Keith, Mary

James married (Keith), Mary. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Residence: 28 Jul 1702, Bridgewater, Plymouth, Massachusetts Colony

Notes:

First Reverend in Bridgewater

For nearly a hundred and sixty years, till 1822, the people went to town-meetings in what is now West Bridgewater, the old centre of the town; and for fifty years they attended Sunday services at the same
place, till 1716, when this southern part of the town was organized as the South Parish for church and school purposes, and a meeting-house was built near the site of the present First Parish, or Unitarian,
church, the Rev. James Keith preaching the dedication sermon, August 14, 17I7 The house was forty-three feet by thirty-eight, without tower or belfry. A low partition up the centre separated the men and women, who sat on very rude benches; and the deacons sat in front of the pulpit, facing the people. August I8, the First Church in this parish, of more than fifty members, was organized• Benjamin Alien was immediately engaged to preach and on July g, 1718, was formally settled. He probably lived in the Edson-Lazell house, now occupied by Miss Clara Washburn, or certainly very near this site. After thirteen years he was released by a council in I730, and was afterward settled in Maine, dying there in 1764 Source::The Bridgewater Book

Property owners:
"To These fity-four were added Samuel Edson, the first miller, who came from Salem, and Rev James Keith, the first minister and Edson's son-in-law, educated at Aberdeen, and installed at
Bridgewater 1664 at the age of 21. "

According to Jarvis Edson: Born in Scotland, educated at Aberdeen and at the age of 18 emigrated to this country, arriving in Boston in 1662, and introduced to the church in Bridgeweater by Dr. Increase Mather.

James married Edson, Susanna on 3 May 1668 in Lincoln, Middlesex, MA. Susanna (daughter of Edson, Deacon Samuel and Bickley, Susanna) was born in 1640 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, USA; died on 16 Oct 1705 in Bridgewater, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA; was buried in Old Churchyard, Bridgewater, MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Source:by Jarvis Bonesteel Edson, of the city of New York. Edsons In
England And America. Kinckerbocker Press,1903, 27 West 23rd Street,
NY,NY. p. 2.
Source:by Jarvis Bonesteel Edson, of the city of New York. Edsons In
England And America. Kinckerbocker Press,1903, 27 West 23rd Street,
NY,NY. p. 2.

Robert married (Keith), Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

__________________________________________________________________________ _________
Samuel Edson, Senior
[Plym. Co. Prob. I: 143] "Samuel Edson Senr Inhabitant of the Town of Bridgwater" made his will 15 January, 1688/9.

"Having already Disposed of moste of my Lands and a Great part of my Estate to my Children as By their Deeds Doth appear" I "Bequeath to my Eldest son Samuel Edson my Fowling peece and to my
other two sons Joseph Edson and Josiah Edson my musket Sword and Bandaleers."

"to my three sons Samuel Edson Joseph Edson and Josiah Edson to each of them a Draught chaine and also a Logg chain and all my wearing deaths to be Divided among them." "to my Loving Wife Susanna Edson all the Rest of my Estate Both Personall and Reall housing Lands Chattels and Cash all within Doors and without whatsoever I have not Otherwise Disposed of to be wholy at her Dispose During her naturall Life and what is Left at her decease and mine Either Housing lands Chattels or Cash: all without Doores to be Equally Divided among my three sons Samuel Edson Joseph Edson and Josiah Edson their heires and Asigns And all within Doores all my houshold Goods and Cash to be Equally Divided among my five Daughters Elizabeth Susanna Sarah Mary and Bethiah their heirs and assignes"
"my Loving Wife Susanna Edson to be my Executrix and my son Samuel Edson and my son Josiah Edson to be Joyned with her as Executors" "And I Doe .... desire Mr James Kieth John Kingman Senr and Thomas Snell of Bridgwater to be overseers of this my Last Will" The witnesses were John Field, John Ames and Samuel Kinsley. "John Ames and Samuel Kinsley two of The Witnesses" made oath to the will, at Plymouth, 20 September, 1692.

