Rev. Richard Bourne
M, #4957, b. about 1610, d. about 1682
Parents
Biography
Rev. Richard Bourne was born about 1610 in England. He died about 1682 at age ~72 in Sandwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts.
His English origins are uncertain. He was a householder in Plymouth in 1636 and was of Saugus (Lynn) in 1637 and went from there to Sandwich with Edmond Freeman. He was a Deputy, representing Sandwich, in 1639, to the first General Court and continued in this capacity for six years, again in 1652, 1664-67, and in 1679.
He became the pastor to the Indians at Marshpee (Mashpee).
Richard BourneM, b. circa 1610 (chr. date), d. 1682ChartsGlyndon H. Crocker, Jr. - Ancestor Chart
Richard Bourne
"Aside from his labors as a missionary, Richard Bourne
was a man of note. He was often a representative to the General Court; held many town offices; often served on committees, as a referee in important cases. He was a well-informed, discreet, cautious, of sound judgment, and of good common sense. There is reason to doubt whether he brought to New England so large an estate as has been represented. The division of the meadows at Sandwich does not indicate that he was a man of wealth. He was a good business man, and while he carefully guarded the interests of the Indians, he did not forget to lay up treasures for himself.
John Eliot,
Thomas Mayhew,
father and son, Richard Bourne,
John Cotton,
Daniel Gookin,
an d Thomas Tupper
consecrated their lives to the philanthropic purpose of meliorating the condition of the Indians. They instructed them in the arts of civilized life; they established schools, and they founded churches. Many of the Indians were converted to Christianity, and lived pious and holy lives; very many of them were taught to read and write their native language, and were good English scholars.
Mr. Bourne
was the pastor of the Indian Church at Marshpee (Massape) gathered in 1670. The apostles Eliot and Cotton assisted at his ordination. His parish extended from Provincetown to Middleboro, one hundred miles. He commenced his labors as a missionary about the year 1658, and in his return to Major Gookin,
dated Sandwich, Sept. 1, 1674, he says he is the only Englishman employed in this extensive region. and the results of his labors are stated in his return. of which the following is a condensed abstract:
"Praying Indians that do frequently meet together on the Lord's Day to worship God." He names twenty-two places where meeting were held. The number of men and women that attended these meetings was three hundred and nine. Young men and maids, one hundred and eight-eight. Of these one hundred and forty-two could read the Indian language, seventy-two could write, and nine could read English.
The labors of Mr. Bourne
and his associates have not been sufficiently appreciated by historians. In 1675, the far-seeing Philip,
Sachem of Mount Hope, had succeeded in uniting the Western Indians in a league, the avowed object whereof was the extermination of the white inhabitants of New England. His emissaries in vain attempted to induce the Christianized Indians to join that league. They remained faithful. Richard Bourne,
aided by Thomas Tupper
of Sandwich, Mr. Thornton
of Yarmouth and Mr. Treat
of Eastham had a controlling influence over the numerous bands of Indians then resident in the County of Barnstable, in Wareham, Rochester, and Middleboro'. Mr. Mayhew
elected a like controlling influence over the natives of Martha's Vineyard and the adjacent islands.
In 1674, the year preceding King Philip's war, the returns made to Major
Gookin,
show that the aggregate number of Christianized or praying Indians.
__________In Massachusetts, was________________1100
__________In Plymouth, Mr Bourne's
return_______497
__________In Plymouth, Mr. Cotton's
partial_______40
Estimated number not enumerated, 170
On Martha's Vineyard and Chappaquidock 1500
On Natucket, 300
_____________
3607
It is not to be presumed that, at that time, more than one-half of the Indians had been converted, or were nominally Christians. Perhaps a fair estimate of the Indian population in 1675, in the territory comprised in the eastern part of the present State of Massachusetts, would be 7000; one-fifth, or 1400 if were warriors.
On account of the jealousies and suspicions entertained by the English in Massachusetts, the Indians rendered little service to the whites. Mr. Eliot
and Major Gookin
suffered reproaches and insults fro endeavoring to repress the popular rage against their pupils. Some of the praying Indians of Natick, and from other places in Massachusetts, were transported to Deer Island in Boston harbor. Some of the Indians in Plymouth colony, particularly those at Pembroke, were conveyed to Clarke's Island, Plymouth.
