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The Family Garden
Notes
Edward BOBET (BABBITT)
The origin of the name Babbitt is variously given. One authority says it is of German extraction and originating from the words, "Bube" meaning "boy" and "Hait" meaning "hood" and hence "boyhood". Letters have been received from a Spanish Genealogical Society under the impression that it was an Americanized form of Babbitto.
*Source: The Babbit Family History, 1643-1900 compiled by William Bradford Browne, Taunton, Mass 1912, extracted from the preface. Certain family traditions give it a French origin, but there is no doubt that it is really the old English name of Bobbet, this being the form used by the first Edward. It is a very common English name of the present time and later immigrants to this country who settled in North Carolina have kept the name in its original form, and it is not an uncommon name throughout the South. The descendants of Edward Bobbet used the freedom of all early comers to this country in spelling their name. Very few of the early names admit of such a variety of spelling. It is found spelled with any one of the vowels in the first and last syllables, in combination with single or double "b’s" and "t’s", giving a vast variety of spellings. The same person will frequently use several varieties in the same document. In the fifth generation almost all used the form "Babbitt", which is now practically universal. One branch still uses "o" in the final syllable while several have kept a single "t" which ending was almost universal in the third and fourth generation. The English Sumame Bobbett means "Bob," son of Robert, the syllable "ett" being a diminutive. Similarly "Babbidge" is supposed to derive from "son of Barbara". "Bobbett" was a common family name in Suffolk and Devonshire in the middle ages.
*Source: The Babbit Family History, 1643-1900 compiled by William Bradford Browne, Taunton, Mass 1912, Preface p. 11
"BOBBET, BOBBITT-This is an English pet name for the name Robert, which is from the Old German rodbert, meaning "fame-bright." Though many of the Old German names that couple an animal with a human characteristic do not appear to make sense at the present time, we must not forget that they made good sense to the Germans. Our Puritan names Faith, Hope, Charity, Temperance and the like would not make sense to the Germans.
Robert was introduced into England by the Normans and was later shortened to Bob, Rob, Hobb, Nobb and so on. The addition of the French diminutive ending -et and an additional b to Bob give the meaning 'little Bob' or 'son of Bob.'
Robert Robet or Bobet was living in Somersetshire around 1330.
*Source: Richmond, VA Times Dispatch, 1981 article titled "Know YOUR Name"
The English Sumame Bobbett means "Bob," son of Robert, the syllable "ett" being a diminutive. Similarly "Babbidge" is supposed to derive from "son of Barbara". "Bobbett" was a common family name in Suffolk and Devonshire in the middle ages.
*Source: The Babbitt Name http://home.carolina.rr.com/rbabbitt/babbitt_name.htm
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THE BOBBITT FAMILY NAME IN AMERICA
“Edward Bobet was the first man to live in America with this surname. Edward spelled his name as B o b e t. The earliest use that we can find of this surname is in the literature of France and the name was spelled as Bobit. In the records, history and literature of the United States, the name is spelled in many different forms; Bobit, Bobet, Babbitt, Bobbitt, Bobbet, Bobot, Bobbett, Bobbette, Bobbot, and Boblett.
Dr. William Bradford Browne, a professional genealogist, was commissioned by the Babbitt families of our New England states, to research the history of the Edward Bobet descendants. His work was published in 1912, by C. A. Hack and Son, of Taunton, Massachusetts. The book was titled "The Babbitt Family History, 1643 - 1900". In this book, Dr. Browne, made these comments on the origin of the family name.
"Certain family traditions say the Bobbet name is of French origin, but there is no doubt that it is the old English name of Bobbet, this being the form used by the first Edward Bobbet who came to Massachusetts. It is a common name of the present time and later immigrants to this country who settled in Virginia and North Carolina have kept the name in its original form, and it is not an uncommon name throughout the south. The same person will frequently use several varieties of spelling the name in the same document. In New England the fifth generation almost all used the form of "Babbitt" which is still used in the New England states today."
"The English surname Bobbett means "Bob" son of Robert, the syllable "ett" being a diminutive. Bobbett was a common family name in Suffolk and Devonshire in the middle ages in England."
The land grant of William Bobbitt on October 27, 1673 spelled his name as "Bobbett". The land survey for his son, in 1706 in Prince George County, Virginia, spelled the name as "Bobbett" and as "Bobbitt" in the same document.
The sons of Drury Bobbitt of North Carolina used three of the different forms, Bobbitt, Bobbett, and Bobbette. Their descendants use the form selected by their fathers to the present day.
In the 1700's and early 1800's the name was spelled the way it sounded. Frequently the person using the name, did not know who spelled it correctly, since he did not know how to write it. It is interesting that the double "b" survived and even more unusual that the double "t" is used to this day.”
“The majority of Babbitt families in the United States are descendants of Edward Bobet of Taunton, Massachusetts and the majority of Bobbitt families are descendants of William Bobbitt, who settled in Charles City County, Virginia. We know that Edward and William were distant relatives and that both came from Wales.. By 1970 the similarity in the spelling and in the pronouncing of the name does not mean that every Bobbitt in this country is a descendant of Edward and William of the colonial period. All the evidence that we can find indicates that the great majority of Bobbitt and Babbitt families are descendants of the colonial period, and were originally from Wales.
From our research in England we could find the name in several sections of the country. The name in England goes back to the middle 1300's. The name is found most frequently in Wales and in English counties across the Bristol Channel from Wales. Anthony Bobbett from Barry, Glamorgan, Wales, said that some of his family lived at one time in Sommerset England. Allen Wade Mount, in his book "Our Bobbitt Family" wrote, "The Bobbitt surname is of Dutch Origin. Among the Dutch who came to England during the early days of immigration from the continent were those who used the name " Bobert".”
*Source: “The Bobbitt Family in America” by John W. Bobbitt, published in 1985, Washington, D. C.
This book is available online at: http://thegenealogists.com/bobbittbookmed.htm.
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EDWARD BOBET 1627 - 1675
William Bradford Browne, a professional genealogist, was commissioned by the Babbitt families of New England to research their history. His findings were published in 1912 in a book titled "The Babbitt Family History 1643 - 1900". "In preparing a sketch of Edward Bobet, the founder of our family, we are unable to find recorded much that throws light on his early years. His appearance at Taunton, Massachusetts, when a mere boy, evidently possessed of means, can only be explained by the hypothesis that he came to this country in the company of near relatives - perhaps as the step-son of one of the early proprietors of Taunton. In this connection the name of Jonas Austin suggests itself, it being he who sold to Edward Bobet his first land in 1652 (before his marriage) and where he built his first house and to where he brought his bride. Then, too, the Holloways and Hathaways could well be supposed near relatives from their close association with our Edward Bobet."
"The first mention of Edward Bobet on record in this country is at Plymouth, where under date of 1643 we find his name among fifty-four others in a list of those between sixteen and sixty years of age, who are able to bear arms. From this we know that he was over sixteen years of age at this date, and presumably barely that age, since he does not appear in any earlier records of this nature."
"His next appearance is in the Plymouth Court records, the charge against him being an example of the strict discipline of those days;
"At the General Court holden at Plymouth aforesaid, the sixt day of June 1649, xxx presentments of the Grand Inquest. xxx Wee present Edward Bobbit, of Taunton, for receiving pay for stollen weapon." xxx
"Upon the margin of the same page, against the name of Edward Bobet, and opposite the charge is the official entry "Cleared".
"November 19, 1652, Edward Bobet bought his first land as shown by the following deed:"
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(the excerpt below is from page 14 of "The Babbitt Family History 1643-1900", compiled by William Bradford Browne, Taunton, Massachusetts, 1912, note spelling is according to the book):
FROM PLYMOUTH COLONY RECORDS
This prsent writing made the 19th day of November Anno dom 1652, between Jonas Austin of Taunton within of New Plymouth in New England yeoman on the one pte and Edward Bobbett yeoman of Taunton afrsaid on the other pte witnesseth That the said Jonas Austine for and in Consideration of seaven pounds of current New english pay to the said Jonas made, hath bargained sold alliened given Graunted; and by these prsents doth fully Clearly and absoluteyl bargaine sells, Give and Graunt unto the above said Edward Bobbet a Certain pell of land sett lying and being within the Plantation or Township of Taunton aforesaid on the Southsyde of the Great River between theland of Edward Rew; which lyeth on the one syde of it; and the land of William Parker which lyeth on the other syde of it, estending it self from the said Great River with those lands by which it is bounded; containing twelve pole in breadth and in quantity by estimation; six acrees broad more or lesse; To have and to hold the same pssel of land sith all and singulare the appurtenances unto the said Edward Bobbitt, his heries and assignes forever To the onely use and behoofe of the same Edward Bobbitt his heires and assignes forever; And the said Jonas Austine doth for himselfe and his heires and assignes Covenant and by these prsents promise unto the said Edward Bobbitt, his heires and assignes full quiett possession use occupying and injoyment of the aforsaid prmises for the time to come without any trouble re'ga'tion or molestation whatsover; In virtues wherof the said Jonas Austine hath heerunto sett his hand and seale the day and yeer above written.
Signed, selaed and possession of the said prmises Given in the prsence of William Parker.
PETER PITTS
The mark of A JONAS AUSTINE and a (seale).
This Conveyance was ackowlidged by the man and his wife this 23 of April 1659 before us.
JOSIAH WINSLOW
WILLIAM BRADFORD, Assistants
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"In October 1652, Edward became one of the proprietors of the Bloomerie (as the ancient Iron Works of Taunton were called) on Two Mile River, he being one of those to subscribe ten pounds for the enterprise, which fact lends weight to the supposition that he was a young man of some means in starting his life in the new country."
"In 1654 we find the record of his marriage in the records of Boston;
"BOBBET, Edward Bobbett, was marryed to Sarah Tarne, the daughter of Myles Tarne, of Boston 7:7:1654: by Capt. Humphrey Atharton."