[p. 144] "The Inventory of Samuel Edson Senr who deceased the 19th Day of July 1692" was taken, 29 July, 1692, by Samuel Allen, Sr., and William Brett, and was sworn to by "Samuel Edson and Josiah Edson the Sons of sd Deceased" on 20 September, 1692. The total was £148, 14s., 8d. The real estate was: "house and Land" *£50, and there was £30 in "Silver money".
[There are no original papers in the files.]
Abstracts of Plymouth County Probate Records
__________________________________________________________________________ _________
Mr. Edson built the first corn mill in 1662 and was a Deacon in the Puritan church between 1667 and 1692. In the year 1657 he was made a "freeman" and was a member of the Council of War (King Philip's War) between 1666 and 1676. He was made foreman of a jury to lay out roads 1667 and 1672. He represented the town of Bridgewater in the General Court at Plymouth 1676 and was appointed, with others, to settle the boundry line between Bridgewater and Middleboro and between
Bridgewater and Taunton. "Removed from Salem to Bridgewater, and was one of the first settlers
in that town; built the first mill there; m. Susanna (Orcott-see disclaimer to this), who d. 1699, aged eighty-one; he d. Bridgewater, 1692 aged eighty. They had eight or nine children . . Charles Adams:
Genealogical Register of North Brookfield p. 585, in History of North Brookfield, Mass 1887. Temples Modified Register.

Edson's Early in Bridgewater: " born in England, 1612; came over early to Massachusetts, resided in Salem 1639 (reference to town records and quote) and married Susanna (Orcutt) about 1637, (probably an elder sister of William Orcutt, who came from Scitutate and settled in Bridgewater before 1682) . . ." Other information gives Bridgwater land grants, etc.

Source:Charles Adams: Genealogical Register of North Brookfield p. 585,in History of North Brookfield, Mass 1887. Temples Modified Register.

Source:Lowell. Edsons, Early in Bridgewater. Thos. P. James, 1864. p. 4-14

__________________________________________________________________________ __________
"Samuel, son of Thomas10 and Elizabeth (Copson) Edson,baptized in Fillongley, Warwickshire, England on September 5, 1613 married in Warwickshire, in 1638 Susanna Orcutt, born there in 1618."

Source: Jarvis Bonesteel Edson, of the city of New York. Edsons In England And America. Kinckerbocker Press,1903, 27 West 23rd Street, NY,NY. P 2
__________________________________________________________________________ __________

Notes from Joel Thomas Orcutt:

Birmingham City Archives: W B Bickley, antiquarian [MS 3069/Acc1904-005 - MS 3069/Acc1922-003]
The contents of this catalogue are the copyright of Birmingham City Archives.
Rights in the Access to Archives database are the property of the Crown, © 2001-2003.
Bickley, W B, fl 1904-1933, of Birmingham
FILE - Marriage settlement. Nicholas Hill of the New-house in the parish of Kingsbury, co. War., husbandman and Thomas Snell the elder of Nether Whitacre, co. War., yeoman, and George Sherocke of Lea Marston, co. War., yeoman. A messuage, land and appurtenances in the parish of Lea Marston. (Please order number 569) - ref. MS 917/2080 - date: 4 October 1650

Marriage recorded Holy Trinity Church, Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire
March 1, 1638 "Samuel Edson and Susannah Bickley, both of Whittaker were married In this church by virtue of a license."

Note;
Whittaker (Whitacre) is a small parish adjoining Fillongley to the north east, about 1-2 miles from the birthplace of Samuel Edson.

Francis Cooke, Early Massachusetts & New England Families

Susanna was born In 1618 In Warwickshire, England. Mitchell, according to Savage, says all children of William Orcutt, including Susanna, are mention In his will of 1694. She died on 20 Feb 1699 In Bridgewater Massachusetts. The Second Torrey Supplement says he did marry a Susanna, but not Orcutt! Reference is John Brooks Threlfall, Great Migration Colonists, 1993.

