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William Hartwell |
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Jasan |
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William Hartwell was born about 1613, according to his age (seventy-seven) at the time of his death on March 12, 1690 MA64. William was said to have been the father of William, John, Samuel, Jonathan, Nathaniel, and Martha SH23, but only John, Samuel, and Marthe Hartwell had births that were recorded in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. William, Jonathan, and Nathaniel Hartwell were not mentioned in his will and records pertaining to these individuals were not located. William Hartwell was one of the first settlers of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, as he was a resident as early as 1636 SH23. According to the Records of Littleton, Massachusetts, William Hartwell and his wife Susan were residents of Concord in 1636, but this account also stated that Susan died in 1673 and that William second married “Jassin or Jassea” who died at age sixty-five years in 1695 SA17. If Susan existed, perhaps her death year of “1673” should have been “1637”. Perhaps the name Jasan was misread as “Susan”. Jazan, the widow of William Hartwell, was about eighty-seven when she died in 1695 AM1, MA26. This source (Records of Littleton, Massachusetts) should be treated critically, because it included over a page of corrections just for the Hartwell family alone SA17. This source also stated that he was the father of William, who was born in 1638 and who later became the father of another William who was born on December 22, 1678, but the correction to this statement in that same source referred back to the footnote of the Concord Registers. Concord, Massachusetts Births, Marriages, and Deaths. 1635-1850 for the birth record of William, who was actually probably the son of John (who was the son of this William) SA17. Thus, the evidence that an individual named William Hartwell who was the son of William Hartwell of Concord (the subject of this biographical sketch) has not been uncovered.
“Willi: Hartwell” took the oath of fidelity and was made a freeman of the colony on May 18, 1642 SH18, PA23. William Hartwell and Richard Hildreth were amongst the twenty-nine signers of a petition to the General Court for a grant of land which was six miles square sometime prior to May 19, 1653 WA41. This petition was transcribed by Reverend Wilson Waters who stated that it had been amongst the documents owned by Lemuel Shattuck WA41. This land petition was eventually called Chelmsford, Massachusetts. A copy of Reverend Wilson Waters’ transcription has been provided WA41:
To the honourd John Endicot Esqr. Gouvnr: with the reste: of the honord Magistrats and deputies at the Generall Courte now at Boston Assembled: humbly Sheweth: That whereas we your humble petitioners: who made bould the last Court Assembled to present a petition: to the Vew of this honoured Courte which was eccepted and Granted to Vs: for which we giue the Courte hmbl thankes and beinge jncoraged by this Courte to Vew the Land that Lyeth yet Vndisposed of and Vnimprooued: on the other side Concord Riuer acordingly we haue by a Comity taken care and paynes to doe, with seuerall others: that by the prouidenc of god: are now joyned petitioners: with us: who Vpon our Vewinge the lands as abousaid doe find a tracke of land: which bordereth Vpon the Riuer Merimake: nere to paatooket, which we doe find: a Very Comfortable place to acomidate A company of gods people Vpon: that may with gods blessinge and Asistance Liue Comfortably Vpon: and doe good in or places for church and Comon wealth, which many of Vs your petitioners are throw our nesisitys for wante of acomidationes some neuer haueing any and some others: but Very Litle a Comidation soe yt we canot subsiste excepte we doo take some care to Looke out in away or god for our Comfortable Subsistance, and now we yr humble petitioners doe intreate this honoured Courte for our Comfortable Suply: would please to grante to Vs soe much land: as may be Comfortable for a plantatione: which we conceiue may there be Layed out to the quantity of six myles Square of Vpland and medow: which parcell of land: we doe intreate may be gin at merimacke Riuer at a necke of land nere to Concord riuer: and soe run Vp by Concord: riuer. South and west into the Contrie, to make Vp that sircomferenc or quantity of land as is aboue expresed: and for as much as many of yr petitioners are in greate nesesity haueinge no setled place to abide in and we all in Generall beinge desirous to proseed as one man together to cary on that worke the lord shall call Vs to and this honered Courte shall in ther cristian wisdom Directe Vs in Tharefore we humbly entreate this honord Courte to Gratifie yr humble petitioners with a speedy and expresed anser so shall you euer bind Vs to Serue you wherein you shall command
Your humble Seruantes,
Benjamin Butterfeilde Richard Griffin
John Parker James Blood
Isac Lerned: John Smedley
James Parker Roger Draper
George ffarley William ffletcher
Thomas Chamberlin Thomas Adams
Joseph Parker William Hartwell
John Sternes Robert Proctor
Jacob Parker William Butricke
Henery Foster Babtis Smedley
William Chamberlin Richard Hildreth
John Nutinge: Thomas Briggam
Edmonde Chamberlin Daniell Bloggett
John Baldinge John Hall
William Hall
The magists Desier theire bretheren the Deputs to Consider of this peticon @ retourne theire thoughts first about it 19 may (53).
