Thomas Bliss and Margaret Snowe

1. Vital Records of Norwich Connecticut, 1659-1848. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2007.) Originally published as: Vital Records of Norwich, 1659-1848. Hartford, Society of colonial wars in the state of Connecticut, 1913.
2. Ancestry.com. Connecticut, Town Marriage Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Original data: White, Lorraine Cook, ed. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Vol. 1-55. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1994-2002.
3. Ancestry.com. Connecticut Town Death Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Original data: White, Lorraine Cook, ed. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Vol. 1-55. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1994-2002.
4. Ancestry.com. Connecticut, Deaths and Burials Index, 1650-1934 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: "Connecticut Deaths and Burials, 1772–1934." Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2009, 2010. Index entries derived from digital copies of original and compiled records.
5. Caulkins, Francis Manwaring, History of Norwich, Connecticut, H.P. Haven, 1874.
6. Perkins, Mary Elizabeth, Old Houses of the Antient Town of Norwich, 1660-1800, Norwich, CT: Press of the Bulletin Co., 1895.
7. Jacobus, Donald Lines, "New London (Conn.) Probate Record," The American Genealogist, Vol. 10, 1933, p. 36.
8. Ancestry.com. U.S., New England Marriages Prior to 1700 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2012. Original data: Torry, Clarence A. New England Marriages Prior to 1700. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2004.
9. Bliss, John Homer, Genealogy of the Bliss family in America from about the year 1550 to 1880, Boston, Mass.: J.H. Bliss, 1881.
10. Ancestry.com. England, Select Marriages, 1538–1973 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data: England, Marriages, 1538–1973. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013.
11. Ancestry.com. Gloucestershire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1813 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data: Gloucestershire Anglican Parish Registers. Gloucestershire Archives, Gloucestershire, England.
12. Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Vital and Town Records. Provo, UT: Holbrook Research Institute (Jay and Delene Holbrook).
13. Vital Records of Springfield, Massachusetts to 1850. Boston, Mass.: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2002. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2008.)
14. Cutter, William Richard, Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of the State of Massachusetts, vol. 1, New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1910, p. 63.
15. Washburn, Emory, Sketches of the Judicial History of Massachusetts from 1630 to the Revolution in 1775, C.C. Little and J. Brown, 1840, pgs. 62-63.
16. Vital Records of Saybrook 1647-1834 (Online Database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2008), (Originally published as: Vital Records of Saybrook 1647-1834. Hartford, The Connecticut Historical Society and the Connecticut Society of the Order of the Founders and Patriots of America, 1952.)
17. Ancestry.com. Massachusetts Applications of Freemen, 1630-91 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. Original data: Paige, Lucius R.. List of Freemen of Massachusetts. Boston, MA, USA: New England Historical and Genealogical Society, 1849.
18. Ancestry.com. Hartford, Connecticut Probate Records, 1639-1700 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. Original data: A Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records, Hartford District, 1635-1700. Vol. I. n.p., 1906.

Records related to Thomas and Margaret (Snowe) Bliss but not copied below due to copyright considerations:

1. Jacobus, Donald Lines, Hale, House and Related Families, Mainly of the Connecticut River Valley, Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2001.
2. Hyde, Myrtle Stevens, "Thomas and Margaret Hulins Bliss of Hartford, Connecticut," The American Genealogist, Vol. 52, Oct 1976, pgs. 193-197.
3. Hyde, Myrtle Stevens, "The Marriage of Thomas Bliss and Margaret Hulins," The American Genealogist, Vol. 60, Oct 1984, p. 202.
4. Bennett, Anne Selene, "The First Wife and Older Children of Thomas Bliss of Gloucester, England, and Hartford, Connecticut," The American Genealogist, vol. 91, Jan 2019, pgs. 43-45.
5. Richardson, Douglas, "The English Origin of Thomas Marshfield of Dorchester, Mass., and Windsor, Conn.; New Light on His Wife and Children," The American Genealogist, vol. 63, Jul 1988, p. 161-163.
6. Halseth, Judith H., "Autobiographical Letter of Robert1 Chapman of Saybrook, Connecticut," New England Historic and Genealogical Register, vol. 159, 2005, p. 316.
7. Historic Northampton and UMass IT Center for Educational Software Development at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, The Goody Parsons Educational Web Site, https://ccbit.cs.umass.edu/parsons/hnmockup/home.html, retrieved 21 Oct 2017. (Note: There are a couple of portraits of women on this site. These are NOT portraits of Mary (Bliss) Parsons. The portrait of the woman and child is actually of Mrs. Elizabeth Freake. Regarding the portrait of the older woman, see the Mailman blog post cited below.)
8. Mailman, Erika, "Mary Bliss Parsons, is that you?," World of Mailman, http://erikamailman.blogspot.com/2007/12/mary-bliss-parsons-is-that-you.html, 29 Dec 2007, retrieved 21 Oct 2017. (Discusses a portrait that has erroneously identified in the past several years as Mary (Bliss) Parsons.)

Also see:

1. Starr, Frank Farnsworth, The Miles Morgan Family of Springfield, Massachusetts, Hartford, CT, 1904. The book can be found online at Google Books.
   
2. Parsons, Henry, Parsons Family: Descendants of Cornet Joseph Parsons, vol. 1, New York: Frank Allaben Genealogical Company, 1912. The book can be found online at Google Books.

Cutter's Genealogical and Personal Memoirs

(XVIII) Miles Morgan, the immigrant ancestor, was born probably in Llandorff, Glamorgan county, Wales, in 1616. He was named perhaps after Miles Morgan, captain of British army who perished with Sir Humphrey Gilbert, half brother of Sir Walter Raleigh. He removed to Bristol, England, a few years before he came to America. He came to Boston, Massachusetts, in April, 1636, with his two brothers. The eldest, James, settled in New London, Connecticut ; John went to Virginia and Miles joined the colonists and became one of the founders of Springfield, Massachusetts. Next to Colonel Pynchon, he was the most important and useful man in the Springfield colony. He was made second in command though he was the youngest of the company. He was the only pioneer, in fact, who was less than twenty-one years of age when admitted. He drew land for his home lot on the south side of the Ferry lane. At present the site of the original Morgan dwelling house is occupied by the repair shop of the Connecticut River railroad. He was a brave and intrepid Indian fighter in the frequent conflicts on the frontiers. In 1675, in King Philip's war, the Morgan house was attacked by the Indians, but so bravely was it defended by Miles Morgan and his sons, that the Indians retired after an unsuccessful siege. Peletiah Morgan, one of these sons, was killed the following year at what is now Chicopee. In civil life Colonel Pynchon was the grocer and Miles Morgan the butcher. He was a wise counsellor and a sturdy tiller of the soil. A handsome monument was erected at Springfield in 1879 in testimony of the services of Miles Morgan in settling the town, governing the colony, fighting the Indians in 1675 when Springfield was sacked and burned and many of the little colony killed. He died May 28, 1699, aged eighty-four. He married, about 1643, Prudence Gilbert, who died November 14, 1660. He married (second) February 15, 1669, Elizabeth Bliss. Children: i. Mary, born December 14, 1644. 2. Jonathan, September 16. 1646. 3. David, July 23, 1648. 4. Peletiah, May 17, 1650, killed 1675; unmarried. 5. Isaac, March 12, 1652. 6. Lydia, February 8, 1654. 7. Hannah, February 11, 1656. 8. Mercy. May 18, 1658. Child of second wife: 9. Nathaniel, June 14, 1671, mentioned below.
(XIX) Nathaniel Morgan, son of Miles Morgan, was born June 14, 1671, in Springfield. At the age of nineteen he married, January 19, 1 69 1, Hannah Bond, who died June 7, 1751. He lived on the west side of the river, in West Springfield, on what is now Chicopee street. The lot is at present owned by N. Loomis, on the east side of the street. He died August 30, 1752, aged eighty-one years. Children: i. Nathaniel, born February 16, 1692. 2. Samuel, 1694, died December, 1699- 3. Ebenezer, 1696. 4. Hannah, 1698. 5. Miles, 1700. 6. Joseph, December 3, 1702, mentioned below. 7. James, 1705. 8. Isaac, 1708, died November 7, 1796. 9. Elizabeth, 1710.

Source: Cutter, William Richard, Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of the State of Massachusetts, vol. 1, New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1910, p. 63.

History of Norwich, Connecticut

Page 167-8:
Thomas Bliss, Senior and Junior, had house-lots and divisions of land in Hartford, as early as 1640. The senior died in Hartford, leaving nine children, and his widow, Margaret, apparently a woman of resolute, independent character, removed with the younger part of the family to Springfield. Thomas Bliss, Junior, is afterwards found at Saybrook, where his marriage and the births of six -children are recorded. The list is repeated with some variation of date and the addition of two more children, at Norwich. The wife's family name is not given in either place. "Thomas and Elizabeth Bliss were married the latter end of October, 1644."

The allotments of Thomas Bliss in Saybrook were eastward of the river in what is now Lyme. His house-lot of thirty acres lay between John Ompsted (Olmstead) on the north, and John Lay south. He sold it, July 23, 1662, to John Comstock. His home-lot in Norwich was also near to that of John Olmstead, extending originally, at the north-west, to the pent highway. That part where the house stands, has never been alienated. Seven generations have dwelt on the same spot, and the house is supposed not to have been entirely rebuilt since it was erected by the first proprietor.

Thomas Bliss died April 15, 1688. His will, executed two days before his death, was proved at New London, before Edward Palmes, June 13, and allowed by Sir Edmund Andress at Boston; this being the period when that delegated despot arrogated to himself supreme authority over the courts of New England. The will recognizes wife Elizabeth, son Samuel, and six daughters. His oldest son, Thomas, had died without issue, Jan. 29, 1681. Elizabeth, the relict, died Feb. 28, 1699-1700.

Samuel Bliss married, Dec. 8, 1681, Anna, daughter of John Elderkin.

Five of the daughters married as follows:
Elizabeth married Edward Smith of New London, June 7, 1663.
Sarah m. 1st, Thomas Sluman, Dec, 1668; 2d, Solomon Tracy.
Mary m. David Calkins of New London.
Deliverance (recorded also Deliver and Dolinda) m. Daniel Perkins of Norwich.
Anne, one of the first-lborn daughters of Norwich, m. Josiah Rockwell, 1688.
Rebecca, the youngest daughter, born in 1663, has not been traced.

In the inventory of Thomas Bliss, his estate is estimated at £182.17.7. He had land, besides his home-lot, over the river, — on the Little Plain, — at the Great Plain, — at the Falls, — in Yantic meadow, — in meadow at Beaver Brook, — in pasture east of the town,— and on Westward hill.

This illustrates the prudential course of the early rulers of the plantation in regard to the common lands. They were divided in small quantities at short intervals, corresponding to the growth and necessities of the town and the ability of the owners to clear them up and place them under cultivation.

Page 203:
Solomon Tracy was a physician, and the second in Norwich of whom we find any notice, — John Olmstead being the first. He was united in
marriage, Nov. 23, 1676, to Sarah, daughter of Simon Huntington. She died in 1683, and he married Sarah, daughter of Thomas Bliss and relict of Thomas Sluman.

...
Solomon Tracy, second and youngest son of Solomon, removed to Canterbury.
 
Source: Caulkins, Francis Manwaring, History of Norwich, Connecticut, H.P. Haven, 1874.

Old Houses of the Antient [sic] Town of Norwich

Pages 31-32:

Just beyond the little lane or "highway to Great Plain" lies the home-lot of Thomas Bliss, of five and a quarter acres, abutting east on the Town street 20 rods, south on the highway to Great Plain 58 rods, west on the river 16 rods, and north on the land of Stephen Backus 36 rods. This extends from the lane to the land of the late Benjamin Huntington.

Thomas Bliss was the son of Thomas Bliss, who was born in Okehampton, in the parish of Belstone, County Devonshire, England, came to Braintree (now Quincy), Mass., in 1635, and from thence went to Hartford, where he died in 1650. His widow, Margaret, an enterprising, capable woman, went with her other children to Springfield, Mass., where her descendants still remain. But the son, Thomas, though a home-lot had been assigned to him at Hartford, moved to Saybrook. He married, in 1644, Elizabeth, and came with the first settlers to Norwich in 1660.

His eldest son, Thomas, died in 1681-2, and the father in 1688, leaving to his only surviving son, Samuel, the house and home lot.

Source: Perkins, Mary Elizabeth, Old Houses of the Antient Town of Norwich, 1660-1800, Norwich, CT: Press of the Bulletin Co., 1895.

