Prince Snow (1768-1859) and His Wife Martha Dexter (1772-1852) of Rochester, Massachusetts

Prince Snow was born 24 July 1768 at Rochester, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, the son of Joseph and Rachel (Landers) Snow. [Rochester Vital Records 1:278] He is a descendant of Constance Hopkins and her father Stephen Hopkins, both Mayflower passengers.

Prince Snow married Martha Dexter in June 1794 at Rochester. [Rochester VR 2:113] Martha was born 24 March 1773, probably at Rochester [calculated from age in death record]. She was the daughter of Ephraim and Keziah (Tobey) Dexter; her death record states her father is Ephraim Dexter. Martha is a descendant of Thomas Dexter who was an influential businessman in the colony and built the first grist mill in Sandwich, Mass., on the site that a later mill bearing his name is situated. 

Prince and Martha lived in an area of Rochester that became the town of Mattapoisett in 1857.

Martha and Prince had a large family of 14 children; births recorded Rochester VR 1:278:

1. Nancy Snow born 19 December 1794 (twin); baptized July 1808; m. 1) Willam Nye m. 2) Nathan Boodry; died 13 August 1892 at Mattapoisett

2. James born 19 December 1794 (twin); baptized July 1808

3. Betsy Snow born 15 May 1796

4. Prince born 30 Jan 1798; baptized July 1808

5. Luke born 5 February 1799

6. Stephen born 9 March 1801; baptized July 1808

7. Henry Snow born 7 March 1803

8. Avery born 12 April 1805; baptized July 1808

9. Rachel born 17 May 1808; baptized July 1808

10. Harvey baptized July 1808

11. Martha born 8 April 1811; married Ivory Snow (great name!)

12. Dulcina born 1 March 1813

13. Jane born 9 August 1815; married William Hammond

14. William born 7 April 1821

I descend from Nancy. I wrote about her here.

In the 1850 Federal Census, Prince Snow, 82 (ca 1768 birth), dwelling no. 403 in Rochester. He was born Mass., a sailor, owned $1500 in real estate, and his inferred wife Martha Snow is age 79  (ca 1771 birth).

Right next door is their son in dwelling 404: Prince Snow Jr. age 52, sailor, with Caroline Snow 45, Walter W Snow 21, Dennis Foster, 19.

Martha Snow died at Rochester on 10 April 1852. She was age 79 yrs, 0 months, 17 days, married, daughter of Ephraim Dexter. No cause of death given. Age at death calculates to a 24 March 1773 birth. [Massachusetts Vital Records 1841-1910, 67:273] 

Martha’s death date on her gravestone differs from the record: 29 Jan 1852; age calculates to be a 28 Sept 1772 birth. I put more stock in vital records as they are a primary source, but it is frustrating they are so different, since it puts into question both her death and birth dates. 

Prince Snow of Mattapoisett wrote his will on 18 August 1856. [Plymouth County Probate Records, no 18715] Bequests: 

• Children of deceased son James Snow $5 each
• Children of deceased daughter Betsey Hiller $5 each 
• Children of deceased daughter Rachell Snow $5 each
• Already conveyed what he considers their full shares of his estate to daughter Jane, her husband William Hammond, and his son William Snow
• The remainder of his estate he leaves to his eight remaining children to be divided equally: Nancy Boodry, Prince Snow Jr, Stephen Snow, Harvey Snow, Avery Snow, Kezia Hiller, Martha Snow, and Dulcina Fuller. 

He appointed his son Harvey Snow Executor. He signed his will and it was witnessed by Barnabas Hiller, William K. Randall, Hannah R. Bowman. 

Prince Snow's signature

On 18 April 1859, Harvey Snow asked the court to appoint Samuel Sturtevant as administrator of his late father Prince Snow’s estate.

Inventory of the estate of Prince Snow of Mattapoisett is dated 23 April 1859. Appraisers were James B. Ransom, Caleb Dexter, and William K. Randall. [Plymouth County Probate Records, no 18715]

Real estate totaled $614.50 for three lots of land (one wood lot and two salt marsh lots) and one pew in the meeting house. Personal estate totaled $41.65 and included household furniture, a clock, gun, books, a wagon, and tools.

