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John Cotton 1639–1699

Public Tree Person

What is a Public Tree Person?

A Public Tree Person is an ancestor documented independently by multiple YourRoots tree owners. When several researchers' family histories converge on the same person, we publish a shared page that combines what they've documented.

Why this is a Public Tree Person

Full name consistent across 3 independent trees
Birth year and location consistent across 3 trees
Death year and location consistent across 3 trees

Compare a Public Tree Person with your own tree using Compare Tree.

A Reliability
A
Reliability Score: A
Strong — based on the source tree
Grade scale
  • A 3 criteria (Strong)
  • B 2 criteria (Medium)
  • C 1 criteria (Basic)
Verification checklist
  • Record available
  • Descendant's record available
  • Star tree owner

3 researchers on YourRoots have John Cotton in their family trees — each with their own records and documentation. Trace the migration path across 2 generations. If this ancestor is in your tree too, you can compare what you've found and fill in the gaps together.

Last updated: August 25, 2026 · Reliability: A — verified across 3 independent trees, with linked records

Born 15 Mar 1639 · Boston, Massachusetts
Died 18 Sep 1699 · Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina, USA
Father John Cotton
Mother Sarah Hawkridge
Spouse Joanna Rossiter
Children Elizabeth Cotton, John Cotton, Josiah Cotton, Rowland Cotton, Theophilus Cotton
Siblings Elizabeth Cotton, Mary Cotton, Roland Cotton, Sarah Cotton, Seaborn Cotton

Researchers connected through John Cotton 1639–1699

and 2 more tree owners connected with John Cotton 1639–1699

Biography

John Cotton was born in 1639 in Boston, Massachusetts, the child of john cotton and sarah hawkridge. John Cotton married joanna rossiter, and had children including elizabeth cotton, john cotton, josiah cotton, rowland cotton, theophilus cotton. John Cotton passed away in 1699 in Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina, USA.

Sources

  1. 1
    Marriage Records American Marriages Before 1699

  2. 2
    Record Family Data Collection - Individual Records

  3. 3
    Burial Records U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current

  4. 4
    Marriage Records U.S., New England Marriages Prior to 1700

  5. 5
    Vital Records Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records

  6. 6
    Marriage Records Connecticut Town Marriage Records, Pre-1870 (Barbour Collection)

  7. 7
    Record U.S., Family History Books

Life Timeline

1639
Birth of John Cotton in Boston, Massachusetts
Birth
1640
Birth of John Cotton in Boston, Massachusetts
Birth
1660
John Cotton was married in Guilford, Connecticut, USA
Marriage
1699
Death of John Cotton in Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina
Death

Oldest Ancestor Line from John Cotton

This ancestor line traces from Derby, Derby Unitary Authority, Derbyshire, England (1585) to Boston, Massachusetts (1639) across 2 generations.

Direct Lineage
generations

Frequently Asked Questions

John Cotton (1639–1699) was born in Boston, Massachusetts and died in Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina, USA. 3 researchers on YourRoots have this ancestor in their family trees, each with their own records. This page combines what they've independently documented and assigns a Reliability Score (A) based on cross-tree validation.
Right now, 3 researchers on YourRoots have John in their trees. They're working independently, so connecting with them is a good way to cross-check your records and find things you might have missed. You can also explore the ancestor migration map that traces 2 generations of this lineage geographically.
It varies by researcher — some have census records, others have marriage certificates, parish registers, or family Bible entries. Scroll up to see exactly what each person has cited.
Use the "Compare Tree" button on any researcher's profile above. You can compare your tree side by side with theirs, see where your records overlap or differ, and collaborate to fill gaps.

John Cotton's Ancestors

Pedigree chart — 3 generations on record

Self
John Cotton PTP
1639–1699
Boston, Massachusetts
Parents
John Cotton PTP
1639–1699
Boston, Massachusetts
Unknown
Grandparents
John Cotton PTP
1639–1699
Boston, Massachusetts
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown

John Cotton's Descendants

1.
JC
John Cotton PTP 1639–1699
  1. 1. Elizabeth Cotton PTP 1637–1656