Genealogy of the Bliss Family in America

Pages 32-5:

THOMAS, of Rehoboth, Mass., son of Jonathan Bliss, of Belstone, England, was born at B., and upon the death of his father in 1636, emigrated to America, landing at Boston, whence he removed to Braintree, Mass., thence to Hartford, Conn., and from there back to Weymouth, near Braintree, Mass., from which place he removed in 1643 with many others and commenced a new settlement which they called Rehoboth.¹ He was made a freeman in Cambridge, Mass., May 18th, 1642, and in the Plymouth Colony Jan. 4th, 1645. June 9th of the same year he drew a lot (No. 30,) on the Great Plain, in Seekonk. In 1646 he was appointed "to view the fence of the town lots," and in 1647 surveyor of highways. He died at Rehoboth in June 1649, and was undoubtedly buried in the old cemetery at Seekonk, Mass., (now Rumford, East Providence, R. I.,) where the first pastor of the new colony was afterwards interred. But it is a matter of great regret that the authorities having the lands in charge have allowed the growth of unsightly weeds, bushes and brambles, to such an extent as to render the identification of the earlier graves well nigh impossible, even where the ravages of time have spared an occasional inscription. [And the same may be said of the old cemetery south of Rehoboth village.] Another unfortunate circumstance during the early part of the nineteenth century, the destruction by fire of the records of the first church, has deprived their posterity of much valuable information concerning the first settlers in Rehoboth. In the "N. E. Genealogical Register," vol. 4, p. 282, it is stated that Thomas Bliss 1 will was dated the 8th of June, 1649, and also that it was put into court on the 8th, — one of which statements has been considered erroneous ; but perhaps the will was deposited, for safe keeping, in the hands of the person who officiated as surrogate. The instrument mentions his son Jonathan, to whom he devised his house; his eldest daughter, whose first name is not given, but is referred to as the wife of Thomas Williams ; Mary, wife of Nathaniel Harmon, of Braintree ; son-in-law, Nicholas Ide,* who was probably a son of his wife, Mrs. Ide, or Hyde, (by a previous husband,) who had perhaps married a daughter ; and his son, Nathaniel. (His property was inventoried at £117, 16s, 4d.) We gather, then, that he had issue :

20. ²Jonathan, b. ab. 1625, d. ab. 1687.

21. A daughter who m. Thomas Williams.

22. Mary, who m. Nathaniel Harmon, Braintree, Mass.

23. Nathaniel, of Rehoboth or Hingham, Mass., was probably married and had a family; for there was a "Margaret, daughter of Nathaniel Bliss, b. at Hingham on the 12th of the 9th month, (November?) 1649," which was the same year in which the first child of his brother Jonathan was born, — and there was no other Nathaniel in that neighborhood at that early date. It is possible, therefore, that Nathaniel settled in Hingham. And as no descendants have been found or identified bearing the family name, it is presumed he had no sons who lived to maturity. [The Town Clerk of Hingham writes that there is no record there of any Bliss family.]

THOMAS, of Hartford, Saybrook, and Norwich, Conn., (son of Thomas and Margaret Bliss, of Hartford, Conn.,) was born in England, and removed to America with his father in 1635. Soon after his father's death he removed to Saybrook. Here his allotment of land was east of Connecticut River, in what is now Lyme, and his home lot lay between John Ompsted (Olmstead) on the north, and John Lay on the south. He sold his land here July 23, 1662, to John Comstock and Richard Smith, having removed his family to Norwich,³ Conn., two or three years previous. He was married Oct. 30th, 1644, to a wife named Elizabeth, and they had six children born to them in Saybrook, and their seventh child, named Anne, born in 1660, was the second English child born in Norwich. His allotment in Norwich was "next to Sergeant Leffingwell, (opposite, according to the ancient map,) on the street as it runs south, five acres and a fourth, with a lane on the south leading to a watering place at the river." This homestead is still occupied by his descendants, (1880,) seven generations of the same name having successively inherited the homestead and dwelt therein, — the property being held under the original deed, — and the house itself, in its frame work is doubtless the original habitation built by the first grantee. In a country where the tenure is allodial, and there are no rights of primogeniture or entailment, instances of two hundred years of family ownership are not very common.

In (1680 ?) Thomas Bliss and Matthew Griswold were appointed agents by the town of Saybrook to "lay out a lot of land to an Indian named The Giant," near Black Point, in what is now East Lyme, Conn. The locality is still called "The Giant's Neck."

The energy, sound health, and good judgment of Thomas Bliss brought great prosperity, which is evidenced by his having made a will; for only those who had considerable property to dispose of did so, as it was a very expensive affair in those days, for the tyranny and rapacity of Sir Edmund Andros compelled the colonists to carry every such instrument to Boston to prove, and have recorded, in order that he (Sir Edmund) might avail himself of the fees of that office towards supporting the state in which he aspired to live; for he never appeared in the streets without guards, or two or three servants following him, — and it was quite as easy to obtain access to the King of England as to his ape, the governor of these colonies.

Thomas Bliss' will is dated April 13th, 1688, two days before his death; and in it provision was made for his wife Elizabeth and six daughters, and his only living son, Samuel, who was at that time thirty-one years of age. His estate was estimated at £182, 17s. 7d. He had land, besides his home lot, " over the river — on the Little Plain — at the Great Plain — at the Falls — in the Yantic meadow — in meadow at Beaver Brook — in pasture east of the town — and on Westward hill." Issue :

24. Elizabeth, b. at Saybrook, Conn., Nov. 20, 1645, m. June 7, 1663, Edward Smith, of New London, Conn. This couple, with their son John, aet. 15, died of an epidemic disease in 1689 — the son July 8th, the wife July 10th, and Mr. S. July 14th. A son, (Capt. Obadiah, b. 1677) and six daughters went to reside at Norwich with relatives.

25. Sarah, b. at Saybrook, Aug. 26, 1647, rn. Dec. 1668, Thomas Sluman, Norwich, and had six children. He died in 1683, and she afterwards m. April 8, 1686, Dr. Solomon Tracy, of Norwich, by whom she had one son. She d. Aug. 29, 1730. Dr. T. died July 9, 1732.

26. Mary, b. at Saybrook, Conn., Feb. 7, 1649, m. about 1672-3, David son of Dea. Hugh and Ann Caulkins, of New London, Conn., (a "Welchman who came to this country about 1640, stopped at Marshfield for a short season, then removed to Lynn, Mass., thence to New London about 1652, and finally to Norwich, Conn., about 1659.) He had the estate of his father in that part of New London now known as Waterford, near Niantic. From this union has descended the modest and diligent historian of Norwich and New London, — Miss Frances M. Caulkins, who was widely known as one of the leading antiquarian writers of her day. David Caulkins d. Nov. 25, 1717.

27. Thomas, b. at Saybrook, Conn., March 3, 1652, d. Jan. 29, 1682, probably unmarried.

28. Deliverance, b. at S., Aug. 10, 1655, m. June 8, 1682, Daniel Perkins, of Norwich, Conn.

29. *Samuel, b. at S., Dec. 9, 1657, d. Dec. 30, 1731.

30. Anne, b. at Norwich, Sept. 15, 1660, m. April 8, 1688, Josiah Rockwell, of N., and d. Feb. 19, 1714-15. He d. March 18, 1728. Josiah Rockwell was a son of Josiah Rockwell and Rebecca Loomis, of Windsor? Conn. A son Daniel, b. Oct. 24, 1689, m. Nov. 23, 1715, Tabitha Hartshorn, and d. in 1746, leaving several children, among whom was Daniel, jr., b. June 28, 1724, who m. Dec. 29, 1746, Mindwell Bliss, daughter of Samuel Bliss and Sarah Packer, of Norwich, Conn.

31. Rebeckah, born at Norwich, March 18, 1663, m. April 8, 1686, Israel Lathrop, of N., and d. Aug. 22, 1737. He d. March 28, 1733.

¹The original purchase of land of Massasoit, in 1641, comprising the town of Rehoboth, was "a tract eight miles square," and embraced what now constitutes the towns of Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Pawtucket ; the second purchase now forms a part of Swansey and Barrington ; and the third and last was called the " North Purchase," — now Attleboro, Mass., and Cumberland, R. I.
The celebrated Roger Williams, who believed it "the prerogative of man to think as he pleased and to speak as he thought," arrived at Rehoboth (then Seekonk) in the Spring of 1636, but soon crossed the stream and took up his abode in what is now the beautiful city of Providence, R.I.
The first white settler within the original limits of Rehoboth was "one Master William Blackstone," a minister who settled there about 1637, and who is described as a sort of "Ishmaelite in religion," who left England through a dislike to the " Lord Bishops," and was early displeased, with the " Lord Brethren." He d. May 26, 1675.
A number of emigrants from Hingham and Weymouth, Mass., soon settled at Seekonk, among whom were the Rev. Samuel Newman and a majority of his church at W., — Mr. Thomas Bliss being one of the number, — and in 1645 the proprietors were incorporated town wise under the scriptural name of Rehoboth.

²It is not positively known who this Nicholas Ide m., but he had a son, Lieut. Nicholas Ide, b. Nov. (1654?) whom. Dec. 27, (1678?) Mary Ormsby. Issue: Nathaniel, (d. March 14, 1702-3,) Jacob, Martha, Patience, John, and Benjamin,— all b. in Rehoboth, 1678-1693. By a second wife, Eliza, he had a son, Nicholas, jr., b. in Attleborough, July 25, 1697. Lieut. Nicholas d. June 5, 1723.

³The town of Norwich was purchased from the Indian sachems of the Mohegan tribe in June, 1659, and settled that year by thirty-five men, most of whom were from Saybrook, Conn., Thomas Bliss being one of the number. The following year, 1660, the Rev. James Fitch, pastor of the church at Saybrook, and the greater part of his church removed to Norwich, where Mr. F. officiated as pastor until about the year 1696, when by reason of age and infirmity he resigned the pastorate, and in 1702 removed to the new town of Lebanon, Conn., where he soon died. The original tract of Norwich was "9 miles square," the consideration given the Indians being £70.

Source: Bliss, John Homer, Genealogy of the Bliss family in America from about the year 1550 to 1880. Boston, Mass.: J.H. Bliss, 1881.

Copies of church records are shown below as thumbnails. Click on each thumbnail to view a larger version of the record in another tab.

St. John the Baptist, Gloucester

	Under 1616: "Thomas Blisse and Margaret Snowe were Maried the xiiijth day of Aprill 1616" Reference Number: P154/9 IN 1/1
	Under 1617[/18]: "Thomas Blisse the sonne of Thomas Blisse was Baptized the xxiijth day of Januarie 1617" Reference Number: P154/9 IN 1/1

St. Nicholas, Gloucester

	Under 1620: "Sarah the daughter of Thomas Blisse was baptized Apr: 23:" Reference Number: P154/15 IN 1/1
	Under 1621: "Margret the wife of Thomas Blisse was buryed June the 4th" Reference Number: P154/15 IN 1/1
	Under 1621: "Thomas Blisse and Margret Hulings weere married October the 18th" Reference Number: P154/15 IN 1/1

Rodborough

Under 1622: "Nathaniell the sonne of Thomas Bliss was baptized the eight and twentieth daye of December" Reference Number: GDR/V1/198

St. Mary de Crypt, Gloucester

Under 1637[/38]: "Samuel sonne of Thomas Blisse Bap: febr. 4" Reference Number: GDR/V1/111

Source: Ancestry.com. Gloucestershire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1813 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data: Gloucestershire Anglican Parish Registers. Gloucestershire Archives, Gloucestershire, England.

England Select Marriages

Name:    Thomas Blisse
Gender:    Male
Marriage Date:    18 Oct 1621
Marriage Place:    Saint Nicholas, Gloucester, Gloucester, England
Spouse:    Margret Hulinges
FHL Film Number:    855634

Source: Ancestry.com. England, Select Marriages, 1538–1973 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data: England, Marriages, 1538–1973. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013.

Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records

Name:    Margaret Bliss
Event Type:    Death
Death Date:    28 Aug 1684
Death Place:    Springfield, Massachusetts

Name:    Nathaniell Bliss
Event Type:    Burial
Death Date:    abt 1654
Burial Date:    18 Sep 1654
Burial Place:    Springfield, Massachusetts
[Transcribed text: Nathaniell Bliss was buried 18th of ye 9 mon 1654]

Name:    Miles Morgan
Event Type:    Death
Death Date:    28 May 1699
Death Place:    Springfield, Massachusetts

Name:    Edward Foster
Event Type:    Death
Death Date:    22 Feb 1719
Death Place:    Springfield, Massachusetts

Name:    Samuel Bliss
Event Type:    Death
Death Date:    23 Mar 1720
Death Place:    Springfield, Massachusetts
Spouse Name:    Mary Bliss

Name:    Mary Leonard Jr
Event Type:    Birth
Birth Date:    14 Jul 1647
Birth Place:    Springfield, Massachusetts
Father Name:    John Leonard

Name:    Sarah Bliss
Event Type:    Marriage
Marriage Date:    20 May 1659
Marriage Place:    Springfield, Massachusetts
Spouse Name:    John Scot
[Transcribed text: John Scot joyned in marriage to Sarah Bliss 20 of ye 5 mon 1659]

Name:    John Bliss
Event Type:    Death
Death Date:    20 Sep 1702
Death Place:    Springfield, Massachusetts

Name:    Patience Burt
Event Type:    Baptism
Baptism Date:    18 Aug 1645
Baptism Place:    Springfield, Massachusetts
Father Name:    Henry Burt

Name:    Lawrence Bliss
Event Type:    Death
Death Date:    1676
Death Place:    Springfield, Massachusetts

Name:    Mary Parsons
Event Type:    Death
Death Date:    29 Jan 1711
Death Place:    Springfield, Massachusetts
Spouse Name:    Com Joseph Parsons

Name:    Cornet Joseph Parsons
Event Type:    Death
Death Date:    9 Oct 1683
Death Place:    Springfield, Massachusetts

Source: Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Vital and Town Records. Provo, UT: Holbrook Research Institute (Jay and Delene Holbrook).

