William Holmes circa 1592 to November 1678, of Sandwich, England and Scituate & Marshfield, Mass., and his wife Elizabeth

William Holmes was born in England about 1592, based on his age at death. He came to Plymouth Colony on the Hercules which departed Sandwich, Kent in March 1634/5, as a servant to William Hatch of Sandwich. [NEHGS Register, hereafter NEHGR, 75:219] He is my 10th great-grandfather on my grandfather Arthur Washburn Ellis Davis’ side of the family. 

William was married by about 1637 to a woman named Elizabeth, whose maiden name is not recorded. [Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, hereafter PCR 1:98] Based on her age at death, Elizabeth was born about 1612, making William 20 years her senior. A first marriage for a man in his 40s was unusual, but it is possible their ages at death are not accurate and William was born later. I have not found any indication of Elizabeth being a second wife. 

“Willm Holmes Senior” is in the Scituate section of 1639 list of those who had taken the oath of fidelity.  [PCR,  8:182]  The “senior” does not indicate he had a son William, but was to differentiate him from Lt William Holmes, who was of Duxbury but owned land in Scituate, and was later of Boston. 

William appears in the 1643 Plymouth Colony list of men able to bear arms. [PCR 8:190]. He was admitted freeman on 1 June 1658. [PCR 3:136] He is also in Marshfield sections of 1658 and 29 May 1670 lists of freemen. [PCR 5:277, 8:201]

William was literate as his inventory contained six books [Plymouth County Probate Records 4:1:3] and he signed documents. I don’t find a good deal of public service attributed to William, but he was appointed Marshfield constable in 1665. [PCR 7:122-25] 

William Holmes' signature first column, about halfway down

Elizabeth and William had eight children, all baptized in Scituate Second Church: [approximate birth years from Anderson]

1. Josiah Holmes, born say 1638, baptized Scituate 27 April 1661 [NEHGR 57:178]; married Duxbury 20 March 1665[/6?] Hannah Samson, daughter of Henry Samson [Anderson 3:1623; Plymouth County Land Records 4:188]
2. Abraham born  say 1640; baptized Scituate 14 April 1661 [NEHGR 57:178]; married (1) by 1666 Elizabeth Arnold (eldest known child born Marshfield 18 Sept 1666 [Marshfield VR 6]), daughter of Samuel Arnold; married (2) Hingham 19 April 1695 Abigail [—?—] Nichols widow of Ephraim Nichols [Hingham History 2:351; 3:84]
3. Elizabeth born say 1642; baptized Scituate 20 Oct 1661 [NEHGR 57:178]; living 4 March 1677/8, apparently married [PCPR 4:2]; no further record
4. Mary born say 1644, baptized Scituate 27 April 1661 [NEHGR 57:178]; married Marshfield 24 Jan 1664[/5?] Thomas Tilden [Marshfield VR 5: Joseph Neal Anc 62-62]
5. Sarah born say 1646; baptized Scituate 14 April 1661 [NEHGR 57:178]; she married about 1671 Rev. Samuel Arnold and they lived in Rochester [NEHGR 145:374]
6. Rebecca born say 1646, baptized Scituate 14 April 1661 [NEHGR 57:178]; living 4 March 1677/8, apparently married [PCPR 4:1:2]; no further record 
7. Israel born say 1650, baptized Scituate 14 April 1661 [NEHGR 57:178]; married Marshfield 24 Nov 1681 Desire (Doty) Sherman [Marshfield VR 16; MD 3:42], daughter of Edward Doty [Anderson 1:573-77; Mayflower Families 11:2:8-10] and widow of William Sherman [Anderson 3:1674; Mayflower Families 4:171-74]; shipwrecked and lost sailing into Plymouth Harbor 24 February 1684 [Deane]
8. Isaac born say 1653; baptized Scituate 14 April 1661 [NEHGR 57:178]; married Marshfield [worn] April 167[worn] Anne Rowse [Marshfield VR 9], daughter of John Rowse (in her will of 10 Nov 1687, “Annis Rows relict of John Rows late of Marshfeild deceased” included a bequest to “my daughter Anna Holmes.” [Plymouth County Probate Records 1:23])

I descend from Sarah. Her marriage to Samuel Arnold is based on convincing circumstantial evidence as their marriage is not recorded: We know Samuel married a woman named Sarah from his will and other documents; Samuell Arnold Junior and a woman whose last name was Holmes were fined five pounds each at the March 1671/2  court for “committing fornication…before marriage;” Sarah’s brother Abraham married Samuel Arnold’s sister Elizabeth; Sarah is the right age to have married Samuel in 1671; Sarah and Samuel had daughters named Elizabeth and Mary, names of Sarah’s family members. 

Some genealogists believe that Rev. John Holmes of Duxbury was William’s son but evidence is lacking.

