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William Simonds |
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Judith Phippin |
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William Phipping |
William Simonds was born about 1611 or 1612, based on his stated age in several deposition he gave in 1658, 1659, and 1662 MI28. He likely married an individual named Sarah sometime prior to 1641, because on April 3, 1641, Sarah Symons, the wife of William Symons, was buried in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. After relocating to Woburn, William Simonds allegedly settled a little over one mile northwest from the town’s center on Upstreet at a location referred to as Dry Brook JO15, SE11. His house was “used as a garrison during the Indian wars” JO15. William Simonds and Judeth “Haward” (or Hayward JO17) married on January 18, 1643 (“the 18th: 11th mo 1643”) in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts WO12.
According to the archivist at the Woburn Public Library, the earliest town records for Woburn have been microfilmed and are held at the Woburn Public Library, but have not been digitized, nor has the microfilm been made publicly available to those outside of the Woburn Public Library. In 1889, Edward Johnson stated that he searched the records for information pertaining to William Simonds, and what appears within this specific paragraph is a synopsis of what he located within those records. On September 8, 1645, forty-six men of Woburn were taxed in what was referred to as the first country rate; William Simonds’ tax was three shillings and eight pence JO15. Another town rate on December 22, 1646 indicated that he paid a comparable tax as the first rate JO15. He was granted meadow land in Pine Meadow and on February 23, 1649 was chosen as one of four surveyors for Woburn JO15. He and Michael Bacon exchanged land on December 31, 1651 in an unrecorded deed in which William Simonds purchased (by land exchange) two lots which contained eighteen acres which was adjacent to his own land and land owned by Richard Post JO15. At some point (probably between 1653 and 1666), he and Richard Holden were granted three acres of swamp at Rock Meadow JO15. He and three other men were selected as an officer to oversee the swine and fences in 1666, and he was chosen to be a surveyor again in 1668 JO15. On August 26, 1666, he paid another country rate, and he paid four pounds and sixteen shillings for a special tax for a new meeting house in August 1671 JO15.
He and Michaell Bacon purchased two hundred acres of land in Cambridge for the sum of ten pounds on March 15, 1648 MI29:
Know all that Roger Shaw of Cambridge in the County of Midlesex in New England For and in consideracion of ten poundes received by him of Michaell Bacon and William Simons both of Woburne in the aforesaid County, doth by these presents give, grant, sell, enfeoffe & confirme, to the aforesaid Michaell Bacon & William Simons two Hundred acres of land in the towne of Cambridge, being bounded Capt. Cookes farme Sou=east, & the Common=Round elce where, with all the meadow adjoyneing to the great Swamp neare the East Corner of Concord boundes, that fals in Cambridge boundes: To have & to hould the said bargained, & assigned premisses, to them, their heyres, executors & administrators to their proper use & uses, and as their proper goodes & landes for ever, & the same will warrant & deffend from all people what ever claimeing or pretending any title to the same, By, from, or under me. unto the true performance whereof I have here unto set my hand & seale: this 15. of March 1648
Rogr Shaw & a seale.
Sealed & delivered in the presence off
Tho: Danforth. His marke
Christ. Cane
Richard French
On December 28 and 29, 1658, William Simons provided several depositions in two different court cases; one was a case between John Carter and Captain Edward Johnson and the other was about a highway in Woburn. In all of these various depositions, he stated that his age was forty-seven MI28. Apparently, John Carter claimed that Captain Edward Johnson had falsified the town records, and this was heard by three men, including William Simons MI28, MA54. At a County Court held at Charlestown, Massachusetts on December 28, 1658, John Carter stated that he acknowledged "that I have wronged, slandered, & defamed, Capt. Edw: Johnson, in saijng [saying] that he the said Capt. Johnson, did falcifie the Towne Records, for wch I am sorrowfull” MA54. A transcription of the testimony given by William Simons on December 28, 1658 follows MI28:
William Simons aged about 47: yers and Robart peers 38: or there abouts and William lock about 30: testyfy, that onc the trayning day before parte of the trayned [the previous word is uncertain and it might state “trayning”] bande wee all at one time herde John Carter say that the towne Records were not worth astraw [the previous word is uncertain] and that the captaine had falsyfyed them upon which words Samuwell walker answered if it were soe it wold cost the captaine his ears (and this the said John carter afermed the captaine had dane [the previous word is uncertain] off his owne heade
Samuwell walker aged about 43 testyfys to the truth of this above writen
The next case in which William Simons provided testimony was about a highway in Woburn MI28. On May 22, 1649, the town of Woburn appointed Thomas Richardson, Michaell Bacon, and Henry Tottingham to be a committee to lay out a highway to the town mill through the adjacent plain, which was supposed to also go through Edward Converse’s land and then through the east end of John Carter’s land MA54. The depositions given on December 29, 1658 stated MI28:
william
Simons ages aboute: 47: and william lock aged about 30 and william Johnson
aged about: 30 testyfy that wee all at one time herd Fars Convars [this
name is uncertain but the adjacent notecard which was part of that same group
of images of documents stated his name was Francis Convers] say that hee wold
prove that the h[i]gh way [the next word is too faded and cramped to be read;
it may not have been a part of the original statement] layd throw [through]
that part of the filde [field], that is mathew Johnsons land which is broken
upp
William
Simons aged about 47: yeers and Robart pers about 38… knight [this person’s
first name was rubbed away but was probably “Joseph” Knight] aged about: 34: and
william Johnson… and Mathew Johnson… testify that michile bakon [Michael
Bacon] and hennery Tottingham beeng too [two] of the Committy choson lay out
the high way (the thurd being then dead) these to [two] men [w]ent with us wee
being altogether and showed us the high way which said they with Thomas
Richeson [the previous surname is uncertain] had layde out throw the playne…
mill… [this document is torn on the left edge and words are missing, crossed
out, or concealed by blotches of ink]
William
Simons aged about 47: and Robart pers about 38: and william Johnson
aboute 30: and William lock about 30: and Richard houlden about 50: testyfy
that wee all at one time heard hennery tottingham say that if hee were called
upon his oath hee must sware that the committy did agree and layd out the
highway to mill and further hee said that wee were fools if wee did not use it
in the summer as well as in the wintor for else said hee your Children will
lose it
Sworn in Court. 29: 10 m 58.