Vital Records of Springfield, Massachusetts to 1850

Nathaniell Bliss & Katheryne Chapin were married 9 mon: 20 day 1646
nathaniell Bliss was Buried the 18th of the 9 mon: 1654
Thomas Gilbert joyned in marriage to Katherine Bliss Widd 31th 4th mo: 1655
Samuell Marshfeild joyned in marryage with Widdow Katharine Gilbert December the 28. 1664
Kathrien marshfeild who was wife to Samll marshfeild was sick and died. feb: 4: 1711/12
Febr. 15. 1669 Serja Miles Morgan & Elizabeth Bliss Joined in Mariage
miles morgan dyed the 28th day of may 1699
Edward Foster was Joined in Mariage to Hester Bliss: Decembr 26th 1661.
Esther Foster was sicke & died June: 12: 1683.
Edward Foster Died February the 22: 1719/20
Samuel Bliss & Mary Leonard married Nov: 10: 1665
Samuel Bliss the Husband of Mary Bliss Died March 23d. 1720
wido Mary Bliss was Sick & Died January 1st. 1723/4
John Scott joyned in marriage to Sarah Bliss the 20th 5th mon. 1659.
Samll Terrey widowr & widow Sarah Scot were joined in marriage Nov. 19: 1690
Sarah Terrey the wife of Samuel Terrey was Sick & died Sept: 27: 1705.
John Bliss & Patience Burt were joyned in marriage Oct: 7th 1667.
John Bliss was Sicke & died Sept. 20. 1702
Patience Burt the daughter of Henry [torn] borne 6 mon: 18 day. 1645./ & baptised.
Hannah Bliss daughter of margritt Bliss dyed the 25th of the .11. mon 1660
Lawrence Bliss joyned in marriage to Lidia Wright the 25th of 8th mon 1654.
Laurence Bliss died [blank] 1676.
John Norton & Lydia Bliss widow were joined in Marriage: Octo: 31th: 1678
Jan 26 1687 John Lamb widdower & Lidia Norton widdow Joined in Marriage
Quartermaster George Colton & Widow Lydia Lamb were joined in marriage March. 1. 1691/2
Lyddia Colton the wife of george Colton dyed the 13th day of Febuary 1699
Joseph Parsons & mary Blisse were joyned together in mariage 9 mon: 26 day 1646. at Hartforde.
mrs Mary Parsons the wife of Cornet Joseph Parsons was sick & died Jan. 29. 1711/12
Tobee the negro Servt to wido. Mary Parsons was Sicke & died Dec: 14. 1711
Cornet Joseph Parsons was Sicke & died octobr: 9: 1683:

Source: Vital Records of Springfield, Massachusetts to 1850. Boston, Mass.: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2002. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2008.)

Vital Records of Norwich, Connecticut

The names & ages of children of Thomas Bliss are as ffolloweth
Elisabeth Blis was borne in November Anno Dom 1645
Sarah Bliss was borne in Aguft Anno 1647
Mary Bliss was borne in ffebruary Ann: 1649
Thomas Bliss was borne in March An 1651
Deliuer Bliss was borne in Agust An 1655
Samuell Bliss was borne in Desemb Ano 1657
Anne Bliss was borne in Septem Ano 1660
Rebeckah Bliss was borne in March An 1663

Source: Vital Records of Norwich Connecticut, 1659-1848. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2007.) Originally published as: Vital Records of Norwich, 1659-1848. Hartford, Society of colonial wars in the state of Connecticut, 1913.
[Note: Some letters transcribed in the above record as F probably should have been transcribed as S (letters S's at the time often appearing a long F-like letters). So, for example, "poft" is actually "post," "Defember" is actually "Desember" or December, and "Jerufha" is actually "Jerusha." MB]

Vital Records of Saybrook

The marriage of Robert Chapman and birth of his Children
Mar[r]ied at Seabrook to Ann bliss the 29 of Aprill Anno 1642
John Chapman born the beginning of July Anno [16]44
Robert Chapman born the middle of Sept. Anno [16] 46
Anna Chapman born about the 12th Sept. Anno [16]48 deseased the above at same time the year following
Hanna Chapman born the 4th of October Anno [16]50
Nathanill Chapman born the 16 of February Anno [16]53
Mary Chapman born the 15 of Aprill Anno [16]55
Sarah Chapman born the 25 of Sept Anno [16]57
Anne Chapman the wife of Capt Rob[ert] Chapman deceased the 20th of November Anno 1685

Source: Vital Records of Saybrook 1647-1834 (Online Database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2008), (Originally published as: Vital Records of Saybrook 1647-1834. Hartford, The Connecticut Historical Society and the Connecticut Society of the Order of the Founders and Patriots of America, 1952.)

Connecticut Town Marriage Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection)

Name:    Thomas Bliss
Marriage Date:    Oct 1644
Marriage Place:    Saybrook, Connecticut, USA
Spouse:    Elizabeth
[Text: "Thomas, m. Elizabeth [   ], Oct. latter end, 1644"]

Name:    Robert Chapman
Marriage Date:    29 Apr 1642
Marriage Place:    Saybrook, Connecticut, USA
Spouse:    Ann Blith

Name:    Mary Bliss
[Mary Bles]
Marriage Date:    26 Nov 1646
Marriage Place:    Hartford, Connecticut, USA
Spouse:    Joseph Parsons

Source: Ancestry.com. Connecticut, Town Marriage Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Original data: White, Lorraine Cook, ed. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Vol. 1-55. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1994-2002.

Connecticut Town Death Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection)

Name:    Ann Chapman
Death Date:    20 Nov 1685
Death Place:    Saybrook, Connecticut, USA
Spouse:    Capt. Robert

Name:    Capt. Robert Chapman
Death Date:    13 Oct 1687
Death Place:    Saybrook, Connecticut, USA

Source: Ancestry.com. Connecticut Town Death Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Original data: White, Lorraine Cook, ed. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Vol. 1-55. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1994-2002.

New England Marriages Prior to 1700

Bliss, Thomas & Elizabeth [?Birchard]; latter end of Oct 1644; Norwich, CT/Saybrook
 
Source: Ancestry.com. U.S., New England Marriages Prior to 1700 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2012.
Original data: Torry, Clarence A. New England Marriages Prior to 1700. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2004.

Connecticut Deaths and Burials Index

Name:    Thomas Bliss
Death Date:    15 Apr 1688
Death Place:    Connecticut
Burial Place:    Norwich, Connecticut
Gender:    Male
FHL Film Number:    3091

Source: Ancestry.com. Connecticut, Deaths and Burials Index, 1650-1934 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: "Connecticut Deaths and Burials, 1772–1934." Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2009, 2010. Index entries derived from digital copies of original and compiled records.

Massachusetts Applications of Freemen

Name:    Joseph Parsons
Date:    19 May 1669
Original Source:    C. R., Vol. IV. p. 629.
Comment:    Took oath

Source: Ancestry.com. Massachusetts Applications of Freemen, 1630-91 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. Original data: Paige, Lucius R.. List of Freemen of Massachusetts. Boston, MA, USA: New England Historical and Genealogical Society, 1849.

Autobiographical Letter of Robert Chapman of Saybrook, Connecticut

Capt Robert Chapmans Legacie to his Children. Left to them in writing before his decease who departed this Life the 13th day of October 1687