Because his debts and legacies were higher than his personal estate, his executor was granted permission to sell Prince’s land, which he did for a total of $791.80.

Prince Snow died 26 February 1859 at Mattapoisett. He was 90 years, 7 months, 2 days old, a widower, was a mariner, son of Joseph and Hannah, and died of typhoid fever.  [Mass Vital Records 1841-1910, 130:219] His age at death also varies from that given on his gravestone.

Prince and Martha are buried at Pine Island Cemetery in Mattapoisett.

Inscription:

Martha

Wife of

Capt. Prince Snow

Died Jan 29, 1852

Aged 79 years 4 ms & 1 day

There’s a saying inscribed near bottom of stone but can’t read due to moss on the stone.

[Find A Grave Memorial ID 23740516]

source: Findagrave.com

Prince’s stone inscription:

Capt

Prince Snow

Died Jan. 29, 1859

Aged 90 yrs 8 mos & 7 dys

How short is human life the very breath

Which frames my words & accelerates my 

death

[Find A Grave, Memorial ID 23740510]

source: findagrave.com

Note: William Warden wrote that Prince married, second, Martha Waite. Since Warden didn’t document his work, I don’t know what this is based on. Prince was 82 when his first wife died and his will doesn’t mention a wife, so I personally don’t believe he married Martha Waite.

Sources:

JH Beers & Co, Representative Men and Old Families of Southeastern Massachusetts, 1912

Lydia (Phinney) Brownson & Maclean McLean, NEHGS Register, “Thomas 1 Landers of Sandwich,” 124:42 (January 1970)

William A. Warden, Genealogy of the Dexter Family in America: Descendants of Thomas Dexter Together with the Record of Other Allied Families, 1905

Edmund Freeman (1620-1673) and His Wives Rebecca Prence and Margaret Perry of Sandwich, Massachusetts

Edmund/Edmond  Freeman was baptized in Billingshurst, Sussex, England on 26 November 1620, the son of Edmund and Bennet (Hodsoll) Freeman. [McLean] I wrote about Edmund and Bennet here and here.He is my 9th great-grandfather on my grandfather Arthur Washburn Ellis Davis’ side of the family. I also descend from Edmund’s brother Major John Freeman and his sister Elizabeth Freeman. I wrote about Major John here and Elizabeth here.

Edmund came to New England 1635 at age 15 with his parents on board the Abigail. [Hotten] They settled first Saugus (now Lynn), Massachusetts and then moved to Sandwich on Cape Cod where Edmund Sr was one of the founders. The elder Edmund was an important man in the colony and referred to as Gentleman in records. Edmund of this sketch was an original settler in the Bournedale section of Sandwich. [Merrick]

Edmund married, first, Rebecca Prence, on 22 April 1646 probably at Eastham, Massachusetts. [Plymouth VR p 665] She was born before 22 May 1627 at Plymouth, the daughter of Thomas and Patience (Brewster) Prence. [She is included in the 1627 division of cattle] Her father became Governor of Plymouth Colony and her grandfather William Brewster was a Mayflower passenger. Rebecca’s sister Mercy Prence married John Freeman, Edmond’s brother.

Rebecca and Edmund had two daughters [listed in settlement of Edmund’s estate]:

1. Patience born about 1647, probably at Sandwich; married Joseph Burgess
2. Rebecca born before July 1651 perhaps as early as 1648, probably at Sandwich; married Ezra Perry and had ten children

Rebecca died before 18 July 1651 when her husband remarried. She may be the Reb[ecca Fre]eman buried 23 March [no year given but with other 1648 entries] If that is the case, then her daughter Rebecca may have been born in 1648 and the mother perhaps died in childbirth or of complications afterward. 

