Francis Godfrey of Duxbury and Bridgewater, Mass., died 1669

Francis Godfrey is my 10th great-grandfather on my grandfather Art Washburn Davis’ side of the family. I haven’t found a great deal of information on Francis, so this is very much a work in progress. 

Francis Godfrey was likely born in England, say about 1599. Sometime around 1624 he married a woman,  Elizabeth —-?—-.  He immigrated by1638 when he is granted land. 

Francis was a carpenter and a bridge builder. He is on the 1643 list of men able to bear arms, in the Duxbury section. [PCR 8:189]. In August 1643 he appears on the muster roll of the Duxbury Company commanded by Captain Myles Standish. 

From the 24 January 1643/44 list of town of Marshfield debts: To Francis Godfry, 2 shillings paid for cleaving lathes. [Jeremy D. Bangs, Mayflower Descendant, “The 17th Century Marshfield Town Records,” 61:123, 2012]

At Marshfield town meeting 30 March 1646 it was agreed that Edward Winslow [the future Governor] should agree with F. Godfrey for making a bridge over South River and what he shall agree the town are ready to perform. Marshfield formed from a section of Duxbury, so people didn’t necessarily relocate to be living the new town but I’m not sure if this was the case with Francis. 

image from Movementum Realty video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqlaS4UQ5cM

Francis and, I assume Elizabeth, had one daughter named Elizabeth who was born about 1624, probably in England. She married in June 1644 John Cary/Carye/Carew. [PCR 2:79] I wrote about that couple here.

Francis was a man of means as he owned considerable land and in his will mentions two servants. He had some education as he signed a deed, and the Providence portion of his inventory include "1 Bible" valued at 8s. and "3 small books" valued at 1s. 6d.

On 3 September 1638, "Francis Godfrey is granted twenty acres of lands lying on the norwest side of Greene's Harbour River, and a garden place at Stony River, near Edward Bumpasse, to be viewed & laid forth for him by Mr. Collier, Jonathan Brewster, & W[illia]m Basset (which land was, the 28th October, 1640, by them laid forth as aforesaid …)" [PCR 1:95, 135].

On the "last of February 1644 [/45?]…Roger Chaundler of Duxborrow" sold to "Francis Godfrey of the same" twenty-five acres "lying on the northern side of the freshet that runneth into Greene's Harbour." [PCR 12:109]

On 16 December 1646 the freeman of the town of Marshfield acknowledged land promised to James Pitny that is lying between the lands of Francis Godfrey and Mr. Ralph Patridge’s fence, west of the Greenshar Bar River. Also nearby are Thomas Burne and Josias Winslow. [Jeremy D. Bangs, Mayflower Descendant, “The 17th Century Marshfield Town Records,” 62:141, 2013]

On 26 February 1648[/9?], "Constant Sowthworth of Duxbery and Thomas Sowthworth of Plymouth his brother" sold to "Francis Godfray of the town of Duxbery ... carpenter ... a certain parcel of upland ground containing an hundred acres or thereabouts be it more or less lying at the North River." [PCR 121:163]

On 23 Oct 1648 John Cary sold to James Lindell all the land, both upland and meadow, granted him by the town and at the same time “testified and affirmed” that his father-in-law Francis Godfrey, “did acknowledge and confess that he had sold his present right and interest of his said land lying upon Green Harbor River” to James Lindel.

On 10 December 1650, "Francis Godfry of Marshfield ... carpenter" sold to "Anthony Eames and Mark Eames the son of the said Anthony both of them of Hingham ... a certain parcel of land containing one hundred acres be it more or less together with one dwelling house upon it with all the appurtenances belonging thereunto lying upon the North River.” [PCR 12:206]

He removed to Bridgewater where he took the Oath of Fidelity in 1657. He is not on the 1656 list of original proprietors for that town. 