"By the method of computing time of that period the seventh month would be September. Myles Tarne was a leather dresser at Boston as early as 1638. He and his wife being members of the church, and it is beyond doubt that their daughter, Sarah, was born in England and accompanied them to Boston. Edward Bobbett and his bride began their married life on the little farm purchased from Jonas Austin in 1652. A careful search among the Proprietary Records discloses the location of this tract as being between the river and the old highway from Taunton to Freetown, not far from a stream then called Joshua's Creek. It adjoined the lands of John Macomber and also adjoined later purchases of Edward Bobet. It was perhaps the homestead where he always lived."
"In 1658 Edward Bobet in company with John Hathaway and Timothy Holloway purchased 400 acres of land and it was recorded in Plymouth Colony Records, Volume 3, page 189:
To all Christian People To whom these prsents shall come James Wyatt of Taunton in Plymouth Pattent in New England and George Macye of the same Towne Attorneyes unto Mr. Nicholas Street, now or late Teacher of the Church of Taunton, aforsaid sendeth Greet: Know yea that whereas the said Nicholas Street by his letter of Attorney, bearing the date the nineteeth day of October in the yeare of our Lord one Thousand six hundred fifty-eight (1658), did ordaine and Consitute and in his place and sted, sett and appointed the said James Wyatt and George Macey his true and lawfull Attorneyes for him and in his Name and Stead to sell and make sale of foure hundred acrees of upland and meddow be there more or lesse lying together in Taunton aforsaid; which was Given by the Court of Plymouth unto Mr. William hooke and the said Mr. Nicholas Street Joyntly; and att the goeing away of the said hooke from Taunton to Newhaven; all the said hookes prte except two pssels of meddow: The one lying att Grassey Island, The other att a place called Assonett, being sold or disposed of to the said Street, and by the same letter of Attorney doth give full power and Authority unto them the said Attorneyes; To enter his said lands or into some prte thereof in the name of the whole, and to psson or pssons as by vertue of the said letter shall purchase the same of his said Attorneyes; That they his said Attorneyes doe in his name deliver quiett and peacable possession and seizen according to law, and alsoe to remove eiech and dispossesse as they shall thingk fitt; all and every psson or pssons useing or occupying all or any prte of the said lands; and them soe cleared to convert unto the use of such psson or pssons as shall purchase the same; Wherefore Now further Know yea That wee the said James Wyatt and George Macey, in the name of the said Nicholas Street according to the power comitted unto us as aforsaid for and in consideration of one hundred and fifty pounds sterling whereof fifty pounds in hand payed the resedue Cedurred to be payed, have given, graunted, bargained, sold, enfeofed and confirmed, and by these presents doe give grant bargaine sell enfoefe and confirme unto John hatway, Edwar Bobbut and Timothy halloway all of Taunton aforesaid. The said four hundres acrees of upland and meddow lying together in Taunton afrsaid, be there more or less; Theone syde whereof is bounded with two marked tgrees standing upon the head of a Cove called Smiths Cove on the South prte. The other syde bounded with a place called the Iron Spring, being opposite against a certaine pssell of land called Mr. Gilber's farme, on the North prte one end butts upon a great River in prte and upon the meadowes of Captain William Poole mistris Jane ffarrwell and William hailstone in prte on the west or Northwest prte. The other end running up into the woods, soe farr as will extend to four hundred acrees as aforesaid; the one Moyety or halfe prte of which said four hundred acrees the said Nicholas Street had and Purchased of the said William hooke late Pastour of the said Church of Taunton when hee the said hooke went from Taunton to Newhaven as is aforsaid. To have and to hold the said four hundred acrees of upland and meadow be there more or lesse as befor butted and bounded with all and every the appurtances privilidges and comodities thereunto belonging or any wayes appertaining, unto the said John hatway, Edward bobbitt and Timothy holloway, theire heries and assignes forever:
To the onely and behoof of the said John hatway, Edward Bobbutt and Timothy holloway theire heries and assignes forever, without any the lett molestation, or explusion of him the said Nicholas Street, hies heires exequitors or assignes or any claiming any title claime or Interest to the same or any prte therof, from or under him them or any of them, and for warranty of the said prmises, the said James Wyatt and George Macey doth for themselves,theire heires exequitors and administrators; covenant and grant to and with the said John hathway, Edward Bobbitt and Timothy holloway, theire heires and assignes by these prsents that the said prmises now be and att all time and times heerafter shalle remaine and continew and abide unto the said Johne hathway, Edward Bobbitt and Timothy holloway, theire heires and assignes; ffreely acquiited, exonnarated and discharged, or otherwise from time to time and at all times heerafter, well and sufficiently saved defended and kept harmless off and from all and all manor of former and other bargaines and sales, gifts, grants, foefments, joyntures, downer title of dower estates mortgages, forfeitures, seizures, judgements, extents, executions and all other actes and Imcombrances whatsoever; had made done acknowlidged and committed by the said Nicholas Street or any other prson or prsons claiming or havieing any title or interest of in or to the said demised prmises or any prte thereof or any of the appurtenances thereof, by from or under him. The said Nicholas Street or his assignes or don or comitted by the assent means or procument of the said Nicholas Street or his assignes by any other prson or prsons whatsever wheby the said John hathway, Edward Bobbutt or Timothy holloway or any of them or the herires or assignes of them or any of them, shall or may be lawfully evicted out of the possession or enjoyment thereof or of any prte or prsell thereof as aforsaid provided, the said John hatway, Edward Bobbutt and Timothy holloway or some or one of them, or the heires exequitors or admistrators of them or some or one of them, shall pay or cause to be payed unto the said James Wyatt and Gorge Macey attorneys as aforsaid unto the said Nicholas Street and to and for the use of him the said Nicholas Street; The sume of one hundred pounds, for the nature o fpay and time and place of payment, according tothe tenor of that mortgage of the prmises agreed upon: To be sealed by them the said John Hathway, Edward Bobbutt and timothy holloway; but if theri they sahll faile and forfeite the prmises in case of non payment the next aforsaid covenant in point of warranty to be off noe force against the said Wyatt and Macey, any things in these prsents to the contrary therof in any wise notwithstanding and alsoe the said James Wyatt and Gorge Macey doth further covennant promise and graunt to and with the said John hathway, Edward Bobbutt & Timothy holloway, that when the purchase money due for the said bargained premises is as aforsaid payed and satisfyed according to time and place of payment and nature of pay, then they the said James Wyatt and Gorge Macey or one of the shall and will deliver or cause to be delivered, all and singular such evidences and writings that they have or can procure onely touching or consering the prmises serverale with the said morgage agreed to be sealed for cecuritie, as aforsaid, and acknnowlidged satisfaction of the said debt upon the record therof if the said mortgage shallbe recorded, and lastly that when the said debt or sume is fully payed as aforsaid. The said James Wyatt and Gorge Macey shall and will prforme and doe or cause to be prformed and done, any such further acte or actes as they the said James Wyatt and Gorge Macey shallbe thereunto advised or required by the said John hathway, Edward bobbutt and Timothy holloway or theire or anyof theire assignes for a more full and prfect conveying and assuring the said Bargained prmises and every prte thereof unto the said John hathway, Edward Bobbitt and Timothy holloway, theire heires and assignes.
In Witness wherof the said James Wyatt and Gorge Macey have heerunto put theire hands and seales the 24th day in the yeare of our Lord one Thousand six hundred fifty and eight.
Signed Sealed and delivered in the prsence of:
William Poole James Wyatt and a (seale).
Walter Deane, Gorge Macey and a (seale)
William harvey
This deed was ackowlidged by James Wyatt and Gorge Macey the 24th of June 1663, before mee, John Aldin, Assistant.
" Part of this tract of land must be the farm which Edward resided on during the rest of his life and which has never been out of the possession of his descendants, the present occupant (year of 1900) Mrs. Edward E. Whitaker, being the seventh descendant from Edward. Her house was the third house to be erected on the land and contained the door and other pieces of the second house built on the land."
"In the proprietors records of Taunton is recorded in 1660 that John Hathaway, Edward Bobbitt, and Timothy Halloway, all of-them farmers, shall have their divisions at ye head of their farms." Also under date of December 28, 1659, appears the following agreement:
The names af those inhabitants within the township of Taunton, who are to have their division of land now agreed upon, December 28, 1659, whose proportion is to be according to the rate here following, together with the quantity of land, lots, and heads, at two acres to the head, two acres to the lot:
Edward Bobbitt £ 0.10.8 4 heads, 29 acres
The list contains 47 names, that of "Edward Bobbitt" being the 19th thereupon. In the year 1662, Edward Bobbitt appears in the list of the Grand Jury of Taunton. OLD PROPRITARY RECORDS OF TAUNTON, VOL. 2, PP. 13,14
"July 21, 1666. Whereas by the vote of the town, that several of the town shall have a certain tract of meadow and upland upon the three mile river or thereabout. It is voted and agreed upon that such as are not in this tract above written considered--that is to say fatherless children, whose fathers were purchasers, and others that are purchasers and are not now inhabitating in this town, shall be hereafter considered with meadow and upland according as these are, near thereabout--this 21st July, 1666. These whose names are underwritten having cast lots for the meadow and upland at the three mile river or near therabouts and they are to have their land and meadow as their lot hat cast as here is written acccording as it layeth upon the map of meadow and upland made by John Macomber, the measurer.
Edward Bobbitt, 35 acres.
May 18, 1866, it was "voted and granted that Edward Bobbitt shall have his division on ye North side of Joshuas Creek near the foot way, that is to say the way that goeth to Rhode Island."
June 1, 1688, Edward Bobet became one of the proprietors of the North Purchase as shown by the following extracts from the deed...."
In 1668 Bobet was chosen a member of the "Grand Enquest" of Plymouth Co, and on June 5, appears in thes connection:
"The names of the persons appointed by the Court to view the Damange done to the Indians by the Horses and Hoogs of the English: John Hathaway, Edward Bobbitt, James Phillips."
