52 ANCESTORS IN 52 WEEKS 2015 WEEK 52: JONATHAN BUTTERFIELD OF CHELMSFORD, MA.

My final subject for the 2015 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge is my 7x great grandfather Jonathan Butterfield. George A. Gordon has 0nly a little to say about him in his THE BUTTERFIELDS OF MIDDLESEX article:

12. Jonathan' Butterfield (Samuel, Benjamin) was born in Chelmsford; had wife Elizabeth, who died early, leaving one child:
1. Elizabeth,4 m. Adam Gould.
He married 2d, Elizabeth, a daughter of Thomas and _____Chamberlain of Chelmsford, who survived him. He was an husbandman. His will, signed " Buterfeild," made 10 July, 1728, was probated 7 August, 1738. Children:
25. Ii. David,* b. 1702.
26. iii. Jonathan.
27. iv. Robert, b. 1716.
v. Samuel, of Westford, where he d. unm. in 1764.
vi. Sarah, m. 16 Oct. 1744, Thomas Danforth of Billerica.
vii. Mary, m.____ Perham.
p37


The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Volume 44 , Published at the Society's House, 18 Somerset Street. Printed by David Clapp & Son Boston, Ma 1890



I did find a will in his probate file at AmericanAncestors.org  and in it was this interesting item at the bottom of the first page:

Middlesex County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1648-1871.Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014. (From records supplied by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Archives.)case 3725 p8

 

Middlesex County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1648-1871.Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014. (From records supplied by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Archives.) Case 3725 page8

 Here's my transcription of that part:

I give and Bequeath unto my well beloved son David my part
of an orchard in Chelmsford and and Lyeth on the west side of
the Country Road and between the Land of John Butterfield and--
Daniel Blogett. And the Reason why I give David no more is because
I gave him to my Brother Samuel Butterfield at fourteen years of age
and he has had his service this twelve years and is to give him
a portion for the same as by promise - -


The document was written at a slant on the first page. While the writing on the second page is
straight and level it's still small and messy so it's slightly difficult to read, but it does have Jonathan's signature written in a big although shaky hand.



 

Middlesex County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1648-1871.Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014. (From records supplied by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Archives.)Case3725 page 9

 
I'll try to find the will of Jonathan's adopted father Samuel Butterfield to see if he kept his promise.