Edward Rawson Sec
On March 7, 1654 (perhaps 1654/5), the men of Concord divided the town into three sections (which they called quarters), selected overseers for each section, and outlined the duties of the overseers for each quarter SH23. They selected William Hartwell and Ensign Wheeler to be overseers for the east quarter, George Wheeler, James Hosmer, George Heaward, and Sergeant Buss to be overseers for the south quarter, and John Smedley and Thomas Batman to be overseers for the north quarter SH23. The duties of the overseers have been provided below SH23:
We doe choose overseeres in ech quarter for the faithful performance of there duty in that case all particulers, so far as may conduce for the profit and good of there quarters, as to make rates to pay workmen and to see that all persons come in seasonable time and keepe them to there bisiness faithfully, and keep accounts and so see the worke suffisiently done; and they are impoured [empowered] to call fitt men and cattle in there quarter to the worke and pay them there wages; and if any shall refeuse to attend these nesery workes there names shall be returned to the selectmen of the towne, who shall impose findes according to law upon all such ofenders in that case. Also the overseeres as aforesaid shall keep an exact account of there owne time expended, and shall have suffisient satisfaction for the same.
The names of William Hartwell and George Wheeler were on a petition to the General Court to grant them “ease in the charge” of the bridges within Concord MA70:
To the Right Wor[shipfu]ll the Governor, deputy, and Assistants wth the rest of the Members of the honored Generall Cort mett at Boston Octobr 18th 1659 the Humble Petition & declaracon of the Inhabitants of the Towne of Concord
Humbly Sheweth, that whereas there was an order made by the honored Court that each County should mainteyne the bridges wthin it that are County bridges, And wee understand, that there was something since Concluded in the Court concerning the severall Townes in this County of Middlesex bearing the Charges of the bridges wthin their bounds, except Mystick bridge, & that which is betweene Billerekay [Billerica] and Chelmsford, which wee yor Petitioners here never consented unto, and therefore have divers times made of Complaint to our County Cort concerning it, but not being there releived but referred by them to the consideracon of this honored Court. Wee therefore humbly Intreat that our Condition in this respect may bee seriously weighted and that wee may have such releife as this prsent Court shall in their wisedome Judge Just & equall for us to receive. And that the honored Court may the better discerne, what the Charge hath beene, & is like to bee about the County bridges in o[u]r Towne, bee pleased hereby to understand that the length of the Archworke of these bridges over the Rivers which at prsent is & hereafter must be is about sixty rods besides all the other Charges about them, & severall other smaller bridges which frequently need repaires; For ease in the charge whereof wee humbly crave yor helpe, And yor Petitioners shall pray for the gracious prsence of the Lord wth you in all yor weighty occasions.