On March 24, 1659, William Simons, Robbert Peirce, and Joseph Knight of Woburn were ordered by Edward Johnson to appear as witnesses “about certaine words spoken by Ralph Reade” at the next County Court held at Cambridge MI28. William testified on April 5, 1659 regarding statements made by Ralph Read in which Ralph threatened to shoot anyone who would lay hands on him with his loaded pistol MI28. Ten days later on April 15, 1659 he testified in a misdemeanor case regarding Elisabeth Read, the wife of George Reed MI28. Although these cases both involved members of the Read family, they were actually distinct cases, and Judah Simons also testified in the case involving Elisabeth Read (see below for her depositions) MI28. The same date, on April 15, 1659, he testified in a different misdemeanor case about George Polley’s overnight stay at Ralph Read’s house in Woburn MI28. The transcripts of all three depositions have been provided below MI28:
William Simons aged 47 years or there abouts Robbert Peirce aged about 38 & Joseph Knight about 35 tastifie that they being in Company with Ralph Read; the above named Robbart Peirce Blamed him for goeing away when he stood Bound for his appearance at the County Court saying they were about to send a Hugh & Cry after him: the said Ralph Reade made Answer hee had charged his pistol with a Brace of Bullets & if any had Offered to lay hould one [lay hold on] him hee would have shott them let them Be whom they would & this they heard him say all at one time
William Simon his mark
Robbert Pearse
Joseph knight
Ralph Read confessed in Court 5: (2) 59 That he spake the words above named
william Simons aged about 47: yeers witneseth that hering of the busines betweene william lock and gaorge Reads wife hee went to Ralph Reds hous and asked his wife whether it wose true that wose reported of her sister Elisabeth shee answered yes I asked har whether william locke was in folte [perhaps “fault”] shee answered noe her meddled not with har
William Simons Aged 47 saith An other occasion of George Polleys coming and staying at wooburne: was for A paire of oxen which he had bought of Rallph Read and the oxen being gon out into the woods and not coming home untill it was within night he was necessitated to stay that day & that night because they tould him (that did know the custome of the oxen) that in all probabillitie the oxen would be at home that night
A bill of costs dated April 15, 1659 for the witnesses in the case of Ralph Read indicated that William Simons should receive two shillings per day for two days (“William simons have waited here two dayes I think it is two shilgs a day”) MI28.
During this same court session, William Simons was himself involved in a case for which he was on trial. James Convars testified as a witness on April 5, 1659 that William Simons and William Lock voted without having the right to vote and that William Simons did not agree with the local ordinance regarding baptism MI28:
William Simons And William Lock both in inhabittants in wooburne from time to time interrupting the church Allso the said Simons & Lock gave in votes this yeare & last yeare for A deputy neither of them being free men at which time or times they were desired to forbeare [the previous word is uncertain because the first two letters are obscured by too much ink] but they would not
Further at Another time the fore mentioned Simons and Lock said that next Lords Day is the Sacrament day and we will staye and see who will hinder us And we are enuff of us if we could Agree to put in votes at the election for the Governour and to carry things as we would have them and we suppose they could not hinder us
Further the Aforesaid Simons doth Constantly turne his back upon the Ordinance of baptisme.
Wittnes: James Convars
The court case of William Simons and William Locke, which was tried at a County Court at Cambridge on April 5, 1659, had three entries associated with it MA54. The first entry was the verdict, which has been transcribed below MA54. The next two entries for that same court session have also been transcribed, but it is unclear about the timeline of these specific events, other than that a petition was submitted to the court after the verdict was read, and as a result of that petition, their punishments were reduced to a fine of fifteen pounds apiece MA54:
Will[ia]m Simons & Will[ia]m Locke, of Woburne being convicted of seditious & contemptuous cariages towards Authority. & of putting in their votes for the choyce of Dept. for the Gen[er]all Court, altho they were Warned to forbeare, & also of affronting the Church in their private consultaccons, This Court doth sentence them to be severely whipt, with thirty stripes a peece, or to pay a fine of twenty pounds a peece, and to stand bound wth sufficient suertjes in 20 l bond a peece, for their good Behavior & appearance at the next Court to be held at Charle=Towne,
Will[ia]m Locke, & Wm Simons, being legally called with their non appearance suertjes made no appearance,
In answr to ye peticcons of Ralph Read, & George Polly, fines abated. for abatemt of their fines. as also of Will]ia]m Locke & Will[ia]m Simons. The Court doth abate, as followeth. (i e)
Ralph Read. Thirty pounds,
George Polly. Ten pounds
Will[ia]m Locke. fiften pounds
Will[ia]m Simons fiften pounds.
All the above said abatemts are on this condiccon that they do respectively appeare, & make sattisfactory acknowledgmts of their offences of wch they were convicted at ye next Coun[ty] Court to be held at Charlestowne.
On April 5, 1659 (the same date), William Simons and William Locke petitioned the Court to mitigate their punishment for which they were convicted of contemptuous speech, putting in votes for a deputy, and for affronting the church MI28:
To the much honoured deputy governour & the Rest of our honoured magistrats assembled in the County Courte
Humbly besecheth
that you wold bee plesed to voutesafe [vouchsafe] sume mittygation [some mitigation] of that Just Censor which for oure misscarriges against this goverment wee have Rightly incurred, yet shold you bee pleased to grant the Request of such unworthy supply cants [supplicants] and the god of all marcy give your harts so to doe: our poore wifs and children who are now over whelmed with sorrow seing noe hope of subsistanse shuld the mult [mulct; a compulsory payment or fine], bee taken ) wold with noe smale [small] rejoysing blesse the lord for you: and for future boath they and wee: wold for ever by your Clemency serve and submit our selves and our whole estats to this govorment as wee are boud [the previous word may have stated or meant to state “bound”] in duty: and what ever your answer shall bee wee are the same altho ught [the previous two words were written at the end of one line and the beginning of the next line, and probably were meant to state “alghought”, meaning “although”] afflicted with unsupportable poverty: shold it bee taken without delaye & therefore besech that you wold bee plesed not only to give us leave but also to helpe [the previous word is uncertain] one our supplication to the generall Court should yu at present deny our formor request: Knowing assuredly the harts of kings are in the hands of the lord: to whome wee are ever bound to pray ( much honoured ) that under you wee may live a quiet and apeaceable life in all godlynes and honesty
william Simons
william locke
The confession of William Simons and William Lock was submitted to the court in June 1659 (perhaps June 24th), but this record is extremely faded and challenging to read, even after adjusting the brightness and contrast of the image. A tentative transcription follows MI28:
Whereas Wee William Simons and william Lock have: spoken sinne [the previous word is unclear] fully and done contrary to the peace of the goverment of this common wealth as first that wee would give in votes to the election of the Governour as hath been testified against us wee do confesse our great sinne herein and are renunced of such a folly as would tend to the over throw of this common wealth, secondly for our putting in of votes for the deputy and the disturbance of the Church both testifyed against us we doe acknowledge our sinne and folly herein and that the Court proceeding against us is iust [perhaps “just”] in witness whereof we hereunto sett our hands
24th. (4) mo 59
this is william simons mark
William lock
confessed in Court by both ye sd p[ar]tyes. & was accepted wth release from their bond to yr good behavr.