To leave Something with my Children that may be of use to them whilst they are passing through a perilous world the design of this writing
The first Part of my time till I was about 15 or 16 years of age I lived with my parents I was Educated in the way they then called puretansme in observance of gospell rules and especially of the Sabath which [    ] no Little tryall to me to see [   ] others of neighbors around about me to have their plays and Sports on the Sabbath and my Self held in by the rains of family Government to the dutys of the Sabbath:
When I was about 15 years of age I had a mind to be put out to Learn a trade great care was taken to Place me in Some Godly famaly and because there was not of that trade then known near my fathers house I was bound out to a man that Lived about 30 miles off who in a formall Shew had the name of [ ] Christian but in truth and real[ ] a poor man. when I had been there a while I had my Liberty as other boys had to play on the Sabbath days and improved my Liberty Some time till the Lord was pleased to make me to remember the way of Education at home and how just it was with God to Leave me now to have my [ ] to be vain and profain as others by the Good hand of God upon me it So prevented that I left of that course and attended the [   ] as well as I Could Remember Children be not wanting to your children when they are young begin betimes to teach them the knowlege of the god of their fathers you will finde the first of time to be the Best of time: and though not much Encouragement may at present appear yet be assured there is a blessing anexed thereto that Shall in due time appear : After I had Somtime refrained my Self from those Sabath daye Sports Providentially there was a Scotch Minister who traviling through The town on the Last day of the week was persuaded by Some Christians to Stay in town and preach to them on the morrow which was the Sabbath: which he yielded unto and did preach from those words : put you on the Lord Jesus Christ : which words was in the opening and prosecution Such words as I thought I never heard before as to inward Soul Concernments and this did give a Second lift to me : After Some years Service with my master the way was opened for me as that I Returned home to my fathers house then was the great name and fame of new: England Sounding about the Country: then Also liberty and Sports upon the Sabath publickly allowed then. Great numbers appeared to Embrace the Same and make a scoff at those that would not fall in with them : then the signs of a black and dark time did appear inso much that it Caused Great thoughts of heart amongst the Godly what was their way whether to go for new: England there being then an open door Some chose to keep their Standing and others to great numbers from all parts of England of all Sorts of persons with their familys cast them Selves upon the providence of God by Shiping themselves for new England in which time it being the year 1635 : I wrought Jorney [   ] work with one Tillinghust for the Space of half a year and until I Came for new: England a blessed change it was to me to fall into such a Godly family where I had my desire of Christian Comunion and so as that I grew apace in Knowledge and Stability with Such warmed affections as that I thought my Estate was Good but my purpose for Newengland being setled and the time drawing near of taking Ship after I had Spent Some time in visiting my friends in Kent and Sussex in the beginning of September was dismissed from them to the blessing of God and tooke Ship and after a long and dangerous voyage arrive at Boston in new England the 26 day of December 1635 and my Self with Several others lovingly Entertained on Shore and had our entertainment that winter at Govenour winthrops farm : When I had been Some time on Shore I had a Great fit of sickness and many terrors with it as Concerning my Estate : could make no Comfortable work of what I had thought I had been wrought in me before but many discouragments and heart mis-givings that Surely here must be Something more done then yet I had found: the Lord was pleased to raise me up again and from thence brought me to this place in the beginning of April 1636 where I have remained to this day     after
After I had been here Some time that black and dark day of the pequod war fell upon us in such Sort that our lives were in hazard night and day and when we Saw one taken away one day 2 at another 4 at another out of our little number and the Enemy rage and insult that he will have us all : now comes home two questions what do I hear :and what must I do here : here after much Strugling I was Satisfied in that that I was in the Place that God had Set me in that I did not bring my Self into it no further then I was advised by my friends Especially by my faithful Loving mother who I know did lay up a Stock of prayers for me Remember this Children your obediance to parents may Stand by you when you have Little Else to relieve you 2dly what must I do here the voice of God to me both in his word and works was prepare thy Self the son of man Comes in an hour when you look not for him Saw it So by others and to help on this Great work the Lord was pleased to Send mr. Higginson amongst us to be preacher unto us whose labour in the work of the ministry was Suitable Seasonable profitable according to the then present Dispensation of providence all which to gether put me upon more earnest indeavours then formerly by prayer hearing and laying up the word Studying the Scriptures acquainting my Self with the principles of the oracles of God unto which all truths may be refered and have found the benefit of that Study even to keep me Stedy from being deceived by the cunning and Subtle contrivances of Such as would be accounted to be angels of Light and yet in truth are the children of darkness who can cry up the Scriptures with great zeal and Solemnity even those that favour the lu[st?] of their hearts and others will Slight for this my time hath been a perilous age when So many false Christs hath appeared in the world to deceive Some they must have Imediate Revelations from heaven or else of no value others do affirm that though the Spirit doth witness according to the word yet without any condition or qualification wrought in us : another Sort are those that Say there is nothing required of them but to believe that Christ hath done all for them and therefore neither Repent or obey the Gospel in the Sumery part thereof
another Sort and they are such as have gone creeping up and down the Country to gain Disciples who have and do teach that the Light that is in a person if it be tended to is sufficient to Salvataion : these with Some others of Like import pass hard under Soaking awakenings to be Embrased as to bring rest to the Soul which through divine assistance upon tryall I found them to lead off from Christ and so from rest for as much As they all have a tendancy to Cast off Christs yoak and therefore far off from bearing his Cross the nescesity of which is So often urged by Christ himself otherwise we cannot be his disciples his being prest hard upon me and the Sweetness of Communion with christ that I found in private prayer brought me up to a Settled resolution to be for Christ to Stand for christ to take up his Cross and follow him in what capacity he Should bring me into which resolution I have found to abide and be helpfull to me Especially when I have Seen the cross coming to me and waies before me to Escape the Same o then do not deny Christ hath Said that voice within me blessed by God that hath been my helper that in those criticall times and turns I have met withall that I have not imprisoned the truth when it hath come to my turn neither wickedly departed from my God : my children I insist the more? here for this is foundatition work it being laid upon Christ Christ as a crucified Christ: Christ As he is revealed in the Gospel Not coming with outwarn observation but with inward demonstration of the word and spirit of Christ thus lay your foundation and the building will Stand and in all matters you are called forth to attend Let your business be with God what Shall I do in this and that case, do not Confer with flesh and blood but Study the Good word of God be proving what is the good and acceptable will of the Lord and keep close there to although you See the cross make make fast toward you flinch not for in due time you Shall reap if you faint not but Especially See that your foundation be laid upon Christ the discovery of his Love and rich Grace for this will allways be of a constraining nature to follow Christ. We Love him because he loved us first Gracious discovery begets love and love resolution as Some times he Said Should Such aman a I flee according to the Discoveries of free Grace So will be Our love : according to our love So Our resolution for God ye Scripture is Plentifull in this 116 psam : I will love the Lord and the reason was because he had heard his Supplication and inclined his ear : but when was that when the Sorrows of Death compassed me about and the pains of hell gat hold upon him as if david Should Say oh here is matchles love indeed when death and hell come together even then for God to hear and then to deliver this hath begotten love in my Soul therefore hath thy Servant found in his heart to pray oh Says he I love the Lord and will call upon him so long as I live Children look to your your Selves : on this account Strong resolutions for God Speake out Gracious discoverys of God : weak resolutions argues weak work and no resolution Seems to render a person as having yet his choice to make Standing upon an Indifferent point with god it is that wich which Some times you know I have hinted at when persons have been presented as fit for church comunion and to be enroled amongst the Saints they have Spoken Some more and Some less according to what God hath done for them but very little if anything at all what they will do for god which Seems to fall Short of all the examples both Christ himself and of the most Eminant of Saints and is a mongst many others arguments an argument of declention and of pitifull low Spirits when Christ was asked whether he were a King Says Christ to this and was I born and for this Cause came I Into the world So Paul I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem : I have Sworn Says David and will perform that I will keep thy righteous Judgments : See therefore what resolution and purpose of heart you are come to for as a man thinketh in his heart So is he the times coming on do call for Settlement See your foundations be Safe: I have Insisted the more upon this because Scripture and experience Lays So much weight thereon the church of Ephesus haveing fallen is commanded for her recovery to repent recover her first love and do her first works : I Shall now Come to Give Some hints Concerning the Building upon this foundation that is a Spirituall building, as the foundation is So must the building be :
First then Remember that in this building there must be an agreement with the foundation in all the causes’ thereof the Eficient meritorious formall and finall causes : first the Eficient which is the Spirit of God without which you cannot Strike a Stroke to the building aright : we know not how to pray as we ought but the Spirit helpeth our in firmities it is not Grace received in the habit that will do but the operation is of the Spirit
Secondly you must agree with the meritorious cause and that is the righteousness of Christ that there is any good look from heaven upon a Sinfull Soul is the purchase of Christ : away then with that Self conceited righteousness of our own and feel and Say when we have done all we can we are unprofitable Servants
Thirdly we must agree as to the formal cause faith in God and observance to God a believing hart and a Godly life you are no more Strangers and forainers Says Paul but fellow citizens with the Saints and of the household of God and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief corner Stone
fourthly: you must agree with the foundation as to the finall cause which is to build a Spirituall and So an Eternall house and hence this building is called a building of God an house not made with hands Eternal in the heavens : now where-Ever there is this foundation laid upon Christ there is a growing Spirituall building there upon which Shall grow So high as to reach into heaven and there remain a holy temple through the Spirit unto the lord notwith Standing all the powers of darkness and the gates of hell that Shall not prevaile
Fifthly that the guilding and the foundation may agree whatever you do Labour to keep up uprightness to God and to man a citizen of Sion is one that Speaks the truth in his heart : his heart and his tongue doth Sweetly agree then this Spirituall building Spiritual building and foundation will agree also there is nothing that the Devill and his Instruments do more Set themselves against then the uprightness of the Saints and it is rare if one day pass but that a discerning Spirituall builder may See Subtile and crafty and many times undiscerned working of Sin Satan and the world to drive aman off from his up-rightness which if they can attain that they know the man is conquered and Like to have his portion with hippocrites
Now to leave with you my Children Some of my observations and experiences in my time of Snares and dificulties that I have been brought into and helped thereon
First I have often met with 2 ways the one a way of uprightness with the Cross, the other away of falshood wth worldly advantage I have Chosen the first
Secondly : I have met with 2 Sorts of persons Saints and Sinners : by Saints I mean Such who are called faithfull and true and are like minded unto Christ : by Siners I mean garnished profesors and yet Like minded with the world rising high in forms and outward Shews of holiness but as deeply bespoted with the filth of this world as others. were were there visard taken off I have loved the first and been Shy of the Second try me o God and know my heart try me and know my thoughts and See if there be any wicked way in me and Lead me in the way Everlasting
Thirdly I have met with temptations both from Saints and Siners who have delt Injuriously with me and ungratfully to have revenged my Self which I have had oppertunity to do : but the lord hath Said vengance is mine and I will repay believing that it Shall So be: have quieted my Self and been Still :
fourthly : I have met with temptations on worldly preferments to conform to the Customs of the changing times it being the way to get up and hold out in honourable Employments but the Snares and temptations that ly thick and Strong in such capacities have been fearfull to me I have not to my Knowledge used any indirect means for Such attainments lest the temptations Should be too hard for me and a trembling thing to me when God hath Called me forth upon the Stage of action
Fifthly I have Seen the time when it was Joy to me to do that which was right and have indeavoured to do So to mine enemies as well as friends: of Spiritual and Soul concerns in these particulars
First I have Seen the time when Secret communion with Christ Christ hath been Esteemed by me as the most precious time in this world
Secondly I have Seen the time that I have longed for the Sabbath before it came and when come Esteemed them honourable and holy unto the Lord
Thirdly I have heard and recieved the word many a time with this prayer lord make this word Good to thy Servant:
Fourthly : I have found a Difference in the Solemnity and awfullness of my heart betwixt the reading of the pure word of God and other mens works there from
fifthly I have found great benifit in the comunion of Saints Specially in those days when Spiritual Experimentall things were brought forth: that which comes from the heart usually reaches the heart:
Sixthly: I have thorow the Grace of god in dificult Cases which were beyond me been able to Commit my Self in the Sense of my own insifficientcy into the hands of him who is alsufficient and have had the accomplishment of that promise both in doing and suffering my Grace Shall be sufficient for thee
Secondly The change of times in my time acording to my observation may not be unusefull to you if my time be divided into 3 parts I lived almost a 3rd part in England before I Came into these Parts : that was a declining time as to the life and power of religion few there were in most places and Great places too that kept up religion in their families and things grew worse and worse: profanation of the Sabaths allowed by the prelates bowing the bodys of the congregation when the name of Jesus was mentioned with Severall other Injunctons to the Subverting of Souls : te Godly of the land grieved and not being able to help them Selves the others discouraged So as they were Seen to walk on Every Side : then a time to make that prayer help Lord for the Godly man ceaseth and the faithfull fail from among the children of men this I Saw in my first part of time in England and it was an Evil time that the Shadows of the Evening were Streched over the people of God
A Second change of time in my time was in the morning of new England I may Say the first 20 years and it was a rising time glorious things were then reported of our Sion newenglands morning clear and beautifull though not altogether without clouds of herisie which acationed trouble but yet Soon crushed the persons being found no better then then wandring Stars and their doctrins Like Empty clouds without water them had the Churches rest in New England and were Edified walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the holy ghost were multiplyed then was the glory of our first temple such as its doubtfull whether Ever it will be recovered to : then were the churches organised with teaching Elders [Ruleing] Elders deacons all fixed in their places then were there to be found in the Churches men able pious men who could and did in the absence of their officers instruct the people out of the Scriptures to their edification and good sattisfaction then there were Signal testimonies of God hearing the prayers of his people with Speedy answers there unto then God rebuking kings for the Sake of his people he broak their laws and cut their Spears assunder Saying be still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the heathen
The Last 3d part of my time or there abouts nigh 20 years according to my observation hath been a declining time from those first ways as in general all or the most part do grant that after God hath done So well by us we have Iesuran like waxed fat & kicked the heel and therefore have all those Evils come upon and over taken us : and that Seem to Increase upon us one year after another as if the Lord were resolved not only to make us Sick with Smiting but to give us a deadly wound that Shall not be healed : I Shall leave with you my Children Some perticulars of my observation and who wee may be compared unto Surely in our first days to Capernaum lifted up to heaven and in our last days with those in malachies time inclineing downward towards hell :
The first Sign of declention is loss of love and affection to God and his ways Saith Christ to the Church of Ephesus thou hast left thy first love their declention first begins in cooling the affections and then diverting the judgement and practice So Say they the table of the Lord is poluted and his meate is contemptable as if they should Say it is poor beggerly living upon the provision God hath provided in his house, oh how many have there been in Churches who have for a considerable time well approved the doctrine of of the Gospel and discipline of the Churches and yet afterward Shews themselves to be men and wo -men of other perswations : Great families that when their Children have been grown up they have Studyed more their privilegges then their duties : and the first ways of the Churches are strict there need not be So much adoe all the Congregation is holy and hence implicite faith must Suffice when allas poor Souls the fault lies not there but in themselves : they have nothing to Say they have lost their love and affection to the word and ways of God and have not concern ed themselves as they ought and there fore willingly ignorant of those plain truths of the Gospel that with the heart man belives unto righteousness and with the mouth Confession is made unto Salvation So clear and full are those things laid down in the word that a Single eye may See them:
A Second Signe of declention and That is Idleness : if a person loose His love and afecition to a thing he will Secretly grow careless of it : there was a time when heads of families kept up the worship of God in their families but after their Children were Grown up they grew more lax forgeting their places and loosing the ways of their Government taking little notice of their Extravagences if they please them on worldly accounts So that the Spirit of Religion hath Secretly and In- Sensably died away in those Families a lamentale thing to See Great families of chidren come to man and womans Estate and yet no more to be found in them then in those that are of the Profainer Sort as Either to the form and power of Godlyness yet these idle persons do think themselves wronged if they be not raised up to (part missing here) that height of priviledges as others these are they that will not Shut the door of the house of God for nought neither kindle a fire up on his alter without Some worldly advantage: I have no pleasure in you Saith the Lord of hoasts neither will I except an offering at your hand :
A third Signe of declention is when persons grow teachy and froward a laysy person doth not care for work quckly weary and looks at that little he doth to be great either as to the mater manner or end the Sluggard is more wise in his own conceit then Seven men that can render a rea -Son, are not all places filled with these Sorts of persons who are So far from the knowledge of true godliness that if (part missing here) you tell them friend or brother here is a defect in you in this and the other thing, presently he is tuchy and will Snuff at it and it may be So weary of it that they will proceed to hatred So as to lay a Snare for those that advise or reprove them A fourth Signe is when persons Grow obstinate and bold it is not the usuall Jeniss of a true believer to grow obstinate and bold for that there is laid in the hearts of Such the fear of God and thus the blessed man that feareth all way he is so well acquainted with himself that when he comes to be delt withall he quickly hath misgivings that doth arise in him, it is your formall and obstinate persons that will Stout ? it out both against God and man so in malachi your words have been Stout against me Saith the Lord, yet ye Say what have wee Spoken So much against thee: ye have Said it is in vain to Serve god and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinances I wish that this be not one of the great Sins of Newengland when professors after Some time of Experience attending to gods ordinances as also to the proffits and incomes of the world which as thorny things growing together with the Seed of the word untill it be choaked & the poor Soul come at last to Say I find no profit in ordinances by them its time Spent without profit and there fore I am weary of it as they Say here in malachi what a weariness is it The fifth Signe of apostacy or declention that wee may finde in Malachis time was that they lost their Spirituall discerning they could not discern between the precious and the vile: ye have wearied the Lord when you Say Everyone that doth evill is Good in the Sight of the Lord, and now Say they we call the proud happy and they that work wickedness are Set up : yea they that tempt god are Even delivered if the State and case of New England be like this :
all you that fear the Lord Look about you First look out and See where you may find out those that truly fear God : thus the godly did in that time.
Secondly Make much of their. Company then they that feared the Lord Spake often one to another : Let your visits with them be frequent and delightfull on to acount of the name of God
Thirdly beware of all others on the account of the name of God for th think but little of it : and when they doe, its not to advance but to Emp or Slyly one way or other to cast reflection there upon as they where is the God of judgment
And now my children for whom principally take these pains think on what I Say Especially So far as I Speak according to the Lord and Testament : I am now taking my leave of you : and you will See me no more I Shall Leave you in an evill declining world and periolous the Simtoms where of grows on a pace that an upright man Shall have hard work to find out So as he may commit himself to the faithfullness of any Saving the Lord alone : See that I Jeremy therefore Stir up your Selves and one another Take heed you loose not the Things you have wrought It is a Great refreshment to me how writing that the lord in rich grace hath brought you all into visible covenant with himself and none of you fall amongst the number of those sticklers who in their times and turns have been So hurtfull to the purity power and peace of the churches : but according as you have been instructed So you have received and as [you] have received So you have practiced the good lord Strengthen Establish and confirm you all unto the end that you may hold fast what you have gained and keep on being abundant in the work of the lord for as much as ye know your Labour Shall not be in vaine in the Lord that when he shall ap- pear we may appear with him in glory not as parents and Children but as the Children of the living God to whom be all praise honour might majesty and Dominion world without End

from your truely Loving
father whilst I am :
Robert Chapman
Senior
September the 6th 1687

Source: Original letter located at R. Stanton Avery Collection, New England Historic Genealogical Society.

Click here for images of a portion of this letter.

See Halseth, Judith H., "Autobiographical Letter of Robert1 Chapman of Saybrook, Connecticut," New England Historic and Genealogical Register, vol. 159, 2005, p. 316 for more information.

