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.

The Amidon Family of Rehoboth, MA

The Amidon Family

The Amidon Family genealogy book details the lineage of Roger Amadowne, a French Huguenot who fled to England and later to America after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. Documented in Salem, Massachusetts in 1637, variations of his surname include Amadon, Amidown, and Ammidon. The work, organized with biographical sketches and two helpful indexes, presents the family’s history and is richly illustrated. Originally published in 1904, it serves as a valuable resource for descendants and historians alike.