Benjamin and Katherine Tupper Nye, Their Son Jonathan Nye, and Their 17th Century Sandwich Home & Mill

I recently visited the Nye Museum on Old County Road in Sandwich, which consists of Benjamin and Katherine (Tupper) Nye’s homestead, a Grange building, and a mill (not Benjamin’s grist mill but one built in 1855 that was moved to the property from Centerville) It’s a beautiful property owned by the Nye Family of America Association. It always thrills me to walk where my ancestors once lived!

The beautiful Nye Homestead

Benjamin Nye was first at Saugus, Massachusetts in 1635. His origins aren’t known but he was about 15 years old when he sailed on the Abigail so would likely have been connected by blood or as an apprentice to another passenger. In 1637 he joined others, referred to as The Ten Men Of Saugus, to establish the settlement of Sandwich on Cape Cod. There he married Katherine Tupper on 16 October 1640. Katherine was born Chelmsford, Essex, England 11 Jan 1623, the daughter of Thomas and Katherine (Gator) Tupper. Her father was also one of the “Ten Men.” 

Benjamin and Katherine built their first house on nine acres of land at Spring Hill where they began to raise their family which would grow to eight children. Benjamin was a builder and a farmer. Benjamin and Katherine are my 9th great-grandparents and I have lines of descent from their sons John as well as Jonathan. 

Benjamin & Katherine's First Home (right section)

Benjamin acquired land in East Sandwich near a spring-fed stream that flows into Scorton Creek. In 1665 the town had trouble coming to terms with miller Thomas Dexter, Jr., on the amount of the toll (payment in grain) he charged to townspeople, so Benjamin put his name in to operate a mill in East Sandwich.

Stream on the Nye property

Benjamin was selected, received an additional 12 acres near the land he already owned, and opened a water-powered grist mill in 1669. He was later granted another 8 acres. In 1676 he was given permission to build a fulling mill, which processed home-spun woolen cloth, on his property. 

Mill on the Nye property

Likely tiring of the 2.5 mile trip back and forth to the mills each day, Benjamin built a saltbox style house next to the mills in 1678. 

A bedfroom in the Nye Homestead

Benjamin died between 9 Jun 1704 and 17 May 1707 at Sandwich. He had already deeded the East Sandwich mills and his homestead to his son Jonathan. On 9 June 1704 Benjamin deeded to "Jonathan Nye my son" of Sandwich all his lands "both uplands and meadow grounds...in sd Town and Township of Sandwich...with all my mills and appurtinences to them belonging and all buildings houses and outhouse...(only Excepting what Lands I formerly gave to my son John Nye and now in his possession)…”

The museum has a copy of this deed which Benjamin signed with a uniquely shaped “8” as his mark. It stipulated that Jonathan take care of his elderly parents. Early in the 19th century a later owner, Silvanus Nye, raised the roof to transform the house into a full colonial.

Benjamin Nye's Deed to Jonathan

Jonathan, who was born 20 November 1689, had 14 children (including two sets of twins) by two wives, Hannah whose maiden name is not known, and Patience Burgess. I descend from Patience and Jonathan’s son David Nye.

Benjamin's son John had already been given the Spring Hill house. That house also still stands at 1 Nye Road and has been greatly expanded.

I wrote about Benjamin and Katherine here.

Exposed beams at the Nye Homestead

The property is beautiful with a stream and a pond and the house is in incredible condition. It is filled with Nye family items, including those uncovered in an archeological dig. There’s even an ancient thimble that was found under the floorboards during a renovation. We had an excellent docent and of course hit up the gift shop! We hope to return when it's not raining to walk the property. 

This 20-minute timer would have been used by Katherine to bake muffins

For more information on the museum, visit www.nyemuseum.org 

Source:

Marguerite Donley & John Nye Cullity, The 17th Century World of Benjamin Nye & Katherine Tupper, Nye Museum Press, East Sandwich, Mass., 2022 

Edward Bangs (b. ca 1591; d. 1677-78) Memorial Bench in Plymouth, Mass.