Edward Bulkely
Timothy Wheeler
Robert Fletcher
George Wheeler
Willm Hartwell
Thomas Wheeler
He and Timothy Wheeler were appointed to be overseers of the roads for the east quarter of Concord in 1663 through 1664 DE27. Lemuel Shattuck stated that William Hartwell owned 241 acres which were distributed across twenty different parcels in the east quarter of Concord along Bedford Road in 1666 SH23. The Concord Town Records described the bounds and acreage of his various of land on December 26, 1666 CO43. A tally of the below-mentioned acreage distributed across twenty lots indicates that he owned over 250 total acres, and a transcription of the description of these parcels follow CO43:
26: 10: 1666
William Heartwell Imp[rimis] his house lott containing nine acres bounded upon the west by Nathaniel Ball upon the south by the mill brooke, upon the north by Joshua wheeler upon the east by [the remainder of this phrase was unfinished]
It[em] ten acres of upland, bounded upon the east by Edward wright, upon the south by Samuel Hartwel and Joshua Wheeler, upon the north by William Taylor upon the west by undevided land
It[em] foure acres in the Crane field, bounded upon the north by William Taylor, upon the west by the high=way, upon the east by James Taylor
It[em] five acres of upland bounded upon the north by James Taylor, upon the south by Mr Edward Bulkely, upon the south east by undevided land
It[em] seven acres near Chestnut field, bounded upon the south by James Taylor, upon the north by undevided land, upon the west by the high way to Chestnut field the east end near elme brooke swampe
It[em] three acres in Chestnut field, bounded upon the east by Mrs Flints pond upon the south by Lieut Joseph Wheler
It[em] five acres of medow in Rocky medow and one acre of upland at the west side of it bounded upon the west by his owne second division land, upon the south by Thomas Burgas, upon the east by Richard Rice, upon the north by Joshua Brooke and Caleb Brooke
It[em] foure acres of medow bounded upon the south by Richard Rice his medow, upon the north by Nathaniel Stows medow: upon the east and west by his owne upland
It[em] two acres of medow and halfe an acre of upland joyning to it upon the south; bounded upon the west by Luke Potter his meadow, upon the south by the brick kill iland [island], upon the east by Lieu Joseph Wheelers medow
It[em] foure acres of medow in elme brooke medow and halfe an acre of upland at pine hill joyning to it, and halfe an acre of upland at the north end of it, bounded upon the east by Luke Potters medow, upon the southwest by John Meriams medow, upon the south east by the pine hill, upon the nor west by undevided Land
It[em] foure acres and a halfe of upland and meadow, bounded upon the east by John Farewels medow, upon the west by Francis Fletcher, upon the north by Thomas Whelers medow, upon the south by the cart way to ye brick kill island
It[em] thirteen acres of meadow in elmebrooke medow, bounded upon the north by Mr Robert Meriams upland and swampe, upon the east by George Meriam James Taylor and Moses Wheat, upon the west by Christopher Woolleys medow, upon the south by an iland undevided land
It[em] nine acres of upland and swampe, bounded upon the west by medow belonging to Humphrey Barat, upon the south by swampe and medow belonging to Moses Wheat upon the north by Samuell Heartwel, upon the east by undevided land
His second division lands, imp[rimis], thirty three acres, bounded upon the south by Thomas Burgas a smale [small] runne of water in the line betwen them part of the way upon the north by William Taylor Joshua Brooke and Nathaniel Ball, upon the west by the highway to the bay, and upon the east by his owne medow
It[em] seventy and two acres, bounded upon the south by the upland and medow of Richard Rice, upon the north by Nathaniel Stow, upon the south east by the bounds line, upon the west by Moses Wheat and Thomas Burgas
It[em] forty six acres upon the hill near hogpen brooke, and bounded upon the south by the said brooke, bounded upon the west by Thomas Wheeler, upon the east by Nathaniell Stow, upon the north by undevided land
It[em] eight acres upon elme brooke hill, bounded upon the west by Joshua Brooke, upon the east by Francis Fletcher and John Farewel, upon the south by Nathaniel Stow. upon the north by the way to the bay
It[em] two acres upon pine hill, bounded upon the west by Nathaniel Stow, upon the north and east by Thomas Wheeler, upon the south by John Farewel
