Break is over. Continuing on.... Submitter is Phyllis D (Wilson) Purdy. This is only for Trails use. Know all Men by these Presents that I Jonathan C Colby of topsfield in the County of Washington and State of Maine in consideration of the sum of four hundred and forty four Dollars and fourteen cents, paid by Emerson C Colby of said Topsfield the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge do hereby give grant bargain Sell and convey unto the said Emerson C Colby his heirs and assigns forever a certain piece or parcel of land lying and being in said Topsfield and bounded as follows to wit: Commencing on the east Side of the Baring and Houlton road and on a line of said road and at the southwest corner of land owned and occupied by Stephen Bean thence running easterly on a line of said Beans' land to the northwest corner of land sold to Jonathan Fitch by me, thence running southerly on the line of said Fitch's land to land owned a dn occupied by Livia Haley thence running westerly on the line of said Haley's land to the line of the Baring & Houlton road thence running northerly on the east line of said road to the first mentioned bounds, reserving one acre sold to the town and fenced out for a burying ground and also reserving a piece of land fenced out where the School house stands being part of the lots of land No 113 and 114 according to the plan of Survey of Zebulon Bradley containing ninety one acres more or less. To have and to hold the afore granted and bargained premises with all the privileges and appurtenances thereof to the said Emerson C Colby his heirs and assigns to their use and behoof forever. And I do covenant with the said Emerson c Colby his heirs and assigns that I am lawfully seized in fee of the premises, that they are free of all incumbrances, that I have good right to sell and convey the same to the said Emerson C Colby And that I will warrant and defend the same premises to the said Emerson C Colby his heirs and assigns forever against the lawful claims and demands of all persons. In witness whereof I the said Jonathan C Colby have hereunto set may hand and seal this twenty second day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty. Jonathan C Colby [Seal] Signed sealed and delivered in presence of M Vickery JP Washington Ss June 22, 1850. Then the above named Jonathan C Colby acknowledged the above instrument by him subscribed to be his free act and deed. Before me Mathias Vickery Justice of the Peace Received and Entered July 10, 1850 5h PM - Attest Dan'l M Dorman Reg Washington County Deeds Vol 77 p 208-9 Know all men by these presents that we Jonathan C Colby and Sarah A Colby of the County of Adams and State of Wisconsin in consideration of One Hundred and Fifty Dollars paid by Ollivetti Cloak of Topsfield in the county of Washington and state of maine, the receipt whereof we hereby acknowledge, do remise, release, bargain, sell and convey and forever quit claim unto the said Ollivetti Cloak, her heirs and assigns forever all right title and interest in and to a certain piece or parcel of real estate situated and being in the Town of Topsfield and bounded and described as follows, to wit: Commencing on the east line of the Baring and Houlton Road, and at the southwest corner of land owned and occupied by Stephen Bean then running easterly on the line of said Bean's land ot the Northwest corner of Land owned and occupied by William Clark thence southerly on the west line of said Clark's Land to the north line of Land owned by Mrs Abigail Colby, thence westerly on the north Line of said Mrs Colby's line, and land owned and occupied by Liba Haley to the line of the Burying Ground to the North East corner of the same, thence westerly on the line of the Burying Ground to the line of the Burying Ground and Houlton Road, thence Northerly on the line of said road to the first mentioned bounds, containing Ninety one acres more or less being the same lot deeded by Jonathan C Colby to Emerson C Colby deceased. To have and to hold the same together with the privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging to her the said Ollivetti Cloak, her heirs and assigns forever and we do covenant with the Said Ollivetti Cloak, her heirs and assigns forever against the lawful claims and demands of all persons claiming by through or under us. In witness whereof we the said Jonathan C Colby and Sarah A Colby wife of the said Jonathan