The submitter is Phyllis D Purdy This is only for Trails use >From the Essex Antiquarian Vol 4 p 88 Will of Thomas Barker The will of Thomas Barker of Rowley was proved in the Ipswich court 25: 1: 1651. The following copy was taken from the record in the Ipswich Deeds, volume 1, leaf 120, the original being missing. I Thomas Barker of Rowley, in Newenglande though at p'ssent weake of body, yet of good vnderstanding, doe ordaine & make this my Last will & Testament. First I doe Comfortably give up my Soule into the hands of God through Jesus Christ in whom I doe trust that I shall have a Joyfull resurrection. And I doe abhorre all the errors & Blasphemies that doe abounde in these dayes, against the said resurrection & the holy Scriptures. Inprimis for the blessings of this life which God hath given me I doe give to o reverend Pastor, m Ezekiel Rogers my young mare, he paying out of it A Cowe to the Stock of the Towne of Rowley to be disposed of by the Elders & Deacons. Item I give to my Deare Sister Jane Lambert one Ewe Sheepe. Item I giver to Thomas Leauer & his wife one Ewe sheepe. Item I give to John Johnson two pounds: To Elizabeth Johnson one pounde. Item I give to Thomas Lambert Sixty pounds or the one halfe of my Lande, with ten pounds: whether of these my wife seeth meete: And my meaning is that if he have the halfe of the Lande, that the dwelling howse & Barnes & other housing are excepted, with all the yards & lands betweene the Streete & the Brook. Item I doe give to my wellbeloved wife Mary Barker my Dwellinge house, Barnes all the rest of the housinge & yards as before excepted. Item I doe give to my said wife Mary All my Lands & privileges therto belonging in Rowley. Item I give to mary my saide wife all my Goods, houshold Stuffe, Cattell, money or whatsoever is mine my Legacies & debts being discharcharged. Item for the time when Thomas Lambert his aforesaide portion is to be paid, my meaning is, that it be paide him at the Age of one & Twenty yeeres but if he the saide Thomas Die before the Age of one & twenty yeeres, thy will is that the portion to him bequeathed shallbe divided among all his brothers & sisters, Jonathan haveing a double share & the rest equall. Item I doe give to my beloved Brethren Thomas Mighill & mathewe Boyes, each of them forty shillings. I doe make my Deare wife mary my sole Executrix of this my last will & testament. And of Loveing Pastor, Thomas Maghill our Deacon & mathew Boyes overseers of the same. In witnesse wherof I doe here sett to my hande & seale. In the p'sence of vs Thomas Barker Ezekiel Rogers Thomas Mighell Mathew Boyes Vol 4, p 7-8 Will of Robert Johnson The will of Robert Johnson of Rowley was proved in the Ipswich court 26: 1: 1650. The following copy was taken from the record in the Ipswich Deeds, volume I, leaf 85, the original being missing. The last will & Testament of Robert Johnson Sick & weake of Body But of perfect memory (praysed be God) Inp my will and minde is that all my Debts be paide, & all my lawfull debts being paid my will is that out of the remaynder of my goods somthing be distributed unto the pore of Rowley according unto the Discression of my Cosen Thomas Barker & Humfrey Reyner. Ite that which [may] remayne of my Goods after the aforesaid things be done I doe Assigne it to be returned unto my ffather Robert Johnson at the new haven. Item I make Thomas Barker & Humfrey Reyner my Executors of this my last will & Testament In witnesse whereof I the said Robert Johnson Jr have subscribed my hande this 13 of the 7th mo: 1649. In the presence of us Robert Johnson John Brocke Thomas Barker Humfrey Reyner Early Settlers of Rowley, Massachusetts by George Blodgette p 14 12. Thomas Barker, freeman 13 May 1640, had a four-acre house lot, 1643; was one of the wealthiest of the first settlers. He brought with him his wife, Mary; died without issue; was buried 30 Nov 1650. His will, proved 25: 1 mo 1651, mentions Mr Ezekiel Rogers; dear sister Jane Lambert; Thomas Leaver and his wife; John Johnson; Elizabeth Johnson; Thomas Lambert, a minor; "beloved brethren Thomas Mighill and Matthew Boyes"; wife, Mary, to be executrix and have remainder (Essex Deeds, 1 Ips: 120) Thomas Barker was called "Brother" in the will of Francis Lambert, and his wife, Mary, was called "Aunt" in the will of Gershom Lambert. In the will of Robert Johnson he is called "My Cosen Thomas Barker." Widow Mary Barker married (2) Rev Ezekiel Rogers. p 323 Rogers 160. Rev Ezekiel Rogers, founder and first minister of the town of Rowley, was born in Wethersfield, England. He came to this country, 1638, and to this place in the spring of 1639; freeman, 23 May 1639; installed 3 Dec 1639, pastor of the first church in Rowley "then gathered." The mutiny, in Mr Rogers' company whereby a part settled in New Haven (called "Quillip" or "Wuinnipiack" or Quillipiake") until 1 Sept 1640, caused Mr Rogers much sorrow as shown by his letter to John Winthrop, dated "Rowley Nov 3, 1639" as follows: "Sir, Mr (George) Lamberton did us much wrong. I expected his coming to the Bay: but it seems he sits down at Quillip--yet he hath a house in Boston: I would humbly crave your advice to Mr Will Bellingham about it, whether we might not enter an action against him & upon proof, get help by that house. None do know (or few) what we are impoverished by this purchase & Quillipiake & the failing of some expected friends." He married, before 1627, Joan Hartopp (Waters), who came with him. She died in Rowley, and was buried 8 May 1649. Emanuel Downing from Salem, in a letter to John Winthrop Jr, 24: 12 mo 1650, says, "Mr Rogers of Rowley hath last weeke buryed his wife and childe within a few days after she was brought to bed" (Waters). It is remarkable that this marriage, birth, death and burial should pass unnoted on the public records. He married 16 July 1651, Mary, widow of Thomas Barker. On the night of this marriage, his dwelling-house was burned*, with his goods and the library he brought from England. Soon after, a fall from his horse so injured his right arm that it was ever after useless. Amid all these distressing calamities he held to his Christian fortitude and resignation. His house was rebuilt; his library replenished; his left hand substituted for the right; his ministerial labors were continued. Mr Rogers died 23 Jan and was buried 26 Jan 1660/1, in his 70th year. "He was a man of eminent piety, zeal and abilities. His strains of oratory were delightful. With the youth he took great pains, and was a tree of knowledge, laden with fruit, which children could reach" (old monument, removed 1851). His will is printed in Register, 5:125, and in Gage's Hist of Rowley; his pedigree in Register, 41: 158. He left no issue. (Monument) His widow, Mary, was buried 12 Feb 1678/9. Her will, dated 28 Apr 1669, mentions as legatees: nephew Thomas Lambert, to have all the estate that was Thomas Barker's except one-half of the 3,000 acres in Boxford, which has already been given to Gershom Lambert; niece Ann Nelson, 5 pounds, and one-half apparel; Prudence Leaver, 10 pounds; Mary Dresser, "formerly Leaver", 4 pounds; Elizabeth "Plats" wife of Jonathan, beds, etc; Samuel Brocklebank or his heirs, 5 pounds (Essex Deeds, 3 Ips: 168. *<i>Elizabeth Johnson, who later married Jonathan Platts, was one of Mr Ezekiel Rogers' maides, and accused Faith Parratt, sister of Francis Parratt, of setting Mr Rogers' house on fire on the night of his marriage to Mary Barker. p 208 John Johnson, a brother of Robert Johnson, Sr of New Haven, was identified with Roger's company, though he may have preceded it to this country. He was in New Haven, Conn, early in 1639, and had a house there, in the "Yorkshire Quarter" (Atwater), he soon removed to "the Bay," probably to Boston. He had some Interest in a house in Boston, 1639, probably as a mortgagee, on the 4 Yorkshire men" mentioned in Thomas Lechford's Note-Book. These "4 Yorkshire men" were probably Thomas Barker, John Johnson, Francis Lambert and John Punderson, who, on 7: 8 mo 1639, joined with William Cheseborough in conveyances of said house and lot to Sergt Thomas Savage of Boston. John Johnson had died before 14: 3 mo (May) 1640, when Thomas Barker and Francis Lambert give to Sergt Thomas Savage "Releases and acquittances for themselves and John Johnson's children." Before he left New Haven he sold his mouse and lot to his brother Robert, as is shown by court record as follows: "At Court Held att New Haven The 3d of Novem: 1641: Whereas Robert Johnson maketh clame to the house and lott of his brother, John Johnson, late planter of this towne, deceased" etc. This claim of Robert Johnson was not fully established until 1646; and in the interim this house and lot are mentioned as John Johnson's. from this circumstance some doubt has arisen as to the true date of his death. Soon after the mention of the "4 Yorkshire men" in his notebook, Lechford enters a charge for "Inventory of John Johnson's goods." Bio: Richard Bartlett was born probably between 1575 and 1585. Where he came from does not appear in any discovered record. Savage states that he was from Kent Co, England while an article in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register argues that he came from Wiltshire, England. Another source says he may have come from Dorsetshire, England. One of the witnesses to his will was Edward Rawson and the latter's evidence shows that he had visited Richard Bartlett several times during his illness. At this time Rawson wa an inhabitant of Newbury, Essex Co, MA and while it may have been merely neighborly interest that caused these visits, it is also quite possible that there was an acquaintanceship between the two men which antedated their emigrations. The theory that Richard Bartlett came from Wiltshire seems a reasonable one. The name of John Bartlett, eldest son of Richard Bartlett, appears on the list of passengers of the ship "Mary & John", one of the several ships in