Tho: Danforth.
He gave another deposition on April 2, 1662 in the case of William Johnson vs. Town of Woburn MI28:
Edward Johnson aged about 62: and william Simons aged about 50: witnes that mr Nicholas Teris did tell the towns men of woburne hee wold not give up his late which hee had of Charls towne to them: and further the a bove [above] named Edward Johnson doth witness hee did drawe upp writing in the towne Booke about mr Terise giving upp his land to the towne of woburne But hee Refused to set his hand to it althought I used many Arguments to perswad [persuade] in the towns behalfe his Answer was to this purpas [purpose] his next Naightbour ]neighbor] had a Bettor accommodation then hee and yet Exchainged noe land for it nor did hee Beare [the previous word is uncertain because the letters are written too closely together to discern what they are] upp so great A [the word or words following the letter “A” have been obscured by an ink blot] proportion in publike charge as him selfe and that others in the towne had the like with oute [without] any Exchaing of land & therfore it were great injustis to Require him to yeld upp his land for the use of others that were bettor accomodated then him selfe uppon this I waying [weighing] the truth of the argument ceased to perswad him any further
Sworne in Court 2. 2. 1662
Edward Johnson
William Simons his mark
Exactly one year prior to that deposition, on April 2, 1661 in a County Court held at Cambridge, he was the defendant in an action of trespass within the lands held by the Artillery Company near Concord; Captain Edward Hutchinson, Captain James Oliver, Cornet Peter Oliver, and Sergeant William Cotton represented the military company at Boston as the plaintiffs MA54. During the same court session, another individual, Michael Bacon, had his own separate trial against the same plaintiffs for the same action of trespass, and in each case, the jury brought in a special verdict and postponed the judgment in each case until the next County Court MA54. The special verdict included wording which hinged on whether a certain land grant made to Cambridge in 1644 was a full and clear grant; if it was, then the jury would find in favor of the defendant, William Simons MA54. If the various land grants for the military company were more full, clear, and legal, then the jury would find in favor of the military company MA54. This verdict stated “The Court, finding that the Records of the Gen[er]all Court, conteyning the grants of those lands are some what doubtfull” and they needed time to consult the land grants MA54. The actual verdict of the jury, of whom it appears that Joseph Wheeler was the foreman, stated MI28:
In the case depending betwene Cap Huscgison plaintive and Mickell Backon William Simonds deffendant if the grant to Roger shaw From the Generall Court be accordinge to law Then we Finde for the deffendant but if Captane Huchison grant be acording to law then we Finde for the plaintive
Joseph wheeler in the name of the Rest
That verdict was written on a scrap of paper which was later filed in Folio 27, Group II, and the adjacent descriptive notecard written at a much later date stated that the date for the verdict was June 25, 1661 MI28. I believe that date is incorrect and that the verdict written by Joseph Wheeler occurred on April 2, 1661. The next County Court occurred in Charlestown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts on June 25, 1661 in which the cases for William Simons and Michaell Bacon against the Artillery Company were revisited but not resolved, so the court decided to recommend both the cases to the General Court held the following October in Boston MA54. At a General Court held at Boston, Massachusetts on October 8, 1662, William Symonds and Michael Bacon “both of Wooborne, deffendts” had a favorable outcome to the case in which the plaintiff, the Artillery Company of Suffolk, accused them of trespassing on their land SH21. This verdict stated that the court “doe finde for the defendts costs of Court” SH21.
He (as “Willjam Symons”) and Thomas Dutton testified in another court case in Boston on May 27, 1663 SH21. In reference to this case, Edward Johnson stated that it was regarding Edward Converse’s statements about the king’s letter to be “popery” JO15. The verdict in this case stated SH21:
the Court hauing considered wt the sajd Dutton could say agt Edward Conuers, &c, it was putt to the question of whither there be any thing conteyned in the testimonys of Thomas Dutton & Willjam Symons agt Edward Converse, which doeth reflect on his majtys letter. It was resolved on the negatiue. The Court graunted the said Tho Dutton his bill of costs…
“Wm. Symonds” of Woburn became a freeman on May 11, 1670 PA23. On April 4, 1671, William Simons and Josiea Convers were witnesses to two receipts acknowledged by John Green, the son of William Green (late of Woburn); the first was from his uncle, Captain John Carter, Sr. of Woburn, and the second was from his John Green’s brother, Ebenezer Green MI29.
William Simonds died on June 7, 1672 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO16. His death record in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts stated “William Simonds dyed ye 7th of June -- 1672” WO12, but the inventory of his estate stated he died on June 5, 1672 MA64. An inventory of the estate of William Simons was conducted appraised by Michel Bacon, Sr., John Wyman, Francis Kindall, and Robert Perce on June 5, 1672 through June 12, 1672 MA64. The total appraisal of the inventory of his estate was over 485 pounds MA64. A transcription of this inventory stated MA64:
An Inventory of the goods and estate of William Simons late of the Towne of Woburne deceased the 5th of June 1672:
Two Oxen… Two Sters… Three Cowes… One yearling calfe… A mare and a Coult… A sorrell Mare… Tenn Swine… Two Calves… puter and brass… Two Iron potts and a frying pan… Waring apparrell… Linnen… bedding... a payer of pistells holsters brest plate and Crooper… More in Armes… A saddle and a Pillion… Indin corne Mault and provission… Lumber… For a cart and axces and other Iron works… For books… For 3 acres of Wheat at… For Indian corne upon the ground… For halfe and acre of hopps… For house and barne and all his land about his house & belonging to his house with all rights & prviledges thereunto belonging in the bounds of Wooburne & halfe the meadow at his farme in Cambridge bounds Meadow and Meadow like ground… For the remainder part of his farme in Cambridge bounds with all the rights and priviledges thereunto belonging… William Simons hath left a wife and she is weakly and crasey and aged and five sones and seven daughters the eldest sone is 22 the second son is 21 the 3d is 19 the fourth is 18 yeares old the fifth is fouretene yeares old the eldest daughter is 27 the second daughter is 26 the third daughter is 24 the fourth daughter is 12 the fifth daughter is 10 the sixth daughter is 8 the seaventh daughter is 10 yeares of age which is a grand child that he food as his owne child and doe for it as for the rest
“Debts to Severall persons” appeared to total about thirty-six pounds and included debts to Mr. Carter, Michell Bacon, Robert Pearce, Samuel Walker, William Clarke, John Faxx, Michell Bacon “clarke”, Caleb Simons, John Russell, Jr., Hopestill Foster, John Haywood, Widow Carter, Mr. Line, Mr. Chickrine, Roger Chandler, Sergeant John Wyman for seven windows, “the Meeting house”, and “Wine for the funerall” MA64. At a County Court held at Charlestown on June 18, 1672, the administration on the estate of William Simons of Woburn was granted to his “relict widow”, Judeth, and to his sons, Caleb and William Simons MA27.