William Holmes was one of the Scituate Conihassett Partners of 1646. He later moved his family to nearby Marshfield, where he was perhaps by 1658. [PCR 8:201] That his children were baptized in Scituate in 1661 does not necessarily mean he was living there—he resided in the north Marshfield near the southern part of Scituate served by the Second Church. [Anderson]

On 5 June 1666 “Willam Holmes hath liberty to look out land for the accommodation of his children.” [PCR 4:132]

William Holmes was involved in multiple land transactions. Some of the places he owned land in Scituate are Hoopole Neck, Three-Mile Tract at Accord Pond, Third Cliff, Great Neck, and “the beaches.”

• The great deed of 1 December 1646 records Timothy Hatherly’s sale of 27/30ths of three quarters of the Conihasset Grant, keeping the quarter part that was originally his own grant. William Holmes purchased one share, a cost of £108. Later these purchasers, or partners, were granted additional Conihasset land. [PCR 12:158]
• 27 Sept 1655 William Holms declared that he had 1/30th share of Conihasset in which the First Cliff is mentioned, but that it owned it jointly with William Perry; an earlier error attributed it to Holms alone. [Bangs]
• 28 March 1662 William Holmes chose lot 11 in a Conihasset land division. [Bangs]
• Undated, John Allen Sr sold his rights in the three-mile tract at Accord Pond to William Holmes “of Marshfield.” [Bangs]
• 25 March 1662[/?63] William Holmes “of Marshfield” sold half a share in Conihasset undivided land to Joseph Tilden. [Bangs]
• 22 May 1671 William Holmes conveyed the share in the three-mile tract at Accord Pond that he obtained from John Allin to his son Abraham Holmes. [Bangs]
• 3 June 1671 William Holmes conveyed one share in the three-mile tract at Accord Pond to his son Josias Holmes. [Bangs]
• Undated, “William Holmes of Marshfield” deeded to “my son Josiah Holmes of Duxburrow…all my right, title and interest in or to the common and undivided lands of the town of Scituate by virtue of the freemen’s act in surrendering up their power of disposal unto the whole inhabitants of the town of Scituate on the thirteenth of December 1647, I William Holmes being at the time an inhabitant of the town of Scittuate.” [Plymouth County Land Records 4:130]
• Undated, William Holmes have alienated and sold to John Allen Senior my lot of Marsh lying on the West side of the Great Neck bounded by marsh of Gowin White, to the Gulf Creek. [Bangs]
• 28 Jan 1694/5 the Conihasset company voted for the choice and taking up of a 20 acre lot as well as a 10 acre lot to each 30th share and lots were drawn. William Holmes: 10 acre lot: 1st; 20 acre lot 26th. [Bangs]

William’s sons sold some of their father’s Scituate land:

• 26 Dec 1671 Josias Holmes sold one share in the three-mile tract at Accord Pond to Joshua Lincoln of Hingham. [Bangs]
• 25 March 1671 [1672] Abraham Holmes sold the share in the three-mile tract at Accord Pond that he received from his father William Holmes, to James Whiton of Hingham.
• Court of Plymouth granted tracts of land to Mr Timothy Hatherly being three miles square and lying in Sittuate by Accord Pond. A few of the men are mentioned by name including William Homes received 1 whole share of the Conihasset land and he was alienating that 1/30th share of land from himself to his son Josias Homes, dated 3 June 1671. Josias Homes sold aforesaid share to Joshua Lincorne for £10 14 shillings on 26 Dec 1671. [Bangs]
• Land at 3-mile Tract by Accord Pond, Timothy Hatherly alienated 27 parts of the 30 parts to 27 purchasers. John Allinge mentioned in the grand deed to have one whole share alienated unto William Hombes, who then alienated same to his son Abraham Hombes. 22 May 1671. [Bangs]
• Abraham Hombes alienated the above land at Accord Pond to James Witon of Hingham, acknowledged 25 March 1671. [Bangs]

Other land transactions that refer to William’s land:

• 13 March 1695 [94/95] John Cowen Jr formerly belonging to a larger lot owned by William Holmes, fol 171 [Bangs]
• 16 May 1695, land laid out for William Peakes in the right of Mr Tilden’s one acre of land standing in Hooppole Neck swamp, borders land in the right of William Holmes. 
• Undated, 27th lot of marsh being Joseph Tilden’s on the southwest side of the Great Neck, bounded towards the northwest to Wm Homes his marsh. [Bangs]
• 12 March 1695 measured 12.5 acres of Holmes’ 25 acre lot now in the possession and occupation of Rodulphus Elmes. [Bangs]
• Undated, Thomas Ensings 20 acre lot of the first division near a swamp or swampy upland bounds William Holmes’ lot.  [Bangs]
• Undated, 53 lot of marsh of Jno Whiston lying in Hoopole Neck fresh marsh, bounded by Wm Holmes. [Bangs]
• 14 March 1695, 6 plus acres of land laid out on the northeasterly side of the Great Swamp and to the northwest ward of William Hollmes, part of that was Major Cudworth’s second division land in the possession of Timothy White. [Bangs]
• Undated, 52nd lot of marsh of Wm Holmes bounded towards the south to Mr Cudworth’s marsh at Hooppole Neck swamp. [Bangs]
• 13 April 1695, land laid out for John Barker in the right of John Whetcombe, Lyeth partly in the Great Swamp and adjoins near the westward end of William Holmes’ 25 acre lot. [Bangs]
• Undated, 26 lot of marsh being William Holmes lying on the west side of the Great Neck bounded to the north to Goyen White’s marsh. [Bangs]
• 13 March 1695 land laid out on the northwesterly end of William Holmes his 25 acres of the first division, 12.5 ares that Lyeth between the Great Swamp and Hoopowl Neck Cartway. 12.5 acres of land was formerly part of sd Holmes’ 25 acre lot but this part is now claimed and in possession of John Cowing Jr. [Bangs]
• 24 May 1710 Laid out for William Peackes one acre in the right of William Holmes in the 7th division, 23rd allotment. Land Lyeth in the beaches at two places. [Bangs]

One of the great things about an ancestor being a Conihasset Purchaser is that the company kept detailed records through the years, even mentioning who the original purchaser was by stating it was “in the right of,” so it’s possible to track the ownership of the land over a period of time. There are many such instances that mention land in the right of William Holmes. The Conihasset Company met on 1 March 1649 and William Holmes was one of the signers of document stating that if a purchaser dies, his land would go to his heirs or assigns. [Bangs]

Court involvement of Elizabeth and William:

• On 4 Sept 1638, “Francis Baver, of Scituate [was] presented for offering to lie with the wife of Willm Holmes, & to abuse her body with uncleanness.” [PCR 1:98]
• On 7 Sept 1641, “Gowen White, of Scittuate, for his assault upon Willm Holmes, is fined by the Court five shillings.” [PCR 2:24]
• On 5 April 1642 “Wm Holmes” posted a bond as surety for “John Stockbridg[e] of Scituate.” [PCR 2:38]
• In 1661 Elizabeth Holmes was accused of being a witch! On 5 March 1660/1 “Dina[h] Silvester, being examined, saith the bear she saw was about a stone’s throw from the highway when she saw it; and being examined and asked what manner of tail the bear had, she said she could not tell, for his head was towards her.” A marginal annotation in record: “This was ordered to be recorded for the clearing of a report about Wm Holmes his wife being accused to be a witch.”  [PCR 3:205, 207] This was a time when witches were thought to be communing with the devil, rather than making magic. I wrote more about this here.
• William did not abide the slander against his wife: on 7 May 1661 “[c]oncerning the complaint of Willam Holmes, of Marshfield, against Dinah Silvester, for accusing his wife to be a witch, the Court have sentenced, that the said Dinah Silvester shall either be publicly whipped or pay the sum of five pounds to the said William Holmes; or in case she…shall make a public acknowledgement of her fault in the premises, that then she shall bear only the charge the plaintiff hath been at in the prosecution of his said suit; the latter of which was chosen and done by the said Dinah Silvester” on 9 May 1661. [PCR 3:211] Dinah did offer pubic acknowledgement that she wrongly accused Elizabeth. 
• When William Hatch was prosecuted for his loose speech concerning the government and his contempt for its authority, William Holmes gave deposition against him stating the Hatch [his former master] said “that the warrants sent from the governor were nothing but stincking commissary warrants or attachments  and that the warrants sent in that kynd are no better than commissary court warrants; and that the warrant sent to the constable to Warne him the sd Hatch to appeare at the Court of our Soveraigne lord the Kinge was but a commissary warrant.” Date not stated but likely 1630s. [Pratt]

In his will dated 4 March 1677/8 and proved 25 February 1678/9, “Willam Homes of Marshfeild” bequeathed to “my beloved wife one-third part of all my housing and lands and chattels and moveable estate…during her widowhood, and then I give the aforesaid thirds of my whole estate to my two sons Israell and Isacke, but in case my wife marry I do bequeath her five pounds;” to “my two sons Israell and Isacke and their heirs two-thirds of my whole estate of housing and lands and moveables and chattels;” to “my two sons Josiah and Abraham five shillings each;” to “my daughters Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah and Rebecca twenty shillings apiece;” to “all my grandchildren that are now extant five pounds to be equally distributed amongst them;” “my beloved sons Israell and Isacke to be my executors.” [Plymouth County Probate Records 4:1:3]

