### The Skinner Family: From Puritan New England to the Minnesota Frontier
The story of the Skinner family is a classic American tale of hard work, moving west, and building new lives. It starts in the 1600s with Thomas Skinner, who left England for religious freedom, and continues through many generations until Francis Truman Skinner settled in Minnesota. Along the way, the family faced wars, tough frontier conditions, and the challenges of farming in new places. Their lives show how ordinary people lived during big historical events, like the Puritan times in early colonies, the American Revolution, and the push westward in the 1800s.
This family history comes from a book called *The Skinner Kinsmen: The Descendants of Thomas Skinner of Malden, Massachusetts*, written by Natalie R. Fernald in the early 1900s. Fernald used old records like church books, land deeds, and wills to trace the family. Other sources, like online genealogies and local histories, help fill in details.
#### Sergeant Thomas Skinner: Starting in Puritan New England (1600s)
The Skinner story begins with Thomas Skinner, born in 1617 in Chichester, England. England was troubled then, with fights over religion. King Charles I made life hard for Puritans, who wanted a simpler church without fancy rituals. Many Puritans left during the Great Puritan Migration from the 1620s to 1640s. Thousands sailed to Massachusetts Bay Colony for religious freedom and better chances.
Thomas married Mary (last name unknown) around 1644. They had three children in England: Thomas in 1645, John in 1647, and Abraham in 1649. Between 1649 and 1651, the family crossed the Atlantic. The trip was dangerous—crowded ships, storms, and sickness were common.
They settled in Malden, Massachusetts, a small town near Boston founded in 1649. Puritan life was strict. Church was central; everyone attended long Sunday services. Only church members could vote or hold office. Daily life meant hard work: men farmed or did trades, women cooked, spun cloth, and cared for children. Families were large because kids helped with chores, and high death rates from disease made more children necessary.
Thomas became a “victualler,” or innkeeper. In 1651, town leaders asked the court for a license so he could serve food and drink to travelers. By 1653, he could sell wine and stronger drinks. Inns were important because roads were bad and travelers needed places to stay. But Puritans worried about too much drinking, so innkeepers followed rules.
Thomas bought land and a house in 1654. He served the community as constable (like a police officer), tithingman (who made sure people went to church and behaved on Sundays), and sergeant in the local militia. Every able-bodied man joined the militia for training and defense against possible attacks.
In the 1670s, danger came during King Philip’s War (1675–1676). Native American tribes, led by Metacom (called King Philip), fought English settlers over land losses. The war was brutal—towns burned, people killed on both sides. It was one of the deadliest wars per person in American history. Many Massachusetts towns were attacked. Thomas or his sons may have served under Captain William Turner.
Thomas’s first wife, Mary, died in 1671. He remarried Lydia Shepardson Call, a widow. Blended families were common because many died young. Thomas died in 1704 at age 86. His gravestone in Malden still stands.
#### Thomas Skinner Jr. and Moving to Connecticut (Late 1600s–Early 1700s)
Thomas Jr., born in 1645 in England, grew up in Malden. He married Mary Pratt around 1665. They had 11 children, common in farming families needing help.
By 1700, the family moved to Colchester, Connecticut. New towns offered cheap land as colonies grew. Life there was similar: farming, church, community work. Men cleared land, planted crops like corn and wheat, and raised animals. Women made soap, candles, and clothes. Towns had meetinghouses for church and town meetings.
Mary died in 1704. Thomas Jr. lived until the 1720s or 1730s.
#### Ebenezer Skinner: Building in Connecticut (Early 1700s)
Ebenezer, born in 1684 in Malden, married Sarah Lord around 1702. They stayed in Colchester. He farmed and owned land. His will in the 1770s divided property among children, a common way to keep family peace.
In the early 1700s, Connecticut was stable but watchful of Native threats, though less after earlier wars. Church was still key—Congregational, like Puritan.
#### Joseph Skinner: Tragedy on the Frontier (Mid-1700s)
Joseph, born around 1707–1708, married Martha Kinne in 1729. They had many children. Joseph bought and sold land in Connecticut, then moved to New Jersey and New York areas.
The 1750s brought the French and Indian War (1754–1763), part of a bigger world war. French forces and Native allies raided frontier farms. In 1759, Joseph was killed near Damascus, Pennsylvania, likely in a Native raid. Frontier life was risky: isolated farms, attacks, harsh winters. Widows like Martha faced hard times raising kids alone.
#### Abner Skinner: Fighting in the Revolution (Late 1700s)
Abner, born in 1735, married Keziah Gustin around 1764. They lived in New York.
The 1770s brought the American Revolution. Colonists wanted independence from Britain over taxes and rights. Abner served in the Ulster County Militia, 2nd Regiment. Militias were local men who trained part-time and fought when needed. They used guerrilla tactics.
Abner also joined a Committee of Safety, checking for Loyalists (Britain supporters) and taking their property. Patriot customs included loyalty oaths and boycotts of British goods.
After the war, Abner farmed in Deerpark, New York. He died in 1806.
#### Jacob Skinner and Rhoda McDowell: Pennsylvania Frontier (Early 1800s)
Jacob, born around 1776 (twin brother), married Rhoda McDowell about 1799. They had 13 children!
They lived in New York, then moved around 1814 to Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. Cheap land drew settlers after treaties with Natives opened areas.
Frontier life meant clearing forests, building log cabins, and farming. Communities helped with barn-raisings—neighbors worked together. Families grew most food: corn, potatoes, pigs, cows. Women preserved food, made clothes, sometimes helped as midwives.
Jacob may have served in the War of 1812 militia. He died in 1847; Rhoda in 1863. Both buried in McKune Cemetery.
#### Benajah Skinner: Moving to Wisconsin and Minnesota (Mid-1800s)
Benajah, born 1808, son of Jacob and Rhoda, married Deborah Tarket in 1832. Their first child was Francis Truman Skinner, born 1833.
They farmed in Pennsylvania, then moved to Wisconsin by the 1850s (Rockbridge, Richland County). Westward migration boomed—people sought better land as eastern farms filled.
In 1869, Francis married Sarah Jane Dix in Wisconsin. They had seven children.
By the 1870s, the family moved to Minnesota for homesteads. Railroads and treaties opened prairies. The Homestead Act (1862) gave 160 acres cheap if you farmed it five years.
Minnesota life: vast prairies, cold winters, hot summers. Families built sod houses or log cabins. Plowing tough sod, planting wheat. Communities grew around towns.
Tragedy hit in 1882: Benajah and Sarah Jane died close together. Deborah died 1887. Francis farmed in Morrison County until his death in 1902 in Little Falls.
The Skinners’ journey—from Puritan inns to Minnesota farms—shows America’s growth. They faced religious rules, wars, frontier dangers, and moves for better life. Their story of faith, family, and hard work helped build the nation.
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