The division of his estate on May 14, 1674 has been transcribed below MI28. It may be confusing to read because of the frequent (slightly more than usual for this time period) misspellings; the clerk often wrote “ad” instead of “and”, “one” instead of “on”, and “to” or “too” instead of “two” MI28:
Wee subscribed being impowered by the honoured County Courte held at Cambridg the first of Aprill (1673:) to devide the Esteat [estate] of william Simons deseced [deceased] to his widowe and twelve children acording to instructions resaived [received] from the said County Courte only wee have varied in allowing his Eldest son aduble [a double] portion the which the widow and the rest of the children are contented with: and further becase his Esteat which amounts to fower hundred fivety and sixe pownds too [two] shillings is most of it in lands and the deviding of too thurds of that in to thurteene parts will disinable any part for ahabitation [a habitation] wee therefore have ordered it as Followeth
Impr to the widow har thurd parte is the west End of the dwelling hows and the East End of the Barne with three Acres of plow land betwene the said hows and William Clarks also alevene acrs [eleven acres] in the great feild and fower acres of pastur land: one lott at breakenick hill [Breakneck Hill] fowre wood lots in the seventh division to be devided betwene har ad [and] beniamin: proportianablly [proportionally] alsoe har part of Towne priviledg in land ad comanage: three acres of medow in spring medow ad another pece [piece] in Carpenters medow: one the north East End: the rest of har thurds is made upp in moveabls to the value of one hundred fivety ad too pounds ad Eaight pence
To Caleb the Eldest Son wee have allowed aduble portion which is in lands namly the pastur [the previous word is uncertain because the last few letters were crammed together] by michall Bacons hows being aleven acres with more pasture land adjoyning to it ad as much plow land as will make up twenty and sixe acres also three wood lots in the seventh divission and fower divissions of medow in: bowre medow one the East End ad fower divissions of medow more one the west End one plow land lote one the other sid Chirry medow brooke [side Cherry Meadow Brook] ad his portion of Towne priviledges in land ad comonage in this divission there is the portions of his sistors Sarah: ad abigall which amounts to twenty three pounds seaven shillings ad ten penc [the next two or three words are illegible except for perhaps the word “the”] portions the said Caleb is to paye if he keep the lands
To Joseph the second son wee have appointed his portion at the farme [the previous word is uncertain] in Cambridg Bounds beinge the hows ad Barne: with all the lower feild adjoyning to the hows with atract of land next it one the playen [probably “plain”] to the value of seaven acres and also atract of land about thurteene acres one the south East Corner too divissions of medow in Bowe medow ad too portions more in Carpenters [the previous word is uncertain because the ink ran together, obscuring the letters] medow next his hows hee keeping all this land is to paye to his sister mary twenty three pound seven shillings and ten pence
To Beniamin the thurd Son wee have devided the East End of the dwelling hows ad the west End of the Barne three acres of broak upp land by the Barne ad Eaight acres of plow lad [land] in the great feild to [two] acres of pasture his portion of wood land with his mother ad his share of Towne priviledges land and Commonage and his portion of medow in Carpenters medow: hee is alsoe to paye the portion of bethiah ad halfe huldahs:
To Jams the fowerth Son now living wee have devided fourty ad seven acres of land at the farme in Cambridg Bounds being one the north sid: too divissions of medow in Bowmedow: and apece in Carpentors medow with the swampe adjoyning to it ad what medow fals [falls] within the lins [lines] of his upland hee is also to paye to Rebecah har portion: ad half: huldahs: and keepe the land
To William and John Barker wee have devided the uper feild with apece of land at the Brooke ad twentye ad five acres adjoyning to it to [two] divissions of medow at Boow medow ad the rest of their medow in Carpentors medow and the north East sid of Josephs medow
there are severall highways appointed boath at the farme and in the land in woburne which are for the Conveniency of the severall divissions ad acordingly to Remaine for [the next small word has been obscured by too much ink] improvement for Ever: dated the 14: of may: 1674
William Johnson
Mychaell Bacon
Frances Kendall
Judith Phippin ★ (William) was born about 1619, as she was sixteen in 1635 HO16, AN9 and (as Judah Simons) was forty according to her stated age given in two depositions on on April 15, 1659 MI28. She was the daughter of William Phipping, a baker, and she originally lived in Wedmore, Somersetshire, England WI44, HA40, AN9. She may have been the “Judith dr. of William Phippen” who was christened on September 25, 1617 in Burnett Parish, Somersetshire, England JE5. This location is twenty-three miles northeast of Wedmore, Somersetshire, and the record is two years too soon, assuming it was entered and transcribed correctly. On March 22, 1634/5, Judith Phippin, aged sixteen, and James Haieward, aged twenty-two, were two of the four servants of Nicholas Davies, aged forty, who embarked on the Planter HO16, AN9. Nicholas Davis was a tailor, a profession that James Hayward would later take up AN8. The captain of the Planter was Master Nicholas Trarice (“Nico: Trarice Mr”), and the individuals who embarked on that date were “bound for New-England” with a certificate from Stepney Parish and an attestation from Sir Thomas Jay and Mr. Simon Muskett, justices of the peace HO16. The other two servants of Nicholas Davies were Robert Stevens, a sawyer, and John More, a laborer HO16. A boy of six, William Lock, also embarked on that date HO16. It appears that this group of passengers were the first to embark on the Planter, as the last group embarked on April 11, 1635 HO16. Rodolphus Elmes, who later married Catherine Whitcomb, the daughter of John and Frances Whetcomb, was one of the last to embark on April 10, 1635 HO16.
James Haward and Judith Phippen first resided in Charlestown, Middlesex County (now Suffolk County), Massachusetts AN8, AN9. James Hayward was admitted as tailor in the Charlestown town records on January 3, 1636/7, which stated that he was able to have a house plot and other accommodation wherever feasible, such as the town could afford AN8. He was granted a hay lot at Wilson’s Point in Charlestown on April 30, 1638 AN8. Judith Phippen and James Haward or Hayward were married sometime before 1642 AN8, HA40. James Haward died on November 20, 1642 (“the (20th) of ye 9th mo: -- 1642”) in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts WO12. Judith was very probably the mother of Rebeckah, whose birth occurred two weeks after the death of James.