William Holmes died 8 November 1678 [date provided in his inventory]. William Holmes, being 86 years old, was buried 9 November 1678.  [Marshfield VR 9; MD 2:181; NEHGR 8:192]

Elizabeth did not remarry. Elizabeth the widow of Wm Holmes died at Marshfield on 17 February 1698[/9?] “in ye 86th year of her age.” [Marshfield VR 19; Mayflower Descendant 5:233]

Sources: 

Samuel Deane, History of Scituate Massachusetts, from its first settlement to 1831, 1831

Harvey Hunter Pratt, Early Planters of Scituate, 1929

Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Begins, 1995

Miss M.A. Thomas, NEHGS Register, “Deaths and Burials in Marshfield, 8:192

Jeremy Dupertuis Bangs, The Seventeenth Century Town Records of Scituate, Massachusetts, Volume Two, 1999

Nathaniel B. Shurtleff and David Pulsifer, eds., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, 12 vols.

Judith Broadwell, NEHGS Register, “Genealogical Notes: ”Sarah Holmes, wife of Samuel 2 Arnold identified,” 145:374 (1991):

Samuel Chase (1738 to before 1778) and his wife Zilpha Burgess of Yarmouth/Dennis and Harwich, Massachusetts

Samuel Chase was born Yarmouth (in the area that later became Dennis), Barnstable County, Massachusetts, on 11 February 1738, the son of Richard and Thankful (Berry) Chase. [Yarmouth VR p 74] His father was a Baptist minister and I wrote about him here. . Samuel is my 6th great-grandfather on my grandmother Milly (Booth) Rollins’ side of the family. The Chase family was so prolific on Cape Cod that I inevitably run into issues finding adequate proofs in my research, so I consider this a work in progress.

Samuel’s marriage intentions with Zilpha Burg[ess], both of Yarmouth, were published on 4 December 1758. [Yarmouth VR p 194] Zilpha was born 16 April 1742 at Yarmouth, the daughter of John and Alice (Baker) Burgess. [Yarmouth VR 1:66]  I wrote about her parents here.Her first name is also seen as Zilpa and her last name was Burg, Burge, and Burges. 

Zilpha and Samuel moved to Harwich where they had eight children, all mentioned in account of Samuel’s estate [Barnstable County PR 11:173-4]: 

1. Jedidah born 29 August 1759 [Harwich Town Records 3:9] married (1) as “Dido Chase” 24 December 1778 Thomas Snow at Yarmouth [Yarmouth VR 1:328]; m. (2) Jonathan Crowell 22 May 1806 [Harwich Town Records, 3:152]; she is Jedidah Snow wife of Thomas in 21 Feb 1797 deed concerning sale of family land
2. Samuel born 1761 [calculated from age at death]; served in the Revolutionary War, was a sea captain and shipbuilder; married (1) Mary/Polly Nickerson and had a large family including two sets of twins; married (2) Molly Harden/Harding about 1838 [Dennis Historical Society Newsletter 16:2:1] and although in his 70s had 4 more children including twins who died shortly after birth; died 29 August 1845 in 84th year [gravestone South Dennis Cemetery]
3. Zilpha born say 1763; married Joseph Mayo, intentions 5 February 1785 [Harwich VR p 180] and had six children; she is called “Mrs” in the marriage record so perhaps this was a second marriage; she died 2 October 1842 [Brewster VR p 53]; Zilpha is named in a 1796 deed as Zilpha Mayo wife of Joseph and sister of Samuel Chase Jr
4. Richard born in June 1766 [calculated from age at death]; was a sea captain; married Priscilla Snow, intentions 5 May 1792 [Harwich VR p.184]; died 1 January 1850 [gravestone Kelley Cemetery in Harwich]
5. Elsie/Alice/Elsa born say 1768; married Thomas Reed 3 August 1790 [Harwich Town Records 2:364]; she is Elsa Reed, wife of Thomas, in a 25 February 1797 deed with her siblings 
6. Abigail/Nabby born about 1770 married (1) John Hopkins April 1793 [Harwich Town Records 2:357]; married (2) Obadiah Baker 19 March 1807 [Harwich Town Records 3:151]; married (3) James Hopkins, intentions 19 Oct 1822 [Brewster Records of Town Meetings 1800-1828 p 217]; buried Dillingham Cemetery, Brewster, as Mrs. Nabby, date on stone broken off but findagrave.com lists as 2 September 1861 [Memorial ID 28961378]
7. Levi born about 1775; intentions to marry Roxana Bassett 29 October 1801 [Harwich Town Records 3:27]; signed a deed selling family land on 21 Feb 1797 
8. Rebecca born say 1778; she may be the Rebecca Chase who married Solomon Clark November 1796 [Harwich Town Records 3:142]; she is not listed among the minor children of Samuel in August 1778 so perhaps Zilpha was pregnant when her husband passed

Order of the children is uncertain but we know Jedidah is the eldest as her birth is recorded, Samuel is eldest son per probate records, and Richard, Elsie/Alice, Abigail, and Levi are the youngest as they are mentioned as minors in 1778 guardianship records. [Barnstable County PR 18:27-30] I descend from Richard whom I wrote about here.

