Family Card - Person Sheet
Family Card - Person Sheet
NameJohn Keene 
Birth1578, Checkendon, Oxfordshire, England
Death14 Nov 1649, Hingham, Plymouth, Massachusetts
OccupationMariner, Tavern owner
Misc. Notes
The Keen/Keen Family name is from the Gaelic word ceann, the head, top commander or chief. The name appears in early New England records as Keen, Keayne, Cain, Caine, Kean, Keane. The original spelling is Keen, but in the last 100 years Keene has been generally adopted. Among the first who came to America was John Keen, a mariner, who was born in England in 1578. He married Martha Mey around 1598 in England. He came in the ship Confidence from Southampton, England, sailing 11 Apr 1638. With him came his wife, Martha, and their children except for their two oldest sons. Martha probably did not survive the journey over. He settled in Hingham, MA, where he opened a tavern. He died in 1650, at the age of 72.
The List of the names of the Passengers intended for New England, in the good shipp, the Confidence of London, of 200 tonnes, John Jobson Mr. and thus by vertue of Lord Treasurers warrant of the 11th of Aprill, 1638.
John Keene, age 17
Martha Keene, age 60
Eliza Keene,
Martha Keene,
Josias Keene,
Sarah Keene
The List of the names of the Passengers intended for New England, in the good shipp, the Confidence of London, of 200 tonnes, John Jobson Mr. and thus by vertue of Lord Treasurers warrant of the 11th of Aprill, 1638.
John Keene, age 17
Martha Keene, age 60
Eliza Keene,
Martha Keene,
Josias Keene,
Sarah Keene