Rebeckah Haward, the daughter of James Haward, was born on December 4, 1642 (“ye: 4th: of 10th: 1642”) in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts WO12. The estate of William Simons which was divided amongst his ten siblings on December 27, 1672 mentioned “a grand child of Judith Simons widow” WY3. This William “Simons” who died prior to December 27, 1672 was the son of William and Judith Simonds, and this indicates that the grandchild was not the grandchild of William Simonds (the elder), but specifically of Judith Simonds WE33. This further indicates that the grandchild was the child of a half-sibling of William Simons (the younger) WE33. This grandchild was very probably the ten-year-old girl who, in the inventory of the estate of William Simons (the elder), was called his grandchild “that he food as his owne child and doe for it as for the rest” MA64. Essentially, William and Judith Simonds raised this girl as if she were their daughter. The May 1674 division of the estate of William Simon (the elder) allotted a portion of the estate to Rebecah, whose surname was not provided; it instructed James, the son of William, “to paye to Rebecah har portion” MI28. This child, Rebecah, was probably the daughter of Rebeckah Haward WE33.
Rebeckah Coles was mentioned in a deed between Joseph Simonds and James Simonds on October 15, 1679, in reference to her share of land at Shaw’s Farm in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MI29. This Rebeckah Coles was without doubt the same person named Rebecah who received a portion of her step-grandfather’s estate in 1674. She was ten in 1672, indicating she was born about 1662. Randy West noted that this data fits the birth record for Rebeckah Colls WE33. The Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts birth record for Rebeckah, the daughter of Tobyah Colls, stated she was born on November 21, 1661 (“ye 21st of 9th mo 1661”) WO12. Tobiah Colles wrote his will on August 12, 1664 and died sometime in August 1664 CO31. He made various bequests to individuals but made no bequest to a wife or to any child of his CO31. In fact, he did not even name his child, but instead called the child “it” CO31. At the end of his will, he stated “I the sayde tobiah doe order all soe here in this my will that my childe and its frends shall Reste satisfied with that which I have formorly done for it and them for the bringing it up” CO31. This indicates that Rebecah (the daughter of Judith and James Haward) probably married Tobiah Colls, but died sometime after giving birth to her daughter, Rebecah/Rebeckah Colls WE33. William and Judith Simonds cared for Rebecah’s daughter because her father, Tobiah, did not care for her.
The will of William Phipping of Wedmore, Somerset County, England, dated September 22, 1647, did not mention his daughter, Judah, until after he made his mark at the end of the will WI44. The addition at the bottom of the will seemed like an afterthought, and that he fully expected his daughter to return to Somerset, even though she was already married to her second husband and had children WI44. It seems likely that he was not aware of these facts. His will stated WI44:
In the name of god Amen I William Phipping Wedmore in the County of Sommersett Baker… In witnes whereof I have here unto set my hand and seale the xxij day of September in the yeere of our Lord 1647… Item I doe make over the estate in the house at Wedmore to my sonne In law John Addams till the returne of my daughter Judah returne out of New-England.
Judah Simons stated that she was forty years old in the two depositions she gave on April 15, 1659 for a misdemeanor case regarding Elisabeth Read, the wife of George Reed MI28:
margary Clarke aged aboute 60: yeers and Judah Simons aged about 40 yeers witneseth that upon ocation [occasion] visiting the wife of Ralph Reade when shee laye in: wee asked har where the man laye whether or noe hee did not lye upon the grownd Elisabeth the wife of george Reade answered noe I I promis your hee layse [lays] in his bed then said margary Clarke and Judath Simons you can not laye all in the bed yes sayse Elisabeth Read wee can: very [the previous word is uncertain because the third letter is messy, but it probably states “very”] comfortable lye altogether in the bed then said wee you must neds croude [needs crowd] the woman for the bed is very straite then saise Elisabeth Read I lye acros the foote of the bed then wee asked how they did to lye sivilly [civilly] to gether this hote wether Elisabeth Read answered when my brother lys downe hee waks [wakes] noe more till morning
Margary Clarke har mark
Judath Simons har marke
The testymony of margary Clarke ayged sixty yers or ther abouts and Judah Simons aiged fourty years or there abouts & martha houlden aiged thirty 8 yers or ther abouts testyfy that wee + all at one time heard mary Reade say that william lock came in to george Reads hous to light a pipe of tobacco where har selfe was present) that ye said william locke wos lighting his pipe of tobacco and the tongs were in his hand that then hur sister Elisabeth Reade sayd com sister let us serch him and forth wt rise up and thrue the child in har lapp and sezed upon him the said william locke wished har to bee qujet [quiet] and to let him alone but shee wold not but in har actions shee said I vow sister is a hole hand full a hand full and further wee testyfy that all this wee harde mary Read tel har sister ofe but har sister denied it and said I did it not then said the said mary Read you said you did search him) shee answered I indeed said I wold if i cold
Judith was probably the mother of all of the children whose Woburn birth records stated were the children of William Simonds, who were Sarah, Judith, Mary, Caleb, William, Joseph, Benjamin, Joshua, Tabitha, James, Bethiah, Huldah, and Abigail or Abigall JO12.
Sarah Simonds, the daughter of William, was born on July 28, 1644 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO12. Her birth record in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts stated “Sarah daughter of William Simonds born ye 28th: 5th mo 1644” WO12. She was probably the eldest daughter who was mentioned in the inventory of her father’s estate, who was twenty-seven in June 1672 MA64, and she was alive in May 1674 (when she was called a sister of Caleb) when her father’s estate was divided MI28. Sarah Simonds married John Heywood in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts on November 30, 1665 MA26.
John Haward had previously been married to Rebake Atkison (they married in Concord on August 17, 1656), and with Rebake, John Heywood was the father of Rebake “Haward”, who was born on September 9, 1657 and died on September 27, 1657, another daughter named Rebake Heywood, born on May 13, 1660, John “heyood”, born on April 5, 1662, Pirses Heywood, born on April 24, 1664 and Benone Heywood, who was born on July 31, 1665 and died on August 12, 1665 MA26. Rebaca “Heyood”, the wife of John, died on August 4, 1665 MA26. John Heywood’s son, John, also married an individual named Sarah; John “Hayward” of Concord married Sarah Blodgett of Woburn on January 7, 1687 JO17. However, John and Sarah (Simonds) Heywood of Concord were still having children when John and Sarah (Blodgett) Heywood of Concord began to have children. There was some overlap in the records from Concord from 1687, when John Heywood, Jr. married Sarah Blodgett, and 1692, when Sarah (Simonds) Heywood died, in which it can be confusing to understand which John and Sarah Heywood were the parents of the children in these birth records.
The probate record of John Heywood, Sr. recorded most of the names of his children, which is useful in distinguishing amongst these children. John and Sarah Heywood were the parents of eleven children whose births were recorded in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. These were Sarah Heywood, born on August 30, 1666, Judath Heywood, born on January 13, 1667 (probably 1667/8), Mary Heywood, born on November 3, 1669, Abigal Heywood, born on April 9, 1672, William Heywood, born on April 17, 1674, Huldah Heywood, born on September 17, 1676, James Haywood, born on February 27, 1678 (probably 1678/9), Joseph Heywood, born on January 3, 1680 (probably 1680/1), Benjamen Heywood, born on March 4, 1682/3, Thomas Heywood, born on July 16, 1686, and Edmond Heywood, born on July 31, 1689 MA26.
