David Howes 1768-1843, Chatham to Dennis, Mass., married Rebecca Baker

My fourth great-grandfather David Howes was born in Chatham about July 1768 in Chatham, Mass., the son of Thomas⁴ (Thomas³, Joseph², Thomas¹ Howes) and Hope (Sears) Howes. His birth was not recorded, but various sources and probate records show Thomas and Hope were his parents.

David’s father Thomas Howes married first Rebecca Sears and they had a son David, born 1736, which has caused some confusion, but that first David died in 1752.

Thomas died in December 1768 when his son David was about five months old. David’s half-brother Richard and his mother Hope were named his guardians. Hope married again in 1774, to Job Chase.

I do wonder what David’s childhood was like. Did he live with his mother or did he stay with other family when she remarried? At any rate, he grew up to become a mariner and is referred to as a sea captain. I haven’t found any information on what type of vessels he commanded, where he traveled to and when. If anyone knows about David’s seafaring life, I’d love to hear from you!

David married Rebecca/Rebeckah Baker on 11 December 1788 in Dennis, Mass. Diaries of Rev. Nathan Stone: “11 Dec 1788, Pleasant. Married David Howes of Harwich & Rebecca Baker.” Rebecca was the daughter of Shubael and Rebecca (Chase) Baker, born 18 December 1770 (thank you Marge Perry for this).  I originally incorrectly thought Rebecca was the daughter of Samuel and Rebbeca(Baker) Baker, born 23 August 1763 in Yarmouth., Mass.

David and Rebecca built their homestead at what is now 432 Main Street in Dennis Port. The area was once called Christian Hill and became known as the Howes neighborhood. As the family grew and married, the original homestead acreage was subdivided along both sides of Main Street from Center Street to Sea Street and Center Street from Main Street to Sea Street. Throughout most of the 1880's every house in the neighborhood belonged to a descendant of David and Rebecca Howes.

1880 Map showing son David Howes' house lot, which had belonged to his father David

David and Rebecca had 10 children, all born Dennis:

1.      David born 01 August 1789, married Salome Nickerson, died Dennis 23 July 1870

2.      Ezra born 06 May 1793, married Anna Allen, died prob. Dennis 05 October 1826

3.      Thomas born 16 August 1796, married Huldah Allen, died Dennis 03 December 1871

4.      Abagail born 27 August 1799, married Hiram Kelley, died Dennis 17 October 1888

5.      Nehemiah born 17 August 1802, married Elizabeth Long, died Dennis 13 May 1880

6.      Rebecca born 14 October 1804, married Hiram Baker, died Dennis 25 September 1867

7.      Shubael born 09 June 1806, married Polly Eldredge, died Dennis 15 October 1875

8.      Hope born 02 December 1810, died Dennis 11 March 1881, she is called insane in guardianship papers

9.      Sears born 06 May 1813, married Mary Ann Weaver, died prob. Dennis 17 May 1897

10.  Isaiah born 11 March 1816, married Jane Eldredge, died Dennis 24 February 1904

I descend through Abagail and wrote about her here.

I had reservations that the younger children belonged to this couple as Rebecca would have been 52 when Isaiah was born, but David’s probate information names Sears and Isaiah as sons.

Most of David and Rebecca's boys were mariners. I have seen David, Thomas, Nehemiah, and Shubael referred to as captains.

Rebecca died in Dennis on 4 December 1841, and David died there on 5 (headstone) or 15 (Dennis VR) February 1843. They are buried together at Swan Lake Cemetery in Dennis Port. Many of their children and grandchildren are buried in this cemetery.

David’s stone reads: Capt. David Howes, Died Feb 5, 1843, ae 75, "My body sleepeth in the ground Til Christ doth come his trump to sound." His stone has been broken and mended. It has a weeping willow engraving, which matches that of his wife.

David Howes' gravestone at Swan Lake Cemetery

Rebecca’s stone reads: Mrs. Rebecah, Wife of Capt. David Howes, Died Dec. 4, 1841, Ae 72. "My children dear don't weep for me for in the grave here I must be."