In the above record the name was spelled, BOBBITT as it was in the 1660 record. This was undoubtedly the first time the name was spelled this way in the history of America.
A short time before the commencement of the Indian War in 1675, there appears to have been inserted on the townbook a correct list of the proprietors of ancient Taunton as they then stood, "unto whom the town hath already granted or divided lands by virtue of the enjoying either purchase lots of purchase rights to division of lands." The catalogue was preceded by the following declaration:
"Whereas, by the providence of God in the year 1638 and the year 1639, it pleased God to bring the most part of the first purchasers of Taunton over the great ocean into this wilderness from our dear and native land, and after some small time here we found this place (called by the natives of the land Cohannet) in the colony of New Plymouth, and of the Court of the said cology we obtained grants of tracts of land for a plantation or township, as by the records of the said Court it may and doth appear, and then we also made purchase and brought the said tracts of land for our money of the right proprietors and owners, the Indians' sachem or prince of that part of the country, as by deed unto their hands it may appear, and in honor and love to our dear and native country, we called this place taunton, and owning it a great mercryof God to bring us to this place, and settling of us on lands of our own, bought with our money in pleace, in the midst of hte heaten, for a possession for ourselves, and for our posterity after us, do mutually agree and fully determine, as an undeniable order of this town, without any evasion wahtsover, that all lands that is or shall be granted to any person or persons, whether under the denomination of a purchaser or free inhabitant orderly received into this town, shall be the grantees and their heirs and assigns forever, a good perfect estate of inheritance in fee simple, and that all titles of our lands within this township, so to stand in tenure to the grantees, and so to descend to their survivors as aforesaid.'
EDWARD BOBBIT on his own rights (among others)
These purchasers or proprietors aforementioned, are hereby and by virtue hereof, entittled and interested only into the first purchase of the township of Taunton, and not into any later purchases. This list was made and agreeed upon, and concluded and confirmed, by us whose names are underwitten, bein ghte major part of the committee chosen by the town for that end. Dates May 14th, 1675"
The list contained in the foregoing declaration comprises 72 names, that of Edward Bobet being the 65th. The dates 1638 and 1639, in connection with the remainder of the sentence in the preamble of which they form a part, render it probable that Edward Bobet landed in America during one of those years. "We have now come to that time of terror and disaster to the settlers, the uprising of the Indians, known as King Philip's War. It can be imagined how many anxious hours were passed by Edward and Sarah Bobet, so far removed from the garrison stockade, with their large family of children. Judging by the quantities of Indian relics found on his home farm, it would be possible that it was a favorite haunt of the Indians before Edward Bobet purchased the land. Finally their position became to dangerous to admit of further delay and being warned of the commencement of hostilities, on June 25, 1675, they took refuge in the fort at Taunton, leaving behind the home which had been the fruit of much labor in the wilderness. We must depend on tradition for an account of Edward Bobet's last hours. This tradition has been faithfully handed down from generation to generation and seems to be confirmed by the place of his burial. According to this tradition, Edward Bobet, returned to his home to secure some necessary articles--perhaps the cheese hoop, as the story says: He was accompanied by his dog, in the thought that perhaps warning of prowling svages would be given by it. He secured the needed article and was on his way back to the fort when he beame aware of his pursuit by Indians; he climbed a tree and was effectually hidden, but his faithful dog disclosed his presence and his life was the forfeit of his hazardous adventure. His grave is in a private yard, near Berkley Bridge, and is thought to be the spot where he was killed. The spot was marked by a bronze Memorial Tablet in 1911--its cost being defrayed by small contributions from his descendants, from all over the United States and Canada.
When he failed to return to the fort, the searching party probably buried his mutilated body where it was found and later the old headstone was placed there, which is now in Historical Hall, it having been taken away from the grave in after years and placed on a tone wall near by. This old stone reads:
Edward Bobbett
Kld June, 1675 (Note, there is a picture of the headstone by Edward's data).
The place of his burial is well remenbered by old residents of Berkley and can be located within a few feet.
Bodge's "King Phillip's War" gives the date of Bobet's death as May, 1676. This is obviously an error as shown by the date on the old stone and by the date of the following record:
"At the Court of his Ma'tie held att Plymouth for the Jurisdiction of New Plymouth, the sixt day of March 1676........Sarah, the relict of Edward Bobbett, is granted letters of adminnestration on the estate of her husband, deceased; and in order to the settlement of the estate, this Court doth order, that the eldest son shall have a doubble portion of the whole estate, adn to take it in lands unimproved; and the adminnestratrix is to have during her life the land that is improved, with a thirds of the meddow, as in full of her thirds of the proffitts of the lands, and as a healp to the brining up of the children, and a third of the goods and chattles to her owne dispense, the rest of the estate to be equally divided amongst the rest of the children".
It will be noticed by this Inventory that Edward Bobet owned several town rights of Taunton, comprising several hundred acres, which were afterward set off to his sons. In 1684, at the widow Sarah's request, Edward Bobet, Jr., was appointed to administer his father's estate and made guardian of the minor children. An Inventory of the estate of Edward Bobet Senr. slaine by the Indians exhibited to the Court held att Plymouth the sixt of March 1676 on the oath of Sarah Bobbitt widdow:
(note, each item is followed by it's value in £ s. d. in the format 00-00-00)
1. Imps the house and land broken up and unbroken which lyeth together and meddow adjoyning to it being 140 acrees lying att Mr. Streets farme so called. Value: 150-00-00
2. About 4 acres of salt meddow lying att Asplace called by the name of Assonett. Value: 10-00-00
3. A peece of upland being 29 acres lying att a place called Joshua
Creekes brook. Value: 07-00-00
4. eight acres of land lying on the east syde of the Great River neare the Great bridge. Value: 04-00-00
5. Alsoe 22 acrees of land lying by the three Mile River lying att Rumford and called the 20 acree devision. Value: 05-00-00
6. A Right in the North devision. Value: 10-00-00
Item alsoe a right in the late purchased land below the 3 mile River. Value: 10-00-00
7. Town Rights Value: 10-00-00
8. Two oxen, 6 cows, 6 steers, 1 bull, two heifers, 5 yeerlings, 1 calfe, 2 horses and 13 swine. Value: 56-00-00
Item beeff and corne spent by the armie and horses killed in the army. Value: 06-01-00
Item Cart wheeles and plow and plow irons, charines and hoese & yoakes, beetle rings and weddges with other old iron. Value: 05-11-00
Item axes horse takleing armes and Amunition Value: 02-03-06
Item bed and beding. Value: 05-10-00
Item wearing clothes that was left of his. Value: 03-04-00
Item hemp bagges and basketts, bridles and saddles & Skins. Value: 06-07-00
Item wollen cloth and linine cloth money and xchge. Value: 06-09-00
Item spining wheels, chests, tubbs, pailes, barrells, bottles and
other wooden lumber. Value: 03-02-06
Item bedsteeds and cradles lether and other smale things. Value: 02-03-06
Item 1 pillian. Value: 00-08-00
Item bed and furniture Value: 02-00-00
This estate of Edward Bobbitt above mensioned an Inhabitant of Taunton in the Jurisdiccion of New Plymouth was apprised by us this sixt of March 1676.
WILLIAM WITHERERLL, SAMUEL SMITH
Plymouth Colony Records, Vo. 3 of Wills, P. 56
Source: "The Babbitt Family History, 1643 - 1900" by Dr. William Bradford Browne, 1912, pp. 13-25
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THE BOBBITT FAMILY OF ENGLAND 1564 - 1673 Somersetshire
The first Bobbitt in America was Edward Bobet who was born in 1627. According to our records Edward was born in the Glamorganshire area of Wales. Edward lived in Taunton, Massachusetts and his descendants are well documented. The first Bobbitt to appear in any record south of Massachusetts was William Bobbitt born in 1649 who received a land grant in Virginia in 1673. One of William Bobbitt's descendants had papers which showed that his ancestors came from the Glamorganshire area of Wales.
RECORDS FROM THE PARISH CHURCH OF NORTH PETHERTON,
SOMERSETSHIRE, ENGLAND.
James Bobbitt buried Jul. 12, 1564
Agnes Bobbett buried Feb. 28, 1569
Eleanor Bobbett buried May. 4, 1577
Margery Bobbett buried Apr. 4, 1591
John Bobbett, buried August 5, 1688 was married to Elizabeth Woodland on October 20, 1617. She was buried on April 7, 1628.
Their children were:
Thomas Bobbett buried Sep. 26, 1619
John Bobbett baptised Jan. 1621
James Bobbett buried Dec. 14, 1712
Jane Bobbett baptised Apr. 1628
Arthur Bobbett, baptised Nov. 7, 1585
Many of the records of this parish church were recorded into the late 1700's.
Source: "The Babbitt Family History, 1643 - 1900" by Dr. William Bradford Browne, 1912
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sarah TARNE
"In 1654 we find the record of his marriage in the records of Boston;
"BOBBET, Edward Bobbett, was marryed to Sarah Tarne, the daughter of Myles Tarne, of Boston 7:7:1654: by Capt. Humphrey Atharton."
"By the method of computing time of that period the seventh month would be September. Myles Tarne was a leather dresser at Boston as early as 1638. He and his wife being members of the church, and it is beyond doubt that their daughter, Sarah, was born in England and accompanied them to Boston. Edward Bobbett and his bride began their married life on the little farm purchased from Jonas Austin in 1652." (This farm was located between the river and the old highway between Freetown and Taunton, not far from a stream called Joshua's Creek. The museum of Taunton, today can show you the exact location.)
*Source: "The Babbitt Family History, 1643 - 1900" by Dr. William Bradford Browne, 1912
Edward BOBET
He married Abagain Tisdale, daughter of John and Sarah (Walker) Tisdale. (This John Tisdale was killed by Indians the day after Edward Bobet was slain.). He married (2nd), Elizabeth Thayer, daughter of Nathaniel and Abigail (Harvey) Thayer. Edward Bobet received a double share of his father's estate and retained possession of the homestead farm where he spent his days.
