(First posted in June 2007.)
The story of Varanes Libbey strikes me as being characteristic
of that era in the history of New England. Hundreds of men and
women left the family farms and the hill country to come to work
in the mills of Massachusetts. Men could earn from .88 cents to
around 3.50 a day in wages depending on their performance at the
job. Women were paid half that amount. That was still the best
wage available to a woman worker for that era. Mill workers would
work 12 hour days,6 days a week but anyone raised on a farm was
used to working all day everyday already. And the Lowell Mills
were originally intended as a sort of grand social experiment as
well as an industry so there were libraries, boardinghouses and an
expectation of proper moral behavior on the part of the workers.
Little wonder that Varanes and others like him left the farms for
work in the textile mills. Better money and in some cases better
living conditions. Eventually the noble intentions of the mill
owners were pushed aside for profits, but for a time it was a good
oppurtunity to make your way in the world.
Varanes was about 25 when he was made a Branch President of
the LDS Church in Lowell. That would seem to indicate he must
have been a serious young man with qualities that would lead to
his appointment. Yet only two months later he was replaced in the
position and apparently left the church shortly afterwards.
The next record I could find of Varanes was in the Adams &
Sampson Boston Street Directory of 1865:
“Libby Varanes porter, 28 India, house at Chelsea”
So Varanes left the mills at some time or another as well as the
Church. I have to wonder why he just didn’t go back home to the
family farm? Was it gone? Had one of his sisters married and her
husband taken over the farm in his absence? Did he actually
return home but left it once more to seek his fortune elsewhere?
Was there even in fact a farm left to go home to in the first place?
Or was it because of the suddenly controversial nature of the
Mormons as the doctrine of polygamy was introduced and the
New England church was rocked by accusations concerning the
conduct of William Smith, the brother of Joseph Smith? Certainly
that would have been a topic of gossip and speculation among
“proper” New Englanders. Was Varanes made to feel that he
could not go home again because of his former association with
the church?
Whatever the reason, by 1865 the 46 year old Varanes worked in
a building on India Street, along the Boston waterfront but lived
over in Chelsea across the Mystic River. He was still living there
at Walnut St. on the 1880 census as Connell O’Donovan’s
research discovered.
Working as a porter must have been hard work, but I like to think
that Varanes enjoyed being part of life on the Boston waterfront at
a time when it was still bustling with ships and visitors from far off
exotic places.
Quite a journey for a boy from Bethel, Maine.
This is why I’m now hopelessly addicted to genealogy. You never
know what new story you will find about one of your ancestors!
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Monday, July 25, 2016
VARANES LIBBEY(LIBBY) REVISITED PT1
From June 2007:
I’ve described here before how I occasionally pick one name from
my family tree and do a quick Google to see if I can find anything
about them that I haven’t found before. Lately I’ve been doing
this at the Google Book website.
About a week ago I was looking for more confirmation of the
marriage of John Ellingwood (Ellinwood or Ellenwood in some of
the records) to Zerviah Abbott and my googling brought me to the
book " A Genealogical Register of the Descendants of George
Abbot, of Andover: George Abbot, of Rowley, Thomas Abbot of
Andover, Arthur Abbot, of Ipswich, Robert Abbot, of Branford
Ct., and George Abbot of Norwalk, Ct"
Which, for interests of time and my aching fingers, will henceforth
be referred to in this piece as the Abbot Genealogical Register or
AGR.
On Page 71 I found “Zerviah A.” listed among the children of
Jonathan and Mehitabel Abbott(they were both Abbotts by birth
descended from George Abbott and Hannah Chandler and were
3rd cousins) and her marriage in 1789 to “John Ellenwood” of
Bethel. I looked through the list of their children and compared
it to what I already had here, adding the names of spouses and
children I hadn’t know about to my files. Among them I found
listed my ancestor John E., his marriage to Rachel Barrows and
the names of their children includes my 2x great grandfather
Asa F. Ellingwood.
(Asa would marry Florilla Dunham in 1850 and it’s through them
that I’m related to Tim Abbott and Chris Dunham.)
While adding the names of Zerviah and John’s children to my files
one of the entries caught my interest. Their oldest child Sarah is
listed in the AGR as marrying a Thomas Libbey of Newry and
having a son with the name Varanes. It certainly was one of the
more unusual names I’ve run across among the family and it
made me wonder what had become of Varanes Libbey. So I
googled his name. There wasn’t much online on Varanes but there
was a surprise.
I found Varanes on a website on the early history of the Mormon
Church in Lowell Mass. that was compiled by Martha Mayo and
Connell O’Donovan. There are brief biographies of the church
members and Varanes is under the name Varanes/Varanus/
Veranus Libbe (or Libby):
“Born about 1819 in Maine or New Hampshire to Samuel Libby
and Sarah Stevens Ellenwood of Saco, York, Maine. Married Ann
Smith in 1842 (in Lowell?) Worked as a manufacturer and "white
washer" in the Lowell mills. Baptized in Lowell by Wilford
Woodruff on October 16, 1844 (along with Mary Thornton), and
almost immediately was made Branch President. By mid-
December 1844, he was replaced as Lowell Branch President by
travelling missionary Elder Jesse W. Crosby. He probably left
the Mormon Church about that time as well. Varanus and Ann
had three daughters: Lydia, Emma, and Charlotte.
Lydia A. Libby was born September 27, 1843 in Lowell. She never
married and lived with her parents the rest of her life, becoming a
dress maker to help support her family.
Emma Priscilla Libby was born June 2, 1849 in Medford,
Middlesex, Mass. She married Hugh Martin of Nova Scotia,
Canada in November 1869, and they also lived with her parents,
Varanus and Ann Smith Libby. Emma and Hugh Martin had one
daughter, Elizabeth E. Martin, born about 1872 in Lowell.
The last of the three daughters, Charlotte W. Libby, was born
about 1854. In 1870, she is living at home in Chelsea.
By the 1880 Census, the extended Varanus Libby family (except
Ann Smith Libby who had apparently dead) was all living
together on Walnut Street in Chelsea, Suffolk, Massachusetts
along with Ann's brother Elijah R. Smith.”
http://people.ucsc.edu/~odonovan/lowell_members.html#augustus
This was naturally all new to me since I hadn’t even known of
Varanes’ existence until an hour before I read this entry. I’m fairly
sure my Dad knew nothing of it. But his grandmother Clara
Ellingwood had died while both her sons were quite young so it is
possible that they’d never heard about their cousin Varanes.
I emailed Connell O’Donovan for permission to quote from his
website and research which he graciously gave.In his reply says
that he feels Varanes’s departure from the Latter Day Saints might
have been part of the upheavals over the doctrine of polygamy.
He included information that will appear in an article he hopes to
publish next year and which I’ll not mention here until it does
appear but there will be further mention of Varanes in it.
I’ll have some more thoughts on this in the next post.
I’ve described here before how I occasionally pick one name from
my family tree and do a quick Google to see if I can find anything
about them that I haven’t found before. Lately I’ve been doing
this at the Google Book website.
About a week ago I was looking for more confirmation of the
marriage of John Ellingwood (Ellinwood or Ellenwood in some of
the records) to Zerviah Abbott and my googling brought me to the
book " A Genealogical Register of the Descendants of George
Abbot, of Andover: George Abbot, of Rowley, Thomas Abbot of
Andover, Arthur Abbot, of Ipswich, Robert Abbot, of Branford
Ct., and George Abbot of Norwalk, Ct"
Which, for interests of time and my aching fingers, will henceforth
be referred to in this piece as the Abbot Genealogical Register or
AGR.
On Page 71 I found “Zerviah A.” listed among the children of
Jonathan and Mehitabel Abbott(they were both Abbotts by birth
descended from George Abbott and Hannah Chandler and were
3rd cousins) and her marriage in 1789 to “John Ellenwood” of
Bethel. I looked through the list of their children and compared
it to what I already had here, adding the names of spouses and
children I hadn’t know about to my files. Among them I found
listed my ancestor John E., his marriage to Rachel Barrows and
the names of their children includes my 2x great grandfather
Asa F. Ellingwood.
(Asa would marry Florilla Dunham in 1850 and it’s through them
that I’m related to Tim Abbott and Chris Dunham.)
While adding the names of Zerviah and John’s children to my files
one of the entries caught my interest. Their oldest child Sarah is
listed in the AGR as marrying a Thomas Libbey of Newry and
having a son with the name Varanes. It certainly was one of the
more unusual names I’ve run across among the family and it
made me wonder what had become of Varanes Libbey. So I
googled his name. There wasn’t much online on Varanes but there
was a surprise.
I found Varanes on a website on the early history of the Mormon
Church in Lowell Mass. that was compiled by Martha Mayo and
Connell O’Donovan. There are brief biographies of the church
members and Varanes is under the name Varanes/Varanus/
Veranus Libbe (or Libby):
“Born about 1819 in Maine or New Hampshire to Samuel Libby
and Sarah Stevens Ellenwood of Saco, York, Maine. Married Ann
Smith in 1842 (in Lowell?) Worked as a manufacturer and "white
washer" in the Lowell mills. Baptized in Lowell by Wilford
Woodruff on October 16, 1844 (along with Mary Thornton), and
almost immediately was made Branch President. By mid-
December 1844, he was replaced as Lowell Branch President by
travelling missionary Elder Jesse W. Crosby. He probably left
the Mormon Church about that time as well. Varanus and Ann
had three daughters: Lydia, Emma, and Charlotte.
Lydia A. Libby was born September 27, 1843 in Lowell. She never
married and lived with her parents the rest of her life, becoming a
dress maker to help support her family.
Emma Priscilla Libby was born June 2, 1849 in Medford,
Middlesex, Mass. She married Hugh Martin of Nova Scotia,
Canada in November 1869, and they also lived with her parents,
Varanus and Ann Smith Libby. Emma and Hugh Martin had one
daughter, Elizabeth E. Martin, born about 1872 in Lowell.
The last of the three daughters, Charlotte W. Libby, was born
about 1854. In 1870, she is living at home in Chelsea.
By the 1880 Census, the extended Varanus Libby family (except
Ann Smith Libby who had apparently dead) was all living
together on Walnut Street in Chelsea, Suffolk, Massachusetts
along with Ann's brother Elijah R. Smith.”
http://people.ucsc.edu/~odonovan/lowell_members.html#augustus
This was naturally all new to me since I hadn’t even known of
Varanes’ existence until an hour before I read this entry. I’m fairly
sure my Dad knew nothing of it. But his grandmother Clara
Ellingwood had died while both her sons were quite young so it is
possible that they’d never heard about their cousin Varanes.
I emailed Connell O’Donovan for permission to quote from his
website and research which he graciously gave.In his reply says
that he feels Varanes’s departure from the Latter Day Saints might
have been part of the upheavals over the doctrine of polygamy.
He included information that will appear in an article he hopes to
publish next year and which I’ll not mention here until it does
appear but there will be further mention of Varanes in it.
I’ll have some more thoughts on this in the next post.
Friday, July 22, 2016
FINDMYPAST FRIDAY COLLECTION RELEASES FOR 22JUL 2016
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PERiodical Source Index
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485 VOLUMES
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232 THOUSAND RECORDS
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PERiodical Source Index
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SEARCH THESE RECORDS »
British Army Service Records Image Browse
9 THOUSAND VOLUMES
Browse our collection of more than 7.8 million British Army Service records, the largest available online, to explore a myriad of Army forms including attestation papers, medical forms, discharge documents and pension claims.
SEARCH THESE RECORDS »
Scotland, Linlithgowshire (West Lothian), Electoral Registers 1864-1931 Image Browse
485 VOLUMES
Find out if your ancestor voted in the traditional Scottish county of Linlithgowshire, if they owned property and their exact location between the census years.
SEARCH THESE RECORDS »
Britain, Absent Voters Lists 1918-1921 Browse
182 VOLUMES
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SEARCH THESE RECORDS »
New South Wales 1901 Census
232 THOUSAND RECORDS
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Monday, July 18, 2016
52 ANCESTORS IN 52 WEEKS 2016 WEEK 27: NATHAN ALDIS OF DEDHAM, MA
This week's subject is my 10x great grandfather Nathan Aldis of Dedham, Ma. He is sometimes erroneously referred to as Nathaniel Aldis. I found this article written by Frederick H. Whitin, The Aldis Family in America, 1640-1800 in Google Books:
Of the English ancestry of the American family nothing is known. The earliest American record of Nathan Aldis, the Emigrant, is his admission to the Dedham Church on February 11, 1639-40 (II. 22).1 Mary, wife of "brother Alldys," was admitted March 11,1640-41 (II. 24.) He was chosen one of the first deacons of the Church on June 23, 1650 (II. 35). He became a freeman on May 13, 1640 (Mass. Col. Rec. I. 377).
Nathan Aldis first appears in town affairs as a "viewer of fences," April 17, 1640 (III. 67). He was selectman for the years 1641, 1642 and 1644 (III. 75-100). This proves incorrect the statement
of Paige (History of Cambridge, Authority, unless otherwise stated, Hill's Dedham Records.
p. 479) that in 1642, Nathan Aldus occupied land near what is now Harvard Square and Dunster Street.
As a Dedham proprietor, Nathan Aldis signed the Dedham Covenant, as did also his only son, John. As such, he received various grants of land, but always in small quantities (III. 95, 108, i11, 211). This is explained by the small number of cow-commons, the unit of proprietorship, which he held. The number varied, being seventeen in 1666 (IV. 126), decreasing to eleven in 1669 (IV. 174), out of a total of 335 at that time. John Aldis, the son, had the last number in 1685 (V. 170), while seven appear, in the inventory of the estate of Daniel3 Aldis (No. 7). .
In August, 1642, Nathan Aldis acquired a sixth interest in the water mill on East Brook. Seven years later he, with John Allin (the pastor) and John Dwight, sold his interest to Nathaniel Whiting, the fourth partner (Suffolk Deeds, IV. 285).
Nathan Aldis acted as appraiser in a number of probate cases, and in two of these the original papers are preserved. His signature of the date of 1642 has been reproduced (III. 89) from certain town papers. All show a similarity of writing, but not of spelling; it being "Alldis" in town affairs, "Aldous" in Suffolk Probate case, No. 33, (1642) and "Aldis " in case No. 531 of the year 1670. This later indicates greater familiarity with a pen, if firmer characters are any criterion.
The Emigrant did not prosper greatly in this world's goods in the later years, judging from the proportion of taxes he paid, and the comparative assessed valuation of his house. This latter was £20 (III. 183) in 1651, ranging afterwards from £15 (IV. 178) to £30 (IV. 77).
His public acts were chiefly in connection with the meeting-house and pastor's salary, he being a committee on both. His last appearance on the town records was on November 29,1675 (V. 36),when he was assessed is. 3d. for the general tax.
1. Nathan Aldis, emigrant, was born in England about 1596 (Suffolk Court Files, No. 966, a deposition), and died at Dedham, Mass., March 15, 1675-6 (I. 15). Mary, his wife, died at Dedham on January 1,1676-7 (1.15). Administration on his estate was granted on April 25, 1676 "to Mary Aldis, his relict and John Aldis, their sonne." The inventory amounted to £112, including the house lot valued at £40. (Suffolk Prob. V. 338). Issue, born in England:—
2. i. Mary2.
