Having strong Puritan sympathies, John sailed from Plymouth to the New World on the John and Mary on March 20, 1630 in company with 140 people including Reverend John Warham, John Maverick, John Nason, and Roger Clapp. His wife also gave birth to a child aboard the ship. The John and Mary landed 12 miles from Boston in Nantasket, MA on May 30, 1630 after 71 days of sailing. After landing, the passengers searched for a decent spot to make homes and found the soon-to-be Dorchester, MA. Elder John Strong Jr. was one of the key founders there. Both his wife and his infant child died soon after landing. Soon after the tragedy, John decided to marry Abigail Ford that December in 1630.
In 1635, after assisting in founding and developing the town of Dorchester, John Strong moved to Hingham, MA. While living there, he went to Boston on March 9, 1636 to become a free man by taking the Free Man's Oath (this right allowed you to vote). Abigail also gave birth to her first two children: Thomas and Jedediah.
In December, 1636, Elder John Strong Jr. moved to Taunton, MA. There Abigial gave birth to four more children: Josiah, Return, Ebenezer, and Abigail. Out of the seven years in Taunton, John served as a deputy in the General Court in Plymouth, MA 1641, 1643, and 1644.
John Strong then moved from Taunton, MA to Windsor, CT in 1645. There he was appointed with four others: Captain John Mason, Roger Ludlow, Israel Stoughton, and Henry Wolcott, all very leading men in the new colony. It was founded (1636) by many people from Dorchester. Here Abigail gave birth to Elizabeth, Experience, Joseph (also died here), Samuel, Mary, Sarah, and Hannah. Nothing too prominent occurred here.
In 1659, John finally settled in Northampton, MA for good. He was one of the first and most active founders. Along with that, he ran a tannery and owned at different times, as appears by records in the county clerk's office, some two hundred acres of land in and around Northampton. Abigail finally gave birth to Hester, Thankful, and Jerijah, ending with 16 children in total born by Abigail. Thomas, Hannah, and John III all died here during John's lifetime as well. A quote from church records in Northampton say, "After solemn and extraordinary seeking to God for his direction and blessing, the church chose John Strong ruling elder, and William Holton, deacon. They were ordained 13: 3 mo: '63". At the age of 58, John received the title of Elder. After his 94 years of life, Elder John Strong Jr. died April 14, 1699.
In 1635, after assisting in founding and developing the town of Dorchester, John Strong moved to Hingham, MA. While living there, he went to Boston on March 9, 1636 to become a free man by taking the Free Man's Oath (this right allowed you to vote). Abigail also gave birth to her first two children: Thomas and Jedediah.
In December, 1636, Elder John Strong Jr. moved to Taunton, MA. There Abigial gave birth to four more children: Josiah, Return, Ebenezer, and Abigail. Out of the seven years in Taunton, John served as a deputy in the General Court in Plymouth, MA 1641, 1643, and 1644.
John Strong then moved from Taunton, MA to Windsor, CT in 1645. There he was appointed with four others: Captain John Mason, Roger Ludlow, Israel Stoughton, and Henry Wolcott, all very leading men in the new colony. It was founded (1636) by many people from Dorchester. Here Abigail gave birth to Elizabeth, Experience, Joseph (also died here), Samuel, Mary, Sarah, and Hannah. Nothing too prominent occurred here.
In 1659, John finally settled in Northampton, MA for good. He was one of the first and most active founders. Along with that, he ran a tannery and owned at different times, as appears by records in the county clerk's office, some two hundred acres of land in and around Northampton. Abigail finally gave birth to Hester, Thankful, and Jerijah, ending with 16 children in total born by Abigail. Thomas, Hannah, and John III all died here during John's lifetime as well. A quote from church records in Northampton say, "After solemn and extraordinary seeking to God for his direction and blessing, the church chose John Strong ruling elder, and William Holton, deacon. They were ordained 13: 3 mo: '63". At the age of 58, John received the title of Elder. After his 94 years of life, Elder John Strong Jr. died April 14, 1699.