It[em] six acres near the place caled the meting house frame, bounded upon the n [probably “north”, but this word appeared to be unfinished or faded away] by Mr Robert Meriam, upon the south by James Taylor, upon the west by the high way to Mrs Flints farme, upon the east by undevided land
It[em] five acres and a halfe in the ox pasture, bounded upon the south by Francis [the center of this name was rubbed away] Fletcher his medow, upon the north by John Farewell, upon the east by the ox pasture way upon the west by [the ending of this phrase was unfinished]
William “Heartwell” was a member of a committee in 1672 with nine additional men of Concord; this committee was responsible for creating a document which outlined “seventeen articles of instruction” which was presented to the selectmen of Concord, which stated CO43:
Instructiones given to the selectmen of Concord for the year; 1672
1. To see that the ministers Rates be discharged acording to time
2. To acsamen [examine] whether the metinghouse, be finised acording to agreement, & if not, that it may be; but if the agreement be fulfiled, then to take cear [care] that somthing be done to keep the water out, and that the pulpet be allred [perhaps “altred” or “altered”]
3. That cear be taken of the bookes of marters [this may have referred to John Foxe’s Book of Martyrs] & other bookes, that belong to the Towne, that they be kept from abouce [perhaps “abusive”, which was the transcription provided by Lemuel Shattuck SH23] uesage, & not be lent to any person more then one month at one time,
4. That spedy kere [speedy care] be taken to mend or demales [probably “demolish”], the foote bridg over the north Rver [River] at the Iron workes;
5. To treat with Capt Thomas wheler about his leese of the Townes farme & if it may be upon Resonable termes to alter that perticuler wherein the Towne is In Jaloyned [these two words might have meant “enjoined”] to send such anomber of cattle yearly to be herded by him;
6. To let out the land & housing where now John law dweles; for the benifet of the towne,
7. To take order that all Corne filds [fields] be sufficently fenced in seson, the Crane fild and brik keld [perhaps brick kiln] field especially;
8. And that incorigment [encouragement] be given for the destroing [destroying] of blackeburds and Jaies;
9. That speciall cear be taken to prevent damiag by swine, in towne fieldes & medow
10. That shepe & lames [lambs] be keept from doing damiag in cornefields;
11. To make a Record of all the habitationes, that are priviledged with liberty at Comones [Commons];
12. To take account of the laste yeares selectmen for what is don, to the Towne by Reent by John law, or by giuft by Joseph meriam; or otherwise of wright dew [due] to the Towne, not to Restraine the selectment from lenity [leniency] towards John law;
13. To see that menes lands both Improved & unimproved be truly broth [perhaps “brought”]
14. To take care that undesiarable persones be not entertained; so as to become inhabitan
15. To take cere that p[er]sones doe not over Charge ther Comones with Cattle,
16. That all p[er]sones that have taken the oath of fidellity be Recorded,
17. That cere be taken that Cattle be herded, as much as may be, with convenenc
These perticolirs were agreed upon by we whose names are under writen dated 4 · 1 mo · 1671/1672 nehamia · hunt; John Flint; John miles; will[iam] Heartwell; Tho[ma]s wheler Joshuah brook Joseph; heaward; Gershom Brooke; Humpry barit John Billings
On October 15, 1673, the court appointed then quartermaster Henry Woodis to fill the vacant Cornet position in Thomas Wheeler’s troop, and subsequently appointed “Corporall Willjam Hartwell” to succeed Henry Woodis as quartermaster of Captain Thomas Wheeler’s troop SH21.
William wrote his will on December 19, 1689 which mentioned his sons, John and Samuel, his wife, Jesan, his son-in-law, Jonathan Hill, his daughter, Mary Hill (and her five children), his deceased daughter, Sarah (and her two sons, Benjamin and John), and two children of his son, Samuel, who were William (Samuel’s second son) and Mary MA64. Finally, he named two overseers to his will, one of whom he called his cousin; this was Francis Fletcher MA64. It is unclear how he was related to Francis Fletcher, other than the fact that the sister of his daughter-in-law married Francis Fletcher. In other words, his son, Samuel Hartwell, married Ruth Wheeler, and she had a sister named Elizabeth Wheeler, who married Francis Fletcher.
