Reference: FLW LINE 34.
John Prescott was naturalized; Blacksmith - Made his own armor. He Inputs on this line from John UP are found in F.L. Weiss' 'Sixty Colonists who came to America' book. John arrived in the colonies around 1636, settled in Lancaster, Massachusetts about 1640 (listed as 'Founder' for Lancaster). Was first in Watertown, Massachusetts, prior to moving to Lancaster. Possibly was the one who sailed from Sowerby, Yorkshire, England. Another source of information is the book titled 'Prescott Memorial II'. According to some sources, John came from England to Barbados in 1638, 'thence' to Watertown in 1640. Given information on the Sawyer family, it would seem that John and Mary had children in England, prior to coming to the colonies. IF Mary was actually born in Sowerby, this helps to cement the family connection to Ralph and the line back to the Royals.
Narrative on John Prescott from the Sawyer Family Website (www.geocities.com/heartland/bluffs/8841/edsawyer.htm):
John Prescott, the father of Mary, was the founder of Lancaster, Mass. He was born in Standish, England in 1604. He married Mary Platts at Wygan, Lancashire, January 21, 1629; he died in America in 1683. He left England to avoid persecution. In 1638 he landed at Barbadoes, where he bought land. In 1640 he came to New England and settled in Watertown. In 1643, with Thomas King and others, he purchased 'Nashaway' (a part of which is now Lancaster), and became one of the earliest settlers. Nourse, in his 'Annals of Lancaster' says the town would have been named 'Prescott' had its founder been a freeman; but he had never given public adhesion to the established church covenant, and was therefore incapable of voting or holding office. In 1669, however, he was admitted freeman. He was a farmer, blacksmith and millwright. John Prescott was a heroic figure in the early history of Lancaster and Groton. He brought with him a metallic coat of mail, which he sometimes wore when dealing with the savages; this served to impress them, as his force, capacity and judgment did his white neighbors. Nourse calls him an 'ideal pioneer' a 'true builder of the nation.' He distinquished himself for bravery and leadership in the Indian Wars. He served in the garrison at Lancaster and in the defense of the town against the Indians on August 21, 1675 and February 10, 1676. He had a numerous family of descendants, many of whom have been persons of great ability and distinction. His great-grandson, Colonel William Prescott, was chief in command at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Another descendant was William H. Prescott, the famous historian of the 'Conquest of Mexico,' 'Conquest of Peru.' At the time of his death, in 1683, his family had become one of the wealthiest and most influential in Massachusetts. John and Mary (Platt) Prescott had eight children.
The main concern/difference is the marriage date and place of John and Mary... not to mention a death date of two years later.
Have also seen mentioned, more information on possible children of John and Mary, posted around the Internet, with the following being a fairly good summary of some of the information I've run across:
'It appears that Hannah is the daughter of John Prescott and Mary Gawkroger
Platts, and the second wife of John Rugg. He was previously married to Martha
Prescott (1632-55), her sister. Apparently, the 21-year old Hannah married her
brother-in-law in May of 1660.
It appears that John Prescott (1644 - 1681) and Mary Gawkroger/Platts had eight
children, five girls and three boys. Apparently, Mary (b. 1629 or 1630), Martha
(1631 - 1655), John (b. 1635), and possibly Sarah (b. 1637) were all born in
Sowerby, Halifax, England; that Hannah was born in Britain's highly prized
colony of Barbados in 1639, and Lydia (b. 1641 in Watertown), Jonathan (b. 1646
in Lancaster), and Jonas (b. 1648 in Lancaster) born in Massachusetts.' He was born in 1604 at
Shevington, Lancashire, England. He was the son of
Ralph Prescott and
Helen _____. John Prescott married
Mary (Platts) Gawkroger, daughter of
Abraham (James) Gawkroger and
Martha Riley, on 11 April 1629 at
Sowerby, Halifax, Yorkshire, England. John Prescott died in December 1681. He was buried in December 1681 at
Old Settlers Burial Field, Lancaster, Massachusetts?, USA.