3. ii. John2.
pp16-21
Dedham Historical Register, Volume 14 Dedham Historical Society, 1903 - Dedham (Mass.)
Nathan's daughter Mary married my 9x great grandfather Joshua Fisher Jr.
Of the English ancestry of the American family nothing is known. The earliest American record of Nathan Aldis, the Emigrant, is his admission to the Dedham Church on February 11, 1639-40 (II. 22).1 Mary, wife of "brother Alldys," was admitted March 11,1640-41 (II. 24.) He was chosen one of the first deacons of the Church on June 23, 1650 (II. 35). He became a freeman on May 13, 1640 (Mass. Col. Rec. I. 377).
Nathan Aldis first appears in town affairs as a "viewer of fences," April 17, 1640 (III. 67). He was selectman for the years 1641, 1642 and 1644 (III. 75-100). This proves incorrect the statement
of Paige (History of Cambridge, Authority, unless otherwise stated, Hill's Dedham Records.
p. 479) that in 1642, Nathan Aldus occupied land near what is now Harvard Square and Dunster Street.
As a Dedham proprietor, Nathan Aldis signed the Dedham Covenant, as did also his only son, John. As such, he received various grants of land, but always in small quantities (III. 95, 108, i11, 211). This is explained by the small number of cow-commons, the unit of proprietorship, which he held. The number varied, being seventeen in 1666 (IV. 126), decreasing to eleven in 1669 (IV. 174), out of a total of 335 at that time. John Aldis, the son, had the last number in 1685 (V. 170), while seven appear, in the inventory of the estate of Daniel3 Aldis (No. 7). .
In August, 1642, Nathan Aldis acquired a sixth interest in the water mill on East Brook. Seven years later he, with John Allin (the pastor) and John Dwight, sold his interest to Nathaniel Whiting, the fourth partner (Suffolk Deeds, IV. 285).
Nathan Aldis acted as appraiser in a number of probate cases, and in two of these the original papers are preserved. His signature of the date of 1642 has been reproduced (III. 89) from certain town papers. All show a similarity of writing, but not of spelling; it being "Alldis" in town affairs, "Aldous" in Suffolk Probate case, No. 33, (1642) and "Aldis " in case No. 531 of the year 1670. This later indicates greater familiarity with a pen, if firmer characters are any criterion.
The Emigrant did not prosper greatly in this world's goods in the later years, judging from the proportion of taxes he paid, and the comparative assessed valuation of his house. This latter was £20 (III. 183) in 1651, ranging afterwards from £15 (IV. 178) to £30 (IV. 77).
His public acts were chiefly in connection with the meeting-house and pastor's salary, he being a committee on both. His last appearance on the town records was on November 29,1675 (V. 36),when he was assessed is. 3d. for the general tax.
1. Nathan Aldis, emigrant, was born in England about 1596 (Suffolk Court Files, No. 966, a deposition), and died at Dedham, Mass., March 15, 1675-6 (I. 15). Mary, his wife, died at Dedham on January 1,1676-7 (1.15). Administration on his estate was granted on April 25, 1676 "to Mary Aldis, his relict and John Aldis, their sonne." The inventory amounted to £112, including the house lot valued at £40. (Suffolk Prob. V. 338). Issue, born in England:—
2. i. Mary2.
3. ii. John2.
pp16-21
Dedham Historical Register, Volume 14 Dedham Historical Society, 1903 - Dedham (Mass.)
Nathan's daughter Mary married my 9x great grandfather Joshua Fisher Jr.
Sunday, July 17, 2016
FINDMYPAST FRIDAY COLLECTION RELEASES FOR 15JUL 2016
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Worcestershire Monumental Inscriptions
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Aberdeenshire, Banffshire & Kincardineshire Monumental Inscriptions
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ADDITIONAL RECORDS FOR EXISTING SETS:
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Discover: Hans Sloane, Irish physician whose work formed the foundation of the British Museum
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Total articles: 180,909,369
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Discover: 14 brand new titles including the Illustrated London News
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Essex Memorial Inscriptions
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Total records: 206,455
Covering: 44 new places in Essex, plus record improvements for five existing ones
Discover: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Quaker, and non-conformist, as well as community and war memorials
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Devon Burials
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Covering: Plymouth, Ford Park Cemetery and Torquay Cemetery
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Northumberland and Durham Baptisms
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Tuesday, July 12, 2016
HOW "THE CLAPBOARDS" GOT ITS NAME
In my research on my Fisher, Gay, Dean and other families from Dedham, Ma., I kept running
across references to a part of the town called The Clapboards or The Clapboard Trees. It struck
me as a strange name for a place, so I searched Google Books and found an answer in The Early Records of the Town of Dedham, Massachusetts: 1636-1659. volume three, edited in 1892 by the
Dedham Town Clerk, Don Gleason Hill. The origin of the name was in the records of early town
meetings:
Dedham The 31 December 1636
Assembled whose names are heervnder written vizt Robte Feke, Edward Alleyn, Abraham Shawe, Samuell Morse, John Kingsbery, Phileman Dolton, John Dwite, John Hayward, John Coolidge, Richard Evered, John Gaye, Thomas Bartlet, Thomas Hastings, Willm Berstowe, John Huggens.
First yt wch was agreed vpon the last assembly was Read and confirmed.
Wheras Nicholas Phillips hath felled crteyne trees wth out his Lott wth out licence contrary to an order made in that behalfe. Therfore he is fyned to pay vnto ye Collector for the vse of the Towne Sixe pence for every tree soe felled.
And for yt Ezechiell Holliman hath felled one greate Timber tree for clapboard wth out his owne Lott contrary to an order made in that behalfe, therfore he is fined to pay vnto the Collector for ye vse of ye Towne the sum of Ten shillings.
And the sayd Ezechiell is to paye in like manner for every lesser tree soe felled contrary vnto the sayd order the sum of sixe pence for a fyne as aforesayd.
The sayd Ezechiell Holliman is moreover Fyned the sum of Fifteene shillings to be payd vnto ye Collector For that yt he hath covered his house wth Clapboard contrary vnto an order mad in that behalfe.
Wheras crteyne of our Company are gone up to inhabite this winter at our Towne of Dedham, & yt other materialls are not well to be had for the [ ] closeing in of their houses in such a season, wch thing being well taken into consideration: we doe therfore give liberty only for every such inhabitant abouesayd to make vse of Clapboard to any pte of his house for his prsent necessety from this prsent daye vntill the first daye of the third month next called May daye And not afterward yt soe the order in that behalfe made may stand still in force & effect to all intents and purposes for wch it was soe made accordingly.-p25
The Early Records of the Town of Dedham, Massachusetts: 1636-1659. volume three, printed at the offices of the Dedham Transcript, Dedham, Ma. 1892
But by the next year the town was growing so it was decided to allow clapboarding again:
Dedham The 18th of ye 5th month comonly called July 1637
...It is agreed concrneing Clapboarding of houses yet it Clapboard shalbe at liberty vntill midsomer day next, not wth standing ye order wch is afterward to stand in force from yt day forward-p32
And finally it was decided to remove all restrictions on the practice.
Dedham The 6th of ye 5: Month 1638
The Clapboarding of houses set at liberty vnto all men from Clapbord this tyme forward.-p45
Most of the trees that were initally cut down to make into clapboards were in the western part
of town and the area came to be known as The Clapboard Trees and then simply The Clapboards
And when a new church parish was established there it came to be know as the Clapboards Parish.
Just another one of those interesting things you learn while researching family history!
across references to a part of the town called The Clapboards or The Clapboard Trees. It struck
me as a strange name for a place, so I searched Google Books and found an answer in The Early Records of the Town of Dedham, Massachusetts: 1636-1659. volume three, edited in 1892 by the
Dedham Town Clerk, Don Gleason Hill. The origin of the name was in the records of early town
meetings:
Dedham The 31 December 1636
Assembled whose names are heervnder written vizt Robte Feke, Edward Alleyn, Abraham Shawe, Samuell Morse, John Kingsbery, Phileman Dolton, John Dwite, John Hayward, John Coolidge, Richard Evered, John Gaye, Thomas Bartlet, Thomas Hastings, Willm Berstowe, John Huggens.
First yt wch was agreed vpon the last assembly was Read and confirmed.
Wheras Nicholas Phillips hath felled crteyne trees wth out his Lott wth out licence contrary to an order made in that behalfe. Therfore he is fyned to pay vnto ye Collector for the vse of the Towne Sixe pence for every tree soe felled.
And for yt Ezechiell Holliman hath felled one greate Timber tree for clapboard wth out his owne Lott contrary to an order made in that behalfe, therfore he is fined to pay vnto the Collector for ye vse of ye Towne the sum of Ten shillings.
And the sayd Ezechiell is to paye in like manner for every lesser tree soe felled contrary vnto the sayd order the sum of sixe pence for a fyne as aforesayd.
The sayd Ezechiell Holliman is moreover Fyned the sum of Fifteene shillings to be payd vnto ye Collector For that yt he hath covered his house wth Clapboard contrary vnto an order mad in that behalfe.
Wheras crteyne of our Company are gone up to inhabite this winter at our Towne of Dedham, & yt other materialls are not well to be had for the [ ] closeing in of their houses in such a season, wch thing being well taken into consideration: we doe therfore give liberty only for every such inhabitant abouesayd to make vse of Clapboard to any pte of his house for his prsent necessety from this prsent daye vntill the first daye of the third month next called May daye And not afterward yt soe the order in that behalfe made may stand still in force & effect to all intents and purposes for wch it was soe made accordingly.-p25
The Early Records of the Town of Dedham, Massachusetts: 1636-1659. volume three, printed at the offices of the Dedham Transcript, Dedham, Ma. 1892
But by the next year the town was growing so it was decided to allow clapboarding again:
Dedham The 18th of ye 5th month comonly called July 1637
...It is agreed concrneing Clapboarding of houses yet it Clapboard shalbe at liberty vntill midsomer day next, not wth standing ye order wch is afterward to stand in force from yt day forward-p32
And finally it was decided to remove all restrictions on the practice.
Dedham The 6th of ye 5: Month 1638
The Clapboarding of houses set at liberty vnto all men from Clapbord this tyme forward.-p45
Most of the trees that were initally cut down to make into clapboards were in the western part
of town and the area came to be known as The Clapboard Trees and then simply The Clapboards
And when a new church parish was established there it came to be know as the Clapboards Parish.
Just another one of those interesting things you learn while researching family history!
Monday, July 11, 2016
52 ANCESTORS IN 52 WEEKS 2016 WEEK 26: JOSHUA FISHER 3RD OF DEDHAM, MA.
My 8x great grandfather Joshua Fisher 3rd was known as "Captain Joshua" to keep from any confusion with his father "Lt. Joshua."
Here's what Philip A. Fisher wrote about him:
13. Joshua4, son of Lieut. Joshua (6), of Dedham, born there Jan. 9, 1651, and died Jan. 26, 1708-9. He was made a freeman, May 8, 1678. Mentioned in records as lieutenant Jan. 1, 1678-9; afterwards was a captain of militia; inherited the Fisher Tavern in Dedham, for account of which see under Joshua (28) and Deborah (137). He m. Esther, dau. of Elder John and Margaret (Smith) Wiswall, who was b. June 7, 1654, probably at Dorchester, and died between April, 1710, and April, 1711. Joshua received pay for services in King Philip's war from Feb. 29 to Dec. 10, 1675. Dedham "granted liberty to Joshua Fisher to take so much of the Towne timber as with the old may rebuild his brew House : and also a lean to:" Dec. 15, 1679. He was chosen " to repair the pounde for this present yeare and to keepe it," Aug. 10, 1693, May 9, 1694, May 18, 1695, and May 11, 1696. An inventory of his estate, made Feb. 17, 1708-9, appraises his property as follows: Household goods and farm utensils, £102 10. 6; the houses and lands and orchards at home, £200; several parcels of outlands and spinning wheels, £6$ 9. An agreement was entered into by the heirs, April 21, 1709, in which the widow Esther was given '' one half the housing and lands of the deceased, called the homestead lying in Dedham & one third of the tract of land wch abuts upon the Elders Causeway (so called) and one acre & a halfe of wood land at the place call'd the Clapboard Trees. And it is agreed by and between all the party's to these presents, That Joshua Fisher and John Fisher shall have ye other moiety of ye housing and lands call'd the Homestead", they agreeing to pay to the four daughters, namely: Esther, wife of Daniel Fisher, Sarah, wife of Samuel Fuller, Mary and Anna Fisher., their respective single portions of £61 11. 5.
The will of widow Esther, made April 22, 1710, was filed for probate at Boston, April 18, 1711; she gave to son Joshua "my Candlebox and all my pewter measures both for bear and wine. Item. To my son John Fisher I give what sum or sums of money shall be due unto me from this Town of Dedham at my decease upon Account of my Entertainment of the Selectmen of this place whilst upon Town affairs Together with one cow if I shall have any." Her personal property to four daughters ; Mary and Anna Executrixes. The will of daughter Anna was made July 5, 1711 ; entered for probate by John Fisher, Sept. 20, 1711; gives personal property to brothers Joshua and John, sisters Hester Fisher, Sarah Fuller and Mary Deane; to brother John's wife Mary; to his maid Rebekah Woodcock; and "to my Aunt Deane my biggest brim'd pewter bason". Children b. in Dedham were:
8. Joshua5, b. Feb. 4, 1674-5; m. Hannah Fuller about 1695.
Esther5, b. April 17, 1677; d. May 24, 1677.
29. John5, b. July 15, 1678; m. Mary Onion, of Dedham.
Esther5, b. Feb. 27, 1681-82; m. Captain Daniel Fisher, 3d
(63), Nov. 25, 1703.
30. Sarah5 b. Nov. 5, 1685 ; m. Samuel Fuller, Feb. 10, 1706.
31. Mary5, b. July 24, 1687; m. Jeremiah Deane, Jan. 26, 1711.
Anna5, b. March 25, 1690; d. single, July 8, 1711.
pp28-29
The Fisher genealogy: A record of the descendants of Joshua, Anthony, and Cornelius Fisher, of Dedham, Mass., 1630-1640 Massachusetts Pub. Co., Everett, Ma. 1898
Here's what Philip A. Fisher wrote about him:
13. Joshua4, son of Lieut. Joshua (6), of Dedham, born there Jan. 9, 1651, and died Jan. 26, 1708-9. He was made a freeman, May 8, 1678. Mentioned in records as lieutenant Jan. 1, 1678-9; afterwards was a captain of militia; inherited the Fisher Tavern in Dedham, for account of which see under Joshua (28) and Deborah (137). He m. Esther, dau. of Elder John and Margaret (Smith) Wiswall, who was b. June 7, 1654, probably at Dorchester, and died between April, 1710, and April, 1711. Joshua received pay for services in King Philip's war from Feb. 29 to Dec. 10, 1675. Dedham "granted liberty to Joshua Fisher to take so much of the Towne timber as with the old may rebuild his brew House : and also a lean to:" Dec. 15, 1679. He was chosen " to repair the pounde for this present yeare and to keepe it," Aug. 10, 1693, May 9, 1694, May 18, 1695, and May 11, 1696. An inventory of his estate, made Feb. 17, 1708-9, appraises his property as follows: Household goods and farm utensils, £102 10. 6; the houses and lands and orchards at home, £200; several parcels of outlands and spinning wheels, £6$ 9. An agreement was entered into by the heirs, April 21, 1709, in which the widow Esther was given '' one half the housing and lands of the deceased, called the homestead lying in Dedham & one third of the tract of land wch abuts upon the Elders Causeway (so called) and one acre & a halfe of wood land at the place call'd the Clapboard Trees. And it is agreed by and between all the party's to these presents, That Joshua Fisher and John Fisher shall have ye other moiety of ye housing and lands call'd the Homestead", they agreeing to pay to the four daughters, namely: Esther, wife of Daniel Fisher, Sarah, wife of Samuel Fuller, Mary and Anna Fisher., their respective single portions of £61 11. 5.