I was checking out the renovation to Stephens Field in Plymouth this weekend when I came across the Edward Bangs Memorial Bench. I had no idea it existed and was amazed it survives given the recent massive $5 million overhaul to the park. The bench could use a power wash, but it’s in a very pretty spot by a large weeping willow tree overlooking a small duck pond with Plymouth Bay beyond. It is set away from the busier areas of the park that include a playground, tennis/pickle ball courts, basketball court, baseball field, and a boat launch. It would be a lovely spot for contemplation although it isn’t the most comfortable of seating! There are even nesting Ospreys at the park.

Edward Bangs is my 10th great-grandfather. He was born in England about 1591 and came to Plymouth in 1623 on the ship Anne. He lived in Plymouth for over 20 years before moving to Eastham on Cape Cod where he was one of the first settlers. He was an innkeeper, a trade his son Jonathan continued. Edward died between 1677 and 1678 at Eastham. 

Edward married, first, Lydia Hicks, and second Rebecca whose maiden name is unknown. I descend from three of Edward and Rebecca’s children: Jonathan, Sarah and Rebecca. I wrote a sketch with more details about Edward some years ago which can be seen here.

An older undated clipping from the Old Colony Memorial newspaper written by Maggie Mills on the history of Stephens Field provides information on the origin of the bench. “In 1930, the decendants [sic] of Edward Bangs met in a small section at the south-westerly section of Stephens Field near a springfed duck pond to dedicate a granite stone bench in memory of their ancestor, who came over in 1623 in the Anne  to settle in Plymouth and was allotted a grant in a special area off Sandwich Street, now included in Stephens Field.” The bench has survived at this ocean-front park for 94 years! 

I wrote a sketch with more details about Edward some years ago which can be seen here.

One of my favorite aspects of genealogical research is pinpointing where my ancestors’ homes were located, and Edward Bangs certainly had a spectacular spot! It is just over half a mile south from Burial Hill and the location of the meeting house, so a fairly quick walk to church for Edward and his large family.

Matthew Pease (1675 to 1718) of Edgartown, Massachusetts and Hannah Marchant of Yarmouth and Edgartown

 Matthew Pease was born in 1675 at Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard to James and Elizabeth (Norton) Pease. His last name is also spelled Peese and Peas. He is my 8th great-grandfather on my grandmother Milly (Booth) Rollins’ side of the family. 

Matthew is interesting to research because he breaks the mould of the righteous God-fearing New England man of that time period. He chose not to marry the mother of his first child, something quite scandalous, especially as the son of an established family. 

Charity Peese was born 9 December 1696, the daughter of Mathew Peese and Hanah Marchant who were not married.  [Yarmouth Vital Records 1:9; MD 4:188] Charity is my 7th great-grandmother. What a difficult childhood Charity must have endured being an illegitimate child.

Hannah Marchant, sometimes Merchant, was born about 1677, the daughter of Abishai and Mary (Taylor) Marchant who were of Yarmouth and Edgartown. On 4 March 1672/73 Abishai Marchant and Mary Taylor were fined five pounds each by the Plymouth Court for committing fornication, but they did go on to marry. 

Charity Pease grew up and married, first, Jeremiah O’Killey, a Quaker of Yarmouth, with whom she had four children before he died at just age 34. She married, second, Isaac Chase, with whom she had six children. I have not found her death information but she likely died at Yarmouth, in an area that is now Dennis.

Hannah Marchant also had a daughter Tabitha Lewis born 13 March 1703, recorded Yarmouth, with no father listed as she was also born out of wedlock. [Yarmouth Vital Records p 10]  It does not appear Hannah ever married. I have not found her death record but she was living in Edgartown in 1710.

