Walter Dean
Tanner and deacon, from Chard, Somerset: freeman in 1638, an original purchaser of Taunton, its deputy to the Plymouth Court in 1640 and a selectman from 1679 to 1686. He was living in 1693 with his wife Eleanor, by tradition a Strong. Probably the father of Benjamin Dean, who married Sarah Williams.
Life
- 1615/20Bornbetween 1615 and 1620, Chard, Somerset, England
Rev. Samuel Deane's estimate, "in Chard, Eng. between 1615 and 1620" (Deane 1849). Find a Grave's christening at Chard, 13 May 1612, is unsourced and conflicts with it.
- aft. 1693Diedaft. 1693
"with his w. liv. so late as 1693" (Savage); he and his wife Eleanor made a conveyance on 20 Aug 1693 (Bristol Deeds 7:351, per Deane). "No will or settlement of his estate is on record" (Deane).
Family
- Parents
- Spouse
- Eleanor Dean
Savage says he married "it is said, Eleanor"; the Deane memoir finds "his wife in 1693" named Eleanor in a conveyance of 20 Aug 1693 (Bristol Deeds 7:351). Whether she was a Strong is open (tradition); see her page.
1 child
Pedigree
Notes
From Chard, Somerset, England. He came with his elder brother John and was at Dorchester first; freeman 4 Dec 1638 (Savage); an original purchaser of Taunton, at Taunton by 1637-38. “Mr. Deane was a tanner by trade” (Deane memoir). Deputy to the Plymouth Court in 1640, selectman of Taunton “1679 to 1686, inclusive” (Deane memoir, citing the Plymouth Court Orders), and a deacon. He always signed his name “Deane,” with a final e; the memoir prints a facsimile of his signature on the inventory of William Crewe’s estate, 14 June 1672.
“When the Cape Towns invited the inhabitants of Taunton to come to them with their movable property for protection during Philip’s War, Mr. Deane was one of the persons appointed to decline their invitation, and return thanks for their kindness” (Deane memoir; the signed original is at the Massachusetts Historical Society, Hinckley Papers vol. 1 no. 3).
Living with his wife in 1693 (Savage). The memoir says: “No will or settlement of his estate is on record.” Father of Benjamin Dean.
Mollie Pfeiffer made him the father of Damaris Dean; he was her grandfather. Her descent of the Deans from Robert de Den, butler to Edward the Confessor, and the naming of the Forest of Dean for the family, have no evidence. Her “Strong of Caernarvon” descent for his wife is tradition; in two deeds of 1691 he calls Elder John Strong his “brother” (Deane memoir), which is older evidence of some Strong connection.
Open questions
- Was his wife a Strong, and was she Benjamin’s mother?
- His birth: Rev. Samuel Deane’s “between 1615 and 1620,” or Find a Grave’s unsourced christening at Chard on 13 May 1612?
Mollie's typescript
Mollie says he came from Chard, Somerset, with his wife to Dorchester in 1630, went to Taunton in 1637 as an original purchaser with his brother John, and was a selectman for twenty years, deputy and deacon.
He came with his wife to Dorchester in 1630; and went to Taunton in 1637 where he and his brother John were original purchasers ... Walter Dean was a selectman for twenty years, and a representative to the General Court, and a deacon.
p. 164 →The road through his farm at Taunton was still called Dean Street, and Mollie praises the Deans' strong wills, energy and integrity.
The way through their farm in Taunton is still known as Dean Street. ... The Deans are noted for their strong wills, and earnestness of purpose, untiring energy, and great integrity of character.
p. 165 →
Checked against the records
- PossibleWalter Dean's wife was Eleanor Strong, sister of Elder John Strong
Tradition. Savage has "it is said, Eleanor". Gov. Caleb Strong's family account of 1777 says only that "A sister of his came with him from England, who afterwards m. a person by the name of Dean", with no first name. Making her Eleanor, daughter of Richard Strong, is Dwight's Strong Genealogy (1871).
Read it in the book, p. 164 → - DisprovenDamaris Dean was a daughter of Walter Dean
Wrong by a generation. She was born at Taunton on 4 Sept 1689 to Benjamin Dean, Walter's son, and Sarah Williams (Taunton vital records). Walter was her grandfather.
Read it in the book, p. 164 → - UnlikelyThe Deans named the Forest of Dean and descend from Robert de Den
No evidence connects Walter Dean of Chard, Somerset, with Robert de Den, butler to Edward the Confessor, or with the Forest of Dean. Mollie herself derives the surname from the Saxon "dene", a valley.
Read it in the book, p. 165 →