The Essex Antiquarian Collections

Will Of Robert Hunter

The will of Robert Hunter, dated 5: 6mo: 1647, was proved in the Ipswich court 28: 7: 1647. The following copy is taken from the record contained in the Ipswich Deeds, volume 1, leaf 25, the original being missing. This 5th of the 6th month 1647. I Robert Hunter weak of body but of pfect memory prayfed be god doe make & ordayne this to be my laft will & Teftament. firft all my debts being paid I leave my howfe & lott to my wife Mary Hunter for Terme of her life. Item all my goods within the howfe … Read more

Will of Richard Woodman

The nuncupative will of Richard Woodman of Lynn was sworn to in Salem quarterly court 30: 10: 1647. The following is a copy of the original on file in the office of the clerk of courts at Salem, volume I, leaf 89. The will of Richard Woodman of the Towne of Lynn defeced [deceased] as foloweth [follows] Being fpoken [spoken] to by Nicholas (Potter) to make his will Paid that he would make his will and being asked by John Gillow too whome [whom] he would giue [give] his goods faid [said] that he would giue [give] fower [four] pounds … Read more

Will Of Richard Bartlett

The nuncupative will of Richard Bartlett, sr., of Newbury, was proved in the Ipswich court 28: 7: 1647. The following is a copy of the same as recorded in the Ipswich Deeds, volume I, leaf 25. The testimony of William Titcombe & Anthony Somersby concerning the last will & testament of Richard Bartlett fen of Newbury deceased the 20th of May 1647. About a month before he deceased we being with him & two of his sonnes being prfent he being very ill & had been weak all the spring finding in himself that he was not like to continue … Read more

Will Of Lionell Chute

The will of Lionell Chute of Ipswich, dated 4: 7 mo: 1644, was proved in court at Ipswich 7: 9 mo: 1645. The original instrument has not been found, and the following copy is from the record in Ipswich deeds, book i, leaf 15. The fourth day of the eleventh month Anno Dm 1644 I Lionell Chute of the Towne of Ipfwch in New England Schoolmafter doe make & ordayne this my laft will & Teftament (revoking all form wills by me made.) Item I give vntd Rofe my wife for terme of her naturall life, all this my dwelling … Read more

Will of John Lowell

The following is a copy of the will of John Lowell of Newbury transcribed from the ancient copy on file in the probate office in Boston. It was proved 27: 8: 1647. The Laft [last] will & Teftament [Testament] of John Lowle Late of Newberry deceafed [deceased] made this nine & twentieth of the fowrth [forth] mounth 1647. That I John Lowle of Newberry beeing in Pfect [perfect] vnderstanding [understanding] knowing my ffrailty [frailty] doe [do] declare this to bee [be] my last will & Tefament [testament]; ftedfaftly [faithfully] beleiveing that when I goe [go] hence I shall reft [rest] … Read more

The History of Miscellaneous Salem House Lots

Henry West Lot Col. John Hathorne conveyed this lot to Henry West of Salem May 19, 1699. Mr. West died possessed of the lot in 1703, having devised it to his son Samuel West in his will, which, though well and strong, he made, “considering the many sudden deaths that are of late,” Feb. 3, 1700-1. The son Samuel built the house that subsequently occupied the site. John Higginson Lot Col. John Hathorne conveyed this lot to John Higginson, 3d, May 18, 1699. Mr. Higginson erected a house upon this lot, probably after 1700, and died possessed of it. Nathaniel … Read more

The Essex Antiquarian

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Old Norfolk County Massachusetts Records

May 17, 1654, Jno Ward of Haverhill and wife Alice conveyed to Elizabeth Lilford of Haverhill (wife of Tho: Lilford) 4-acre house lot. Wit: Richard Littlehale and Rich: Ormsby. Ack. before Tho: Wiggin May 15, 1658. April 22, 1659, Robert Swan of Haverhill and wife Elizabeth, for £r6, conveyed to John Jonson of Haverhill 6 acres of houselot I bought of Mathias Button, bounded by Theophilus Satchwell, etc. Wit: Richard Littlehale and Mary Littlehale. Ack. before Symon Bradstreet Oct. 13, 1661. Oct. 12, 1661, Obadiah Eyer (his mark) of Haverhill and wife Hannah, for £5 l0s., conveyed to John Jonson … Read more

John Hathorne House

John Hathorne House. This lot and all the lots between this and Summer street, north of the Corwin land, belonged to Ralph Fogg in 1659, the tract containing about two acres. Mr. Fogg returned to England, and established himself as a furrier, first in Plymouth, and subsequently in London. He died in England about March 15, 1673-4, leaving the real estate to his widow Susanna and his three sons, John, David and Ezekiel. At the request of the widow, the brothers being together in Boston May 28, 1674, David and Ezekiel released the real estate to John, who then resided … Read more

