Edward Bangs b. England about 1591, died Eastham, MA 1676-77

Edward Bangs came to Plymouth in 1623 on the ship Anne. Mary Walton Ferris wrote that he was from Panfield, Essex, but didn’t offer substantive proof.  

After living at Plymouth for over 20 years, he became one of the first settlers of Eastham, where he was living by 1645.

Edward married first, by about 1633, Lydia Hicks, baptized St. Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey, Surrey, 6 Sept 1612, daughter of Robert Hicks (TAG 51:58); she apparently died within a year or two. He married, second, by about 1635, Rebecca (maiden name unknown). Some researchers give her maiden name as Hobart, but significant proof has not been found.

St. Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey source: geograph.org.uk

Child with Lydia:

John, born say 1634, m. Eastham 23 Jan 1660/1, Hannah Smalley (PCR 8:29, MD 7:17).

Children with Rebecca:

Rebecca, born say 1636, m. Eastham 26 Oct. 1654 Jonathan Sparrow (PCR 8:15).

Sarah born say 1638, m. about 1657 Thomas Howes (MD 6:233)

Jonathan born say 1640, m. 1, Eastham, 16 July 1664, Mary Mayo (PCR 8:56), 2nd by 1719 Sarah _____; m. 3rd, Eastham, int. 23 July 1720, "Mrs. Ruth Young" (MD 28:111), widow of John Young and daughter of Daniel Cole

Lydia, born say 1642, m. Eastham 24 Dec 1661 Benjamin Higgins (MD 8:12)

Hannah born say 1644, m. Eastham 30 April 1662 John Doane (MD 8:89)

Joshua born say 1646, m. Eastham 1 Dec 1669, Hannah Scudder (PCR 8:58)

Bethia, born Eastham 28 May 1650 (PCR 8:15), m. by 1669 Gershom Hall (Bangs Gen. 27-28 based on a deed)

Mercy (twin) b. Eastham 15 Oct 1651 (PCR 8:15), m. Eastham 28 Dec 1670 Steven Merrick (PCR 8:57)

Apphia (twin) born Eastham 15 Oct 1651 (PCR 8:15), m. 1st Eastham 28 Dec 1670 John Knowles (PCR 8:57and NEHGR 79:293-95), m. 2nd by 6 March 1766 Stephen Wood Jr. (PCR 5:220).

I descend from three of Edward’s children: Jonathan, Sarah and Rebecca.

Jonathan Bangs' gravestone, Old Burial Ground, Brewster  Source: Capecodgravestones.com

Edward was a yeoman and an innkeeper. "Liberty is granted unto Edward Bangs to draw and sell wine and strong waters at Eastham, provided it be for the refreshment of the English, and not to be sold to the Indians," 6 Oct 1657, PCR 3:123. An account of liquor brought into Eastham dated 28 Nov 1664 included "Edward Bangs, six gallons of liquor," PCR 4:100.

He was literate as he signed his will and several deeds.

Edward served the colony in multiple offices; apparently a competent, respected and trustworthy man. He was named Deputy to Plymouth Court for Eastham, 7 June 1652, PCR 3:9. He served on the Plymouth grand jury 7 March 1636/7, 5 June 1638, 2 June 1640, 1 March 1641/2, 7 June 1652 (PCR 1:54,  87, 155; 2:34; 3:9). He also served on the Plymouth petit jury 4 Oct 1636, 3 Jan 1636/7, 3 Sept 1639, 3 Dec 1639, 3 March 1639/40, 3 Aug 1641, 6 Sept 1641, 7 Dec 1641, 1 March 1641/2, 6 June 1643, 7 Nov 1643 (PCR 1:44, 4, 13 ,14, 16, 22, 23, 25, 28, 335, 36). He was named to the Committee to lay out land, 3 Jan 1627/8, 1 Feb 1640/1 (PCR 12:14, 2:7). He was also on the Committee to divide meadow 1 July 1633 (PCR 1:14) and the Committee to assess taxes 5 Jan 1634/5, 1 March 1635/6 (PCR 1:33, 38). He was on the Committee to allocate hay ground, 20 March 1636/7, 2 Oct 1637, 1 June 1640 (PCR 1:55, 67, 153) and the Committee to lay out highway, 1 Feb 1640/1, 24 Feb 1652 (PCR 2:7, 3:61). He was named to the Coroner's jury 30 Oct 1667 (PCR 4:169). Edward was named Eastham highway surveyor 1 June 1647, 4 June 1650, 3 June 1651 (PCR 2:115, 155, 168) and Eastham treasurer 1646-1665 (Bangs Gen. 11). In Plymouth section of 1643 list of men able to bear arms (PCR 8:189).

Edward is noted in multiple land divisions at Plymouth, in areas called Warren’s Wells and Hob’s Hole/Wellingsley. In 1651 he was of Eastham and sold 40 acres at Browne’s Rock called Sagaquas in Plymouth. Rebeckah, the wife of Edward, consented to the sale.  In 1666, Edward Bangs and Daniel Cole sold land at Yarmouth that they owned jointly.

In 1676, Edwards Bangs deeded his son Joshua Bangs his dwelling house, house lot and meadows at Eastham.

In his will, dated 19 Oct 1677 and proved 5 March 1677/8, "Edward Bangs, aged  86 years," made son Jonathan sole executor and bequeathed to him "all my purchased land at Namsskekett," two acres and a half of meadow, "all my purchase land at Pocomett(?)," an acre and a half of meadow "at a place called the acars," one acre at the harbor's mouth, "a parcel of upland and meadow lying at Rock harbour which I had in exchange of John Done," and "all those things which I have at his house"; to son John "that twenty acres of upland at Pochett that he hath built upon,": five acres adjoining to the twenty acres, "that land which I have at Pochett Island," two acres of meadow at Boat Meadow, and three-quarters of an acre at the head of Boat Meadow; to son Joshua "the house that I lived in and all the housing belonging to it," twenty-eight acres of land adjoining, three acres of meadow at Boat Meadow, one acre of meadow at the head of Blackfish Creek, and fourteen acres of upland at Pochett; to son Jonathan's eldest son Edward Bangs twenty-five acres of upland at Pochett Field, one acre of meadow at Rock Harbor, and "half an acre of meadow lying at Great Namscekett which I bought of Daniell Cole,"; to "my daughter Howes, my daughter Higgens, my daughter Done, my daughter Hall, my daughter Merricke, and my daughter Attwood, four pounds apiece at my decease, and I give to my grandchildren, viz: the children of my daughter Rebecka deceased four pounds at my decease" (PCPR 3:2:106).

Edward must have been successful as that was a considerable amount of money and land to leave his family members.

Edward’s death is not recorded in Eastham vital records, but he died between the dates his will was written and proved (October 1677-March 1678). He lived to age 86, which was an incredible lifespan in the 17^th century. His wife Rebecca predeceased him, as she is not mentioned in his will.

 

Sources Not Noted Above:

Rev. Enoch Pratt, A Comprehensive History, Ecclesiastical and Civil, of Eastham, Wellfleet and Orleans, County of Barnstable, Mass. from 1644 to 1844, 1844

Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Begins, 1995

Eugene Stratton, Plymouth Colony, It's History and People, 1986

Mary Walton Ferris, Dawes-Gates Ancestral Lines, A memorial volume ....1943

Dudley, Dean,. History and Genealogy of the Bangs Family in America : with genealogical tables and notes, tracing the descendants, male and female, from the Pilgrim ancestor, Edward Bangs of Plymouth and Eastham,1896