Samuel was a mariner, shown by items in his inventory [fishing reel, seine, hour glass], and was also a farmer. Other items in his inventory may indicate other possible lines of business: stilyards (scales), looms, and 200 feet of boards. He was a member of the Baptist Church, as seen in the document pertaining to Zilpha’s widow’s thirds.

Zilpha is called eldest daughter Zilpha Chase in the 31 December 1781 will of her father John Burgess, receiving a bequest of $1. [Barnstable Probate Records 21:268-270]

I believe Samuel served in the Revolutionary War but he is sometimes conflated with his son Samuel who also served. Samuel Jr was about 15 years old,  a private, and served for a longer period of time than his father.  In May 2026 the town of Dennis celebrated its Revolutionary War Patriots and the program lists just one Chase—Samuel born 1761.  

I believe this is Samuel Sr: Samuel Chase, Second Lieutenant of Harwich, in Capt. Seth Clark’s company in 1775. On 28 June 1775 provisions were made by Congress to guard the seacoast. Five companies of 50 men each were ordered to be raised and stationed in Barnstable County. [Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors 3:366; Paine p. 313] Richard Chase of Harwich was a drummer, quite possibly Samuel’s son.

Samuel Chase died before 11 August 1778 when men were appointed to take an inventory of his estate.. He was just 39 years old. I have read he was killed during the war, but I have not found a source for this claim.

On 11 August 1778 James Otis, Judge of Probate, Barnstable County, appointed John Crowel, Abner Chase, and Smith Rogers to take an inventory of the estate of the late Samuel Chase of Harwich. [Barnstable County Probate Records 20:400]

On 11 August 1778 Richard Chase [Samuel’s brother] of Yarmouth was appointed guardian to minor children of Samuel Chase: son Levi Chase, daughter Eelse [Alice or Else/Elsa] Chase, daughter Abigail Chase, and son Richard Chase. Richard to take custody of the estate inherited by the children, heirs of his deceased father, and to manage, employ, and improve the same for the best profit and advantage. [Barnstable County PR 18:27-30]

On 11 August 1778 John Crowel and Abner Chase both of Yarmouth presented the estate of Samuell Chase of Harwich as insolvent and were appointed to be commissioners with full power to receive and examine all claims of the several creditors of the estate. [Barnstable County PR 11:46-48] On the same day, Richard Chase presented an accounting of expenses related to settling the estate that totaled £92 14. It includes court fees; his time, food and drink when he went to court in Barnstable; and attending the commissioners. It included £40 12s 6 pence for “bringing my son from Bristol,” which makes me curious as this was a large amount of money back then.

The inventory of Saml Chase late of Harwich was taken 13 August 1778 by John Crowel, Abner Chase and Smith Rogers. [Barnstable County PR 20:400-401] It totaled over £310 and include 6 acres of woodland real estate valued at £96, a pew in the church, one-eighth part of school house, four cows, pair oxen, two swine, one sheep, farming equipment, 200 feet of boards, a reel [for fishing], one fifth of a bass seine [fishing net], a looking glass, an hour glass [used on ships], and various household items. Richard Chase, administrator of the estate of Samuel Chase, presented and made oath to the inventory on 9 February 1779 before Daniel Davis Esqr, Judge. [Barnstable County PR 20:401]

On 11 March 1780 Richard Chase made oath to a second accounting that is dated 20 December 1780. [Barnstable PR 11:172-174] It totaled  £25 15s 2d and included payments to Allen Bangs, Mary Stone, Josiah Hall, Paul Baker, Samuel Rogers, John Crowell, and Abner Chase, as well as for attending court and additional court fees. Balance due to heirs was £14 3s 8d.