Sketches of the Judicial History of Massachusetts from 1630 to the Revolution in 1775

"At a Court holden at Springfield, Sept. 27, 1659 Samuel Allen of Northampton, plaintiff vs. John Bliss of the same town defendant, in an action of the case for unjustly stealing away the affections of Hannah Woodford, his espoused wife damnifying the said Samuel to the value of £50. In this cause the plaintiff withdrew his action before the case was tried for that he found himself defective in his testimony."
 
Source: Washburn, Emory, Sketches of the Judicial History of Massachusetts from 1630 to the Revolution in 1775, C.C. Little and J. Brown, 1840, pgs. 62-63.

Salem Witches and Others Tried for Witchcraft

Name of Accused:    Mary Parsons
Year:    1651
Town:    Springfield
Colony:    Massachusetts
Outcome:    Acquitted

Name of Accused:    Mary Parsons
[Mary Bliss]
[Mary Bliss Parsons]
Year:    1674-75
Town:    Northampton
Colony:    Massachusetts
Outcome:    Acquitted

Source: Ancestry.com. New England, Salem Witches and Others Tried for Witchcraft, 1647-1697 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. Original data: Original information from surviving legal records from the towns and villages in question and appearing in Godbeer, Richard, comp. The Devil's Dominion: Magic and Religion in Early New England: Appendices A & B. [Information taken from Boyer, Paul and Stephen Nissenbaum, eds. The Salem Witchcraft Papers: Verbatim Transcripts of the Legal Documents of the Salem Witchcraft Outbreak. 3 vols. New York, NY: 1977.). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 1992.

Court Records from The Goody Parsons Educational Web Site

Court Proceedings

Mary Parsones the wife of Joseph Parsones Senor Appeared alsoe Samll Bartlett whome this Corte ordered to produce ye witnes=ses in yt matter refferring to Goodwife Parsones suspicion of witchcraft. And ye sayd Goodwife Parsones being called to speak for her self, she did assert her own inocency, often mentioning it how cleare she was of such a Crime, and yt the Righteous God knew her Inocency with whome she had left her cause Whereas Robert Old was ordered to appeare at this Corte, But not being warned, the Corte have now left yt case to ye worshipfull Major Pynchon to Deale in yt Case as her sees meete according to law There having beene many suspiciones of witchcrafft at Northampton & severall testemonyes concerning the same, of Persones suspected, exhibited to the Last County Corte in Sept last at Springfeild by Persones then & there comeing voluntarlie some to give in Evedence & others there appearing also without summondes to cleare themselves of for execrablle a Crime, Alsoe James Bridgeman sending to ye Corte yt Diligent inquesition might be made Concerning the death of his Daughter, Samll Bartlets wife, whome both Goodman Bridgeman & Samll Bartlet suspect she came to her end by some unatureall meanes & for yt Diverse testemoneys reflect upon Mary Parsons ye wife of Joseph Parsons Senor it being alsoe affirmed yt there were many more wittnesseses yt would come in & in yt Case, the Corte then thought meete to order Mary Par==sones to appeare at ye Corte now hither ajourned, who accordingly appeareing as above sayd, Alsoe Samll Bartlett appeared, whome ye Corte ordered to Produce ye testmonyes in ye Case, which being Brought in & ye Corte ffinding them many & various, some of ym being demonstrations of witch Craft & others sorely reflecting upon Mary Parsons as being Guilty that way though ye tryall of ye Case belongs not to this Corte, but to ye Corte of Assistants, yet Consedering ye Remoteness and ye season of ye yeare & many Difficultyes if not in capeabilityes o Persones there to appeare some being soe wrake, this Corte tooke ye more paines in inquiring into ye Case, Appointed a jury of Sober dazed [?], chast woman to make Diligent search upon ye Body of mary Parsones, wheather any markes of witchcraft might appeare, who gave in there account to ye Corte on oath of wt they found (which) with all ye testemoneys in ye Case ye Corte orders to be sent to Boston to our Honored Governor by ye ffirst oppertuntie, Leaveing it to his Wisidom & Prudence in Comumicateing ye matter to ye Honored Magestrates for ye ffurther Proceeding therein as they shall see cause And ye Recorder of this Corte is accordingly to take Care yt all ye write ings & evedences in ye Case be ready & Delivered to ye worshipfull Major Pynchon who is desired to write to ye Governor concerning this matter.

Bond for Mary Parsons to Appear at Court

Itt is ffurther ordered yt Mary Parsones shall make her appeareance Before ye Governor magestrates or Corte of Assistantes to answer to wt she is suspected of in Case she be called or required theretoo by Authority & her Husband Joseph Parsones to become Bound in a Band of 50 [?] for his wives appearance accordingly it required before ye 13th May next And accordingly Joseph Parsons Senor being sent for & comeing before this Corte acknowledged himself Bound to ye County Tresurer for Hampshire in ye Sum of fifty Poundes Sterling that his wife Mary Parsones, if required thereto shall appeare at Boston, Before ye Governor Magistrates or Corte of Assistantes or any Corte between this & ye 13th May next, to Answer unto wt she is suspected off viz: witchcraft, and in Case of her non appearance accordingly upon lawfull sumons theretoe, Being sent to or left at ye House of ye sayd Joseph Parsons then the sayd Joseph Parsones is to forfeite ye sum of fifty Poundes aforesayd to ye County Treasurer for ye use of ye County, this ye sayd Joseph Parsones Acknowledged in Corte whereupon his wife was Discharged ffurther attendance at Present

Robert Bartlett testifies about Rumors heard from George Lanton

June 10 [16]56
Robbard Bartlett testifieth that Gorg Lanton tould him the last winter that Goody Bridgman and Goody Branch were speaking about mary parsons concerning her being a which and the said George tould to the said Robbard that my wife being there, said she could not think it & the said Goody Bridgman seemd to be distasted with us also they had hard thought of the wife of the said Robbard be cause she was intimat with the said mary parson
Taken uppon oth in the presence of us
William Houlton
Tho Bascum

Hannah Lanton verifies Robert Bartlett's Testimony

Hanna Lanton the wife of Georg Lanton testifieth to the truth of this of Robbard Bartlett and saith it is the very truth in the presence of us
William Houlton
Tho Bascum

Margaret Bliss Testifies about Sara Bridgeman's Gossip

Margarett Bliss testifieth that Sara Bridgman tould her that she did heare that her daughter parsons was susspected to be a which and that she had heard there was some discontent betweene the blind man at Springfeild and her daughter & that she had done him hurtte and that there was some words between the blind man & her daughter and then the child of the blind man had asounding fitte
June 20 [16]56 testified uppon oth before us
William Houlton
Tho Bascum

Hanna Lanton testifies about what Sara Bridgeman told her about her child's illness

June 20 [16]56
Hanna Lanton the wife of Gorg Lanton testifieth that Sara Bridgman the wife of Joams Bridgman tould her that her boy when his knee was sore cried out of the wife of Joseph parsons and said that she did hurt him and that she would pull of his knee and also the said Sara tould her that she had heard other say them where Jealous that the wife of Joseph parsons was not right and the said Hanna saith that by reason thereof she had some found of the wife of Joseph parson but it hath pleased god to help her over them & doth believe there was noo such cause and is sorry she should have hard thought of her uppon noe better grounds testified uppon oth in the presence of us
William Houlton
Tho Bascum

Sara Bridgeman testifies about her son's illness and talk against Mary Parsons

Sara Bridgman owned before us that she tould Hanna Lanton that her boy cried out of the wife of Joseph parsons & said she would hurt him & that she would pull of his knee and that she had heard others say that there where Jealousies of Goody parsons that she was not right
William Houlton
Tho Bascum

Hanna Broughton testifies about Sara Bridgeman's Gossip

June 20 [16]–56
Hanna Broughton saith that Sara Bridgman the wife of Joams Bridgman said to her that Mr Pinchon should say that if that where true which he had heard Goody parson could not be right & the said Sara said if she is such a one she desiered god to keep her & hers from having any think to doe with her and the said Hanna saith she did somteime it go about without
testified uppon oth before us Sara Bridgman owned before us that she tould hanna broughton as above testified
william houlton
Tho Bascum

John Webb and Hanna Broughton testifiy about Sara Bridgeman

John Webb hanna Broughton testifieth uppon oth that Sara Bridgman being summond about last June before the three men at Northampton
desputed by the Honnorabl corte the for the triall of small cases they then desired to speake with her boy that had his knee sore the said Sara said that her boy should not com
August 15 [16]56
in the presence of us
William Houlton
Tho Bascum

Testimony about Various Rumors

There was tendered to Goodman Parsons and his wife refferences aboute ye businesse by James Bridgman in ye presense of
Samuel Wright Senior.
and William Joanes.

and refference tendered ye second time in the presence of Samuel Wright Senior Richard Lyman . William Joanes John Webb and shee refused it and her answer was what ye corte would give her that shee would stand to

George Langtons Testimony what he spake to Goodma Bartlet at a time when his wife Goodwife Bridgman and Goodwife Branch was together they thought shee was Goodwife Parsons was naught & was not right and this I told to Goodman Bartlet this George Langton can affirm by oath.

Goodwife Wright Testifies about Mary Parsons

The testimony of Goodwife Wright ye wife of Sam: Wrigth Junior Goodwife Wright said that when shee was at Goody Parsons house shee told her that Goodwife Holton said shee would make her candles for her and halfe for ye other Goodman Webb and his wife doth affirmd the same yt Goodwife Parsons said soe to them. Goodwife Holton was spoken to about this business in the presense of John Webb and his wife and denied it and said yt shee never spoak word with Goodwife Parsons about it Richard Lyman doth affirmd ye same as Goodwife Holton denyde it . . soe yt its a madd ly of Goodwife Parsons.

Richard Lyman and John Web testify about Mary Parsons

Richard Lyman and John Webb affirmed that at yt time when Goodman Elmore was swor=ing some witnesses concerning Goodwife Bridgman
businesses : Goodman Elmore urged them to Sward [swear] and telling of som what bthey should say and did contrue the meaning of there words and writt downe what he thought good ; and when he read it the witnesses denyed what he writt.

John Webb testifies about Mary Parsons

John Webb affirmde that Goodman Elmord said upon a time whoe he was examining somethying deppending upon this business of Goodwife – Bridgmans, yt he stood for them and would stand for them meaning Goodwife Parsons

Testimony of William Hannum's Wife and Testimony of William Hannum

Testimonyes taken on the behalf of Sarah the wife of James Bridgman the 11th Day ove August 1656
the wife of William Hannum of Northwottuck at Northampton sayth that I have been warned by some of Windsor and some of Norwottuck to beware how I had to doe with Mary the wife of Joseph Parsons : and she herself also told me, when she lay in of her last child, and being ill in a strange fitt, that the occasion of her illness was, that her mother being lately there, had brought her news that she the said Mary was suspected to be a witch: the said Goodwife Hannum also sayth that this winter past I spun for the said Mary Parsons about 33 runn of yarn, & this Spring the said Mary desired me to lett her have one of my daughters to dwell with her, and I considering wt rumores went about of her I was loth to let her go there to dwell: but shee havinge allured my daughter, as my daughter told me, I told my daughter shee should not goe thither to dwell; if shee might have ten pound a yeare: at this tyme the said Mary Parsons came to me & challenged me about the yarne yt I spun for her, that it wanted of the tale of the threads in the Knotts, uppon wch I went to her house & examined the yarn, and all that I examined did want almost in every knott of the yarn, some tymes there would be but 18 threads in a knott for 40 or 28 for 40 wch notwithstanding wn I spun it, I did my best endeavd to give a true account of & it was not found fault with till this tyme : & for I spun some more for her to recompence this defect & I spunn more for her besides that, & still when the yarn came to her, it would never hold out tale in the threads, though I did my best endeavr to deale truly in ye thing, and I have spun for others & could have my yarn hold out After this I spun oakum yarn for her, & sent for her weights to weigh it & called whom I had about mee to see yt I made weight & soe I sent it home to her & Presently shee sent me word it wanted weight Shee the said Goodwife Hanum also saith that my daughter though formerly healthy, yett this summer hath been very sickly & unhelpful to mee, wch though I know it may be by Gods owne immediate hand : yet it causeth some jealousies in me against the said Mary, because it fell out with in 3 or 4 days after I hadgiven her a full denyal of my Daughters service Testified on oath before me Elizur Holyoke
William Hannum [blott out?] testifyeth on oath that I have had some jealousyes against this Mary Parsons, on these grounds: First this Mary came to my house about the yarn that shee missed and then wee had a falling out about it & some discontented words passed on both sides: this was in an eveninge, & as I take it in March last & that eveninge all my Cattell were well for ought I could see by them, & the next morning One cow lay in my yard, ready to dy as I thought: wch when I had considered I endeavored to gett her up & at length gott her to stand: but shee languished away & dyed about a fortnight after, though I took great care night & day to save her, givinge her samp pease wholesome drinks eggs etc. & this Cow beinge young was lusty before this very tyme Secondly, the same week I remember I beinge at work at John Webbs, I saw Joseph Parsons beatinge one of his little children, for loosinge its shoo; and to my apprehension he beat it unmercifully, & his wife comeinge to save it, because shee had beaten it before as shee said, he thrust her away: the next day I gooinge to work agayne at John Webbs, there were some other neighbors there and they were talkinge how Joseph Parsons had in a sort beaten his wife : then I answered them that one of you benige his next neighbors must ride, wch manner of jestinge I doe not approove at all or allow of in my selfe : the same day the said Mary Parsons hearing how I had jested shee dealt with mee about it showinge her offense : & so it fell out that the same evennige, I havenige a sow it had 4 young piggs the sow was missing & we could not fynd her that night, the next mornnige very early I sought her a good while but I found her not, but meeting a neighbor he asked mee wt I sought I said, my sow : Says hee yonder in the swamp is a sow I think it is yors I went thither & it was my sow : & there shee stood wth her nose to ye ground looking steadily as if shee had seen something in the ground : Soe I drove her home & before noon yt day shee dyed. Shee till now was a lusty swine & well fleshed
Thirdly I haveinge two oxen I lent them to John Bliss who is thy Mary Parsons brother & I was to have his oxen to work agayn for them : & for my oxen & his & Goodman Lanctons I sett out to break up some ground & they putt John Bliss his oxen in the Middle for they were young and not very fitt to goe behind much less before : about wch tyme Mary Parsons came to mee & did chide wth mee for abusing her brothers oxen I told her I did not abuse them : shee said you putt them in the middle where they are always under the whip, I told her they were not any way wronged by ys : & shee went away in anger : within 3 days after I was gonige to Windsor wth my oxen & cart : & about 4 mile from our town, as I was goinge whether my Ox hung out his tongue or whether he went to eate for it fell out, that a wrattle snake bitt him by the tongue : & there he dy
These things doe somethinge run in my mind that I cannot have my mind from this Woman that if shee be not right this way shee may bee a cause of these things, though I desire to look at the over rulinge hand of God in all
Testifyed on oath before mee Elizur Holyoke