The will of widow Esther, made April 22, 1710, was filed for probate at Boston, April 18, 1711; she gave to son Joshua "my Candlebox and all my pewter measures both for bear and wine. Item. To my son John Fisher I give what sum or sums of money shall be due unto me from this Town of Dedham at my decease upon Account of my Entertainment of the Selectmen of this place whilst upon Town affairs Together with one cow if I shall have any." Her personal property to four daughters ; Mary and Anna Executrixes. The will of daughter Anna was made July 5, 1711 ; entered for probate by John Fisher, Sept. 20, 1711; gives personal property to brothers Joshua and John, sisters Hester Fisher, Sarah Fuller and Mary Deane; to brother John's wife Mary; to his maid Rebekah Woodcock; and "to my Aunt Deane my biggest brim'd pewter bason". Children b. in Dedham were:
8. Joshua5, b. Feb. 4, 1674-5; m. Hannah Fuller about 1695.
Esther5, b. April 17, 1677; d. May 24, 1677.
29. John5, b. July 15, 1678; m. Mary Onion, of Dedham.
Esther5, b. Feb. 27, 1681-82; m. Captain Daniel Fisher, 3d
(63), Nov. 25, 1703.
30. Sarah5 b. Nov. 5, 1685 ; m. Samuel Fuller, Feb. 10, 1706.
31. Mary5, b. July 24, 1687; m. Jeremiah Deane, Jan. 26, 1711.
Anna5, b. March 25, 1690; d. single, July 8, 1711.
pp28-29
The Fisher genealogy: A record of the descendants of Joshua, Anthony, and Cornelius Fisher, of Dedham, Mass., 1630-1640 Massachusetts Pub. Co., Everett, Ma. 1898
Saturday, July 09, 2016
52 ANCESTORS IN 52 WEEKS 2016 WEEK 25: JOSHUA FISHER JR. OF DEDHAM, MA. PT5
A final thought about Joshua Fisher Jr.
-A few weeks ago I didn't know much about the Fisher family, let alone Joshua Fisher Jr. And now
he's become one of my favorite ancestors. Yes, he was multi-talented. He served in the Militia as
an officer, surveyed and laid out boundaries for several towns in Massachusetts, created maps for
those towns, and ran a tavern in Dedham, Ma. But what really amazed me that he came over from
England by himself at age 17 to set up a blacksmith shop for his father who was still back home. I've no idea what his formal education had been before he came to Massachusetts, or if he even had any (which would make all he accomplished even more impressive). He must have been quite
mature for his age, but then again, most children grew up faster in that time period than they do in
these days.
Here's a relationship chart from Joshua Fisher Sr. down to my father:
-A few weeks ago I didn't know much about the Fisher family, let alone Joshua Fisher Jr. And now
he's become one of my favorite ancestors. Yes, he was multi-talented. He served in the Militia as
an officer, surveyed and laid out boundaries for several towns in Massachusetts, created maps for
those towns, and ran a tavern in Dedham, Ma. But what really amazed me that he came over from
England by himself at age 17 to set up a blacksmith shop for his father who was still back home. I've no idea what his formal education had been before he came to Massachusetts, or if he even had any (which would make all he accomplished even more impressive). He must have been quite
mature for his age, but then again, most children grew up faster in that time period than they do in
these days.
Here's a relationship chart from Joshua Fisher Sr. down to my father:
Friday, July 08, 2016
FINDMYPAST FRIDAY COLLECTION RELEASES FOR 8JUL 2016
The Findmypast Friday collections this week are for two sets of U.S. records:
United States Naturalization Petitions
7,693,491 records spanning the years 1905 to 1950 and covering Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania. Discover when and where your ancestor was born, their port of entry and even photographs.
SEARCH THESE RECORDS »
United States Passport Applications
839 THOUSAND RECORDS
Uncover an original photograph of your ancestor as well as details on when, where and why they travelled. Applications may also include a physical description, occupation, residence, spouse's name, and date and place of birth.
SEARCH THESE RECORDS »
COMING SOON
BRAND NEW BRITISH COLLECTIONS
A variety of new records from around the UK will be available to search next Findmypast Friday. Keep your eyes peeled for more details.
AND DON'T FORGET!
To register for our upcoming webinar, "How to break down brick walls after 1837" with Else Churchill of the Society of Genealogists for top tips on overcoming family history hurdles in the years after government registration was introduced in the UK.
REGISTER NOW »
Full disclosure: I am a member of the Findmypast Ambassador Program which includes a
complimentary one year world subscription to Findmypast and a Findmypast First membership.
United States Naturalization Petitions
7,693,491 records spanning the years 1905 to 1950 and covering Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania. Discover when and where your ancestor was born, their port of entry and even photographs.
SEARCH THESE RECORDS »
United States Passport Applications
839 THOUSAND RECORDS
Uncover an original photograph of your ancestor as well as details on when, where and why they travelled. Applications may also include a physical description, occupation, residence, spouse's name, and date and place of birth.
SEARCH THESE RECORDS »
COMING SOON
BRAND NEW BRITISH COLLECTIONS
A variety of new records from around the UK will be available to search next Findmypast Friday. Keep your eyes peeled for more details.
AND DON'T FORGET!
To register for our upcoming webinar, "How to break down brick walls after 1837" with Else Churchill of the Society of Genealogists for top tips on overcoming family history hurdles in the years after government registration was introduced in the UK.
REGISTER NOW »
Full disclosure: I am a member of the Findmypast Ambassador Program which includes a
complimentary one year world subscription to Findmypast and a Findmypast First membership.
Thursday, July 07, 2016
52 ANCESTORS IN 52 WEEKS 2016 WEEK 25: JOSHUA FISHER JR. OF DEDHAM, MA. PT4
Joshua Fisher Jr died on 10Aug 1672. Philip A Fisher wrote the following about Joshua's estate and his children.
The Inventory of his estate, made Aug. 20, 1672 (Suffolk Pro., VIII, folio 239 et seq.), covers many pages. Among the articles enumerated are the following: Meadow of 12 acres abutting upon the house lot, £60; all the houses at home, the dwelling house and leantoos adjoining, the brew house, the shop, and barn, £120; the orchard on the south sjide of the street, £35; eleven acres in the broad meadows, £12; one piece of woody land near Thomas Fisher's, £4; land in the Clapboards, £3.17; common rights, £3; cedar swamps near the town, .£3.5. The total value of the estate was £1145. 6. 5. Daniel Fisher, Thomas Battelle and Joshua Fisher, the administrators, filed a bond Sept. 5, 1672, for £2200. In the division of the estate, made Nov. 23, 1672, the widow was given '' a trunke with what is in it, prissed at £22.18 and 50£," and the thirds of all the houses and lands, or instead £10 per annum. The remainder was divided into seven parts: two to Joshua, the eldest son, and one each to John, Vigilance, Mary., Abigail, and Hannah; the signers to the agreement being Joshua Fisher, William Avery for John Fisher, Thomas Fuller for Vigilance Fisher, Thomas Clap, John Holton, and Daniel Fisher for Hannah Fisher. Children, all born in Dedham, were:
Mary4, b. March 23, 1644; m. Thomas Clapp, Nov. 10, 1662. (Clapp Genealogy, p. 107-9.)
Joshua4, b. Oct. 30, 1645; d. Jan. 14, 1646.
Hannah4, b. Feb. 14, 1647; d. Sept. 4, 1648.
Abigail4, b. Feb. 29, 1649; m. John Houlton, of Dedham,
13. Joshua4, b. Jan. 9, 1651; m. Esther Wiswall.
14. John4, b. Feb. 18, 1652; m. Hannah Adams, March 6, 1674. Hannah4, b. Jan. 19, 1653; m. [William?] Burroughs..'
15. Vigilance4, b. (by second wife) Nov. 21, 1654.
James4, b. March'1, 1657; d. Sept. 27, 1658.-p16
The Fisher genealogy: A record of the descendants of Joshua, Anthony, and Cornelius Fisher, of Dedham, Mass., 1630-1640 Massachusetts Pub. Co., Everett, Ma. 1898
I'm descended from son Joshua and his wife Esther Wiswall.
To be continued...
The Inventory of his estate, made Aug. 20, 1672 (Suffolk Pro., VIII, folio 239 et seq.), covers many pages. Among the articles enumerated are the following: Meadow of 12 acres abutting upon the house lot, £60; all the houses at home, the dwelling house and leantoos adjoining, the brew house, the shop, and barn, £120; the orchard on the south sjide of the street, £35; eleven acres in the broad meadows, £12; one piece of woody land near Thomas Fisher's, £4; land in the Clapboards, £3.17; common rights, £3; cedar swamps near the town, .£3.5. The total value of the estate was £1145. 6. 5. Daniel Fisher, Thomas Battelle and Joshua Fisher, the administrators, filed a bond Sept. 5, 1672, for £2200. In the division of the estate, made Nov. 23, 1672, the widow was given '' a trunke with what is in it, prissed at £22.18 and 50£," and the thirds of all the houses and lands, or instead £10 per annum. The remainder was divided into seven parts: two to Joshua, the eldest son, and one each to John, Vigilance, Mary., Abigail, and Hannah; the signers to the agreement being Joshua Fisher, William Avery for John Fisher, Thomas Fuller for Vigilance Fisher, Thomas Clap, John Holton, and Daniel Fisher for Hannah Fisher. Children, all born in Dedham, were:
Mary4, b. March 23, 1644; m. Thomas Clapp, Nov. 10, 1662. (Clapp Genealogy, p. 107-9.)
Joshua4, b. Oct. 30, 1645; d. Jan. 14, 1646.
Hannah4, b. Feb. 14, 1647; d. Sept. 4, 1648.
Abigail4, b. Feb. 29, 1649; m. John Houlton, of Dedham,
13. Joshua4, b. Jan. 9, 1651; m. Esther Wiswall.
14. John4, b. Feb. 18, 1652; m. Hannah Adams, March 6, 1674. Hannah4, b. Jan. 19, 1653; m. [William?] Burroughs..'
15. Vigilance4, b. (by second wife) Nov. 21, 1654.
James4, b. March'1, 1657; d. Sept. 27, 1658.-p16
The Fisher genealogy: A record of the descendants of Joshua, Anthony, and Cornelius Fisher, of Dedham, Mass., 1630-1640 Massachusetts Pub. Co., Everett, Ma. 1898
I'm descended from son Joshua and his wife Esther Wiswall.
To be continued...
Wednesday, July 06, 2016
52 ANCESTORS IN 52 WEEKS 2016 WEEK 25: JOSHUA FISHER JR. OF DEDHAM, MA. PT3
Continuing with more on my 9x great grandfather Joshua Fisher Jr, Philip A. Fisher quotes from another source with more information:
Roberts' History of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company says of him:
"From the Colonial archives of Massachusetts Bay we learn that in 1648 he was appointed lieutenant of the military company in Dedham, and usually after this time he is styled 'Lieutenant,' and when he is not his name is connected with some survey that identifies his individuality. In 1650 he was appointed by the General Court to run the line between Sudbury and Watertown; in 1656 was appointed to lay out Mr. Alcock's land, also Mr. Bradstreet's eight hundred acres; in 1664 the General Court granted him three hundred acres of land for surveying the south line of the patent of Massachusetts Bay, next to Plymouth; in 1666, he settled the controversy between Mr. Z. Gold and Gov. Endicott as to land bounds, and laid out Gov. Endicott's farm on Ipswich River; in 1667 was appointed, with others, to lay out the town of Mendon; also to layout Dedham's eight thousand acres, near Hadley. In 1670, the General Court ordered a further survey of the line between Massachusetts and Plymouth, and Oct. 11, 1670, the bill, forty shillings, of Lieut. Fisher, for doing the same, was paid to his children. The survey was reported to the General Court May 15, 1672, and Lieut. Fisher died in August of that year. From the records of Dorchester, we learn that Lieut. Fisher was employed to run the line between Dedham and Dorchester; in 1670, to run the line from 'Blue Hill' to Plymouth; in 1661, Dorchester paid him for a new map of the town, and in 1670 for a second revised map." ....pp14-15
The Fisher genealogy: A record of the descendants of Joshua, Anthony, and Cornelius Fisher, of Dedham, Mass., 1630-1640 Massachusetts Pub. Co., Everett, Ma. 1898
And some how Joshua also fit in the time to provide another valuable service to his fellow citizens of
Dedham:
In ansr to ye request of the selectmen of Dedham, desiring, in regard of theire remotenes from Boston, Left Joshua Fisher might haue liberty to sell some strong waters, to supply yt necessity of such as shall stand in neede thereof in that toune, the Court graunts theire request. [Oct. 19, 1658: Mass. Col. Rec„ IV, Part I, 352.]-p.13
Roberts' History of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company says of him:
"From the Colonial archives of Massachusetts Bay we learn that in 1648 he was appointed lieutenant of the military company in Dedham, and usually after this time he is styled 'Lieutenant,' and when he is not his name is connected with some survey that identifies his individuality. In 1650 he was appointed by the General Court to run the line between Sudbury and Watertown; in 1656 was appointed to lay out Mr. Alcock's land, also Mr. Bradstreet's eight hundred acres; in 1664 the General Court granted him three hundred acres of land for surveying the south line of the patent of Massachusetts Bay, next to Plymouth; in 1666, he settled the controversy between Mr. Z. Gold and Gov. Endicott as to land bounds, and laid out Gov. Endicott's farm on Ipswich River; in 1667 was appointed, with others, to lay out the town of Mendon; also to layout Dedham's eight thousand acres, near Hadley. In 1670, the General Court ordered a further survey of the line between Massachusetts and Plymouth, and Oct. 11, 1670, the bill, forty shillings, of Lieut. Fisher, for doing the same, was paid to his children. The survey was reported to the General Court May 15, 1672, and Lieut. Fisher died in August of that year. From the records of Dorchester, we learn that Lieut. Fisher was employed to run the line between Dedham and Dorchester; in 1670, to run the line from 'Blue Hill' to Plymouth; in 1661, Dorchester paid him for a new map of the town, and in 1670 for a second revised map." ....pp14-15
The Fisher genealogy: A record of the descendants of Joshua, Anthony, and Cornelius Fisher, of Dedham, Mass., 1630-1640 Massachusetts Pub. Co., Everett, Ma. 1898
And some how Joshua also fit in the time to provide another valuable service to his fellow citizens of
Dedham:
In ansr to ye request of the selectmen of Dedham, desiring, in regard of theire remotenes from Boston, Left Joshua Fisher might haue liberty to sell some strong waters, to supply yt necessity of such as shall stand in neede thereof in that toune, the Court graunts theire request. [Oct. 19, 1658: Mass. Col. Rec„ IV, Part I, 352.]-p.13
Blacksmithing, surveying, mapmaking, soldiering. and tavern keeping; Joshua Fisher Jr was a man
of many talents!