in relinquishment of her right to dower in the premises conveyed, have hereunto set our hands and seals this 15th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty two. Jonathan C Colby [Seal] Sarah Ann Colby [Seal] Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of John Mulbin Edward Norris State of Wisconsin, County of Adams Ss On the 30th day of November AD 1852 personally came before me the above named Jonathan C Colby and Sarah A Colby to me known to be the persons who executed the above deed and acknowledged the same to be their free act for uses and purposes therein mentioned Edward Norris, Notary Public Rec'd and entered April 25, 1853 6 and 1/2h PM Attest J W Lyman Register Marriage Record: Name of Groom: Jacob Colbey Name of Bride: Mahitable P Corliss Residence of Groom: Bradford Date of marriage: April 6th 1806 Name of Party Officiating: Paul Sweet, Justice of the Peace Town: Bradford A B Peters, Town Clerk Death Record: Full Name of Deceased: Colby, Capt Jacob Age: 44 Yrs Date of Birth: Names of Parents: Name of Husband or Wife: Hitty Colby Date of Death: September 30, 1825 Name of Cemetery: upper Plain A True Copy Attest: Chas A Haskins Nov 13, 1919 Attest: Harvey W Eaton Town Clerk of Bradford Full Name of Deceased: Colby, Hitty P Age: 70 Date of Birth: Names of Parents: Name of Husband or Wife: Jacob Colby Date of Death: May 5, 1855 Name of Cemetery: Upper Plain A True Copy Attest: Chas A Haskins Nov 13, 1919 Attest: Harvey W Eaton Town Clerk of Bradford Partial Cemetery Transcription Upper Plains Cemetery Bradford, Vermont Abigail Hewes Heaton Colby wife of Jacob Curtis Colby 26 May 1813 - 30 Mar 1883 Absolom J Colby Died 3 Oct 1896 Age 75 years 7 mos Alphonso J Colby Died 11 Oct 1846 Age 16 years, 9 months Edmund Colby son of Thomas & Elizabeth Colby Died 5 Sep 1827 age 6 years Elias T Colby son of M & L T Colby Died 7 Feb 1833 Eliza J Colby Died 26 May 1833 age 1 yr 2 mos Elizabeth Colby dau of M & L T Colby died 7 Feb 1833 Elizabeth (Corliss) Colby wife of Dr Thomas Colby died Jan 1837 age 42 years Elizabeth T Colby wife of Mood Colby 20 Sep 1807 - 23 Dec 1885 Enock Colby 5 Dec 1798 - Dec 1823 Lost at Sea Harrison T Colby 1892 - 1959 Henry B Colby (Capt) Died 16 Apr 1883 age -3 years 20 days Henry C Colby Born Fairlee Vt 4 Mar 1866 - 3 May 1953 Hitty Mitchell Colby dau of J & H P Colby died 23 Mar 1829 age 18 years Hitty P Colby wife of Jacob Colby died 5 May 1855 age 70 years Hulda Jane H Colby dau of Thomas & Elizabeth Colby died 24 Oct 1843 age 20 years Laura Colby dau of Thomas & Elizabeth Colby died 14 Sep 1832 age 4 years Lizzie K Colby 1861 - 1940 Lucia Colby wife of Allen W Colby died 11 Oct 1876 age 25 years, 22 days Margery Colby wife of Simeon Colby Mildred L Colby 1895 - Moody Colby 5 May 1806 - 22 Jul 1862 Thomas Colby (Dr) died 26 Dec 1829 age 41 years Resign D (McKellips) wife of Absolom J Colby 9 Aug 1823 - 24 Apr 1898 Capt Jacob Colby Died 30 Sep 1825 AE 44 years Death Record: Full Name of Deceased: Colby, George Washington Place of Death; Color: White Age 81 yrs 8 mos 2 Dy Married Occupation; Farmer Birthplace: Bradford, Vt Father's Name: Jacob Colby Father's Birthplace: Vermont Mother's Maiden Name: Mehitable Corliss Mother's Birthplace: Vermont Date of Death; 1905 Feb 6 Disease Causing Death; Broncho pneumonia Contributing Disease: Old age & Lagrippe Medical Attendant: Chas N Fox, MD Town: Topsham, Vt H B White, Town Clerk Certified Copy Public Records Division State of Vermont Bio: Ryce (or Rise) Cole came from England with the Winthrop fleet in 1630 and settled at Charlestown, Suffolk Co, Massachusetts. It is believed he came from London. He and his wife, Arrold, were among those dismissed from the Boston Church in October 1632 to form the first Church of Charlestown, and their names appear in the covenant signed on 14 Nov 1832 Ryce Cole was admitted Freeman April 1, 1633 and appears on the list of proprietors of October 13, 1634 and in a division in January 1635 in which he obtained four acres. He was a witness of the will of Daniel Sheperdson, blacksmith, of Charlestown, May 16, 1644. His possessions in Charlestown, 1638, consisted of 9 lots and are shown by the land records. They were: 1. One dwelling house with a garden plat situated in the middle row, abutting southwest upon the stree way, northeast upon the back street, bounded on the northwest by William Johnson, and on the southeast by the mill way. 2. Two acres of arable land, by estimation, more or less, situated in the east field, abutting the southwest upon Long way, northeast upon the swamp, bounded on the southwest by William Brakenburg, and on the northwest by Daniel Sheperdson and Samuel Carter. 