Sarah Heywood, the wife of John Heywood, Sr., died on September 19, 1692 in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. John Heywood, Sr. of Concord died on January 11, 1700/1 MA64 or January 17, 1700/1 MA26. The inventory of his estate was conducted on sometime before February 17, 1700 (likely 1700/1), which mentioned Benjamin, Joseph, and Edmond, and stated the names to whom legacies should be paid, who were Rebeckah Simons, Jakob Kendall, Sarah Baldwin, Judeth Walker, Mary Kedar, Abigall Lock, Huldah Heywood, Thomas Heywood, William Heywood, and Edmond Heywood MA64.
Judith Simonds, the daughter of William, was born on March 3, 1646 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO12. Her birth record in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts stated “Judith daughter of William Simonds born ye 3d of (1)st mo 1646” WO12. She was probably the second daughter who was mentioned in the inventory of her father’s estate, who was twenty-six in June 1672 MA64. Judda Simonds married John Barker on December 9, 1668 in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. Juda (or Judath, Judah, or Judeth) and John Barker were the parents of nine or ten children whose births were recorded in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. These were John, born on August 23, 1669, and Judath, born on September 9, 1671 MA26. On November 9, 1673, it appears that Juda may have given birth to twins William and Frances, but only the death record of Frances, who died on November 9, 1673, was located in the Concord records (the birth and death records for William were present in the records) MA26. William died three days after his birth, but then the Concord records state that on November 9, 1674, another son named William was born to Judah and John Barker MA26. It is unclear if another child named William was indeed born, but the clerk accidentally recorded the incorrect date (because the probability is extremely low that Judeth gave birth precisely one year after a previous birth), or if that record was simply a duplicate yet erroneous record for the William who was born in 1673. However, on May 14, 1674, William and John Barker were mentioned in the division of the estate of William Simonds MI28, which indicates that there was a William Barker who was alive, at least on that date. Continuing on, their children were Mary, born on October 15, 1677, Sarah, born on November 11, 1679, Abigail, born on May 19, 1682, Joseph, born on November 15, 1684 (the Concord record stated his father was Joseph, but the county record stated his father was John Barker), and Huldah, whose birth was not found, but who died on May 1, 1689 MA26. Judeth Barker, the wife of John Barker, died at age fifty-eight on April 10, 1704 in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26.
Mary Simonds, the daughter of William, was born on December 9, 1647 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO12. Her birth record in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts stated “Mary daughter of Will.m Simonds borne 9th of 10th mo 1647” WO12.
Caleb Simonds, the son of William, was born on August 16, 1649 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO12. His birth record in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts stated “Caleb son daughter of William Simonds borne ye 16th of 6th mo 1649” WO12. He was the eldest son who was mentioned in the inventory of his father’s estate, who was twenty-two in June 1672 MA64, and he was called “Caleb the Eldest Son” in the division of his father’s estate in May 1674 MI28. Caleb Simonds married Sarah Bacon on September 25, 1677 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO17. He was the father of three children whose births were recorded in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO12. These were Samuel, born on June 30, 1678, James, born on January 15, 1684, and Sarah, who was born on November 11, 1687 but died on November 16, 1687 JO12, JO16. Caleb Simonds died on November 4, 1712 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO16. His probate record, dated November 26, 1712, stated that his widow, Sarah, consented to an agreement between her two sons, Samuell and James Simonds, regarding her maintenance MA64. Sarah Simonds, a widow, died on April 11, 1727 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO16; this Sarah may have been the widow of Caleb Simonds.
William Simonds, the son of William, was born on April 15, 1651 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO12. He was probably the second son who was mentioned in the inventory of his father’s estate, who was twenty-one in June 1672 MA64. However, he likely died prior to May 1674, because he was not mentioned in the division of his father’s estate, which also called Joseph the second son and Benjamin the third son MI28. His death occurred on December 4, 1672 WE33. Thomas Bellows Wyman’s unpublished abstracts of Middlesex County court files stated “1672 Dec 27. Estate of Wm, Simons lately decd at Concord divided among his bros & sisters being ten & a grand child of Judith Simons widow” WY3. Signatures included the mark of William Simons, John Heywood, John Barker, Roger Chandler, John Wyman, who was the guardian for Joseph Simonds, and the mark of Francis Kendall, who was the guardian of Benjamin and James Simons WY3.
Joseph Simonds, the son of William, was born on October 18, 1652 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO12. He was the third son who was mentioned in the inventory of his father’s estate, who was nineteen in June 1672 MA64. On June 18, 1672, Joseph Simons, then aged nineteen, appeared at a County Court held at Charlestown in Middlesex County and selected John Wiman, Sr. as his guardian MA27. By May 1674, he was called the second son in the division of his father’s estate MI28. Joseph simons of “oburn” discharged Mr. John Wiman, Sr. as his guardian on December 15, 1674 MI28. On October 15, 1679, Joseph Simonds, a carpenter of Woburn, Middlesex County exchanged land with his brother, James Simonds MI29:
Know all men by these prsents that I Joseph Simonds now of Woburn in the County of Middx in New England Carpenter For and in Consideration of Forty seven acres of upland and medow Land lying in the bounds of Cambridge, part of a Farm called Shaws Farm It being all James Simonds his share and Rebeckah Coles her share and halfe Huldah Simonds her share; and is bounded by ye Land of michael Knight and Barker West & South. By Michael Knight East by ye medow of Widow Simons & Benjamin Simonds & Jno Barker North West and by Cambridge Comon North East laid out by the Court order to the aforesaid proprietors; and Ten acres of medow in Bow Medow bounded by Caleb Simonds East, John Barker West: The Town Common Elsewhere: These parcels of Land as they are bounded with ye quantity of Acres be it more or less To me made over made good and ensured by my loving brother James Simonds by a Deed under his hand and seale according to Law / Have bargained & sold unto James Simonds aforesd one Now Dwelling house not finished & abarn and Orchard and all the Land appertaining or any ways belonging thereto being about fiveteen acres more or less wch is situate in ye Town of Oburn & was formerly the Land of Michael Knight… ye abovesd Joseph Simonds have set to my hand and seal this Fiveteenth of octobr In ye year of Our Lord one Thousand Six hundred seventy & nine…