which Rev Thomas Parker and his group of followers embarked from Wiltshire for the American colonies. Lists of passengers bound for America in those days were made up without much detail, some giving the names of men only in representing the family; others giving an accompanying list of the names of women and children; still others combining the two. It is, therefore, probably that the name, John Bartlett, appearing on the ship's sailing list, is representing the entire family. Richard Bartlett brought with him from England an old "Breeches Bible" which has been carefully preserved by his descendants and was exhibited by Miss Elizabeth G Hoyt, of Chelsea, Suffolk Co, MA, at the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of Newbury, Essex Co, MA 10 Jun 1885. The bible is bound in black leather and is almost cubical in shape, being six inches thich and the covers measuring six by eight inches. On the front margin of the page on which the 4th Chapter of 1st Esdras is commenced is the following writing: Richard Bartlett Bought this booke Anno Domini 1612. At the end of the Prayer Book is a black page on which is written in the same handwriting the following record: "I Richard Bartlett writ this for the age of my children Joane Bartlett borne in Januarey 29, 1810 wensday 8 of the cloke at night John Bart borne the 9 of November 1613 a 11 of the clok in the day Thomas Bart borne January 22 1615 Rich Bart borne October the 31 1621 wensday mor 3 clok Cris B the 25 of febru being yt yeare S Mathias 1623 between 12 & 1 in the morn'Anne Bart was borne the 26 of februarye being sonday about 12 of the cloke in the dayin the yeare 1625" The gap of six years between the births of Thomas and Richard Bartlett suggests the possibility that Richard Bartlett had two wives, the first three children by the first wife, and the last three by the second. Very little can be learned about Richard Bartlett as he only lived about thirteen years after his arrival in New England and had a long illness which precluded any great activity on his part. This period of ill health was spent in the home of his son, Richard Bartlett Jr, and the year before his death he gave Richard jr the balance of his real estate, stating later in his oral will that he had done more for John, his eldest son, than for all the rest of his children. Although Richard Bartlett states that he had given property to his son John, no deed of this gift of land has been recorded; however, the one to his sons Richard Jr is found in Ipswich deeds, 1:183 "Bee it Known that Richard Bartlett senr of Nubery for...certaine bushells of corne..paid yearely, during his natural life..sell & make over unto Richard Bartlett his sone, his free-hold & foure acre lott at Newtown & Six acres of Salt marsh & five acres of meadow reign nigh to the oxe comon & Seaven acres of dividend land, to him & his heirs forever, in the Yeare one thousand, six hundred forty sixe." "This is the some & substance of the bargain & deed which was made betweene Richard Bartlett senr & Richard Bartlett Jun to which I was a witnes, and it being lost I afferme to the truth hierof" "Edward Rawson, Anthony Somerby This affirmation made the 18th of the 6th mo 1654" Richard Bartlett was a man of some educaton, as the writing in his Bible shows. This together with the fact that he had his sons all taught to write, adds to the evidence that he came at least from the upper or educated yeomanry. By trade he was a shoemaker. Richard Bartlett died in Newbury, Essex Co, MA, 20 May 1647. Although he was ill for a long time prior to his death, he deferred making his will until it was too late. In consequence a nuncupative will was filed in Court. "The testimony of william Titcombe & Anthony Somersby concerning the last will & testament of Richard Bartlett sen of Newbury deceased the 20th of May 1647. About a month before he deceased we being with him & two of his sonnes being present he being very ill & had bene weake all the spring concerning that small estate he had how he would dispose of it. As for his sonne John Bartlett he had sone for him more than for the rest of his children & at that tyme did not dispose any to him. To his sonne Christofer Bartlett he did bequeath the debt which latly he had borrowed of him which was five bushells of wheate if soe be it should please the lord to take him away at this sicknesse or ells if he should lye long vizitted his necessity would require that hee should pay it againe. To his daughter Johan wife of William Titcombe he bequeathed one paire of new shoes for herselfe & her foure daughters each one a paire of shoes. And all the rest of his goods & chattels that were not disposed of he bequeathed wholly to his sonne Richard Bartlett whom he made his sole heire & executor. I Anthony Somersby the next day persuaded him to give something to his sonne John Bartlett his answere was that he had bene with his sonne Richard Bartlett this twelve month & all that he had was to little for to