Edmund Freeman married, second, Margaret Perry at Sandwich on 18 July 1651. [Sandwich Vital Records in MD 14:109] In most printed accounts which refer to early Perry’s of Sandwich, it is claimed that Margaret Perry was sister to Ezra Perry. [Brownson/McLean]

Margaret and Edmund had six children, born Sandwich:

3. Margaret born 2 October 1652 [Sandwich VR in MD 14:169]; m.  John Fish 

4. Edmund born 5 October 1655 [Sandwich VR in MD 14:109]; m. Sarah Skiffe

5. Alice born 29 March 1658 [Sandwich VR in MD 14:109 as “Eales”]; m. Isaac Pope

6. Rachel born 4 Sept 1659 [Sandwich VR in MD 14:110; the last digit in the year has been written over and is fairly illegible—Freeman and Savage have it as 1659]; m. John Landers

7. Sarah born 6 February 1662 [Sandwich VR in MD 14:110]; m. Richard Landers

8. Deborah born 9 August 1665 [Sandwich VR in MD 14:1110]; m.  Thomas Landers

I descend from Rachel. It’s wild that three Freeman sisters married three Landers brothers. Their parents were neighbors in Sandwich.

Edmund served for seven years as deputy to the General Court beginning in 1669.  [McLean] Edmund Freeman Jr was on the 1643 Sandwich list of men able to bear arms. [Stratton]

Edmund lived off Ploughed Neck Road, near land owned by his brother John Freeman who removed to Eastham, as well as Jedediah Allen and Thomas Landers.

In his father Edmund Freeman’s 21 June 1682 will, his real estate was bequeathed to his sons Edmund and John. 

Land transactions:

• On 29 April 1674 Edmond Freeman Jr of Sandwich for fatherly affection to his son Joseph Burge and daughter Patience his wife, deeded six acres of upland in Sandwich, being formerly in the possession of Edmond Freeman Sr. It was acknowledged at court by Edmund Freeman and his wife Margaret Freeman who gave up her right to the land on 2 March 1674/5. [PCR 5:2:379]
• On 4 March 1696/7, Edmund (as Edmund Freeman Sr, gentleman) gave his son Edmund, “for love, good will and affection” his messuage or tenement on which he now dwells, with all the upland, meadow ground, marsh, and all other lands in Sandwich, with his dwelling house, barn, and orchards. It is a very detailed document, outlining where Edmund Sr would live, and how all the cows, sheep, horses, hay and pastures should be handled. [Records of the Superior Court of Judicature, Boston, Docket 6397] It seems certain that Margaret was deceased by this time as her approval would have been required. 
• At a later date, Edmund Freeman Sr required clarification of his action and “was informed that he had given away to his son all that he had, leaving nothing to dispose of to his daughters,” nor for his own use. Perhaps Edmund Sr’s health was impaired and his mind and memory were failing. [McLean]

Margaret died, probably at Sandwich, between 2 March 1674/5 [deed to Patience and Joseph Burge] and 4 March 1696/7 [not mentioned in the deed to Edmund Jr]. 

Edmund died, intestate, at Sandwich before 5 January 1703/4 when Ezra Perry, his son-in-law, was appointed administrator of his estate. Inventory was taken in March 1703/4 by Elisha Bourne and Benjamin Perry. It was valued at £42 14s. While living he deeded most of his land to his son Edmund. The amount of £8 was “due to the Estate from his son Edmond Freeman.” [Barnstable County PR 2:166 admin.; 2:171 inventory] 

Edmund the son appealed the case that he owned money to the estate to the Superior Court. The papers for the earlier court proceedings would have been destroyed by the 1827 Barnstable courthouse fire. At the 1 July 1704 court session, Edmund denied that he had goods or money belonging to his father at the time of his death. He also claimed the inventory of his father’s estate was “pretended.” [Docket 6397] 

At court on 3 July 1704, Major John Freeman, brother of the deceased, aged about 77 years,  said that his brother Edmund told him that his son Edmund owed him £6, but he could not get it from him. On 12 March 1703/4 Edmund Freeman declared the testimony of his uncle John was “a pack of lyes.” On 23 March 1704/5 Ezra Perry of Sandwich, Administrator of Edmund Freeman’s estate, appeared at court stating his friend Ensign Daniel Parker would act as his attorney at the Superior Court. The case was decided against Edmund and judgment awarded to Ezra Perry. [Docket 6397] Seems a foolish strategy for Edmund to question the word of his uncle Major John Freeman, who was so well-respected in the Colony.