To be continued...
of many talents!
To be continued...
Tuesday, July 05, 2016
52 ANCESTORS IN 52 WEEKS 2016 WEEK 25: JOSHUA FISHER JR. OF DEDHAM, MA. PT2
Continuing Philip A. Fishers entry on my 9x great grandfather Joshua Fisher Jr reveals what may have been a first in colonial New England:
At the town meeting in January, 1648-49, he was chosen selectman and continued in that office 22 years. He also tries his hand at surveying, for the records state that Jan. 7, 1649-50, he " is deputed and undertaken to take and make a true platt of ye out most Lines of the Towne." We find him later regularly chosen town surveyor, and the records show him at work in other parts of the Colony, one large work being the surveying of 8000 acres completed in May, 1665, "at a place called Pocumptuck" (Deerfield), "it lyinge northward from Hadley about tenn or twelue mile," being the land given Dedham in the exchange for the land they claimed at Natick.
It is ordered by this Court, that whereas there was graunted to Dedham eight thousand akers of land the last session of this Court, Ensigne John Euerard & Jonathan Danforth are hereby appointed to lay out the same according to graunt. [Oct. 21, 1663: Mass. Col. Rec., IV, Part II, 91.]
This tract of land, conteynig eight thousand acres, being layd out according to this1 plott given into the Court & remayning on file, beginning att A, & so running to L, by the Foote of a mountejne, south & by west two miles forty sixe rod; from L to K, along by the same mouuteine fine miles forty rod south & by east two degrees easterly; From K to I, vpon a streight ljne two miles & a halfe & a half west halfe a point southerly; From H to I, vpon a streight line south halfe a point easterly, fower miles; From G to H, uorwest fower degrees, westerly three hundred sixty two rod; From E to G. S. S east three degrees southerly, one hundred & sixty rod; from E to F south southeast, west three degrees southerly, eighty eight rod; from D to E south west one hundred and eight rod; from C to D south south east eighty rod J From B to C south Sc. by west three degrees westerly, five hundred & eighty rod; from A to B west north west two degrees westerly, one mile twenty rod. This tract of land is lajd out at a place called Pecuinptick, to answer the grantof the honoured Generall Court made to Dedham for the lands at Natick, which the Indians are setled vpon, by the Courts order, it lyinge northward from Hadley about tenn or twelue mile. Layd out as abouesajd May, 1665, By me, Joshua Fisher.
The Court allowes & approoues of this returne, provided they make a toune of it, to majntejue the ordinances of Christ there once wihin five yeares, & that it interfere not Majr Genrl Dennison & Hadley grant. [Oct. 11, 1665: Mass. Col. Rec., IV, Part II, 282.]
Probably referring to the above, Temple's History of North Brookfield, p. 54, says: „
"The compass was first brought into use in laying out land grants in this region, by Lieut. Fisher, of Dedham, when he surveyed the Deerfield lands in 1665. They had a chain to measure distances, and some prominent object was selected as starting and turning point. The chief concern was to get the full quantity named in the grant."-pp12-13
The Fisher genealogy: A record of the descendants of Joshua, Anthony, and Cornelius Fisher, of Dedham, Mass., 1630-1640 Massachusetts Pub. Co., Everett, Ma. 1898
To be continued...
At the town meeting in January, 1648-49, he was chosen selectman and continued in that office 22 years. He also tries his hand at surveying, for the records state that Jan. 7, 1649-50, he " is deputed and undertaken to take and make a true platt of ye out most Lines of the Towne." We find him later regularly chosen town surveyor, and the records show him at work in other parts of the Colony, one large work being the surveying of 8000 acres completed in May, 1665, "at a place called Pocumptuck" (Deerfield), "it lyinge northward from Hadley about tenn or twelue mile," being the land given Dedham in the exchange for the land they claimed at Natick.
It is ordered by this Court, that whereas there was graunted to Dedham eight thousand akers of land the last session of this Court, Ensigne John Euerard & Jonathan Danforth are hereby appointed to lay out the same according to graunt. [Oct. 21, 1663: Mass. Col. Rec., IV, Part II, 91.]
This tract of land, conteynig eight thousand acres, being layd out according to this1 plott given into the Court & remayning on file, beginning att A, & so running to L, by the Foote of a mountejne, south & by west two miles forty sixe rod; from L to K, along by the same mouuteine fine miles forty rod south & by east two degrees easterly; From K to I, vpon a streight ljne two miles & a halfe & a half west halfe a point southerly; From H to I, vpon a streight line south halfe a point easterly, fower miles; From G to H, uorwest fower degrees, westerly three hundred sixty two rod; From E to G. S. S east three degrees southerly, one hundred & sixty rod; from E to F south southeast, west three degrees southerly, eighty eight rod; from D to E south west one hundred and eight rod; from C to D south south east eighty rod J From B to C south Sc. by west three degrees westerly, five hundred & eighty rod; from A to B west north west two degrees westerly, one mile twenty rod. This tract of land is lajd out at a place called Pecuinptick, to answer the grantof the honoured Generall Court made to Dedham for the lands at Natick, which the Indians are setled vpon, by the Courts order, it lyinge northward from Hadley about tenn or twelue mile. Layd out as abouesajd May, 1665, By me, Joshua Fisher.
The Court allowes & approoues of this returne, provided they make a toune of it, to majntejue the ordinances of Christ there once wihin five yeares, & that it interfere not Majr Genrl Dennison & Hadley grant. [Oct. 11, 1665: Mass. Col. Rec., IV, Part II, 282.]
Probably referring to the above, Temple's History of North Brookfield, p. 54, says: „
"The compass was first brought into use in laying out land grants in this region, by Lieut. Fisher, of Dedham, when he surveyed the Deerfield lands in 1665. They had a chain to measure distances, and some prominent object was selected as starting and turning point. The chief concern was to get the full quantity named in the grant."-pp12-13
The Fisher genealogy: A record of the descendants of Joshua, Anthony, and Cornelius Fisher, of Dedham, Mass., 1630-1640 Massachusetts Pub. Co., Everett, Ma. 1898
To be continued...
Monday, July 04, 2016
52 ANCESTORS IN 52 WEEKS 2016 WEEK 25: JOSHUA FISHER JR. OF DEDHAM, MA.
Philip Fisher has quite a bit about my 9x great grandfather Joshua Fisher Jr in his genealogy of the Fisher family, including why Joshua Jr is known as "Lt. Joshua"
:
6. Joshua1, son of Joshua (2), of Medfield, was baptized at Syleham, England, April 2, 1621, and came to New England in 1637. The Dedham Records contain the following: "Dedham. The First of ye 11th Month 1637. That wch was agreed vpon yt last meeteing was now Reade & confirmed. Vpon a motion made by Anto Fisher It is condescended that Josua Fisher may enter vpon the Smithes Lott & ther fitt himselfe ye building & otherwise for to doe some worke of ye trade for yt Towne in the behalfe of his Father wch is expected this next somer. Provided yt yf he cometh not in such a tyme as may be conceived fitting by our sayd society Then the sayd Josua shall leave yt sayd Lott & yt Towne to be at liberty to put in another Smith: allowing vnto the sayd Josua his wholl Charges vpon the same to be alowed by 2: Judicious men." About this time he signed the Dedham Covenant, but we cannot learn the exact date. In August, 1639, he joined the Dedham church; the following year became a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company and was its second sergeant in 1648; and was made a freeman May 2, 1649. Joshua married 1st, Nov. 15, 1643, Mary, dau. of Deacon Nathaniel and Mary Aldis, of Dedham. She died Sept. 3, 1653; and he m. 2d, Feb. 16, 1654, Lydia, widow of Samuel Oliver, of Boston.
Upon the Petition of Dedham for Eleazer Lusher to be their Captaine, Josua Fisher their lief tenant, & Henry Philips their ensign, their petition is granted. [Oct. 18, 1648: Mass. Col. Rec., II, .257, and III, 139.]
To the honoured Gouerner Majestrats and deputies assembled at the Generall Court at Boston
The petition of the Towne of Dedham
Humbly Sheweth:
That wheras our band of Trayned Souldiers haue bin yet: defectiuc for want of Oficers established: to exercise them: and as we humbly conceiue that we haue some amongst vs that may be fitt. to exercise our Company we haue with one consent made choyce of Eliazer Lusher to be our Captaine: and Joshua Fisher to be our Leiftenant aud Henry Phillips to be our Ensigne humbly desyringe this Honor Court: that you would be pleased to Ratifie and confirme them in the said places if you shall thinke good : And your petioners shall pray et
William Ballard, clarke of ye Trayne band
The depties haue graunted this pet. wth Refferance to the concurrance of or honord magists William Torrey by order &c
The mast consent hereto Jo: Winthrop. Gour
19 (8) 48
[Mass. Arch., LXVII, 43.See Col. Rec., III, 139.]
So by the title of "Lieutenant Joshua " he was thereafter known throughout the Colony. pp11-12
The Fisher genealogy: A record of the descendants of Joshua, Anthony, and Cornelius Fisher, of Dedham, Mass., 1630-1640 Massachusetts Pub. Co., Everett, Ma. 1898
Continued in Part2.
:
6. Joshua1, son of Joshua (2), of Medfield, was baptized at Syleham, England, April 2, 1621, and came to New England in 1637. The Dedham Records contain the following: "Dedham. The First of ye 11th Month 1637. That wch was agreed vpon yt last meeteing was now Reade & confirmed. Vpon a motion made by Anto Fisher It is condescended that Josua Fisher may enter vpon the Smithes Lott & ther fitt himselfe ye building & otherwise for to doe some worke of ye trade for yt Towne in the behalfe of his Father wch is expected this next somer. Provided yt yf he cometh not in such a tyme as may be conceived fitting by our sayd society Then the sayd Josua shall leave yt sayd Lott & yt Towne to be at liberty to put in another Smith: allowing vnto the sayd Josua his wholl Charges vpon the same to be alowed by 2: Judicious men." About this time he signed the Dedham Covenant, but we cannot learn the exact date. In August, 1639, he joined the Dedham church; the following year became a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company and was its second sergeant in 1648; and was made a freeman May 2, 1649. Joshua married 1st, Nov. 15, 1643, Mary, dau. of Deacon Nathaniel and Mary Aldis, of Dedham. She died Sept. 3, 1653; and he m. 2d, Feb. 16, 1654, Lydia, widow of Samuel Oliver, of Boston.
Upon the Petition of Dedham for Eleazer Lusher to be their Captaine, Josua Fisher their lief tenant, & Henry Philips their ensign, their petition is granted. [Oct. 18, 1648: Mass. Col. Rec., II, .257, and III, 139.]
To the honoured Gouerner Majestrats and deputies assembled at the Generall Court at Boston
The petition of the Towne of Dedham
Humbly Sheweth:
That wheras our band of Trayned Souldiers haue bin yet: defectiuc for want of Oficers established: to exercise them: and as we humbly conceiue that we haue some amongst vs that may be fitt. to exercise our Company we haue with one consent made choyce of Eliazer Lusher to be our Captaine: and Joshua Fisher to be our Leiftenant aud Henry Phillips to be our Ensigne humbly desyringe this Honor Court: that you would be pleased to Ratifie and confirme them in the said places if you shall thinke good : And your petioners shall pray et
William Ballard, clarke of ye Trayne band
The depties haue graunted this pet. wth Refferance to the concurrance of or honord magists William Torrey by order &c
The mast consent hereto Jo: Winthrop. Gour
19 (8) 48
[Mass. Arch., LXVII, 43.See Col. Rec., III, 139.]
So by the title of "Lieutenant Joshua " he was thereafter known throughout the Colony. pp11-12
The Fisher genealogy: A record of the descendants of Joshua, Anthony, and Cornelius Fisher, of Dedham, Mass., 1630-1640 Massachusetts Pub. Co., Everett, Ma. 1898
Continued in Part2.
Friday, July 01, 2016
FINDMYPAST FRIDAY COLLECTION RELEASES FOR 1JUL 2016
Here's the Findmypast Friday Record releases for 1Jul 2016:
Brand new record collections:
Canada Census 1911
Over 6,500,000 census records will pinpoint your ancestor in Canada in 1911. Discover their residence, birth place and year, and marital status. SEARCH THESE RECORDS »
British Royal Air Force, Gallantry Awards 1914-1919
3,714 Records
Explore an index of RAF members who were awarded gallantry medals during World War 1. Discover your ancestor's rank, service number and the date he was published in the London Gazette. SEARCH THESE RECORDS »
And these additional records:
British Army Service Records
Number of records added: 1,670,410
Total records: 7,107,615
Covering: Officers who served during World War 1 and men who served with the famous household cavalry between 1801 and 1919
Discover: Dates of service, physical descriptions, medical reports, references from commanding officers, next of kin and more. SEARCH THESE RECORDS »
Brand new record collections:
Canada Census 1911
Over 6,500,000 census records will pinpoint your ancestor in Canada in 1911. Discover their residence, birth place and year, and marital status. SEARCH THESE RECORDS »
British Royal Air Force, Gallantry Awards 1914-1919
3,714 Records
Explore an index of RAF members who were awarded gallantry medals during World War 1. Discover your ancestor's rank, service number and the date he was published in the London Gazette. SEARCH THESE RECORDS »
And these additional records:
British Army Service Records
Number of records added: 1,670,410
Total records: 7,107,615
Covering: Officers who served during World War 1 and men who served with the famous household cavalry between 1801 and 1919
Discover: Dates of service, physical descriptions, medical reports, references from commanding officers, next of kin and more. SEARCH THESE RECORDS »
Thursday, June 30, 2016
AN ANCESTOR FOR THE IRON THRONE!
Elizabeth O'Neal has an interesting topic for her June Genealogy Blog Party
Which of your ancestors deserve to sit on the Iron Throne?
If I limit it just to my ancestors on this side of the Atlantic, I'd have to say 8x great grandfather
Simon Willard would be the best candidate. He was a pioneer of several towns west of Boston
in the old Massachusetts Bay Colony and held several positions in town governments. More
importantly, he had military experience leading troops during King Philip's War and at the age of
seventy led his troops on a wild ride through the night to save the town of Lancaster from an Indian attack. The only drawback in Simon's resume for the Throne is his family of twelve children,
all of whom lived to adulthood and seven of them were boys. Talk about a dynastic battle!
But I have a better and more experienced candidate further back on my family tree, and he's already royalty. Edward I of England certainly was ruthless enough to sit on the Iron Throne. He
fought in the Crusades before he became king, put down the revolt of Simon de Montfort, and
subdued the Welsh and Scots. (Remember Braveheart?). Even better, he possessed the other requirements for a king of Westeros. He had an overbearing mother, ambitious uncles, and a weak son with a notorious relationship with a male lover.
Yes, I think Edward I would be a perfect fit for the Iron Throne.
Which of your ancestors deserve to sit on the Iron Throne?
If I limit it just to my ancestors on this side of the Atlantic, I'd have to say 8x great grandfather
Simon Willard would be the best candidate. He was a pioneer of several towns west of Boston
in the old Massachusetts Bay Colony and held several positions in town governments. More
importantly, he had military experience leading troops during King Philip's War and at the age of
seventy led his troops on a wild ride through the night to save the town of Lancaster from an Indian attack. The only drawback in Simon's resume for the Throne is his family of twelve children,
all of whom lived to adulthood and seven of them were boys. Talk about a dynastic battle!
