An ancestor who was a descendant of Charlemagne

Henry Sherburne was born in Odium, Hampshire, England in 1611. He arrived in New England in 1631-2.  He married Rebecca Gibbons in Portsmouth New Hampshire in 1637.

High Street, Odium, England.The 18th century frontage of The George Hotel hides an older building originally licensed in 1547. It forms part of the elegant village centre. Source: Wikipedia

 His listing under "Find a Grave" says his grave is unknown. But there is this biography:

Baptized: Odiham, Hampshire, 28 March 1611, son of Joseph Sherburne (deposed 25 June 1662 aged about forty-eight years; deposed 9 October 1665 "aged about fifty-three years." A tavernkeeper and ferryman who came from Odiham, Hampshire to Massachusetts Bay in 1632 on the "James," & settled in Piscataqua NH.

Died by 7 December 1680 (when he failed to appear in court to prosecute his case against Edward Bickford's children). (His daughter Mary said "[m]y father Henry Sherborne died about the year '80 or '83. His death we was not sensible of."

MARRIAGE: (1) 13 November 1637 Rebecca Gibbons, daughter of AMBROSE GIBBONS; she died 3 June 1667 ("My mother, Rebekah Sherborne, died the 3d June 1667 about noon, and was buried by four of her children."

(2) By 30 June 1668 Sarah (_____) Abbott, widow of Walter Abbott (when "Mr. Hen: Sherburne & Sarah his wife executrix to the estate of Walter Abbet" appeared in court

And while looking through other various details of his life, I discovered he was one of the original settlers from England to the New England shores.  And there he is in a book about descendants of Charlemagne.

It is also interesting that he was given the duty of being a ferryman between Portsmouth NH and other nearby sites, including Maine.  And he also was delegated the job of providing a shelter for travelers, and food, becoming a "tavernkeeper". 

Warf at Strawberry Banke, Portsmouth, NH (Piscataqua River, 21st Century) with Maine on opposite shore.
 
I am thrilled that many records exist of various legal encounters with him...and can only copy a few of them here.

It looks like he had 11 children, with his first wife, Rebecca and then married Sarah Abbott a year after Rebecca died.. His youngest daughter would have been 8 years old at the time.  His daughter Rebecca (1654-1696) was reported to be needing care, being "deaf and dumb."  He designated his oldest son and his wife, Samuel and Love Sherburne, to care for Rebecca's needs by deeding land to them, and "their taking into custody & Christian keeping of...Rebecca Sherburne (who is both dumb & wanting of understanding.)" 3 Sept. 1674 (NHPLR 3:97a-b)

Overview of Strawberry Banke gardens, Portsmouth, NH (21st century)

He is mentioned in many court cases, including being a fighter...towards his wife, and others, and receiving blows from his wife as well.

I'm not sure of the original source, but it's posted on Ancestry as New England and the Great Migration, Vol. 3.  This would have been his second wife, Sarah (widow )Abbot, who he was living "disorderly with and fighting."

I'll share more photos from the Strawberry Banke Museum in Portsmouth tomorrow! I'd love to go spend a week there!