She was married to Samuel (1) EDSON Deacon. Although Threlfall, now says this is incorrect, this small volume has him as born In England, 1612, residing In Salem 1639,( at Salem, Massachusetts, July, 1639) marrying Susanna Orcutt about 1637 (saying she is "probably an elder sister of William Orcutt who came from Scituate and settled In Bridgewater before 1682) and moved to Bridgewater about 1650. He is said to have died In 1692, aged 80 with his will dated jan 15, 1688-9, proved Sept 20 1692.

New England Families Genealogical and Memorial: Third Series, Volume IV
EDSON The surname Edson is derived from the personal name Ed, and is a shorter form of Edwardson, Edmondson or Edwinson, possibly of Addison. The first mention of the name of Edson, spelled In this way, is In the early American records relating to this family, and it is believed that the immigrant himself abbreviated his name upon coming to this country.

(I) Deacon Samuel Edson, the pioneer, was an early settler at Salem, Massachusetts, where he
was admitted an inhabitant In 1639, and was granted half an acre of land near Catt Cove, and five
acres of planting ground. In 1642 he was granted twenty-five acres of land at Mackerel Cove, and
two acres of meadow. About 1650 he moved to Bridgewater, Massachusetts, and he was called
an inhabitant of that town In a deed dated December 10, 1652. He died there In 1693, aged eighty
years. He and his wife are buried In the old burying ground, and one of the oldest headstones In the cemetery marks their graves. Deacon Samuel Edson and Rev. James Keith, of Scotland, the first minister of Bridgewater, were given grants after the fifty-four proprietors had taken their shares.
He erected the first corn mill In the town In 1662, on Town river. His will was dated January 15,
1688-89, and proved September 20, 1692. He was admitted a freeman In 1657. His home was on
the south side of the river, near his mill. He deeded the mill to his five daughters, according to a
deed recorded April 19, 1736. He was a good farmer, and possessed much mechanical skill. In
1660 he owned three rights In the town; In 1683 he had one right, having given rights to his sons.
He was well-to-do. He filled a number of town offices. In 1666 he was appointed a member of the
council of war; In 1676 he was representative to the general court, and In the same year served on
a committee to distribute the town share of the contributions for distress In the Indian wars. In November, 1672, he was on a committee which received the deed from Chief Pomonoho of the Titicut purchase "In and for the use of the townsmen of Bridgewater, joint purchasers with them." In December, 1686, he and Ensign John Howard and Deacon John Willis, agents of the town, received a confirmatory deed of the Indian Chief Wampatuck for the purchasers and the town, of all the lands previously conveyed to them by Massasoit. This deed was dated March 3, 1649. In 1667 he was foreman of a committee to lay out roads, and again In 1672. In 1680 he was on the committee to determine the boundary line between Bridgewater and Middleborough, and In the same year on a similar committee which decided the boundary between Bridgewater and Taunton. He was one of the first deacons of the church, from about 1664 to the end of his life. He was associated with very prominent men, and was influential In the town, church and colony. He is said to have been of large, athletic frame, of medium weight and sturdy constitution. He was grave and dignified In manner, keen and discerning In mental powers. Firm In his opinions, he was not obstinate, and would cheerfully admit the soundness of an argument, when convinced. It is said that he was rather inclined to listen and weigh evidence, and was not given to much speaking, but when he was heard In town seting his arguments carried weight and he usually won his point. "The strength and vigor of his intellect, the quickness of his perceptions, the extent and accuracy of his memory and the struggle of mental enterprise, supplied In no inconsiderable degree the deficiency of education. While he was thus respected for these attributes of mind and character, it was to his constant practice of the Christian virtues and the influence of his example that his preeminence was greatly due." He married, about 1637, In England, Susanna Orcutt, probably a sister of William Orcutt, who came to Scituate and settled In Bridgewater before 1682. "Her education and natural abilities were said to be fully equal to his, while In union with an expressive modesty of deportment and unaffected piety, gave to her person an elevated position and to her character a high rank among the matrons of the town," as an old genealogy says. "She exhibited a majestic figure, rather above medium height, an elegant and majestic mein, with a countenance happily combining graceful dignity and cheerful benignity." Children: Susanna, born In England, about 1638; Sarah, at Salem, about 1640; Elizabeth, at Salem, about 1643; Samuel, 1645; Mary, at Bridgewater, about 1647; Joseph, mentioned below; Josiah, at Bridgewater, 1651; Bethiah, about 1653.