On Martha's Vineyard and on the Cape, the Indians were friendly to the English. Many enlisted and fought bravely against the forces of Philip. Capt. Daniel
of Satucket, (Brewster), and Capt. Amos
distinguished themselves in the war and are honorably mentioned. In the course of the war, the number of prisoners became embarrassing, and they were sent to the Cape and Martha's vineyard, and were safely kept by the friendly Indians.
Major Walley
says that the English were rarely successful when they were not aided by Indian auxiliaries, and urges this as a reason for treating them kindly. The reader of the "History of the Indian Wars" will find many facts to corroborate the opinion of Major Walley.
In the spring of 1676 the armies of Philip
were victorious, and the inhabitants of Plymouth Colony were panic stricken and despondent. If at that time the one thousand Indian warriors, who were influenced and controlled by Bourne
and Mayhew
had become enemies, the contest in Plymouth Colony would not have been doubtful, the other towns would have been destroyed and met the fate of Dartmouth, Middleboro, and Swanzey. At this time three hundred men could not be raised to march for the defense of Rehobeth. All the towns, excepting Sandwich and Scituate, raised their quotas; but many of the soldiers that went forth, returned to their homes without marching to the defense of their frontier towns.
In 1675, Gov. Hinckley
enumerated the Christianized Indians embraced in the region of country which had been under the superintendence of Mr. Bourne.
The number had increased from four hundred and ninety-seven in 1674, to ten hundred and fourteen in 1685. Showing that in a period of eleven years the number had more than doubled.
In 1676, no enumeration of the Indians was made; but it is within the bounds of probability to assume that in the district of country under the supervision and care of Mr. Bourne
there were at least six hundred Indian warriors. Had these at this particular conjecture turned rebels, the whites could not have defended their towns and villages against the savages, and Plymouth Colony would have become extinct.
It may be urged that Mr. Bourne
could not have done this unaided and alone; or, if he had not, God in his providence would have raised up some other instruments to have effected this great purpose. The fact is Richard Bourne
by his unremitting labors for seventeen years made friends of a sufficient number of Indians, naturally hostile to the English, to turn the scale in Plymouth Colony and give the preponderance to the whites. He did this , and it is to him who does, that we are to award honor. Bourne
did more by the moral power which he exerted to defend the Old Colony than Bradford
did at the head of the army. Laurel wreaths shade the brows of military heroes- thir names are enshrined in bright halo of glory-while the man who has done good service for his country by means, sinks into comparative insignificance, and is to often forgotten.
The Apostle Eliot,
Mr. Mayhew,
and other missionaries, performed like meritorious services. The people of Massachusetts were more suspicious of the food faith of the converted Indians, than the residents in the Plymouth Colony. These Indians were treated unkindly by the English, yet a company from Natick proved faithful, and did good service in the war.
Of the early history of Mr. Richard Bourne
little is known. It is said he came from Devonshire, England. He was a hoseholder in Plymouth in 1636, and his name appears on the list of freemen of the Colony, dated March 7, 1636-7. On the 2nd of January preceding, seven acres of land were granted to him to belong to his dwelling-house. At the same court seven acres of land were granted to John Bourne,
in behalf of his father, Mr. Thomas Bourne.
May 2, 1637 he was on a jury to lay out the highways about Plymouth, Duxbury and Eel River. June 5, 1638, he was a grand juror, and also a member of a coroner's inquest. On the 4th of September following, he was an inhabitant of Sandwich, and fined 18 pence for having three pigs unringed. He was a deputy to the first general court in 1639, and excepting 1643, represented the town of Sandwich till 1645; again in 1652, 1664, 65, 66, 67, and 70.
AT a General Court held at Plymouth June 4, 1661, the Court granted unto Richard Bourne
of Sandwich, and to his heirs forever, a long strip of land on the west side of Pampasised river, where Sandwich men take alewives-in breadth from the river to the hill or ridge that runs along the length of it, from a point of rocky land by a swamp called Pametoopauksett, unto a place called by the English Muddy Hole, by the Indians Wapoompauksett."
Genealogical Notes of Barnstable Families by Amos Otis
. Richard was born circa 1610 (chr. date) at Devonshire Count, England. He was christened in 1610 at Devonshire Count, England. 1 He was the son of William Bourne and Ursula Day. He married Bathsheba Hallett before 1636 at Lynn or Sandwich, Massachusetts. 2,3 He married Ruth Sargent on 2 July 1677 at Sandwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts. 2,3 Richard died in 1682 at Sandwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts. 1 Children of Richard Bourne and Bathsheba Hallett
Job Bourne+
b. c 1639, d. 1677
Elisha Bourne+
b. 1641, d. 1706
Shearjashub Bourne b. 1644, d. 7 Mar 1719/20
Ezra Bourne b. 12 May 1648 Citations
[S27] Bourne Family, Brownson, Lydia.