On 9 October 1665. Francis Godfrey received land in an allocation of lots by the town of Bridgewater. [“Massachusetts Land Records, 1620-1986” database on FamilySearch.org]

Francis Godfrey died Bridgewater between 26 February 1666[/67] (date of will) and 30 July 1669 (probate of will), likely closer to the 1669 date. 

Elizabeth is named in her husband’s will, so she died after 26 February 1666[/7], 

A significant portion of his estate was in Providence, now in Rhode Island, but he’s not mentioned in published records there, so I’m curious as to how that came about.

In his will, dated 26 February 1666[/7] and proved 29 October 1669, "Francis Godfrey, aged inhabitant of the town of Bridgwater," made "my wife Elizabeth Godfrey my sole executrix, and Mr. James Browne of Rehoboth and Samuell Edson of Bridgwater my overseers.” Bequests: 

• wife Elizabeth Godfrey whole complete purchase of lands, both already laid out and to be laid out, with all the immunities and privileges belonging thereunto, with my dwelling house and outhouses ...lands laid out lying and situated as followeth: forty acres of upland lying at a place usually called Salisbury Plain running cross the way usually called the Bay Path, and twenty-four acres of upland lying upon the river usually called John's River …twenty acres of upland lying upon the Town's River ...ten acres of upland more joining meadow land upon the Town's River, two acres of meadow land more or less lying in the meadow called Flaggy Meadow, two acres and a half more ... joining on the one side to Arthur Harris his meadow and on the other side to John Carye Senior, and one share more at the north end of the plain called Salisbury Plain
• to my wife Elizabeth Godfrey, one broad and one narrow axe, one handsaw, one hatchet, one square, one drawing knife, one adze, one hammer, one pair of chisels, two augers, one mortising auger, one smaller auger, three plains, one jointer, one smoothing plain, one rabbeting plain, all the best I have
• wife Elizabeth also to receive residue of “estate goods cattle whatever” 
• to my grandchild John Carye a complete purchase of lands both upland and meadows both already laid out or to be laid out, only I have exchanged six acres of upland with him lying to the lands at my house for six acres lying next to his land at John's River ... the six acres of land at my house belonging now to my house being given the my wife Elizabeth aforesaid”
• to my daughter Elizabeth Cary, two cows called Moose and Dazey, two canvas sheets and my great Bible
• to my grandchild Elizabeth Cary, one heifer
• to my servant John Pitcher one broad axe
• to "my grandchild John Carye, a black mare, green cloak, suit of apparel, trooper's coat, hat, pair of stockings, pair of shoes, and  all my working tools not disposed of as abovesaid
• to my son-in-law John Carye Senior all the rest of my wearing clothes
• to my servant Richard Ginings if he live with my wife Elizabeth Godfrey and carry himself as he ought until he’s twenty years of age, ten pounds

The will was signed by the initials F.G. and is witnessed by Wm Brett, Jas Keith, Nathl Willis, John Hill. Inventory 30 July 1669, totaled 117 pounds, 17 s, 5 d. [Plymouth probate records, Vol 7, p 179] 

The inventory of the movable goods and cattle of Francis Godfrey lately deceased being an ancient inhabitant of Bridgwater, was exhibited at the Plymouth court 29 October 1669 on the oath of Elizabeth Godfrey, widow. The goods at Bridgewater were appraised 30 July 1669, by William Brett and John Willis and totaled 63 pounds, 12 shippings, 11 pence. The goods and cattle appraised at Providence by John Field and Resolved Waterman taken 27 July 1669 and totaled 54 pounds, 4 shillings, 6 pence. Inventory was taken 30 July 1669. Total of both inventories is 117 pounds, 17 shillings, 5 pence; no real estate is mentioned. [MD 17:155-56, citing PCPR 2:2:57-58]

Note: Some researchers have him born Bath, Somerset in 1590 to Richard Godfrey and Isabel Ramsdale, but I haven’t found a source for this. 

