James Bird and Miriam --

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

James Bird was born 27 10th month 1671 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts to James Bird and Mary George.

James married first Miriam --. Miriam was born about 1670. She died 2 May 1723 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts and was buried at Dorchester North Burying Ground, Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts.

James married second Elizabeth Holbrook 1 October 1723 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts. James was a constable in 1720.

James died 15 September 1728 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts. He was buried at Dorchester North Burying Ground, Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts.

James and Miriam’s children are:

1	perhaps Joseph Bird, baptized 16 12th month 1695 (according to Trask).
2	George Bird, born 8 Feb 1695/6 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, died 23 Jul 1716 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, buried at Dorchester North Burying Ground, Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts.
3	Mary Bird, born 21 Aug 1698 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, married Naphtali Pierce 5 Apr 1734 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, died 10 Jun 1773 (according to Trask). Husband: Naphtali Pierce, b. 1 Jul 1709 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts to Thomas and Sarah Pierce, a yeoman, d. 2 Aug 1788 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, will written 6 Oct 1780 and proved at Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts 16 Sep 1788. Children: Thomas Pierce, Mary Pierce (m. -- Tolman), Sarah Pierce (m. -- Lyon), Robert Pierce, and Joseph Pierce.
4	Miriam Bird, born 4 Jan 1700 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, died 5 Sep 1702 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts.
5	James Bird, born 24 Jun 1703 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, married Hannah Wales 2 Jan 1727/8 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, died 17 May 1757 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, buried at Dorchester North Burying Ground, Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts. Wife: Hannah Wales, b. abt. 1702 (according to Trask), d. 5 Aug 1775 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, bur. Dorchester North Burying Ground, Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts. Children: George Bird and Jonathan Bird.
6	Rebecca Bird, baptized 1 Apr 1705 (according to Trask).
7	Susannah Bird, born 3 Jan 1705/6 (according to Trask), married Jonas Tolman 16 Nov 1732 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, died 18 Aug 1768 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts. Husband: Jonas Tolman, b. 16 Jan 1709/10 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts to Daniel and Sarah (Humphreys) Tolman, d. 4 Mar 1752 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts.
8	Ebenezer Bird, born 5 Mar 1708 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts "unsesonable" (perhaps premature?), married Priscilla Tolman 20 Nov 1733 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts (marriage intention 12 Oct 1733), a weaver, will written 13 Jan 1753 and proved 29 Jan 1753, died 17 Jan 1753 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, buried at Dorchester North Burying Ground, Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts. Wife: Priscilla Tolman, b. 31 Aug 1715 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts to John Tolman and Elizabeth White, d. 5 Oct 1760 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, bur. Dorchester North Burying Ground, Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts.
9	Eunice Bird, born 28 Aug 1709 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, died 20 Sep 1709 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts.
10	Nathaniel Bird, born 14 Oct 1711 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts.

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.
Suffolk County (Massachusetts) Probate Records, 1636-1899; Author: Massachusetts. Probate Court (Suffolk County); Probate Place: Suffolk, Massachusetts. Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1635-1991 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data:Massachusetts County, District and Probate Courts.
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).
Dorchester Antiquarian: Marriages and Intentions, 1733-1836. Manuscript. R Stanton Avery Special Collections, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, MA. (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2019) The Dorchester Antiquarian and Historical Society Papers, Subgroup III, folders 35-41, https://www.americanancestors.org/DB2765/i/55385/5/1425506940, last accessed 30 June 2021.
Torrey, Clarence Almon, New England Marriages Prior to 1700, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2004, https://www.americanancestors.org/DB1568/i/21174/146/426877117.
Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, U.S., Compiled Marriages, 1633-1850 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005. Original data: Dodd, Jordan, Liahona Research, comp. Massachusetts, Marriages, 1633-1850.
Fallon, William J. (chair), Annual Report of the Cemetery Department for the Year 1904-1905, Boston, 1905, p. 69.
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 George Bird, James Bird, Hannah Bird, Ebenezer Bird, and Priscilla Bird, Dorchester North Burying Ground, Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts.

Source Materials

Click on each category below to expand and see the copies of sources used to create the biography above (copyrighted and other restricted items are listed in the summary of sources above but not included below). Click again to close.

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

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.

20. JAMES⁴ (James,³ James,² Thomas¹), b. June 24, 1703; m. Hannah Wales, Jan. 2, 1727-8, and d. May 17, 1757. She died Aug. 5, (grave-stone says 4), 1775, in the 73d year of her age. They had:--

i. GEORGE, b. Feb. 24, 1727-8; d. July 12, 1748.

ii. JONATHAN, b. June 5, 1732; d. May 7, 1813.

20. EBENEZER⁴ (James,³ James,² Thomas¹), b. March 5, 1708; m. Priscilla Tolman, Nov. 20, 1733, and died Jan. 17, 1753. She died Oct. 5, 1760, in the 46th year of her age. Will of Ebenezer Bird, weaver, Jan. 13, 1753. Mentions wife Priscilla--children, Elizabeth Bird, Ebenezer Bird, James Bird, Priscilla Bird, Mary Bird, Meriam Bird. Proved, Feb. 2, 1753. They had:--

i. ELIZABETH, b. Sept. 23, 1734.

ii. EBENEZER, b. Aug. 9, 1736; m. Jane Clap, Feb. 8, 1759. She was born June 5, 1739, and was dau. of Jonathan and Jean (Tucker) Clap.

iii. PRISCILLA, b. Oct. 13, 1738; d. Nov. 20, 1738.

iv. JAMES, b. May. 7, 1740. vi. MARY, b. Dec. 25, 1745.

v. PRISCILLA, b. March 6, 1742-3. vii. MIRIAM, b. May 13, 1749.

