James Bird and Mary George

Citing this biography: Boyd, Michelle, "James Bird and Mary George," article, Olive and Eliza, last accessed [current date]."

James Bird was born about 1647 to Thomas Bird and Ann --.

James married first Mary George 6 February 1669 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts. Mary was the daughter of Nicholas George and Elizabeth -- and was baptized 21 10th month 1645. She died in childbirth 23 Jan 1673 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts.

He married second Ann Withington 13 Nov 1679 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts.

James was a tanner and an ensign. He also served as the constable in 1677 and as a selectman and assessor in 1693. He was made a freeman 18 April 1690.

He died 1 September 1723 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts and was buried at Dorchester North Burying Ground, Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts. Ann died soon after, on 21 September 1723 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts. One of their daughters, Priscilla, died a few days after her mother, meaning that three members of this family died in the same month. An inventory of James' estate was taken 26 November 1723.

James and Mary’s children are:

1	(daughter) Bird, born 22 7th month 1670, died 1 8th month 1670 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, noted as James' first child.
2	James Bird, born 27 10th month 1671 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, married 1) Miriam -- and 2) Elizabeth Holbrook 1 Oct 1723 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, constable in 1720, died 15 Sep 1728 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, buried at Dorchester North Burying Ground, Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts. Wife 1: Miriam --, b. abt. 1670, d. 2 May 1723 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, bur. Dorchester North Burying Ground, Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts. Wife 2: Ann Withington. Children (by Miriam): Joseph Bird, George Bird, Mary Bird (m. Naphtali Pierce), Miriam Bird (died young), James Bird (m. Hannah Wales), Rebecca Bird, Susannah Bird (m. Jonas Tolman), Ebenezer Bird (m. Priscilla Tolman), Eunice Bird (died young), and Nathaniel Bird.
3	(stillborn? child) Bird, gender unknown, probably born (maybe stillborn) and died on the same day as its mother (23 Jan 1673). As Mary was recorded as having died in childbirth but no child was recorded in Dorchester birth records and Mary's last recorded child was born around two years before Mary's death, Mary would have been pregnant with another child who probably did not survive birth.

James and Ann's children are:

4	Eunice Bird, born 16 Oct 1680 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, died 3 Aug 1709 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, buried at Dorchester North Burying Ground, Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts.
5	Ebenezer Bird, born 30 Jan 1683 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, died 18 Jan 1702/3 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts of an accident (a fall from his horse, according to Trask), buried at Dorchester North Burying Ground, Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts.
6	Bebee Bird, born 22 May 1686 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, married Remember Preston 3 May 1705 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, died 25 Dec 1746 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, buried at Dorchester North Burying Ground, Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts. Husband: Remember Preston, b. 4 Nov 1678 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts to Daniel Preston and Abigail Jackson. Children: Said to have had no issue.
7	Priscilla Bird, born 10 Apr 1688 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, died 24 Sep 1723 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts (23 Sep on gravestone), buried at Dorchester North Burying Ground, Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts.
8	Henry Bird, born 20 Mar 1689/90 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, married Ruth --, a constable in 1735, died 5 May 1756 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts. Wife: Ruth --, d. 28 Feb 1746 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts. Children: Henry Bird, Isaac Bird, and Jacob Bird.
9	Thomas Bird, born 1 Jan 1692 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, married Mary Clap 18 Dec 1718 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, seved as a lieutenant, selectman, and assessor, died 3 May 1770 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, buried at Dorchester North Burying Ground, Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts. Wife: Mary Clap, b. 29 Apr 1699 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, admitted to full communion in the church 14 Jun 1724, d. 6 Apr 1761, bur. Dorchester North Burying Ground, Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts. Children: Mary Bird (died young), Thomas Bird, Ann Bird (m. John Williams, Jr.), Mary Bird, Priscilla Bird, Samuel Bird, Bebe Bird (m. Jonathan Bird), Hannah Bird, Ezekiel Bird, Sarah Bird (m. 1) Elisha Clap and 2) John Hawes), and Eunice Bird (m. Nathaniel Clap).