[S27] Bourne Family, Brownson, Lydia ,.
[S170] NE Marriages Prior, Torrey, Clarence A. , pg 85.
ID: I15185
Name: Richard Bourne
Sex: M
Title: Rev.
Birth: 1 3 JAN 1609/10 in Bradninch, England 1
Death: BEF 8 SEP 1682 in Sandwich, Barnstable co., MA 2
Reference Number: 15185
Note:Savage, vol. I, pg. 218: Richard Bourne, Lynn, 1637 ... rem. to Sandwich ... he was the first instructor of the Indians at Mashpee, beginning in 1658 ... ordained in 1670 by Eliot & Cotton ... he m. July 1677 Ruth Winslow, wid. Jonathan Winslow, daughter of William Sargent ... his childr. included Elisha Bourne, b. 1641 .. Richard d. in 1682
RICHARD BOURNE: We find, in the first place, no record giving the age of Richard Bourne, even his age at death. If it can be shown that the Richard Borne listed by Hotten and our Richard
Bourne actually were one and the same person, we would know that the year 1610 was a closely approximate date for his birth. As it stands the date is merely an informed guess, based on general internal evidence. Otis tell us that Richard Bourne "was a householder in Plymouth in 1636" and "it may safely be inferred that he was ten a married man" (op.cit., III). Otis and other early writers state that the first wife was probably Bathsheba Hallett, daughter of Andrew Hallett, Sr., although Mrs. Ayer calls her father Andrew Bartlett. Since there was no one named Andrew Barlett at that period it seems safe to assume that this was a printer's error or slip of the pen. We would like conclusive proof that the first wife was indeed Bathseba Hallett. James Savage says that Richard Bourne was of Lynn in 1637 and went from there to Sandwich. Although he is not included among the ten "men of Saugus" (Lynn) to whom the original grant of Sandwich land was made, he was closely associated with them, especially with Edmond Freeman and Tomas Tupper and came with them or soon after. On 2 Jan. 1637/7 (Otis, op. cit., p. 108). On 2 May 1637 he was on a committee to lay out highways about Plymouth, Duxbury and Eel River. At a Court, 5 June 1638 he was grand juror and served on a coroner's inquest. By 4 Sept. 1638 he had removed to Sandwich where he was fined 18d. for having three pigs unringed (ibid).
Richard Bourne was a Deputy, representing Sandwich in 1639, to the first General Court; he continued in this capacity for six years, again in 1652, 1664-1667, and in 1670. In the division of meadows in 1640 he had seven acres assigned to him. In 1645 he was on a committee to draft laws for Plymouth Colony. In 1650 he and others of Sandwich petitioned to have lands granted to them at Mashpee Pond, Cotuit River, meadow and Mannamuchcoy. In 1652 he was authorized agent for Sandwich to supervise the collection of oil. IN 1655 he and others were granted meadow land at Manomet and use of upland meadow at the end of Marshpee Pond, "provided that hee doe it with consent of the Indians to whom it belongeth" (Ayer op. cit.; Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed, Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, vol3, p. 8). About the time Bourne was given a salary by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in New England; and we find that "Ricard Bourn in Plymouth jurisdiction for his paines in teaching the Indians there "received 15 pounds in September 1657 (ibid., vol. 10, p. 205)
A survey of Sandwich lands, begun 17 Jan 1658, described six lots belonging to Richard Bourne (Proprietors' Records). He was appointed in that year to settle a disputed boundary between the towns of Yarmouth and Barnstable.