But I have a better and more experienced candidate further back on my family tree, and he's already royalty. Edward I of England certainly was ruthless enough to sit on the Iron Throne. He
fought in the Crusades before he became king, put down the revolt of Simon de Montfort, and
subdued the Welsh and Scots. (Remember Braveheart?). Even better, he possessed the other requirements for a king of Westeros. He had an overbearing mother, ambitious uncles, and a weak son with a notorious relationship with a male lover.
Yes, I think Edward I would be a perfect fit for the Iron Throne.
WHERE WERE MY ANCESTORS 150 YEARS AGO?
Here's last week's Saturday Night Genealogy Fun challenge from Randy Seaver at Genea-Musings:
Your mission, should you decide to accept it (cue the Mission Impossible! music) is to:
1) Determine where your ancestral families were on 25 June 1866 - 150 years ago.
2) List your ancestors, their family members, their birth and death years, and their residence location (as close as possible). Do you have a photograph of their residence from about that time, and does the residence still exist?
3) Tell us all about it in your own blog post, in a comment to this post, or in a Facebook Status or Google+ Stream post.
On my Mom's side of the family, most of my ancestors were still living in Ireland,
Scotland, or Germany, and I have no record of where they were or might have been
in 1866. I haven't found much yet on my 2x great grandparents who were in this country, Patrick J White (1848- 1902) & Mary (Powers) White (1848-?) and their parents.
Part of the problem is the commonality of the Irish family names in a period when Massachusetts was seeing a great influx of Irish immigrants.
Even on my Dad's side with all his family living in Maine and New Hampshire
there are a few missing a date of death, so I don't know if they were even alive
in 1866. In those cases I've left their names off this post.
Anyway, here's what information I was able to find on the paternal side of my
family:
My 2x great grandparents Asa F Ellingwood (1828-1921) and Florilla (Dunham) Ellingwood (1832-1917)were living on a farm in Dummer, Coos, NH with their 8 children.. My 2x great grandmother Clara Ellingwood 1865-1901) was just 1 year old.
2x great grandfather Jonathan Phelps West (1834-1917) and his second wife Louisa A Richardson(1837-1925) were living on their farm in Upton, Me.
My 3x great grandmother Arvilla (Ames)West (1810-1907) was a widow of 4 years, her husband John Cutter West having died in 1862. She was living on the farm in Upton, Me. with Jonathan and Louisa
My 2x great grandparents Nathaniel Barker(1794-1884) & Huldah (Hastings) Barker (1798-1884) were living on a farm in Albany, Oxford, Me. My 3x great grandparents Nathaniel S. Barker(1830-1884) & Lucy (Coburn)Barker(1842-1904) were living with them. My great grandfather Frank W. Barker(1865-1905) was only 1 year old.
My 3x great grandparents Amos Hastings Barker (1828-1907) & Betsy J(Moore)Barker (1842-1924) were also living in Albany, Oxford, Me on another farm with their 6 children.
3x great grandmother Hannah (Upton)Moore Emery (1814-1896) was also living on a farm in Albany, Me with her second husband, Peter Emery.
3x great grandfather James Thomas Dunham(1805-1888) was in Greenwood, Me with his second wife, Polly Lowe.
3x great grandfather Wesley Coburn was a widower living in Albany, Maine.
That's all I know at present.
Your mission, should you decide to accept it (cue the Mission Impossible! music) is to:
1) Determine where your ancestral families were on 25 June 1866 - 150 years ago.
2) List your ancestors, their family members, their birth and death years, and their residence location (as close as possible). Do you have a photograph of their residence from about that time, and does the residence still exist?
3) Tell us all about it in your own blog post, in a comment to this post, or in a Facebook Status or Google+ Stream post.
On my Mom's side of the family, most of my ancestors were still living in Ireland,
Scotland, or Germany, and I have no record of where they were or might have been
in 1866. I haven't found much yet on my 2x great grandparents who were in this country, Patrick J White (1848- 1902) & Mary (Powers) White (1848-?) and their parents.
Part of the problem is the commonality of the Irish family names in a period when Massachusetts was seeing a great influx of Irish immigrants.
Even on my Dad's side with all his family living in Maine and New Hampshire
there are a few missing a date of death, so I don't know if they were even alive
in 1866. In those cases I've left their names off this post.
Anyway, here's what information I was able to find on the paternal side of my
family:
My 2x great grandparents Asa F Ellingwood (1828-1921) and Florilla (Dunham) Ellingwood (1832-1917)were living on a farm in Dummer, Coos, NH with their 8 children.. My 2x great grandmother Clara Ellingwood 1865-1901) was just 1 year old.
2x great grandfather Jonathan Phelps West (1834-1917) and his second wife Louisa A Richardson(1837-1925) were living on their farm in Upton, Me.
My 3x great grandmother Arvilla (Ames)West (1810-1907) was a widow of 4 years, her husband John Cutter West having died in 1862. She was living on the farm in Upton, Me. with Jonathan and Louisa
My 2x great grandparents Nathaniel Barker(1794-1884) & Huldah (Hastings) Barker (1798-1884) were living on a farm in Albany, Oxford, Me. My 3x great grandparents Nathaniel S. Barker(1830-1884) & Lucy (Coburn)Barker(1842-1904) were living with them. My great grandfather Frank W. Barker(1865-1905) was only 1 year old.
My 3x great grandparents Amos Hastings Barker (1828-1907) & Betsy J(Moore)Barker (1842-1924) were also living in Albany, Oxford, Me on another farm with their 6 children.
3x great grandmother Hannah (Upton)Moore Emery (1814-1896) was also living on a farm in Albany, Me with her second husband, Peter Emery.
3x great grandfather James Thomas Dunham(1805-1888) was in Greenwood, Me with his second wife, Polly Lowe.
3x great grandfather Wesley Coburn was a widower living in Albany, Maine.
That's all I know at present.
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
FREE ACCESS TO 1 BILLION RECORDS ON FINDMYPAST 29JUN UNTIL 6JUL2016
Findmypast sent me an email with the following announcement of a great deal to for the next 7 days:
Findmypast celebrates 4th of July with free access to more than 1 billion records
Salt Lake City, Utah, June 27th 2016
Leading family history website, Findmypast, has just announced that they will be granting 8 days of free access to over 1 billion records as part of a new campaign designed to help US family historians learn more about their family's path to red white and blue. This will include free access to their entire collection of Travel and Migration records, all US, UK and Irish censuses and all US marriage records.
The campaign has been launched to coincide with this year’s 4th of July celebrations and will provide customers with exciting new opportunities to uncover the pioneering immigrant ancestors who started their family’s American story.
Researchers will be provided with daily getting started guides, expert insights and useful how to videos designed to help them trace their family’s roots back to their earliest American ancestors and beyond. A special webinar will be hosted by expert genealogist, Jen Baldwin, at 11:00 MDT, July 1st, in which she will be sharing essential tips and tricks for getting the most out of Naturalisation records.
The campaign also coincides with the release of two new record sets that will prove incredibly useful to those looking to explore their family’s pre-American roots. Over 2 million US Passport Applications & Indexes (1795-1925), and over 7 million US Naturalisation Petitions have just been released in the initial phases of two brand new collections that will allow family historians to learn more about the first members of their family to become US citizens.
Over 1.1 billion records will be free to search and explore on Findmypast from June 29th until July 6th 2016. This will include free access to:
This vast collection of travel and migration records coupled with unique UK, Irish and US data, makes Findmypast the best place for tracing ancestors back across the Atlantic and uncovering their English, Welsh, Irish or Scottish roots. Findmypast is home to more than 78 million exclusive UK parish baptisms, banns, marriages and burials, the largest collection of Irish records available online (totalling more than 110 million), and over 100 million United States marriages including millions of records that can’t be found anywhere else online.
Ben Bennet, EVP of International business at Findmypast, said: “As we come together to celebrate the birth of our nation, it’s also a great time to discover and celebrate our ancestors who came here from lands far and near. Whether your ancestors walked through the hallowed halls of Ellis Island or arrived in one of the country’s other ports, Findmypast’s vast collection of records and resources can help you discover your family’s path to red, white and blue.”
James Tanner of Genealogy Star said: "Findmypast.com has proved to be an invaluable aid in connecting with my English ancestors. Not only are the collections helpful, but the searches have database features that help in more easily identifying ancestors with common names. The more I use the program, the more indispensable it becomes."
That's a lot of records!
Full disclosure: I am a member of the Findmypast Ambassador Program which includes a
complimentary one year world subscription to Findmypast and a Findmypast First membership.
Findmypast celebrates 4th of July with free access to more than 1 billion records
- From June 29th until July 6th 2016, over 1 billion UK, US and Irish records will be completely free to search and explore on Findmypast
- This includes all 118 million “Travel and Migration” records, 116 million US marriages, and all UK, Irish and US censuses
- Over 7 million new US Naturalisation records and over 1.7 million US Passport Applications have also been released, marking the first phase of two brand new collections ideal for uncovering early immigrant ancestors
Salt Lake City, Utah, June 27th 2016
Leading family history website, Findmypast, has just announced that they will be granting 8 days of free access to over 1 billion records as part of a new campaign designed to help US family historians learn more about their family's path to red white and blue. This will include free access to their entire collection of Travel and Migration records, all US, UK and Irish censuses and all US marriage records.
The campaign has been launched to coincide with this year’s 4th of July celebrations and will provide customers with exciting new opportunities to uncover the pioneering immigrant ancestors who started their family’s American story.
Researchers will be provided with daily getting started guides, expert insights and useful how to videos designed to help them trace their family’s roots back to their earliest American ancestors and beyond. A special webinar will be hosted by expert genealogist, Jen Baldwin, at 11:00 MDT, July 1st, in which she will be sharing essential tips and tricks for getting the most out of Naturalisation records.
The campaign also coincides with the release of two new record sets that will prove incredibly useful to those looking to explore their family’s pre-American roots. Over 2 million US Passport Applications & Indexes (1795-1925), and over 7 million US Naturalisation Petitions have just been released in the initial phases of two brand new collections that will allow family historians to learn more about the first members of their family to become US citizens.
Over 1.1 billion records will be free to search and explore on Findmypast from June 29th until July 6th 2016. This will include free access to:
- Over 106,000 US passenger list records
- Over 116,000,000 US marriage records
- Over 690,000,000 US & Canada census records
- Over 265,000,000 UK & Irish census records
- Over 10 million new and existing Naturalisation records
- Over 1.7 million brand new US Passport applications
- Passenger Lists Leaving UK 1890-1960
- Over 827,000 convict transportation records
This vast collection of travel and migration records coupled with unique UK, Irish and US data, makes Findmypast the best place for tracing ancestors back across the Atlantic and uncovering their English, Welsh, Irish or Scottish roots. Findmypast is home to more than 78 million exclusive UK parish baptisms, banns, marriages and burials, the largest collection of Irish records available online (totalling more than 110 million), and over 100 million United States marriages including millions of records that can’t be found anywhere else online.
Ben Bennet, EVP of International business at Findmypast, said: “As we come together to celebrate the birth of our nation, it’s also a great time to discover and celebrate our ancestors who came here from lands far and near. Whether your ancestors walked through the hallowed halls of Ellis Island or arrived in one of the country’s other ports, Findmypast’s vast collection of records and resources can help you discover your family’s path to red, white and blue.”
James Tanner of Genealogy Star said: "Findmypast.com has proved to be an invaluable aid in connecting with my English ancestors. Not only are the collections helpful, but the searches have database features that help in more easily identifying ancestors with common names. The more I use the program, the more indispensable it becomes."
That's a lot of records!
Full disclosure: I am a member of the Findmypast Ambassador Program which includes a
complimentary one year world subscription to Findmypast and a Findmypast First membership.
Monday, June 27, 2016
52 ANCESTORS IN 52 WEEKS 2016 WEEK 24: JOSHUA FISHER OF MEDFIELD, MA.
For Week 24 of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2016 it's time to turn to the family of Jeremiah Dean's
wife Mary Fisher, beginning with her great grandfather and immigrant ancestor Joshua Fisher. He
was the first of three with that name, and yet another of my ancestors who was a blacksmith.
Family genealogist Philip A. Fisher wrote this about Joshua:
2. Joshua2, son of Anthony (1) and Mary (Fiske) Fisher, of Syleham, England, was baptized there, Feb. 24, 1585; m. 1st,--------- ;m. 2d, Feb. 7, 1638, at Syleham, England, Anne Luson, a sister of John Luson, who also came to New England, settled at Dedham, and received his houselot there at the same time as the Fishers. Joshua Fisher came to New England in 1639, with his second wife, (Anne Luson), and daughter Mary. His son Joshua had preceded him, arriving some time in 1638; for on "The First of ye 11th Month (1638)," Jan. 1, 1638-9, Joshua, Jr., enters upon the lot granted the smith and is to hold it and make improvements for '' the behalfe of his Father wch is expected this next somer." Joshua was made a freeman, May 13, 1640; was a blacksmith by trade; settled first in Dedham, from there going to Medfield at its settlement in 1650. He drew his houselot in the center of the town of Medfield, where the house of William P. Hewins now stands. Was the first deacon in the Medfield church, and was a selectman in 1653 and 1655. The value of his property in 1652 was L180. In 1656 Joshua and Anne Fisher deeded part of the homestead and other property to their son, John Fisher (7); for an account of which see under John (7). The Medfield homestead was inherited by John3 (7), John4 (16), Samuel5 (37), and finally John6 (78), who, dying childless in 1802, left it to his nephew, Samuel Hill, of Medway. Joshua d. in Medfield, Nov. 9, 1674; his widow d. Jan. 27, 1676-7.-pp4-5
The children are listed as following:
Children b. in England, and by first wife, were:
Elizabeth3, bapt. at Syleham, England, July 3,1619; probably married aud settled in England; no record of her in New England.
6. Joshua3, bapt. at Syleham, April 2, 1621; m. 1st, Mary.Aldis, Nov. 15, 1643; m. 2d, Lydia Oliver, Feb. 16, 1654.
61. Mary3, b.------ ;m. Thomas Battelle, Sept. 5, 1648; d. Aug. 7, 1691.
7. John3, b.------- ;m. Elizabeth Boylston, April 6, 1658. -6
The Fisher genealogy: A record of the descendants of Joshua, Anthony, and Cornelius Fisher, of Dedham, Mass., 1630-1640 Massachusetts Pub. Co., Everett, Ma. 1898
I'm descended from Joshua Fisher Junior and his wife Mary Aldis.
wife Mary Fisher, beginning with her great grandfather and immigrant ancestor Joshua Fisher. He
was the first of three with that name, and yet another of my ancestors who was a blacksmith.