Summary of Sources

Trask, William B., "Thomas Bird, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, and Some of His Descendants," New England Historical and Genealogical Register, vol. 25, January 1871, pgs. 26, 28-29.
Pope, Charles Henry, The Pioneers of Massachusetts, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co. (reprint; originally printed in Boston, 1900), p. 185.
Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, U.S., 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).
Torrey, Clarence Almon, New England Marriages Prior to 1700, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2004, https://www.americanancestors.org/DB1568/i/21174/146/426877117.
"Marriages, Births, and Deaths in Dorchester, Mass., 1648-1683," New England Historical and Genealogical Register, vol. 16, Apr 1862, p. 155.
Trask, W. B., "Inscriptions from the Old Burial Ground in Dorchester, MS.," New England Historical & Genealogical Register, vol. 5, Apr 1851, p. 255, 258.
Gravestones of James Bird, Eunice Bird, Ebenezer Bird, Priscilla Bird, Thomas Bird, and Mary Bird, Dorchester North Burying Ground, Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts.

Source Materials

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Thomas Bird, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, and Some of His Descendants

4. JAMES² (Thomas¹), b. about 1647; married Mary George, April 6, 1669. She died in child-bed, Jan. 23, 1673. He m. Ann Withington, Nov. 13, 1679, who died Sept. 21, 1723. He was a tanner by trade; was made freeman April 18, 1690. He is called "Ensigne;" was constable in 1677; one of the Selectmen and Assessors in 1693; died Sept. 1, 1723. It may be observed that Mr. Bird, his widow Ann, and daughter Priscilla, died in the same month, namely September, 1723. Inventory of his estate taken, by James Blake, Jun^r, Preserved Capen, and Thomas Wiswell, Nov. 26, 1723. Amount, £1107.16.8. Mentions about 90 acres of land. James Bird and wife Mary had:--

i. A daughter, b. Sept. 22; d. Oct. 1, 1670.

13. ii. JAMES, b. Dec. 27, 1671; d. Sept. 15, 1728.

By wife Ann (Withington) Bird had:--

iii. EUNICE, b. Oct. 16, 1680; d. Aug. 3, 1709.

iv. EBENEZER, b. Jan. 30, 1683; d. Jan. 18, 1703, by a fall from his horse.

v. BEBEE, b. May 22, 1686; m. Remember Preston, May 3, 1705. He was the son of Daniel and Abigail (Jackson) Preston, and grandson of Deacon Daniel and Mary. See "Preston Family," Register, xiv. 26, where it says he "left no issue." She died Dec. 25, 1746, aged 61. Register, vi. 239.

vi. PRISCILLA, b. April 10, 1688; d. Sept. 24 (grave-stone says 23), 1723.

14. vii. HENRY, b. March 20, 1689-90; d. May 5, 1756.

15. viii. THOMAS, b. Jan. 1, 1692-3; d. May 3, 1770.

...

13. JAMES³ (James,² Thomas¹), b. 27. 10. 1671; wife Miriam, who died May 2, 1723, aged 53. Mr. Bird m. Oct. 1, 1723, Elizabeth Holbrook, of Dorchester; was a constable in 1720; died Sept. 15, 1728.

By wife Miriam:--

i. GEORGE, b. Feb. 8, 1695-6; d. July 23, 1716.

ii. MARY, b. Aug. 21, 1698; m. Naphthali Pierce, April 5, 1734; d. June 10, 1773. He d. Aug. 2, 1778, aged 80.

iii. MIRIAM, b. Jan. 4, 1700; d. Sept. 5, 1702.

20. iv. JAMES, b. June 24, 1703; d. May 17, 1757.

v. SUSANNAH, b. Jan. 3, 1705-6; m. Nov. 16, 1732, Jonas Tolman, b. Jan. 16, 1709-10, son of Daniel and Sarah (Humphreys) Tolman. He died March 4, 1752. She d. Aug. 18, 1768. See "Tolman genealogy, Register, xiv. 250.

vi. REBECCA, bap. April 1, 1705.

21. vii. EBENEZER, b. March 5, 1708; d. Jan. 17, 1753.

viii. EUNICE, b. Aug. 28, 1709; d. Sept. 20, 1709.

ix. NATHANIEL, b. Oct. 14, 1711.

The Church Records say that Joseph, son of James, Junr., was baptized 16. 12. 1695.

