Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Mehallalnell Munnings

On January 20, 1659/1660, Hannah Munnings of Boston had a daughter named Mehitabel. Hannah's husband was named

Mehallalnell Munnings.

Not a particularly unusual name, but I'm a sucker for alliteration. As far as I can tell, "Mehallalnell" is the clerk's rendering of Mahalaleel, who is mentioned in Genesis 5:12-17. The Biblical Mahalaleel was the great-grandfather of Methuselah and lived to be 895 years old. 

Despite his name, Munnings did not enjoy remarkable longevity. He drowned on February 27, 1659/1660.

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