He was a member of the "Train Band" of Taunton and tradition relates that on one training day there appeared among the spectators oneof the Indians who had killed Edward Bobet. This Indian, who was prehaps intoxicated, boasted of this fact to Edward Bobet, Jr., who at a later date avenged his father's death. *Source: The Babbit Family History, 1643-1900 compiled by William Bradford Browne, Taunton, Mass 1912, pp. 26-27
Sarah BOBET
She married (1) on 25 Mar 1680, Samuel Pitts, son of Peter and Mary (Andrews) Hodges Pitts. Their children were:
1. Sarah, b. 10 Mar 1681 m. Ebenezer Paul
2. Mary, b. 10 Mar 1863 m. Benj. Willis
3. Samuel, b. 12 Mary 1865 m. Rebecca Williams
4. Henry, b. 13 Jul 1687, died bef 5 May 1758.
5. Abagail, b. 3 Feb 1689, m. George Sandford
6. Peter, b. 8 Aug 1692, died bef 5 May 1758
7. Ebenezer, b. 27 Nov 1694. Married Sarah Hanover. She married (2) on 19 May 1701, Samuel Blake and outlived him. *Source: The Babbit Family History, 1643-1900 compiled by William Bradford Browne, Taunton, Mass 1912, p. 30
Hannah BOBET
She married John Macomber, "The Cooper", son of William and Priscilla Macomber of Marshfield, MASS. Their children were:
Philip
William b. 1684
Abiell - m. Hannah Haskins, daughter of Wm.
Sarah, m. Wm. Richmond
Damaris - m. Josiah Cone (or Cane) dec. 19, 1712
John
Esther
Hannah
Ruth *Source: The Babbit Family History, 1643-1900 compiled by William Bradford Browne, Taunton, Mass 1912, pp. 30-31
Damaris BABBITT OR BOBET
She married John Smith, son of Francis Smith. He had married first Damaris Tisdale and both women are buried in the old "neck o'Land" burying ground in Taunton, their stones being with one exception the oldest in Taunton. (Note, there are no children listed) On March 14, 1721, her sister Deliverance brought suit for 1/7 of the interest of Damaris Smith in the estate of their father, Edward Bobet. *Source: The Babbit Family History, 1643-1900 compiled by William Bradford Browne, Taunton, Mass 1912, p. 31
Esther BOBET
She married, on 23 Aug 1693, Edward Paul, son of William and Mary (Richmond) Paul. He was born 7 Feb, 1664, died 15 Jul 1740. His mother, Mary Richmond was the daughter of John and Abigail (Rogers), 3, John 2, Thos. 1 of the "Mayflower". *Source: The Babbit Family History, 1643-1900 compiled by William Bradford Browne, Taunton, Mass 1912, p. 34
John ENNIS JR
He was a "Planter". DEED Records:
Extract from a deed dated 8 July 1762:
A John Mitchell of Great Britain and Andrew Shepherd of Virginia sell to William Dolton Of Albermarle, Fredrickvile Parish (VA) 270 acres....bounded at ENNIS's Corner.....to a Spanish Oak in John ENNIS' line.
*Source: Albermarle County Deed Book 3, pp. 190-191
Personal Note: The above could be referring to John Ennis, SR or JR. 1 Mar 1778 - John Ennis bought 133 acres on Rucker's Run in Amhusrt Co, VA
1783 Census: John Ennis listed with 11 whites in his household and living next to Ambrose Campbell
1795 Cenus: John Ennis listed with 11 white souls, 2 dwellings and 2 other buildings.
Bet 1803-1810
Bill of sale from John Innis to Absalom Stratten and wife Winny Stratten for $2.00 for negro children Sarah and Tom.
Deed to Axel H. Page and wife Sally T. Page (his daughter) for $2.00, negro girl Patty and her children Elijah and Frankey. Refers to purchase 29 July 1797 in Amhurst, VA by Sally Innis and Winny Innis of Patty and the fact that their father John Innis refused to provide for Sally and instead hired her out.
Warren County, KY History:
The Ennis family joined the caravan of wagons that left Amhurst, Co, VA in 1805 for Warren Co, KY. This migration westward included the families of Ennis, Campbell, Page, Martin, Swinney, Edmonds, Allcock, Stratton and others. Listed on the 1810 cenus of Warren Co, KY
John Ennis Jr 21010-30010-00 pg. 252
John's second wife is buried in the same graveyard as his sons wife: located in Warren Co, KY, on the Sherman Whitlock Farm, near Massey's Mill, Junction of Woodburn and Masseys Mill Pike. Headstone reads: Rachel Ennis, wife of John Ennis, Sept. 6, 1797 - Sept. 1820. On 17 Aug 1815, John Innis, Jr and wife Rachel Innis to George Harris & Charles Epperson, for $113.60 for tract on West fork of Drakes Ck, said tract being 8 acres and 127 poles. Rachel reling dower. Source: Ann Daberko via Ed Felps
All of John and Mary Ann's children and spouses are from the same source.
Mary Ann (ENNIS)
Listed in graveyard located in Warren Co, KY on the Sherman Whitlock Farm, near Masseys Mill, Junction of Woodburn and Masseys Mill Pike. Headstone shows: Mary Ann Ennis, March 1740-March 1827. Source: Ann Daberko via Ed Phelps
Elizabeth Dow RADFORD
*Source: Her father's family bible and will.
Marriage Notes for John H. Smith and Elizabeth Dow RADFORD-698
License #107 granted to Elizabeth Radford and John Smith on 4 Oct 1823 in Perry Co, AL.
Jesse H. SMITH
Resided in Mississippi in 1863.
*Source: Probate Court Records, Perry County, Alabama, Book K, pp. 115-117, Probate Court, September 29th 1863, See notes for William Radford, SR for full context.
B. F. SMITH
Named in grandfather's will in 1863, William Radford, SR. See his notes for full text of the will. Is this the Beth Smith listed in the following document?
*Source: Probate Court Records, Perry County, Alabama, Book K, pp. 115-117, Probate Court, September 29th 1863, See notes for William Radford, SR for full context.
Francis SMITH
Named in grandfather's will in 1863. She is not listed in the following docuement, dated 1863, may have died before that.
*Source: Probate Court Records, Perry County, Alabama, Book K, pp. 115-117, Probate Court, September 29th 1863, See notes for William Radford, SR for full context.
William R. SMITH
In 1863, was over 21 years of age and lived in Mississippi.
*Source: Probate Court Records, Perry County, Alabama, Book K, pp. 115-117, Probate Court, September 29th 1863, See notes for William Radford, SR for full context.
Jane SMITH
Listed as Jane Hodges, wife of (blank) Hodges.
*Source: Probate Court Records, Perry County, Alabama, Book K, pp. 115-117, Probate Court, September 29th 1863, See notes for William Radford, SR for full context.
Elkannah BABBITT
Styled "Captain". He resided in Berkley on a farm set off to him by his father from his own lands (lands of his father). In some deeds called "of Dighton" into which town his land extended. Married (1st) Mary Hathaway, daughter of Isaac and Mary (Pitts) Hathaway. She died 15 Aug, 1729, age 38.
Married (2nd) on 2 Apr 1730, Mehitable Crane, daughter of Stephen and Mary Crane, of Braintree, Mass. She was living in 1773, at New Ashford, Mass. with her son, Amariah, as shown by a deposition recorded in Morristown, N.J. Elkanah Babbitt "Victualled" in Worcester County, 1758
Elkanah Babbitt "Centinel" Capt. Oulton's Co. at Richmond, Mass., Step 14 to Oct 3, 1747; also at Richmond, April 1 to Sept 23, 1747. Elkanah Babbit was for years a leading figure in the town life of old Berkley. In public and military life he took full lead. When Berkley commenced its separate town government, the first town meeting took place in his house, May 12, 1735. His sons early removed to Western, Conn, and Berkshire County, Mass, and were at one time in various towns situated along almost exactly the western bounds of Connecticut and Massachusetts, ranging from New Milford, Coon, to New Ashford, Mass.
In 1743, Elkanah seems to have disposed of all his land holding at Berkley and he appears thereafter for brief periods in some of the towns where his sons settled. He perhaps accompanied his son Isaac to New Jersey; at any event he owned lands there in in April, 1754, was living at Mendham, N. J. , at which date he and wife Mehitabel deeded lands in Mendham situated near Malachi Holloways. It is presumed that he finally returned to Berkley and died there after and adventurous and active life. Deed Extracts:
1 Jun 1738: Elkanah Babbit of Berkley, Gent. deeds son Isaac Bobbet of Berkely, laborer, one-half of my homestead, being the south half thereof, bounded on east by land of Daniel Axtell".
31 Mar 1743: Elkanah Babbit, Gent. and Isaac Bobbett, laborer, deeded Benj. Chase, boatman, 5 acres, it being the north half of said Bobbet's homestead farm." Signed by Elkanah, Isaac and Mehitabel Bobbet. This would seem to be the date upon which they moved to New Jersey.
*Source: The Babbit Family History, 1643-1900 compiled by William Bradford Browne, Taunton, Mass 1912, pp. 47-48
Jacob BABBIT
The birth date and parentage of Jacob Babbit are not recorded. The only other family to which he could possibly belong is that of Erasmus Babbit, NO. 10, but the evidence is not strong is support of that claim. Jacob's descendants quickly used the name of Elkanah, which would seem conclusive evidence that it was a family name of Jacob's ancestors. *Source: The Babbit Family History, 1643-1900 compiled by William Bradford Browne, Taunton, Mass 1912, p. 47
Phoebe BABBIT
Married July 11, 1745, Caleb Eddy of Halifax, Mass. They removed to New Jersey. *Source: The Babbit Family History, 1643-1900 compiled by William Bradford Browne, Taunton, Mass 1912, p. 47
Marcy BABBIT
Died young. *Source: The Babbit Family History, 1643-1900 compiled by William Bradford Browne, Taunton, Mass 1912, p. 47
Deborah BABBIT
Married Robert Bostwick of Brooklyn, Conn, as his second wife. She died May 5, 1794.