Rebecca Baker Howes' gravestone, Swan Lake Cemetery

David Howes' probate records are case No. 1752 in Barnstable Co. Probate Court. There isn’t a will in the file, but the lengthy accounting is interesting. I have transcribed the documents leaving any misspellings or grammar mistakes in place. Any errors in transcription are my responsibility. I find it especially touching that Foster Rogers was paid to read to Hope, who had some type of developmental or psychological issue.

Account of David Howes, administrator of the estate of his father David Howes, dated Harwich 15 April 1844

Paid at Barnstable for indenters[?] for Hope Howes 9.25

Paid foster rogers reading apointments to Hope Howes .12

Paid Nehemiah Baker runing Line in Dennis woodlot .75

Paid seth Eldredg for potatoes father Bought of Him .97

Paid samuel chase Bill for Hay father Had whin Living 1.50

Paid Nehemiah Baker Dividing wood Land & medow with PSHA [initials hard to read] 1.00

Paid Job chase Bill of flowers father Had 3.00

To David Howes when settled with father 1841  -  .75

Paid Peter Baker for Beaf & cloth father Had when Living 1.53

Paid Posteg [postage] for administratix Letters .12

Paid John Paison Bill for funeral charges 9.30

Paid James Merchant Bill for work for father when Living 5.14

Paid Nathan Killey Bill father owing when Living .88

Paid Benjamin thatcher for iron work for father 2.74

Paid William ansil for iron work when Living .53

Paid John Paison for one pad Lock .20

Paid william Hendrick makeing coffin 5.61

Paid Postig [postage] for Hopes gardian Letters .06

Paid for maiking road for mother .10

Paid w. ansil mending pitchfork .12 1/2

Paid Hemon wixson Bill for Road follins Island medow .83

Paid for paper .06

Paid for dead [deed] & recording three 1.33

Paid allixander Prat Bill Docktering father 6.39

Paid Benjamin Howland Bill for work for father 1.96

Paid James Pence [or Perce] Bill for His Boy working for father 6.42

Paid Doct Dog Bill atending mother when sick 3.32

Paid Done Killey Bill prising propertey 1.87

Paid Doct alfred swift Bill for Docketering father 2.65

Paid for Dead [deed] of Holes mash [marsh] when Divided .25

paid Ester Howes Bill for attending mother when sick 8.75

Paid sears Howes Bill father owing Him when Living 11.18

paid Nehemiah Howes Bill 2.19

Paid Isaiah Howes Bill father owing Him 1.69

Paid tax on road in Harwich .37

Paid for Dead [deed] of anthonis mash [marsh] when Divided .33

Paid for Boat Hire after hay this sumer .25

Paid Ebenezer Killey Bill .48

Paid tax in Dennis for the year 1844 4.06

Paid two pair Graive stones for DH & R Howes 29.15

Paid Esqr V. Nickerson Bill Prising propertey Last spring 4.00

Paid Expenses to cort [court] December .50

Paid for washing & reaping 2.00

Paid Hiram Baker for work in the medowes & pinkins 1.61

Paid foster rogers for road ____[looks like crast] follins Island meadow .42

                        [Total] 126.23

[Page 2 of account]