Jeremiah Rogers House

Jeremiah Rogers House. This lot was probably granted to Rev. Hugh Peter when he was settled as pastor of the church here in 1635. He probably lived in the house that was early erected on this lot. After the close of his ministry here he returned to England; and, 8: 12mo: 1659, by his attorney Charles Gott of Wenham, for twelve pounds, he conveyed the house and lot to Benjamin Felton of Salem; and about a year later was executed as a regicide upon the accession to the throne of Charles II. Mr. Felton conveyed the house and lot to … Read more

Genealogy of the Adams Family

Jonas Adams married Sarah Jefferds (both of Salem) (published July 5, 1729), and lived in Salem. His will was made Dec. 22, 1756; and proved May 16, 1757. He was a mariner, and after his death his widow conducted an inn. Her will was made March 20, 1780; and proved July 12, 1786. Children: Elizabeth Adams, baptized in First church Jan. 30, 1731-2 ; married Caleb Griffith of Salem April 24, 1755; and died before 1780. Sarah Adams, baptized in First church Jan. 30, 1731-2; d. young. Samuel Adams, baptized in First church March l0, 1733-4; and probably died before … Read more

Genealogy of Richard Bishop

Richard Bishop, of Salem was a husbandman. He married, first, before 1635, Dulzebella ____, who was born about 1607. She died in Salem 23 (24): 6: 1658; and he married, second, Mary Gould 22: 5: 1660. His wife Mary was born about 1611. He died in Salem 30: 10: 1674; and his widow Mary married Thomas Robbins March 11, 1674-5. Children: Mary Bishop, b. about 1635; m., first, probably, John Barnet (or Barbant) 18: 4: 1661; and, second, John Darling of Salem, fisherman, before 1680. She was living in 1686. Edward Bishop, baptized in Salem 23: 2: 1648. He was … Read more

Genealogy of Jonathan Biles

Jonathan Biles, born about 1646, lived in Beverly, being a house-carpenter by trade, but a yeoman as well. He was sworn a freeman 26: 9: 1678. He married, first, Elizabeth Patch Nov. 15, 1674, and she was his wife in 1696. He married, second, Margaret Cleaves May 3, 1716. He conveyed his house and some land to his son Nicholas Biles in 1719. He was living in 1727. Children, born in Beverly: Richard Biles, b. Nov. 8, 1675. Richard Biles, baptized in Beverly April 21, 1678. He was first a mariner, then weaver and husbandman, and lived in Gloucester until … Read more

Estate of George Corwin House

Estate of George Corwin House, and Estate of George Corwin and Jonathan Corwin Lots. These three lots contained four acres, and were a pasture belonging to Rev. Hugh Peter, the pastor of the First church in Salem, and subsequently a regicide, early in the settlement, probably having been granted to him by the town. After his return to England, he conveyed this pasture, by his attorney, Charles Gott of Wenham, to Capt. George Corwin of Salem, merchant, July 1, 1659. Captain Corwin died Jan. 3, 1684-5, aged seventy-four. This pasture was divided between his son Jonathan and the heirs of … Read more

Elizabeth Tawley House

The house and lot of Mrs. Elizabeth Tawley was originally the estate of Dr. George Emery, an early surgeon of Salem. He was living in Salem in 1637, owned this land in 1652, and lived in this house as early as 1657. May 1, 1677, in consideration of good will, he conveyed the house and lot to his kinswoman Elizabeth Tawley and her husband John Tawley, a mariner, the conveyance being made upon the condition that they maintain him during the remainder of his life. John Tawley died in 1690, and his widow Elizabeth and only child Elizabeth continued to … Read more

Beverly Massachusetts Inscriptions, Ancient Burying Ground

In Memory of Mrs Mercy Thorndike, the confort of Capt. Israel Thorndike who departed this Life October 20th 1783 Æ 27. An amiable difpofition–a benevolent heart Undiffembled affections–and focial virtues adorned her life. She’s gone! the’s paft the gloomy thades of night Safe landed in the eternal realms of light. ALSO of Israel Thorndike son of Capt. Israel and Mrs Mercy Thorndike who departed this Life Novr 2d 1782 Æ. 2 Years. Here lies ye Body of Capt John Thorndick who Departed this Life March ye 24th 1760 In ye 86th Year of his Age. In Memory of Mrs John … Read more

Ambrose Family Genealogy

The name of AMBROSE is also spelled in Essex county records Ambros and Ambross. The first of the name here was HENRY AMBROSE, born about 1613. He lived in Hampton, N. H., from 1640 to 1649, when he removed to Salisbury. He subsequently removed to Charlestown about 1652, to Boston in 1653 or 1654; and returned to Salisbury, where he died in 1658. He was made a freeman May 18, 1642; and was a house carpenter by trade. His wife Susannah survived him, and married, secondly, John Severance of Salisbury before 1664; being alive in 1670. Children: Samuel Ambrose, bapt. … Read more