Joseph Simonds married Mary Tidd on March 7, 1680/1 in Lexington (then Cambridge), Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. Joseph and Mary Simonds were the parents of four children whose births were recorded in Lexington (then Cambridge) MA26. These were Rebecca, born on June 11, 1682, Mary, born on December 15, 1684, Joshua, born on January 23, 1686/7, and Joseph, born on June 8, 1689 MA26. They were also the parents of Elisabeth, whose parents were not recorded but whose baptism occurred on November 13, 1698 MA26. Joseph’s will mentioned his children, who were Joshua Simonds, Joseph Simonds, Jonathan Simonds, Daniel Simonds, Rebekah Wellington, Mary Grimes, Abigaill Knight, and Elizabeth Brown MA64. However, he did not mention his wife, who was apparently still alive (she died in 1732 MA26). He wrote his will on January 16, 1722/3, which stated MA64:
In the name of God Amen. I Joseph Simonds of Lexington in the County of Middlesex in the Province of the Massachusets Bay in New England yeoman, being at the Present writing hereof of a sound Disposing mind & memory, but sensible of my own Mortality, do therefore make & ordain this my Last Will & Testament in manner & form as followeth. And first of all I Commend my precious & Immortal soul into the hands of Jesus Christ my gracious Redeemer & my Body I Committ to ye Dust by a Decent funeral in hopes of a Joyfull Resurrection; & as to my outward estate my Will & Pleasure is to Dispose the same In the following manner. Impr: I do Give unto my beloved children Joshua Jonathan & Daniel Simonds, Rebekah Wellington & Mary Grimes Ten shillings a Peice. Item, I Give to my beloved children Joseph Simonds, Abigaill Knight, & Elizabeth Brown Ten pounds a peice to each of them. All my Beds & Bedding I give to my Daughters Rebekah Wellington, Mary Grimes, Abigaill Knight, and Elizabeth Brown. my wearing apparell I give to to [sic] be Divided among all my sons Joshua, Joseph, Jonathan and Daniel Simonds. Further I appoint that all my Debts & funeral charges be Justly Paid, & then my will is, that all the Residue of my estate both reall and Personal be equally Divided among all my children saving that the part of Division of it that might appertain to my Daughter Abigaill Knight, be reserved In the hands of my Executor, & Improved to the use & behooff of her two sons William, & Edmund Hastings, & be fully paid to them with ye Interest as they come of age, & if one of them decease before that age of Twenty one years Then the surviving son to receive it, & if both Decease minors, it shall be paid to their mother without Interest. and I do appoint my beloved son Daniel Simonds sole executor of this my Last Will. And that this is my Last Will, & that I do hereby disannul all other & former Wills, I do hereunto putt my hand & seall this sixteenth day of January Anno Domi: one Thousand seven hundred & Thirty Two, Three. In the sixth year of his majes: Reign
Joseph Simonds
Signed sealed, & declared to be my Last will In Presence of
Daniell Tidd
David Cutler
Mary Cutler
Mary Simonds died on December 4, 1732 in Lexington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. Joseph died on August 12, 1733 in Lexington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26 and his will was proved on September 21, 1733 before Jonathan Remington, Esq., Judge of the Probate of Wills for Middlesex County MA64.
Benjamin Simonds, the son of William, was born on March 18, 1654 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO12. He was the fourth son who was mentioned in the inventory of his father’s estate, who was eighteen in June 1672 MA64. On June 18, 1672, Benjamin Simons, then aged eighteen, appeared at a County Court held at Charlestown in Middlesex County and selected Francis Kendall as his guardian MA27. By May 1674, he was called the third son in the division of his father’s estate MI28. Benjamin’s marriage record was not recorded in the original Woburn records, but he likely married an individual named Rebecca sometime prior to February 1679. This Rebecca may have been Rebake Heywood, the daughter of John and Rebake (Atkinson) Heywood, who was born on May 13, 1660 in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. John Heywood later married Benjamin Simonds’ sister, Sarah Simonds, and the inventory of John Heywood’s estate, dated February 1700/1, mentioned Rebeckah Simons, who was most likely his married daughter MA64. Benjamin Simonds was the father of nine children whose births were recorded in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO12. The first four children did not have their mother’s name attached to their birth records, and these were William, born on February 14, 1678/9, Benjamin, born on January 14, 1680/1 JO12, WO12, Joseph, born on March 1, 1683 JO12, WO12, and John, born on March 22, 1685 JO12, WO12. The next five birth records named their parents as Benjamin and Rebecca. Benjamin and Rebecca were the parents of Rebecca, born on June 6, 1687, Daniel, born on February 21, 1689/90 JO12, WO12, Jacob, born on May 26, 1692, Judith, born on October 5, 1695, and Huldah, born on October 25, 1700 JO12. The original Woburn records were consulted for the children whose births occurred early in the year to ensure that the year was recorded accurately by Edward Johnson, transcriber of the Woburn records. Rebecca, the wife of Benjamin Simonds, died in April 1713 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO16. A marriage intention recorded in Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts stated that Mr. Benjamin Simonds of Woburn and Mrs. Susannah Newhall of Lynn declared their intent to marry on September 26, 1713 JO18. Lieutenant Benjamin Simonds died on September 21, 1726 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO16.
Tabitha Simonds, the daughter of William, was born and died on August 20, 1655 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO12, JO16.
Joshua Simonds, the son of William, died on July 16, 1657 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO16. A birth record for Joshua was not located.
James Simonds, the son of William, was born on November 1, 1658 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO12. He was probably the fifth son who was mentioned in the inventory of his father’s estate, who was fourteen in June 1672 MA64, but by May 1674, he was called the fourth son in the division of his father’s estate MI28. On October 15, 1679, he and his brother, Joseph Simonds, exchanged land; he gave his land in Cambridge to Joseph and in turn he received Joseph’s land in Woburn MI29. James Simonds married Susanna Blodgett on December 29, 1685 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO17. James was the father of six children whose births were recorded in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO12. The first child did not have his mother’s name on his record, and this was James, born on November 1, 1686 JO12. The remainder of the birth records named each parent. James and Susanna were the parents of Susanna, born on May 2, 1689, Abigail, born on January 17, 1691, Sarah, born on December 13, 1694, Nathan, born on June 12, 1697, and Ruth, born on December 12, 1699 JO12. Susanna, the wife of James Simonds, died on February 9, 1715 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO16. James Simonds, Sr. died intestate on September 15, 1717 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO16, MA64. The inventory of his estate was conducted on October 30, 1717 MA64. However, another inventory was conducted over forty years later on November 19, 1761, which had a total value of over 700 pounds MA64. The settlement of his real estate, dated December 7, 1761, listed his children’s names, who were James, called the eldest, Susanna (deceased), Abigail, Sarah, Nathan (deceased), and Ruth (deceased) MA64.