Genealogy of the Families who Have Settled In The NORTH PARISH OF BRIDGEWATER & HISTORICAL SKETCH of NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
By Moses Cary.
Boston: Printed by Bannister and Marvin. 1824.
page. 10
"BENJAMIN EDSON, Was a descendant of Samuel Edson, who came from Salem, and was an early settler at Bridgewater. He m. an Orcutt; had six ss. Benjamin, Peter, William, Seth, Ichabod, and Ebenezer; and two ds. Joanna, and Abigail."

Genealogical Register of the First Settlers of New England
by John Farmer
1829
page 93
“EDSON, SAMUEL, Salem, from thence to Bridgewater, where he was a deacon of the church; representative to Plymouth court 1676, d. 9 July, 1692, ‘. 80. Susanna, his widow, d. 20 Feb. 1699, ‘. 81. Five of the name of Edson, and probably his descendants, have been educated at Harv., Yale, and Dartmouth.”

History of the Early Settlement of Bridgewater, In Plymouth County, Massachusetts
including an extensive Family Register
By Nahum Mitchell. Boston:
Printed for the author by Kidder and Wright, 32 Congress Street. 1840

page. 153

EDSON
"--Dea. Samuel Edson and his wife, Susanna Orcutt, came from Salem. He was one of the first settlers In the town, and owned the first mill and probably built it; he d. 1692 age 80; she 1699, age 81. He had Samuel, Joseph, Josiah, Susanna, Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah, Bethiah. Susanna m. the Rev. James Keith.--Elizabeth m. Richard Phillilps of Weymouth.--Mary m. Nicholas Byram, Jr. 1676.--Sarah m. John Dean of Taunton 1663.--Bethiah m. Ezra Dean of Taunton 1678.--Benjamin Edson, who m. Sarah Hoskins at Plymouth 1660, was his son perhaps."

A GENEALOGICAL DICTIONARY of THE FIRST SETTLERS OF NEW ENGLAND,
SHOWING THREE GENERATIONS OF THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE MAY, 1692,
ON THE BASIS OF FARMER'S REGISTER.
BY JAMES SAVAGE, originally pub. 1860

"EDSON, SAMUEL, Salem 1639, rem. to Bridgewater, there was deac. rep. 1676, d. 9 July 111692, aet. 80; and his wid. Susanna d. 20 Feb. 1699, aet. 81. He had Samuel, Joseph, Josiah, Susanna, Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah, and Bethia. Susanna m. Rev. James Keith; Elizabeth m. Richard Phillips of Weymouth; Mary m. 1676, Nicholas Byram, jr.; Sarah m. 7 Nov. 1663, John Dean of Taunton; Bethia m. 17 Dec. 1678, Ezra Dean.

Samuel married Bickley, Susanna on 22 Mar 1639 in Sutton Coldfield, Holy Trinity, Warwickshire, England. Susanna (daughter of Bickley, Anthony) was born about 20 Feb 1618 in Over Whitacre, Warwickshire, England; died on 18 Oct 1699 in West Bridgewater, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Notes from Joel Thomas Orcutt:

Marriage record states "Of Whittaker", which is the parish of Whitacre Superior, or Over Whitacre.

Basically, to be able to have right of settlement in a parish, one had to be born there, married there or serving an apprenticeship there.