3. Two acres of swamp, by estimation, more or less, lying in the wast field; bounded on the east by Samuel Carter, on the west by Edward Convers, on the south by Capt Robert Sedgwick and on eht north by Robert Cutler and William Palmer. 4. Milch cow commons, three and a quarter. 5. Four acres of arable land, by estimation, more or less, situated in the line field, abutting southwest upon the Cambridge line, northeast by the common; bounded on the southeast by John Penticost and one the northwest by William Frothingham. 6. Five acres of woodland, by estimation, more or less, situated in the Mystic field. 7. Four acres of meadow, by estimation, more or less, situated in Mystic marshes, abutting west upon the North River, east upon the woodland; bounded on the south by William Brakenburg and on the north by Samuel Carter. 8. Ten acres of woodland, more or less, situated in Mystic field, abutting northeast upon John Wolrich, Prudence Wilkinson and James Hubbard; southwest upon Thomas Carter; bounded on the northwest by John Hodges and southeast by Mrs Harvard. 9. Fifty acres of land, by estimation, more or less, situated in the water field; bounded on the northwest by Mrs Harvard, on the east by the river and on the southwest by John Hodges. Ryce Cole married Arrold Dunington. Her will was dated 20th of the 10th month 1662, and was proved on the 26th of the 10th month 1662. She bequeathed to son John Cole, sons Lowden and Pierce and their children and to brother Solomon Phipps. Ryce Cole died in Charlestown, Massachusetts, 15 Mar 1646. His will was dated the 3rd month 1646 and was probated 1 April 1662. It gave to wife, sons Robert, John and James and two daughter. Richard Lowden and Thomas Pierce of Woburn, who married the daughters asked for a division of the estate, the eldest and youngest sons having died without heirs, leaving only one son. The widow, Arrold, wrote from Charlestown 28 Aug 1655, to her son and daughter Jenks and daughter Ruth Coles, giving love to "your brother John Cole and brothers and sisters Peirce and Lowden. She wrote 16(10) 1661 to daughter Ruth Mood, referring to Ruth's former husband. Henry Mudd of Stepney, England, mariner, and Ruth his wife, gave power of attorney to John Smith of Charlestown 16(-)1661" According to Wyman, Ryce Cole was an inhabitant of Charlestown in 1629 and was 9th on the first list of 13. He was an original member of the church, #109. It has been believed that Arrold, wife of Ryce Cole was descended from one of the early Phipps lines in Amerca because she mentions "brother Solomon Phipps" in her will. It is not known just what this connection is. It maybe through the marriage of a sibling or merely refers to Solomon as a spiritual brother. However, it appears clear that Ryce Cole and Arrold Dunington were married at Great Bowden, Leicestershire, England on 7 Jun 1612. Arrold was a daughter of Edward and Margaret (Cox) Dunington. She was baptized 21 Sep 1587. Probate #4798 Cambridge Middlesex County, Massachusetts This 24th of the 10 month 1662[1661] I harald Cole of Charlestowne In the county of Middlex Relict to Rice Colles Deceased Being Sicke and Weak In Bodie But of good understanding Doe make this my last Will And Testament As followeth First I give my Soule to god that gave it mee And to the lord Jesus Christ who Redeemed it: Next I commit my Body to the grave to be decently Burried: And after my charges Both for Sickness and Burrial be Defrayed I Desire that my Husbands will may be fulfilled I do give to my Sonne John Colles a bible that was my Husbands The Rest of my estate to be equall Devided Between my Sonne Lowden: And my Sonne pierce: And my Sonnes Colles And before this estate be equally Devided my daughter pierce is to take the Bede on which I lye -- And my Grandchild John Colle a Iron potte And his father is not to Disposse of it from him -- I give to my Grand child John Lowden A pair of sheetes & to my Grand child Mary Lowden one Box and one Scarffe & to my grandchild James Lowden A pinnt potte: & more to my grand child Mary Colle a Brass Kettell -- it is likewise my will And my Desire that Brother Solloman phips shall seee the foresayd [satisfied?]: In this my