NOTE: The date of death given above is a burial date. I have seen his death recorded as August 11, July 11, and even as early as Apr 6 in that year.

John Searle married Sarah Baldwin in 1639. They had only one child, John Searle Jr. John Searle Sr. died in 1641, and Sarah Baldwin then married Alexander Edwards. Joanna Searle is the sister of John Searle Sr. She was married to William Warriner. John Searle is believed to have immigrated from Warwick, England around 1634 with his brothers Andrew & Edward and sister Joanna. Either Andrew or Edward named their daughter Joanna after their sister. (There is no Joanna Scant, it's Searle. The name was misread by early researchers and recognized as such by Savage as early as 1847 in the Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England.)

Here is part of the will of John Searle Sr:

I John Searles being very sicke in body doe make my last will & testament in manner & fourme followings. First I give to my brother-in-law William Warriner my best coate & my cullord hatt: & whereas in some reckinges betwixt him and me he owes me betwixt three and fower poundes: if he pays fortie shillinges thereof I am content that all the rest shall be remitted: the rest of my estate I divide betwixt my wife (Sarah) & my child (John) equally: & I doe appoint that my wife shall have for use till my child come of the age of 20 yeares that portion belonging to my Sonn John Searle in consideration of his maintenance & education. Provided that before she marry again she shall give or in her behalf cause to be given sufficient security for the payment of my childes portion wch security shall be given to Mr. Moxon, my brother Tymothy Baldwin and Samuel Wright whom I doe intreat to be overseers for the performance of this my last will."

Witnesses: Henry Smyth & Elitzur Holioake