In 1659 he and Mr. Thomas Hinckley were authorized to purchase lands of the Indians at Suckinesset (Falmouth) and he and Mr. Freeman were authorized to view land in Manomet and confirm it to Thomas Burges. At a General Court, held in Plymouth 4 June 1661, Mr. Richard Bourne was granted "a certain tract of land lying on the Westerly side of Pampaspecite River where Sandwich men take alewives...a long slip by the riverside, for Breadth from the river to the hill or ridge that runs along the length of it, from a point of rocky land by a swamp called Pametoepauksett unto a place called by the English Muddy Hole, by the Indians Wapoomspauksett. The meddow is that which was called Mr. Leverich is meddow, also all the meddow lying on the Easterly side of ye River unto Thomas Burges Senr. his farm ... moreover...he shall have Liberty to take yearly 12,000 alewives at the River where Sandwich men usually take alewives, to him and his heirs forever. Likewise a ... psell of meddow lying at Marshpee, one half to belong to him and ye other half to be improved by him ye sd Richad Bourne until the Court shall see reason otherwise to order... also a neck of meddow between tow brooks with a little Upland adjoining, at Mannamuchcoy, called by the Indians Auntaanta" (Nataniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, vol. 5, p. 3). In 1661 Richard Bourne, Nathaniel Bacon and Tomas Hinckley were authorized to purchase all the un purchased land at Suckanesset and places adjacent (Otis, op. cit., p. 108).
The text of a deed, dated 17 May 1661, shows that John Alden acted as agent for Richard Bourne in the purchase of land from the Manomet Sachem, Quachatasett (Mayflower Descendant, vol. 16, p. 179-80). Richard Bourne introduced a motion to the court, 7 Feb 1664/5, in behalf of the Indians under his instruction, urging that for the redressing and the better preventing of tings amiss amongst them, "some orderly way of government" be instituted. The court approved and so ordered (Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, vol. 4, p. 80; Otis., op. cit., p.109-110). On 2 April 1667 Mr Richard Bourne, William Bassett and James Skiffe, Sr., with the commissioned officers of Sandwich were appointed to the Council of War.
An unrecorded, original deed from the sachem Quachatasett to Richard Bourne, dated 22 Sept 1668, for Sandwich land, bears the signature of John Alden and is witnessed by Elisha Bourne and by Ruhamah (Hallett) Bourne, wife of Job Bourne (photograph in the Mayflower Descendant, vol. 25, p. 145). The will, dated 9 Feb. 1669, of an Indian, Nunquid Numackes of Pinquin Hole alias Wesqueebs in the jurisdiction of New Plymouth, requests Mr. Edmond Freeman and Richard Bourne to "watch over" the testator's heirs and to help them to "keep and walk in the ways of God" (ibid., vol. 19, p. 30).
At a Court, 1 July 1672, Richard Bourne was authorized to purchase a parcel of land in Manomet "for the improvement of his meddow there, provided the Indians to whom it belongeth shall have free Liberty to improve it without interruption" (1) Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, vol. 5, p. 95). In an interesting report of his labors, dated 4 Sept. 1674, to Maj. Daniel Gookin he relates that he is the only Englishman employed in the extensive region, and enumerates the results of his efforts (see Otis, op. cit., p. 105; Ayer, op. cit., and text of the report, Massachusetts Historical Society Collection, 1st series, vol. 1, p. 198). It was only a year before the outbreak of King Philip's War and Otis is certainly correct in emphasizing the importance of the work of Bourne in terms of the outcome of that blood struggle.
Richard and Job Bourne appear on a list of "the inhabitants of Sandwich who have just right to the privileges of the town," dated in 1675 (Freeman, op. cit., vol. 2, p. 68). It seems strange that the names of the other sons do not appear, but Elisha and Shearjashub, although both were married men at this time, are not listed freemen until 1681. The letters from Rev. Richard Bourne to "Ruth Winslow of Marshfield" beginning with one dated 5 Feb. 1676/7. Such correspondence has rarely survived; the subject matter therefore gives an unusual insight into the feelings of an early Plymouth colony settler. The second letter, dated 16 of 12th mo. [Feb.] 1676/7, is, in addition, of genealogical interest, since we find no other record of the date and place of the untimely death of Job Bourne. The unhappy father tells his beloved "my son who was at Hyngham was taken with the disease that many have died of, who was sick about five weeks and died last Saturday & was buried the last Lord's day." We come now to a letter from William Sargent to his daughter Rugh Winslow in Marshfield, dated 17 May 1677, and then the third letter from Richard to his beloved Ruth, dated 1 June 1677, in which he explains that he "sent a letter to you and some other things by Mordecai Ellis the last week and he promised to bring them into your hands at the last 2nd day but I understood since that he left them at Samuel Hunt's at Duxbury. I hope Ezra will bring them to you. I spoke with Ezra's father and this is the sum of is answer; that he desired to know why you are still willing to let him go." Bourne then tell her that he will hope that "my cousin Steven" will bring a few lines from is beloved Ruth. Bourne's spirits were revived by a letter from is beloved, in reply to which we have a final note, dated Sandwich 4 June 1677, in which he says "yours I have received by Steven Skiff... I would entreat you to signifie to mee in a few lines by William her brother, William Sargent, whether you are not inclinable to change your name ere before you return again to Marshfield."
