{"id":60135,"date":"2020-07-17T11:44:01","date_gmt":"2020-07-17T15:44:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=60135"},"modified":"2025-09-25T10:32:20","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T14:32:20","slug":"the-story-behind-an-ancestors-unusual-name-truecross-davenport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/the-story-behind-an-ancestors-unusual-name-truecross-davenport.html","title":{"rendered":"The Story Behind an Ancestor\u2019s Unusual Name: Truecross Davenport"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction:<\/em><\/strong> In this article, Melissa Davenport Berry searches old newspapers to find the story behind the unusual name of a woman in colonial America: Truecross. <\/em>Melissa is a genealogist who has a website, americana-archives.com<\/a><\/em>, and a Facebook group, New England Family Genealogy and History<\/a><\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n

In 1874 the Congregationalist<\/em> published an article on early New England names, pointing out that five simple, straightforward names were the most common in the earliest days: John, Joseph, Nathaniel, Samuel, and Thomas. William and Ebenezer were soon added to that list.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Congregationalist (Boston, Massachusetts), 4 June 1874, page 7<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, during this early period there were some unusual names as well, especially ones that commemorated an event of colonial or personal history.<\/p>\n

An example was a woman named Truecross Davenport \u2013 and therein lies a tale.<\/p>\n

As the article explained:<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Congregationalist (Boston, Massachusetts), 4 June 1874, page 7<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The event associated with the name Truecross took place during a military drill in 1634 in the town of Salem, Massachusetts. Richard Davenport was the ensign [flag] bearer and John Endicott (also spelled Endecott) was his captain. At the start of a drill one November day Endicott grabbed the flag and cut out the red patron cross of St. George with his sword.\u00a0Endicott\u2019s defiant act against \u201cpopish relics of superstition\u201d made clear his desire to sever customs and binds to \u201cEpiscopacy England.\u2019<\/p>\n

\"Illustration:<\/a>
Illustration: \u201cEndicott and the Red Cross,\u201d by William Allen Wall, 1853. Credit: New Bedford Whaling Museum.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 1841 the National Aegis<\/em> newspaper published an article titled \u201cThe Red Cross\u201d that told the story of Endicott\u2019s act, beginning with a conversation between Roger Williams and Endicott.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
National Aegis (Worcester, Massachusetts), 6 January 1841, page 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Endicott, \u201ca prompt and resolute man,\u201d took action. The newspaper reported:<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
National Aegis (Worcester, Massachusetts), 6 January 1841, page 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When they learned of Endicott\u2019s action, local officials were concerned. John Winthrop wrote in his journal entry for 5 November 1634: \u201cAt the court of assistants complaint was made by some of the country that [the] ensign was defaced at Salem. Upon this, attachment was awarded against Richard Davenport, ensign bearer, to appear at next court\u201d to bear testimony against Endicott.<\/p>\n

Endicott\u2019s action might have been judged as an act of treason and cost him his life. As the National Aegis<\/em> reported:<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
National Aegis (Worcester, Massachusetts), 6 January 1841, page 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Endicott was reprimanded for his act and disqualified from office for the span of one year. However, it did not take long for Endicott to reenter the Puritan political fold and climb the ladder. He became the longest-serving governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, serving for 16 years.<\/p>\n

\"Illustration:<\/a>
Illustration: Governor John Endicott. Credit: Phillips Library at the Peabody Essex Museum; Digital Commonwealth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One must love the irony: the radical Endicott turned into a repressive tyrant. He had zero tolerance for anyone who stood in his way. Endicott was more dictator than liberator. He campaigned against long hair, banished Roger Williams, tortured Quakers, and cut down the may poll at Merry Mount (Quincy, Massachusetts). John Greenleaf Whittier wrote that Endicott was:<\/p>\n

\u201cA grave strong man, who knew no peer. In the pilgrim land, where he ruled in fear. Of God, not man, and for good or ill. Held his trust with an iron will.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And what of the ensign bearer, Richard Davenport? After the incident Richard became known as Ensign Davenport. His daughter Truecross, born shortly after, was named to honor the event which Nathaniel Hawthorne called \u201cthe first omen of that deliverance which our fathers consummated.\u201d John Goff, Salem historian, suggested that Truecross had been named for Davenport\u2019s convictions that the \u201ctrue-cross\u201d of the Puritans was an understanding of Christianity and not merely a symbol. Truecross Davenport (1634-1692) married Stephen Minot, son of Elder George Minot.<\/p>\n

The Davenport family is found in Nathaniel Hawthorne\u2019s family tree. Nathaniel\u2019s paternal ancestor, great-great-great grandfather William Hathorne, sailed in the summer of 1630 on the Arbella<\/em>, flagship of Winthrop\u2019s fleet, and brought with him a sister: Elizabeth Hathorne, who married Richard Davenport!<\/p>\n

Note:<\/em><\/strong> An online collection of newspapers, such as GenealogyBank\u2019s Historical Newspaper Archives<\/a>, is not only a great way to learn about the lives of your ancestors \u2013 the old newspaper articles also help you understand American history and the times your ancestors lived in, and the news they talked about and read in their local papers. Have you uncovered any unusual names for your ancestors \u2013 and the stories of how they got those names? Please share your stories with us in the comments section.<\/p>\n

Explore over 330 years of newspapers and historical records in GenealogyBank. Discover your family story! Start a 7-Day Free Trial<\/a><\/p>\n

Further Reads:<\/strong><\/p>\n