Widow’s thirds to Zilpha Chase, the widow of Samuel Chase late of Harwich deceased, were set off 6 September 1785. She was to have use of the great room in the dwelling house and the southerly part of the chamber from the middle of the chimney to the middle of the gable and window and also liberty to pass & repass in the center to go to the oven to bake. Also one third part of pew in the Baptist meeting house. And a piece of woodland beginning at a pine tree standing by the edge of the swamp marked on four sides then running east by John Silke’s land. [Barnstable County PR 26:204-5]

On 21 December 1780 Richard Chase made oath to a final accounting about the distribution of £14 3s 8d to the heirs of the late Samuel Chase. His widow gave a discharge of her dower and right in the estate in favor of the children. Samuel the eldest son to receive double share of £3 3s and half penny. The rest of the children named in this order: Richard, Levi, Didah [Jedidah], Else Chase, Zilphah Chase, Abigail Chase, and Rebecca Chase each received 31 shillings 6 pence with the real estate “which I also settle in like proportions.”  [Barnstable County PR 11:173-4]

Chamberlain has Zilpha marrying, second, her brother-in-law John Chase, born 2 February 1736, and they had children Philo and Fanny. I have not found a primary source for this second marriage. Years ago genealogist Burt Derick who has since passed, told me he was transcribing the “Chase Family of Harwich” from respected historian Josiah Paine’s papers at NEHGS, which state John Chase was already married when he ran off with Zilpha. It does make sense that Zilpha married again given her age and because she forfeited her widow’s thirds in favor of her children when Samuel died. Apparently John Chase also served in the Revolutionary War.

I have read Zilpha died in 1798 but have not found a source. She was living when the 1790 Census was taken as a head of household in Harwich: Zilph Chase, 3 members of household, 1 male 16 plus, 2 females. So if she did marry John Chase it appears he was deceased by this time. 

There are three interesting deeds concerning most of Samuel and Zilpha’s children: Jedidah and her husband Thomas Snow, Richard and first wife Polly, Zilpha and her husband Joseph Mayo, Richard and his wife Priscilla, Elsa and husband Thomas Reed, Abigail and husband John Hopkins, Levi without a spouse named. The second deed mentions their mother Zilpha Chase but that does not necessarily mean she was still living. Missing from the deeds is Rebecca so it would seem she was deceased.

Deed of sale of land to Samuel Chase from his siblings: Know all men by these presents that we Richard Chase of Harwich in the County of Barnstable mariner & Priscilla his wife, Joseph Mayo of the same Harwich aforesaid yeoman & Zilpha his wife, John Hopkins of the said Harwich seafaring man & Abigail his wife in consideration of twelve dollars to us paid by Samuel Chase of Dennis in the County of Barnstable mariner the receipt whereof we do hereby acknowledge have remised, released & forever quitclaim & do for our selves & our heirs by these presents remised, release & forever quitclaim unto the said Samuel Chase his heirs & assigns all our right title & interest to all the Estate that our Father Samuel Chase late of said Harwich Deceased died seized & possessed of in that he would owned or been possessed of at this time if he was now living meaning all that we now own or here after may fall to us as heirs to the said Samuel Chase Deceased to have & to hold the aforementioned premises with all the privileges & appurtenances thereunto belonging to him the said Samuel Chase of Dennis aforesaid his heirs & assigns forever so that neither we the said Richard, Priscilla, Joseph, Zilpha, John & Abigail nor our heirs or any other person or persons claiming from or under us or then or in the name, right or stead of us or them shall or will by any way or means have claim or demand any right or title to the aforesaid premises or thus appurtenances or to any part or parcel thereof forever in witness whereof we the said Richard Chase & Priscilla Chase, Joseph Mayo & Zilpha Mayo, John Hopkins & Abigail Hopkins have hereunto set our hands & seal this second day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & ninety six 

Signed sealed and delivered 

Richard Chase

Prissa Chase

Joseph Mayo

Zilpha Mayo

John Hopkins

Abigail Hopkins her mark

Witnessed by Nathan Mayo

Samuel Myrick

Solo. Freeman

Barnstable SS December 2d day 1796 then the above named Richard Chase, Prissilla Chase, Joseph Mayo, Zilpha Mayo, John Hopkins & Abigail Hopkins acknowledge the above instrument to be their free act & deed before me, Solomon Freeman, Justice of the Peace

Recorded December 6, 1796, 49th Book of Records for Barnstable County, folio 85. 

In the second deed, Thomas Snow and Jedidah Snow his wife and Levi Chase our brother all of Harwich in consideration of the sum of $4 paid to us by Ebenezer Kelley of Harwich. Land inherited upon the death of our grandmother Thankfull Chase. It is land lying in the south parish of Harwich, bounded southerly by Zebulon Gage, westerly by the road that leads from Anthony Kelley to ye Baptist Meeting House, northerly by said Ebenezer Kelley’s other land, and easterly by the mill pond, and by Patrick Kelley [my sixth great-grandfather] land it being the land on which Ebenezer Kelley dwelling house now stands.