Her reaction to this repeated proposal is to be implied from a letter from Richard Bourn in Sandwich, dated 18 June 1677, to "Capt. Southworth At Duxbury," in which he says "I make bould to entreat a favour from you... that you would please come to 'Sandwich to joyne my well beloved Mrs. Ruth Winslow and myself in Marriage (Dykes, op. cit., p. 113-122).
Some nine weeks before his second marriage Richard Bourne, by deed dated 19 May 1677, conveyed land in Manomet to his son Elisha (Dykes, op. cit., p. 2)
This second wife was Ruth Sargent, born 25 Oct. 1642, hence probably some thirty years younger than her second husband, daughter of William Sargent of Charlestown and Barnstable. Her father's will, dated in Barnstable 9 March 1680, names "my beloved daughter Ruth Bourne" (Savage, op.cit.; Plymouth Colony Probate Records). Mr. Richard Bourne married in Sandwich, 2 July 1677, Mrs. Ruth Winslow (Sandwich Town Records in the Mayflower Descendant, vol. 14, p. 172). There was no issue of this second marriage (by her first husband, Jonathan Winslow of Marshfield, she had one son who died in 1676 aged ten, within a year or so of the death of his father).
"Richard Bourne, for diverse causes and reasons as well as for love and affection," conveyed by deed, dated 1 Aug. 1682, to is son Shearjashub Bourne land which had come into is possession by a deed, dated 25 July 1661, from Paupmunnuck through the agency of Mr. Alden (Mayflower Descendant, vol. 25, p. 52). Tis unrecorded deed is of special interest since the conveyance must have been made within a few weeks of the father's death. The Rev. Richard Bourne died intestate before 18 Sept. 1682, the date of his inventory.
Source: The Rev. Richard Bourne of Sandwich, Mass. (c. 1610-1682) by Lydia B. (Phinney) Brownson, of Duxbury, Mass. FTM CD #171.
| Last Edited | 28 August 2012 |
Edward Rainsford
M, #4967, b. before 10 September 1609, d. 16 August 1680
Parents
Biography
Edward Rainsford was born before 10 September 1609 in Staverton, Northamptonshire, England. He and
Elizabeth Dilloe were married before 1633. He died on 16 August 1680 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. He was buried on 17 August 1680 in Kings Chapel, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts Bay.
He came over to Boston from London in 1630 with the Winthrop party. He travelled to England and returned in 1635 on the "Abigail." He was a fisherman, cooper, and merchant. He became the ruling elder of the Third Church at Boston at its formation in May 1669.
For correct English ancestry, see NEHGR, 139:225-38, 296-315. Line of descent from Henry VIII? See NEHGR 154:219-26.
Edward Rainsford
The Great Migration Begins
Sketches
PRESERVED PURITAN
EDWARD RAINSFORD
ORIGIN
: London
MIGRATION
: 1630
FIRST RESIDENCE
: Boston
RETURN TRIPS
: Travelled to England and returned 1635 on the Abigail [ Hotten 93]
OCCUPATION
: Fisherman. On 14 October 1657 "Edw[ard] Rainsford" headed a list of thirteen "fishermen, humbly desiring that they may be exempted from trainings during the time of the fishing season, &c., the Court grants their request" [ MBCR 4:1:312]. Merchant. The inventory of Edward Rainsford demonstrates that he had branched out from his fishing activities. He owned portions of several vessels, he owned a lighter, and he owned a warehouse "with privileges," presumably meaning dockside rights, indicating that he was trading with the ships that arrived in Boston harbor, and was reselling the merchandise which he obtained in this way.
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP:
"Edward Ransford" was admitted to Boston church as member #62, which would be in the winter of 1630-1 [ BChR 13]. Deacon in the year 1666 and 1667 [BChR 347]. On 12 February 1668[/9] Edward Ransford and Jacob Eliot were dismissed as deacons "for setting their hands with other brethren to desire their dismission from the church because the church had chosen Mr. Davenport for their pastor" [BChR 62]. Rainsford then became ruling elder of the Third Church of Boston at its formation in May of 1669 [ Worthley 63].