Draying three Loads Hay when soald .30

Paid Nathan underwood for taxes in Harwich year 1842 3.00

Paid Thomas allin for tax in Harwich for the year 1843 2.09

Paid Vinny Killey Bille father owing .20

Paid for postig [postage] Letter to Barnstable .06

Postig for warant of a Division this fall .12

Paid for paper when Dividing propertey .10

Paid Joseph Baker for shair road of Follins Island medow .24

Paid Isaiah Baker for ______ (looks like menhaden] father Had when Living 1.00

Paid for boards nails and Draying Boards for Grave yard 3.52

Paid Job Wixson for work on cart when father Living .50

Paid Expenses on Howes [house] for glass & paints & cleaning 1.00

Paid for use of chaine compus Dividing propertey .25

Paid for paper for Boundaries of the propertey when Divided .12 1/2

Paid miller whelden Bill father owing when Living .50

Paid Esq Jonathan Nickerson Bill dividing propertey 9.00

Paid Doane Killey Bill Dividing propertey 4.50

Paid Job Killey Bill Dividing propertey 2.45

David Howes Bill against father when Living 4.27

                                    [Total this page] 33.22

clothin & uther Expinses for Hope Howes i consent of the ____2.96

Det [debt] broat [brought] over from the other Leaf $126.23

administrators feas and Laber on the propertey year past 30.00

Shuble Howes owing for one Half of the Barn whitch i sold him 15.00

Parshal (partial) estate of David Howes deceased prised at 321.75

                        $514.16

Balance 7.09

[Total] $521.25

Account of David Howes 2 administrator of the Estate of David Howes late of Dennis in the County of Barnstable deceased said Accountant charges himself as on the third page of this paper and prays allowance of the payments and charges stated in the first and second pages of this sheet.

[Page 3, money received by the estate]

By cash receaved and soald parshal Estate

By cash father Left when Dide [died] 3.70

By one cow soald Barnabus Baker 12.00

By cash receaved for plowing & cartin .87

one pair Oxson [oxen] soald Joseph Baker 54.00

By cash Thomas Howes owed father 1.00

1/2 tun Hay soald Elisha Howland 4.50

By cash paid By shuble Howes owing father 5.74

By 1/2 tun Hay soald 4.00

By medow Hired to phineas wixson in 1843 8.32

by 1200 Hay soald Esqr T. (or J) Nickerson 5.40

By 383 lb Hay soald e conet[?] 6

By 600 lb peat[?] Hay soald 2.70

By 1/2 tun Hay soald T. (or J) Nickerson Jr. 4.00

By 100 lb Hay soald ros Ellis .40

Hay & stacks soald asia [Asa] Killey 1.62

By medow Hired Homis[?] umphrey 4.00

By cash paid in By the Heirs Equally a Like 9.20

By cash receaved of Joseph Killey for Howes [house] rent 10.00

By cash paid in By the Heirs 27.30

Barn soald Shuble Howes 30.00

[subtotal] 190.11

By soald cleared of Expense  9.39

Los on Loomes, oxen, cow & Barn 34.00

Divided in ten shairs Equally as cood (could) 287.75

            [Total] $521.25

(Signed by) David Howes 2

Division of the estate:

To Jonathan Nickerson, Doane Killey, & Job Killey all freeholds of said county

You ar hereby directed and empowered to make a just and equal division or partition of the Real Estate whereof David Howes late of Dennis in the County of Barnstable died seized and possesed, not sold by order of court to and among his children and grandchildren as follows viz: assigning to David Howes 2d, Thomas Howes, Nehemiah Howes, Shubael Howes, Sears Howes & Isaiah Howes, sons, & Hope Howes, Abigail Killey wife of Hiram Kelley & Rebecca Baker wife of Hiram Baker, daughters of sd decd, each one tenth part thereof, and to Betsay Killey wife of Venney Killey, Huldah Killey widow, Anna Killey wife of Ebenezer Killey, Abigail Killey wife of Joseph Killey & Esther Howes all children of Ezra Howes a deceased son one tenth part thereof -- provided the same is capable of such division; if not you are to apprise the whole real estate and report to me how many of the heirs the same will conveniently accommodate -- and you are to sever that portion of said estate which is in common with David Howes 2d from the shares of sd David & the interested of said heirs in Follens Island you are to set off in common undivided with the other owners -- To this trust you are tee (?) sworn -- And you are to notify Uzziel Howes -- He is appointed to act in said division on the behalf of said Esther Howes, a miner, and all who are interested to be present at said division (if they see cause), and make return of your doings unto the Registry of Probate for the aforesaid County as soon as may be [rest cut off].

Given under my hand and seal of office, this 12th day of December A.D. eighteen hundred and forty three. [Signed] Nymphas Marston J. Prob. Barnstable SS February the 19th 1844, Then the above named Doan Killey and Job Killey personally appeared and made oath that they would faithfully and impartially discharge the trust reposed in them by the foregoing warrant. Before me, Jonathan Nickerson, Justice Peace.

Barnstable ss February the 19th 1844, Then the within Named Jonathan Nickerson personally appeared and took the oath required to the ___ of the within warrent befor me [ signed] Samuel Baker, Justis of the peace.