Signed 21 February 1797 by Thomas Snow, Jedidah Snow, Levi Chase

Witnesses: Jonathan Snow, Ebenr Broadbrooks Jr

On 27 Feb 1797 Thomas Snow, Levi Chase and Jedidah Snow personally appeared to acknowledge deed. Received and recorded 10 August 1799. [Barnstable County Deeds, Town of Harwich vol 1-2, 1783-1827, p 389; recopied after 1845 fire]

The third deed: Samuel Chase of Dennis, mariner, in consideration of the sum of $14 paid by Ebenezer Kelley parcel of land I bought of Richard Chase and Pricl [Priscilla] his wife, Thomas Reed and Elsa his wife, Joseph Mayo and Zilpha his wife, John Hopkins & Abagail his wife, and Zalpha Chase mother to said Samuel. Land is bordered southerly by Zebulon Gage, westerly by the road that leads from Anthony Kelley to ye Baptist meeting house, northerly by said Ebenr Kelley other land and easterly by the mill pond and by Patrick Kelley land it being the land that Ebenr Kelley dwelling house now stands.

Polly Chase wife of Samuel Chase forfeited right of dower

Signed Samuel Chase and Polly Chase

Witnesses: Thomas Reed, Ebenr Broadbrooks Jr

On 25 February 1797 Samuel Chase appeared to acknowledge the deed. Recorded 27 February 1797. [Barnstable County Deeds, Town of Harwich vol 1-2, 1783-1827, p 391]

Sources:

Josiah Paine, History of Harwich 1620-1800, 1937

George Walter Chamberlain, compiler, NEHGS Register, ”Some of the Descendants of William Chase of Roxbury and Yarmouth, Mass.,” January 1933

No author given, Cape Cod Library of Local History and Genealogy, "The Yarmouth Family of Chase," CW Swift Publishers, Pamphlet no. 59, 1913

Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, volume 3

Katharine Hiam, Burgess Genealogy: Descendants of the Four Sons of Thomas Burgess and Dorothy (Waynes) Burgess, 1997

Dennis  Historical Society Newsletter, July 2026, p 4

My Relatives with Ties to Witchcraft Trials

We hear so much about the 1692 Salem Witch Trials, but I’ve found accusations of witchcraft involving my ancestors decades before the hysteria in Salem. It’s noteworthy that in the 17th century a witch was often thought to be someone who worked with the Devil rather than a person with magical powers. I think Halloween is a fitting time to write about them!

Elizabeth Holmes: Accused

In 1661 Elizabeth Holmes of Marshfield in Plymouth Colony was accused of being a witch by Dinah Silvester. Elizabeth was in her late 40s and Dinah was 18. It is interesting in that the tables turned on the accuser and she ended up to be the one punished by the court. Elizabeth is my 10th great-grandmother. 

On 5 March 1660/1 “Dina[h] Silvester, being examined, saith the bear she saw was about a stone’s throw from the highway when she saw it; and being examined and asked what manner of tail the bear had, she said she could not tell, for his head was towards her.” A marginal annotation in record states: “This was ordered to be recorded for the clearing of a report about Wm Holmes his wife being accused to be a witch.” [Records of New Plymouth Colony, hereafter PCR, 3:205, 207] Dinah was accusing Elizabeth of interacting with the devil who 17th century people believed took the form of an animal familiar, in this case a bear. 

Elizabeth’s husband William Holmes could not abide his wife being slandered and brought a lawsuit against Dinah Silvester. From Plymouth court records, on 7 May 1661 “[c]oncerning the complaint of Willam Holmes, of Marshfield, against Dinah Silvester, for accusing his wife to be a witch, the Court have sentenced, that the said Dinah Silvester shall either be publicly whipped or pay the sum of five pounds to the said William Holmes; or in case she…shall make a public acknowledgement of her fault in the premises, that then she shall bear only the charge the plaintiff hath bin at in the prosecution of his said suit; the latter of which was chosen and done by the said Dinah Silvester, viz a public acknowlidgment” on 9 May 1661. [PCR 3:211]

On May 9, 1661, Dinah signed, with her mark, an official confession stating that regarding her defamation concerning Goodwife Holmes: "I doe freely acknowlidg I have wronged my naighbour, and have sined against God in soe doeing; though I had entertained hard thoughts against the woman…” completely clearing Elizabeth's name. [PCR 3:211]

This case illustrates how accusations were handled more rationally by the Plymouth Colony courts than later by the courts in Massachusetts Bay at the time of the Salem hysteria of 1692. Plymouth established strict evidentiary standards and penalized false accusers, whereas Salem allowed highly unreliable evidence, including spectral evidence, and provided legal protections for accusers. Plymouth Colony’s laws helped avoid mass hysteria—accusations of witchcraft rarely reached the courts. It was too risky for the accusers! Additional factors that contributed to the Salem hysteria: an expired colony charter caused unstable judicial structures, food shortages due to extreme cold, stress from smallpox epidemic, trauma and displaced refugees from recent wars with Indians.