give him seing he had bene weake & ill & could doe little but lay upon his sonnes charges; besides said he if I should lye longe sick I shalbe chargeable to Richard & not to any of the rest and for John I have done more formerly yet I will give him the warming pan and upon his sonnes request he gave him a great Bible: this he spake being pfect memory & soe continewed to the last breat". "I Edward Rawson wittnes to the last pt of the will that I often heard the said Richard Bartlett sen (the tyme of his sicknesse) say he would & did give all to his sonne Richard Bartlett 29th Septem 1647. This was before the witness Edward Rawson" Bio: Christopher Bartlett was born in England, 25 February 1623, and came to America on the ship "Mary and John" with his father and brothers. He is mentioned in a list of freeholdrs int he town of Newbury, Essex Co, MA Dec 7, 1642, "as entitled to their respective rights in all the waste lands disposed of." He was probably a farmer as he calls himself "planter" in a deed. He was made a freeman of Newbury, 29 September 1646, and deposed in Court in 1657, aged thirty-three years. Christopher Bartlett bought 4 acres of land from William Titcomb on 1 Mar 1651: "in the field called the lower nine lotts, bounded by the highway neare the frogg pond on the South, Cross Street on the west, John Bond's land on the east and John Bartlett's on the north" (Ipswich Deeds 1:111). He later sold this property to "Kinsman John Bartlett Jr of Newbury" for the sum of ten pounds and ten shillings. This transaction took place 4 Oct 1665 (Ipswich Deeds 3:164). Six or seven years later Christopher Bartlett was probably settled at Bartlett's Cove. On 3 Feb 1658, he conveyed to John Bayley eleven acres of land "bounded by the highway to Salsberry new Towne on the south and the Merrimack River on the North" in exchange for fifteen acres of land bounded by the Merrimack River on the North and his own land on the other three sides. This last deed was not recorded until 1673. On 8 April 1662 he sold twenty acres of land in Newbury to Henry Teuxbury. Christopher Bartlett died testate at Newbury, Essex Co, MA 15 March 1669. His will was dated 14 March 1669 and was proved 29 March 1670. his estate was valued at 200 pounds. Christopher Bartlett was married twice; his first wife was named Mary, surname unknown, who died in Newbury, 24 Dec 1660. He married 2nd, Mary Hoyt, 17 Dec 1663, at Newbury. She was a daughter of John and Frances Hoyt. After Christopher's death Mary (Hoyt) Bartlett married Richard Martin. Richard Martin was a son of George and Susanna (North) Martin. His mother, Susanna (North) Martin was tried for witchcraft at Salem, Massachusetts, 29 June 1692 and she was executed 19 July 1692. Will of Christopher Bartlett Probate #1848 Salem, Essex Co, MA March the 14th day in our Lord god 1669 In the name of god Amen I Cristopher Bartlet of newborow in the County of Essex new England beinge sick & weake of body but of perfect memory doe make this my Last will and testament in maner & forms as followeth <u>imp</U> I bequeath my soule to the Almighty god who gave it in hopes of my resurection in my Lord & saviour Jesus Christ at the Last day and I bequeath my body to the ground from whence I was taken to be buried at the burying plase at newborow with Cristian buriall <u>Item</u> I give to my son Cristopher Bartlet twenty Ackers of land in the plaine from Henery Tewxberys fenc & soe alonge to the river & that meadow that is mine in the bogy meadow riservinge my wife mary to have the thirds duringe her life & I doe give my son likwise halfe the dweling house & halfe the orchet when he comes to age <u>Item</u> I give to my wife mary half the dwelinge house & halfe the orchet as Longe as she keape in my name and afterwards to remaine to my son Cristopher <u>Item</u> I make my brother Richard & my brother Titcomb my Executors to see this my will to be performed & to satisfie & pay my depts & to devide the overplush to my thre daughters meary ann & martha & my son frances by equall porsions but theis is nether of them shall require it till you are Capable to pay it. <u>Item</u> it is my will that my wife shall have a third part more than the other three when it is devided for the breedinge of the child in wittness heirof I have heirunto set my hand. Cristopher (his C B mark) Bartlet Witness: Thomas Tewxbery Henery (his mark) Twexbery Wm Tittcombe renounced his executorship and joyned as a witness with Thos Tewxbery Bio: Christopher Bartlett, the son of Christopher and Mary (Hoyt) Bartlett, was born in Newbury, Essex Co, MA 11 Jun 1655. He married 29 Nov 1677, Deborah Weed. She was born 15 June 1659 in Salisbury, Essex Co, MA and was a daughter of John and Deborah (Winsley) Weed. Christopher Bartlett was a cordwainer and he lived in Newbury until 1686 when he moved to Haverhill where he afterward resided, being called a "planter." He died testate, his will was dated 8 June 1703 and was probated 13 Nov 1713. Jeanne/jmh