Affidavit, David Howes, adr David Howes, recorded Book 65, page 453, per T. Reed Reg'r Dec 12 1843.

Barnstable, ss: At a Court of Probate holden at Barnstable within and for said County, on the fourteenth day of March A.D 1843. I hereby order David Howes 2d administrator of the estate of David Howes late of Dennis in said County, deceased, to make known his Appointment and acceptance of said Trust, by posting up notifications thereof in two or more public places in the town of Dennis in said County, within three months from this day, and to make returns of his Doings hereon to the Probate Office, on oath, within one year from the date hereof. [signed] N Marston Judge of Probate.

Notice is hereby given that the subscriber has been duly appointed administrator of the estate of David Howes late of Dennis in the County of Barnstable, deceased, and has accepted that trust and given Bond, as the law directs. And all persons having demands upon the estate of the said deceased are herby required to exhibit the same; and all persons indebted to the said estate are called upon to make payment to David Howes 2d} Admr.

I David Howes 2d the admr above named, depose and say that within three months from the date of the foregoing order I gave notice agreeably thereto by posting up notifications, whereof the foregoing is a copy, at each of the following public places in said town of Dennis viz; at the store of John Payson & at the store of John Baker [signed] David Howes 2d.

Barnstable SS. Decr 12th A.D. 1843, Then Personally appeared the above named David Howes 2d and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed before me. [signed] N. Marston, J. Prob.

Many thanks to Marge Perry, a fellow descendant of David and Rebecca, for sharing information on Thomas Howes' probate and other goodies. 

Sources Not Included Above:

Robert Howes, Genealogy of the Howes Family in America, Descendants of Thomas Howes of Yarmouth, Mass., 1637-2004, 2006

Neva O’Neil, Master Mariners of Dennis, 1965

Nancy Thacher Reid, Dennis, Cape Cod from Firstcomers to Newcomers, 1639 – 1993, 1996

Burton Derick, Cemetery Inscriptions of Dennis, Mass., 1993

Adam Wright ca 1645- 1724, Plymouth and Plympton, Mass.

There is a lack of vital records concerning Adam Wright and his family, but fortunately George Bowman did a thorough job of researching the family, sorting out which children were born to each wife, which was published in the Mayflower Descendant. Adam Wright was born, probably in Plymouth, Mass., about 1645, the son of Richard and Hester (Cooke) Wright. Hester was the daughter of Mayflower passengers Francis and Hester (Mahieu) Cooke.

Adam was called a blacksmith in 1699 and 1701 court documents.

Adam Wright's Plympton Homesite (source: Eugene Wright's History of Plympton)

Adam married 1^st Sarah Soule in Duxbury or Plymouth around the year 1678. She was born ca 1660, likely in Duxbury, the daughter of John and Rebecca (Simmons) Soule, granddaughter of Mayflower passenger George Soule.

Adam and Sarah had six children:

1.      Esther b. about 1679, married Daniel Pratt

2.      John b. 1680-81, married Mary Lucas

3.      Mary b. about 1683, married Jeremiah Gifford

4.      Isaac b. Plymouth 19 January 1685/86, married Mary Cole

5.      Rachel b. 1688-89, married Ebenezer Barlow

6.      Sarah b. about 1692, married Seth Fuller

I descend through Adam and Sarah’s son Isaac.

Sarah (Soule) Wright died between between 1691 (when she signed a deed) and 1699 (when Adam’s son Samuel was likely born by his second wife).

Adam married 2^nd, after March 1690/91, Mehitable Barrow, daughter of Robert and Ruth (Bonham) Barrow.  They had four children together, and Adam would have been about 66 years old when his youngest was born.

1.      Samuel, b. about 1699, married Anna Tilson

2.      Moses, b. about 1703, married Thankful Boles

3.      James, b. about 1707, married Elizabeth Waterman

4.      Nathan, born Plympton 12 May 1711, married Hannah Cooke

Map showing Plympton early settlers Adam is no. 1 which is hard to read, under no. 21 (source: Eugene Wright)

Adam Wright died at Plympton 20 September 1724, in his 79^th or 80^th year. He is buried at the Old Burial ground there (aka Hillcrest Cemetery) on Main Street with other family members. Adam’s stone is a replacement stone; I assume his original stone was a slate one that has not survived or is not readable. Many of the old stones in this cemetery are in poor, even crumbling, condition.