His will also stated that he wanted his wife, Jasan, to “give to the two Eldest son[n]es of ye said John & Samuell all ye Armor belonging to my Trooping horse wth the bridle & saddle, to be as equally divided between them as may be” MA64. He further stated that his sons, John and Samuell, should pay four shillings to each of the trumpeters of the troop instead of giving them his sword, because he wanted to bequeath his sword to one of his grandchildren MA64. A transcription of his will has been provided MA64:
I William Hartwell of Concord in the County of Middlesex in the Massachusets Colony, being at present weake in Body, but of perfect Memory doe make this my Last will & Testament in manner following: First I com[m]it my soule into the hands of God, trusting in his Grace through Jesus Christ that he will receive it to himselfe, when he pleaseth to take me out of this world, & my body to be decently Buryed, hoping for the resurrection thereof at the apperance of Christ to Judgment, to eternall life: And as for that outward Estate which God hath beene pleased to give me; I having already disposed to my Eldest son[n]e John by deed of gift to the number of an hundred & foure acres of Upland and Meadow or thereabouts, as by the said deed of gift may appeare, of which hee is possessed, & having also by ye like deed of gift given an hundred acres to my younger son[n]e Samuel, seventy three of which hundred hee is already possessed of. My will is that hee shall have to make up the said hunded acres twenty seven acres of Upland out of my Land which lyeth neare Mr Ephraim Flynts his [the previous word was smudged and uncertain] great Meadow, which said twenty seven acres shall be of that which lyeth nearest the meeting house, & for the rest of my Lands & estate my will is that they be disposed of, as followeth. I dispose to my Eldest son[n]e John all my parcell of Land in the brick-kiln Field, & six acres of upland more or lesse lying neare a pond adioyning to some land at my son[n]e Samuel, & to some of Mr Hoares Land on the North-East: also five acres of land in Cranefeild bounded wth Christopher Wooleys Land on the North, Sergeant Wheelers on the West, & wth Land given to my sonne Samuell Easterly. Also foure acres more in Crane feild, bounded on ye South-East wth Sergeant Wheelers Land, wth Deacon Luke Potters on ye South west, wth William Taylers on ye North west, & wth John Myriams on ye North east. Also I give my said son[n]e seven acres of meadow being part of thirteene acres Lying beyond Cranefeild adjoyning to John Myriams Land on ye North; And also two thirds of my Land lying in the Oxe [Ox] Pasture adjoyning to Francis Fletcher his meadow on ye south: Also fifty acres of Upland more or lesse fro[m] ye Bay path to Mr Ephraim Flynts great Meadow, part of it adjoyning to Nathaneel Stows Land on ye East side. Also an acre & three quarters of Land in Cedar Swampe: All this to be enioyed by him & his heyres & assignes for ever, after myne & my wifes decease; except, my wife surviving me shall have need to sell any parcell or parcells thereof for her supply wth convenient maintena[n]ce, wch I give her power to doe as is hereafter expressed. Also I bequeath to my son[n]e Samuel, & to his heyres & Assignes for ever my prsent dwelling house & house-lot wth ye other Buildings upon it, Two acres & an halfe of broken up land. & the other halfe of ye little swampe before mentioned, wth a little peice of meadow about two acres wth ye Upland adjoyning to it upon ye playne behind ye Hills adjoyning to that of which hee is already possessed. Also six acres of meadow adjoyning to the seven given to my son[n]e John as is before exprssed, & foure acres of Upland adjoyning to it on ye South: Also five acres of upland more or Lesse at ye end of ye Bounds not yet layd out lying towards Mr Lawes [the previous surname is uncertain and may state “Lanes”] farme. Also six acres of Upland more or Lesse upon the old meeting house-frame-swampe adioyning to Deacon Myriams Land on ye North, & to James Taylers on the South, Also three acres in Chesnut feild adioyning to Mr Ephraim Flynts pond on the West. Also ye other third part of my Land in the oxe Pasture adioyning next to John Farewells Land: Also three acres of Upland more or lesse lying behind the Hill bounded by the Land which he had of his father in law George Wheeler on the South, by the Land of my son[n]e John, on the North, [the next two words appear to be crossed out] by the Land of Samuel Jones on ye Southwest, & adjoyning to the Pond which ye East quarter gave him the said Samuel my son[n]e, Also foure acres of Meadow in the great Meadow, adioyning to that acre of which hee is already possessed, so that my Will is that hee have all the five acres, bounded by Eliphalet Foxe on ye South, by William Baker on ye North, & the great River on ye West, & the Upland on the East, Also on Acre in Cedar Swampe, Also I bequeath to him all my right & Interest in the additionall tract of Land