Family genealogist Philip A. Fisher wrote this about Joshua:
2. Joshua2, son of Anthony (1) and Mary (Fiske) Fisher, of Syleham, England, was baptized there, Feb. 24, 1585; m. 1st,--------- ;m. 2d, Feb. 7, 1638, at Syleham, England, Anne Luson, a sister of John Luson, who also came to New England, settled at Dedham, and received his houselot there at the same time as the Fishers. Joshua Fisher came to New England in 1639, with his second wife, (Anne Luson), and daughter Mary. His son Joshua had preceded him, arriving some time in 1638; for on "The First of ye 11th Month (1638)," Jan. 1, 1638-9, Joshua, Jr., enters upon the lot granted the smith and is to hold it and make improvements for '' the behalfe of his Father wch is expected this next somer." Joshua was made a freeman, May 13, 1640; was a blacksmith by trade; settled first in Dedham, from there going to Medfield at its settlement in 1650. He drew his houselot in the center of the town of Medfield, where the house of William P. Hewins now stands. Was the first deacon in the Medfield church, and was a selectman in 1653 and 1655. The value of his property in 1652 was L180. In 1656 Joshua and Anne Fisher deeded part of the homestead and other property to their son, John Fisher (7); for an account of which see under John (7). The Medfield homestead was inherited by John3 (7), John4 (16), Samuel5 (37), and finally John6 (78), who, dying childless in 1802, left it to his nephew, Samuel Hill, of Medway. Joshua d. in Medfield, Nov. 9, 1674; his widow d. Jan. 27, 1676-7.-pp4-5
The children are listed as following:
Children b. in England, and by first wife, were:
Elizabeth3, bapt. at Syleham, England, July 3,1619; probably married aud settled in England; no record of her in New England.
6. Joshua3, bapt. at Syleham, April 2, 1621; m. 1st, Mary.Aldis, Nov. 15, 1643; m. 2d, Lydia Oliver, Feb. 16, 1654.
61. Mary3, b.------ ;m. Thomas Battelle, Sept. 5, 1648; d. Aug. 7, 1691.
7. John3, b.------- ;m. Elizabeth Boylston, April 6, 1658. -6
The Fisher genealogy: A record of the descendants of Joshua, Anthony, and Cornelius Fisher, of Dedham, Mass., 1630-1640 Massachusetts Pub. Co., Everett, Ma. 1898
I'm descended from Joshua Fisher Junior and his wife Mary Aldis.
Sunday, June 26, 2016
"A FRAUDILENT DEED" PART 3: CONCLUSION
A few final thoughts about the case of Peter Weare's "fraudilent deed":
-Apparently the Selectmen of Hampton, New Hampshire weren't very optimistic that
the Governor would rule in their favor. They presented their petition on Nov 13, 1709,
but had begun selling off town land lots to help pay the 50 pounds judgement against the
town plus whatever other court costs.
-Peter Weare and his father Nathaniel visited John Marston in Andover on May 13 1708 and said
that Marston was "in his right senses" when they saw him. But John Marston's will was filed with
the Essex County, Ma. Court at Ipswich three days earlier on May 10 1708, presumably three days before John's death. I have a copy of his probate file.
-I'm somewhat bemused that the Governor and his Council so readily accepted Nathaniel Weare's
word about witnessing the transaction. He was, after all, Peter Weare's father. I can understand the Hampton selectmen thinking the deck was stacked against them. We can't know for certain from
across three centuries what was going on, but it sure seems fishy to me.
- I have not as yet found any record of the transaction between John Marston and Francis Page,
nor of the one between Marston and Peter Weare.
-Finally, as to how I am related to some of the people involved in all this:
John Marston was my 8x great grandfather.
Francis Page was also my 8x great grandfather
Peter Weare was a distant cousin. His granduncle was my 11x great grandfather, also named
Peter Weare.
-Apparently the Selectmen of Hampton, New Hampshire weren't very optimistic that
the Governor would rule in their favor. They presented their petition on Nov 13, 1709,
but had begun selling off town land lots to help pay the 50 pounds judgement against the
town plus whatever other court costs.
-Peter Weare and his father Nathaniel visited John Marston in Andover on May 13 1708 and said
that Marston was "in his right senses" when they saw him. But John Marston's will was filed with
the Essex County, Ma. Court at Ipswich three days earlier on May 10 1708, presumably three days before John's death. I have a copy of his probate file.
-I'm somewhat bemused that the Governor and his Council so readily accepted Nathaniel Weare's
word about witnessing the transaction. He was, after all, Peter Weare's father. I can understand the Hampton selectmen thinking the deck was stacked against them. We can't know for certain from
across three centuries what was going on, but it sure seems fishy to me.
- I have not as yet found any record of the transaction between John Marston and Francis Page,
nor of the one between Marston and Peter Weare.
-Finally, as to how I am related to some of the people involved in all this:
John Marston was my 8x great grandfather.
Francis Page was also my 8x great grandfather
Peter Weare was a distant cousin. His granduncle was my 11x great grandfather, also named
Peter Weare.
Friday, June 24, 2016
FINDMYPAST FRIDAY COLLECTION RELEASES FOR 24JUN 2016
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Thursday, June 23, 2016
"A FRAUDILENT DEED" PART 2
After finding that document concerning a petition by the town of Hampton NH to Governor
Dudley over a land deal between my ancestor John Marston and Peter Weare, I went looking
for more information on Google. Let me be honest here. I am not the best at understanding the
intricacies of some colonial documents, so I was looking to find something that would help me
make sense of the details in the town's petition. Luckily I found this explanation in Joseph Dow's
History of the Town of Hampton, New Hampshire :
LAWSUIT ABOUT LAND AT THE NEW PLANTATION.
About this time, a controversy, which excited considerable interest, arose between Peter Weare and the freeholders and commoners, whom he "arrested," for not performing a grant to John Marston, late of Andover. At a meeting held by them, February 23, 1709, to consider the case, they authorized the selectmen to appoint an agent, with power of attorney, to defend them; agreeing that all charges incurred should be paid by the commoners, in proportion to their rights in the commons, and raised by the selectmen for the time being. Nathaniel Weare and Abraham Cole dissented.
This case was tried the next summer and decided in favor of the plaintiff, costing the defendants more than £50. The following autumn, the selectmen, in behalf of the freeholders and commoners, petitioned Governor Dudley concerning the case. The facts, as sot forth in the petition, dated November 13, were these : The suit was brought in consequence of the town not laying out a tract of land at the New Plantation, which at the date of the petition was in the town of Kingston. The grant in question had been made to John Marston, who had sold all his rights in Hampton, more than forty years before, to Dea. Francis Page, who had been in possession till the summer of 1708, when Weare produced a paper, purporting to be a deed of conveyance to him from John Marston, written and signed at Andover, and the same day acknowledged in New Hampshire, before Nathaniel Weare, Esq., the father of the grantee.
The validity of this deed was doubted. It had not been produced till after Marston's death, and it was represented as questionable, whether he was alive on the day of its date. It was also stated, that for several years previous to his death, ho had not, by reason of age, been of a sound and disposing mind and memory; that he had not been able to attend public worship, and far less able to travel in so short a time to New Hampshire, a distance of nearly twenty-live miles, to acknowledge a deed; nor would it have been necessary, for there were several Justices nearer, and, indeed, directly on his way. The petitioners further allege, that some of Marston's near relatives heard him say that Peter Weare had been to him, for the purpose of buying this land at the New Plantation, but that he had refused to sell it. Under these circumstances, it would seem reasonable that the plaintiff should have been required to prove the authenticity of his deed; but he insisted that, in order for a successful defense, it devolved on the town to prove that he had never received from John Marston any such deed. This might not have been easy to prove. The selectmen, therefore, as the agents of the freeholders and commoners, asked that Nathaniel Weare, Esq., should be required to state positively, whether he had ever seen John Marston in this province, since the date of the deed, claimed to have been given to his son, Peter Weare. Being questioned on this point, he stated before the governor and council, that Marston acknowledged the deed to his son, before him, at Andover, the 13th of May, 1708; and he declared that Marston was "then in his right senses."
This testimony, if not satisfactory, was direct and decisive, whatever may be thought of the validity of an acknowledgment made before a justice, when he was out of his jurisdiction.
On the 15th of September, the freeholders and commoners appointed Lieut. John Smith, Isaac Green and Ens. Samuel Marston, a committee, to join with the selectmen in selling some of the lots that had not been disposed of, in the north and west divisions, to satisfy the judgment that Peter Weare had obtained against the commoners, and to pay other charges incurred in the case. If the sales of these lots should fail to furnish a sufficient sum to pay all demands against them, then an assessment should be made ou all to whom shares of the commons had been granted.pp174-175
History of the Town of Hampton, New Hampshire: From Its Settlement in 1638, to the Autumn of 1892, Volume 1 Salem Press Publishing and Printing Company, 1894 - Hampton (N.H.)
I'll have some thoughts & conclusion in the next post.
To be continued...
Dudley over a land deal between my ancestor John Marston and Peter Weare, I went looking
for more information on Google. Let me be honest here. I am not the best at understanding the
intricacies of some colonial documents, so I was looking to find something that would help me
make sense of the details in the town's petition. Luckily I found this explanation in Joseph Dow's
History of the Town of Hampton, New Hampshire :
LAWSUIT ABOUT LAND AT THE NEW PLANTATION.
About this time, a controversy, which excited considerable interest, arose between Peter Weare and the freeholders and commoners, whom he "arrested," for not performing a grant to John Marston, late of Andover. At a meeting held by them, February 23, 1709, to consider the case, they authorized the selectmen to appoint an agent, with power of attorney, to defend them; agreeing that all charges incurred should be paid by the commoners, in proportion to their rights in the commons, and raised by the selectmen for the time being. Nathaniel Weare and Abraham Cole dissented.
This case was tried the next summer and decided in favor of the plaintiff, costing the defendants more than £50. The following autumn, the selectmen, in behalf of the freeholders and commoners, petitioned Governor Dudley concerning the case. The facts, as sot forth in the petition, dated November 13, were these : The suit was brought in consequence of the town not laying out a tract of land at the New Plantation, which at the date of the petition was in the town of Kingston. The grant in question had been made to John Marston, who had sold all his rights in Hampton, more than forty years before, to Dea. Francis Page, who had been in possession till the summer of 1708, when Weare produced a paper, purporting to be a deed of conveyance to him from John Marston, written and signed at Andover, and the same day acknowledged in New Hampshire, before Nathaniel Weare, Esq., the father of the grantee.
The validity of this deed was doubted. It had not been produced till after Marston's death, and it was represented as questionable, whether he was alive on the day of its date. It was also stated, that for several years previous to his death, ho had not, by reason of age, been of a sound and disposing mind and memory; that he had not been able to attend public worship, and far less able to travel in so short a time to New Hampshire, a distance of nearly twenty-live miles, to acknowledge a deed; nor would it have been necessary, for there were several Justices nearer, and, indeed, directly on his way. The petitioners further allege, that some of Marston's near relatives heard him say that Peter Weare had been to him, for the purpose of buying this land at the New Plantation, but that he had refused to sell it. Under these circumstances, it would seem reasonable that the plaintiff should have been required to prove the authenticity of his deed; but he insisted that, in order for a successful defense, it devolved on the town to prove that he had never received from John Marston any such deed. This might not have been easy to prove. The selectmen, therefore, as the agents of the freeholders and commoners, asked that Nathaniel Weare, Esq., should be required to state positively, whether he had ever seen John Marston in this province, since the date of the deed, claimed to have been given to his son, Peter Weare. Being questioned on this point, he stated before the governor and council, that Marston acknowledged the deed to his son, before him, at Andover, the 13th of May, 1708; and he declared that Marston was "then in his right senses."
This testimony, if not satisfactory, was direct and decisive, whatever may be thought of the validity of an acknowledgment made before a justice, when he was out of his jurisdiction.
On the 15th of September, the freeholders and commoners appointed Lieut. John Smith, Isaac Green and Ens. Samuel Marston, a committee, to join with the selectmen in selling some of the lots that had not been disposed of, in the north and west divisions, to satisfy the judgment that Peter Weare had obtained against the commoners, and to pay other charges incurred in the case. If the sales of these lots should fail to furnish a sufficient sum to pay all demands against them, then an assessment should be made ou all to whom shares of the commons had been granted.pp174-175
History of the Town of Hampton, New Hampshire: From Its Settlement in 1638, to the Autumn of 1892, Volume 1 Salem Press Publishing and Printing Company, 1894 - Hampton (N.H.)
I'll have some thoughts & conclusion in the next post.
To be continued...
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
"A FRAUDILENT DEED" PART 1
Here's an interesting story I ran across the other day that concerns some land my 8x great
grandfather John Marston owned in Hampton, New Hampshire, and what might have been
a bit of trickery pulled off by Peter Weare, who I believe is a distant cousin.
The particulars come from the New Hampshire Provincial and State Papers, Vol. 9:
Petition of Abraham Drake and others about a tract of land in Kingstown.
To his Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq. Capt. Generall and
Governour in Cheif in & over Her Majestys province of
the Massatusetts Bay & New Hampshir &c
The petition of ye selectmen of ye Town of Hampton in New Hampshire in behalf of ye freeholders & Comissioners of ye sdl town Humbly Sheweth
That your petitioners this last sumer had Judgment given in favour of Mr Peter Wear at two Courts the Charge where of cost them more than 50 pounds, for not laying out a Tract of land at a place formerly called New-plantation since called Kingstown which sd Grant was to John Marston who sold all his Rights in Hampton unto one Deacon Page more than 40 years since which sd Page hath ever since enjoyed his Rights & devisions of lands in Hampton above sd untill this last sumer ye said Peter Weare produced a pretended deed of conveyance from yc sd John Marston Writen & Signed at Andover & ye same day acknowledged by his Father Nathaniell Wear Esq. in New Hampshire by sd John Marston, which Deed is much to be suspected for a fraudilent Deed, for yt if ye said John Marston were living at ye time of ye Date of sd Deed which is much questioned, yett certainly he was dead before any such instruments appeared, and it is farther evident by testimonies of ye Reaverent Mr Barnard minister of ye town togeather with other principle men of Andover, yt ye sd John Marston by Reason of age had not been able for some years before his death to go to ye publick worship not of a disposeing mind & memory much less able to travill in so short a time to acknowledge a deed in New Hampshire when there were so many justices in his way thether, besides severall other tcstimoneys who are of ye sd John Marstons neer Relation who heard him say yt Mr Wear had been at him to sell him a piece of land at New plantation, but he would not do it. Wee therefore lay this our humble petition before your Excellency, together with ye Above mentioned Evidences and pray yt as ye said Nathaniell Weare Esq is in publickc place of trust, and whose signing an acknowledgment is of more value than two creadable Witnes & without which no Deed by Law can be executed nor Recorded, we pray yt ye said Esq. Weare may answer possitively whether he ever saw ye said John Marston of Andover in this province of New Hampshire since ye Date of ye said Deed made to his son Peter Wear by sd Marston, that so ye truth may appear, it being ye truth of all Testimony or Record yt makes them vallued, and ye said Esq. Wear hath been summoned to ye Court & paid his charge, yet will Say nothing but puts to prove possetively yt Marston did not grant to his son Peter or yt he was not .in ye province of New Hampshire to acknowledge it &c. The proceeding to ye finding out ye truth wee have no cause to dought but your Excellency will Justly do & your petitioners shall ever pray as in duty bound
Abraham Drake
John Moulton
Peter Johnson
Samuel Dow
Selectmen
Dated 13" of November 1708.
Certificate of Nathaniel Weare.