Sources Not Included Above:

Torrey’s New England Marriages Prior to 1700

Seth C. Cary, John Cary the Plymouth Pilgrim, 1911

NEHGR, “Abstracts of the Earliest Wills Probate Office at Plymouth,” vol 7, p 179, 1853

New England Families Genealogical and Memorial,Third Series, Volume III, p. 1224

Timothy Cole (ca 1684 to 1760) and his Wife Apphia Pepper of Eastham, Mass.

Timothy Cole was born between 1684-1688 [based on likely age at marriage], probably at Eastham on Cape Cod, to Timothy Cole and his wife whose name is not known, although some researchers make a case for her being Ruth Smith. I have more research to do on that.

Timothy married three times, with his first two wives dying young. He married, first, Apphia Pepper, daughter of Isaac and Apphia (Freeman) Pepper,  on 2 November 1709, at Eastham. She was born Eastham 24 Feb 1687. Apphia and Timothy are my 9th great-grandparents on my grandmother Milly Booth Rollins’ side of the family. I wrote about Apphia’s parents here.

Timothy and Apphia had five children born Eastham: 

Doritha/Dorothy born 22 September 1710; died 8 February 1710/11

Doritha/Dorothy born 15 May 1712, died after 1760

Isaac born 30 May 1714; died after 3 Sept 1781; m. Anne Doane 

Susanna born 15 July 1716; died after 17 July 1756; m. Joseph Brown 

Apphia born 20 March 1718; died 27 June 1718

I descend from Dorothy who married Thomas Freeman. I wrote about this couple here.

Apphia Freeman Cole died 6 April 1718 at Eastham at age 31. Seems likely she died of complications from childbirth as her daughter was born just two weeks before. 

Timothy married, second, Elizabeth Sparrow at Eastham on 4 May 1721. 

Timothy and Elizabeth had one son, Timothy, born Eastham, 27 August 1722; died 4 May 1722 [likely an error for 1723]. 

Elizabeth died soon after childbirth, on 31 August 1722, at Eastham. 

Timothy married, third, Martha Almony/Alemony, 4 September 1723 at Eastham. They had six children born Eastham: 

Apphia born 5 October 1724; died after 8 June 1761; m. Nathaniel Bacon 

Martha the daughter of Timothy and Martha Cole born ca 1726; died 25 April 1728

Timothy 23 May 1728 at Eastham; died in November 1752

Martha born 9 March 1729/30; m. Freeman Higgins 

Elizabeth born 12 July 1732; m Lemuel Higgins 

Jesse born 11 August 1735 and died 10 December 1753

I honestly don’t know how people could bear so much loss. Of Timothy’s twelve children who appear in Eastham vital records, only five survived him. 

Timothy was part owner of a grist mill in Eastham, a very important service to offer townspeople. At the time Simeon Deyo wrote his history of Barnstable County in 1890, the pilings of Timothy Cole’s water mill were still visible in Orleans. 

In 1733 Timothy Cole claimed land that was granted to his father in Gorham Maine for the latter’s service in King Philip's War. On 23 Oct 1751 Joseph Brown (Timothy's son-in-law) purchased his proprietary rights in Gorham.

Timothy Cole and Joseph Doane were appointed in 1738 to find a suitable replacement for Rev. Samuel Osborn who was dismissed by the church in the south of Eastham. They hired Joseph Crocker to replace him. 

Timothy's name is on a list of men from Eastham who were Narragansett grantees.

The settlement of Apphia’s father Isaac Pepper’s estate on 29 July 1740 included three children of his deceased daughter Apphia Cole: Isaac Cole, Dorothy Freeman and her husband Thomas Freeman, Susan Brown and her husband and Joseph Brown.  All but Joseph Brown acknowledged the settlement on 6 July 1743.

Mr. Timothy Cole died 24 April 1760; he would have been in his 70s. Being called Mr” was an honorific, used to address gentlemen, professional men, and substantial citizens. Martha outlived her husband. 