given by the Generall Cort to the Towne, com[m]only called the Village: All these Parcells of Land abovesaid not to be enioyed by my said Son[n]es John & Samuel till after the Decease of my beloved wife Jesan, except the twenty seven acres to make up the hundred given to my son[n]e Samuel. It being my will that my said wife shall have & hold the said house & house lott & all the Parcells before expressed for her use and maintenance during the terme of her life in Case shee survive me, & I doe hereby give her power to sell any parcell or parcells of the said Lands except the house [a small word was either smudged or crossed out here] lot, & that which is neare to it, in Case shee shall need to sell them for her supply, provided that shee sell not more out of that given to one son[n]e then out of that given to the others Also I Leave to my said wife all my Cattle, horses, & other living Creatures for her owne Use during her life, & for the satisfaction of any debts that I may be in at the time of my death, & the payment of ye charges of my buryall. And at her death, what is not before disposed of for the ends before mentioned, then to be disposed of to the children of my said son[n]es [two to four words have been scribbled out here] or the worth of them equally. Also I leave to my said wife all my wearing apparell for her to dispose of. for her owne comfort if shee please, or else to Divide them betweene my said son[n]es John & Samuel; only my desire is that shee give one Garment to my son[n]e in Law Jonathan Hill; Also I desire her to give to the two Eldest son[n]es of ye said John & Samuell all ye Armor belonging to my Trooping horse wth the bridle & saddle, to be as equally divided between them as may be. And whereas the sword of officers in a Troope is usually the Trumpeters of ye Troope, my will & desire is yt my son[n]es John & Samuell pay unto each of ye Trumpetters of ye Troope foure shillings in stead of ye said sword, wch I desire may be kept for one of my grandchildren as aforesaid. the said foure shillings to be payd to each of them at ye time of my buryal. Also my will is that my son[n]e Samuels second son[n]e Called William shall have my fowling peice when he comes to the Age of Twenty & one yeares; Also I bequeath to my said wife all ye moveables in my house during her life for her use. And after her death to my daughter Mary; And my will is that none of those be sold for my wifes supply; only I p[ar]ticularly bequeath a little Iron pot to my Grandchild Mary, ye Daughter of my son[n]e Samuel: Also my will is that if ye mooveables in ye house given to my Daughter Mary Hill amount not at my wifes decease to the sum[m]e of forty pounds, then ye said sum[m]e of forty pounds is to be made up to her by my two son[n]es John & Samuel equally. Also I bequeath to my two grandchildren by my daughter Sarah deceased as followeth. To my grandson Benjamin one pound ten shillings, & to my grandson John ten shillings to be paid to them by my son[n]es John & Samuel, in equall proportion at the end of two yeares after the said Lands come into their hands by my wifes decease; If they shall not take this left them thankfully, but complayne, my will is that they shall have nothing at all. Also I leave all my utensills for husbandry & edge tooles (which I doe not include in ye moveables given to my Daughter Mary Hill) to my said wife & to her dispos [the previous word may have stated “disposal”, but the end was obscured by a crease] before or at her decease. I also bequeath my three bookes of Mr Burroughs his [the previous word is uncertain] workes to my said two son[n]es & my said Daughter Mary Hill; to each of them one. Also my will is that my son[n]e Samuel pay to each of my five Grandchildren by my Daughter Hill ten shillings wthin the space of two yeares after the Estate I [the next word is blurred an in a crease] by Leave him cometh into his possession. I also doe desire my son[n]e Samuel according to his [pro]mise made before severall Wittnesses to take good care of his Aged mother, & to be helpefull to her in the management of her co… [the remainder of this word is blurred and located within a crease; it may have stated “concerns”] for her comfort; he living most conveniently for it. Also I earnestly desire my said two son[n]es John & Samuel, & as their fathers charge, them to main [this may have meant “remain”] in mutuall helpefullnes each to other: And lastly I doe hereby appoint my [a word here may be missing but it is too blurred and is in a crease] written beloved wife, & my son[n]es John & Samuel ye executors of this my Last will & Testament, & my much respected Freinds Deacon Luke Potter & my Cosen Francis Fletcher overseers of ye Same. In wittnesse whereof I the said William Hartwell have hereunto sett my hand & seale this nineteenth day of December in the yeare of our Lord one thousand six hundred eight & nine.
Signed, sealed, & published by William Hartwell as his Last Will & Testament in the presence of.