Matthew Pease, son of James, married Mary Green, daughter Charles Green of Marblehead, in April 1699. [Edgartown VR 1:164] She was born 14 February 1676, the daughter of Charles and Esther Green of Marblehead. They had ten children, all recorded at Edgartown:

i.Jean/Jane born 28 Nov 1700 [Edgartown VR 1:63]; she married Hezekiah Dunham and died before June 1738 

ii.Joseph born 16 Apr 1701[Edgartown VR 1:63]; m 1) Anne Norton in 1722 and 2) Mary Stewart on 14 Dec 1738; he died Oct 1769

iii.Elizabeth born 12 Jan 1702/3 [Edgartown VR 1:62]

iv.Sarah born 16 Jan 1704[?/5]  [[Edgartown VR 1:64]; married Richard Folger 11 Oct 1722

v.Mary born 05 Nov 1705 [Edgartown VR 1:64]

vi.Matthew born 05 Jun 1707 [Edgartown VR 1:64]; he married 1) Mary Butler; m. 2) Keziah (Butler) Osborn (widow of Samuel); he died about 1756, likely at Nantucket.

vii.Jemima born 06 May 1711 [Edgartown VR 1:63]

viii.Mariam/Miriam born 27 Feb 1712/13 [Edgartown VR 1:63]

ix.Green born 26 Sep 1714 [Edgartown VR 1:62]; imagine being named Green Pease?!

x.Timothy born 16 Aug 1716 [Edgartown VR 1:65]; probably removed to Boston

Some researchers identify Matthew as Native American because of a marriage in Yarmouth Vital Records (1:146) where Matthew Pees “Indian” married Jacob Paul. Likely Matthew was a recording/transcription error for a woman’s name, perhaps Martha. It is possible Matthew had Native American blood but clearly his family was considered white. It would be interesting to find if there has been a DNA project for the family.

Apparently Matthew did not sow his wild oats as a young man. He is mentioned in his father James Pease of Edgartown’s 21 July 1711 will. His father is clearly disappointed in the life he was living: I give unto my son Matthew Pease all that my land he now hath enclosed and improved: and for as much that my said son Matthew Pease hath been a rebellious son and takes very bad courses and will by no means be reclaimed from his evil course of life: I will that he shall have nothing more of my estate then what I have herein already named to be given unto him only one shilling in money within six months after my decease to be paid to him by executrix which shall be here after named: and it is to be understood and not otherwise that the same land given unto my said son Matthew Pease is meant the land of mine which is within his enclosure southwestwardly of Mr. Thomas Trapps now dwelling house.

I cannot imagine what kind of life he was leading to be called “evil” by his own father. There was the illegitimate child but there must have been more. Excessive drinking? Not attending church? Being abusive or neglectful to his wife or children? Not working to support his large family? His father seems to have tried to give Matthew a good start in life by deeding him land, which must have been a godsend for Matthew’s wife and children. I would think Matthew’s behavior was a great embarrassment to the family since they lived in a small village where everyone knew one another’s business. Although being so far removed from the watchful eye of the Plymouth Colony leaders and having a great deal of mariners as citizens, perhaps it had a more unruly environment than most.

Matthew Pease wrote his will 13 February 1717/18; it was probated 6 August 1718. He does not mention his children by name. He left his homestead land, house and livestock (cattle, horses, sheep) to his wife Mary; 5 or 6 acres of land to each of his six daughters at his wife’s discretion or as they come of age; he left to four sons the remaining land not given to his wife and daughters. It surprised me that there was the usual wording about having worldly estate because it pleased God and wanting a Christian burial, but perhaps that is standard language used by lawyers. Matthew signed his will by his mark.

I do admire that Matthew left his daughters’ land, not the typical will of the time period where just the sons inherited land. However I would feel better about Matthew as a person if he named Charity in his will.

Rev. Homes’ diary shows Matthew died very soon after writing his will; he was about age 43.  The Reverend William Homes of Chilmark wrote in his diary on 16 February 1717/18: “I heard last night that two persons died at old Town last week viz Matt: Pease and Thomas Traps wife the one viz the first of a Malignant fever the other of an Ast[h]ma.”

Mary survived her husband and married, second, Joseph Norton about 1720. 

Sources Not Mentioned Above:

Charles E. Bank, History of Martha's Vineyard, Vol III, 1925

Torrey’s New England Marriages to 1700

Charles E. Banks (contributor), NEHGS Register, “Diary of Rev. William Homes of Chilmark," 49:416 (October 1895)