The final distribution of the estate occurred 9 June 1705. Edmund was to receive £15; Isaac Pope and Alice his wife £9 7s; Richard Allen of Sandwich 1s 10p; John Fish and wife Margaret £1, 13s, 8p; John Launders and Rachel his wife £1 6s; Patience Burg widow £5 8s; Ezra Perry and wife Rebekah £12 14s 6p. [Barnstable County PR 2:190] His two youngest daughters, Sarah and Deborah, are not on the distribution list, so it is possible they received their full portions at their marriages. 

Sources:

Barbara Lambert Merrick, Mayflower Families In Progress Elder William Brewster, 1997

Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Begins, 1995

RA Lovell Jr, Sandwich, A Cape Cod Town, 1984

Eugene Stratton, Plymouth Colony, Its History and People, 1986

Maclean McLean, The American Genealogist, “Mr. Edmond 2 Freeman of Sandwich Mass and His Family,” 40:103 (1964)

John Camden Hotten, The Original Lists of Persons of Quality…1600-1700, 1874

Rev. Frederick Freeman, Freeman Genealogy in three parts, viz: I. Memorial of Edmund Freeman of Sandwich and his desc., II Memorial of Samuel Freeman of Watertown and his Desc., III Notes, Historical and Genealogical of Families of the Name of Freeman, distinct from Parts I and II, or whose connection is not clearly ascertained, 1875

Lydia Brownson and Maclean McLean, NEHGS Register, “Ezra Perry of Sandwich, Mass.,” 115:86 (1961)

John Landers (1694-1738) and His Wife Content Nye of Sandwich, Massachusetts

John Landers (sometimes spelled Launders) was born 9 April 1694 at Sandwich, the son of John and Rachel (Freeman) Landers. [Sandwich VR in MD 29:32] 

On 4 June 1719 John Launders married Content Nye at Sandwich. The marriage was solemnized by William Bassett, Justice of the Peace. [Sandwich VR 1:110] 

Content was born Sandwich 25 September 1693, the daughter of Nathan and Mercy (—?—) Nye. [Sandwich VR in MD 30:66] Her grandfather was Benjamin Nye, a mill owner in Sandwich. John and Content are my 7th great-grandparents on my grandfather Arthur Washburn Ellis Davis’ side of the family.

I recently discovered I had the incorrect parents for an ancestor I had done little work on—Nancy Snow born 1794 who married William Nye. It turned into a satisfying project but I admit when I saw that I descend from Nathan, another son of Benjamin Nye, I let out a large sigh as the family is a challenge to research! I already descend from Nathan’s brothers Jonathan and John. Genealogist Maclean McLean worded it perfectly when he called the family the “fantastically prolific Nye family of Sandwich.”

Children of Content and John Landers, all born Sandwich:

1. Mariah born 20 Dec 1719 [Sandwich VR 1:115]; married Sandwich 11 April 1745 John Ellis, son of Malachi and Jane (Blackwell) Ellis [Sandwich VR 1:165]; died perhaps shortly before 28 August 1784
2. Deborah born 13 Aug 1722 [Sandwich VR 1:130]; m. 1) 22 Nov 1744 Silas Perry [Sandwich VR 1:165]; m. 2) 5 Nov 1767 Hix/Hicks Jenney of Dartmouth [Dartmouth VRs on Ancestry]; died Fairhaven 1807
3. John born 12 May 1724 [Sandwich VR 1:130]; m. Abigail Gifford 21 August 1746 at Sandwich [Sandwich VR on Ancestry]
4. Mercy born 28 Sept 1726 [Sandwich VR 1:130]; m. Timothy Stephens of Rochester son Timothy and Mary (Clark) Stephen on 27 Dec 1750 [Sandwich VR on Ancestry]
5. Jemima born 12 April 1730 [Sandwich VR 1:130]; m. 29 March 1753/4 Andrew Lovell son Jonathan and Martha Lovell of Barnstable [Sandwich compiled marriages on Ancestry; intentions in Sandwich and Barnstable on 20 and 26 January 1753/4
6. Rachel born 12 July 1732 [Sandwich VR 1:130]; m.  Joseph Snow 20 Jan 1756 at Sandwich; died 18 May 1807 at Rochester [Rochester VR p. 434]
7. Thomas born 24 March 1734/5 [Sandwich VR 1:130]; m. Jerusha Parker 11 March 1764 at Falmouth [Falmouth VR on Ancestry]
8. Content born 12 July 1737 [Sandwich VR 1:130]; m. 1) Sandwich 23 Oct 1760 James Atkins son of John and Dinah (Gifford) Atkins of Sandwich; d. Sandwich 27 Jan 1816 [Find A Grave Memorial ID 5572752]