Testimony of Sarah Bridgeman

Goodwife Bridgman testifyed on oath that last May was a twelve month, I being brought to bed about 3 days after as I was setting up, haveinge my child in my lap, there was something ye gave a great blow on the door , and at very instant as I apprehended my child changed : & I thought wth my self & told my girle I was afraid my child would dy . & I sent out the girle to look who it was at the doore, but shee could see noe body about the house : Presently after the girl came in, I lookinge towards the doore thorough a hole by the doore, I saw to my apprehension two women pass by the doore wth white clothes on ye heads, then I concluded my child would dy indeed : & I sent out the girle to see who they were but shee could see nor body : this made mee think there is wickedness in the place : Another tyme ------
Another tyme after this beinge the last summer my boy that is about 11 yeare old sayth as he was going to look our Cowes in a swamp there came somethinge & gave him a great blow on the head, that it struck off his hatt & beat him almost to ye ground : he thought it was a bird but could see nothinge that did it & gonige a little further he came to 2 loggs & stumbled at one & fell on the other & put his knee out of joynt : & his knee after was sett as the man said ye sett it : but he was in grevious torture while the man stayd wch was 2 days to ye mansadmiration : For he was rather worse than before & he was in grevious torture about a moth : & before he was well he cryed out one night it beinge about breake a day & wth his crying out he awakend my husband : he cryed out that Goody Parsons would pull off his knee, there shee sitts on the shelf : then I and my husband labored to quiet him & could hardly hold him in the bed for he was very feirce : we told him there was noe body : yea says he there shee sitts on the shelfe : and after he said there shee is gone & a black mouse followed her : and both I & my husband told him in this extremity that there was noe body on ye shelfe yea says he there she is doe you not see her there shee runs away & a black mouse folllowes her : & this he said many tymes & wth great violence : & about sun risnige he was like to dy in our apprehension:
Testifyed on oath before me Elizur Holoyke

Testimony of James Bridgeman and Testimony of William Branch

Testifyed on oath before me Elizur Holoyke
James Bridgman testifed on oath that my child benige at this tyme ill of his knee, he cryed out & awaked mee : he cryd out his knee would be pulled off Goody Parsons will pull of my knee : I bid him hold his peace for there was noe Goody Parsons said I. yea says hee there shee sitts on the shelfe, I said there is noe body yea sayed he there shee is & there shee goes away & a black mouse followes her : & these thigns the child spake with much earnestness:
Testified on oath before mee Elizur Holyoke

Testimony of Thomas Stebbins

William Branch of Springfeild testifyed on oath that when I lived at the long meddow & Joseph parsons lived there, a certain tyme Joseph Parsons told mee that where ever he laid the key his wife could fynd it : & would goe out in the night & that when shee went out a woman went out wth her & came in wth her but says Joseph Parsons God preserves his wth his Angells: & further the said William Branch sayth that while they lived together in the Long Meddow; George Colton told mee that he followinge Mary Parsons in her fitt, he followed her thorow the water where he was up to the knees & shee was not wett : this thing I told to old mr Pynchon when he was here : who wondered at it but said he could not tell wt to say to it . Testified on oath before mee Elizur Holyoke

Thomas Stebbin testifyes on oath that when Mr William Pynchon dwelt in Springfeild Joseph Parsons came to him & asked what he thought of such a thing as this : that wn a person shall hide a thinge & another shall fynd it where ever it is laid: as says he, where ever I hide the key of my doore, my wife will fynd it & gett out, and Mr Pynchon wonderinge at it said he could not tell wt to say to it, or what to think of it or words to ye purpose :
Testifyed on oath before mee Elizur Holyoke

William Hannum testifies about his Cow

william hannum being asked what he did with his cow when he had skined her he said he lett her ly in the yard the first day the next day in the morning he drew part of the cow downe toward the swamp before his house
August 16 [16]–56 in the presence of us
william houlton
Tho Bascum

Hanna Lanton testifies about Sara Bridgeman's child

Hanna Lanton testifieth uppon oth that the child of Sara Bridgman whem she last lay in she being her next neighbor cam to dress her child not long after she had binn brought a bed and that then the child of the said Sara had a lousenes and she thought it had taken could [cold] and tould the said Sara that her child was altered and that she clouse where lous about it and that she feared it had taken could for the lower peart of it was could
August 18 [16]–56
in the presence of us
William Houlton
Tho Bascum

Hanna Broughton testifies about Sara Bridgeman's child

Hanna Broughton testifieth uppon oth that to the best of her rememberance the child of Sara Bridgman who she last lay in was sick before the time that the said Sara sat up for she being her next neighbor on the other said & the said Sara having noe nurse she & hanna Lanton where often there to loke to the woman & the child the said hannan also testifieth that the child of the said Sara was ill as sowne as it was borne
August 18 [16]–56 in the presence of us
William Hulton
Tho Bascum

John Broughton testifies about William Hannum's Cow

John Broughton testifieth that William Hannum cam to him to have him skine his young cowe that died about march last and when I had skined his cow and cam to oppon her there was a great quanitity of watter in the belly of the cow, so much as I and Goodman Hannum judged it to be 4 or five gallons the said John testifieth that the said william hannum talked to his wife and tould her they need not feare but the cow died of the water
August 18 [16]56 testified uppon oth before us
William Houlton
Tho Bascum

John Webb and George Alexander testify about William Hannum's Cow

John Webb and Georg Allexander testifieth that they asked william hannum what he thought his cow died of and the said William tould them that he thught his cow died of the watter for she had a great quantiti of watter in her belly
August 18 [16]56 testified uppon oth before us
William Houlton
Tho Bascum

George Alexander, Samuel Allen, and Goody Webb testify about William Hannum's Ox

Gorg Allexander Samuell Allin & Goody Webb testifieth that they where present when the ox of william hannum was stung with the rattle snake and they did notice nothing but what might com to pass in an ordinary way and that thy killed the rattle snake
August 18 [16]56 testified uppon oth before us
William Houlton
Tho Bascum

Margaret Bliss and John Bliss Testify about William Hannum and His Wife

Margarett Bliss and John Bliss testifieth that william hannum and his wife said to them the 12 of august last that they had nothing against mary parsons
August 18 [16]-56 taken uppon oth before us
William Houlton
Tho Bascum

William Hannum and his wife testify that James Bridgeman put them up to lying

William hannum & his wife said to us that Joams Bridgman hiared them to downe to Springfeild to give in there testimony or elso they would not have gone but yt he was very importunate with them
August 18 [16]56 William Houlton
Tho Bascum

Anne Bartlett testifies about Sara Bridgeman's child

The testimony of Anne Bartlet
This deponent testifieth uppon oath that the child of Sara Bridgman when she last lay in was sicke as sowne as it was borne in so much that it did groane some thing much and the said Ann Bartlett testifieth that a littill whille after she went to so the said Sara and asked how her child did and the said Sara tould her that her child had the lousness still which it had at tho first and if it continueth I feare it will be the death of my child. The said Ann Bartlett also testifieth uppon oath that she watched the child of Sara Bridgman the same night the child died and then the child had a great lousnes And the said Sara Bridgman said thus hath it been from the first
August 18 [16]56
In the presence of us
Willi Houlton
Tho Bascum

William Houlton testifies about Sara Bridgeman

William Houlton testifieth uppon oath that Sara Bridgman the wife of James Bridgman said to him she had such jealousies and suspition of Mary Parson that she could not be sattisfied unless the said Mary were searched (?) by women three times
August 18 [16]56
in the presence of us
Tho Bascum
Ed Elmor??

Bond for the Arrest of Sarah Bridgeman

To the Constable of Northampton
By vertue here of you are required to attach the body of Sarah Bridgman wife of James Bridgman of Northampton and to take Bond of her to the value of an 100 [pounds] with suficient surty or suerties for her personall appearance at the next Countey Court held at Cambridg on the 7th of October next ensuing the date here of Then and there to answer at the Complaint of Joseph Parsons for Slandering of his [illegible – probably "wife Mary"] Parsons and to make a true returne thereof under your hand hereof fayle you not.
Springfield this 8 of September 1656    By the Court
Henry Burt

Constable's Response to the Warrant

[Obscured] of, Sarah Bridgman: and for want of [?] have commited her to safe custody in northampton shee being weake and with childe is not able to apeare at this court with out hassard to her life
Allexander Edward constable

Testimony by Simon Beamon regarding Mary Parsons' fits

Simon Beamon testifies, that about the time the witches were apprehended to be sent to Boston Mr. Moxon's children were taken ill in their fits (which we took to be bewitched) and at the same time was Mary Parsons, the wife of Joseph Parsons and other taken with the like fits so that they were all carried out of the meeting it being Sabbath day as Mr. Moxon's children acted so did Mary Parsons the wife of Joseph Parsons, just all one, and I have diverse times been with them all, and I could discern no difference in their fits[.] And once I carried Mary Parsons home to the Long Meadow when she was in her fits, and when she was at home and came to herself she wondered how she came there, and by the way as I carried her behind me I was fain to hold her up upon the horse, and I discerned that she did not understand herself nor where she was, and she would often cry out of the witches and call to Hannah Smith that they might creep under Goodwife Warriner's bed (from whence I took her to carry her home) or else the witches would kill them, she said, and I have at other times been helping to hold her when she hath been in her fits and have round it as much as two men could do to hold her in her fits.
Taken upon oath this September 19, 1656 before me John Pynchon.
[This transcript appears in Hall, David D. Witch-Hunting in Seventeenth-Century New England: A Documentary History. Second Edition Boston: Northeastern U P, 1999. pp 110 - 111.
It is from the original appearing in Autograph File (John Pynchon) Houghton Library, Harvard University in their collection of depositions and related documents, "Trials for Witchcraft in New England"]

Testimony of Richard Sikes about George Colton and Mary Parsons

Rich Svkes affirmeth upon oath, yt about foure yeares agoo, being at supper at Goodm Coltons : Sam Bliss came in & sd his sister, Mary Parsons was run downe ye meddow whereuppon I went forth wth G Colton & we overtooke her presently shee being fallen downe in one of her fits & we brought her in & laid her on ye bed & shee would looke fearefully somtymes as if shee saw something, & then bow downe her head, as others did on theire fits about yt tyme, But I could [obscured by torn document] & further saith not. ; ; / Taken upon oath this 27th Sept 1656,
Before me John Pynchon

John Mathews testifies about what he heard Joseph Parsons and Mary Parsons say

John Mathews testified yt about foure years agoe, being at Joseph Parsons house making of barrells; uppon occasion of some diffe=rence betwixt Joseph Parsons & his wife, he sd to his wife yt shee was led by an evill spirit thereuppon shee sd he was ye cause of it, by locking her into ye sellar & leaving her : Joseph Parsons, sd further yt shee went over ye water & Colton after her, & shee was not wet only Goodm Colton was wet : shee sd also ytt when her husband lockt her into ye sellar, ye sellar was full of spirits, & shee threw ye bed stafe at ym & ye bed cloathes & her pillow & yet they would not be gon ; & from this tyme shee told one it was yt shee fell into her fits some few days after, shee ye sd Mary Parsons told me, ye spirits appeard to her like poppets as shee was washing her cloathes at ye brooke, & then shee fell into her fits : Mary Parsons ye wife of Joseph Parsons further told me yt in her fits, shee hath gon from her house in ye long meddow thorough ye grt swamp in her shift, & when shee came to her self shee could not tell how shee came thither:
Taken upon oath this 27th of September 1656 before mee
John Pynchon

