Mass.," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 11, 1857, 113-121.

Durrell, Harold Clarke, "Stanley Griswold Flagg," memoirs section, New England Historical and Genealogical Register 88, 1934, 392.

Editors, "Founders of New England," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 14, 1860, 297 - 346.

Flagg, Norman Gershom, Family Records of the Descendants of Gershom Flagg (born 1730) of Lancaster, Massachusetts : with other genealogical records of the Flagg family descended from Thomas Flegg of Watertown, Mass., and including the Flegg lineage in England, unknown, N.G. Flagg and L.C.S. Flagg, 1907.

Gale, George, "Gale Family," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 18, 1864, 189 -.

Howe, Gilman Bigelow, Genealogy of the Bigelow Family of America : from the marriage in 1642 of John Biglo and Mary Warren to the year 1890, unknown: unknown, 1890.

Pulsifer, David, trans., "Records of Boston," New England Historical and Genealogical Register, various issues.

Vital Records of Watertown, 1630-1825. Online database: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2007.

Wardlow, Jon, "Revisiting the Family of Gershom Flagg of Woburn, Massachusetts," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 163, 2009, 19-26.