*Source: The Babbit Family History, 1643-1900 compiled by William Bradford Browne, Taunton, Mass 1912, p. 47
Adam BLAND
By 1559 Adam was a high-ranking member of the Skinner’s Company of London and in 1560 was chosen Skinner to Queen Elizabeth I, a post he held until his death. He was succeeded by his son Peter, who held the position until 1618 when he was named Master Warden. At about the same time, Peter appears to have gone insane and the post devolved to his son-in-law Thomas Lanhghorne.
Adam and Joan were parents of 13 children.
*Source: Charles L. Bland, author of Vision of Unity: The Bland Family in England and America (1982)
"That many Virginia families of distinction in letters, statecraft and military service have descended from ancestors of gentle lineage who have learned mechanical trades or crafts in the various livery companies of England and elsewhere, is a matter of history. A few instances are given at random.
. . .
2. Adam Bland, of London, 'Skinner,' made free 1552, son of Roger Bland, husbandman. Descended from the house Gibord in Westmoreland, his was an ancient and distinguished line. Of his 10 sons, Gregory B., 'Merchant Taylor,' and Jno. Bland, 'Grocer,' were ancestors of the eminent Virginia Bland family with its branches. Jno. Bland, made free of the Grocer's Co., 1626, had 4 sons who came to Virginia, i.e., Adam, Jno. father of Giles, Edward who married his cousin, the daughter of Gregory, and Theodoric. Mary, the grandaughter of Adam Bland, 'Skinner,' b. 1607, m. son of Sir Peter Proby, freeman of the Draper's Co., of London. (Brown's Genesis, p. 829; S. M. Par., 150). Arms, 'Arg. on a bend, sa. three pheons of the field.' Crest, 'Out of a ducal coronet or a lion's head, ppr.' Motto, 'Sperate et virite fortes.'
Source: "Virginia Genealogies," by Hayden (in Virginia State Library as of 1954)
He is buried in St. Paul's Cemetery, London.
Source: WFT14, #3076 "Adam Bland (C1528-1594) was an ambitious young man from the provinces, who migrated to London about 1542, and secured an apprenticeship with a member of the Skinner's Company of London. Adam was born in Orton Parish, Westmoreland County England, just across the border from Sedberg in Yorkshire, and also incidentally, not far from Penrith, Cumberland County, where another major branch of the family originated. Adam must have been a very ambitious and intelligent young man, for by 1559 he had risen to membership in the Livery, or the managerial inner circle, of the Skinner's Company. This honor was capped by his appointment as Skinner to Queen Elizabeth in 1560. The title of Skinner to the Queen, though it demanded more service than monetary reward, certainly placed Adam in a position of high leadership in one of the most prominent of the Twelve Great Liveries of London and also positioned him to amass a considerable fortune. Along the way, Adam married Joan or Jane Atkyns of London and they had a family of thirteen children. In the custom of his time, Adam passed on his fortune and position to his eldest son."
Source: Charles L. Bland, "Among Cousins - The Bland Family Newsletter," vol. 8, no. 2 (July-September 1990), pp. 6-7
Robert BLAND
John Bland the Martyr was from Sedbergh Parish in York Shire, and was probably born sometime early in the 16th century. Someway, not sure how, he was related to Robert Bland (who was the son of Adam Bland (1528-1594), who became Queen Elizabeth's sufferings. Adam's grandchildren were the James River Blands who settled in Virginia beginning in the 1640s. Those who have read the first few chapters of my book, know that Adam was "made free" of the Skinner's (Furrier's) guild in 1551 at about age 23 and by 1560 he was the personal furrier of Queen Elizabeth I (Good Queen Bess), a sinecure of sorts that started his family on the path to wealth and a position that the family retained well into the 17th century. One hunch is that Queen Elizabeth, seeking to heal the wounds or religous strife, awarded this position in compensation for John's terrible execution at the hand of her sister, Queen Mary in 1555.
Source: Message by Charles Bland on Bland Genforum. The story of John Bland, the Martyr: John Bland Rector of Adisham, 1541(?) - 55
When you read the list of Rectors which hangs nearby, the section on John bland comes as a shock: "Burned at the stake in Canterbury, 12 July 1555".
Bland was a militant Protestant, one of a group of East Kent clergy who were determined to remove all traces of Catholicism from the new Church of England. The group included Edmund Cranmer, Provost of Wingham and brother of Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury who liked to retreat from the pressures of court politics to his palace at Bekesbourne. Other members were Nicholas Ridley, Vicar of Herne, Richard Turner, curate at Chartham and Edward Isaac, a J.P. who lived at Patrixbourne. When Bland came to Adisham the group was supported and protected by the Archbishop.
In the year of his institution at Adisham Bland went on a preaching tour in the Faversham area. He attacked all Catholic practices and took part in the widescale destruction of images at Ospringe Church. So violent were these attacks that it was said that they nearly demolished Ospringe church. In the next year he was invited to preach in Canterbury at St. Mary's Northgate, the centre of local militant Protestantism where the clerk openly read the Bible in English to the congregation and the image of Our Lady had been torn down. The more Catholic section of the Church authorities must have disliked his activities for next year he, Turner and other militants were prosecuted. The charges, however, were dropped.
When Edward VI succeeded Henry VIII in 1547 John Bland's Protestantism slowly became the official policy of the Church of England. In Adisham Church bland substituted a trestle table for the altar. Here, in the militant Protestant manner, he held what we would call Communion services, and he would regard as re-enactments of the Last Supper.
Six years later everything changed. Mary I became Queen after Edward VI's death and immediately ordered that Mass be celebrated in every church and that the country return to Roman Catholicism. Bland ignored the orders and continued to hold his Communion services from the Communion table. He was denounced by leading members of his congregation, including Thomas Austen, one of the churchwardens, but protected by Edward Isaac. The table was taken down, but Bland put it back.
The climax came on December 28, 1553, the day of the Holy Innocents who have given their name to Adisham Church. When Bland arrived to take the service he found that a priest from Stodmarsh had already said Matins and was about to start holding Mass. Bland asked if he could speak to his congregation when the gospel had been read. In a letter to his father he described what followed: -
"I stood on the chancel steps and spoke to the people of the great goodness of God…I spoke of the great and comfortable sacrament of His body and blood…They are the holy bread of eternal life and the cup of eternal salvation. So that like as our bodily mouths eat the…bread and wine, so does the mouth of our souls [which is faith] eat Christ's flesh and blood."
When the Churchwarden and his son-in-law heard Bland thus deny the physical presence of Christ in the bread and wine, which was then the basic teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, they seized him and shut him in a side chapel until Mass was completed. After the service they accused him of 'having a wife', which he did not deny.
Bland was taken to Canterbury Castle where he was imprisoned. During the next year he was twice imprisoned and released, but started preaching his beliefs immediately he was free. He was kept for ten months in close confinement "amongst the felons with irons upon our arms". Much of his cross-examination was conducted by Richard Thornden, Bishop of Dover. Bland would not, through nineteen weary months, shift from his beliefs. He refused to agree that Christ was physically present in the consecrated bread and wine of the Mass. He insisted that it was wrong to administer Communion "in a foreign tongue" and to give the laity only the consecrated bread and not the wine, as was the Catholic practice. Finally on July 12, 1555 he was burnt with the Vicar of Rolvenden and three others - there were fifty-four Protestant martyrs in Kent during Mary's reign, thirty-six men and eighteen women - - at Canterbury. The spot where they were burned, near Canterbury East Station, off Gordon Road in Wincheap, is marked by a memorial in Martyrs Field Road.
John Bland composed a prayer shortly before his death. Its final section reads: --
"thou seest, O Lord, that whereas I might live in worldly wealth to worship false Gods…I chose rather the torment of this body and loss of this my life and have counted all things but vile dust and dung that I may win thee…Grant that through the strength of thy Holy Spirit I may pass through the strength of this fire into they bosom. Accept this burnt offering and sacrifice, O Lord, not for the sacrifice itself but for they dear Son's sake, my Saviour. Lord, into they hands I commend my spirit. Lord Jesus receive my soul. So be it."
*Sources: Fox's Book of Martyrs, Vol. III, section of John Bland: Article on Bland in Dictionary of National Biography: Peter Clark, English Provincial Society from the Reformation to the Revolution -Religion, Politics and Society in Kent, 1500-1640. [Harvester Press 1977] pages 59-60, 65 and 99-100.
Peter BLAND
By 1559 Adam was a high-ranking member of the Skinner’s Company of London and in 1560 was chosen Skinner to Queen Elizabeth I, a post he held until his death. He was succeeded by his son Peter, who held the position until 1618 when he was named Master Warden. At about the same time, Peter appears to have gone insane and the post devolved to his son-in-law Thomas Lanhghorne. This intimate relationship in the early Bland family with the Skinner’s Company and the Crown, seems to have been a source of great wealth. A great family conflict over the estate of Peter Bland ended to the advantage of John Bland the Grosser (1572-1632, a large volume merchant, sometimes erroneously called John the Grocer. Don’t confuse this man with the corner grocery proprietor. He was a stockholder in the Virginia Company of London). John quickly made his will which excluded a brother Gregory and an infamous nephew Lawrence Lownes. Shortly after he died in 1632, John’s widow Susan appealed to the King for relief of debts amounting to 15,000 Pounds Sterling, an immense sum, which is indicative of the wealth, that John possessed. *Source: Charles L. Bland, author of Vision of Unity: The Bland Family in England and America (1982)
Thomas BLAND
He married first Elizabeth Harrison. She was born abt 1549 and died bef 1587. He married second Mary Catcher Moody. She was born abt 1566 and died aft 1593. *Source: LDS
William BLAND
He married Susan Wood. *Source: LDS
Mary BLAND
She married U. K. Gilbie. Source: LDS
John BLAND
"The Grosser" of London, who married Susan Deblere (1590-1665). John and Susan had a family of 17, of whom 12 lived to adulthood.