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.

Will of Ebenezer Bird, 1753

Will of Ebenezer Bird, page 1 — Will of Ebenezer Bird,
Page 1

Source: Suffolk County (Massachusetts) Probate Records, 1636-1899; Author: Massachusetts. Probate Court (Suffolk County); Probate Place: Suffolk, Massachusetts. Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1635-1991 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data:Massachusetts County, District and Probate Courts.

Will of Naphtali Pierce, written 1780, proved 1788

Will of Naphtali Pierce, page 2 — Page 2

Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts

Births:

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

Birth record of George Bird — George Bird, son of
James and Miriam
Bird
8 Feb 1695/6

Birth record of Mary Bird — Mary Bird, daughter
of James and
Mirriam Bird
21 Aug 1698

Birth record of Naphtilie Pierce — Naphtilie Pierce, son
of Thomas and
Sarah Pierce
1 Jul 1709

Birth record of Miriam Bird — Miriam Bird, daughter
of James and Miriam
Bird
4 Jan 1700

Birth record of James Burd — James Burd, son of
James and Merem
Burd
24 Jun 1703

Birth record of Ebenezer Burd — Ebenezer Bird, son of
James and Miriam
Bird
5 Mar 1708

Birth record of Precilla Toleman — Precilla Toleman,
daughter of John
and Elizabeth
Toleman
31 Aug 1715

Birth record of Jonas Tolman — Jonas Tolman, son
of Daniel and
Sarah Tolman
16 Jan 1709

Birth record of Unise Bird — Unise Bird, daughter
of James and
Miriam Bird
28 Aug 1709

Birth record of Nathaniel Bird — Nathaniel Bird, son
of James and
Miriam Bird
14 Oct 1711

Marriages:

Marriage record of Ebenezer Bird and Priscilla Tolman — Ebenezer Bird and
Priscilla Tolman
20 Nov 1733

Marriage record of Jonas Tolman and Susannah Bird — Jonas Tolman and
Susannah Bird
16 Nov 1732

Marriage record of Naphtali Pierce and Mary Bird — Naphtali Pierce
and Mary Bird
5 Apr 1734

Deaths:

Death record of Miriam Bird — Miriam Bird, daughter
of James Bird
5 Sep 1702

Death record of Unice Bird — Unice Bird, daughter
of James and
Meriam Bird
20 Sep 1709

Death record of George Bird — George Bird, son of
James and Miriam
Bird
23 Jul 1716

Death record of James Bird — James Bird
15 Sep 1728

Death record of Jonas Tolman — Jonas Tolman
4 Mar 1752

Death record of Ebenezer Bird — Ebenezer Bird
17 Jan 1753

Death record of the widow of Ebenezer Bird — The relict widow of
Ebenezer Bird
5 Oct 1760

Death record of Susannah Tolman — Susannah Tolman,
widow of Jonas
Tolman
18 Aug 1768

Death record of Hannah Bird — Hannah Bird, widow
of James Bird
5 Aug 1775

Death record of Naphtali Pierce — Naphtali Pierce
2 Aug 1788

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).

Dorchester Marriage Intentions:

Marriage intention of Ebenezer Bird and Priscilla Tolman — Ebenezer Bird and
Priscilla Tolman
12 Oct 1733

Source: Dorchester Antiquarian: Marriages and Intentions, 1733-1836. Manuscript. R Stanton Avery Special Collections, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, MA. (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2019) The Dorchester Antiquarian and Historical Society Papers, Subgroup III, folders 35-41, https://www.americanancestors.org/DB2765/i/55385/5/1425506940, last accessed 30 June 2021.

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.

Name:    James, Jr. Bird
Gender:    Male
Spouse:    Hannah Wales
Marriage Date:    2 Jan 1727
City:    Dorchester
County:    Suffolk
Source:    Family History Library, Salt Lake City, UT, Film # 0740996.

Source: Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, U.S., Compiled Marriages, 1633-1850 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005. Original data: Dodd, Jordan, Liahona Research, comp. Massachusetts, Marriages, 1633-1850.

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 George Bird — George Bird
Photo credit: Jeffrey
James,
findagrave.com

Gravestone of James Bird — James Bird (son of
James and Miriam)
Photo credit: Jeffrey
James,
findagrave.com
Inscription:
HERE LIES Ye BODY OF
Mr. JAMES BIRD,
WHO DIED MAY 17
1757: IN Ye 54th.
YEAR OF HIS AGE

Gravestone of Hannah Bird — Hannah Bird, widow
of James Bird
Photo credit: Jeffrey
James,
findagrave.com
Inscription:
In Memory of
Mrs. HANNAH BIRD
the Widow of
Mr. James Bird
who died Augt. 4th,
1775:
in the 73d. Year
of her age

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

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

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

...

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. 255, 258.

HERE LIES Ye BODY OF | Mr EBENEZER BIRD | WHO DIED JANy. 17th I 1753; | IN Ye 45th YEAR | OF HIS AGE

Source: Fallon, William J. (chair), Annual Report of the Cemetery Department for the Year 1904-1905, Boston, 1905, p. 69.