Samuell Bartlett's Complaint against Mary Parsons

Samll Bartlet of Northampton having lately lost his wife to his greate greife as he expresseth and ye rather for ye he strongly suspects yt she dyed by some unusuall meanes, viz, by meanes of some evell Instruemt he presented to this Corte diverse evedences to shew the grounds of his feares & suspicioun Alsoe Goodman Bridgeman finding so ye Corte & Intreateing that Diligent inquisition may be made concurring ye Death of ye sayd Woeman his Daughter for yt he also Strongly suspects she come to her and by some unlawfull & unatureall means & for ye Diverse of ye testemonyes doe reflect on Goodwife Parsones Sen of Northampton ye Corte haveing read ye testemonyes doe thinks it meete yt ye case should be ffurther lookt into & therefore doe refferr ye sayd case & all other things Concerning ye sayd Goodwife Parsons yt have beene now Presented to ye ajournmt of this Corte which is to be kept at Northampton ye 18th Day of November next, for further Disquition & doe order yt she be warned thereto attend to answer wt shall be objected agst her & ye wittnesses are to be warned to appeare to testify before her viva vere wt they have already given in upon oath concerning her

John Mathews Denies Suspecting Mary Parsons

John Mathews affirmeth yt he hath at persent noe grounds of jealousy for himselfe, of Mary Parsons ye wife of Joseph Parsons, to be a witch, & yt what he testified yesterday on oath was uppon ye earnest Importunity of James Bridgeman & his Brother; further ye sd Jno Mathews affirmeth that when he was at worke at Joseph Parsons house there came a greate clap of thunder suddenly, whereat Mary Parsons wth ye fright fell downe in a swoone, in my sight: John Mathews further saith yt he never spake a word to James Bridgeman or his wife of that wch I testified yesterday [blotted] I [blotted] spake it before ye Comissioners, & heretoe I set my marke
Before me John Pynchon
Springfeild 30th of September 1656

John Pynchon Testifies that he has never made or heard any reports of Mary Parsons

Being requested by Goodwife Parsons to givfe this testimony wch testifies of my hearing some report concerning Goodwife Parsons, yt gave me occasion to say : If yt were true, Goodwife parsons could not be right, shee ye sd Goodwife Parsons desiring me to declare whether I sd so, & wt reports I heard of her, I accordingly declare, yt to my remembrance I never sd any such word, neither doe I remem=ber any reports that I have heard wch have given me occasion to speake any such words of Goodwife parsons : & heretoe I set my hand this 30th of September 1656.
John Pynchon

Decision of the Court in the Slander Suit

The court having read the attachments and perused the evidences repectively presented on both sides which are on file with the records of this court do fined that the defendant hath without just ground raised a great scandal and reproach upon the plaintiff's wife: and do therefore order that t defendant shall make acknowledgement before the inhabitants of the place where the said parties dwell: Viz. Northampton and also at Springfield at some public meeting at each place by order of Myr. Pynchon or Mr. Holyoke or either of them and in such words and manner as shall be suitable satisfaction for such an offence and the same to be testified under the hands of the said Mr. Pynchon and Mr. Holoyke, within 60 days next ensuing and in case of default having notice of the tiem at each place the said defendant viz. James Bridgeman shall pay damages to the plaintiff ten pounds sterling : Also this court doth order that the defendant shall pay to the plaintiff his costs of court viz. seven pounds one shilling and eight pence. [October 7, 1656]
[This transcript appears in Hall, David D. Witch-Hunting in Seventeenth-Century New England: A Documentary History. Second Edition Boston: Northeastern U P, 1999. pp 111 - 112.
The original source is James R. Trumbull, History of Northampton (1898) 1, p. 51]

The Case of Mary Parsons at the Court of Assistants at Boston

The following are transcripts copied from Records of the Court of Assistants of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay 1630 - 1692.
A note about these transcriptions, as copied from the source book:
Printed under the supervision of John Noble Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court Volume 1 Boston Published by the County of Suffolk 1901. "Seconde Booke of Records Begunne the 3d of March 1673" is an original volume of records, written out by Edward Rawson, is a complete record of the Court from March 3rd 1673 to April 22nd 1686 and from December 24th 1689 until early in 1692. By this time, the Court of Assistants was a "purely judicial body" (x), and was "the Court of highest original jurisdiction in causes civil and criminal" (x). The text was edited by John Noble and completed in 1910.
Appearing on page 31 of this volume:
The Grand Jury was Called againe and they pervsing seuerall euidences sent doune from the County Court at North Hampton relating to mary Parsons the wife of Joseph Parson they presenting an Idictment against hir on suspicion of witchcraft leaving hir to further trjall The Court Ordered hir Comittment to the prison in Boston there to remaine & be kept in order tryall . . . This Court is Adjourned to the 13th of may next at 10 of the clock in the morning It is ordered that the Secretary Issue out his warrants for such & so many of the wittnesses as once wthin a moneth mr Danforth mr Tinge & major Clark shall wth the Secret. on their pervsall determine to be necessary and that a letter be writt to major Pynchon to Accommodate yt Affaire Relating to mary Parsons
Appearing on page 33 of this volume:
Att A Court of Assistants on Adjournment held at Boston 13th of may 1675 Att this Court Mary Parsons the wife of Joseph Parsons of Northampton in the Cunty of Hampshire in the Colony of the Massachusetts being presented & Indicted by the Grand Jury was also Indicted by the name of Mary Parsons the wife of Joseph Parsons for not hauing the feare of God before hir eyes and being Instigated by the divill hath at one or other of the times mentioned in the euidences now before ye Court entered into familliarity wth the divill and Comitted seuerall acts of witchcraft on the person or persons of one or more as in the sajd euidences relating thereto refference being thereto had Amply doeth and may appeare and all this Contrary to the peace of our Soueraigne Lord the king his Croune and Dignity the lawes of God and of this Jurisdiction == After the Indictment and Euidences in the Case were Read the prisoner at the barr holding vp hir hand & pleading not Guilty putting hirself on hir triall, the Jury brough in their virdict they found hir not Guilty -- & so she was dischardged ==

Joseph Parsons Licensed to keep an Ordinary

Joseph Parsons of Northampton is by this Corte lycensed to keepe an Ordinary or house of Comon Entertaymnt, in the Towne of Northampton for the yeare ensueing and he hath liberty grannted him to sell wines or strong liquors as need shall require: Provided he keepe good rule & order in his house

Joseph Parsons charged with Lascivious Carriage

The Jury presenting Joseph Parsons Senor to this Corte for lacivious carriage towards some women of Northamp vizt Hannah Roote & Goodwife Salmon : The Corte did [???] the case, & did judge that there are grounds to feare??? & Suspect that Joseph Parsons hath misdemeaned himselfe towards the said women : And therefore the Corte did admonish the said Joseph concerning the suspition of such miscarriages

Joseph Parsons Presented for Contemptuous Behavior

Joseph Parsons being presented for contemptuous behaviour towards Northampton Comissioners & towards ye Selectmen for disorderly carriage when ye Company were about theyer of Military Officers he is by this Corte fyned to ye County in ye Summe of 20 p to be pd to ye County Treasurer And for buach [?] of the Law in suffering Harricks ye Dutchman to Spend his tyme & assets in his the said Josephs house ye Ordinary the said Joseph Parsons is by this Corte fyned to ye County in ye summe of 40 [?] to be pd to ye County Treasurer

Joseph Parsons takes an Oath of Fidelity

Joseph Parsons Junior John Bridgeman John Hilliard Preserve : Clapp John Woodman John Hulband Samuell Davis Josph Edwards Benjamin Edwards Samell Marshall Nathaneell Wellet Jono Roote Jno Alexander William Pipley Micah Midge Tho Lyman Samuell Holton Jonathan Marsh William Holton & Timothy Baker did all of them in presence of this Corte take the Oath of fidelity to this Collony

Widow Mary Parsons: Dispute over the title to the Springfield Home

She adminestrated to ye Estate of Cornet Joseph Parsons deceased viz Mary Parsons the widdow, Joseph Parsons & John Parsons, adminegh trato ye aforesd Plaintiffs & Major John Pynchon Esq, defend him an action of the Case for neglect of secureing & deffending sd adminestrator Right to containe lands in Springfeild acceeding to a deed under this hand & seale In which so admmestrated are Molested by a writt of dowrye to ye Relict of Lett Thomas Stebbouper alrae Mss Blark & all acording to attachments entrie Money 10 s
In the action depending in Corte betweene Widdow Parsons Joseph Parsons John Parsons Plts & Major John Pynchon Esq defend the testimonyes & evedences in the case being produced & read in Corte & comitted to the jury they brought in there verdict that they find for ye defendent Costs of Corte as bill allowed of in Corte at 00 17 00
Bond signed by Joseph Parsons

Bond written by Cornet Joseph Parsons of Northampton, Mass. 24 March 1663/4.

...A reproduction of the bond was transcribed by Gerald J. Parsons, F.A.S.G. 21 July 1993...
marche 24 : [16] 63 64
Knowe all men by this presente that Joseph parsons of north hamtone for my selfe and wife dooe bind my selfe in a bande of twentey pound to thomos roote Senyer and Josof Roote and tomas Solmon not to trobell aney of them or thar wifes for aney doefrance that was bee twene aney of theme abowte giveng thare othes in to the comesheners of north hamton whare in they sayd that thare was som mescareg doone by him I Josof parsones by this writeng dooe fooley aqite the fore named parsones of aney wrong doon to him and dooe & shall berey the sayd as if it had nover ben in word or deed to him: and dooe fooley aquite thos[e] parsons so that thare may be no more dofrance abowte that thinge or thinges but in after time the sayd Josof or marey or aney of his should trobell aney of thes[e] aboofe parsons spesified the sayd Josof parsons dooe owe to paye to him or them aney one of them twontey pownde Joseph parsons
Wittness
Enos kingsly
marke of
Sary kingsly

Court case against Joseph Willistone regarding Parsons Estate

An Account of severll particulars of Good in the Custody of Joseph Willistone which belong to Mr Joseph Parsons Deceased & for Mrs Mary Parsons Deceased of which Joseph Parsons Jr and Capt, to Parsons Administration, to a ye Deceased Estates Complain to ye Judge of Probate that they are taen by said Willistone in a Clandistine way which are as followeth -----
A Deed of sale of ye homelot he sd Willistone lives on which was obtained of Coll Pynchon
A silver bowl holds a pint a bed Blankets a brass kettle holds about a pail full _ a pair of hatchels
a frying pan a looking glass twelve pounds four shillings in Money & something more a bolster filled with featheres

Dated 18 March 1723 Joseph Parsons John Parsons Administrators as aforesd

Joseph Willistone being cited to appear before me under named Judge of Probate this 19th day of March 1723 to answer Joseph Parsons Esq. for that sd williston had in a clandestine way concealed certain particulars of their fathers & Mothers Deceased their Estates to which sd Willistone gave an Acctt as follows
Viz: 1 Joseph Parsons charged sd Willistone with keeping & Concealing a Deed they or their Mother had obtained of Coll Pynchon of ye hometed sd Willistone hath built & now lives upon to which sd Williston saith he had none of it nor directly nor indirectly knew nothing of it nor where it was
2 Willistone was charged that he had a Silver Cup of a pint and a looking Glass to which he said his Mother gave them both to her daughter Mary Parsons sd Willistone late wife
3 Willistone was charged with a brass kettle of a pailful & half to which he saith ye kettle was in being they might have it if they see cause
4 Willistone was charged with a pair of hatchets & a frying pan which he had them on Acct of Det due to him or they might have them paying to him his Debt
5 Willistone was charged with 19/17 Money to which he Answered he had but 9/18 that he had for debt due to him
6 Willistone was charged with a feather pillow for a bed to which he answered ye pillow was to a bed he had on his wives Mary Portion by them that was changed for one yt was not a ye so good
To ye above ye Acctt Joseph Willistone made oath this 19th March 1723 so ye above Acct, that was A true account in all the partiuclars as above, before me Samll Partridge Judge of Probate

Source: Historic Northampton and UMass IT Center for Educational Software Development at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, The Goody Parsons Educational Web Site, https://ccbit.cs.umass.edu/parsons/hnmockup/home.html, retrieved 21 Oct 2017.

Hartford, Connecticut Probate Records

Name:    Thomas Bliss
Location:    Hartford
Date of Will:    14 Feb 1650
Page:    28
Full text:    Invt. œ86-12-08. Taken 14 February, 1650, by Nathaniel Ward, Joseph Mygatt. Nuncupative Will. Testimony of John Pinchon & Hen: Smith gives property to his wife. Mary Parsons, a daughter, of Springfield, doth Testify to the same.Court Record, Page 17--20 February, 1650-1: Adms. to the Relict, She to keep the whole Estate in her Hands for her Use and the Education of the Children during her life, then to be divided among the Children, viz: to Lawrence, to John, to Samuel, to Hester, to Elizabeth, to Hannah, and to Sarah Bliss.
Source:    A DIGEST OF THE EARLY CONNECTICUT PROBATE RECORDS.1650 to 1663.

Source: Ancestry.com. Hartford, Connecticut Probate Records, 1639-1700 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. Original data: A Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records, Hartford District, 1635-1700. Vol. I. n.p., 1906.

New London (Conn.) Probate Record

BLISS, ELIZABETH, of Norwich. File No. 584. Inventory of the estate of Elizabeth Bliss of Norwich, who deceased 28 Feb. 1699/1700, taken by Thomas Leffingwell and Caleb Abell, Selectmen. The names of the children: Samll, Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary, Deliverance, Ann, and Rebeccah.
 
Source: Jacobus, Donald Lines, "New London (Conn.) Probate Record," The American Genealogist, Vol. 10, 1933, p. 36.
 