Adam Wright's replacement stone

Adam’s will and inventory are recorded in the Plymouth County Probate Records, Volume V, pages 26 – 29, transcribed by George E. Bowman for the Mayflower Descendant. His will was written 9 April 1723 at Plympton, stating that he was old in age but in perfect health and sound in mind and memory. It mentions his already having deeded land to sons John, Isaac, Samuel, and Moses (John was bequeathed five shillings and any land not otherwise disposed of); grandchildren Joshua Pratt and his sister Sarah, children of his deceased daughter Esther Pratt, to receive 5 shillings; daughter Sarah Fuller the wife of Seth Fuller to receive land and part of moveable estate she already had; sons James and Nathan were to receive 100 pounds each on their 21^st birthdays; daughter Mary Gifferd wife of Jeremiah Gifferd to receive 20 pounds; daughter Rachel Barlow wife of Ebenezer Barlow to receive 20 pounds; wife Mehitable Wright, whom he named executrix, was to have the remainder of the estate as long as she remained his widow. If she remarried, she would receive 20 pounds.

The will was witnessed by Joseph Thomas, Nathaniel Fuller and Isaac Cushman Junr. It was probated on 2 November 1724.

An inventory was taken 10 October 1724 by Isaac Cushman Junr, Joseph Thomas and James Soul. It included swine, cattle, sheeps wool, wheels and cards, grindstone, iron, brass, pewter and earthenware, books, apparel, bedsteads.

There are small things in the documents related to Adam that make me quite fond of him. He seemed like a loving, kind family man. He fathered children well into his 60s. That he was still healthy when he was in his late 70s was certainly admirable. He bequested 20 pounds to his wife if she remarried—it seems more common for a woman to lose any claim to her late husband’s estate if she married again—which indicates to me that he wanted her to be happy and comfortable. In a deed of land to his daughter Sarah Fuller he wrote that it was in consideration of the love he held for her. 

Note: The Plympton Historical Society has Eugene Wright's, History of Plympton, available on its website. It is a collection of his research from a loose-leaf binder and includes the photo of Adam Wright's  homesite and the map showing the location. The website address is http://town.plympton.ma.us/cultural/hc_wright.html.  

Sources Not Listed Above:

Robert Wakefield, “Richard Wright of Plymouth, Mass,” The American Genealogist, July 1983

George Ernest Bowman, “Adam Wright’s Wives and Their Children,” Mayflower Descendant, Volume 11 (1909)

Richard Sears (1681-1718) and Hope Howes of Yarmouth and Chatham, Mass.

My seventh great-grandfather Richard Sears was born 1681 in Yarmouth, in the area of town that became Dennis, Mass. He was one of the 10 children of Paul and Deborah (Willard) Sears and the grandson of Richard and Dorothy (Jones) Sears.

Richard married Hope Howes on 15 May 1706 in Yarmouth (now Dennis), Mass. She was born ca 1682, the daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Howes) Howes. They had four children:

1.      Thankful born 18 March 1706/07, married John Rich, died 17 Oct 1782 at Truro

2.      Paul born about 1710, married Anna Atkins and died after 1752

3.      Samuel born about 1712, died 21 December 1738 at age 26

4.      Hannah born about 1717, m. Zoheth Smith, died 15 May 1746 at Eastham

I descend through their son Paul who married Anna Atkins. I wrote about this couple here.

Richard purchased land at Monomoit (now Chatham) from Samuel Sprague of Marshfield on 3 March 1707/8, the first of his family to settle there. He conveyed part of his interest to his brother Daniel. In 1711, 13 families emigrated from Chatham, mostly to Duck Creek, Delaware, leaving just 33 families in the village.

