William Denison, was born in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, England (near present-day Stansted Airport). He arrived on the ship “Lyon” with his wife Margaret Chandler, as part of the Great Puritan Migration in 1632, and settled in Roxbury.
William’s profession was first listed as “maltster,” a person who processed wheat and barley into malt for beer and whiskey. He was a well-educated man, however, and later occupied various positions in the community such as Town Constable and Deacon of the church. He died as one of the wealthiest citizens of Roxbury. He is the father of Captain George Denison.
William was the son of John Denison (also spelled Dennyson and Denyzon), a deacon of St Michael’s Church in Bishop’s Stortford. He is buried in the churchyard there along with father, first name unknown, who was a bishop in the church. John was born in nearby Thorley, which is earliest identified residence of anyone in this line.
A Long Way to Tennessee 