NELSON, Joan

Joan Nelson was the daughter of Thomas Dummer of ‘Badgeth’ [Badgeworth], Gloucestershire, and niece of Richard* and Stephen Dummer*. She married Thomas Nelson* at Rowley, Massachusetts, on 15 February 1641/2: her daughter Mercy was born in February 1643/4, and her son Samuel c. 1646.

Joan Nelson followed Thomas Nelson to England. He returned to England in 1646 and died there in 1648. At some point Joan came back to England with her young children Mercy and Samuel. In 1654 they were living at Stoneham, Hampshire. Her uncle Richard Dummer, one of Thomas Nelson's executors, acted for Joan in New England. She was reliant on Dummer for funds for the children's education and maintenance, as Thomas Nelson's estate in England was insufficient. Philip and Thomas, Nelson's sons by an earlier marriage, remained in New England. Mercy Nelson later married John Storke of ‘Rumsey’ [Romsey], Hampshire. In 1667 Dummer complained Mercy had been of age two years and had not taken steps to secure what was due to her from her father's estate: he set aside cattle for her use.