Hi Donna! Well, for what it's worth, here is what I have in my files regarding Edmund CHANDLER: 1. Edmund CHANDLER. Born in 1588 in England. Edmund died in Duxbury, Plymouth County, MA in May 1662; he was 74. When a young man he went to Barbadoes in the West Indies. This must have been about the year 1625, as only a ship's crew had visited the island previous to that year. Young Chaundeler must have had some financial resources upon his arrival in New England, for immediately he was able to live as a gentleman, erecting a house and having his apprentices. He joined the Plymouth Colony as early as 1632/3, and it is possible that he may have arrived even several years prior to that date. According to Underhill's "Descendants Of Edward Small ...", "... Edmund belonged to the remnant of the Pilgrim body that remained [in Leyden] after the first three ships, the Mayflower, the Fortune, and the Anne, had been sent to New England." He was made freeman in Duxbury in 1633. Edmund Chandler is not mentioned in any of the ships lists given in Willison's "Saints And Strangers". The early records show that he had many real estate transactions. In 1632/3 there was also a Roger and a Samuel Chaundeler in the Plymouth Colony. Roger probably was not a kinsman, but was of the Chandler (as he so spelled his name) family of Salem, where he soon went, and died. Unquestionably Samuel was the eldest son of Edmond. The name of Edmond Chaundeler appears on the list of freemen in the incorporation of Plymouth in 1632/3. That same year land near Island Creek was granted to him, and it was not far from that point that he located his home. In 1634 it was written in the 'Plymouth Booke of Records' that 'the cattle of Edmond Chaundeler be marked by a slitt in the neather side of the left eare, under the eare'. In 1636/7 Edmond Chaundeler was a constable of the Colony; and in 1639 he and Johathan Brewster were the first to represent the town of Duxbury as Deputies to the General Court. Again, in 1644/5, Edmond Chaundeler was a Deputy from Duxbury with John Alden. In 1643 he 'took the oath of fidelity' and was declared able to bear arms. He was one of the original Proprietors of the town of Bridgewater, incorporated in 1645. At the time he executed his will his family consisted of seven children, the three younger having been born in Duxbury, probably. From the text of his will, together with a diligent search of all records and a bit of family tradition, it may ever remain a disputed question, whether the daughters, Sarah, Anna and Mary, ever came to New England. His children were Sarah, Anna, Mary, Samuel, Benjamin, Joseph and Ruth as mentioned in his will and that instrument, recorded in Plymouth, is as follows: WILL OF EDMOND CHAUNDELER: I Edmond Chaundeler being olde and weak in body, yet in good and perfect memory, doe make and Ordain this to bee my last Will and Testament First, my will is that when It shall please god to take mee out of this World unto himself that my body bee decently buried and that out of my whole estate my funeral charge bee defrayed. 2. My will is that out of the remainder of my whole estate all my just and lawful debts bee payed. 3. I give and bequeath unto my son Samuell Chaundeler my whole share of land that is at the place or places called by the names of Mattakeesett and Oushemett which I doe and shall possess. 4. I give and bequeath unto my son Benjamin Chaundeler to him and his heirs forever all that tract or tracts of land lying in Duxburough both upland and Meadow with all the rights belonging there unto only he is not to enter upon the possession there of till the terms of six years bee ended. 5. I give and bequeath unto my son Joseph Chaundeler to him and his heirs forever my whole share of land which now lyeth by Taunton River near unto a place commonly known by the (name of the) "Rocks" with all my further interest there unto. 6. I give and bequeath unto my three daughters Sarah, Anna and Mary three thousand and five hundred of Sugar which belongs to me at Barbadoes. 7. I give and bequeath unto my three children viz:-Benjamin, Joseph and Ruth Chaundeler the last four years rent due to me by my son Samuell Chaundeler for my land and cattle equally to bee divided among them and for the first two years rent I reserve for myself and to dispose of as I shall see good. 8. My will is that such cattle of mine which is in my son Samuell's hands shall after the term of six years, which he took them for bee equally devided between my three children Benjamin, Joseph and Ruth. I doe by this my Last Will and Testament make constitute and appoint my dear and loving son Joseph Chaundeler to bee the executor of this my Last Will and Testament. In witness that this is my Last Will and Testament, I here sett my hand and seal this third day of Maye one thousand six hundred and sixty two --1662- In the presence of (signed) Edmond Chaundeler. John Alden and a seal. Constant Southworth (End of will) The instrument was written by the testator and seems to have been drawn by one apparently versed in the legal phraseology of the times. But why did he single out Ruth to enjoy and share with her brothers the personalty in Duxbury -- and give to 'Sarah, Anna, and Mary three thousand five hundred of Sugar' at Barbadoes unless the were at Barbadoes to look after it? That Edmond Chaundeler was a man of more than average intelligence, honor and integrity, of sagacity and keen business ability, is evidenced by the high position he took at once upon joining the Plymouth Colony. The names of his children would indicate that he and his wife were deeply religious. Edmond Chaundeler died in Duxbury the last of May, 1662, and his body was buried on the home place, near Island Creek. The name, date and place of death of his wife are uncertain." - Pressell (1953) "In 1636 he had granted to him 'forty acres of land lying on the east side of Moyses Symonson, where Morris formerly began to cleare for Mr. Bowman,' which was afterward made void, and sixty other acres granted. He was of Scituate in 1650. He died in 1662, leaving an estate of thirty-eight pounds.' - Beers (1912), Vol 2, p. 965 Research: Source Notes: "Mayflower Increasings", by Susan E. Roser. Children: 2 i. Samuel (1611-) 3 ii. Lydia (1613-1651) 4 iii. Sarah (1613-) 5 iv. Benjamin (~1616-1691) 6 v. Anna (1617-) 7 vi. Mary (~1619-) 8 vii. Ruth (~1628-) 9 viii. Joseph (~1638-1721) Would appreciate any correction, additions, etc. that anyone can make to this information! John Kieffer http://members.tripod.com/~jvmusik/WC_TOC.htm Researching the following surnames: ALEXANDER, BAR, BEAR, CARLE, CLEMENTS, CONDON, EBERLY, FLICKINGER, GORDON, HARDESTY, HARLAN, HAWLEY, HIGGINS, HUNT, IRWIN, KIEFFER, LONG, LUNSFORD, McDONALD, MASSIE, MESSICK, NEWBOLD, NEWCOMER, PORTERFIELD, SCHIIMPF, SHIMP, WALTER, WARREN, WILEY, WIMER & ZEIGLER [email protected] wrote: > Hi, > > I have been lurking for awhile and decided I would see if any one is > tracing my Chandler line. Lydia CHANDLER m. Richard HIGGINS. I know > her father was Edmund CHANDLER. I have read so much about the serious > errors that have been made by others regarding Edmund CHANDLER, I need > some advice if I have attached her to the right Edmund CHANDLER or where > I might go look for proof. From the information I have I believe she > died abt 1650. I have the Chandler Notes from The Mayflower Descendant, > Volume XIV which provides an abstract of Edmund's will and he died > apparently between May 3, 1662 when his will was dated and it was proved > 4 June, 1662. Because Lydia died before this date she was not mentioned > in his will. My question is this the right Edmund CHANDLER? > > I appreciate any help or suggestions. > > Donna