In Wendover, England, Jonas Humphrey held the office of constable in 1632, an important position in that day. He came with his family to Dorchester, MA, in 1637 where they lodged the first night in a house belonging to William Hammond. The next day Jonas purchased that house with the land about it.

In Dorchester, MA, the church records read: "Jonas Humphrey laid hold of the covenant the 6th day 9th Month 1639, as also his wife (Frances)." He was made a "freeman" on 16 May 1640 and "proprietor in the great lots in 1646."

Jonas and his son, James, were "glovers" by occupation but, "coming to this country, their trade was of little consequence; gloves not being in fashion, they turned their attention to tanning, and set down a yard in front of the house." NEHGR, Vol. 4, p. 198. Their tanning pits were run by six generations of descendants.

Jonas and his wife Frances (Cooley) Humphrey had five children, all born in Wendover, Buckinghamshire, England:

• James, b. ca. 1608; m. Mary -----.
• Elizabeth, b. 1610; m. (1) William Frye; m. (2) Thomas Daggett.
• Susanna, b. 1615; m. Nicholas White.
• Sarah, b. date unknown; d. in Dorchester, MA, 1638.
• Jonas, Jr., b. 1620; m. Martha -----.

James came to America with his father's family in 1637. Like his father, James was a tanner. The record is not clear but he either built another house on part of the land where his father's house stood or he took over the house his father bought from Mr. Hammond. One record states that he occupied the homestead on Humphrey Street in that part of Dorchester, MA, known as Harrison Square which house continued in the family for 8 generations.

James was made a "freeman" in 1645 and was bailiff in 1650 in Dorchester. From the Dorchester church records we find that on "the 3d of y^e 4th m^o 1666 was James Humphrey ordained Deacon to y^e Church of Dorchester." And, "The 13 (11) 68 was James Humphrey ordained ruling Elder." Also, in the church records, a few months before James' death, we find an entry on the 14th of February of the year 1686 he "moved the Church that they would look out and provide themselves another Elder, because he had long been lame and did look at himself near his departure out of this world."

James and his wife Mary Humphrey had three children, all born in Dorchester, MA, order of birth unknown:

• Mary, bpt. in Dorchester, MA, "2: 1 mo: 1645" (2 March 1645); m. Obadiah Hawes.
• Hopestill, bpt. 10 June 1649; m. (1) Elizabeth Baker; m. (2) Hannah Blake, a widow.
• Isaac, date of birth unknown; m. Patience Atherton.