In 1712 Richard Sears was 4/30th owner of common lands. He was town treasurer in 1713. In 1715 he signed a letter supporting Ebenezer Hawes in a lawsuit against Rev. Adams. His biographer wrote that Adams was an able minister, but so eccentric and opinionated that he made enemies wherever he went. Very few Chatham residents stayed loyal to him and he eventually left.

Richard Sears's signature from Smith's History of Chatham

Richard died in Chatham, Mass. on 24 May 1718 in his 38^th year. He is buried at Chatham’s Oldest Burial Ground and his gravestone, which has an engraved winged skull, is the oldest in the cemetery.

HERE LYES YE BODY

Of RICHARD SEA^RS

WHO DIED MAY

THE 24 1718

IN YE 38 YEAR OF HIS AG^E

Richard Sears's gravestone at Chatham source: findagrave.com

Hope married second Deacon John Rich of Eastham and his children were brought up there, although his son Paul returned to Chatham to live on his father's land. I have not found Hope's death or burial information.

Sources Not Listed Above:

William C. Smith, Early Chatham Settlers, Library of Cape Cod History & Genealogy, No. 36, CW Swift Publishers, Yarmouthport, Mass., 1915

William C. Smith, A History of Chatham, Massachusetts: formerly the Constablewick or Village of Monomoit ; with maps and illustrations and numerous genealogical notes, 1909

Barnabas Lucas (1729-1778) and Joanna Pierce of Plympton, Mass.

Barnabas Lucas was born 30 October 1729 in Plympton, Mass., the son of Joseph Lucas and his second wife Melatiah Carey.

Barnabas married Joanna Pierce (also seen as Peirce or Pearce) on 28 June 1753 in Pembroke, Mass. (Pembroke VRs; she is called "Anna"). She was the daughter of Nehemiah Pierce and Elizabeth Hanks, born about 1735. The couple had 12 children. Their births are not found in vital records, but they are included as his children in Ancient Landmarks of Plymouth by Davis, born Plympton, and are all mentioned in the division of their father’s estate.

1.      Nehemiah born ca 1756, married Hannah Pratt.

2.      Barnabas born 1759, married Betty Cole.

3.      Elijah born 1759, married Sarah Shaw.

4.      Melatiah born about 1761, married William Whitten.

5.      Ephraim born 13 March 1763, married Azubah Pratt.

6.      Consider born 1765, married Jane Paddock.

7.      Seth born about1767.

8.      Joanna born about 1769.

9.      Molly born about 1771.

10.  Elisabeth born about 1774, married Joshua Cole.

11.  Caleb born 1776, married Mary ____ and Aseneth Shurtleff.

12.  Hannah born about1778.

I descend from Ephraim and Azubah (Pratt) Lucas. I wrote about this couple here. Ephraim, Barnabas, Consider and Elijah served in the Revolutionary War.

In her father Nehemiah Pierce's 1772 will, Joanna is mentioned as his eldest daughter, wife of Barnabas Lucas of Plympton in Plymouth County. He left her six pounds.

Barnabas was a farmer ("yeoman") and grist mill owner.

Barnabas died before December 1778, probably in Plympton. Joanna survived her husband and was administratrix of his estate, appointed 7 Dec 1778. She received widow's thirds in the division of her husband's estate in 1789.

The inventory of Barnabas’ estate was taken at Plympton on 2 December 1778 by Silvanus Gorham, Samuel Lucas and Eleazer Crocker. It totaled 1,532.5 pounds. It included:

Homestead and buildings

Land and meadow he purchased from Benjamin Ransom

Four acres of meadow on Winnabucksett River

1 acre meadow at Solan’s meadow

Salt meadow at Marshfield

Half of a grist mill

1 Horse, oxen, cows, swine, sheep

Household items, including iron ware, brass, glassware, pewter, tin and earthenware

Furniture including beds, chests, tables

A number of old books

 

Division of Barnabas' estate, dated 25 June 1784, no spelling corrections made:

"Plymouth SS -- To messrs Samuel Lucas - Eleazer Crocker - Sylvanus Gorham all of Plympton in the County of Plymouth, Yeoman