FREEMAN:
17 April 1637 (as "Edward Rainsfoard") [MBCR 1:373].
EDUCATION
: On 12 August 1636 Edward Ransforde and other of the richer inhabitants of Boston gave 5s. for the maintenance of the free school master [ BTR 1:160]. He signed his deeds, as did his second wife Elizabeth. His inventory included "books" valued at £5.
OFFICES
: Petit jury, 1 December 1640 [MBCR 1:312]. Committee to lay the planting ground at Long Island, 24 February 1639[/40] [BTR 1:51]. Committee to draw instructions for the selectmen, 11 March 1660/1 [BTR 2:1]. Committee to set a rate, 17 March 1661/2 [BTR 2:6]. Selectman, 1662-70, 1672 [BTR 2:6-52, 68]. Committee to study the common and wasteland, 21 April 1673 [BTR 2:75-76, 86]. Committee to draw up instructions for the Deputies of the General Court, 14 May 1677 [BTR 2:110].
ESTATE
: In the 1645 Boston Book of Possessions Edward Rainsford held one house and garden bordered by the cove on the south [ BBOP 34].On 9 April 1649 "Ed[ward] Rainsford" was one of the many men who agreed to pay 6d. an acre for their land on Long Island for the use of the school [BTR 1:95]. On 22 February 1657[/8] "Ed[ward] Rainsford" was let a piece of ground behind his garden at 2s. per year [BTR 1:142].
On 4 March 1671/2 "Edward Raynsford, fisherman," and Lt. Richard Cooke of Boston, merchant, deeded back to Peter Gee his dwelling house and lands [ SLR 7:134, 9:97].
On 15 October 1674 "Elder Edward Rainsford of Boston" deeded to James Brading of Boston, ironmonger, one acre on Long Island in Massachusetts Bay called "Lug's Lot." Elizabeth released her dower [SLR 9:301].
On 4 August 1676 Edward Rainsford and Elizabeth his wife deeded for "natural love, goodwill & affection" to "our loving sons John Raynsford, David Raynsford and Solomon Raynsford" a parcel of land and beach at the southerly end of the town [SLR 9:373].
On 15 November 1675 Elder Edward Rainsford exchanged small parcels of land with the town [BTR 2:98].
In his will, dated 3 August 1680 and proved 28 August 1680, "Edward Raynsford Senior of Boston in New England, merchant, being sick and weak of body," bequeathed to "my loving and dear wife Elizabeth Raynsford" the use of all real and personal estate during her life; "my said dear wife shall have liberty" to give away by will the full sum of £100; "my dear wife may if she see cause before her decease give some part of my estate to such of my children that shall be in necessity for their present relief, which shall be deducted out of that child or children's portion"; "I hereby forgive my daughter Mary Parcyfull the debt of £10 more or less that her husband now oweth unto me, and also I give unto my said daughter Mary Parcyfull the sum of £10 to be paid unto her in goods"; to "my grandchildren, namely Jonathan, Dorothy and Mary, all children of my son Jonathan Raynsford deceased, the sum of £50 apiece to be paid unto them" at twenty-one, but if "my said grandchildren Dorothy & Mary do not carry themselves dutifully to their grandmother and take her and their Aunt Gording's advice in disposing of themselves in marriage that then such of them that so refuseth to do shall forfeit their legacy"; to "my son Solomon Raynsford ... all the land that I formerly laid out to him for an houselot"; to "my son David Raynsford ... all that piece of land which I formerly laid out to him"; "my son Edward Raynsford shall have that house that was my son Nathan Raynsford's, with all the land that belongs to it, he paying to my executrix £350"; after "my said wife's decease the full remainder of all my real and personal estate ... shall be equally divided amongst my children hereafter named, viz., John Raynsford, David Raynsford, Solomon Raynsford, Edward Raynsford, and Ramus Belchar, Elizabeth Greenough, & Anna Hough, and that if any of my children die before my said wife then my will is that their children shall enjoy the legacy hereby bequeathed to such child or children"; "if any of my said children die before my executrix childless, then the legacy hereby bequeathed unto them shall be equally divided amongst my grandchildren, that is to say the children of the children that have been born to me by my now wife"; "my said dear wife Elizabeth Raynsford the sole executrix"; "my loving friends Mr. Edward Willis and Mr. John Hayward both of said Boston" overseers [ SPR 6:330-32].
