Gloucester Massachusetts

Essex County Massachusetts Probate Records 1675-1681

Sample Last Will and Testament

The “Governor and Company of Massachusetts Bay” established a judicial system in 1628, with a General Court in Boston and quarterly courts in major towns like Salem and Ipswich by 1635. These courts managed probate matters, and after Essex County’s formation in 1643, individual probate courts were later established in 1692. These are the probate records from 1675 to 1681, sourced from various original documents, including detailed wills and estate settlements.

Essex County Massachusetts Probate Records 1665-1674

Sample Last Will and Testament

The “Governor and Company of Massachusetts Bay” established a judicial system in 1628, with a General Court in Boston and quarterly courts in major towns like Salem and Ipswich by 1635. These courts managed probate matters, and after Essex County’s formation in 1643, individual probate courts were later established in 1692. These are the probate records from 1665 to 1674, sourced from various original documents, including detailed wills and estate settlements.

Essex County Massachusetts Probate Records 1635-1664

Sample Last Will and Testament

The “Governor and Company of Massachusetts Bay” established a judicial system in 1628, with a General Court in Boston and quarterly courts in major towns like Salem and Ipswich by 1635. These courts managed probate matters, and after Essex County’s formation in 1643, individual probate courts were later established in 1692. These are the probate records from 1635 to 1664, sourced from various original documents, including detailed wills and estate settlements.

Early Records and Notes of the Brown Family

Early Records and Notes of the Brown Family

This is not a compiled genealogy, but rather, a compilation of notes, facts, and genealogies concerning the various early Brown families of the towns of Andover, Ipswich, Hamilton, Reading, Boston-Tewksbury, Cambridge, Charlestown, Chelmsford, Gloucester, Hampton NH, Haverhill, Salem, Watertown, Rowley, Sudbury, and Salisbury. Charlotte Helen Abbott compiled a series of volumes on early families of New England called the “Abbott Genealogies.” This is volume 7 of the series.

Ancestry of Elmer C. Packard of Brockton Massachusetts

Elmer C. Packard

The Packard family has held a significant presence in New England for nearly 275 years, tracing its origins to Samuel Packard, an early settler in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. The lineage includes prominent figures, such as Elmer C. Packard, who succeeded his father, Ellis Packard, in a successful grain and coal business in Brockton. The family has deep roots in various trades and public service, with Elmer continuing the legacy through active community involvement and progressive business practices.

Ancestry of Charles Oliver Emerson of Brockton and Rockland, Massachusetts

Charles Oliver Emerson, treasurer of the Emerson Shoe Company, of Rockland, Mass., one who has been prominently identified with the shoe manufacturing industry for a number of years, is a native of what at the time of his birth, July 14, 1856, was known as the town of North Bridgewater, now the city of Brockton, Mass., where he resides. He is a son of the late John Oliver Emerson and his wife, Caroline Augusta Packard, and is descended from historic old New England ancestry on both the paternal and maternal sides.

Hough Family of New Bedford, Massachusetts

The Hough family of New Bedford, Massachusetts, traces its roots to William Hough, an English carpenter who settled in Gloucester before moving to New London, Connecticut, in the mid-17th century. Notable descendants include Dr. George T. Hough, a distinguished physician and city physician in New Bedford, and his son, Garry de Neuville Hough, who continued the medical legacy. George Anthony Hough, another descendant, made his mark in journalism and public service. The family’s contributions to medicine and local governance highlight their significant role in the community’s history.

Descendants of David E. Harding of Mansfield, MA

David E. Harding, born May 6, 1826, in Mansfield, MA, was a prominent businessman and manufacturer, known for his leadership in local industry and public affairs. Descended from early American settlers, he played a significant role in the Cooperative Bank and the National Bank of Mansfield. A member of the Congregational Church, he was dedicated to community service. Harding married Frances Rogers and had three children, contributing to a legacy of education and public service within the family. He passed away on February 4, 1909.

Ashley Family of New Bedford, MA

The Ashley family, among Rochester’s early settlers, traces its roots to Joseph Ashley and his descendants. Key figures in this lineage include Joshua B. Ashley, a prominent New Bedford businessman, and his son, Charles Sumner Ashley, who served multiple terms as mayor. Charles’s political career showcased his dedication to public service, earning him considerable popularity and influence in the community. His leadership spanned over a decade, reflecting his commitment to New Bedford’s growth and prosperity, as well as his strong connections within social circles.

Free Massachusetts Vital Records

Vital Records of Bellingham Massachusetts to 1850

This is a collection of free vital records books for Massachusetts towns, most of them known as “Tan Books.” Generally, these records go up to 1850 at which, the genealogist can use the census records to assist in identifying the family connections further. They’re called “tan books” because they were bound by tan cloth. Included with this article is an account of why and how these manuscripts were published along with links to all 274 Massachusetts vital record books which can be freely read.

Genealogy of Jonathan Biles

Jonathan Biles, born around 1646 in Beverly, was a carpenter and yeoman. He became a freeman in 1678 and married Elizabeth Patch in 1674, later marrying Margaret Cleaves in 1716. He had several children, including Richard, who became a mariner, and Jonathan, who lived until 1763. His descendants include mariners, a cordwainer, and landholders in Gloucester and Beverly. The Biles family’s involvement in various trades and their established presence in these communities is noted through generations of descendants.

Biography of Walter G. Tyzzer, M.D.

Dr. Walter G. Tyzzer, born on August 8, 1863, in Wakefield, Massachusetts, became a notable physician and surgeon in St. Louis. After graduating from Barnes Medical College in 1903, he served as superintendent of Mayfield Hospital for two decades and contributed to medical advancements in India and China. Committed to both healthcare and church activities, he was a leader in the St. Louis Baptist Association. Married in 1886, he had three children, and his late wife Emily was honored through the naming of a hospital in India.

Biography of Joseph Reed Burgess

Joseph Reed Burgess, born on May 21, 1893, in Rockland, is a prominent educator in Hampden County and Western Massachusetts. After graduating from Harvard and the Bridgewater Normal School, he served in various educational roles, including principal positions in Eastham, Sanford, and Gloucester, before becoming the superintendent of schools in Monson. A respected leader in the teaching community, he is also active in local fraternal organizations. Burgess married Doris R. Price in 1921, and they have one son, Price Bradford.

Biographical Sketch of Christopher Avery

Christopher Avery, born in England around 1590, emigrated to New England in the early 1630s, possibly accompanying Governor Winthrop. His early years were spent in Gloucester, Massachusetts, where he held several public offices. In 1658, he moved to Boston before eventually settling in New London, Connecticut, in 1665. Although there are varying accounts of his origins, it is noted that his wife and most of his children remained in England, leaving him to establish his family line in America. Avery died on March 12, 1679.

Biographical Sketch of James Avery

James Avery, born circa 1620 in England, was the sole recorded child of Christopher Avery and the founder of the Avery family in Groton, Connecticut. He immigrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony and lived initially in Gloucester before settling in New London. Prominent in public life, he held various military and civic positions. He married Joanna Greenslade in 1643 and had nine children, several of whom married into other notable families, furthering the Avery legacy in the region.