I have two (assumed to be unrelated) FOSTER immigrants to New England in the first half of the 17th century. No information has been found about what ship, or where they originated other than from England. Most of my information comes from the “Foster Genealogy” book by Pierce.

One is named John FOSTER. He is believed to have been in the company led by Roger Conant who founded what is now Salem, Massachusetts (1628). I question his year of birth which some records suggest was 1626. If he was with Conant, he would be an adult and not born in 1626. He first appears in the records of Salem in 1657. He married in Salem, MA Miss Martha TOMPKINS about 1649.

There are no records, to my knowledge, of the members of the Roger Conant Company, or what ship they came over on. The Conant Company might only refer to the group that moved from the South Shore to the North Shore of Massachusetts Bay and not the trip from England.

The other is Reginald FOSTER. He is believed to be a passenger on one of eight ships help up in England (prevented from sailing) but eventually released by a decree from King Charles I in about 1638. Assumed to be born in Brunton, England, he came to America with his wife Judith Wignol) and seven children. He settled in Ipswich.

There appear to be no records of passengers, or even what ships, were in that fleet. I have researched King Charles I looking for records of this fleet, but find only side notes with no details. It appears Charles had bigger worries.

I would like to connect both of these FOSTER lines to the Northumberland FORSTER families. There seems to be a little more information on the Reginald line. The ancestors and real birth date for John FOSTER would be a real find. Any suggestions? I will help others where I can.