Jonathan Proscott
John Meriam
Samuel How
William Hartwell was called “ye Husband of Jazan his wife” in his Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts death record, which stated that he “dyed march ye 12th 1689. Alias 1690” (March 12, 1689/90) MA26. His will was exhibited in a county court held in Cambridge on April 15, 1690 by his executors and was attested upon oath by the witnesses who signed MA64. An inventory of his estate was conducted by John Smedly, Eleazar Bull, and Eliphelet Fox on March 29, 1690, and stated “This is a trew Inuintary of william Hartwelle : Estat : who dyed in.th.. 77 year of his age : one the Twelueth · of march 1690” MA64. This inventory was particularly tidy and laid out in a straightforward fashion, with excellent handwriting MA64. His land was appraised at 183 pounds, and the total value of his estate was worth 308 pounds, fourteen shillings, and four pence, of which a bit over three pounds was due in debts MA64. Jazan Heartwell made her mark on this inventory, and John and Samuell Hartwell made oath to the inventory on June 17, 1690 in court MA64. A transcription of his estate, excluding the valuation of each line item, has been provided below MA64:
1ly: Bible: and : Bookes:
2ly: His wearing Cloaths.
3ly: His Arms
4ly: Beads [beds]: and fornetuir. [furniture]
5ly: Table and fornetuer.
6ly: Corn : Hops and Bags.
7ly: putor [pewter]
8:ly: in Brase [brass] and Bell mettell
9ly: Pilyon Flax: and wooll
10ly: In Iron
11ly: ould Card and wheels
12ly: Glasses Smothing [smoothing] iron : and frieng [frying] pan
13ly: Cattill and Swine
14ly: housing
15ly: Sadill and Bridell:
16ly Lands
17ly: in Lumber
Jasan was born about the year 1608, according to her deposition given on May 11, 1675, in which she (as “Jezan Hartwell”) stated that she was “aged 67 yeares or there abouts” AM1. She was the mother of Sarah, Samuel, Marthe (Mary), and likely of John Hartwell.
Sarah Hartwell married Benjamin Parker on April 18, 1661 in Billerica, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; this record was also said to have appeared in the Woburn records MA26. Sarah and Benjamin Parker were the parents of five children whose births were recorded in Billerica, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. These were Benjamin Parker, born on June 29, 1662, John Parker, who was born on December 3, 1663 and died five days later on December 8, Samuel Parker, born on November 19, 1664, John Parker, born on March 17, 1667/8, and Samuel Parker, born on September 26, 1670 MA26. A death record for Samuel Parker, the son of Benjamin and Sarah, indicated that he died in Billerica on December 1, 1670 MA26, which complicated matters. Normally if a child from that timeframe died, the parents may choose to give their next child that same name, but this death record (assuming it was entered and transcribed correctly) makes it seem as though Benjamin and Sarah simultaneously had two sons with the name Samuel, and one of them died two months after the second Samuel was born. It is possible that that there was an error in the birth date for the second Samuel or the death date for the first Samuel. Alternatively, the first Samuel may have died but the death record was lost, and then Sarah and Benjamin had another son, whom they named Samuel, who also died. Sarah’s husband, Benjamin, may have been the Benjamin Parker whose death on January 17, 1671/2 was recorded in the Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts records MA26.
Sarah Parker, the daughter of William and Jezan Hartwell, died as a widow on July 8, 1674 AM1. Her father, William, was owed twelve pounds by her estate for “keeping” her son, John Parker, who was at that time two years and five months old AM1. The inventory of the estate of Sarah Parker, who died on July 8, 1674, was conducted on April 20, 1675 by Robert Meriam and Eliphelet Fox and was appraised at thirteen pounds and nineteen shillings; it included AM1:
wearing apparrell… mony [six pence]… Bedding… Two Boxes & one chest… one Iron pott & Tram[m]ell… one pair of Tongs & fire shovel… smoothing Iron… two Keelers & a wheele… A Frying pan… A Brass Kettle & skillett… Flax & yarne… six Trenchers & a Cheese fatt…. One pound of cotton Woole… one axe… Two pewter platters & two pottingers [this word is a variation on the word “porringer”]… four spoones 2 small Glasses & two Gally potts [probably “gallipots”, which usually are small ceramic or glazed vessels]… sheeps Wool… her fathers land… Lumber…
The Estate indebted to M W Hartwell for keeping John Parker the younger son of the sd Sarah about two yeares & five months: [twelve pounds]
Given away by the Deceased of her apparrell
To her mother to the value of [ten shillings and six pence]
To her sister Hill of Bilerica as is attested by her mother & Isabel Taylor [two pounds and ten shillings]
The testimony of Jezan Hartwell and Isabell Taylour on May 11, 1675 before Simon Willard stated AM1:
Jezan Hartwell aged 67 yeares or there abouts, & Isabell Taylour aged 60 years or thereabouts, Testifyes: That Sarah Parker, Widow, daughter of William Hartwell & the said Jezan some few dayes before her death, having the use of her understanding, did will (Verbally:) that such of her apparell as was fitt to bee improoved for her children, should bee for them: & that the rest shee did give & bequeath unto her sister, the wife of Jonathan Hill of Bilerica, & perticularly shee named two peticoates & a wescoat wch shee gave unto her said sister : This is the substance of what shee spoke in reference to the premises, wch wee both doe perfectly remember.