A great family conflict over the estate of Peter Bland (John's brother) ended to the advantage of John Bland the Grosser (1572-1632, a large volume merchant, sometimes erroneously called John the Grocer. Don’t confuse this man with the corner grocery proprietor. He was a stockholder in the Virginia Company of London). John quickly made his will which excluded a brother Gregory and an infamous nephew Lawrence Lownes. Shortly after he died in 1632, John’s widow Susan appealed to the King for relief of debts amounting to 15,000 Pounds Sterling, an immense sum, which is indicative of the wealth, that John possessed. *Source: Charles L. Bland, author of Vision of Unity: The Bland Family in England and America (1982) He was baptized 28 Sep 1572 at St. Gregory by St Paul, London, England; m. Susan Dublere circa 1606; d. 1632; bur. 5 May 1632 at St. Antholin, London, England. He was a member of the Grocer's Company. He resided at Cheapside, London, England. He resided at Plaistow, Essex, England. He left a will on 24 Sep 1627. Susan Dublere was born in 1590 at Hamburg, Germany. She died on 1 Feb 1664/65. Known children of John Bland and Susan Dublere were as follows:
1. Thomas Bland; m. Elizabeth Witham; 1st wife; m. Katherine Sandys, daughter of Edwin Sandys Esq, 1 May 1677 at Charter House, London, England; 2nd
wife; d. 26 Sep 1678; no issue. He was a barrister-at-law.
2. Mary Bland; baptized 11 Sep 1607; m. Emanual Proby, son of Sir Peter Proby, 8 Jun 1626; 1st husband; m. Thomas Neville; 2nd husband.
3. John Bland; m. Sarah Green, daughter of Giles Green Esq; d. 8 Jun 1680. He immigrated circa 1635 to Virginia. He resided at 'Kimages', Westover Parish, Charles City Co., VA. He resided at Seville, Spain. He resided at London, England. He resided at Tangier. He left a will on 3 May 1680; proved 23 Jun 1680.
4. Susan Bland; m. Thomas Pierson.
5. Edward Bland; b. circa 1615; m. Jane Bland, daughter of Gregory Bland, at England; 1st husband; d. before 9 May 1652. He was a merchant. He resided at London, England. He immigrated by 10 Mar 1646/47 to Virginia.
6. Robert Bland; baptized 22 Feb 1617/18; m. Mary Hinton.
7. Anne Bland; baptized 26 May 1619; m. Stephen Jackson.
8. Elizabeth Bland; baptized 20 Aug 1620; m. Rev. William Beare.
9. ___ Bland; bur. 20 Aug 1621.
10. Adam Bland; d. circa 1647; unmarried, on a voyage to Virginia.
11. William Bland; baptized 26 Dec 1622; d. 1649 at Seville, Spain. He was a merchant.
12. Heaster Bland; baptized 18 Jan 1623/24; bur. 5 Jan 1625/26. She was also known as Esther Bland.
13. Richard Bland; baptized 11 Feb 1624/25; m. Jane Lane 30 Jan 1650/51; 2nd husband; d. 20 Nov 1692 at age 67. He resided at London, England. He resided at Leeds, Yorkshire, England.
14. Rachel Bland; baptized 14 Nov 1626; bur. 23 Aug 1633.
15. Arnal Bland; baptized 24 Feb 1627/28; bur. 18 Oct 1634. He was also known as Arnold Bland.
16. Theodorick Bland, bap. 6 Jan 1629/30 at St. Antholin, London, England; m. Anne Bennett.
17. Joneane Bland; baptized 10 Jan 1631/32; bur. 5 May 1632 at St. Antholin, London, England. She was also known as Joan-Amy Bland.
*Source: Internet
Jonathan BRIGGS
Clement Briggs ....was married in Dorchester to Joan Allan (Allen)...They had 7 children, their 3rd child was Johathan Briggs b. June 14, 1635, married Experience Harvey. They had 13 children, their 11th child was Elizabeth Briggs who married Elkanah Babbitt (the first son of Edward Bobet).
*Source: "Berkley Families" from the Old Historical Society, Taunton, MASS, p. 90
*Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, International Genealogical Index (R), Copyright (c) 1980, 1997, data as of February 1997, Family History Library, 35 N West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150 USA.
He was admitted a freeman on 29 May 1670 in Taunton, Bristol, Mass. His estate was probated on 18 Nov 1690 in Taunton, Mass. *Source: Internet
Samuel Holloway, of Taunton, who served in Capt. Samuel Gallup's Company in the disastrous expedition against Quebec in 1690. He had a gun furnished by Jonathan Briggs, valued at L1-10-0, and was provided with a knapsack, worth Four shillings. In Robert Crossman's account of"what he did for the soldiers who went to Canada in 1690," he notes repairs on "Saml holows" gun---six pence, and also states he paid John Briggs L2-8-0 for Samuel Holoway's gun ---quite an increase over its original appraisal.
Young Holloway was evidently one of the survivors of the disaster that befell our little Colonial army in the first effort made to take Canada from the French, for a year late it was noted in the Inspector's Return mentioned above that Samuel Holloway, Jr., had gun, but no sword, although otherwise supplied.
*Source: William Holloway of Taunton, Mass., in 1637 and His Descendants 1586 -- 1949 by Everett Hall Pendleton
NOTE: The above story may be about Jonathan or one of Jonathans' sons, also named Jonathan or another descendant named Jonathan. Jonathan's daughter, Elizabeth Briggs married Elkanah Babbit, and they had a daughter named Elizabeth Briggs Babbit who married into the Holloway family as follows:
Malachi Holloway (Samuel, William) was born 1680 in Taunton, Mass, and died Jun/1762 in Mendham, Morris Co., New Jersey. He married (1) Judah Holloway Abt. 1710. She died Sep/1718 in Berkley, Mass.. He married (2) Elizabeth Briggs Babbitt 1719 in Berkley, Mass., daughter of Elkanah Babbitt and Elizabeth Briggs. She was born Mar/06/1697-98 in Berkley, Mass., and died Unknown.
The Holloways orignated from Somerset England (William Holloway), lived in Boston and Taunton and descendants migrated to Mendham, NJ as did many of the Babbitts and Briggs descendants. There are many marriages between the Briggs and Holloways. Notes for Malachi:
On October 14, 1748, Malachi sold his homestead farm in Berkley to Thomas Gilbert--some eight-eight acres on which he was then living, as stated in the transfer of title. While we have no record of him until four years later it is reasonable to assume that it was shortly after this sale was made when he embarked on the Taunton river, with his wife and unmarried children, his household goods, and perhaps some live stock, and set sail for Elizabethtown, New Jersey, the nearest port to Mendham.
*Source: William Holloway of Taunton, Mass., in 1637 and His Descendants 1586 -- 1949 by Everett Hall Pendleton
Experience HARVEY
Some researchers indicate that Experience's name has not been validated. Below is the source for the last name of Harvey.
*Source: Clement Briggs of Plymouth Colony and His Descendants 1621-1965, compiled by Edna Anne Hannibal of Palo Alto California with abstracts of probate and land records by Claude W. Barlow, Ph.D. of Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts
Clement Briggs ....was married in Dorchester to Joan Allan (Allen)...They had 7 children, their 3rd child was Jonathan Briggs b. June 14, 1635, married Experience Harvey. They had 13 children, their 11th child was Elizabeth Briggs who married Elkanah Babbitt (the first son of Edward Bobet).
*Source: "Berkley Families" from the Old Historical Society, Taunton, MASS, p. 90
*Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, International Genealogical Index (R), Copyright (c) 1980, 1997, data as of February 1997, Family History Library, 35 N West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150 USA.
BRIGGS, Experience (Harvey)
Birth Date: 1644 Birth Place: Massachusetts
Volume: 18 Page Number: 416
Gen. Column of the " Boston Transcript". 1906-1941.
