Came to New England in 1633 on the ship 'James' (Capt Thomas Wiggin) and settled in Dover New Hampshire.

John Dam, the founder of our family in America, was born in England about the year 1600 or a little later and probably in the Hundred of Hadham in Hertfordshire. He was probably a son of Thomas Dam and a grandson of John Dam of Much Hadham. He sailed, either from Liverpool or Bristol, in Captain Thomas Wiggin's company in the ship "James" and arrived in New England in 1633.

He settled on a grant of land which he had received on Dover Neck and lived there about five years. He then bought a place on what was known as Low Street in the town of Dover and lived there until his death 27 Jan 1690 (New style). This property is now near the center of Dover and is occupied by the Pacheco Mills. He is buried in an unmarked grave in Pine Hill Cemetery located on a hill back of the mills. His will, dated 19 May 1687 was probated 23 March 1694.

He received several grants of land, one of which extended to the "Western Seas." On two of these grants he built "Garrison Houses", one for each of his two sons, John and William. The one built for and occupied by William is still standing and has been moved to a suitable location in the town of Dover, It is now used and preserved by the Goodman Institute. A garrison house was built of hewn oaken logs about six inches square and used as a residence, and as a place of refuge for the settlers during the Indian Wars. These houses were surrounded by stout and high stockades of logs set closely together with the ends deeply embedded in the earth.2

Existing records provide a rather clear picture of the character of our Founding Father. He belonged to that group called Puritans, many of whom left England on account of civil and religious persecution due to their attempts to purify the established church. The Holy Bible was the rule and guide of John Dam's faith and conduct. He was upright, courageous and industrious, and was prominent and highly respected in the affairs of the colony. He was the second deacon of the Church of Dover, succeeding the first deacon, John Hall, upon the latter's death in 1675. He was referred to in the Pomfret will as "John Dam, Planter". He signed himself as John Dam, Gentleman. Sprung from a long line of English gentlemen he had a decent dignity and pride in himself and his family. Paraphrasing the Prophet Micah, he "did justice and loved mercy and walked humbly with his God."

John Dam, the Founder, was married twice. The name of his first wife, the date of her marriage and the date of her death are not now known. She was the mother of his first child and probably died soon after his birth. He married secondly, about 1645, Elizabeth Pomfret, in 1682, daughter of Lt William Pomfret and his wife Rose.7

The family came from Cheshire, England, and were freeholders from the time of Edward IV, or thereabouts. Where they formerly lived is now known as the "Parish of Leighton-Cain Minshal Vernon", in the town of Nautwick in Cheshire. The old farm is now called the "Red Hall Farm". A portion of it is known to this day as "Dam's Croft's".

As near as could be found out, the family mostly emigrated during the Puritan troubles in England in the seventeenth century, part going to Holland and a part to America. Whether the former became Van Dam or not could not be learned. One Christian, Tobias Dam, became quite eminent in Germany, during the latter half of the eighteenth century, as a theologian, and before that time Jan Dam was known as "a rebellious and troublesome subject" in New Amsterdam (now New York). There is nothing to connect these men with the English family except the name and the tradition (of the removal to Holland) spoken of.

One of the most interesting stories of the English family was about Thomas Dam, who lived to a very great age. He was born in the year 1494, died 1648, and was one hundred and fifty-four years old. He was buried in the church-yard of the Parish of Church Minshal, near Middlewick, in Cheshire (the place was famous for its old people). The register of Thomas Dam's death is still in existence, and is marked around with ink to call attention to the remarkable age. This is a copy of it:

Thomas Damme of Leiggton, buried ye 20th of ffebbruarie being of the age of seven score and fourteen. 1648.

His wife is also buried in Church Minshal. He is said to have danced a hornpipe at the celebration of the opening of the present bridge over the river Weaver, at Church Minshal, he being then one hundred and four years old."
(The above from the papers of N. L. Dam, Lynn, Massachusetts)

First Generation in American
John Dam came from England in one of the parties with Captain Thomas Wiggans, settled in Dover, New Hampshire in 1633. He died January 27, 1690.
He, with Hall, were the first deacons of the First parish church, Dover in 1675.
His will, dated May 19, 1687, was proved March 23, 1693 or 1694.
His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Lieutenant William Pomfret.
In a petition to the Governor by the inhabitants of New Hampshire, 1689, John Dam and Nicholas Dam were signers. These two are mentioned by John Camden Holten in his list of Emigration of "Persons of Quality" to American between 1600 and 1700. No trace of Nicholas afterwards.
Deacon John Dam had the first grant of land at the confluence of the Cocheco and Fresh Creek rivers, which was called Dame Point.8

Signed the Dover Combination in 1640.

Expert carpenter or “joiner”, one who did the finer part of wood’s work; Undoubtedly, he was the boss joiner in the construction of the garrison house now in the arcade of the Woodman Institute which he built, about 1675, for his youngest son, William Damme.

DAM/NH 005 - lists children and others

Genealogical Items Related to Dover, New Hampshire. p 456
DAM, (sometimes Damme) John (1). Deacon; took a lot of Capt. Wiggans in 1634 or thereabouts, which was rebounded in 1648 thus: --"upon ye North by Tho. Layton, and Geo. Walton on ye South, and on ye west northwest to ye back river, and on ye East uppon ye lane." to increase this land the bought, in 1646, land bounded North by Thomas layton's and Geor. Walton's -NW and SW by Back River, East by land of Wm. Pomfret which he bought of Thomas Johnson in 1639. --south by George Walton's. -- In 1612 he had lot no. 11 west of Back River. --Had grants in 1652, '56, &c.--Was freeman in 1653.--He lived on Dover Neck. His will ws dated 19 May, 1687, porved 23 march 1693-4. He gave his property to his two sones, John and William, and to his daughter Judy Tebbets. Of his chil. were (Fam 1) John (2), b. about 1637; m. -- Hall (probably); Elizabeth (2), b. 1649; Mary (2) b. 1651; William (2), b 4 Oct 1653, m. Martha Pomfret; Judith (2), m. Thomas Tebbets, 6 July 1684, and d. 22 Oct. 1728. -- John (2), son of Deacon John (1), b. about 1637, as in Fam 1, lived on Bloody Point side; was taxed 1662-1672. He probably m. a daughter of Sergeant John Hall of Bloody Point; if so, he had one child viz, -- (Fam 2) Sarah, and probably others. -- William (2), son of Dea. John (1). b. 4 Oct 1653, as in Fam. 1 m. Martha, dau of Liertenant William Pomfret with whom he received a slice of the Lieutenant's land. He was a weaver, and lived at Back river. His chil. were (Fam 3) Pomfret, b. 4 march 1681, m. Elizabeth Tebbets; Martha, b. 29 march, 1683; Willaim, b. 14 Nov 1686, m. Sarah --; Samuel, b. 6 march, 1689; Sarah; b. 21 April 1692, m. John Twombly; Leah, b 17 Feb 1695, m. Samual Hayes. -- Pomfret, son of William, b. 4 March, 1681, as in Fam. 3, received lands in 1724, formerly belonging to his grandfather, the Lieutenant. He m. ("Friends" Records,) Elizabeth, dau. of Joseph and Elizabeth Tebbets, b. 10 march, 1697. -- William (4) son of William (2), b. 20 Feb 1710; Sarah, b. 26 April, 1714; John, b. 12 June, 1723, d. 11 Aug 1724; Abigail, b. 18 July, 1725.