Unfortunately Elizabeth’s maiden name is not recorded. She was born in England about 1613 and married William Holmes about 1638. Elizabeth was the mother of eight children born in Scituate, and I descend from her daughter Sarah who married Rev. Samuel Arnold. William and Elizabeth left Scituate to live in nearby Marshfield where Elizabeth Holmes died 17 February 1698/99, likely in her mid-80s. 

Mehitable Woodworth: Accuser

On 6 March 1676/7 Mary Ingham of Scituate in Plymouth Colony was tried for witchcraft at the court in Plymouth. Her accuser was 14 year-old Mehitable Woodworth who was “almost bereaved of her senses” and “fell into violent fits” because of Mary’s alleged witchcraft. [PCR 5:223] Mehitable is my 10th great-aunt. 

The indictment reads in part “…by the help of the Devil in a way of witchcraft or sorcery maliciously procured much hurt, mischieff & pains unto the body of Mehitable Woodworth, daughter of Walter Woodworth.” [PCR 5:223-24]

Mary Ingham was found not guilty by a jury of twelve men: Mr Thomas Huckins, John Wadsworth, John Howland (second), Abram Jackson, Benaiah Pratt, John Black, Mark Snow, Joseph Bartlett, John Richmond, James Talbot, Seth Pope and one other man. Abram Jackson, Benajah Pratt, Mark Snow, and Seth Pope are all my direct ancestors; John Howland is also a relative.

Mehitable was frequently ill and apparently afflicted with a nervous disorder. [Edith Bartlett Sumner, Ancestry and Descendants of Samuel Bartlett and Lucy Jenkins, 1951] Perhaps her ill-health led her to make the false accusation or her parents were looking for an explanation for their daughter’s troubles.

Mehitable was born 15 August 1662 at Scituate, the daughter of my 10th great-grandparents Walter Woodworth and his wife whose name is not known. Mehitable was unmarried when her father’s will was written on 26 November 1685 and I have found no evidence of her marrying, which was unusual for the times, but perhaps due to her ill health or unstable nature.

James Davis: Accuser 

James Davis, my 12th great-grandfather, accused a man of witchcraft in 1659 in Massachusetts Bay Colony. 

James Davis, Sr. and his son Ephraim Davis of Haverhill, along with others, signed a paper presented to the Ipswich Court in February 1658/9 accusing John Godfrey of witchcraft. They said they had suffered losses in their estates or afflictions to their bodies that were not from natural causes but rather from an ill-disposed person.[David W. Hoyt, The Old Families of Salisbury and Amesbury, Massachusetts, 1897]

The case against John Godfrey, a notorious character consistently involved in litigation and endlessly at odds with his peers, was dismissed. He was a bachelor and a roving herdsman who took jobs throughout Andover, Haverhill and other nearby towns. Godfrey was accused of witchcraft again in 1662. [John Demos, The William and Mary Quarterly, ”John Godfrey and His Neighbors,”  Vol. 33, No. 2 (April 1976)]

Before the 1692 witchcraft trials, there were other trials concerning witchcraft held periodically, and the outcomes generally favored the accused.  Although accusations against men were far less common than against women, Godfrey fit the profile of someone accused—a social outcast who was outspoken and quarrelsome and clashed with more influential neighbors. 

James was born in the 1580s at Wiltshire, England, the son of John Davis. He was married to a woman named Cicily (possibly Thayer) and they had six children. They lived at Newbury before becoming early settlers of Haverhill. He died at Haverhill 29 January 1678, likely in his 90s. I descend through their son John.  

Samuel Willard: Voice of Reason 

Samuel Willard was a Puritan minister educated at Harvard, later the college’s president, and a level-headed critic of the Salem Witch Trials. Samuel is my first cousin ten times removed.  He was a minister in Groton, Mass., but fled the town when it was attacked during King Philip’s War in which his father’s house was burned. While serving as pastor of the Third Church in Boston, he strongly opposed the witchcraft trials and tried to influence public opinion through his sermons and other writings. When Governor William Phips sought guidance from respected clergy, Samuel was one who contributed toward and signed a document called “The Return of Several Ministers.” The document acknowledges the devil might be responsible for the afflictions occurring in Salem, but urged the court to prevent innocent people from being convicted. The ministers also questioned the reliability of spectral evidence, but the Salem court ignored this caution. Samuel continued to speak out in his sermons and other writings. One of his chief complaints was that during the witch trials, a confession often resulted in an acquittal and asserting one’s innocence seemingly guaranteed a conviction. He continued to work to heal divisions after the hysteria passed.

Samuel was born Concord 31 January 1640, to Simon and Mary (Sharpe) Willard. His father was commander in chief in the Narragansett expedition, a wealthy merchant, assistant to the Governor, and founder of Concord, Mass. Samuel married first Abigail Sherman and second Eunice Tyng and had a large family. He died at Boston 12 September 1707.