14. HENRY³ (James,² Thomas¹), b. March 20, 1689-90; wife Ruth; constable in 1735. His wife died Feb. 28, 1746. He died May 5, 1756. They had:--

22. i. HENRY, b. April 29, 1715; d. March, 1788.

ii. ISAAC, b. May 16, 1719; d. Oct. 10, 1785.

23. iii. JACOB, b. Aug. 21, 1724; d. Dec. 27, 1766.

15. THOMAS³ (James,² Thomas¹), b. Jan. 1, 1692-3; m. Mary Clap, Dec. 18, 1718. He was a "Lieutenant;" a Selectman and Assessor, 1736-'38, '40, '46-'49. His wife was admitted to full communion in the church, June 14, 1724; d. April 6, 1761, in the 62d year of her age. He died May 3, 1770. They had:--

i. MARY, bap. April 3, 1720; d. Sept. 25 (grave-stone says 23), 1723.

24. ii. THOMAS, b. Sept. 14, 1722; d. Aug. 28, 1772.

iii. ANN, b. Aug. 10, 1724; m. John Williams, Jr., of Roxbury, May 25, 1749.

iv. MARY, b. May 21, 1727; d. Jan. 16, 1807.

v. PRISCILLA, b. Jan. 21, 1728-9; d. Jan. 21 (grave-stone says 20), 1789.

vi. SAMUEL, b. Jan. 7, 1732; d. Sept. 20 (grave-stone says 18), 1817.

vii. BEBE, b. Nov. 8, 1734; m. Jonathan (19) Bird, April 7, 1757.

viii. HANNAH, b. Nov. 12, 1736; d. Dec. 14, 1769.

25. ix. EZEKIEL, b. Jan. 13, 1738-9; d. Dec. 21 (grave-stone says 20), 1817.

x. SARAH, b. April 7, 1741; m. Elisha Clap, June 17, 1773, son of Ebenezer and Hannah (Pierce) Clap, b. June 10, 1743. The widow of Elisha m. John Hawes.

ix. EUNICE, b. June 9, 1743; m. Nathaniel Clap, April 3, 1770, son of Nathaniel and Sarah (Howe) Clap, b. April 22, 1744.

Source: Trask, William B., "Thomas Bird, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, and Some of His Descendants," New England Historical and Genealogical Register, vol. 25, January 1871, pgs. 26, 28-29.

The Pioneers of Massachusetts

GEORGE,

Nicholas, Dorchester, 1641; frm. May 23, 1666. Wife Elizabeth adm. chh. 1641; ch. Elizabeth bapt. 8 (1) 1641, (m. Samuel Rigby,) John bapt. 30 (3) 1643, Mary bapt. 21 (10) 1645, (m. James Bird,) Joshua f. about 1648, Nicholas. The son Nicholas d. in Guinea about 1666, acc. to testimony of Giles Young July 18, 1672, when admin. of his est. was gr. to his widow Abigail, with Nicholas, Sen., and John Greenland sureties.

His will was prob. 27 (2) 1675. Beq. to wife Elizabeth and to grandson Nicholas, now living with him; children all disposed of in marriage.

Source: Pope, Charles Henry, The Pioneers of Massachusetts, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co. (reprint; originally printed in Boston, 1900), p. 185.

Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts

Births:

Birth record of James Bird — James Bird, son of
James Bird
27 10th month 1671

Birth record of Unice Bird — Unice Bird, daughter
of James Bird
16 Oct 1680

Birth record of Ebenezer Bird — Ebenezer Bird, son
of James Bird
30 Jan 1683

Birth record of Bebee Bird — Bebee Bird,
daughter of
James Bird
22 May 1686

Birth record of Priscilla Bird — Priscilla Bird,
daughter of
James Bird
10 Apr 1688

Birth record of Henry Bird — Henry Bird, son of
James Bird
20 Mar 1689/90

Birth record of Thomas Bird — Thomas Bird, son of
Jams Bird
1 Jan 1692

Birth record of Mary Clap — Mary Clap, daughter
of Samuel and Mary
Clap
29 Apr 1699

Marriages:

Marriage record of James Bird and Mary George — James Bird and
Mary George
6 Feb 1669

Marriage record of James Bird and Ann Withington — James Bird and
Ann Withington
13 Nov 1679