16 November 1708.
Nathl Weare Esq. being Exam'd before his Excellency the Governor and Council Whether he took the acknowledgment of one John Marston, formerly of Andover decd to a Deed of Conveyance from the said Marston to Peter Weare dated the thirteenth day of May one thousand seven hundred and seven and now produced in court, and where the said Marston was when he acknowledged the said Deed and at What time.
Mr Weare Answered that he being at Andover the 13th day of May 1707 he went to the House of the said John Marston about noon and exhibited the above said Deed to the said John Marston since decd he being then in his Right senses and the said Marston did then & there of his own free & voluntary Will acknowledge the same to be his act and Deed.
Examd before publick Councill the i6,h Nov' 1708. pp336-337
Provincial and State Papers, Volume 9 Town Papers AMS Press New York, (no publication date.)
So, what did this all mean?
An explanation will be in my next post.
grandfather John Marston owned in Hampton, New Hampshire, and what might have been
a bit of trickery pulled off by Peter Weare, who I believe is a distant cousin.
The particulars come from the New Hampshire Provincial and State Papers, Vol. 9:
Petition of Abraham Drake and others about a tract of land in Kingstown.
To his Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq. Capt. Generall and
Governour in Cheif in & over Her Majestys province of
the Massatusetts Bay & New Hampshir &c
The petition of ye selectmen of ye Town of Hampton in New Hampshire in behalf of ye freeholders & Comissioners of ye sdl town Humbly Sheweth
That your petitioners this last sumer had Judgment given in favour of Mr Peter Wear at two Courts the Charge where of cost them more than 50 pounds, for not laying out a Tract of land at a place formerly called New-plantation since called Kingstown which sd Grant was to John Marston who sold all his Rights in Hampton unto one Deacon Page more than 40 years since which sd Page hath ever since enjoyed his Rights & devisions of lands in Hampton above sd untill this last sumer ye said Peter Weare produced a pretended deed of conveyance from yc sd John Marston Writen & Signed at Andover & ye same day acknowledged by his Father Nathaniell Wear Esq. in New Hampshire by sd John Marston, which Deed is much to be suspected for a fraudilent Deed, for yt if ye said John Marston were living at ye time of ye Date of sd Deed which is much questioned, yett certainly he was dead before any such instruments appeared, and it is farther evident by testimonies of ye Reaverent Mr Barnard minister of ye town togeather with other principle men of Andover, yt ye sd John Marston by Reason of age had not been able for some years before his death to go to ye publick worship not of a disposeing mind & memory much less able to travill in so short a time to acknowledge a deed in New Hampshire when there were so many justices in his way thether, besides severall other tcstimoneys who are of ye sd John Marstons neer Relation who heard him say yt Mr Wear had been at him to sell him a piece of land at New plantation, but he would not do it. Wee therefore lay this our humble petition before your Excellency, together with ye Above mentioned Evidences and pray yt as ye said Nathaniell Weare Esq is in publickc place of trust, and whose signing an acknowledgment is of more value than two creadable Witnes & without which no Deed by Law can be executed nor Recorded, we pray yt ye said Esq. Weare may answer possitively whether he ever saw ye said John Marston of Andover in this province of New Hampshire since ye Date of ye said Deed made to his son Peter Wear by sd Marston, that so ye truth may appear, it being ye truth of all Testimony or Record yt makes them vallued, and ye said Esq. Wear hath been summoned to ye Court & paid his charge, yet will Say nothing but puts to prove possetively yt Marston did not grant to his son Peter or yt he was not .in ye province of New Hampshire to acknowledge it &c. The proceeding to ye finding out ye truth wee have no cause to dought but your Excellency will Justly do & your petitioners shall ever pray as in duty bound
Abraham Drake
John Moulton
Peter Johnson
Samuel Dow
Selectmen
Dated 13" of November 1708.
Certificate of Nathaniel Weare.
16 November 1708.
Nathl Weare Esq. being Exam'd before his Excellency the Governor and Council Whether he took the acknowledgment of one John Marston, formerly of Andover decd to a Deed of Conveyance from the said Marston to Peter Weare dated the thirteenth day of May one thousand seven hundred and seven and now produced in court, and where the said Marston was when he acknowledged the said Deed and at What time.
Mr Weare Answered that he being at Andover the 13th day of May 1707 he went to the House of the said John Marston about noon and exhibited the above said Deed to the said John Marston since decd he being then in his Right senses and the said Marston did then & there of his own free & voluntary Will acknowledge the same to be his act and Deed.
Examd before publick Councill the i6,h Nov' 1708. pp336-337
Provincial and State Papers, Volume 9 Town Papers AMS Press New York, (no publication date.)
So, what did this all mean?
An explanation will be in my next post.
Monday, June 20, 2016
52 ANCESTORS IN 52 WEEKS 2016 WEEK 23: JEREMIAH DEAN OF DEDHAM, MA.
The subject for week 23 of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks is 7x great grandfather and my
source is again Marion D. Cooper's DESCENDANTS OF JOHN DEAN OF DEDHAM, MASS. :
JEREMIAH DEAN2, husbandman, b Dedham Mar 24, 1684-5 ch Uov 3, 1745
He styles himself "husbandman" in signing a deed.
His will (SR 51-181) was written Mar 25, 1747 at Dedham and
and was probated Feb 20 I756 He m at Dedham Jan 26,
1710-11 MARY FISHER [31} (DR 36) dau Capt. Joshua and Esther
(Wiswall) Fisher [13] She was b July 24, 1687 (Fisher Gen)
made a will (SR 69-249 July 9, 1770 which was probated Sept
7, 1770 Jeremiah Dean is mentioned in several places in the
Dedham Town Records in connection with surveys and apprais-
als. The last such mention was in March, 1735, at which
time he was 50 years of age.
Ms. Cooper lists these children for Jeremiah and Mary Dean's family:
Mary b Dec 10, I711 d before 1747, m Dedham Dec ??,
1731 Isaac Bullard who was b Apr 4, 1709
Jeremiah II, b May 13, 1713 m-1 Mary Fisher May 13, 1741
m-2 Rebekah Scott Nov 23, 1750
Joseph b June 3, 1715 married
-1 Martha Starr Jan 5, 1736
-2 Mary (Wight) Baker Jan 2, I753
Joshua3, b Aug 30, 1718 married
-1 Mary Macnab Feb 13,1746
-2 Mrs. Rachel Clark June 25, 1760
-3 Mary Morse May 9, 1782
Sarah h July 5, 1720 m Jonathan Starr Feh 22, 1737-8
Abigail b July 21, 1721 m Jan 2 , 1737 Nathaniel Dana of Boston
David, twin b.July 28 1723 d Jan 19. 1747
Jonathan, twin b.July 28 1723 d Jan 9. 1725
Esther b June 20, 1725 bapt June 26, 1726
d Dec 21, 1793 unmarried aged 68, "insane for many years,
died of a fever."
I'm descended from Abigail Dean and her husband Nathaniel Gay.
source is again Marion D. Cooper's DESCENDANTS OF JOHN DEAN OF DEDHAM, MASS. :
JEREMIAH DEAN2, husbandman, b Dedham Mar 24, 1684-5 ch Uov 3, 1745
He styles himself "husbandman" in signing a deed.
His will (SR 51-181) was written Mar 25, 1747 at Dedham and
and was probated Feb 20 I756 He m at Dedham Jan 26,
1710-11 MARY FISHER [31} (DR 36) dau Capt. Joshua and Esther
(Wiswall) Fisher [13] She was b July 24, 1687 (Fisher Gen)
made a will (SR 69-249 July 9, 1770 which was probated Sept
7, 1770 Jeremiah Dean is mentioned in several places in the
Dedham Town Records in connection with surveys and apprais-
als. The last such mention was in March, 1735, at which
time he was 50 years of age.
Ms. Cooper lists these children for Jeremiah and Mary Dean's family:
Mary b Dec 10, I711 d before 1747, m Dedham Dec ??,
1731 Isaac Bullard who was b Apr 4, 1709
Jeremiah II, b May 13, 1713 m-1 Mary Fisher May 13, 1741
m-2 Rebekah Scott Nov 23, 1750
Joseph b June 3, 1715 married
-1 Martha Starr Jan 5, 1736
-2 Mary (Wight) Baker Jan 2, I753
Joshua3, b Aug 30, 1718 married
-1 Mary Macnab Feb 13,1746
-2 Mrs. Rachel Clark June 25, 1760
-3 Mary Morse May 9, 1782
Sarah h July 5, 1720 m Jonathan Starr Feh 22, 1737-8
Abigail b July 21, 1721 m Jan 2 , 1737 Nathaniel Dana of Boston
David, twin b.July 28 1723 d Jan 19. 1747
Jonathan, twin b.July 28 1723 d Jan 9. 1725
Esther b June 20, 1725 bapt June 26, 1726
d Dec 21, 1793 unmarried aged 68, "insane for many years,
died of a fever."
I'm descended from Abigail Dean and her husband Nathaniel Gay.
Saturday, June 18, 2016
FATHERS DAY 2016
In honor of Father's Day I'm posting pictures of some of the fathers on my family tree. From the Wests:
Some of the maternal grandfather's from Dad's family:
And the only picture I have from Mom's side of the family:
Happy Fathers' Day!
 | ||||
| My Dad, Floyd E West, Jr. |
 | ||||||
| Great grandfather Philip J. West, Cousin Stanley & Grandfather Floyd E West, Sr. |
 |
| 2x great grandfather Jonathan P.West & wife Louisa Almata (Richardson)West |
 |
| 3x Great grandfather John Cutter West |
 | ||
| 2x great grandfather Asa F Ellingwood & wife Florilla (Dunham)Ellingwood. |
 | |
| 2x Great grandfather Amos Hastings Barker & wife Betsy Jane (Moore) Barker. |
 | ||
| 3x Great grandfather Philip Richardson |
 |
| Great grandfather John McFarland & wife Annie (Kelley)McFarland. |
Happy Fathers' Day!
Friday, June 17, 2016
FINDMYPAST FRIDAY COLLECTION RELEASES FOR 17JUN 2016
This week's FindmyPast Friday records includes additions to the Irish and U.K. record collections:
This week we're bringing you over 3.8 million new records and newspaper articles including:
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Jen Baldwin
Full disclosure: I am a member of the Findmypast Ambassador Program which includes a
complimentary one year world subscription to Findmypast and a Findmypast First membership.
This week we're bringing you over 3.8 million new records and newspaper articles including:
Irish Petty Sessions Court Registers
Search 547,000 new records to find out if your family ever had a brush with the law. Uncover the details of victims and witnesses as well as those accused of a crime. Get to know your felonious forebears »
Ireland Dog Licence Registers
Explore more than 343,000 additional records to uncover the age, colour, and breed of your ancestor's four legged friend. These valuable census substitutes will also reveal their address. Man's best friend »
Yorkshire Marriages
Discover where, when and to whom your relatives were married as well as their residence, occupation and parents' names with 49,000 new records from the West Riding in Yorkshire, England. Something old, something new »
No UK, Irish or Australian family? Well keep your eyes peeled as new additions from the US will be arriving next week.
Jen Baldwin
Full disclosure: I am a member of the Findmypast Ambassador Program which includes a
complimentary one year world subscription to Findmypast and a Findmypast First membership.
52 ANCESTORS IN 52 WEEKS 2016 WEEK 22: JOHN DEAN OF DEDHAM, MA. PT2
Here's the transcription of my 8x great grandfather John Dean's will that was done by
Marion D. Cooper in her DESCENDANTS OF JOHN DEAN OF DEDHAM, MASS. :
THE WILL OF JOHN DEAN
In the name of God, Amen
Dedham Septemter the 30, 1727 I John Dean of the Town of
Dedham of the County of Suffolk within His Majesties Pro-
vince of the Massachusets Bay in New England Yoeman Having
been Some time thinking of Setling my Estate and heing now
Weak and infirm of Body But of a disposing mind am come to
a full determination to doe it as is hereafter expresed
therefore doe make & Ordain this my Last Will and Testament
That is to say Principally & First of all I Give my Soul in-
to the Hands of God that Gave it Hoping for Salvation
through the Merits of my Saviour Jesus Christ and my Body I
Recommend to the Earth to be Buried in Decent manner att the
descresshion of my Executors Beleving it Shall he Raised
again at the General Resurection by the Mighty Power of God —
And as Touching such wordly Estate wherewith it hath pleas-
ed God to Bless me in this Life I Give demise and dispose of
the same in following manner and form.
That is to say I Will and Ordaine that my Just Debts & Fun-
eral Charges be duly & Timely paied out of my Estate
Imprimus I Give and Bequeath to my Son John Dean toe what he
hath already had one Fifth part of all my stock and House-
hold Stuff (not otherwais particularly disposed of) to Him
and His Heirs for ever.
Item I Give and Bequeath to to my Son Ebenezer Dean toe what
he hath already had one Fifth part of all my Stock and
Household Stuff (not otherwais perticularly disposed of) to
Him and his Heirs forever.
Item I Give and Bequeath to my Daughter Sary Harden one
fifth part of all my Stock and household Stuff (to what shee
hath already had) not otherwise perticularly disposed of to
her & her Heirs or Representitive forever.
Item I Give and Bequeath to my Daughter Elizabeth Macknab
toe what She hath already had one fifth part of all my Stock
& Household Stuff (not otherwise perticularly disposed of)
to her & her Heirs or Representitive forever.
Item I Give and Bequeath to my Daughter Abigail Fairbanks
toe what She hath already had one fifth part of all my Stock
& Household Stuff (not otherwies perticularly disposed of)
to her her Heirs or Representitive forever.
Item I Give & Bequeath to my Gran daughter Sary Dean Daughter
of Joseph Dean upon Condition that She Lives with me as long
as I live) my Iron Pot and Citle & a pare of Sheets My bed
in the Chamber & my Fryingpan.
Item I Give & Bequeath to my Son Jeremiah Dean (In Consid-
ering that he has lived with me & been helpfull toe me &
done for me for this Severall Years & what he may still doe
for me) to Him And his Heirs forever my House my hom Lots
on both Sides the way with all the Rights Profits Priviliges
and Apurtenances thereuntoe belonging. And further I Give
& Bequeath to him my Carpenter & Husbandry Tooles & Utensils
& my part in the Oxen & Medow att Purgitory
And I Doe Make Constitute And Ordain My Two Sons John and
Jeremiah to be the Executors of this my Last Will & Testa-
ment & 1 Doe hereby utterly disalow Revoke & Disanull all
and every other & all other Wills Testaments & Bequests
Legacies & Executors by me any otherwaies before named.
Ratifying & Confirming this and noe other to be my last will
& Testament,
And. now to all you My Children I Doe In the Name of God and
with the Compasshion & Authority of a father Exhort & Charge
you that you be contented & satisfied with this my disposall
& cary it one towards another with the affections & cores-
pondence of Christians & Brethren & Sisters & Live in Love
and Peace & the God of Love & Peace shall be with you.
I Recomend you to God & the word of his Grace which is able
to Build you up & give you an Inheritance amongst them that
are Sanctified Amen
John Dean
Signed, Sealed, & Pronounced,
Published, & Declared by the
said John Dean, as his Last Will
& Testament, in ye presence of
us. the Subscribers-
John Metcalfe
John Metcalfe Jr
James Richards Jr
Desember 4, I727
The said John Dean Did in Addition to his will Declare be-
fore these witnesses that Whereas he had don considerably
for his son Joseph Deceased in assisting him in purchasing
and building and other ways that his will further was that
the Children of his said Son Joseph should have Six pounds
to be paid to them equally divided Amongst them by my son
Jeremiah out of what I have given him.