I descend from Rachel. 

John Landers is listed as a Sandwich head of household (No. 113) in Rev. Fessenden’s March 1730 list. [NEHGR 13:30-31]

Content received a bequest from her father. Nathan Nye of Sandwich, in his will dated 18 September 1741, proved 13 May 1747, gives “to my daughter Content Landers,” £10 to be paid by her brother Caleb Nye. She was also to receive the “indoor household stuff” to divide with his other daughters Temperance Damon, Thankfull Davis, Deborah Hamlin, Mariah Jones and granddaughter Mercy Backhouse.  [Barnstable Co PR 8:189-193] 

Although John was a second son, his older brother Richard left no issue, so it is possible John eventually acquired by deed of gift, or perhaps by purchase, most of his father’s property in Sandwich. [Brownson & McLean] 

John Launders, husbandman of Sandwich, who was “sick of body,” wrote his will on 2 March 1737/8. He must have been seriously ill as he died at Sandwich two days later on 4 March 1737/8. He was just 43 years old.

In his will, proved 29 March 1737/8, he left the following bequests: 

• Content Landers “my beloved wife” the use and improvement of his whole estate during her widowhood…for her support and the bringing up of their children. If she were to marry again, she would receive £30. He also mentions Content having all of his moveables for the benefit of the family, including three cows, ten sheep, three swine and husbandry tools. I don’t recall any of my other male ancestors leaving a specific bequest in the event his widow remarries—it is such a thoughtful gesture for that time period.
• Son John Landers all the houses, lands and meadows that shall remain after debts are paid.  If he should die without an heir then would go to “my son Thomas his heirs and assigns.”
• Son Thomas Landers would receive all the land if John died without an heir. Also he was to be put out to a suitable trade and receive £20 when he turned 21. 
• Each daughter—Maria, Deborah, Marcy, Jemima, Rachel, and Content—to receive £20 when they came of age or married. 

He gives all residue to his wife Content and names her sole executrix. He signed with his mark. Witnessed by Benjamin Freeman, Margaret Landers [his paternal aunt], and his minister Rev. Benjamin Fessenden. [BCPR 5:362-3]

The widow Content Landers was admitted to full communion in the First Church of Sandwich 2 April 1738. [Sandwich First Church Records] All eight children of John and Content Launders were baptized 8 May 1738 at the First Church of Sandwich. [Vital Records of Sandwich Massachusetts, 2:1385] For Content to have all the children baptized a few weeks after her husband’s death suggests that John Landers may have been a Quaker and never joined the First Church. He is listed in Friends Meeting Records as a witness to  marriages of some of his uncle Richard Landers’ family. [Brownson & McLean]

It would seem probable Constant would have remarried, but I have not found a second marriage for her. I also have not found her death record—she is often assigned a 1775 death year in online trees, but without a source.  

Sources:

Lydia (Phinney) Brownson & Maclean McLean, NEHGS Register, “Thomas 1 Landers of Sandwich,” 124:42 (January 1970)

Maclean McLean, The American Genealogist, “The Children of Nathan 2 Nye of Sandwich, Mass.,” 41:176 (1965)

John G. Locke (communicated by), NEHGS Register, “Extracts from Rev. Benjamin Fessenden’s Manuscript,” 13:30-31