c The fatlier of John Palmer.

d Samuel Haight appears to have been a resident freeholder of Flushino- iu 1684,

6 Co. Rec, hb. C. 260.

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252 HISTORY OF THE

North Ciistle.a The several branches of the Cromwell family in America chiiiii descent from the same parent stock ns that of the PiOlector Ohver Cromweli. It is presumed timt the ancestor of the American lino was Col. John Cromwell, son of Sir Oliver Cromwell, and brother of the protector.

Tiie following notice of Col. John Cromwell occurs in Noble's life of the ])rotector.

"This gentleman was early in the army. In 1624 he went over as a captain in ihe first regiment of foot in the forces sent over by King James I. for the recovery of the palatinate ; 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, Kit)g Cliarles 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 putling 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 (afier a pretended trial) condemned to die, and the Prince of Orange taking vast jiains to save him, or at least to stay the execution, sent over such relations of the leading men in the army as ihey 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 Slates; with letters, with the King's and Piince of Wales' 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, lie hastened to England.