John Metcalfe
John Metcalfe Jr
James Richards Jr
I was struck by that last paragraph. Was John Dean afraid that his children would
squabble over their inheritance? Or had there already been tension among them
before his death?
Marion D. Cooper in her DESCENDANTS OF JOHN DEAN OF DEDHAM, MASS. :
THE WILL OF JOHN DEAN
In the name of God, Amen
Dedham Septemter the 30, 1727 I John Dean of the Town of
Dedham of the County of Suffolk within His Majesties Pro-
vince of the Massachusets Bay in New England Yoeman Having
been Some time thinking of Setling my Estate and heing now
Weak and infirm of Body But of a disposing mind am come to
a full determination to doe it as is hereafter expresed
therefore doe make & Ordain this my Last Will and Testament
That is to say Principally & First of all I Give my Soul in-
to the Hands of God that Gave it Hoping for Salvation
through the Merits of my Saviour Jesus Christ and my Body I
Recommend to the Earth to be Buried in Decent manner att the
descresshion of my Executors Beleving it Shall he Raised
again at the General Resurection by the Mighty Power of God —
And as Touching such wordly Estate wherewith it hath pleas-
ed God to Bless me in this Life I Give demise and dispose of
the same in following manner and form.
That is to say I Will and Ordaine that my Just Debts & Fun-
eral Charges be duly & Timely paied out of my Estate
Imprimus I Give and Bequeath to my Son John Dean toe what he
hath already had one Fifth part of all my stock and House-
hold Stuff (not otherwais particularly disposed of) to Him
and His Heirs for ever.
Item I Give and Bequeath to to my Son Ebenezer Dean toe what
he hath already had one Fifth part of all my Stock and
Household Stuff (not otherwais perticularly disposed of) to
Him and his Heirs forever.
Item I Give and Bequeath to my Daughter Sary Harden one
fifth part of all my Stock and household Stuff (to what shee
hath already had) not otherwise perticularly disposed of to
her & her Heirs or Representitive forever.
Item I Give and Bequeath to my Daughter Elizabeth Macknab
toe what She hath already had one fifth part of all my Stock
& Household Stuff (not otherwise perticularly disposed of)
to her & her Heirs or Representitive forever.
Item I Give and Bequeath to my Daughter Abigail Fairbanks
toe what She hath already had one fifth part of all my Stock
& Household Stuff (not otherwies perticularly disposed of)
to her her Heirs or Representitive forever.
Item I Give & Bequeath to my Gran daughter Sary Dean Daughter
of Joseph Dean upon Condition that She Lives with me as long
as I live) my Iron Pot and Citle & a pare of Sheets My bed
in the Chamber & my Fryingpan.
Item I Give & Bequeath to my Son Jeremiah Dean (In Consid-
ering that he has lived with me & been helpfull toe me &
done for me for this Severall Years & what he may still doe
for me) to Him And his Heirs forever my House my hom Lots
on both Sides the way with all the Rights Profits Priviliges
and Apurtenances thereuntoe belonging. And further I Give
& Bequeath to him my Carpenter & Husbandry Tooles & Utensils
& my part in the Oxen & Medow att Purgitory
And I Doe Make Constitute And Ordain My Two Sons John and
Jeremiah to be the Executors of this my Last Will & Testa-
ment & 1 Doe hereby utterly disalow Revoke & Disanull all
and every other & all other Wills Testaments & Bequests
Legacies & Executors by me any otherwaies before named.
Ratifying & Confirming this and noe other to be my last will
& Testament,
And. now to all you My Children I Doe In the Name of God and
with the Compasshion & Authority of a father Exhort & Charge
you that you be contented & satisfied with this my disposall
& cary it one towards another with the affections & cores-
pondence of Christians & Brethren & Sisters & Live in Love
and Peace & the God of Love & Peace shall be with you.
I Recomend you to God & the word of his Grace which is able
to Build you up & give you an Inheritance amongst them that
are Sanctified Amen
John Dean
Signed, Sealed, & Pronounced,
Published, & Declared by the
said John Dean, as his Last Will
& Testament, in ye presence of
us. the Subscribers-
John Metcalfe
John Metcalfe Jr
James Richards Jr
Desember 4, I727
The said John Dean Did in Addition to his will Declare be-
fore these witnesses that Whereas he had don considerably
for his son Joseph Deceased in assisting him in purchasing
and building and other ways that his will further was that
the Children of his said Son Joseph should have Six pounds
to be paid to them equally divided Amongst them by my son
Jeremiah out of what I have given him.
John Metcalfe
John Metcalfe Jr
James Richards Jr
I was struck by that last paragraph. Was John Dean afraid that his children would
squabble over their inheritance? Or had there already been tension among them
before his death?
Thursday, June 16, 2016
52 ANCESTORS IN 52 WEEKS 2016 WEEK 22: JOHN DEAN OF DEDHAM, MA.
This will begin a series of posts about the family of my 6x great grandmother Abigail Dean,
wife of Nathaniel Stow. As has happened in the past, researching a family line for the 52
Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge has pushed that line back another generation further. In
this case it's to my 8x great grandfather John Dean of Dedham, Ma.
John Dean's early years are a bit of a mystery. He apparently was born after the Great
Migration but there doesn't seem to be any record of his birth so far. I did find a family
genealogy by Marion D. Cooper on the Internet Archive entitled DESCENDANTS OF
JOHN DEAN OF DEDHAM, MASS. I believe it was self-published in 1957. The pages
are not numbered. It contains a chronology of the various Dedham town offices John
Dean held after his arrival in town around 1672, and this information about his children:
"JOHN DEAN, carpenter and husbandman, was born about 1650,
the place of birth and his parentage "being un-
known." He married SARAH, date of marriage unknown,
although probably in I675 or I676. John and Sarah joined
the First Church of Dedham, Mass., on May 29_, 1726 (DC 80)
Sarah died May 20, I727 (DE 52) and John died Dec 13, 1727
(DR 55)* They had seven children, all of whom, exception-
ally for those times, grew to maturity. These children
were all born in Dedham.
*2 John2 b Apr 25, 1677 (DR I4)
m Hannah Savil (WRC, JWD)
3 Sarah b Dec 13, I678 (DR 16) j ch Sept 22, 1728 (DC 80)
d after Sept I727. m -----Harden (SR 26-90) No record
of marriage or children in Dedham.
*4 Ebenezer b May I7, 168I (DR 18)
m-1 Mary White Uov 25, I706 (DR J>S)
m-2 Judith lewis [3] (Lewis Gen)
*5 Joseph b Mar I4, 1683 (DR 18)
m-1 Mary Faxon May 7, 17 07, at Braintree (Br R)
m-2 Prudence Saunders May 25, I72I at Boston {JWD)
*6 Jeremiah b Mar 24, I684-5 (DR 21)
m Mary Fisher [31] Jan 26, I7II (DR 36)
7 Elizabeth b Oct 13, 1689 (DR 23) d before Sept I727
Mentioned as Elizabeth Macknab in her father's will
(SR 26-90) m Dec I7 , I718 John Macnab (DR 43) who was
b Oct 23, 1678 s James and Sarah Macnab (DR I6)
a Mary Macnab b Dedham Oct 5, 1722 (DR 48) d Dedham
Apr 12, 1756 m [32] Joshua Dean s [5] Jeremiah Dean
Feb 13, 1745-6 (DR 74)
b Sarah Macnab b Dedham Jan 4, 1724 (DR 51) m Mar 19,
1752 Seth Fuller, husbandman, of Dedham (DR 83)
c Abigail b May 2, I727 (DR 53) unmd in 1760
8 Abigail b June 12, I694 (DR 26) m at Dedham May 3, I716
Joseph Fairbanks [20] (DR 37) Her father's will mentions
"daughter Abigail Fairbanks." (SR 26-90) Joseph was a
great-grandson of Jonathan Fairbanks, who, in 1636,
built the "Fairbanks House" in Dedham, which was owned
and occupied by eight successive generations of that fam-
ily, and which stands to this day, now used as a museum
of early Americana. In this house Joseph and Abigail
raised their family of eight children..."
I'm descended from John Dean's son Jeremiah. Also, Abigail Dean's husband is my distant
cousin through our mutual ancestor Jonathan Fairbanks.
Ms. Cooper also did a transcription of John Dean's will, which I'll discuss in part 2.
wife of Nathaniel Stow. As has happened in the past, researching a family line for the 52
Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge has pushed that line back another generation further. In
this case it's to my 8x great grandfather John Dean of Dedham, Ma.
John Dean's early years are a bit of a mystery. He apparently was born after the Great
Migration but there doesn't seem to be any record of his birth so far. I did find a family
genealogy by Marion D. Cooper on the Internet Archive entitled DESCENDANTS OF
JOHN DEAN OF DEDHAM, MASS. I believe it was self-published in 1957. The pages
are not numbered. It contains a chronology of the various Dedham town offices John
Dean held after his arrival in town around 1672, and this information about his children:
"JOHN DEAN, carpenter and husbandman, was born about 1650,
the place of birth and his parentage "being un-
known." He married SARAH, date of marriage unknown,
although probably in I675 or I676. John and Sarah joined
the First Church of Dedham, Mass., on May 29_, 1726 (DC 80)
Sarah died May 20, I727 (DE 52) and John died Dec 13, 1727
(DR 55)* They had seven children, all of whom, exception-
ally for those times, grew to maturity. These children
were all born in Dedham.
*2 John2 b Apr 25, 1677 (DR I4)
m Hannah Savil (WRC, JWD)
3 Sarah b Dec 13, I678 (DR 16) j ch Sept 22, 1728 (DC 80)
d after Sept I727. m -----Harden (SR 26-90) No record
of marriage or children in Dedham.
*4 Ebenezer b May I7, 168I (DR 18)
m-1 Mary White Uov 25, I706 (DR J>S)
m-2 Judith lewis [3] (Lewis Gen)
*5 Joseph b Mar I4, 1683 (DR 18)
m-1 Mary Faxon May 7, 17 07, at Braintree (Br R)
m-2 Prudence Saunders May 25, I72I at Boston {JWD)
*6 Jeremiah b Mar 24, I684-5 (DR 21)
m Mary Fisher [31] Jan 26, I7II (DR 36)
7 Elizabeth b Oct 13, 1689 (DR 23) d before Sept I727
Mentioned as Elizabeth Macknab in her father's will
(SR 26-90) m Dec I7 , I718 John Macnab (DR 43) who was
b Oct 23, 1678 s James and Sarah Macnab (DR I6)
a Mary Macnab b Dedham Oct 5, 1722 (DR 48) d Dedham
Apr 12, 1756 m [32] Joshua Dean s [5] Jeremiah Dean
Feb 13, 1745-6 (DR 74)
b Sarah Macnab b Dedham Jan 4, 1724 (DR 51) m Mar 19,
1752 Seth Fuller, husbandman, of Dedham (DR 83)
c Abigail b May 2, I727 (DR 53) unmd in 1760
8 Abigail b June 12, I694 (DR 26) m at Dedham May 3, I716
Joseph Fairbanks [20] (DR 37) Her father's will mentions
"daughter Abigail Fairbanks." (SR 26-90) Joseph was a
great-grandson of Jonathan Fairbanks, who, in 1636,
built the "Fairbanks House" in Dedham, which was owned
and occupied by eight successive generations of that fam-
ily, and which stands to this day, now used as a museum
of early Americana. In this house Joseph and Abigail
raised their family of eight children..."
I'm descended from John Dean's son Jeremiah. Also, Abigail Dean's husband is my distant
cousin through our mutual ancestor Jonathan Fairbanks.
Ms. Cooper also did a transcription of John Dean's will, which I'll discuss in part 2.
Sunday, June 12, 2016
WAS LYDIA GAY A LUSHER?
In my post about my ancestor Nathaniel Gay, his wife is referred to as Lydia Lusher by the author of the book John Gay of Dedham, Massachusetts: And Some of His Descendants. He tentatively identified her as a daughter of Eleazer Lusher. The book had been published in 1879. Yet in the entry for John Gay on page 40 in The Great Migration, Lydia's maiden name is given as Starr.
So which was it?
I searched Googlebooks and eventually found an answer in the Dedham Historical Register Vol 2. It was in an article entitled "Lusher Wills" written (ironically) by Frederick Lewis Gay, who'd written the Gay genealogy book twelve years earlier. Here's the part of the article that gives the explanation for the confusion:
"...Maj. Eleazer Lusher left no descendants to continue his name ; and an examination of his will and that of his wife disproves the supposition, mentioned in the Register (p. 90) for July, that his blood was inherited by the children of Nathaniel and Lydia Gay. Nathaniel Gay named one of his children Lusher, and the name has appeared in successive generations of his posterity down to the present day. This repeated use of Lusher as a Christian name in the Gay family doubtless gave rise to the belief that the maiden name of Lydia Gay, mother of the first Lusher Gay, was Lusher, and that she was a daughter of Eleazer Lusher, one of the foremost men of Dedham in the early days of the town. The wife of Nathaniel Gay was Lydia Starr, niece of Mary, wife of Eleazer Lusher. From the light shed by one of the items of Major Lusher's will it will be seen that he had been regarded by Lydia Starr as standing in loco parentis, and it seems quite natural that she should have named one of her children for him from a sense of gratitude for the favors she had received during his life and later under his will.-pp131-132
Dedham Historical Register, Volume 2 , Dedham Historical Society, Dedham, Ma 1891.
So sometime after writing his earlier book, Frederick Lewis Gay must have started researching the Lusher family and discovered his error while reading Eleazer Gay's will, proving once again the value of probate files to genealogical research!
So which was it?
I searched Googlebooks and eventually found an answer in the Dedham Historical Register Vol 2. It was in an article entitled "Lusher Wills" written (ironically) by Frederick Lewis Gay, who'd written the Gay genealogy book twelve years earlier. Here's the part of the article that gives the explanation for the confusion:
"...Maj. Eleazer Lusher left no descendants to continue his name ; and an examination of his will and that of his wife disproves the supposition, mentioned in the Register (p. 90) for July, that his blood was inherited by the children of Nathaniel and Lydia Gay. Nathaniel Gay named one of his children Lusher, and the name has appeared in successive generations of his posterity down to the present day. This repeated use of Lusher as a Christian name in the Gay family doubtless gave rise to the belief that the maiden name of Lydia Gay, mother of the first Lusher Gay, was Lusher, and that she was a daughter of Eleazer Lusher, one of the foremost men of Dedham in the early days of the town. The wife of Nathaniel Gay was Lydia Starr, niece of Mary, wife of Eleazer Lusher. From the light shed by one of the items of Major Lusher's will it will be seen that he had been regarded by Lydia Starr as standing in loco parentis, and it seems quite natural that she should have named one of her children for him from a sense of gratitude for the favors she had received during his life and later under his will.-pp131-132
Dedham Historical Register, Volume 2 , Dedham Historical Society, Dedham, Ma 1891.
So sometime after writing his earlier book, Frederick Lewis Gay must have started researching the Lusher family and discovered his error while reading Eleazer Gay's will, proving once again the value of probate files to genealogical research!
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