The several branches of the Cromwell family in America claim descent from the same parent stock as that of the Protector Oliver CfomwelL It is presumed that the ancestor of the American line was CoL John Cromwell, son of Sir Oliver Cromwell, and cousin of the Protector.

The following notice of Col. John Cromwell, occurs in Noble's life of the protector.

"This gentleman was early in the army. In 1624 he went over as a captain in the first regiment of foot, in the forces sent over by King

a Ban d's Hist, of Rye, p. 103.

6 County Records Lib. c. 260.

<i Hand's Hist, of Rve, p. 103. Rye Records, c 170.

d Ditto. Rve Records, d. 116, ITS. « Baird's Hist, of Rye, p. 103.

THE TOWN OF HARRISON. 373

James I, for the recovery of the palatinate j after this he was a colonel of an English regiment in the service of the United States. Happening to be in England whilst his sovereign, King Charles I, was a prisoner to the Parliament army, and hearing his relation, Oliver, (afterwards lord Protector,) say, 'I think the king the most injured prince in the world,' and putting his hand to his sword, continued, 'but this shall right him;' supposed that his zeal was real, and therefore expressed himself satisfied that it was impossible for him to go those lengths which many others wished to go. For these reasons, when that unfortunate, misguided monarch was (after a pretended trial) condemned to die, and the Prince of Orange taking vast pains to save him, or at least to stay the execution, sent over such relations of the leading men in the army, as he thought could influence them, applied to this gentleman, he very readily undertook the task with the greatest expectation of succeeding in so desirable a business ; wherefore taking credential letters from the States ; which letters, with the King's and Prince of Wale's signet, and both confirmed by the States, offering Oliver his own terms in case he would prevent the fatal sentence from being carried into execution, he hastened to England.