People named in the 2 April 1760 will of Timothy Cole, yeoman of Eastham;  proven 6 May 1760:

His loving wife Martha, one-third of his personal estate except for his wearing apparel and farming tackling, and improvement of one-third of his real estate, housing, land and meadow except for his part in the grist mill.

Son Isaac Cole to receive two-thirds of his land and buildings in Stage Neck north of Joshua Cole and Joseph Cole’s wall above the mud swamp and the remaining third after Martha ceases to improve it; Timothy’s part of the grist mill; all his wearing apparel and farming tackling; two-third parts of right in the fourteen Sh[ear] Pochet N[?eck]; and two-thirds of meadow at Town Flats owned in partnership with Thomas Snow; two-thirds part cedar swamp by Seth Knowles; third part of six meadows and swamp after Martha’s ceases to improve it.

Daughter Dorretha Freeman one quarter part of any land not disposed of with his wife receiving her thirds.

Daughter Apphia Bacon one-quarter part of any land not disposed of.

Daughter Elisabeth Higgins one-quarter part and to his grandchildren Timothy Higgins and Apphia Higgins one-quarter part.

Daughter Susannah Brown has already received her part.

“Trusty son” Isaac Cole named sole executor.

Land at Pochet Island he bought of Benjamin Cole and Rufus Cole and land where Theodor Hopkins house stands are to be sold to pay his debts and funeral expenses. 

Witnessed by Richard Sparrow, Joshua Cole, and Seth Young.

It looks like perhaps someone signed on his behalf, initialed L.S.

source: The Patriot Ledger

Inventory of Mr. Timothy Cole of Eastham was taken 19 May 1760, no total is given. Presented to court by Isaac Cole, Richard Sparrow, Jonathan Linnell, Joshua Cole on 23 May 1760.

It included:

Land to be sold worth more than 37 pounds 

Land and meadow given to his daughters and grandchild worth more than 37 pounds

Meadow and cedar swamp given to Isaac Cole worth 18 pounds

Horse, ox, two cows with their calves, one heifer, one steer, two swine, three sheep

Wearing apparel

Beds, furnishings, linen 

Two cranes, hangers, iron ware

Brass, pewter, earthenware, silver cup, and other kitchen ware 

Guns, sword, and “warlike stores”

Spinning wheels, looms

Chests, tables, chairs 

Looking glass

Flax and yarn

Corn and rye

Books worth 8 shillings

Farming tackling, horse tackling, lathe

Sources Not Listed Above:

Mayflower Descendant, “Transcription of Eastham and Oreans, Massachusetts Vital Records,” 15:233, 1913

Barnstable County Probate 9:437-8 

Barnstable County Probate 12:68-9

Simeon L. Deyo, editor, History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1890

George Madison Bodge, Soldiers in King Philip's War, A Critical Accounting of That War with a Concise History of the Indian Wars of New England from 1620-1677, Leominster, MA, 1896

Susan E. Roser, Early Descendants of Daniel Cole of Eastham, Massachusetts, Friends of the Pilgrim Series Vol. 2, 2010

William Paine/Payne b. ca 1560, and His Wife Agnes/Ann Neves of Lavenham, Suffolk, England

William Paine was from Lavenham, Suffolk, England, likely born there about 1560, son of William Paine Jr. and his wife Joane/Joanna whose maiden name is not known. He is my 13th great-grandfather on my grandfather Arthur Washburn Davis’ side of the family. His last name is often spelled Payne. Although he never lived in Massachusetts, at least five of his children did. I have not found William’s birth record (the Lavenham parish registers start in 1558 and perhaps they were spotty at first). This research is very much a work in progress; feedback is most welcome!

William married Agnes/Ann Neves on 28 December 1584 in Lavenham at the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. I have read in various places, including WikiTree, that she was baptized 2 December 1565, at St. Mary’s Church, Nowton, Suffolk, the daughter of William and Agnes (Marberry) Neves, but I have not been able to confirm that with my own work yet. 