Greetings

You are hereby impowered & directed to take a view of the Real Estate whereof Barnabas Lucas late of said Plympton, yeoman, deceased, died siezed, and you are to asign and sett off to Joanna Lucas the widow of the deceased her right of dower therein, being one third part thereof, and the remainder you are to divide into thirteen equal parts or shares, and you are to assign and sett off to Nehemiah Lucas the eldest son of the deceased two shares thereof, and to Elijah Lucas - Barnabas Lucas - Ephraim Lucas - Consider Lucas - Seth Lucas - Caleb Lucas - Malatiah Witon the wife of William Witon - Joanna Lucas - Moll Lucas - Elisabeth Lucas & Hannah Lucas, to each one share thereof and you are to assign and set off the same by meter & bounds /Quantity & Quality Considered/ & that the widow and the heirs may yold their several parts in leveratty [?] & make return of this warrant with your doings thereon under your hands and upon your Oaths, as soon as may be given under my hand & seal of this the second day of June 1789 [third number difficult to read].

Jos. Cushing Judge Prob."

"Pursuant to a warrant to us the Subscribers directed by the Hon. Joseph Cushing Esqr, Judge of Probate of Wills for the County of Plymouth to take a view of the Real Estate that Barnabas Lucas Late of Plympton deceased, died siezed, accordingly after viewing said estate we have divided the same according to the direction in your warrant according to the best of our Judgment in manner following

Assigned and sett off to the widow Joanna Lucas widow of said deceased part of the Homestead [farm crossed out] bounded beginning at the north west corner of [next four words cut off by copier] north 45 degrees East 10 poles to a stake and stones then ___ north 22 1/2 degrees East 6 poles then north 43 degrees East 10 poles then north 20[?] degrees East 13 poles to a stake & stones then ___ north 24 degrees west across said Homestead to the Land of John Chamberlin then by said John's land to the mill brook then up the mill brook to the bound first mentioned, and also a piece of wood land at the Easterly end of the Homestead bounded beginning at a pine tree that was formerly a corner bound of Ephraim Tilson's land then South 13 degrees west 20 poles to a stake & stones then South 65 degrees west 30 poles then north 19 degrees East across the Lot to Scott's land, and also a piece of meadow at a place called winnetuxet meadow, bounded beginning at the north east corner of said meadow then westerly by the shore 2 poles & 2 thirds of a pole to a stake then south 30 degrees west to the River then up the River to Benjamin Cushman's meadow then by his meadow to the bounds first mentioned, and also one half of the dwelling housing containing the foreside & one half the chamber & one third of the Barn containing the west end, and also one third of the salt meadow at marshfield that belongs to said Estate, also one half of a half of Grist mill that belongs to said Estate, in full of her third part of said Estate.

Assigned and sett of to Nehemiah Lucas the eldest son of said deceased two shares bounded together, bounded, beginning at the south East corner of the sd share of the homestead then Easterly by Lieut. Cole's land 23 poles to a stake & stones then north 24 degrees west across the said Homestead & is to include all the land home to the third share of said homestead, and also a piece of meadow at a place called winnetuxet meadow & is to contain all the meadow lying between the third share of said meadow & the meadow formerly Shubael Tinkham's and also one quarter part of half a grist mill, belonging to said Estate in full of his two shares of said estate.

Assigned and sett off to Elijah Lucas the sixth share in the homestead bounded beginning at the south East corner of the 5th share then Easterly by the land of Edward Stevens eleven poles to a stake & stones then north 24 degrees west across said homestead & is to contain all the land to the 5th share & also one third part of the salt meadow at marshfield in full of his share of sd Real estate.

Assigned and sett off to Barnabas Lucas the sixth share in the Ramson farm bounded, beginning at the south west corner of Samuel Cobb's Land in the range of the widow Cole's land then north by the land of said Cole's 14 poles & a half to a stake & stones then west to hunting house brook & is to contain all the land, meadow & swamp home to the widow Cole's land, and also one half of the acre of meadow at Suton's meadow in full his share of said Real Estate.

Assigned and sett off to Ephraim Lucas the fifth share in the Ramson farm and is to contain all the land lying to the northward of the fourth share in said farm in full of his share of said Estate.