William HARVEY
William Harvey was born in Somersetshire, England, about 1614. Accompanied by his brother Thomas, he came to American in 1636 and settled at Dorchester. In 1637 he was one of the company of forty-six "first and ancient purchasers", so called, who "feeling much straitened for want of room," purchased from Massasoit, the chief sachem of the Wampanoga tribe of Indians, whose seat was at Mount Hope, the Indian title to Cohannet, lying thirty-two miles south of Boston, in the Colony of New Plymouth. "IN the Summer of 1638," says Winthrop, "there came over {from England} twenty ships and at least 3000 persons, so as they were forced to look out new plantations." Thereupon the proprietors of Cohannet removed from Dorchester to their new plantation. As a number of these proprietors had come to America from the ancient town of Taunton, and it's neighborhood, Somersetshire, they gave to their new purchase on the 3 March, 1639, the name of Taunton--"in honor and love to our dear native county,**and owning it a great mercy of God to bring us to this place, and settling of us, on lands of our own bought with our money in peace, in the midst of the heathen, for a possession for ourselves and for our posterity after us,", as they afterwards declared. The first recorded marriage occurred in the new settlement 8 Nov. 1638, and in the following Spring the second marriage took place. It was that of William Harvey, and is recorded upon the court records of New Plymouth thus: "At a Court of Assistants William Harvey and Joane Hucker of Cohannet were maryed the 2 of Aprill 1639." In the latter part of 1639, or early 1640, William and his wife removed to Boston, where they remained until 1646-during which period four children were born to them. (See the N. E. Hist. & Gen. Reg., II: 189, and VIII.:38, 350). The family then returned to Taunton. In 1648 William was one of the heirs named in the "will of Agnes Clark of Ayshill (Ashill), Somerset, widow." The will was executed 20 Oct., 1647, and proved 10 May 1648, and from it the following paragraphs have been taken: **"I give and bequeath unto William Harvey the son of Thomas Harvey deceased, my kinsman now in New England, eighteen pounds, being parcel of thirty-five pounds which is owning unto me by Richard Parker of Ayshill upon his bond which sum is to be paid as soon as it can be recovered, if he shall come to demand it at any time within four years; but if he come not then my will is that William Harvey, the son of James Harvey shall have the said money at such time as he shall be of lawful age to give a discharge……I give to the said William, son of James Harvey, fifteen pounds parcel of the said thirty five pounds when of age.**"I give and bequeath unto William Harvey in New England all my household stuff during his life, if he come to claim it, and after his decease to remain in the house to the use of James Harvey, his brother, and the said James to make use of it until William his brother shall come to claim it." (See "Genealogical gleanings in England", New Engl. Hist & Gen. Rvg. XLVI : 453.1)
"At an orderly town-meeting warned by the constable", and held in Taunton 23 Dec., 1659, it was voted that there should be a "general division of land to every inch, and to whom rights of division shall belong"; and it was agreed that the apportionment should be made upon the following plan: "two acres to the bead. *(footnote, Each member of the family of a proprietor or holder of a right in the purchase was regarded as a "head". An unmarried man was "to be looked upon as two heads.")., two acres to the Shilling, **(footnote, The "home" lot which each of the "first purchasers" took possession of, and which was charged against Rains as an advancement.), and two acres to the lot. In the list of those who participated in this distribution of Taunton lands the name of William Harvey appears, and he is charged with a "rate" of fourteen shillings and credited with seven "heads"-himself, his wife and five children. According to the plan of apportionment "two acres to the head" gave him fourteen acres, and "two acres to the shilling" twenty-eight acres. Adding the "two acres to the lot" made a total of forty-four acres-which was the quantity of land William Harvey received. [See Quarter-Millennial Celebration of Taunton," 1899, p. 243].
His "home" lot was on the north side of what is now Cohannet Street, between what is known as Taunton Green and Mill River. A description of the lot is to be found in Taunton Prop. Rec., IV.:5, &c..
In 1661 William Harvey was Excise Commissioner. [See Plym. Records, XI.: 133] In 1664 he was a Representative to the General Court. This latter office he held again in 1667. The law requiring towns in Plymouth Colony to elect selectmen, and giving them many judicial powers and duties, was passed in 1665, and the first "Select Men" chosen in Taunton under that law ere William Harvey and fourth others - who were approved by the General Court 5 June, 1666. [See Plym. Col. Rec., IV.:124] In 1666 and '7, and in 1671 and other years later, William Harvey was a selectman. In Jany., 1669, he was one of ten men chosen by the town to "draw [up] a list of purchasers of free inhabitants" in Taunton.
He was one of a committee of seven appointed 2 Sept. 1672, to manage for the "free inhabitants" the purchase of a certain tract of land from "Philip, alias Metacum, Chief Sachem," who was the son and successor of Massasoit, heretofore mentioned, and is known in history as King Philip, the most wily and sagacious Indian of all time. The committee immediately attended to their duty, and soon obtained from Philip, in consideration of £143, a deed for a tract of land "lyeing three miles along ye Great River," and extending westerly four miles. The year 1675 brought with it the gloom and horror of an Indian War. After nearly forty years of quiet, following the vindictive struggle with the Pequots, the Colonies were terror-struck with the news that a wide-spread combination of Warnpanoags, Narragansetts and other tribes of savages had been formed under the leadership of King Philip with the design of exterminating the white race from the land. The first over act of hostility by Philip was committed on Sunday, 24 June, 1675, when several houses were burned and men slaughtered at Swanzey, about twelve miles from Taunton. During the Summer the principal seat of war was in the interior of Massachusetts, and from its central position Taunton was the chosen rendezvous of the troops from Plymouth, Boston and elsewhere. For the same reason it was a constant point of attach by the savages, and several of its dwellings were consumed and their inmates butchered. In the Spring of 1676 the danger of the entrie destruction of the village was so imminent that the Cape towns invited the people of Taunton to take up their abode, with them until the war should be ended. The offer was declined in a remarkable letter "subscribed in the name of the town" by William Harvey and three other inhabitants. The following paragraphs are from the letter, wich is printed in full on page 325 of the "Quarter Millennial Celebration Taunton":
*** Our sins are already such as might render our friends (did they know us) afraid to entertain us; and what can we expect as the issue of such an addition thereunto, but that he hand of the Lord would follows us, and find us out withersoever we fled. *** The Lord do with us as seemeth good in His sight. Here we have sinned, and have we submit ourselves to suffer, except the Lord's Providence, and order or advice of Authorities, should plainly determine us to removal.*** We are willing, if it may be judged convenient by you, to secure some of our cattle in your parts, that they may be no booty or succor to the enemy. If the Lord spare them so long as that we may have opportunity to convey them, in which we desire your speedy advice. And beseeching you not to cease to pray for us that the Lord would heal our backslidings, and prepare us for what measure of the cup of His indignation it may seem good to Him to order us to drink."
In March 1677, "William Harvey of Taunton" received £10 from contributions made by "Christians in Ireland" for the relief of those "impoverished by the late Indian War."
Assonet Neck, a peninsula about two miles long and less than one broad, lying near Taunton and belonging to the Indians, having been seized by the Colony to pay the expenses of the Indian Wars, was ordered to be sold by the General Court in July, 1677. In the following November Constant South-worth, the Colony Treasurer, conveyed the land to William Harvey and five other Taunton men; and in 1682 the tract was annexed to and made a part of Taunton.
In January of 1678, William Harvey was named as the first member of a committee of seven of the inhabitants of Taunton appointed to regulate the settlement of lands, and to attend to the confirmation of titles to purchases and the ratification of supposed lost grants and town orders. About this period, and during some years later, William's name appears often in connection with important affairs of the town; which indicated that he continued to be a man of character and influence in his community.
In 1689, Maj. Win. Bradford having made some claim to all the territory comprehended within the limits of Taunton, the town paid him £20 for his alleged rights, and he gave a deed of release and confirmation to John Poole, William Harvey, Thomas Harvey, Sr., Thomas Harvey Jr., and others, "proprietors." [See original deed I possession of the Old Colony Historical Society, Taunton.]
William Harvey's death occurred at Taunton in the Summer of 1693. As the name of his wife is not mentioned in his will, it is supposed that her death took place some time before. The following is a copy of his will taken from the Brisol county (Mass.) Probate Records, Book I., page 41 :
"In ye Name of God Amen. I WILLIAM HARVEY, being growne to a considerable age through ye patience of God and now being sick and weake in Body though of sound memory & judgemt [sic] blessed be God Doe [sic] make & constitute this my last Will & Testamt [sic]. Impe. Doe commit my Soule to ye Lord Jesus Christ my Redeemer in hopes of acceptance thro free Grace & my Body to be Decently buryed by my Execr. in hopes of a joyfull Resurrection through Christ our Lord
Secondly to my son Thomas Harvey I give ye house and land he lives upon from ye River up to ye Highway & another parcell at ye higher end of my Land that runneth home to Joseph Willis Land bounded against my other lands by a samll white oake by yt [sic] side next ye Cart path on ye Swampe side by a Tree yt lyes along & so [sic] home to Joseph Willis his land. Also to Thomas I give three score acres of land lying by Three mile River Bridge. Also a Lott of meadow at Scaddin's should be about four acres. Also one half of my late fifty acre Division lying easterly from ye three mile River. All sd [sic] parcells of Land to be my son sd Thomas Harvey & his heirs and assigns forever.
Thirdly to my son Jonathan the remiander of this my home lott at Towne with ye house thereon & Barne to Jonathan allso all my Land upland and meadow lying up by Three mile River on ye Easterly side thereof & a small parcell of meadow lying by Winnicunnitt Ponds, a small quantity of meadow lying at ye Brooke called Rumford Brooke with all my share of Land yt is called ye North Purchase. Also to Jonathan ye other half of my late fifty acre Division.
Fourthly to ye chidlren of my son Joseph Harvey Deceased a parcell of land Lying at a place called ye streights being about eight acres more or less & another parcell of land being about nine acres more or less lying near a place called ye Wolfe pitt swamp --- the sd parcells to be equally Divided amongst the children of my son Joseph. Alsoe the meadow at ye west side of three mile River to ye sd children of my son Joseph.
Fifthly to Nathan Thare, Junr I give a parcell of land about or three acres lying at ye Norwest from ye meadow which we usually mow at three mile River.
Sixthly -- my comon Rights and all future Divisions to be my two Sons Thomas & Jonathan to be equally divided.
Seventhly all ye rest of my movable estate I give unto my Son Jonathan whom I Doe hereby Constitute ye sole Exectr of this my last Will & Testamt who is to receive any Debts due to me & to pay what is due from me. In Witness hereof I ye sd William Harvey have hereunto sett my hand and Seal this twelfth Day of June sixteen hundred Ninety one.
Signed & sealed inWilliam Harvey presence of us,
Joseph + Willis
his mark
Henry Hodges
Samuel Danforth
* Source: The Harvey Book, by Oscar Jewell Harvey, 1899, pp. 27-33
William Harvey (1614-1691) son of Thomas of Ashill, was born in Somersetshire, England and emigrated to America in 1636. He first settled at Dorchester, Massachussetts. In 1637, he was one of forty six first and ancient purchasers (Proprietors) of Cohannet (renamed Taunton) sold to them by Massasait, Indian Sachem. William married Jeane Hucker, April 2, 1639. He became Excise Commissioner and later served as Representative to the General Court. In 1666 he was Selectman. Early records indicate that William played a prominant role in the affairs of Taunton, Mass. during the period of King Phillip's War and thereafter. Issue: Abigail; Thomas; Experience; Joseph; Jonathan.