Sarah was called the deceased daughter of William Hartwell in his will, dated December 19, 1689, which also mentioned her two sons, Benjamin and John MA64. Their surnames were not included in the will MA64.
John Hartwell, the son of “willm Hartwell”, was born on the “23°. (12°.) 1640” (February 23, 1640/1) in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. John Heartwell married Presila Wright on June 1, 1664 in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. He owned seventeen acres in the east quarter of Concord, Middlesex County in 1666 SH23. John Heartwell (or Hartwell) and Presila (or Presilla) were the parents of probably six children whose births were recorded in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. These were Ebenesar Heartwell, born on April 5, 1666, John Heartwell, born on April 15, 1669, Samewell Heartwell, who was born on October 5, 1673 and died on December 31, 1694, Sarah Hartwell, born on April 12, 1677 (“12. 2. 77”), William Hartwell, born on February 22, 1678/9 (“22. 12. 78”), and Joseph Hartwell, born on January 24, 1680 (“24. 11. 80”) MA26. The record of William’s birth stated “Wm son of Wm 1 Hartwell born 22. 12. 78”, with a footnote stating “1 Undoubtedly a clerical error for John” MA26; this child could not have been born to William and Jasan/Jezan Hartwell, because Jezan was born about 1608 AM1. Priscilla, the wife of John Hartwell, died on May 3, 1681 (“3. 3. 81”) MA26. John Hartwell then married Elizabeth Wright on October 23, 1682 (“23. 8. 82”) MA26. John and Elizebeth Hartwell were the parents of three children whose births were recorded in Concord, Middlesex County MA26. These were Elizabeth Hartwell, born on December 23, 1683 (“23. 10. 83”) or December 23, 1684, Edward Hartwell, born on May 23, 1689, and Jonathan Hartwell, born on February 15, 1691 MA26. John was called the eldest son of William Hartwell in his will, dated December 19, 1689 MA64. He died of smallpox on January 12, 1703 in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts (“John Hartwell ye husband of Elizebeth his wife dyed of ye small Pocks January ye 12th 1702/3”) and “Elizebeth Hartwell Relict Widow to ye late Jno Hartwell Dyed Decembr ye 16th 1704” MA26.
Samuel Hartwell was born on the 26th day of the 1st month, 1645 to William and Jasan Hartwell, according to the records of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26.
Marthe Hartwell, the daughter of William and “Jassin” Hartwell, was born on the “25th (2) mo: 1649” (April 25, 1649) in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. She may have actually been called Mary, because Mary Hill was named in the will of William Hartwell MA64. Alternatively, William and Jazan may have had two daughters, one who was named Marthe who was born in 1649 and of whom there is no further record, and another named Mary who married Jonathan Hill, of whom there is no birth record. This will (dated December 19, 1689) also named William’s son-in-law, Jonathan Hill, and mentioned that Mary Hill had five children MA64. The 1675 probate record of her sister, Sarah Parker, mentioned that “her sister Hill”, the wife of Jonathan Hill, lived in Billerica, Middlesex County, Massachusetts AM1. Mary Hartwell married Jonathan Hill on December 11, 1666 in Billerica, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. Mary and Jonathan Hill were the parents of five children whose births were recorded in Billerica, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. These were Mary Hill, born on September 9, 1667, Jonathan Hill, born on August 21, 1669, Samuel Hill, born on February 21 or 22, 1671/2, Sarah Hill, born on October 10, 1674, and Joseph Hill, born on May 29, 1683 or 1688 MA26. Mary Hill, the wife of Jonathan, died on February 13, 1694/5 in Billerica, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26.
Jazan Hartwell was called “ye Relict Widow of William Hartwell her Husband” in her Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts death record, which stated that she “Dyed August ye 15th 1695” MA26.