Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Worcester County, Mass. Vol. 2 pgs. 434, 435, 436, 437 Thomas BRIGHAM (I),the immigrant ancestor of the BRIGHAM family of Grafton, Mass., was born in England. The BRIGHAM family there, is one of the oldest. The name is derived from 2 Saxon words, "brigg" -- or bridge, and "ham"-- for house. Brigham is the name of the manor in Cumberland County, adjoining Scotland, to which at times it belonged in the early days. The ruins ofthe old castle of the Barony are to be seen there. It was built of old Roman material centuries ago. As last as 1648, however, it stood a siege of a month. The family historian, Rev. Abner MORSE, finds the origin of Thomas BRIGHAM in this manor and his ancestry among the Lords of Brigham. Thomas BRIGHAM embarked from London, England for America, April 18, 1635, in the ship " Susan and Ellen". He resided first at Cambridge,then at Watertown. He had a 14 acre lot at Watertown, bought of John DOGGET, in that part annexed to Cambridge, and he built a house in Cambridge on the road to Watertown on the Charles River. He lived there until 1648. He was admitted a freeman in 1639. He was a Selectman in 1640,42,47, and constable from 1639-1642. He owned a wind mill. In 1647 the records show that he owned a third of all the swine in town. He died at Cambridge on Dec. 8, 1653. His will was dated Dec. 7, 1653 and proved Oct. 3, 1654. He bequeathed to his wife Mercy and to his children: #1 Thomas #2 John #3 Mary #4 Hannah #5 Samuel. He married Mercy HURD, who is said to have emigrated with her sister on account of religious differences in England. She married (2nd) on March 1, 1655 to Edmund RICE, by whom he had 2 daughters. She married (3rd) in 1664 to William HUNT of Marlborough. She died Dec. 23, 1693. Thomas and Mercy's children's birthdates are: #1 Thomas born 1640-1 and died Nov.25, 1717 #2 John born March 9, 1644-5 and died Sept. 16, 1728 #3 Hannah born May 9, 1649 ad married Samuel WELLS #4 Samuel born Jan 12, 1652-3, see forward. END of Part 1