Marriage record of Remember Preston and Bebe Bird — Remember Preston
and Bebe Bird
3 May 1705

Marriage record of Thomas Bird and Mary Clap — Thomas Bird
and Mary Clap
18 Dec 1718

Deaths:

Death record of the daughter and first child of James Bird — The daughter of
James Bird
1 8th month 1670

Death record of Mary Bird — Mary Bird, wife of
James Bird
23 Jan 1673

Death record of Ebenezer Bird — Ebenezer Burd
18 Jan 1703

Death record of Unice Bird — Unice Bird, daughter
of James and Ann
Bird
3 Aug 1709

Death record of Miriam Bird — Miriam Bird
2 May 1723

Death records of James Sr., Ann, and Priscilla Bird — James Bird Senr.
1 Sep 1723,
Ann Bird,
21 Sep 1723, and
Priscilla Bird
24 Sep 1723

Death record of James Bird — James Bird
15 Sep 1728

Death records of Ruth Bird and Bebe Preston — Ruth Bird
28 Feb 1746 and
Bebe Preston
25 Dec 1746

Death record of Henry Bird — Henry Bird
5 May 1756

Death record of Thomas Bird — Thomas Bird
3 May 1770

Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts

Out-of-town Marriages:

Marriage record of James Bird and Eliza. Holbrook — James Bird and
Eliza. Holbrook
1 Oct 1723 in
Dorchester

Source: Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, U.S., 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).

BIRD, James (ca 1647-1733, 1723?) & 1/wf Mary GEORGE (1645-1673); 6 Apr 1669; Dorchester {George 90; Sv. 1:182; Reg. 25:23, 75:145; Dorchester Ch. Rec. 24; Bird (1871) 12; Smith-Bryant 116; Blake-Glidden 45; Dorchester VR 22}

BIRD, James (1644-1733, 1723?, 1725?) & 2/wf Ann WITHINGTON (1656-1723); 13 Nov 1679; Dorchester {Bird (1871) 12; Reg. 25:23; 75:144; Smith-Bryant 116; Blake-Glidden 45}

BIRD, James (1671-1728) & 1/wf Miriam _______ (-1723, ae 53); by 1696; Dorchester {Bird (1871) 16; Dorchester Ch. Rec.; Reg. 25:26}

Source: Torrey, Clarence Almon, New England Marriages Prior to 1700, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2004, https://www.americanancestors.org/DB1568/i/21174/146/426877117.

PRESTON.--...Remember, son of Daniel Preston, b. Nov. 4: 78;...

Source: "Marriages, Births, and Deaths in Dorchester, Mass., 1648-1683," New England Historical and Genealogical Register, vol. 16, Apr 1862, p. 155.

Photos are shown below as thumbnails. Click on each thumbnail to view a larger version of the photo in another tab.

Dorchester North Burying Ground, Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts

Gravestone of James Bird — James Bird
Photo credit: Jeffrey
James,
findagrave.com

Gravestone of Eunice Bird — Eunice Bird
Photo credit: Jeffrey
James,
findagrave.com

Gravestone of Ebenezer Bird — Ebenezer Bird
Photo credit: Judith
Lauver,
findagrave.com

Gravestone of Priscilla Bird — Priscilla Bird
Photo credit: Judith
Lauver,
findagrave.com

Gravestone of Thomas Bird — Thomas Bird
Photo credit: Jeffrey
James,
findagrave.com

Gravestone of Mary Bird — Mary Bird
Photo credit: Jeffrey
James,
findagrave.com

Here Lyes Buried y^e Body of M^rs Bebe Preston Wife to M^r Remember Preston; Aged 61 Years, who Departed this Life Dec 25 1746.

...

Here Lyes y^e Body of Miriam Bird wife to James Bird aged 53 Died May 2^D 1723.

...

Here Lyes Priscilla Bird y^e Daughter of Ensigne James & Ann Bird died Sep^r y^e 23^d 1723 in y^e 36 year of her age.

...

Here Lyes Buried y^e Body of James Bird who Deceased Sep^t y^e 15^th 1728 In y^e 57^th Year of His age.

Source: Trask, W. B., "Inscriptions from the Old Burial Ground in Dorchester, MS.," New England Historical & Genealogical Register, vol. 5, Apr 1851, p. 239, 255-6, 258.