[I:16] Nicholas Byram of Bridgewater made his will 13 January, 1687. Bequests were as follows:
"I Ratifie unto my brother John Shaw of weymouth my whole Interest in the North adition which was granted by the Court to Bridwater Town & on lot of Meadow in a Place Called Poor meadow Joyning to the Meadow of William Brett . which he hath Possesed severall yeares"
"to Each of my Children what land I formerly Gave unto them."
"the Rest of my Estate .... I give [p. 17] give unto .... wife Susana"
"I leave my aforesd wife Susana sole Executrix"
The witnesses were Samuel Allen, Sr., William Brett and John Whitman. The executrix presented the will at the court held 13 June, 1688, and it was probated on the testimony of Samuel Allen, Sr., and William Brett.

[NICHOLAS BYRAM'S INVENTORY]
[p. 19] "The Inventory of Nicholas Byram of Bridgwater who deseaced the thirteenth day of Aprill 1688" was taken by "his wife Susana byram" who signed by a mark. It was witnessed by Samuel Allen, Sr., and William Brett. "Susana Byram the wife of Nicholas Byram deceased" made oath to the inventory 16 June, 1688, before John Willis, Sr.
"by Dedemus Potestatem Directed to the abovesd John Willice from the Inferiour Court of Comon Pleas held at Plimouth" 13 June, 1688, "the said John Willis was Impowered to adminester the oath abovesd to the abovesd Susana Byram"
Murky Waters!

If Abigail Byram is a correct child for these two, she could not have been born much less than 1638 to have married in 1656 to Whitman, and there is a vital record to support the marriage. Martha was only about 6 years old in 1638. Grace. however. would be about 16-18, and thus a possible mother for Abigail. Did she die in the same year as, or at the birth of Abigail?

Nor do we know when Grace died, nor how many, if any, of his children were by this marriage. Susanna is not the child of of Abraham, or at least is not mentioned in his will or in English Parish records. The relationship with Abraham is close, as Nicholas is witness to his will in 1638, at which time Grace is not mentioned among his four living children. Only John, Joseph, Mary and Martha are included by mention. Nicholas is later involved with the death papers of Joseph Shaw.


NEHGR 46:185: (Notes & Queries, Corrections and Additions to Savage's Genealogical Dictionary) Nicholas Byram, bought John Glover house and land 5th 8mo, 1647. Savage says he was a physician. He held all the town offices. In 1660 he bought proprietary rights in Bridgwater, and removed there in 1662. He was councilor of war in Plymouth Colony, and was a man of much influence. On the old Bridgwater records I found the following, written so as to fill the whole page, "Nicholas Byram Senior, left this world for a better April 13th 1688. His widow Martha died 1698. She was a daughter of Abraham1 Shaw of Dedham. They had five children who have a multitude of descendants."


NEHGR 2:180: In a footnote to the abstract of Abraham Shaw's will, it is noted that Nicholas was of Weymouth, 1638 removed to Bridgewater and died in 1687, leaving one son Nicholas.


In 1653 Nicholas Browne witnesses a deed by Joseph Shaw who apparently dies after marriage, but with young children. The manuscript notes that written in the margin is the name Byram with the name Browne underlined.

In another Abstract of Joseph's estate, NEGH 8:365: Nicholas "Byrome" is among those taking inventory and appraisal. Mary Blake, "late wife to Joseph Shawe, deposed." 2 Feb. 1653.


[NICHOLAS BYRAM'S INVENTORY] (Note wife: "Susana")
[p. 19] "The Inventory of Nicholas Byram of Bridgwater who deseaced the thirteenth day of Aprill 1688" was taken by "his wife Susana byram" who signed by a mark. It was witnessed by Samuel Allen, Sr., and William Brett. "Susana Byram the wife of Nicholas Byram deceased" made oath to the inventory 16 June, 1688, before John Willis, Sr.
"by Dedemus Potestatem Directed to the abovesd John Willice from the Inferiour Court of Comon Pleas held at Plimouth" 13 June, 1688, "the said John Willis was Impowered to adminester the oath abovesd to the abovesd Susana Byram"

[JOHN SHAW, SR. TO NICHOLAS BYRAM, 1689]
[p. 100] On 7 December, 1689, "John Shaw Senr of the Town of Weymouth in the Massachusets Colony .... for a valuable Consideration to him in hand paid By Nicholas Pyram of Bridgwater in the Colony of New Plimouth" sold to said Byram "one five and thirtieth part of a tract of land Bounded Southerly with Plimouth line westerly with Bridgwater line Easterly from Jones River Pond to Indian head River northerly with Bridgwater line as it is Recorded in the Court Records in which Tract of land there is a Sedar Swamp divided into seven lots or parts in every lot or part there is five Shares of which Swamp the aforesaid John Shaw Do .... Conveigh a fift part of the Seventh lot or part unto the aforesaid Nicholas Byram"
The witnesses were: Abiah French and Stephen French. The deed was acknowledged, 7 February, 1689/90, before John Smith, Assistant, and recorded 28 May, 1690.

[MOSES SIMONS TO NICHOLAS BYRAM]
[On p. 24] On 13 December, 1660, "Moses Simons of Duxburrow .... with the Consent of my wife Sarah for a valluable Consideration" sold to "Nicholas Byram of Weymouth in the Massachusetts Collonie my whole right of lands in Bridgwater towne .... (viz) a full purchase of uplands Meddowes and swampes that is or shalbee layed out or Devided or shall remaine comon"
Moses Simons signed by a mark. The witnesses were John Alden and Philip Delano (by a mark).