*Source: Colonia Settlements and Descendents
Listed as a resident of Boston, MA in 1630.
*Source: Ancient Names in Boston and Vicinity, NEHGR Vol 1, John Farmer
Listed in 1647 as a Freeman in Boston, MA
*Source: Boston Notions, 1630-1847, Nathaniel Dearborn, 1848
1658 Death Listed
*Source: Ancient Names in Boston and Vicinity, NEHGR Vol 1, John Farmer (SEE NOTES BELOW FOR CLARIFICATION)
Thomas arrived in Massachusetts in 1636
William arrived in Massachusetts in 1636
*Source: Founders of Early Aermican Families: Emigrants by Meredith B. Colket, Jr., p. 137
William, tanner, Taunton, 1639. Rem. to Boston. He m. 2 April, 1639, Joane Hucker of Cohannett; she was adm. with him to the chh. of Boston in 1643. His [second] wife, Martha was adm. chh. 16 FEB 1654. Ch. Abigail b. 25 FEB 1640, Thomas b. 13 OCT 1641, Experience, dau., b. 4/1/1644, Joseph b. 8 OCT 1645, William b. 27 AUG 1651, Thomas b. 16 AUG 1652, John b. 5 FEB 1654, Mary bapt. 2 JUN 1657. He d. Aug. 15, 1658. Admin. gr. to widow Martha for herself and 4 young ch. April 28, 1659. [Reg. IX, 346.] The widow m. 10 NOV 1659, Henry Tewxbery.
*Source: The Pioneers of Massachusetts
NOTE: the above quote gives quite a different death date for William, all other references have him dying abt 1691, this has 1658. We know he severed in many public offices long after 1658, so I suspect this record is wrong. It likely is referring to the book by Mrs. Worthen below. See the following which offers some explanation about the record from "The Pioneers of Massachusetts":
I deem it proper and necessary, at this pint, to make some references to a genealogy of certain branches of the Harvey family to be found in a "History of Sutton, New Hampshire," published a few years ago by Mrs. Augusta Harvey Worthen. The author says (Page 745): "Thomas and William Harvey, brothers, were in this country previous to 1640. Thomas married in 1643, Elizabeth, daughter of James Wall, of Hampton, and resided in Hampton and Amesbury. William married Joan----, and in 1639 was living in Plymouth. He removed to Taunton. *(footnote: Thomas, b. 18 Dec., 1641, son of William and Joanna (Hucker) Harvey, was alive at this date, and it is hardly probably that another son would be named Thomas when there was already one bearing that name among the children of the family). "Children by first wife:
i. Abigail, b. 25 Apl, 1640
ii. Thomas b. 14 Dec. 1641
iii. Experience, b. 10 Mars. 1644 [Should be 4. Sshe was baptized the 10th)
iv. Joseph, b. 4 Dec 1645 [Should be 8. He was baptized the 14th).
His wife Joan died in 1649, and he married, 2d, Martha Solcum, sister to Anthony Slocum.
Children by second wife:
v. William, b. 27 Aug., 1651
vi. Thomas, b. 16 Aug. 1652
vii. John, b. 5 Feby., 1655"
"William the father died 15 Aug., 1658, and his widow married Henry Tewksbury 10 Nov., 1659. It is believed that (vi.) Thomas and (vii.) John are the Thomas and John Harvey found on the early Amesbury records. From (vii) John Harvey, the descent is clearly traced to the Harveys of Nottingham. Northwood, Warner and Sutton [New Hampshire]."
It is very certain, I think, that the Thomas first named by Mrs. Worthen, and who married Elizabeth Wall, was not the Thomas who was settled at Cohannet or Taunton in 1638. and was not the brother of William who "married Joan" [Hucker].
As we have shown on page 28 ante, William the first, resided at Cohannet and not at Plymouth when he was married in 1639 to Joane Hucker; and soon thereafter he and his wife removed temporarily to Boston, where within the next six years four of their five children were born. They then returned to Taunton, where in 1647, their fifth child was born. The whole family continued to reside in Taunton for many years. Mrs. Worthen says William's wife Joane died in 1649 and he married 93d) Martha Slocum. She bases this statement, without doubt, upon what Savage says in his "Genealogical Dictionary," viz: "And it is supposed the same man [i.e. William of Boston, 1640-'5, whose wife was Joane] by wife Martha had:
William, b. 27 Aug., 1651
Thomas (again), b. 16 Aug, 1652
John, b. 5 Feby, 1655
The facts in the case are these: In 1650, there was residing in Boston a certain William Harvey, who was married in that year to Martha Copp, daughter of William Copp, of Boston, cordwainer. They became the parents of four children:
i. William, b. 27 aug., 1651
ii. Thomas, b. 16 Aug., 1652
iii. John, b. 5 feb., 1654
iv. Mary, b. 1656 or '7
In 1654, the first three of these children were baptized in Boston. [See "Report of the Record Comsrs. Of Boston,' pp. 46 and 49]
William, the father died 15 Aug., 1658 [See "Report of the Record Comsrs.,", p. 66] His widow Martha married Henry Tewksbury 10 Nov, 1659 [See "Report of the Record Comsrs., p. 72]
William Copp, father of Martha (Copp) (Harvey) Tewksbury, died in 1662, and his will was probated 31 Oct. He named therein his "daughter Tewksbury" and grandchildren William, Thomas, John and Mary Harvey [see New Engl. Hist. & Gen. Reg., XLVIII: 459]
In commenting upon the will of Agnes Clark (mentioned on page 29 ante) the editor of the N. E. Hist. & gen. Reg. Said [Vol. XLVI., ;. 453):
"Savage gives two persons by the name of William Harvey who were then [1647] in New England. One was of Boston and had by wife Joan. A person of this name, probably the same {sic William Harvey}, by wife Martha had***. Time other William was of Plymouth; married Joanna, 1639; removed to Taunton. Query: May not time Plymouth man be the same as the Boston man, and the Taunton man be a different person?"
I think it is very clearly proved by the public records herein referred to, and by other records, that there was no William Harvey residing at Plymouth in 1639, amid the two Williams "then in New Englad" were:
(1) William of Taunton, whose wife was Joanna Hucker, and
(2) William of Boston, who married Martha Copp.
*Source: The Harvey Book, by Oscar Jewell Harvey, 1899, pp. 34-35
"William Harvey was probably quite a young man at the settlement of the town. He was married April 2, 1639, to Joane Hucker, the second recorded marriage in Cohannet. He was admitted a freeman in 1656, but strangely his name is not on the military list of 1643. His first home lot was on the easterly corner of the present Winter Street, fronting on Dear Street, and a strip two rods wide was sold to the town for the town Way, then called Hoar's Lane, since Winter Street.
He was chosen constable in 1661, in 1662 one of the surveyors, and in 1664 a deputy to the General Court. From that time until 1690 there were but two or three years that he was not in office as a deputy or selectman, and often holding both offices the same year. No man in the town seems to have been more constantly trusted by his fellow townsmen with the responsibilities of public office. He died in 1691, leaving a will, in which he mention his sons Thomas, Jonathan, and Joseph, a deceased son, and Nathan Thare, Jr., who was the son probably of a deceased daughter."
*Source: History of Bristol County Massachusetts with Biographical Sketches of many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men. Compiled under the supervision of D. Hamilton Hurd. Illustrated. Philadelphia J.W.Lewis & Co.,1883 p. 33
In 1636, Thomas and William Harvey, originally of Somerset, England, were recorded in the annals of Dorcester, Mass. The coat of arms granted to this branch of the Harvey Family is blazoned: "Sable, a fesse or, between three squirrels sejant argent, cracking nuts of the second."
*Source: A newspaper clipping sited in Harvey Connection
Appointed to various duties as follows:
1661 - Constable
1662 - Surveyor
1664 - Excise officer
1665 - Deputy
1666 - Selectmen and Deputy
1667 - Deputy
1668 - Selectmen and Deputy
1669 - Selectmen and Deputy
1670 - Selecmen and Constable
1671 - Selectmen and Deputy
1672 - Selectmen and Constable
1673 - Selectmen and Constable
1674 - Selectmen
1676 - Selectmen and Deputy
1677 - Selectmen and Constable
1678, 1679, 1680, 1681, 1682, 1683, 1686, 1689, 1690, - Selectmen
*Source: History of Bristol County Massachusetts with Biographical Sketches of many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men. Compiled under the supervision of D. Hamilton Hurd. Illustrated. Philadelphia J.W.Lewis & Co.,1883 pp. 52-53
NOTES: He was married to Joan Hucker. She was admitted to the church in 1639. He reportedly was married to Martha Slocum second. A Martha Harvy was admitted to the Church on 16 Feb 1654, but at this point, I can not determine if this Martha Harvey was actually married to "our" William Harvey. I believe these records refer to being admitted to the Church of Boston - in which case our William was in Taunton in 1646, and thus could not be the husband of the Martha admitted to the church in 1654. There was also a Martha Copp married to a William Harvey in Boston. His will does not mention any wife. Thus, I am currently thinking that Joanna Hucker is our ancestor, and likely the only wife of "our" William Harvey. Of course, new evidence could change my mind. :)
Research note: According to Oscar Jewell, William died circa 1691, he also has children Abigail, Joseph and Jonathan dying in 1691. What happened in Taunton in 1691?
Joane HUCKER
Harvy, Joan listed as a church member in 1643.
*Source: First Church in Boston, Vol. 39, CSM Collections, Richard Pierce, 1961
Thomas HARVEY
Thomas Harvey (December 18, 1641-1728) son of William and Joane Hucker is described in early records as a husbandman. Thomas married Elizabeth Willis. Issue: William; Thomas: John; Jonathan; Joseph (born Jan 14, 1688); Hannah; Elizabeth; Abigail. *Source: A Harvey Study, 1957
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