Assigned and sett off to Consider Lucas the seventh share in the homestead, bounded, beginning at the south East corner of the sixth share then easterly by the land of Edward Stephen's eleven poles to a stake & stones then north 24 degrees west across the homestead & is to contain all the Land home to the 6th share & also one third part of the salt meadow at marshfield in full of his share of said estate.

Assigned and sett off to Seth Lucas a piece of meadow at Minnetuxitt meadow it being the second share in said meadow, bounded, beginning at the north west corner of the first share, then westerly by the shore 5 poles & half & one third to a stake then south 36 degrees west to the River then by the River to the first share, then by the first share to the bound first mentioned and also the second share in the homestead, bounded, beginning at the south East corner of the first share then Easterly by Lieut. Cole's land eleven poles & a half to a stake & stones then north 24 degrees west ___ the said homestead & is to include all the land home to the first share in full of his share of said Estate.

Assigned and sett off to Caleb Lucas the first share in the homestead bounded beginning at the South East corner of the widow's thirds then Easterly by Lieut. Cole's land eleven poles & half to a stake & stones then north twenty four degrees west across the homestead & is to include all the land home to the widows's thirds & also the first share in the winnituxett meadow bounded, beginning at the north west corner of the widow's thirds then westerly by the shore six poles to a stake then south 37 degrees west to the River then up the River to the widow's thirds then by her thirds to the bounds first mentioned in full of his share of said Estate.

Assigned and sett off to Melatiah Whitten the wife of William Whitten the fourth share in the Ramson farm, bounded beginning at the North East corner of the third share then northerly 25 poles to a stake & stones then west to the meadow & is to include all the land home to the third share, in full of her share of said Estate.

Assigned and sett off to Joanna Lucas the third share in the Ramson farm, bounded, beginning at the North East corner of the second share then northerly 10 poles to a stake & stones then west to the widow Cole's land meadow & is to include all the land home to the second share and also the third part of the Barn containing the Easterly third, in full of her share of said Estate.

Assigned and sett off to Molly Lucas the second share in the Ramson farm, bounded, beginning at the north east corner of the first share then northerly by Samuel Cobb's land 15 poles to a stake & stones then west to hunting house brook & is to include all the land home to the first share & also the other half of the acre of meadow at Suton's meadow -- in full of her share of said Estate.

Assigned and sett of to Elisabeth Lucas the third share of the homestead bounded, beginning at the South East corner of the second share, then easterly by Lieut. Cole's land eleven poles & half to a stake & stones then north 24 degrees west ___ the said homestead, and is to include all land home to the second share and also one quarter of half a grist mill in full of her share of said Estate.

Assigned and sett off to Hannah Lucas the 2d share of the homestead & is to contain all the land lying between the 7th share & the widows thirds of the wood lot, also one third of the Barn, it being the middle third, and all one half of the dwelling house containing the remainder of the house that is not in this division sett off to the widow.

Sylvanus Gorham

Samuel Lucas

Plympton June 25th 1784"

Joanna died after June 1802 (when she is mentioned in a Plymouth Court document as having met with John Carver concerning her share in her late husband's mill) but before April 1806 (when she is mentioned in a court document as deceased).

Plymouth Court records give details on Cales (Coles?) Mill in Carver, saying that Joanna Lucas was one-fourth owner of the mill, whose share was owned by Jedediah Miller after her death. She met with John Carver, majority owner of the grist mill in June 1802, where they toured the mill and discussed its poor condition and agreed John would have it repaired, with her to reimburse part of the expenses. Carver was suing Miller for not paying for those expenses and the April 1806 document mentions Joanna as deceased. The case went to the Massachusetts Supreme Court in October 1808. 

Note that the town of Carver was formed in 1790 from the older town of Plympton, so Joanna and Barnabas may have lived in the same location throughout their married life, just the name of it changed.  Perhaps Joanna and Barnabas are buried at Carver's oldest cemetery, Lakenham Cemetery (aka North Cemetery), in now unmarked graves.

Entrance to Lakenham Cemetery, Carver

Source Not Listed Above:

Reports of cases argued and determined in the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Volumes 36-37, 1840

Plymouth Court Records 1686-1859, CD, edited by David Thomas Konig,