The inventory of the estate of "Elder Edward Raynsford late of Boston deceased" was taken 3 September 1680 and totalled £1638 7s. 11d., including £810 in real estate: "dwelling house, barn, with the land as enclosed," £260; "house and land late belonging to Nathan Raynsford deceased," £300; "land upon Raynsford's Island," £10; "land upon Long Island," £10; and "a warehouse with privileges bought of John Phillips," £230 [SPR 9:20-21]. The warehouse shop had fish, but it also had dry goods such as thread, gloves, buttons and cloth. The inventory also showed that Rainsford owned much shipping: "three-sixteenth part of the ship [blank], Jeremy Cushen, commander," £150; "one-fourth of the ketch Mary, Jno. Gardner, commander," £100; "one-fourth of the ketch Swallow, Benj[ami]n Pickman, commander," £100; "one-sixteenth of ship Sarah, Tho[mas] Tuck, commander," £30; and a "lighter and canoe," £12. The inventory showed that Rainsford also possessed "1 negro boy Nat [and] 1 negro girl Nancee," valued at £40.
In her will, dated 13 November 1688 and proved 14 February 1688/9, "Elizabeth Raynsford relict of Edward Raynsford of Boston deceased" bequeathed to "my grandchild Atherton Haugh" 40s.; to "my grandchild Nathan Raynsford, Solomon Raynsford his son," 40s.; to "my grandchild Newman Greenough" 40s.; to "my daughter Belcher the ten pounds which formerly I lent to her" and some moveables; to "my grandchild Susanna Raynsford daughter of my son John deceased" £5; to "my grandchild Edward Raynsford son of David Raynsford" a silver cup; to "my countryman Tillee" 20s.; to "my husband's daughter Mary Persevere" 40s.; residue of £140 (after legacies are paid) to "be equally divided among my own children now living and born of my body"; "my sons David Raynsford and Solomon Raynsford" to be joint executors [SPR 10:454-56].
BIRTH: Baptized Staverton, Northamptonshire, 10 September 1609, son of Robert and Mary (Kirton) Rainsford [ NEHGR 139:238, 296]. (On 29 December 1671 Edward Rainsford deposed that he was aged "about sixty years" [SPR 7:177]; at his death he was seventy-one years old [ King's Chapel 37].)
DEATH
: Boston 16 August 1680
("Here lies the body of Mr. Edward Raynsford Senior, aged 71 years, departed this life Anno Domini 1682 [sic]" [King's Chapel 37]; 16 August 1680: "Elder Edward Rainsford died, being old and full of days" [ Hull 247]; from the Hobart Journal we learn that on 17 August 1680 "Mr. Ransford ruling elder to the Third Church in Boston [was] buried" [NEHGR 121:206]).
MARRIAGE
: (1) _____ _____. "Wife of Edward Rainsford died" Boston June 1632 (no doubt as a result of the birth of her twins) [ BVR 1].
(2) By 1633 Elizabeth _____. On 15 December 1633 "Elizabeth Ransford the wife of our brother Edward Ransford" was admitted to Boston church" [BChR 17]; she died at Boston on 16 November 1688 (16 November 1688: "Mrs. Rainsford, the aged Mother, dies" [ Sewall 184]; "Here lyeth buried the body of Elizabeth Raynsford aged 81 years deceased the 16 day of November 1688" [King's Chapel 38]).
CHILDREN:
(all born and baptized Boston):
With first wife
i JOSIAH
(twin), b. 1 June 1632 [BVR 1]; bp. 17 June 1632 [BChR 278], d. September 1632 [BVR 1].
ii MARY
(twin), b. 1 June 1632 [BVR 1]; bp. 17 June 1632 [BChR 278]; m. (1) by about 1652 William Bassett, son of WILLIAM BASSETT; m. (2) by 1671 James Percival (eldest known child b. Sandwich 18 January 1671[/2?] [ MD 14:110]).