Agnes and William’s children, most baptized St. Peter and St. Paul in Lavenham:

1. Elizabeth baptized Lavenham 11 Sept 1586, married William Hammond there in 1605 and immigrated to Watertown, Massachusetts, where she died in 1670
2. Anne baptized Lavenham 17 December 1587, married Richard Neve at Lavenham on 2 Sept 1613, immigrated to Watertown where she died in 1676
3. Judith baptized Lavenham 22 June 1589 
4. Dorothy born about 1589, married Simon Eyre, migrated to Boston where she died in 1650;  unsure if she is also the Dorothy Payne who married Hugh Baker 31 [sic] Sept 1615
5. Susan baptized  Lavenham 1 January 1590, died there in October 1591
6. Susan baptized Lavenham 9 April 1592
7. Frances who died as a child in July 1594 at Lavenham
8. Jane born 1593; died Lavenham July 1594
9. Phebe baptized Lavenham 1 April 1594, married John Page there on 5 June 1621 and migrated to Watertown where she died in 1677 
10. William baptized Lavenham 20 Feb 1596/97, married a woman named Ann, migrated to Ipswich, Massachusetts and then to Boston where he died in 1660; became a very wealthy man
11. Richard baptized Lavenham 20 February 1596/97, also married a woman named Ann, died there in 1645
12. Frances born and died in 1600, Lavenham (baptized 20 July; buried 12 August)

I’m not certain, but they may have also had:

13. Thomas born about 1587; need to do more research 

14. Robert, born in Lavenham about 1601, married 1st Anne Whiting, 2nd, Dorcas ___?__, immigrated to Ipswich, Massachusetts and died there by 1684

I descend from Elizabeth who married William Hammond at Lavenham. They immigrated to Watertown, Massachusetts. I wrote about that couple here. 

William died in June 1621 and was buried at St. Peter and St. Paul churchyard in Lavenham, as William Payne the elder, on 9 June 1621.

William appears to have died intestate but Ann Payne of Lavenham, widow, wrote a will dated 7 December 1635. It was not proved until 25 April 1646. I have only seen excerpts from the will. She left her property and goods to her daughter Susan: the property was a capital messuage in the Lavenham market place “in the tenure of Thomas Dister and myself.” A messuage is a dwelling house with its outbuildings and adjacent land. She left son Richard 10 shillings, so it would seem he already received family land. She asked to be buried in Lavenham churchyard. Daughter Susan was to be executrix and residuary legatee.

Although Agnes/Ann had 12 or more children, only Richard and Susan were alive and in England at the time of her death, although Richard died that the same year. At least five of her children immigrated to Massachusetts, four or more died very young, and I’m not sure what became of Judith.

Agnes was buried at St. Peter and St. Paul Churchyard on 8 Oct 1645.

Lavenham was a market town, in the hundred of Babergh, and on the river Bret. It is 18.5 miles from Ipswich and 61 miles northeast of London. St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church is a notable “wool Church,” funded by wool merchants and farmers who made their fortunes in the medieval wool trade. The original parts of the stone building were built in the 14th century. 

There has been a great deal of confusion about William Paine's identity; many online trees have him as the son of Anthony and Martha (Bastell) from Bury St. Edmunds and Nowton. Much of this stems from Albert Paine's 1881 book, The Paine Family. 

See Jeanie Roberts' blog post about this mis-identification: http://www.jeaniesgenealogy.com/2013/05/english-ancestry-of-william-paine-and.html

Sources: 

G. Andrews Moriarty, The Register, “Genealogical Gleanings in New England,” Vol 79, 1925

William Paine WikiTree: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Paine-470

Henry F. Waters, The Register, “Genealogical Gleanings in England,” vol 69, 1915 [includes Payne records from the Parish Registers of Lavenham 1558-1653); has footnote that no wills of Lavenham Paynes were found 

Agnes/Ann Paine’s will: Achdeaconry of Sudbury, book 55, folio 291