In 1630 William Hammond, Trader, of Lavenham, England, was broke. The textile industry that had brought prosperity to East Anglia was suffering through a great depression, thousands of textile workers lost their income, and with no money to spare, merchants and other traders went down with them. Just as the economy was tanking, Puritan teachings were on the rise. In 1630 John Winthrop and Company landed in America and established the Massachusetts Bay Colony.  In 1631, William Hammond boarded the "Lyon" in Bristol and left England and his creditors behind and "fled into New England".  1830

There is some confusion as to when exactly William left England, some say 1 Dec. 1630, some May of 1631, Great Migration says late 1631.1830

The rest of the family came over in stages over the next few years.  William Jr. was in the Colony by 1633, he was mentioned by John Winthrop Jr. in a letter sent back to England.  Ann and Thomas may have come with him at that time.  In the spring 1634 Elizabeth and the rest of the children, daughters Elizabeth and Sarah and youngest child John,  sailed on the "Francis" from Ipswich.  Elizabeth was 47 when she left England, William was 55, it must have been quite a challenge starting from scratch at their age.  According to author/historian Roger Thompson, William Sr. traveled back to England to collect Elizabeth and the children. He carried letters and and vinegar for the Colony on the return trip.1830