With second wife
iii JOHN
, b. 30 June 1634 [BVR 2]; bp. 27 July 1634 [BChR 279]; m. (1) about 1661 Susanna Vergoose (eldest known child b. Boston 5 March 1661 [BVR 79]), daughter of Peter and Susanna (Firmage) Vergoose [ Dudley Wildes Anc 123-24, citing 23 December 1681 will of Susanna Vergoose, widow, who makes a bequest to the children of her daughter Susannah Raynsford "lately departed this life"]; m. (2) Sarah _____ (in his will of 27 March 1688 "John Raynsford" made a bequest to "my loving and beloved wife Sarah Raynsford" [SPR 10:425-26]).
iv JONATHAN
, b. October 1636 [BVR 4]; bp. 23 October 1636 [BChR 280]; m. Boston 29 November 1656 Mary Sunderland [BVR 57].
v RANIS
, b. 4 June 1638 [BVR 6]; bp. 10 June 1638 [BChR 283]; m. Boston 3 March 1655 Josias Belcher [BVR 52].
vi NATHAN
, b. August 1641 [sic] [BVR 11]; bp. 1 August 1641 "being about 8 days old" [BChR 288]; m. Charlestown 28 November 1665 Mary Allen [ ChVR 1:51].
vii DAVID
, b. [blank] September 1644 [sic] [BVR 18]; bp. 1 September 1644 "being about three days old" [BChR 296]; m. (1) about 1674 Abigail _____ (first known child b. Boston 20 May 1674 [BVR 133]); m. (2) by about 1683 Hannah Griggs, daughter of John and Mary (Patten) Griggs of Roxbury [ TAG 56:174-78].
viii SOLOMON
, bp. 25 October 1646 "being about eight days old" [BChR 305]; m. about 1670 Priscilla Getchell (first known child b. Boston 28 December 1670 [BVR 115]), daughter of Samuel and Dorcas (_____) Getchell [NEHGR 139:308-09, citing SPR Case #5209].
ix ELIZABETH
, bp. 25 February 1648/9 "being about seven days old" [BChR 314]; m. by 1681 William Greenough (eldest child b. Boston 2 April 1681 [BVR 154]; 25 May 1688: "This day Mis[tress] Elisa[beth] Greenough, Elder Rainsford's daughter, is buried; a very desirable woman of about 40 years old" [Sewall 168]).
x HANNAH,
bp. 12 January 1650/1 [BChR 320]; no further record.
xi ANN,
b. 1 February 1651[/2] [sic] [BVR 33]; bp. 4 January 1651/2 [BChR 323]; m. by 1675 Samuel Hough (first known child of "Samuel & Anna Haugh" b. Boston 1 February 1675 [BVR 136]), son of Samuel and Sarah (Symmes) Hough.
xii EDWARD
, bp. 1 October 1654 [BChR 328]; m. by 1686 Huldah Davis (eldest known child b. Boston 18 July 1686 [BVR 171]), daughter of Captain William and Huldah (_____) Davis [BVR 69; Davis Fam 214].
ASSOCIATIONS
: In his will Edward Rainsford mentions that his grandchildren Dorothy and Mary Rainsford, daughters of his son Jonathan Rainsford, should mind their "Aunt Gording"; in her will Edward Rainsford's widow makes a bequest to "my countryman Tillee." Neither of these persons has been identified.
COMMENTS
: On 8 February 1635[/6] Owen Roe wrote from London to Governor John Winthrop asking him to "help forward that Mr. Ransford may be accommodated with lands for a farm to keep my cattle, that so my stock may be preserved" [ WP 3:226]. In January 1637[/8] "Edward Raynsford" at Boston made out a bill of exchange to "his loving master Mr. Owen Roe at the sign of the Three Golden Keys in Cheape Syde" [WP 4:6].
"Edw[ar]d Rainsfoard" was one of the Wheelwright supporters ordered disarmed, 20 November 1637 [MBCR 1:211]. On about 22 November 1637 he ac~know~ledged his error in signing the petition in favor of Wheelwright [WP 3:514].
John Tey bequeathed £2 to "Mr. Raynsford" and 10s. to John, Mr. Rainsford's man [Suffolk Wills 3]. Christovell Gallop named him overseer of her will 24 July 1655 [Suffolk Wills 60]. Thomas Snow of Boston called Edward Rainsford and other men his "beloved brethren" and asked them to be overseers of his will 10 November 1668 [Suffolk Wills 342].
BIBLIOGRAPHIC NOTE
: In 1985 James A. Rasmussen carefully presented the correct English ancestry of Edward Rainsford, followed by accounts of the immigrant and his sons [NEHGR 139:225-38, 296-315].
In 2000 Douglas Richardson proposed for this immigrant a line of descent from Henry III [NEHGR 154:219-26. Edward Rainsford was christened on 10 September 1609 in Staverton, Northamptonshire, England.
| Last Edited | 6 January 2019 |