Last to be Right Disposed of Her Mark Wittnesse William ---- The mark of Anna March Nathaniell Dady The mark of Elizabeth Johnson Gorge ----- Charlestown, 26 (20) 1661 mr George Hepbourne and Nathaniel Dady being Sworn do Say that the above named Harrold Colle being of good understanding did Signe & declare this above written instrument to be her Last Will & testamt and that thereto they Subscribed their names as witnesses and that they know of no other Before Capt Daniel Gookin & Thomas Danforth Recorder Entered & Recorded 26 10 1661 at Cambridge in the Register of wills in Lib as attest Thomas Danforth Recordr Bio: Edward Converse (also seen as Convers/Combers/Cumbers), son of Allen and Joanna ()Converse, was baptized 23 March 1588/9 at Navestock, Essex, England and died 10 Aug 1663 at Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. He married 1st Sarah Parker 29 Jun 1614 at Great Burstead, Essex, England. Sarah died in 1625 and was buried 13 Jun 1625 at South Weald, Essex, England. Edward Converse and children Josiah, James and Mary came from England with the Winthrop Fleet in 1630. They arrived at Salem, Essex Co, Massachusetts 12 Jun 1630 after a stormy passage of sixty three days. They settled first at Charlestown, Suffolk County, Massachusetts and "Edward Converse and Sarah Converse, his 2nd wife", were among the first members of the church received on the Sunday following its organization in Charlestown 30 July 1630. This was the First Church of Boston and Edward and Sarah Converse and thirty three other members were dismissed 14 Oct 1632 to be embodied as the first Church of Charlestown, enterin into mutual covenant for this purpose 2 Nov 1632. The name of Edward Converse appears among those who "desire to be made freemen" 19 Oct 1630, and took the oath as such 18 May 1631, these being the first to be admitted to the company in New England. Edward Converse established the first ferry between Charlestown and Boston under the vote of the General Court of 9 Nov 1630, and 18 May 1631 was authorized to charge, for ferrying, "two pence for every single person, and one penny apiece if there be two or more." This lease was renewed 9 Nov 1637, for three years, Mr Converse agreeing to pay therefor forty pounds each year into the Colonial treasury. This ferry crossed the river where Charlestown bridge now crosses it, and it was called the "Great Ferry," to distinguish it from the ferry operated by Thomas Williams between Charlestown and Winnisimmet. Edward Converse held the lease of the "Great Ferry" until 7 Oct 1640, when it was granted for the support of Harvard College. Edward Converse served Charlestown as a selectman from 1635 until his removal in 1640 to the new town, which was first called Charlestown Village and later Woburn. He was one of the most prominent citizens of Woburn. He built the first dwelling house there before 4 Jan 1641. It was at the mill once called by his name in the South Village, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts now Winchester. He also built this first mill there, a corn mill. Edward Converse served on the jury 28 Sept 1630. On 7 Oct 1640, he was appointed with two others to "set the bounds betweene Charlestown & Mr Cradock's farme on the other side of the Mystick Ryver;" and in December 1641 it was ordered "that Lieft Sprague and Edward Converse should repair the bridge at Meadfoard over the Mystick Ryver & the same to bee paid for out of the treasury." The first bridge was built in Woburn 10 Feb 1640/41. IT was called Cold Bridge, but was better known as "Convers Bridge" from the name of the proprietor of the adjacent mill, and, as it is said in the records to have been laid "over against Edward Convars' hows," it is inferred that that house, which continued many years in the occupation of that distinguished family, and the site of which is still well remembered, was either already standing when the bridge was built, or that it was erected immediately after, and before the entry just quoted from the records was made, and that it was the first built dwelling house in Woburn. Edward Converse was one of the first two deacons of the church, and he hald this office until his death. His wife, Sarah, died at Woburn, 14 Jan 1662 and he married 3rd Joanna Sprague, widow of Ralph Sprague 9 Sep 1662. Gonna take a break, then will start back.... I've got about ten more emails to finish this first binder..... Enjoy Jeanne/jmh