THE ESTATE OF CORNET JOSEPH PARSONS

(This is a copy re-typed from the transcript by Gerald J. Parsons. Edits are forthcoming.)
The Inventory and Settlement of the Estate of Cornet Josph Parsons are recorded in Book 1, pages 235 and 236, of the Hampshire County Court Records, Hampshire Registry of Probate, Northampton, Massachusetts. These instruments were recorded at the County Court held at Northampton on 25 March, 1684, and following is a copy:

Mrs Mary Parsons Widdow Relect to Cornet Joseph Parsons Senr late deceased of Springfd prsented to this Corte an Inventory of her late hushands Estate to which she made Oath & power of adminestration is granted to ye sd Widdow Mary Parsons to Joseph Parsons Eldest Son & to John Parsons 2d Son to ye deceased And sd deceased dyeing intestate the Setlement of ye Estate is as ffollows –

Here ffolloweth a Coppy of ye Inventory of ye Estate of Cornet Parsons deceased

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       L          s       d
Impr To his purss & apparrell at                                                                                                                                                                  09       15     00
To a house & homestead in Northampton formerly mr ffitches & 23 acres of meadow Ld in Northampton & Moveable Estate ded to Joseph Parsons Jur as his portion all at                                                                                                                                                                                                225     00    00
To his homelot & Orchard yt was mr Williams in Northampton & 23 acres of Ld in ye meadow at Northampton & Moveable Estate ded to John Parsons as his portion at                                                                                                                                                                                                     160     00    00
To a homelot in Northampton & 23 acres of Ld in ye meadow with moveable Estate ded to Saml Parsons as his portion at      160     00    00
To a homlot in Northamption & 23 acres of Ld in ye Meadow with Moveable Estate ded to Jonth Parsons as his portion at      160     00    00
To 34 acres of Ld in ye meadows at Northampton at 6 L p                                                                                                                   204    00    00
To all his Ld in Pascomock within ye Lymits of Northampton                                                                                                                 130    00    00
To all his Lds in ye place Comonly called Wesquakege at                                                                                                                    040    00   00
To ye houses & Lds in Springfd in ye Town & at falls at                                                                                                                            230   00    00
To a house & homestead in Boston & Remayns of a place &c for a Warehouse ye house being burnt down at                         300   00    00
To Living Stock at 45 L 15s Swine at 35s                                                                                                                                                     047   10    00
To Cart wheels, plow, harrow, Chaines, timbr Chaine fitrs all at                                                                                                           005   10     00
To Corn & hay 10 L 6 s One Ox hide 15s                                                                                                                                                   011   01    00
To shoes 15s flax 30s Peuter Vessells at 10L                                                                                                                                               012   05    00
To Tinn & glasses 10s Earthen Ware 10s                                                                                                                                                    001   00     00
To Brass Kettells Skillits Warmeing pann & other small things                                                                                                                 008   10     00
To iron pots 6L 10s diapr Cloath at 2L 5s                                                                                                                                                  008   15     00
To Lying Cloath 45L 13s beds & bedding at 50L                                                                                                                                     095   15     00
To besteads 40s Chests & trunck at 8L 15s                                                                                                                                               010  15     00
To boxes at 30s tables at 40s Silver plate at 5L                                                                                                                                        008  10     00
To hats 4L 5s Sadle, bredle, pistols, holsters at 4L 13s                                                                                                                              008  18     00
To Chaires Quishons & stooles at 4L baggs at 50s                                                                                                                                  006  10     00
To a Screw & Stilliards at 3L Cubbird Cloath & small things 4L                                                                                                              007  00     00
To nayles 2L bees & honey at 3L 15s                                                                                                                                                         005 15     00
To old Cask & bolting mill at 2L Other small tools 35s                                                                                                                             003  15     00
To Mauls 20s Meale Sives & Corne Sives at 10s                                                                                                                                       001  10     00
To a Pannell & pilion with 3 yds Cloath 2L 9s 1 yd Cloath 7s                                                                                                                 002  16     00
To Indian Corn 24s Carte rope & spining wheels at 29s                                                                                                                           02  13     00
To Braided baskets & flasket at 15s bees Wax at 10s                                                                                                                               01  05     00
To Cutlash rapiour & silk Scraffe at                                                                                                                                                             02  10     00
To pillian 30s Guns 45s green sey 40s Lining Yarn 32s                                                                                                                               05   07    00
To iron tramels pothooks firepann Chaffingdish and irons all at                                                                                                            04   00    00
To betle Wedges & a Chaine 15s bellows, hamr, slice all at 8s                                                                                                              01  04     00
To a Lookeing glass 8s pork book tallo Chess, buttr Suiet                                                                                                                       15  14     00
To a Cowle half bushll Corn treys, dishes, trenchers sithing dish                                                                                                            01  13     00
To a pt of a Saw mill at 30L Gun at 16s hetchell 8s                                                                                                                                  31  04     00
To Severall things at Josephs 40s by Severalls of ye Estate in debts taken & Some things Sold at 10L                                             12   00    00
In John Parsons hands 86L in Saml Parsons hands 16L10s                                                                                                                     102  10    00
In Jonathan Parsons hands 20L in debt due from D Morgan 8L                                                                                                          028   00   00
To part of a Saw mill at Haddam at                                                                                                                                                        012   00   00
To Hats in Hadley at                                                                                                                                                                                   004  00   00
    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   2088  09    00
 
Taken pr John Dumbleton
Benj Parsons
John Hitchcock

A Setlement of ye Estate of Cornet Jospeph Parsons
Senr deceased

Whereas by ye alwise disposeing hand of God (Joseph Parsons late of Springfeild) is taken Out of ye Land of ye Living, his awfull afflicting hand as we his Sirvivers desire Senceably to be affected with Soe humble to Submitt to his holy Will & good pleasure & although sd Joseph Parsons by his Pruedent Care was thoughtfull & Stuedious Soe to dispose of wt Estate God had blessed him with, Soe as might bee for ye use & Comfort of his deere Wife & Children Sirvivers as aforesd yet Notwithstanding by Reason yt ye Last Will & testiment of ye deceased aforementioned was made about Seven yeares Since & attended with some imperfections wrby it was doubtfull wheather it would stand in law ye deceased had Concluded by Some alteration of sd Testiment & acted accordingly So farr as he had libertie & advantage So to doe & accordingly to his fowr Sons had distrebuted while living as in his book under his hand appears & by a papr in ordr to a further declareing of his mynde as to ye dispossall of his Estate then the aforementioned will, wch was not perfected alsoe, by Reason of Weakness & ilness interposeing incapasitateing him accordingly & therein is expressed his tendr respect unto his deere Wife & two his fowr daughters alsoe appointeing to sd Daughters 100L apeice & to his Wife aforesd wn all portions are payd & set Out to Each Legattee aforementioned ye Remaindr of his whole Estate (debts being payed) to be to her free & absalute dispose, And therefore we ye sd Sirvivers, have mutually agreed * Concluded as to a Setlemt of ye Estate aforementioned, wch we intend humbly to propose to ye Cortes Consideration & determination, it shall be as ffolloweth –

That Joseph Jur Eldest Son to the deceased shall have Out of his fathers Estate as his portion One homelot with an house On it which was formerly Bought of mr Joseph ffitch as it is Cituate within ye Township of Northampton abutting on ye house Lot of Samll Wright Northerly Town Streete Southerly high way Westerly & a house Lot of John Broughtons Easterly, & three acres of meadow Land in the tract of Land Comonly called old Rainebow, Bounded by Land of John Lymans Senr Southerly & Land of Deacon judds Northerlie the Rainebow hill Westerly & ye Rever Easterly, Seven acres & a half of Ld formerly Bought of John Bliss, Bounded by Rainebow hill Easterly a high way Westerly & Southerly; by Land of Johan Woodwords Northerlie, five acres of pastor Land Bouned by Land of Benoenie Stebbins Southeast & Land of Nehemiah Allins South & Ld of Thomas Bascombs North & Easterly by an high way & Westerly by Land of Isaack sheldings, three acres of Grass Land in middle meadow, Bouned by Joseph Roots Land South the Remayndr of ye deceaseds Lot North & a high way West & ye River East & in moveable Estate to ye vallue of One hundred twenty five Pounds wch he hat already Received –

To John Parsons 2d Son to ye deceased Land formerly Bought of mr Williams a homelot and Ortchard Cituate within ye Townshipp of Northampton Bounded by a homelot of Christopher Smiths South & by a homelot formerly Henry Conliffs North, high way Westerly & Land of John Langtons Easterly, ten acres of meadow Land in Northampton meadow boundd by a high way East & West & Joseph Roots Land Northerlie & Samll Wrights Land Southerlie, five acres of grass Ld in middle meadow bounded by Ld of Samll Bartlits Southerlie & John Stebbins Land Northerly high way west & ye River East Eight acres & a half of Land bounded by Land of John Holtons Northerlie & Land of Samll Parsons Southerlie, a high way East & West all wch is vallued at 130L & in moveable goods which he hath already Recd vallued at 30L –

To Samll Parsons 3d Son to the deceased a homelot Cituate within sayd Townshipp of Northampton by Estimation fowr acres, Bounded by a high way Westerlie, Easterlie by ye Comons, by a homelot of John Parsons Southerlie & by a homelot of John Allexandrs Northerlie; Eight acres of Land in ye Meadow, Bouned by ye Town fence Westerlie a high way East, by Land of John Bridgmans Southerlie, & Ld of Jno Parons North, three acres of Land in old Rainebow, Bounded by Wm Millers and Southerlie & Ld of Samll Allins Northerlie by a high way West and ye River east, two acres & a half in young Rainebow, Bounded by Ld of Jaohn Hannums South, & Wm Millers Land Northerlie by a high way West & east, five acres of Land yt was fomerly Walter Lees Land Bounddd by Land of Isaack sheldings Northerlie & Land of Ricd Lymans Southerlie, & by a high way Weat & east, One acres of Land in ye Meadow Comonly clled Munhann Bought of Capt Cooke, three acres & a half of Ld Bounded East & West by ye high wayes, & by Lad of Widdow Goodmans Souterhlie & by ye Remayndr of sd deceaseds Lot Northerlie, all vallued at 130L/10s & in moveable Estate wch he hath already Recd 29L/10s –

To Jonathan Parsons 4th Son to ye deceased a homelot Cituate in the Townshipp of Northampton, Conteineing two acres, bounded by a high way Easterlie ye Comons Northerlie & South by John Parsons homelot & by a homelot of Saml Parsons West, And nineteene acres of Meadow Land in Northampton aforesd, Bounded by a high way South & North & By Land of Wm Millers East, & Land of Mathew Cleasons West, And fowr acres of Meadow in Munhann formerly Bought of Goodman Hatchet, Boundd by ye River Easterlie, & Ld of Timothy Bakers Westerlie & John Clarkes Land Northerlie & Land of Allexandr Edwardes Southerlie all vallued at 125L & in moveable Estate wch he hath already Recd to ye full vallue of 35L –

As alsoe to ye Widdow Marsy Parons Relict to ye deceased all ye Remayder of her sd husbands Estate both reall & personall wr Ever it is to be found Either in Sprinfeild, Northampton, Boston, Wesquaakege or Elce where with all prveledges & appurtenanes Revertiion or Revertions to be at her free & absalute dispose with this proviso, If she see Cause to make Sale of any of ye Lds, now at her dispose, then ye Sons of sd Joseph Parsons Senr deceased shall have ye libertie before any other to purchase ye sd Lands, agreeing with yr mother, & not to be alianated to any other person or persons wt soever till sd Sons all of ym refuse to purchase sd Lands, as alsoe sd Widdow Mary Parsons Relict to ye deceased aforementioned, to pay or Cause to be payd all debts due from ye Estate & to the sayd Joseph Parsons fowr Daughters One hundered Pounds apeice to Mary Parons One Hundered Pounds, to Hanah Parsons One Hundered Pouns To Abigaile Parsons One hundered Pounds to Easter Parsons One hundered Pounds to be payd to ym & Either of ym in good Current pay & other goods out of ye Estate & at such tyme as the sd Mary Parsons Widdow can conveniently doe it To all wch as ye joynt agrement & Conclution of ye sd Widdow & her children as to a Setlment of sd Estate, & an Issue of all further troubles, disatisfactions, & desturbances, as to any, Rights, titles, Claimes, any ways Contrary or in Obstruction or Ejection of ye aforsd prmises, but they may stand Coninue & abide as a full Setlement of sd Estate & alsoe agree to prsent ye prmises as prposalls to ye next Countie Corte for their aprobation & Confirmation, if they judge meete & Convenient Soe to doe to wch as or joynt agreement we sd Relict & Sirvivers have Subscribed this 15th day of Janr 1683 as Witness or hands Witnesses to this agremt
John Pynchon
Samll Partrigg

Mary Parsons
her mark
Joseph Parsons
John Parons
Samll Parsons
Jonth Parsons
Mary Parsons
Hanah Parsons
Abigaile Parsons
Easter Parsons
undr her Marke

Allowed & Confirmed as a Setlemt of Cornet Joseph Parons Senrs Estate ye above sayd as attest S Partrigg at Corte this mch 25 1684 Clerk

Source: Historic Northampton and UMass IT Center for Educational Software Development at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, The Goody Parsons Educational Web Site, https://ccbit.cs.umass.edu/parsons/hnmockup/home.html, retrieved 21 Oct 2017.