Bethiah Simonds, the daughter of William, was born on May 9, 1659 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO12. She was probably the fourth daughter who was mentioned in the inventory of her father’s estate, who was twelve years old in June 1672 MA64, and she was alive in May 1674 when her father’s estate was divided MI28. Bethiah Simonds married John Walker on August 13, 1696 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO17. John Walker had previously married Mary Pierce on October 14, 1672 in Woburn JO17, but Mary, the wife of John Walker, Sr., died on November 8, 1695 JO16. John and Bethiah Walker were the parents of two children whose births were recorded in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO12. These were Bethiah, born on November 4, 1697, and Benjamin, born on July 7, 1699 JO12. John Walker, Sr. died on January 3, 1723/4 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO16, MA64. The inventory of his estate was conducted on January 23, 1723/4 by Eleazer Flagg, Stephen Wesson, and Caleb Blogget MA64. A document within his probate record stated “This May Certitie [perhaps “Certify”] Whom It may Concern that that [sic] I Desier administration may be granted to my son Benjmen Walker Without my being Conserned in It With him as Wittnes my hand Bethiah Walker her mark Wooburn Janr 24 1723/4” MA64.
Huldah Simonds, the daughter of William, was born on November 20, 1660 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO12. She was likely the fifth daughter who was mentioned in the inventory of her father’s estate, who was ten years old in June 1672 MA64, and she was alive in May 1674 when her father’s estate was divided MI28. Huldah Simonds married Samuel Blodgett on April 30, 1683 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO17. She was probably the mother of the two children whose Woburn birth records stated their father was Samuel Blodgett, Jr. JO12. These children were Samuel Blodgett, born on December 21, 1683, and Daniel Blodgett, born on March 24, 1685 JO12. After this, Huldah’s name began appearing on her children’s birth records. Samuel and Huldah Blodgett were the parents of eight children whose births were recorded in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO12. These were William, born on January 11, 1686, Huldah, born on February 9, 1689, Caleb, born on November 11, 1691, Joshua, born on February 26, 1694, Josiah, born on March 27, 1696, John, born on April 19, 1699, Benjamin, born on March 4, 1701, and Nathan, born on March 15, 1704 JO12. Ensign Samuel Blodgett died on November 5, 1743 and Huldah, the widow of Samuel Blodgett, died on March 13, 1746 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachustts JO16. Her probate record stated MA64:
We the subscribers Being the Heirs at Law of the estate of Huldath Blogget Late of woboorn Decest and widow to Samll Blogget Late of said woboorn Who Decest November the Fifth 1743 Humbly Sheweth that wheiras the sd Huldath Decd seasd of some Parsnoll [personal] estate we Pray that yor Honnor would appoint Capt Nathan Blogget to administer on the Estate of the fordsd Deceased Huldath and also that your Honnor would appoint Left James Simons Thomas Reed and Samll Wyman Junr Aprisers therof
Woburn march yd 17th 1745 [1745/6]
John Blogget
Benjamin Blogget
Ebenezer Reed
Elizabath Blogget Hir Marke Administratrix to ye Estate of Caleb Blogget
The inventory of her estate was conducted on March 26, 1746 by James Simonds, Thomas Reed, and Samuell Wyman, Jr. and included her household goods and detailed descriptions of her clothing items MA64:
Wobourn. March ye: 26: 1746
Atru Inventory of all the Estate that mrs Huldah Blogget Late of Woborn Deceased died seized and possessed of shown by the Administrator to us the subscribers and apprized as followeth viz
Impris… a Riding Hood.. a blu Callaminck gound [callaminco or calamanco gown]… a black silk crap gound [crepe gown] and black pettecoat…. A green gound… a striped Calleminck gound… a green Large pettecoat… a Red pettecoat & white pettecoat… six old pettecoats… a old Riding Hood… two west cuts [waistcoats] and old gound… five pare of stockings… two pare of stayes… a pare of shows [probably “shoes”]… a bonet [bonnet]… six shefts [shifts]… Eight lasts capps… four old Capps… four tow apporns [tow, or coarse, aprons]… two fine appons [aprons].. six hancaches [handkerchiefs]… Three pare of gloves… a silk hood and scarfe and fann… two pare of sleves… four neckloths for men… two pare of breches & Jacket… Three books… apare of sheets… apare of sheets… a pare of sheets… a pare of tow sheet… a pare of tow sheet… a pare of old sheets… apare of smale old sheets… a table cloth… four old Table cloths… Eight old pillow coats… Three napkins… seven towels… three peces of new cloth… Cubert Cloth [possibly “cupboard cloth”] and walet… blue Curtens… a feather bed and 2 bolster and two pillows 3 pillow coats under bed bed sted and Cord… apare sheets… a blancket… a Cover lid… blancket… a flock bed bedsted and Cord and Covering…
House
well Goods… two putter disheses and putter bason [pewter dishes and basin]… old
putter disheses and putter pott… a brass kettle… a warming pann… a brass
skelett [skillet] and skelett frame… a box Iorn and heeters [box iron and
heaters]… a potteg pott [pottage pot] and pole hooks… the lttle [little] pot
and hooks… a dish kittle… a frying pann… a brass skemmer [skimmer]… a tinn pann
and tinn tuntlel [the previous word is uncertain]… Earthen ware… a morter and
pestle… a pare of hand bellos [hand bellows]… two old paiels [pails] and pigen…
Knives and forks and Chopin [probably “chopping”] knife… apare of shears… an
Iyviory [ivory] Comb… apare of speckatels [the previous word was a bit messy
but probably stated “spectacles”]… a Carved Cubbert [cupboard]… two trammells…
a paier of andIorns fire slice and tounges [a pair of andirons, fire slice, and
tongs]… a table and Joynt stool…nine old Cheaiers [chairs]… a whell and Churne
and meal troff [trough] tray and salt box… a meale Chest and Long Table… a Chest
In The Low Room… a tub with The malt Is In it… a barriel of sidra
[probably “cider”] with out the barriel… an old barriel and Three old tubs… a
Round tub to Coll worte [this may mean a round tub used to cool “wort” to make
beer or whiskey]… a Chese press and Cheese Rack… hops four pound… two meal
sacks… haams and trasseses [hames and traces to attach to a the collar of a
horse]… a Saddle… old Iorn [iron]… Three forks… a plow sheare and old tub… half
a bushel of Ry meal… twelve bushels of Inden Corn… two bushels of Ry… one
bushel of malt… one smale tub of salt pork…
Abigail or Abigall Simonds was probably the sixth daughter who was mentioned in the inventory of her father’s estate, who was eight years old in June 1672 MA64, which would indicate that she was born about 1664. Abigall was called a sister of Caleb Simons in the division of the estate of William Simons on May 14, 1674 MI28.
Judith Simonds, a widow, died on January 3, 1689 (perhaps 1689/90) in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts JO16. Her death record in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts stated “Judeth Simonds Widow dyed ye 3d day of January --- 1689” WO12.